Mediastinal extension of a pancreatic pseudocyst.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E A Rose.
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BACKGROUND: Preoperative characteristics may influence morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The CABG Patch Trial was designed to assess the impact of prophylactic insertion of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients undergoing high-risk CABG. This database was used to investigate the influence of symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF) and angina on morbidity and mortality in CABG patients with ventricular dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 900 randomized patients with an ejection fraction </=35% and an abnormal signal-averaged ECG. Single-variable and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were used for mortality and length-of-stay (LOS) data. Severity of CHF and angina was graded by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classifications, respectively. Perioperative mortality was 3.5% in 454 patients without clinical signs of heart failure versus 7.7% in 443 patients with NYHA class I to IV heart failure (P=0.018). By multiple logistic regression analysis, mortality was significantly higher in patients with preoperative symptomatic (NYHA class I to IV) heart failure (odds ratio, 2.4; P=0.01) or reoperation (odds ratio, 3.8; P<0.0001). Mortality was not significantly influenced by age, sex, the presence or severity of angina, hypertension, left main coronary artery disease, pulmonary disease, or severity of CHF (although LOS was increased 0.7 days per NYHA class). Patients with a history of stroke had a higher rate of perioperative stroke (16.4% versus 3.6%, P=0.001) and an increased LOS (by 3.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic heart failure and reoperation are predictors of increased operative mortality in patients with ventricular dysfunction and a positive signal-averaged ECG. Conversely, patients without heart failure symptoms may undergo CABG with relatively low mortality despite low ejection fraction. LOS is prolonged significantly by advanced age, history of stroke, and the presence and severity of heart failure.
BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are currently being evaluated as permanent therapy for end-stage heart failure. Because life-threatening infections limit successful long-term device implantation, we investigated the relationship between quantitative T-cell defects in LVAD recipients and CD95-mediated T-cell apoptosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunological studies were performed in NYHA class IV patients awaiting cardiac transplantation who received either a TCI Heartmate left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or medical management. Fluorochrome-labeled Mabs were used in T-cell phenotypic analyses. T-cell apoptosis was measured by annexin V binding of T cells cultured in medium for 24 hours. Circulating serum levels of soluble CD95 were measured by ELISA. LVAD recipients had a relative lymphopenia and reduction in CD4 T-cell levels compared with NYHA class IV heart failure controls. These observations were confirmed in a longitudinal study in LVAD recipients, which showed that device implantation was accompanied by progressive and sustained reductions in circulating CD4 T-cell levels. These abnormalities in LVAD recipients were accompanied by increased levels of circulating soluble CD95 and by excessive CD4 and CD8 T-cell apoptosis. Susceptibility to induction of apoptosis was >2-fold greater for CD4 T cells than for CD8 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the reduction in CD4 T-cell levels accompanying LVAD implantation is a consequence of an augmented pathway of CD95-mediated apoptosis. The clinical consequences of these abnormalities may include increased prevalence of systemic infections.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac transplantation is a limited option for end-stage heart failure because of the shortage of donor organs. Left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are currently under investigation as permanent therapy for end-stage heart failure, but long-term successful device implantation is limited because of a high rate of serious infections. To examine the relation between LVAD-related infection and host immunity, we investigated immune responses in LVAD recipients. METHODS: We compared the rate of candidal infection in 78 patients with New York Heart Association class IV heart failure who received either an LVAD (n=40) or medical management (controls, n=38). Fluorochrome-labelled monoclonal antibodies were used in analyses of T-cell phenotype. Analysis of T-cell function included intradermal responses to recall antigens and proliferative responses after stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin, monoclonal antibodies to CD3, and mixed lymphocyte culture. We measured T-cell apoptosis in vivo by annexin V binding, and confirmed the result by assessment of DNA fragmentation. Activation-induced T-cell death was measured after T-cell stimulation with antibodies to CD3. All immunological tests were done at least 1 month after LVAD implantation. Between-group comparisons were by Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis and Student's t test. FINDINGS: By 3 months after implantation of LVAD, the risk of developing candidal infection was 28% in LVAD recipients, compared with 3% in controls (p=0.003). LVAD recipients had cutaneous anergy to recall antigens and lower (<70%) T-cell proliferative responses than controls after activation via the T-cell receptor complex (p<0.001). T cells from LVAD recipients had higher surface expression of CD95 (Fas) (p<0.001) and a higher rate of spontaneous apoptosis (p<0.001) than controls. Moreover, after stimulation with antibodies to CD3, CD4 T-cell death increased by 3.2-fold in LVAD recipients compared with only 1.2-fold in controls (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: LVAD implantation results in an aberrant state of T-cell activation, heightened susceptibility of CD4 T cells to activation-induced cell death, progressive defects in cellular immunity, and increased risk of opportunistic infection.
