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B D Halperin

Publications and source records attributed to B D Halperin.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Unmasking accessory pathway conduction with adenosine-induced atrioventricular nodal block after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is very effective in eliminating conduction over accessory pathways in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. However, accessory pathway conduction recurs in approximately 5 to 9 percent of patients in the weeks to months following ablation. We describe two cases in which intravenous adenosine revealed persistent accessory pathway conduction after apparently successful ablation, thus providing an indication for the delivery of further ablative therapy. Adenosine may improve the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways by manifesting latent accessory pathway conduction.

Adenosine↗

Analysis of local electrogram characteristics correlated with successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular pathways.

UNLABELLED: Due to the limited myocardial lesions produced by radiofrequency current, the ablation of accessory pathways (AP) requires precise localization of such connections. The purpose of this study was to ascertain which characteristic(s) of the local bipolar electrogram, recorded from the ablation and adjacent electrode immediately prior to the application of radiofrequency current, correlated with precision in localization adequate to permit AP ablation. Signal analysis was performed for 326 sets of electrograms preceding the attempted ablation of 107 APs in 100 consecutive patients. For 80 antegrade APs, the following variables were evaluated: (1) the presence or absence of an AP potential; (2) the local atrial-AP interval; (3) the local atrioventricular (AV) interval; and (4) the relationship between the onset of local ventricular depolarization and onset of delta wave of the surface electrocardiogram. For the 27 concealed APs, the following characteristics were evaluated: (1) the presence or absence of an AP potential; and (2) the local VA interval during reciprocating tachycardia or ventricular pacing. RESULTS: Antegrade APs: By statistical analysis, the best correlate of successful ablation of an antegrade AP was a local AV interval less than or equal to 40 msec (positive predictive value = 94%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 81%-100%). Local AV intervals less than or equal to 50 msec preceded 88% of successful AP ablations, compared to only 8% of failed radiofrequency current applications. The positive predictive value of the other variables were: presence of an AP potential: 35% (95% CI = 27%-40%); local atrial-AP intervals less than or equal to 40 msec: 54% (95% CI = 43%-66%); and local ventricular depolarization preceding onset of the delta wave 43% (95% CI = 34%-52%). For concealed APs, the positive predictive value of a VA interval less than 60 msec was 71% (95% CI = 48%-88%); the positive predictive value for the presence of an AP potential was 58% (95% CI = 32%-81%). CONCLUSIONS: No single electrogram characteristic had a positive predictive value and a sensitivity greater than 90% for AP localization adequate for radiofrequency current ablation. For antegrade APs, the best correlate of adequate localization was a local AV interval less than or equal to 40 msec; as a corollary, radiofrequency current applications at sites where the local AV was greater than 60 msec, were unlikely to be effective. Objective criteria for the localization of concealed APs were less certain. Electrogram analysis, as a guide to AP localization and ablation, requires careful analysis of multiple variables, with analysis of the local AV interval a salient objective factor.

Adult↗

Misdiagnosing ventricular tachycardia in patients with underlying conduction disease and similar sinus and tachycardia morphologies.

Six patients presented with wide-complex tachycardias with QRS morphologies similar to those seen on their electrocardiograms that showed normal sinus rhythms. During normal sinus rhythm, each patient had an underlying intraventricular conduction abnormality or bundle branch block. Despite the similarity of the QRS complexes to those seen during sinus rhythm, the tachycardias subsequently proved to be ventricular in origin in each patient. It is important not to misdiagnose these disorders as supraventricular tachycardia as an erroneous diagnosis may result in inappropriate management.

Aged↗

Pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in the presence of oleic acid-induced pulmonary capillary injury in the dog.

The effects of resuscitation with crystalloid and colloid solutions in the presence of increased pulmonary capillary permeability were studied. Twenty-four hours after oleic acid administration, dogs were anesthetized and bled to produce hemorrhagic shock. One hour later, resuscitation was performed with saline, 5% albumin, or 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution to restore and then maintain cardiac output at pre-oleic acid values for 6 h. Dogs were recovered and, 24 h later, were reanesthetized for final measurements. Oleic acid administration resulted in increases in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and extravascular lung water (EVLW). Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock restored pulmonary hemodynamics to pre-hemorrhage levels and did not affect EVLW, PaO2, shunt fraction, dead-space-to-tidal-volume ratio, or pulmonary compliance. There were no differences in these parameters related to the choice of resuscitation fluid. Saline resuscitation markedly reduced plasma oncotic pressure and the plasma oncotic-pulmonary artery occlusion pressure gradient. Values for these two variables were markedly lower with saline than with colloid resuscitation. The authors conclude that the pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid solutions are similar in the presence of moderate increases in pulmonary capillary permeability.

Animals↗

The thermal-dye method of lung water measurement is reliable at a low cardiac output.

