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Biomedical subjects

E Erdmann

Publications and source records attributed to E Erdmann.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Percutaneous transvenous mitral valvuloplasty in a pregnant patient. Successful treatment of severe mitral stenosis].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 31-year-old woman presented in the 25th week of pregnancy with ankle and pretibial oedema and increasing dyspnoea, ultimately in class IV (New York Heart Association classification). There were fine rales on auscultation and dullness on palpation over both lung bases. The heart rate was regular at 110/min. The first heart sound was very loud, and there was a mitral opening snap and a loud diastolic murmur maximal, over the cardiac apex. INVESTIGATIONS: The ECG showed sinus rhythm at a rate of 110/min, left axis deviation, incomplete right bundle branch block and P biatriale, but no other abnormalities. Echocardiography revealed biatrial enlargement and an enlarged right ventricle as well as pulmonary systolic hypertension of 100 mm Hg. Doppler sonography demonstrated severe mitral stenosis with a calculated mitral opening area of 0.9 cm2. DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: The symptoms improved only slightly under conservative drug treatment. The mitral valve changes, as noted sonographically, met the criteria for percutaneous transluminal balloon mitral valvoplasty (PTBMV), which was successfully performed. Afterwards the mitral opening area was 2.6 cm2 and pulmonary artery pressure gradually became normal. She was delivered without complication of a healthy child in the 39th week of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: PTBLMV is a relatively low-risk treatment in pregnant women with symptomatic mitral stenosis.

Adult↗

[Thrombosis of the deep leg and pelvic veins in congenital agenesis of the vena cava inferior].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: Severe pain and increasing swelling in the region of the right lower leg occurred after unaccustomed physical activity in a 29-year-old man. Physical examination showed painful swelling and livid discoloration of the right lower leg. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory tests were consistent with an acute inflammation. Colour Doppler duplex sonography of the leg and pelvic veins bilaterally revealed complete thrombosis of the deep leg and pelvic veins on the right. Spiral computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed deep pelvic vein thrombosis and also demonstrated complete agenesis of the inferior vena cava (IVC). TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient was fully heparinized and compression bandage applied to the right leg, which was kept elevated, Ibuprofen, 3 x 400 mg daily, was given for pain relief. Anticoagulation treatment with phenprocoumon (Marcumar) was initiated. The patient was discharged much improved after ten days. Duplex sonography after 3 months demonstrated partial recanalization of the right pelvic and deep leg veins. CONCLUSION: Congenital malformations of the IVC are rare. Phlebothrombosis often results in affected patients. Treatment or prevention of thrombosis of the deep veins by anticoagulation is indicated. Additional risk factors for thrombosis--smoking, hormonal contraceptives, immobilization and unusual physical activity--should be strictly avoided.

Adult↗

Reduced sodium pump alpha1, alpha3, and beta1-isoform protein levels and Na+,K+-ATPase activity but unchanged Na+-Ca2+ exchanger protein levels in human heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac glycosides initiate an increase in force of contraction by inhibiting the sarcolemmal sodium pump (Na+, K+-ATPase), thereby decreasing Ca2+ extrusion by the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, which increases the cellular content of Ca2+. In patients with heart failure the sensitivity toward cardiac glycosides is enhanced. METHODS AND RESULTS: Because the inotropic effect of cardiac glycosides may be a function of the sodium pump and Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCE) expression levels, the present study aimed to investigate protein expression of both transporters (immunoblot with specific antibodies against the sodium pump catalytic alpha1-, alpha2-, alpha3-, and glycoprotein beta1-isoforms and against NCE) in left ventricle from failing (heart transplantations, New York Heart Association class IV, n=21) compared with nonfailing (donor hearts, NF, n=22) human myocardium. The density of 3H-ouabain-binding sites (Bmax) and the Na+,K+-ATPase activity were also measured. In NYHA class IV, protein levels of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha1- (0.62+/-0.06 of control), alpha3- (0.70+/-0.09), and beta1- (0.61+/-0.04) but not alpha2-isoforms were significantly reduced (P<0.01), whereas levels of NCE (0.92+/-0.13 of control) and calsequestrin (0.98+/-0.06) remained unchanged. Both Na+,K+-ATPase activity (NF: 1.9+/-0.29; NYHA class IV: 1.1+/-0.17 micromol ATP/min per milligram of protein) and the 3H-ouabain binding sites (Bmax NF: 15.9+/-1.9 pmol/mg protein; NYHA class IV: 9.7+/-1.5) were reduced in NYHA class IV and correlated significantly to each other (r2=0. 73; P<0.0001), as did beta1-subunit expression. In left ventricular papillary muscle strips from NYHA class IV compared with nonfailing tissue the Na+-channel modulator BDF 9198 exerted an increase in force of contraction with unchanged effectiveness but enhanced potency. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced sensitivity of failing human myocardium toward cardiac glycosides may be, at least in part, attributed to a reduced protein expression and activity of the sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase without a change in Na+-Ca2+ exchanger protein expression.

