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Biomedical subjects

D Pfeiffer

Publications and source records attributed to D Pfeiffer.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Exogenous adenosine as an anti-arrhythmia agent].

Adenosine has potent cardiac electrophysiologic effects including a negative chronotropic action on the sinus node and a predominant negative dromotropic action on the AV node. The latter property has mainly led to the use of adenosine as antiarrhythmic agent for the acute management of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) mediated by a reentrant mechanism involving the AV node. The effects of adenosine are dose-dependent and of very short duration since the half-life is less than 10s. The efficacy rates for termination of AV reentrant tachycardias were found to be 35% with 3 mg, 60-70% with 6 mg, 80% with 9 mg, and 90-95% with 12 mg adenosine. The AV nodal depressant effects of adenosine have also been used for determining the mechanism of wide QRS tachycardias for differentiating supraventricular tachyarrhythmias with aberrant conduction from ventricular tachycardia. Adenosine either terminates or slows almost all types of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias or it leads to unmasking of the underlying mechanism such as atrial flutter with aberrant conduction. One form of ventricular tachycardia, the idiopathic type originating from the right ventricular outflow tract can usually be terminated with adenosine due to its cAMP-mediated mechanism. Adenosine is helpful to detect or to increase preexcitation which is important for planning a catheter ablation procedure since the preexcitation pattern allows to localize the accessory pathway. Since the action of adenosine usually does not alter the accessory pathway conduction it is also useful for control ablation efficacy noninvasively in terms of antegrade conduction and during ventricular pacing for the retrograde conduction. Further evaluation and research is necessary for better understanding of adenosine action on the human atrial electrophysiology since it provokes atrial fibrillation in some patients, and of adenosine action on the different pathways in AV nodal reentrant tachycardias and some accessory pathways with decremental (AV nodal-like) conduction properties.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1995

[Catheter ablation as an emergency treatment in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with signs of acute infarct].

A 53-year-old man known to have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome suffered an acute posterior-wall myocardial infarction. Despite successful thrombolysis treatment with streptokinase he continued to have attacks of supraventricular tachycardia with angina. The ECG showed a short P-R interval and pre-excitation with positive delta waves in leads V1-6, as well as signs of re-infarction. The tachycardias could not be satisfactorily suppressed by drug treatment. Coronary angiography revealed triple vessel disease. During this investigation ventricular extrasystoles occurred which initiated orthodromic supraventricular tachycardia and angina, as well as monophasic S-T elevations in leads II, III and aVF. This provided the indication for immediate high-frequency catheter ablation left laterally at the mitral anulus after a left-lateral accessory conduction pathway had been identified. Three days later the stenoses of the circumflex and anterior interventricular branches were dilated. The patient has been free of symptoms for 3 months and can exercise up to 150 W. The tachycardias have not recurred.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1995

Prospective study of retrograde coronary venography in patients with posteroseptal and left-sided accessory atrioventricular pathways.

The morphologic features of the coronary vein system was prospectively studied with retrograde venography in 117 patients with left-sided (78 patients) and posteroseptal accessory pathway (39). Findings were compared with accessory pathway localization. A mean of 3.3 +/- 1.5 venous branches draining into the coronary sinus or the great cardiac vein could be visualized. The morphologic condition was described and classified. Incidence, morphologic condition, and distribution did not differ between left-sided and posteroseptal accessory pathway. Venous abnormalities including ectasy, diverticulum, narrowing, angulation, and hypoplasia occurred in 22.2%. Diverticulum and narrowing were present in posteroseptal accessory pathway only and always related to the successful ablation site. In patients with left-sided accessory pathway, ectasy, angulation, and hypoplasia were found. Anomalies were less frequent (9% vs 43.6%, p < 0.001) and had no relation to accessory pathway localization. However, the successful ablation site was in 42.3% located < 5 mm to an angiographically visualized venous branch. In conclusion, posteroseptal accessory pathways are often related to coronary sinus abnormalities. In patients with a left-sided accessory pathway venous malformation is uncommon, whereas a close anatomic relation exists between accessory pathway localization and venous ventricular branches.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Changes in the amplitude of endocardial electrograms following defibrillator discharge: comparison of two lead systems.

