Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Heublein

Publications and source records attributed to B Heublein.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Determination of pressure-volume relations from ventriculographs using catheter tip manometers].

The evaluation of cardiac function alone from pressure and volume data can lead to misinterpretations. By linking of pressure and volume data a variety of new parameters can be calculated. Computer techniques allow the evaluation not only of cardiac work, but also of acceleration work and the efficiency of heart power. As an example of double blind study with CHD patients the measurement of such parameters under invasive diagnostics is demonstrated, facilitating a detailed evaluation of cardiac function.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Acute changes of coronary and global hemodynamics in patients with angina pectoris and arterial hypertension caused by celiprolol and metoprolol].

In 30 hypertensives with angina pectoris the acute action of beta-blockers Celiprolol and Metoprolol on the global and coronary haemodynamics was tested within cardiac catheter diagnostics. In accordance with no long-term effects Metoprolol acts negatively inotrope, chronotrope as well as pre- and post-load increasing. Celiprolol lowered the pre- and postload, and increased the cardiac output, but did not influence the heart rate. Both medicaments increased coronary flow and myocardiac oxygen consumption. From the mentioned effects important conclusions for therapy with both Beta-blockers can be derived.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

[Unilateral lung transplantation--a new perspective in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis].

In patients with pulmonary fibrosis and progressive respiratory failure despite conservative treatment, unilateral lung transplantation offers a new therapeutic alternative. At the Medical School in Hannover, five patients--the first to be thus treated in Central Europe--with terminal pulmonary fibrosis of the lung have so far been successfully treated with unilateral lung transplantation. All five patients are still alive, and all experienced a marked improvement in their pulmonary function parameters, such that they have been enabled to lead a normal life again.

Adult↗

Diastolic dysfunction during acute cardiac allograft rejection.

Left ventricular diastolic function was evaluated in 41 heart transplant patients during acute rejection by an analysis of echocardiograms and surgically implanted intramyocardial tantalum markers. In 35 patients, isovolumic relaxation time was calculated from M-mode tracings selected from two-dimensional echocardiographic recordings. A total of 84 biopsy findings of no rejection, moderate rejection, and severe acute rejection after treatment were correlated with measurements of isovolumic relaxation time. In six patients, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and peak filling rate were obtained from biplanar cineradiographic images of intramyocardial markers. Data from 11 prerejection periods were compared with those of moderate acute rejection. All echocardiograms and marker images were analyzed without previous knowledge of biopsy findings. At times of acute rejection, isovolumic relaxation time decreased from 107 to 65 msec (p less than 0.01) and returned to 98 msec after immunosuppressive therapy. Ejection fraction and end-systolic volume did not change significantly with acute rejection, whereas stroke volume decreased from 76 to 67 ml (p less than 0.05). In contrast to the effects on systolic function, episodes of acute rejection were accompanied by a decrease in end-diastolic volume from 166 to 153 ml (p less than 0.01) and a reduction in peak filling rate from 514 to 460 ml/sec (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that acute cardiac rejection is associated with relative preservation of left ventricular systolic performance but with alterations in diastolic dynamics similar to those seen in "restrictive" cardiomyopathy.

Acute Disease↗

Pulsed steroids for treatment of cardiac rejection after transplantation. What dosage is necessary?

For treatment of biopsy-proven rejections after cardiac transplantation, pulsed steroids of 1,000 mg methylprednisolone/day for 3 days have been conventionally used. This regimen results in severe side effects, both metabolically and with respect to the risk of infection. In a prospective and a more comprehensive retrospective clinical study, we investigated the effect of a 50% reduction in that dosage. A total of 512 positive biopsies were analyzed in 128 patients. Of these, 64 patients (120 biopsies) in group 1 received 500 mg/day for 3 days while the remaining 107 patients (392 biopsies) in group 2 were treated with 1,000 mg/day for 3 days (43 patients belonged to both groups 1 and 2). Response to treatment was assessed by control biopsies in a standardized time period until the next biopsy-proven rejection (maximum of 10 biopsies). The results in short and longer follow-up periods, considering the incidence and a newer empirical numerical grading scale, have demonstrated clearly comparable effects of myocardial histology. Reduced dosage of steroids is feasible and safe, and a decrease in steroid-related side effects can be achieved without jeopardizing the graft.