Adolescent↗

[Meningococcal sepsis in 3 young men].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: Three young men became ill one after the other with fever, headaches, vomiting, arthralgias and muscle pain. One day after beginning of symptoms all three patients developed a haemorrhagic rash with petechial and ecchymotic lesions most intense on distal extremities. 24 hours later patient no. 1 and 3 were in septic shock. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory tests showed signs of systemic infection, disseminated intravascular coagulation and renal failure. On the day of admission to the hospital blood cultures showed Neisseria meningitidis in patient no. 1 and 3. In patient no. 2 blood cultures were negative. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Intravenous antibiotic therapy was started immediately after admission. In patient no. 1 and 3 purpura fulminans with multiple organ failure demanded intensive care treatment. Patient no. 1 recovered. Necrotic toes made amputations necessary. Patient no. 2 was never critically ill. Patient no. 3, whose course was complicated by a long lasting disseminated intravascular coagulation, died from massive cerebral bleeding 6 days after admission. Patient no. 2, who was treated with ciprofloxacin after symptoms began was never critically ill. CONCLUSION: Neisseria meningitidis sepsis has a high mortality rate. Rapid admission to the hospital and beginning of an antibiotic therapy with penicillin G or a third-generation cephalosporin is a priority when meningococcal disease is suspected. Chemoprophylaxis should be offered to close contacts of patients.

Acute Disease↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of ductus arteriosus Botalli apertus in adulthood.

Ductus arteriosus Botalli apertus is a congenital cardiovascular malformation usually diagnosed in childhood by echocardiography and/or cardiac catheterization. Reports about magnetic resonance imaging of ductus arteriosus Botalli apertus are rare. We report about three adult female patients and one adult male patient in whom magnetic resonance imaging was able to demonstrate the pathology. In all four patients quantitative data about right ventricular function were calculated. Pulmonary hypertension with Eisenmenger syndrome detected by cardiac catheterization had developed in three of the four patients excluding operative closure of the ductus. The patient in whom pulmonary hypertension had not developed underwent successful operative closure of the ductus. Magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive tool that can be used for diagnosis of ductus arteriosus Botalli apertus and it allows to quantify right ventricular function. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used repetitively in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome which may be helpful for better timing of combined heart-lung transplantation as ultimate therapeutic strategy because deterioration of right ventricular function can be monitored.

Adult↗

Reduced Ca(2+)-sensitivity of SERCA 2a in failing human myocardium due to reduced serin-16 phospholamban phosphorylation.