BACKGROUND: Because left ventricular assist devices have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to support the circulation of patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation, these devices are increasingly being considered as a potential alternative to biologic cardiac replacement. The Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH) trial is a multicenter study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to compare long-term implantation of left ventricular assist devices with optimal medical management for patients with end-stage heart failure who require, but do not qualify to receive cardiac transplantation. METHODS: We discuss the rationale for conducting REMATCH, the obstacles to designing this and other randomized surgical trials, the lessons learned in conducting the multicenter pilot study, and the features of the REMATCH study design (objectives, target population, treatments, end points, analysis, and trial organization). CONCLUSIONS: We consider what will be learned from REMATCH, expectations for expanding the use of left ventricular assist devices, and future directions for assessing clinical procedures.
BACKGROUND: The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as bridge to transplantation is now accepted as a standard of care for a subset of end-stage heart failure patients. Our interim experience with both pneumatically and electrically powered ThermoCardiosystems LVADs is presented to outline the benefits and limitations of device support as well as discuss its potential role as bridge to recovery and as destination therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Detailed records were kept prospectively for all patients undergoing LVAD insertion. One hundred LVADs were inserted over 7 years into 95 patients, with an overall survival rate of 75% and a transplantation rate of 70%. Four patients underwent device explant for recovered myocardial function. Three patients received LVADs as destination therapy in the ongoing REMATCH (Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assist Treatment for Congestive Heart failure) trial. Overall mean patient age was 51 years, and mean duration of support was 108 days. There were 25 device-related infections including the drive line, device pocket, and blood-contacting surfaces. Cerebral vascular accidents and other embolic events occurred in 7 patients with six deaths. There were four device malfunctions and nine graft-related hemorrhages, resulting in six reoperations and three deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The use of long-term implantable LVADs will likely not be limited to bridge to transplantation. The REMATCH trial has commenced to study the role LVADs may have as an alternative to medical management. Furthermore, as the issues of myocardial recovery are examined, the "bridge to recovery" may be an important additional role for these assist devices.
BACKGROUND: The formation of postoperative cardiac adhesions makes a repeat sternotomy time consuming and dangerous. Many attempts have been made to solve this problem by using either drugs to inhibit fibrinolytic activity or different types of pericardial substitutes. The results have not been satisfactory. METHODS: The efficacy of bioresorbable film prototypes made of polyethylene glycol (EO) and polylactic acid (LA) (EO/LA = 1.5, 2.5, and 3.0) in the prevention of adhesions after cardiac operations in canine models was tested. After desiccation and abrasion of the epicardium, a transparent bioresorbable film was placed over the heart. The pericardium was closed to allow intrapericardial adhesions (n = 32) or left open and attached to the chest wall to induce retrosternal adhesions (n = 17). Postoperative recovery was similar among the groups. Retrosternal and pericardial adhesions were evaluated at necropsy 3 weeks later by assessing area, tenacity, and density of the adhesions. RESULTS: In the control dogs, tenacious, dense adhesions were observed. In contrast, adhesion formation was reduced at all sites covered by the films. The bioresorbable films were efficacious in the reduction of adhesion formation between epicardium and pericardium or between epicardium and sternum after cardiac operation. The EO/LA 1.5 film most effectively prevented the early adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: The bioresorbable films (EO/LA = 1.5, 2.5, and 3.0) significantly reduced adhesion formation, with EO/LA = 1.5 (Repel CV) being optimal. As the barrier was rapidly resorbed, the capsule formation induced by permanent barriers was avoided.