Adult↗

[Effects of pentoxifylline on diastolic heart function in patients with angina pectoris and an increased left ventricular wall mass].

The combination of coronary heart disease (CHD) with increased left ventricular wall mass (LVWM) appears associated with prolonged isovolumetric relaxation (IVR) and consequently, alterations in the rapid filling phase. Methylxanthine-substances may improve relaxation through inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. Accordingly we examined multiple indexes of left ventricular diastolic function before and after administration of 200 mg pentoxifylline (Trental) intravenously to 18 patients (51.3 +/- 9.0 years, 15 males, three females) with stable angina pectoris and positive exercise-ECG in NYHA class I or II and LVWM greater than 160 g (n = 9) and less than or equal to 160 g (n = 9). Left ventricular pressure (P) and volume (V) measurements were made with a high-fidelity-micromanometer before and twelve minutes after administration of pentoxifylline. The time constant of left ventricular isovolumic relaxation (T), usual global left ventricular volumes and derived indexes such as peak filling rate (PFR), time to peak filling rate (TPFR), segmental (relaxation and rapid filling phases) and total pressure-volume relationship before and after pentoxifylline were calculated. Significant differences between these two groups (greater than/less than or equal to 160 g LVWM) were found for end-diastolic volume (68.7 +/- 19.0 to 90.8 +/- 22.6 ml/sqm), end-systolic volume (21.7 +/- 16.0 to 36.1 +/- 14.7 ml/sqm), end-diastolic pressure (15.0 +/- 4.8 to 15.7 +/- 5.1 mm Hg), PFR (3.25 +/- 1.18 to 2.66 +/- 0.71 s-1), T (46.0 +/- 5.7 to 52.7 +/- 7.2 ms), the linear regression of lnP-V (lny = -0.117 x + 4.59 to lny = -0.091 x + 4.75) in the IVR-phase (dp/dtmin less than or equal to x less than or equal to 80 ms) (leftward shift in p-V-relationship when less than or equal to 160 g) and the complet p-V-areas. After pentoxifyl-line-administration there were significant decreases in T in patients with increased LVWM (52.7 +/- 7.2 to 47.7 +/- 5.9 ms) and the P-V-product over the time in the rapid filling phase in patients with LVWM less than or equal to 160 g. Total peripheral resistance and heart rate did not change. These changes in parameters of left ventricular diastolic function in combination with significant improvement of pump function especially in patients with LVWM greater than 160 g after administration of pentoxifylline suggest that improved diastolic function is the result of a direct myocardial effect of pentoxifylline.

Adult↗

[Echocardiography in the preoperative diagnosis of acquired heart valve diseases].

With the aim of minimizing the risk and stress of an invasive diagnostics, 102 patients with acquired heart valve diseases were examined by two-dimensional echocardiography combined with pulsed Doppler technique. The results were compared with those obtained at invasive diagnostics in 91 and/or during surgery in 52 of the patients studied. In the group of operated patients the sensitivity of non-invasive diagnostics was 89.5%, specificity 97.2%; analogous data for patients not subjected to surgery were 91.8% and 93.8%, respectively. The results of the study show that in the majority of patients with acquired valvular disease a complete preoperative invasive investigation is not necessary. Only in patients over 50 years of age the intended valve replacement should be preceded by additional coronarographic examination, as in 6.8% of cases--even without kinetic disturbances at rest--a haemodynamically important stenosis was found on at least one coronary artery.

Adult↗

[Significance of the diastole in the clinical evaluation of heart function].

The diastole is frequently neglected in the assessment of the heart function, though for a long while has been known that in the diastole active, energy-requiring processes take place. After a description of the various definitions and fundaments of the diastolic function of the ventricle the essential criteria and the methodological possibilities are mentioned. The most exact informations are to be obtained from simultaneous analyses of pressure dimensions (and volumes, respectively) with regional differentiation. In this case we are particularly interested in the early (isovolumetric) relaxation phase, since here the essential energetic processes take place, which may early be changed and which also first to all may be influenced medicamentously. By means of a listing of parameters of the diastolic ventricular function depending upon the methodological possibilities impulses shall be given to take into consideration the diastole more for diagnosis, prognosis and above all for therapy.