Changes in the amplitude of endocardial electrograms after an unsuccessful shock attempt have been demonstrated to cause failure of redetection of ventricular fibrillation in patients using an integrated sense-pace defibrillating lead system. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of defibrillator shocks on the amplitude of endocardial electrograms in 26 patients using two different nonthoracotomy systems, a previous lead (model 0062) or a redesigned version (model 0072). At implant, bipolar endocardial electrograms were obtained before each shock application, during initial detection and redetection of ventricular fibrillation in case the applied shock was unsuccessful, and during intervals of 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 seconds after each shock delivery. No significant difference was noted in endocardial amplitudes between the lead models 0062 and 0072 during baseline sinus rhythm (12.2 +/- 4.6 mV vs 11.4 +/- 3.8 mV), and during initial ventricular fibrillation (7.0 +/- 2.4 mV vs 7.6 +/- 2.3 mV). During redetection of ventricular fibrillation, however, there was a significant difference (P = 0.0006) in endocardial amplitudes (3.4 +/- 1.9 mV vs 6.6 +/- 2.3 mV) between both leads tested. Comparing lead models 0062 and 0072, marked differences were found in endocardial amplitudes during sinus rhythm 5, 10, and 20 seconds after successful arrhythmia termination: 2.8 +/- 1.9 mV vs 8.6 +/- 2.9 mV (P < 0.0001), 4.6 +/- 2.9 mV vs 9.2 +/- 3.2 mV (P = 0.0007), and 6.4 +/- 4.0 mV vs 10.5 +/- 3.6 mV (P = 0.01). At predischarge testing, failure of redetection of ventricular fibrillation was documented in two patients with the lead model 0062 requiring external defibrillation to restore sinus rhythm. These findings demonstrate a significant less postshock attenuation of the endocardial electrogram amplitudes during persistent ventricular fibrillation after an unsuccessful shock attempt as well as during sinus rhythm immediately following an effective shock delivery using the redesigned lead system model 0072 compared to the electrogram amplitudes obtained in patients using the previous lead model 0062.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Intravenous adenosine during atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia: induction of atrial fibrillation with rapid conduction over an accessory pathway.

Adenosine is considered to be a safe agent for termination of orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia in patients with accessory pathways. A case with initially successful accessory pathway ablation and without preexcitation during sinus rhythm is presented, in which intravenous adenosine (6 mg) during orthodromic tachycardia was followed by atrial fibrillation and sudden onset of preexcitation with subsequent rapid ventricular response with moderate hemodynamic compromise.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1995

Pacemaker function during radiofrequency ablation.

There are increasing numbers of radiofrequency current ablation procedures being reported. Selected patients have antitachycardia or antibradycardia pacemakers. The pacemaker behavior during and after ablation procedures differs widely. We report on the pacemaker reaction of 25 patients with 13 different devices, most with unipolar electrodes. Sensing failures were observed in 8 (32.0%) and pacing failures in 4 (16.0%) patients. Prolonged pauses and induction of tachyarrhythmias were observed. No pacemaker damage was seen although it is reported by other investigators. We recommend deactivation of implanted generators and an external bipolar pacing electrode. Manufacturers should focus their attention on this problem and protect the generators and their functions for 500 kHz radiofrequency current.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Echocardiographic imaging of coronary sinus diverticula and middle cardiac veins in patients with preexcitation syndrome: impact on radiofrequency catheter ablation of posteroseptal accessory pathways.