It is still a matter of debate, whether decreased protein expression of SERCA 2a and phospholamban (PLB), or alterations in the phosphorylation state of PLB are responsible for the reduced SERCA 2a function in failing human myocardium. Thus, in membrane preparations from patients with terminal heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (NYHA IV. heart transplants) and control hearts (NF), SERCA 2a activity was measured with an NADH coupled assay with as well as without stimulation with protein kinase A (PKA). The protein expression of SERCA 2a, PLB and calsequestrin as well as the phosphorylation status of PLB (Back-phosphorylation technique: Serine-16-PLB specific antibody) were analysed using Western blotting technique and specific antibodies. In NF, the maximal activity (Vmax) and the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of SERCA 2a activity were significantly higher compared to NYHA IV. Protein expression of SERCA 2a, PLB and calsequestrin were unchanged, whereas both, the phosphorylation status of PLB as well as serine-16-PLB-phosphorylation, were significantly reduced in NYHA IV. After stimulation with PKA only the Ca(2+)-sensitivity, but not Vmax increased concentration-dependently. Therefore, in human myocardium, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity but not the Vmax of SERCA 2a is regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban at position serine-16. Threonine-17-PLB-phosphorylation or direct phosphorylation of SERCA 2a may be candidates for regulation of maximal SERCA 2a activity in human myocardium.

Adult↗

Improvement of myocardial blood flow to ischemic regions by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with quinaprilat IV: a study using [15O] water dobutamine stress positron emission tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to analyze the effects of acute angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on myocardial blood flow (MBF) in control and ischemic regions. BACKGROUND: Although animal studies indicate an improvement of MBF to ischemic regions after ACE inhibition, this effect has not been conclusively demonstrated in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Myocardial blood flow was analyzed in ischemic and nonischemic regions of 10 symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease using repetitive [15O] water positron emission tomography at rest and during maximal dobutamine stress before and after ACE inhibition with quinaprilat 10 mg i.v. To exclude the possibility that repetitive ischemia may cause an increase in MBF, eight patients underwent the same protocol without quinaprilat (placebo patients). RESULTS: Rate pressure product in control and quinaprilat patients was comparable. In placebo patients, repetitive dobutamine stress did not change MBF to ischemic regions (1.41 +/- 0.17 during the first stress vs. 1.39 +/- 0.19 ml/min/g during the second stress, p = 0.93). In contrast, MBF in ischemic regions increased significantly after acute ACE inhibition with quinaprilat during repetitive dobutamine stress (1.10 +/- 0.13 vs. 1.69 +/- 0.17 ml/min/g, p < 0.015). Dobutamine coronary reserve in ischemic regions remained unchanged in placebo patients (1.07 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.10 +/- 0.16, p = 0.92), but increased significantly after quinaprilat (0.97 +/- 0.10 vs. 1.44 +/- 0.14, p < 0.002). Total coronary resistance decreased after ACE inhibition (123 +/- 19 vs. 71 +/- 10 mm Hg x min x g/ml, p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition by quinaprilat significantly improves MBF to ischemic regions in patients with coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

A prognostic computer model to individually predict post-procedural complications in interventional cardiology: the INTERVENT Project.

AIMS: The purpose of this part of the INTERVENT project was (1) to redefine and individually predict post-procedural complications associated with coronary interventions, including alternative/adjunctive techniques to PTCA and (2) to employ the prognostic INTERVENT computer model to clarify the structural relationship between (pre)-procedural risk factors and post-procedural outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a multicentre study, 2500 data items of 455 consecutive patients (mean age: 61.1+/-8.3 years: 33-84 years) undergoing coronary interventions at three university centres were analysed. 80.4% of the patients were male, 16.7% had unstable angina, and 5.1%/10.1% acute/subacute myocardial infarction. There were multiple or multivessel stenoses in 16.0%, vessel bending >90 degrees in 14.5%, irregular vessel contours in 65.0%, moderate calcifications in 20.9%, moderate/severe vessel tortuosity in 53.2% and a diameter stenosis of 90%-99% in 44.4% of cases. The in-lab (out-of-lab) complications were: 0.4% (0.9%) death, 1.8% (0.2%) abrupt vessel closure with myocardial infarction and 5.5% (4.0) haemodynamic disorders. CONCLUSION: Computer algorithms derived from artificial intelligence were able to predict the individual risk of these post-procedural complications with an accuracy of >95% and to explain the structural relationship between risk factors and post-procedural complications. The most important prognostic factors were: heart failure (NYHA class), use of adjunctive/alternative techniques (rotablation, atherectomy, laser), acute coronary ischaemia, pre-existent cardiac medication, stenosis length, stenosis morphology (calcification), gender, age, amount of contrast agent and smoker status. Pre-medication with aspirin or other cardiac medication had a beneficial effect. Techniques, such as laser angioplasty or atherectomy were predictors for post-procedural complications. Single predictors alone were not able to describe the individual outcome completely.