Cardiac Volume↗

[Left ventricular function following transluminal coronary dilatation or operative revascularization in chronic ischemic heart disease].

To assess changes in resting left ventricular function after reestablishment of myocardial perfusion, echocardiographic studies were performed before, at three resp. six days after as well as three months after successful PTCA in 19 patients and after coronary artery bypass grafting in 20 patients. Reference data were obtained from analog processing of values from 20 healthy control subjects. Baseline values (in addition to primary morphologic criteria) were indicative of a clearly functional selection pattern. As compared with those undergoing PTCA, patients who underwent bypass surgery had more unfavorable values for ejection fraction at rest. Immediately after the intervention, there was a consistent tendency to transiently reduced resting pump function. At three months, however, in both groups, cardiac performance had returned to control values and the global and regional parameters of contractility had either reached or exceeded the preoperative values. The mean values showed more improvement in the PTCA group, a finding most probably attributable to the more favorable baseline situation. Paradoxic septum motion was found frequently in those who had undergone bypass surgery. All patients with grafting to the right coronary artery were included in the latter group. Whether perioperative injury, the varying perfusion conditions or the pericardiotomy is responsible for this phenomenon, remains to be established.

Adult↗

Retrograde coronary venous contrast echocardiography: assessment of shunting and delineation of regional myocardium in the normal and ischemic canine heart.

Coronary venous injections of sonicated Renografin-76 were performed in seven closed chest dogs during two-dimensional echocardiography to study the ability of this new technique to opacify regional myocardium before and after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The balloon of a 4F double lumen catheter was inflated in the great cardiac vein for each contrast injection to prevent backflow through the coronary sinus into the right atrium. Retrograde injections before coronary artery occlusion generally resulted in patchy myocardial contrast uptake. Injections after coronary occlusion always resulted in confluent and transmural myocardial opacification which occupied 42.8 +/- 8.6% (range 26 to 54) (mean +/- standard deviation) of the myocardial circumference. Retrograde opacification always extended into adjacent myocardium beyond the ischemic zone, which was assessed in echocardiograms with antegrade contrast injections into the left main coronary artery and which measured 30 +/- 6.3% of the ventricular circumference. Shunting from the coronary venous system to cardiac chambers was evaluated in a parasternal four chamber view and was graded on a scale of 0 to 4+. Contrast appearance was equally intense in the right atrium and right ventricle (3.5 +/- 0.6+, range 2+ to 4+), less intense in the left ventricular cavity (1.5 +/- 0.6+, range 1+ to 3+) and absent in the left atrium. Postmortem anatomic validation with retrograde great cardiac vein injections of indocyanine green corroborated and in vivo contrast appearance in chambers. Retrograde coronary venous contrast echocardiography appears capable of providing in vivo information about the extent and location of myocardial zones that can be reached by retrograde infusions of therapeutic agents and about the ability of these agents to reach ischemic myocardium. In addition, this new method allows for in vivo evaluation of shunts between coronary veins and cardiac chambers, which may influence the efficacy of retrograde interventions.

Animals↗

[Fetal echocardiography--possibilities and limits].

Actual possibilities and limitations in fetal echocardiography (two-dimensional and impulse-Doppler technique) based on our own experiences in 53 cases are described. Morphological analysis was almost successful after the 22nd week of gestation, in 11.3% the imaging was inadequate as the result of unfavorable ultrasound viewing. In twins especially the morphological analysis of the second fetus was more difficult. Clear morphological differentiation from the important parts of the fetus heart was possible after the 30th week of gestation in the majority of cases. From 47 sonographically judgeable fetal hearts 3 were classified as malformations. One of them could be confirmed by autopsy (ventricle-septal defect combined with cor monatrium), the second case clinically/echocardiographically postpartally respectively (atrial septal defect - secundum type). On the other hand the third pathological diagnosis of fetal echocardiography (single ventricle) could not be confirmed post-natally. As the result of this preliminary study fetal echocardiography can currently provide some important clues for the selection, perinatological treatment and care in birth of the child with a potentially higher risk factor. Additionally the authors point out the possibilities of complex functional analysis of the fetal heart under different pharmacological treatment.

Diagnosis, Differential↗