To determine the value of echocardiography for identifying coronary sinus (CS) diverticula and middle cardiac veins (MCVs) in patients with posteroseptal accessory pathways (PAPs), transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed in 18 consecutive patients with PAP and in 15 control subjects with left lateral accessory pathway before CS angiography. The size, shape, and location of CS diverticula and MCV were described and compared to angiography. TEE and angiography were concordant for the identification of diverticula (n = 5) and agreed for depicting MCV in 22 of the 27 cases. TTE revealed 4 of 5 diverticula and identified 4 of 27 MCV (P < 0.001). Fourteen MCV but no diverticula were found in the control subject. There was no significant difference between transesophageal and angiographic measurements for the width (23.5 +/- 4.9 vs 26.8 +/- 6.6 mm) and height (13.5 +/- 3.8 vs 15.7 +/- 3.4 mm) of the diverticula, and the width (3.5 +/- 0.7 vs 3.7 +/- 0.6 mm) of MCV. TEE underestimated the length of the MCV (12.0 +/- 1.8 vs 27.2 +/- 6.0, P < 0.001). Delivery of radiofrequency energy within the neck of a diverticulum or within an MCV was successful in 5 of 5, and 6 of 13 cases in patients with PAPs, respectively. In conclusion, echocardiography was as reliable as angiography for detecting and describing CS diverticula and MCV in patients with preexcitation syndrome. Echocardiography is recommended prior to electrophysiological study because it may simplify radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Impact of the local atrial electrogram in AV nodal reentrant tachycardia: ablation versus modification of the slow pathway.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of successful ablation versus modification sites of the slow pathway in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Complete elimination of slow pathway conduction ("ablation") is considered to be an appropriate endpoint during radiofrequency (RF) current delivery, whereas the persistence of residual slow pathway conduction with or without single echo beats ("modification") may be indicative of tachycardia recurrence. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 131 patients, 71 consecutive patients were followed for 15.1 +/- 7.6 months. After elimination of inducible AV nodal reentrant tachycardia in all patients, residual slow pathway conduction (modification) persisted in 38 patients, whereas complete elimination of slow pathway conduction (ablation) was documented in 33 patients. Including electrophysiologic study after 5 to 7 days and after 3 to 6 months, 6 (8.4%) patients had recurrences: 5 with residual slow pathway conduction after the procedure and 1 with complete elimination of slow pathway conduction (P < 0.05). As compared with modulated sites, ablation sites of the slow pathway were characterized as follows: (1) duration of the local atrial electrogram (AEGM) (66.7 +/- 10.2 vs 54.1 +/- 12.6 msec, P < 0.01); (2) interval from the end of the AEGM to onset of His-bundle deflection (4.4 +/- 8.2 vs 16.1 +/- 9.3 msec, P < 0.01); and (3) number of peaks of the AEGM as an indicator of fractionation (4.1 +/- 0.7 vs 3.0 +/- 0.8, P < 0.01). The rate of junctional tachycardias (103.4 +/- 12.1 vs 102.1 +/- 16.9 per min), the AV ratio (0.4 +/- 0.5 vs 0.5 +/- 0.5), the number of RF current deliveries (4.1 +/- 4.4 vs 4.5 +/- 4.4), the duration of the procedure (124.1 +/- 45.3 vs 125.6 +/- 42.3 min), and the fluoroscopy time (15.5 +/- 10.8 vs 16.6 +/- 9.6 min) as well as power and total energy of RF current deliveries and the anatomically calculated catheter position at the successful site were not statistically different. A subset analysis in patients who received only a single RF application showed the same results for both groups. Patients without recurrence (n = 65) were found to have longer duration of the AEGM (61.9 +/- 14.6 msec) and a shorter interval from the end of AEGM to the onset of His-bundle deflection (10.1 +/- 12.2 msec) than patients with recurrence (n = 6) (47.5 +/- 7.5 msec and 20.8 +/- 12.8 msec, respectively). CONCLUSION: Complete ablation of the slow pathway resulted in a lower recurrence rate. The complete ablation approach is feasible using precisely analyzed local AEGMs to guide RF current in AV nodal reentrant tachycardia in a short procedure time.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Slowing of the ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation by ablation of the slow pathway of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.

INTRODUCTION: The mechanisms whereby radiofrequency catheter modification of AV nodal conduction slows the ventricular response are not well defined. Whether a successful modification procedure can be achieved by ablating posterior inputs to the AV node or by partial ablation of the compact AV node is unclear. We hypothesized that ablation of the well-defined slow pathway in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia would slow the ventricular response during atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 34 patients with dual AV physiology and inducible AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrial fibrillation was induced at baseline and immediately after successful slow pathway ablation and at 1-week follow-up. The minimal, maximal, and mean RR intervals during atrial fibrillation increased from 353 +/- 76, 500 +/- 121, and 405 +/- 91 msec to 429 +/- 84 (P < 0.01), 673 +/- 161 (P < 0.01), and 535 +/- 98 msec (P < 0.01), respectively. These effects remained stable during follow-up at 1 week. The AV block cycle length increased from 343 +/- 68 msec to 375 +/- 60 msec (P < 0.05) immediately and to 400 +/- 56 msec (P < 0.01) at 1-week follow-up. The effective refractory period of the AV node prolonged from 282 +/- 83 msec to 312 +/- 89 msec and to 318 +/- 81 msec after 1 week (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows a decrease in ventricular response to pacing-induced atrial fibrillation after ablation of the slow pathway in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Since the AV nodal conduction properties could be defined, this study supports the hypothesis that the main mechanism of AV nodal modification in chronic atrial fibrillation is caused by ablation of posterior inputs to the AV node.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1995

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of septal accessory pathways.

