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Biomedical subjects

D Tscholl

Publications and source records attributed to D Tscholl.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy].

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with concomitant right heart failure may develop as a sequela of acute pulmonary embolism with organization instead of thrombolysis of intravascular clots. Medical therapy aims at prevention of recurrent embolism by anticoagulation and vascular remodelling using vasodilator therapy. Lung transplantation or combined heart-lung transplantation is associated with unsatisfactory long-term results and comorbidity and therefore remains justified only in selected patients. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy allows specific treatment of intravascular obstruction. This closed endarterectomy of the pulmonary arteries requires deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and can be performed with a perioperative mortality of less than 10%. The procedure significantly decreases pulmonary vascular resistance and often normalizes pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange. Postoperatively the patients' clinical condition improves and the majority have normal exercise capacity and activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy--risk factors for early survival and hemodynamic improvement.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a challenging procedure with a considerable mortality. The aim of this investigation was to identify risk factors influencing mortality and operative results. METHODS: Between October 1995 and August 2000, 69 patients (age 54 years; 34 women; mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) stage 3.4) underwent PTE. The preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was 988+/-554 dynes x s x cm(-5), mean pulmonary artery pressure 50+/-12 mmHg, right atrial pressure (RAP) 11.5+/-4 mmHg. Hospital mortality was 10.1% (n=7/69). Mean postoperative PVR on the 2nd day was 324+/-188 dynes x s x cm(-5). Pulmonary angiography was reviewed for number of involved segments (mean 9.3+/-2) and bronchial arteries diameter (BAD; mean 4.6+/-1.6 mm). A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine preoperative risk factors for hospital death and inadequate hemodynamic improvement. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, mortality was influenced by age (P=0.04), right atrial pressure (P=0.009), NYHA (P=0.02) and the number of angiographically involved segments (P=0.02). Sex, left ventricular function, presence of coronary artery disease and bronchial artery diameter did not show correlation with mortality. Inadequate hemodynamic improvement in a dichotomized analysis (PVR > or =500 dynes x s x cm(-5), n=11, and PVR < 500 dynes x s x cm(-5), n=58), assessed by univariate analysis, was significantly influenced by age (P=0.02), preoperative PVR (P=0.01), NYHA (P=0.002), RAP (P=0.02) and female sex (P=0.02). Multivariate analysis identified age (P=0.1), RAP (P=0.002) and female sex (P=0.007) as risk factors for inferior hemodynamic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative parameters can be utilized to assess postoperative mortality and hemodynamic improvement after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Patient age and clinical deterioration of pulmonary hypertension are considerable preoperative factors influencing hospital mortality. Inadequate postoperative hemodynamic improvement is affected by severity of disease and female sex.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of a case of acute right heart failure by inhalation of iloprost, a long-acting prostacyclin analogue.

Perioperative acute right heart failure after orthotopic heart transplantation contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Vasodilators administered intravenously may decrease pulmonary vascular resistance, but also affect systemic circulation. A decrease of mean arterial pressure will result in reduced right coronary blood flow and deterioration of right ventricular performance. Vasodilators administered by inhalation, i.e. nitric oxide and prostacyclin, are attractive due to a more selective effect on the pulmonary circulation. This is the first report on the use of aerosolized iloprost, a long-acting prostacyclin analogue, applied for treatment of postoperative right heart failure in cardiac transplantation. After uneventful surgery, a heart transplant recipient was extubated on the first postoperative day and exhibited right heart failure on the following day. Standard treatment did not resolve this clinical problem sufficiently. A trial with inhalation of iloprost (16 microg per inhalation cycle, applied six times per day) was initiated. Iloprost inhalation resulted in a sufficient decrease of pulmonary vascular resistance (-23.5%), while cardiac index (+24.0%) and mixed venous saturation (+9.0%) increased. No profound effect on the systemic vascular resistance was observed (-2.8%). Iloprost inhalation may be an effective alternative to nitric oxide in the intensive care management of acute right heart failure after orthotopic heart transplantation. Due to the prolonged effect on the pulmonary vascular resistance, iloprost is especially useful for extubated patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

Complete arterial revascularization in multivessel coronary artery disease with 2 conduits (skeletonized grafts and T grafts).