The measurement of lung water by the thermal-dye double indicator dilution technique was evaluated in dogs with normal and edematous lungs during a state of reduced cardiac output. The technique used cold indocyanine green dye to measure extravascular thermal volume (EVTV) as an estimate of extravascular lung water (EVLW). Anesthesia was maintained with pentobarbital. In 15 of 21 animals, pulmonary edema was first induced with oleic acid (0.75 to 0.18 ml/kg). Cardiac output (CO) was then decreased by a combination of propranolol and slow exsanguination (mean CO reduction to 36% of baseline). Extravascular lung water produced in this model ranged from 1.4 to 30.2 ml/kg. Predetermination measurements of EVTV correlated closely with EVLW as determined by gravimetric analysis (EVTV = 1.1 EVLW + 4.7 ml/kg, n = 21, r = 0.93, P less than 0.001). Thermodilution cardiac output measured in the abdominal aorta (used in the calculation of the EVTV) correlated well with simultaneous measurements of cardiac output by both indocyanine green dye dilution and pulmonary artery thermodilution (r = 0.86 and r = 0.88, respectively, pretermination). The thermal-dye technique appears to provide an accurate reflection of lung water in normal and edematous lungs, even in the presence of a low cardiac output.

Animals↗

Failure of the colloid oncotic-pulmonary artery wedge pressure gradient to predict changes in extravascular lung water.

Colloid oncotic pressure (COP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (WP), and the COP-WP gradient were measured in seven critically ill adult patients and compared with extravascular lung water determined using the thermal-dye double-indicator dilution technique and a bedside lung water computer. Correlation coefficients for changes in extravascular lung water vs. COP, WP, and COP-WP were not significant, and in this patient population the COP-WP gradient did not predict changes in extravascular lung water.

Adult↗

Evaluation of the portable chest roentgenogram for quantitating extravascular lung water in critically ill adults.

The diagnosis of pulmonary edema is frequently made from characteristic findings on the chest roentgenogram that suggest an increase in lung water. Optimal radiographic technique depends on a cooperative upright patient, which is not possible with most critically ill patients. These patients may also have multiple radiographic abnormalities that make interpretation of the chest roentgenogram difficult. The ability of portable chest roentgenograms to accurately identify the presence of excess lung water and monitor changes in lung water has not previously been evaluated in critically ill adults who are intubated and ventilated and in the supine position when the films are exposed. In 12 patients the pulmonary edema seen on portable chest roentgenograms was given a score (0 to 390 points), which was then compared with a determination of extravascular lung water using the thermal-dye indicator dilution technique. A linear correlation was observed (r = 0.51; p less than 0.05; n = 73). Evaluation of a change in radiographic score vs a change in lung water showed no linear correlation (r = 0.1; p greater than 0.05). While portable chest roentgenograms exposed under the conditions described were a useful technique for demonstrating pulmonary edema, they were not accurate in monitoring modest changes in lung water in critically ill patients.

Adult↗

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a distinct clinical syndrome. Most patients present with the abrupt onset of palpitations, dizziness, dyspnea, or chest pain. The electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrates a fast heart rate (150-250 beats per min), a regular rhythm, and most often, a narrow QRS complex. The P wave is usually hidden within the QRS complex. PSVT is caused by reentry, and the tachycardias are classified, electrophysiologically, according to the anatomic location of the reentry circuit. Atrioventricular nodal reentry is the most common form of PSVT. In A-V nodal reentry, there are two conducting pathways (alpha and beta) that have different conduction times and refractory periods; both pathways are confined to the A-V nodal and perinodal atrial tissue. The other common form of PSVT, termed atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia, depends on an anatomically distinct, or "accessory," pathway that may conduct impulses between the atria and the ventricles, while bypassing the AV node. The two forms of PSVT may be distinguished in many cases by examining the 12-lead electrocardiogram. In the majority of cases of A-V nodal reentry, the atria and ventricles are depolarized simultaneously, and the P waves are hidden in the QRS complex. If the reentry circuit includes an accessory pathway, the P wave always follows the QRS, and usually the R-P interval exceeds 70 msec. Several principles should guide the management of PSVT: (a) Unstable patients require emergent electrical cardioversion; (b) A 12-lead ECG should be obtained immediately to confirm that the tachycardia has a narrow complex (ventricular tachycardia may masquerade as PSVT if only a single lead is examined); (c) Vagal maneuvers may be attempted (the Valsalva maneuver is safer and more efficacious, especially in the elderly); and (4) In most patients, adenosine is the first-line agent to treat PSVT. Contraindications to adenosine and drug interactions are noted in this article. In addition, the use of adenosine in wide complex tachycardias and the indications for admission and referral for electrophysiologic evaluation are discussed.

Adenosine↗