Catheter ablation of septal accessory pathways in preexcitation syndrome is associated with special problems because of the risk of impairment of atrioventricular nodal conduction during ablation of anteroseptal and midseptal pathways. The complex morphology of the posteroseptal space has special problems for ablation with unclear location of the ablation catheter in the left or right atrial or ventricular cavum, in the coronary sinus, ventricular veins, or the neck of a coronary sinus diverticulum. Therefore, the visualization of the pyramidal space using echocardiographic investigations before the ablation procedure and retrograde coronary sinus phlebography during the ablation session has proven to be very helpful in placement of the electrode to the successful position. Reported herein are the techniques, results, and problems of radiofrequency ablation of 30 patients with septal accessory pathways compared to published data.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Prognostic value of signal averaged ECG in dilated cardiomyopathy with spontaneous and induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias].

UNLABELLED: Ventricular late potentials in signal-averaged ECG are a predictor of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease. The role of signal-average ECG in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy has not been defined yet. We studied the prognostic impact of an abnormal signal-averaged ECG in 31 patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. All signal-averaged ECG recordings were analyzed by time-domain analysis as well as by frequency analysis with spectrotemporal mapping. RESULTS: In 13 (42%) patients time domain analysis and in 9 (29%) patients frequency analysis was found to be abnormal. During follow-up (13 +/- 7 months) seven (23%) patients developed spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The mean ejection fraction and the results of programmed ventricular stimulation did not differ significantly between patients with and without clinical episodes. Abnormal time domain analysis was found in five (71%) patients with and in eight (33%) patients without spontaneous tachyarrhythmias (p = 0.07), and abnormal frequency analysis in 3 (43%) patients versus 6 (25%) patients (p = 0.36). The low-amplitude-signal duration was significantly increased in patients with tachyarrhythmias (p = 0.008). Ventricular tachyarrhythmias occurred in 38% of patients with abnormal time domain analysis and in 33% of patients with abnormal frequency analysis. In patients with normal signal-averaged ECG the incidence reached 11% and 18%. For time-domain analysis the sensitivity was 71%, specificity 67%, positive predictive value 38%, and negative predictive value 89%, for spectrotemporal mapping 43%, 75%, 33%, and 82%, respectively. The incidence of electrophysiologically inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with abnormal signal-averaged ECG exceeded that in patients with normal findings. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy a normal signal-averaged ECG is associated with a reduced occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events. Thus, signal-averaged ECG contributes to the evaluation of these patients. The negative predictive value exceeded the positive predictive value.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Junctional arrhythmias in radiofrequency modification of the atrioventricular node].

UNLABELLED: Accelerated junctional rhythm (JR) is known as a response of the atrioventricular node to thermal injury and a common finding in radiofrequency ablation for AV node reentrant tachycardia. We studied JR during 1314 radiofrequency current deliveries in 172 patients with AV node reentrant tachycardia or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in relation to the ablation result. JR in a successful RF delivery were characterized by cycle length and conduction. RESULTS: Selective slow pathway ablation was performed in 100 patients (Group A), selective fast pathway ablation in 41 patients (Group B), and total AV junction ablation in 31 patients (Group C). A successful radio-frequency ablation without JR was rare (sensitivity: 98.8%; specificity: 51.2%). JR during slow pathway ablation had a longer cycle length (X +/- SD; CL: 494 +/- 138 ms) and a lower cycle length dispersion (delta CL: 178 +/- 199 ms) than JR during fast pathway ablation (CL: 399 +/- 108 ms; delta CL: 345 +/- 145 ms) or before total AV block (CL: 439 +/- 163 ms; delta CL: 338 +/- 195 ms). JR with bundle branch block aberration or ventriculoatrial block were more often found in group B and group C than in group A (BBB: 29% vs. 23% vs. 12%; VA-Block: 80% vs. 82% vs. 33%). Group B and group C did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: JR leading to fast pathway ablation or heralding total AV block are characterized by a short cycle length, wide cycle length dispersion, and predominantly present ventriculoatrial block. Thus, JR is a useful marker to prevent inadvertent AV block in slow pathway ablation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Complications of pacemaker-defibrillator devices: diagnosis and management.

Treatment of resuscitated patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators has become increasingly more common as a method for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Major complications such as perioperative death (incidence 2% to 8%), infection (2% to 11%); and lead-related problems (3% to 27%) have been described in previous trials. In our experience with 140 patients, problems were related to leads (n = 11), the device (n = 2), pacing (n = 1), sensing (n = 13), and defibrillation function (n = 5). Additional problems that occurred during the perioperative period included infection (n = 11), hematoma, and seroma (n = 2). Thrombus formation along endocardial leads was observed in 13 of 62 (21%) patients. Different arrhythmias (n = 10), such as sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and nonsustained, slow or incessant ventricular tachycardia with shock delivery, were also detected. Surgical management (predominantly for the major problems) was used in 31 (48%) patients, drug treatment in 25 (39%), and reprogramming of the device in 24 (38%) patients. All of these problems can result in an increase in mortality rates. This article provides an overview of the complications of cardioverter defibrillator treatment and is based on both published data and our series.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1994

Predictors of outcome in patients with implantable transvenous cardioverter defibrillators.