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial CABG is a surgical option to improve long-term results in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Harvesting of multiple arterial grafts is commonly associated with prolonged operating times and increased trauma. By use of new operative techniques (skeletonized grafts and the T-graft approach), CABG in multivessel CAD is now possible with only 2 grafts. We present our experience in the use of these techniques on a routine basis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between March 1996 and September 1999, 490 patients (aged 61+/-9 years, 20% female) underwent complete arterial CABG. Left ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 15% to 85% (mean 59+/-15%). Triple-vessel disease was present in 88% of the patients. The incidence of diabetes mellitus was 32% (14% insulin dependent). Either both internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) (23%) or the left ITA and radial artery (77%) were used as conduits. In 85% of the patients, a T graft was created. Mean operating time was 198+/-46 minutes; bypass time, 82+/-25 minutes; and ischemic time, 58+/-22 minutes. Two to 7 (mean 4.1+/-0.9) anastomoses were performed per patient. Perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump was necessary in 12 patients (2.4%). The rate of perioperative myocardial infarction was 1.2%. Sternal complications occurred in 1. 0%, and in-hospital mortality was 2.2%. Postoperative coronary angiography in 172 patients (35%) documented excellent patency rates (left ITA 98.3%, right ITA 96.5%, and radial artery 96.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Complete arterial revascularization in multivessel CAD is possible with the use of only 2 grafts with good perioperative results. This approach allows for complete arterial CABG on a routine basis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of skeletonized versus pedicled internal thoracic artery grafts on free flow capacity during bypass.

The free flow of skeletonized ITA grafts was compared with that of pedicled ITA grafts. One hundred patients with coronary artery diseases underwent elective CABG. In the group I (n = 50), the left ITA was dissected using the skeletonization technique. In the group II (n = 50), the ITA was harvested as a pedicled graft. Free flow of the ITA was recorded before and 15 min after intraluminal application of diluted papaverine. Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 9.31 kPa (70 mmHg). The results showed that before the application of papaverine, free flow of skeletonized and pedicled ITA grafts was identical between the two groups. After treatment with papaverine, the maximum free flow was significantly higher in the skeletonized ITA's in the group I (199.3 +/- 69.6 ml/min) than in the group II (145.7 +/- 70.3 ml/min, P < 0.05). There was on significant difference between the free flow after dilatation of the left and right ITA in the group I (left 199.3 +/- 69.6 ml/min, right 198.9 +/- 61.8 ml/min, respectively). It was concluded that preparation of the ITA with the skeletonization technique resulted in significantly higher free flow capacity than in pedicled grafts and would improve the results of arterial revascularization. The complication rate seems to be lower than with the conventional method.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Complete arterial revascularization of multivessel coronary disease: are conduits sufficient?].

BACKGROUND: Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting seems to be an alternative surgical approach in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Complications in the long-term follow-up due to degeneration of venous grafts may be reduced using arterial conduits. Prolonged operating times and increased trauma due to harvesting of multiple arterial grafts have been arguments for the conventional operative approach. We present our experience using new operative techniques, such as skeletonization of arterial grafts and the T-graft configuration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 3/96 and 7/99, 405 patients with multiple coronary artery disease underwent complete arterial revascularization at our institution. The operations were performed using only two skeletonized grafts, both internal thoracic arteries in 105 patients (25.9%), internal thoracic artery and radial artery in 299 patients (73.8%) and 1 radial artery in 1 patient (0.3%). RESULTS: In 346 patients (85.4%) a T-graft configuration was used. A mean of 4.1 +/- 0.9 coronary anastomoses were performed per patient. In hospital mortality was 2%. Sternal dehiscence or infection occurred in 0.8% of patients. Harvesting of the radial artery was performable with a low morbidity. One week postoperatively, coronary angiography showed 96.7% of coronary anastomoses free of stenosis > 50%. CONCLUSION: Complete arterial coronary revascularization using skeletonized grafts and the T-graft approach is a safe technique in the treatment of multiple coronary artery disease. Low perioperative morbidity and mortality make its usage on a routine basis possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

T grafts with the right internal thoracic artery to left internal thoracic artery versus the left internal thoracic artery and radial artery: flow dynamics in the internal thoracic artery main stem.

OBJECTIVE: Complete arterial coronary artery bypass grafting with 2 grafts can be achieved even in triple vessel disease by use of a T configuration. There is still uncertainty whether the coronary flow reserve in the main stem of the left internal thoracic artery is sufficient to supply more than 1 anastomosed coronary vessel. METHODS: Between March 1996 and February 1999, 251 patients with multivessel coronary artery disease underwent complete arterial revascularization with T grafts, using either the left internal thoracic artery with the free right internal thoracic artery graft (n = 73, group I) or the left internal thoracic artery and radial artery (n = 178, group II). A mean of 4.0 (group I) versus 4.3 (group II) coronary vessels were anastomosed per patient. One week (n = 92) and 6 months (n = 28) after the operation, flow was measured in the proximal left internal thoracic artery with a Doppler guide wire. Maximum flow was determined after injection of adenosine (30 microg). RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was 2.7% (group I) versus 2.3% (group II). At angiography (n = 142, 56.6%) the patency rate was 96.3% (group I) versus 98.2% (group II). There was no significant difference between baseline flow, maximum flow, and coronary flow reserve between the 2 groups. Coronary flow reserve increased in both groups within the first 6 postoperative months (group I, 1.85 +/- 0.31 vs 2.77 +/- 0.77, P =.0002; group II, 1.82 +/- 0.4 vs 2.53 +/- 0.73, P =.009). CONCLUSION: Both variants of T grafts allow for complete arterial revascularization with good perioperative results. The flow reserve of the proximal internal thoracic artery is adequate for multiple coronary anastomoses irrespective of the choice of the second arterial graft.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1999