Adult↗

cAMP-dependent protein kinase A-stimulated sarcoplasmic reticulum function in heart failure.

It is unclear whether decreased protein expression of SERCA2 (SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase) and phospholamban (PLB), or alterations in the phosphorylation state of PLB leading to increased inhibition of SERCA2 are responsible for the reduced SERCA2 function in failing human myocardium. In crude membrane preparations from patients with terminal heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and control hearts (NF), SERCA2 activity was measured with a NADH coupled assay. Protein expression of SERCA2 and PLB and the phosphorylation state at the two phosphorylation sites, serine-16-PLB and threonine-17-PLB, were investigated with specific (phosphorylation) antibodies and Western blot technique. In NF, the Vmax and the Ca2+ sensitivity of SERCA2 activity were significantly higher compared to DCM. Protein expression of SERCA2 and PLB were unchanged, whereas the phosphorylation status at both serine-16-PLB and threonine-17-PLB were significantly reduced in DCM. The native phosphorylation status of PLB measured by the back-phosphorylation technique was reduced in DCM as well. After stimulation with protein kinase A only the Ca2+ sensitivity, but not Vmax, increased. The reduced phosphorylation state of PLB may lead to decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of SERCA2 in failing human myocardium. The altered regulation of the SR-CA(2+)-ATPase in human heart failure may offer an opportunity for an improvement in the therapy of heart failure.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

Significance of exercise-induced ST-segment elevation and T-wave pseudonormalization for improvement of function in healed Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation and pseudonormalization of negative T waves (ST-T segment changes) in infarct leads indicate myocardial viability after Q-wave myocardial infarcts in some patients and may therefore identify patients who will benefit from revascularization. Global left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle were analyzed in 34 patients with healed myocardial infarction (11 patients with ST-segment elevation, 3 patients with pseudonormalization of the negative T wave (group 1), and in 20 patients without ST-T segment changes during an exercise electrocardiogram (group 2)) before and 4 months after successful revascularization. Wall motion abnormality in the central infarct region at baseline was similar in both groups (-3.1 +/- 0.6 SD vs 3.0 +/- 0.8 SD; NS). At repeat angiography, wall motion abnormality improved significantly from -3.1 +/- 0.6 SD to -2.1 +/- 0.6 SD (p <0.01) in group 1 and was unchanged in group 2 (-3.0 +/- 0.8 SD vs -2.9 +/- 0.7 SD; NS). Similarly, ejection fraction at control angiography had increased from 54 +/- 14% to 66 +/- 12% (p <0.01) in group 1, but decreased from 56 +/- 9% to 55 +/- 9% in group 2 (NS). Exercise-induced ST-T segment changes yielded a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 89% to predict significant improvement of the left ventricular ejection fraction. Exercise-induced changes of the ST-T segment identify patients with a high probability of improvement of myocardial function after revascularization in patients with healed myocardial infarcts.

Adult↗

Anomalous drainage of the right superior vena cava into the left atrium in a 61-year-old woman.

This report describes a 61-year-old female with an anomalous drainage of the right superior vena cava into the left atrium. The patient presented progressively severe dyspnea and precordial pain on exertion, lightheadedness, easy fatiguability and a constant decline in her performance but normal cardiac and pulmonary findings. Following a suspicious lung perfusion scan, diagnosis was assessed by echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac catheterization and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. This anomaly leading to a right to left shunt appears to be a rare congenital cardiac malformation, particularly if diagnosed in the adult. The calculated shunt volume at rest was approximately 15% of the total body circulation. Although the functional relevance appears questionable, exercise of the upper limbs caused a significant decrease in systemic O2-saturation.

Carbon Dioxide↗