The identification of patients who benefit most from implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is of great interest. To find out if clinical variables, the signal-averaged electrocardiogram, and electrophysiologic study predict occurrence of appropriate ICD discharges and death, we followed-up on 76 patients after implantation of a transvenous ICD. During a mean follow-up period of 18.2 +/- 6.4 months, 29 patients (38.6%) experienced at least one appropriate episode. When these patients were compared with those who had either no therapy or inappropriate episodes, three variables were found to be significant in the identification of patients who experienced appropriate discharges: (1) The mean ejection fraction of patients who received appropriate discharges was 35.4% +/- 13.5% versus 45.1% +/- 15.3% in the other group (p < 0.05); (2) patients with appropriate therapy had sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia that was more likely to be inducible (75.9% vs 21.2%, p < 0.01); and (3) in patients with appropriate therapy ventricular fibrillation was less likely to be inducible (10.3% vs 25.5%, p < 0.05). The signal-averaged electrocardiograms were more often abnormal, but the differences were not significant. The total mortality rate in our patient group was 7.8%, with nonsudden cardiac death in four patients, noncardiac death in one patient, and sudden death in one patient. In our patient group a lower ejection fraction and inducible sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia were predictors of future ICD discharge after implantation. The survival rate after transvenous ICD implantation is excellent; a longer follow-up period is necessary to further define predictors of total mortality rate.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1994

Intraoperative laser photocoagulation of ventricular tachycardia.

Mapping-guided laser photocoagulation was used as an intraoperative technique to treat ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic heart disease. Laser irradiation was delivered during VT to sites identified with local diastolic activation or, if VT was not inducible, to sites identified with delayed potentials during sinus rhythm. The group consisted of 12 male and two female patients who ranged in age from 41 to 74 years (mean, 59.9 years). All of the patients had experienced myocardial infarction before surgery; in eight cases myocardial infarction was associated with an anterior wall aneurysm, and in one case it was associated with a posterior wall aneurysm. Identified sites for laser irradiation were restricted to the endocardium in only four patients, whereas six patients showed endocardial and epicardial foci and four of them without circumscript aneurysm were subjected only to epicardial laser photocoagulation. Resection of an aneurysm was performed in nine patients, and additional bypass grafting (one to four grafts) has been performed in 10 patients. There were two perioperative deaths. Laser photocoagulation has proved to be an efficacious method for the surgical treatment of VT. It gives access to epicardial sites and, in particular, allows limited surgery in patients with restricted left ventricular function and no circumscript aneurysm.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMed1994

Loss of late potentials after radiofrequency catheter ablation of recurrent ventricular tachycardia in a patient with right bundle branch block.

The case of a patient with a history of myocardial infarction and recurrent ventricular tachycardia undergoing attempted radiofrequency catheter ablation with loss of late potentials is described. Prior to energy delivery fractionated, late activation could be found using the signal-averaged ECG despite the presence of a right bundle branch block. After successful catheter ablation, the clinical ventricular tachycardia was no longer inducible and the signal-averaged ECG, recorded the next day, showed marked changes indicating loss of late potentials. Our report emphasizes the possibility of late potential recordings despite the presence of bundle branch block.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF H+-ATPase IN THE GILL EPITHELIA OF RAINBOW TROUT

The localization of proton pumps (H+-ATPase) in gill epithelia of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)] was elucidated by immunofluorescence microscopy, using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the 70 kDa subunit of H+-ATPase purified from clathrin-coated vesicles of bovine brain. In the gill epithelia of freshwater trout, the immunostaining was uniformly distributed along the lamellae and generally concentrated in apical regions. It is concluded, therefore, that H+-ATPase is located in the apex of both chloride cells and epithelial cells of freshwater fish. Hypercapnic treatment resulted in a non-polarized and restrictive distribution of H+-ATPase in the chloride cell. No fluorescent staining was observed in the gill epithelium of seawater-adapted rainbow trout, except in some unidentified anucleate surface material. The presence of the 70 kDa subunit in fish gill epithelia was confirmed by Western blot. These results support the proposed role of a proton pump in sodium uptake in freshwater fish and demonstrate that the H+-ATPase in fish gills is of the vacuolar type, antigenically similar to the H+-ATPase in mammalian brain and kidney.

Journal Article↗