Free flow capacity of skeletonized versus pedicled internal thoracic artery grafts in coronary artery bypass grafts.

OBJECTIVE: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the ideal conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The skeletonization technique of this arterial conduit has been proposed to reduce chest wall trauma, increase graft length and facilitate construction of sequential anastomoses. Nevertheless, some surgeons decline this technique because of potentially increased trauma to the ITA with impairment of flow. In this investigation we compared the free flow of skeletonized with that of pedicled ITA grafts. METHODS: Two surgeons operated on 80 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease for elective CABG. In group I (n = 40), the left ITA was dissected using the skeletonization technique. In group II (n = 40), it was harvested as a pedicled graft. In 23 patients of group I both ITA's were dissected in skeletonized fashion for complete arterial revascularization. Diluted papaverine was instilled into the lumen of the ITA after distal transection of the vessel in both groups. Free flow of the ITA was registered before and 15 min after intraluminal application of diluted papaverine. Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 70 mmHg. RESULTS: Before the application of papaverine, free flow of skeletonized and pedicled ITA grafts was identical between the two groups. After treatment with papaverine maximum free flow was significantly higher in the skeletonized ITA's (group I 197.2 (+/-66.6) ml/min; group II 147.1 (+/-70.5) ml/min; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between free flow after dilatation of the left and right ITA in group I (left 197.2 (+/-66.6) ml/min; right 198.9 (+/-61.8) ml/min). CONCLUSIONS: Preparation of the ITA with the skeletonization technique results in significantly, higher free flow capacity than in pedicled grafts. This may increase the safety of arterial revascularization by reducing the risk of ITA hypoperfusion syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Factors influencing heart rate variability in patients with severe aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Heart rate variability (HRV) is an accepted tool for the assessment of cardiovascular autonomic tone. There are no sufficient data concerning its application to patients with severe aortic valve disease (AVD) requiring cardiac surgery. METHODS: It was the aim of this study to examine HRV and its physiologic correlates in patients with severe aortic valve disease requiring cardiac surgery. The correlates of time domain indices of HRV obtained from 24-h Holter electrocardiographic recordings were analyzed in 36 consecutive patients (23 men and 13 women, mean age 62 +/- 11 years) with AVD prior to cardiac surgery (aortic stenosis: 17 patients, aortic valve regurgitation: 3 patients, combined aortic valve disease: 16 patients). RESULTS: Low values of HRV were found in the entire study group: SDNN 96.8 +/- 30.9 ms, SDNNI 39.3 +/- 14.4 ms, SDANN 86 +/- 28.9 ms, and RMSSD 30 +/- 18.1 ms. In a univariate analysis, there was no significant correlation between the time domain measures of HRV and age, gender, medication, left ventricular ejection fraction, peak aortic pressure gradient, fraction of aortic valve regurgitation, and left ventricular mass assessed by echocardiography. Patients in advanced functional classes of heart failure [New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV] had significantly lower values for SDNN (83.8 +/- 33.6 vs. 107.3 +/- 24.7 ms; p < 0.05) and SDANN (72.7 +/- 29.4 vs. 96.6 +/- 24.3 ms; p < 0.05) than patients in NYHA class I or II. Reassessment of HRV 1 week after aortic valve replacement was performed in 17 patients and showed a significant further decrease of SDNN (102.4 +/- 29.7 vs. 61.5 +/- 23.5 ms; p < 0.001), SDNNI (40.7 +/- 13.6 vs. 23.4 +/- 12.4 ms; p < 0.001) and SDANN (91.8 +/- 29.2 vs. 54.2 +/- 22.8 ms; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with AVD requiring cardiac surgery reveal reduced time domain indices of HRV. This observation is pronounced in patients with a progressed clinical class of heart failure, whereas hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters seem to have no significant influence on HRV parameters in this population. In addition, there is evidence of a further reduction of HRV time domain indices 1 week after uncomplicated aortic valve replacement.

Aortic Valve↗