BACKGROUND: Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock has been reported to occur following 2% to 6% of cardiac surgical procedures. Both the mandatory New York state cardiac surgery database and a voluntary ventricular assist device registry have reported hospital discharge rates of only 25% in postcardiotomy patients supported with ventricular assist devices. Although many centers have access to short-term mechanical cardiac assist devices, most lack a dedicated team which can resuscitate these critically ill patients. Equally important, these centers do not have easy access to effective cardiac replacement options, including implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and heart transplantation. METHODS: A referral network based upon the use of implantable LVADs as a bridge to transplantation in patients with postcardiotomy heart failure was established in the New York City region. Cardiac surgery centers were encouraged to contact our center early following any failed cardiotomy. RESULTS: Forty-four patients entered our postcardiotomy network: 12 recovered without an implantable LVAD, 23 received implantable LVADs, and six expired without long-term LVAD support. Of the 44 referrals, 29 (66%) survived to hospital discharge. Of the 23 patients receiving implantable LVADs, two recovered myocardial function and underwent LVAD explant, 14 were bridged to heart transplant, one underwent an emergent heart transplant, and six expired. Of the 23 implantable LVAD patients, 17 (74%) survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Regional networks centered around bridge-to-transplant facilities that have an aggressive approach to implantable LVAD placement may substantially improve the survival rate of patients with postcardiotomy heart failure.
OBJECTIVE: Textured-surface left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have been shown to enhance ventricular function and survival in patients with end-stage heart failure. Furthermore, we have described a procoagulant physiology in our LVAD population with sustained thrombin generation (elevated thrombin-antithrombin III complex and prothrombin fragment 1+2) and fibrinolysis (D-dimers), even up to 335 days after LVAD placement. To explain such sustained activation of coagulation, we speculated that the LVAD surface selectively adsorbed and promoted activation of circulating blood cells. METHODS: In a prospective study of 20 patients with LVADs, we examined samples of peripheral blood as well as cells harvested from the surface of the LVADs at the time of their explantation for procoagulant proinflammatory markers. RESULTS: Analysis of the cells populating the LVAD surface revealed the presence of pluripotent hematopoietic CD34(+) cells, as well as cells bearing monocyte (CD14)/macrophage (CD68) markers, which also expressed procoagulant tissue factor. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction confirmed cellular activation on the LVAD surface, revealing transcripts for interleukin 1alpha, interleukin 2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, in addition to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 consistent with their capacity to continually recruit and activate circulating cells, thereby propagating their response. In the periphery, elevated levels of tissue factor were found in the plasma of patients with LVADs, along with enhanced procoagulant activity. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the LVAD surface selectively absorbs and activates circulating hematopoietic precursor and monocytic cells, thereby creating a sustained prothrombotic and potentially proinflammatory systemic environment.
BACKGROUND: Although triiodothyronine deficiency has been described after cardiopulmonary bypass, data supporting its use have been conflicting. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was undertaken to further define the effect of triiodothyronine on hemodynamics and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: A total of 170 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled and completed the study from November 1996 through March 1998. On removal of the aortic crossclamp, patients were randomized to receive either intravenous triiodothyronine (0.4 microgram/kg bolus plus 0.1 microgram/kg infusion administered over a 6-hour period, n = 81) or placebo (n = 89). Outcome variables included hemodynamic profile and inotropic drug/pressor requirements at several time points (mean +/- standard error of the mean), perioperative morbidity (arrhythmia/ischemia/infarction), and mortality. RESULTS: Despite similar baseline characteristics, patients randomized to triiodothyronine had a higher cardiac index and lower inotropic requirements after the operation. Subjects receiving triiodothyronine demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of postoperative myocardial ischemia (4% vs 18%, P =.007) and pacemaker dependence (14% vs 25%, P =.013). Seven patients in the placebo group required postoperative mechanical assistance (intra-aortic balloon pump, n = 4; left ventricular assist device, n = 3), compared with none in the triiodothyronine group (P =.01). There were 2 deaths in the placebo group and no deaths in the triiodothyronine group. CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral triiodothyronine given after crossclamp removal during elective coronary artery bypass grafting significantly improved postoperative ventricular function, reduced the need for treatment with inotropic agents and mechanical devices, and decreased the incidence of myocardial ischemia. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was slightly decreased, and the need for postoperative pacemaker support was reduced.
OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for survival after cardiac retransplantation and compare the survival after retransplantation with that after primary cardiac transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 952 patients undergoing cardiac transplantation for the treatment of end-stage heart disease at a single center between 1977 and October 1997. Of these, 43 patients (4.5%) underwent cardiac retransplantation for cardiac failure resulting from transplant-related coronary artery disease, rejection, and early graft failure. RESULTS: No significant difference in actuarial patient survival was found by Kaplan-Meier analysis at 1, 2, and 5 years between patients undergoing primary transplantation and those undergoing retransplantation 76%, 71%, and 60% versus 66%, 66%, and 51%, respectively (P =.2). Multivariable analysis identified a shorter interval between transplants and an initial diagnosis of ischemic cardiomyopathy as significant risk factors for death after retransplantation (P =.04 and.03, respectively). Since 1993, when our criteria for patient selection for retransplantation were revised on the basis of earlier experience to exclude patients with allograft dysfunction as a result of primary graft failure and those with intractable acute rejection occurring less than 6 months after transplantation, the survival has been significantly better (<1993 = 45%, 45%, and 33% versus >/=1993 = 94%, 94%, and 94% at 1, 2, and 4 years, respectively, P =.003). CONCLUSION: The long-term outcome of cardiac retransplantation is comparable with that of primary transplantation, especially in patients with transplant-related coronary artery disease. Patient characteristics and other preoperative variables should assist in the rational application of retransplantation to ensure optimal use of donor organs.
Vasodilatory hypotension requiring the administration of catecholamine pressors may occur following cardiopulmonary bypass. We investigated the hemodynamic response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) in 20 patients who developed vasodilatory hypotension after cardiac transplantation. In this cohort, AVP infusion (0.1 U/min) significantly increased mean arterial pressure and decreased norepinephrine requirements, allowing rapid discontinuation of norepinephrine infusions in 7 patients. Judicious use of this novel agent in appropriately selected patients may minimize end-organ sequelae of hypotension and high-dose catecholamine therapy.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Practice management is a required component in family practice residency education. A few studies have reported that recently graduated primary care physicians indicated that their practice management training was inadequate. Our study describes the current nature of practice management education in family practice residencies and the perceptions of residency directors about the effectiveness of their program's practice management curriculum. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to 421 family practice residency directors, who were asked about their program's curriculum approach to teaching practice management, as well as their evaluation of the effectiveness of the curriculum. After two mailings, 213 surveys (51%) were returned. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of the respondents provided less than the required 60 hours of practice management curricular time. Residency directors indicated that managed care has had a significant effect on their curriculum. Directors' ratings of the effectiveness of their curriculum were associated with more curricular time and specifically with active learning activities. Although directors reported that managed care had affected how they teach practice management, managed care penetration was not associated with perceived curriculum effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Family practice residency program directors described a variety of approaches to teaching practice management. Active learning strategies seem to be important curricular components, although further study is needed about the most-effective methods to prepare physicians for post-residency practice.
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BACKGROUND: Many anesthetic drugs have been shown to disrupt conscious recall (explicit memory) in volunteers. However, unconscious processing (implicit memory) of intraoperative auditory material may occur during general anesthesia and may provide an opportunity for intraoperative therapeutic intervention. In this study, we examined patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery for evidence of intraoperative implicit and explicit memory. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects provided written informed consent and underwent general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgery. During the operation, patients were randomized to receive 1 of 2 different audiotapes of associated word pairs. Postoperatively, a blinded observer conducted a standardized interview to determine the extent of intraoperative implicit and explicit memory. With the use of free association, significant intraoperative implicit memory was found. In contrast, no patient had spontaneous or directed recall of intraoperative events, and we did not find evidence of intraoperative explicit memory with a recognition task. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing general anesthesia for cardiac surgery were reliably able to reinforce associations between word pairs solely on the basis of their intraoperative presentation. This provides further evidence that patients are capable of processing intraoperative auditory information.
BACKGROUND: Preformed anti-HLA antibodies reacting specifically with donor lymphocytes have been associated with acute vascular rejection and early cardiac allograft failure. However, the effect of preformed anti-HLA antibodies directed against allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II antigens of a donor panel on heart transplantation outcome has not been extensively studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group consisted of 68 patients who received cardiac transplants between 1989 and 1996 and who were at high risk for developing anti-HLA antibodies before transplantation. The effect of preformed antibodies against allogeneic MHC class I or class II antigens on the development of early high-grade cellular rejection and on cumulative annual rejection frequency was determined. Both patients with left ventricular assist devices and retransplantation candidates had a similar increase in the frequency of IgG anti-MHC class II antibodies (IgG anti-II) compared with control subjects (P<0.0001), whereas the frequency of IgG anti-MHC class I antibodies (IgG anti-I) was elevated only in patients with left ventricular assist devices. Pretransplantation IgG anti-II predicted early development of high-grade cellular rejection (P=0.006) and higher cumulative annual rejection frequency (P<0.001) in both of these sensitized patient groups. Among retransplantation recipients, a match between donors 1 and 2 at HLA-A additionally predicted an earlier time to a high-grade cellular rejection. CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the importance of specifically screening heart transplantation candidates for the presence of IgG antibodies directed against MHC class II molecules and suggest that strategies aimed at their reduction may have an impact on the onset and frequency of high-grade cellular rejections after transplantation.
BACKGROUND: Transplant-related coronary-artery disease (TCAD) develops frequently in cardiac-allograft recipients, and limits long-term survival. We examined the relation between this disorder and cumulative frequency of high-grade rejection, and investigated whether concomitant use of three immunological factors at the time of a low-grade endomyocardial biopsy can predict progression to high-grade rejection. METHODS: We investigated the relation between the cumulative annual frequency of high-grade rejection and TCAD in 198 recipients of cardiac transplantation between 1992 and 1996 by means of Kaplan-Meier actuarial life-tables. Endomyocardial biopsy, lymphocyte-growth assays, and anti-HLA antibody measurements were compiled over 12 months in 102 patients during their first post-transplant year. We calculated predictive values for high-grade rejection within 90 days by chi2, Kaplan Meier survival curves, and by multivariable logistic regression analyses. FINDINGS: We found a direct correlation between cumulative annual frequency of rejection and TCAD onset with highest risk in those with more than 0.75 rejections per year (p=0.0002). After a low-grade endomyocardial biopsy (0 or 1A), one or more donor-recipient HLA-DR matches protected against high-grade rejections (p<0.001). Among individuals with one or two DR matches, the negative predictive value for progression from a low-grade biopsy to a high-grade rejection was 87% in the presence of a negative lymphocyte-growth assay. Among individuals with no DR matches, the presence of either a positive lymphocyte-growth assay or IgG anti-major-histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antibodies was independently associated with high probability of progression to rejection (64% and 66%, respectively, p<0.0005). When both assays were positive, concomitantly with a low-grade endomyocardial biopsy, the positive predictive value for progression to a high-grade rejection was 86% (p<0.0001). For endomyocardial-biopsy grades 1B or 2, a positive lymphocyte-growth assay alone was associated with high-grade rejection in 100% of cases. INTERPRETATION: Use of an algorithm combining three immunological factors at the time of a low-grade endomyocardial biopsy enables prospective stratification of cardiac transplant recipients into risk categories for progression to high-grade rejection. Low-risk individuals require fewer biopsies, moderate-risk individuals require an ongoing schedule of surveillance biopsies, and high-risk individuals require rational organisation of interventional strategies aimed at preventing rejection. Additional predictive factors are needed to identify moderate-risk individuals who will progress to rejection. Ultimately, successful intervention may have an impact on the subsequent complication of TCAD.
The role of the indirect allorecognition pathway in acute allograft rejection has been documented both in organ recipients and in experimental models. However, it is unknown whether self-restricted recognition of donor alloantigens also contributes to chronic allograft rejection. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between allopeptide reactivity, epitope spreading, and chronic rejection. Using synthetic peptides corresponding to the hypervariable region of 32 HLA-DR alleles, we have followed the specificity of self-restricted T cell alloresponses to the donor in a population of 34 heart allograft recipients. T cells from sequential samples of blood collected from the patients up to 36 mo after transplantation were studied in limiting dilution analysis for allopeptide reactivity. The incidence of coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV) was significantly higher in patients who displayed persistent alloreactivity late after transplantation than in patients who showed no alloreactivity after the first 6 mo after transplantation. Both intra- and intermolecular spreading of epitopes was observed with an increased frequency in patients developing CAV in less than 2 yr, compared with patients without CAV; this suggests that diversification of the immune response against the graft contributes to chronic rejection. These data provide a strategy for identifying patients at risk of developing CAV and a rationale for therapeutic intervention aimed to prevent the progression of the rejection process.