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Biomedical subjects

F Alfonso

Publications and source records attributed to F Alfonso.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Immunophenotypic evaluation of the bone marrow in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Immunophenotypic evaluations of the bone marrow (BM) are reported on 69 aspirates from 58 patients who had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia involving the BM. Using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy on density gradient isolated BM mononuclear cells, the neoplasm could be identified and characterized in 59 aspirates (86%) from 49 patients (84%). Using International Working Formulation guidelines the neoplasms were classified on the basis of prior or subsequent histopathology of lymph node, spleen, skin, or other soft tissue site, or by evaluation of peripheral blood in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In nine cases the lymphoma could not be completely classified according to International Working Formulation guidelines because only BM was available for evaluation. The neoplasm in the BM was identified and characterized immunophenotypically in all 29 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (WDLL) (100%), in 11 of 12 cases of low-grade lymphoma other than WDLL (92%), in 11 of 15 cases of intermediate-grade lymphoma (73%), and in two of four cases of high-grade lymphoma (50%). Six of the nine cases not classified by International Working Formulation guidelines could be characterized immunophenotypically. In 10 cases immunophenotypic studies revealed negative findings, although the concurrent core biopsy specimens were positive. In two cases immunophenotypic studies with positive findings accompanied a negative core biopsy specimen. A panel of immunohistochemical reagents reactive with fixative/paraffin-resistant antigens was used for a retrospective evaluation of the 69 core biopsy specimens. When compared with the immunophenotypic data obtained from the marrow aspirates these results proved to be only moderately reliable in B-lineage neoplasms and unreliable in T-cell neoplasms. Thus, immunophenotyping of aspirated marrow by flow cytometry was found to be the most reliable method for determining the antigenic profiles of BM-based lymphomas.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for post-infarction angina in elderly patients.

To assess the short-term outcome of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for post-infarction angina in elderly patients, we have retrospectively evaluated the results of 88 procedures of PTCA (98 lesions attempted), performed for post-infarction angina (PIA), in 84 patients of > or = 65 years (elderly group), and compared the results obtained with those of 165 PTCAs (200 lesions attempted) in 161 patients of < 65 years old with PIA (young group). Angiographic success was obtained in 91 (93%) vs. 181 (91%) of lesions attempted in the groups, respectively. Complete revascularization was achieved in 54 (61%) patients treated in the elderly group vs. 106 (65%) in the young group. PTCA success was obtained in 78 (89%) procedures vs. 147 (89%) of both groups. No patients required emergency coronary surgery, two patients (2%) had a reinfarction in the elderly group vs. five patients (3%) in the young group, and two patients died (one in the elderly and one in the young group). In conclusion, PTCA for PIA in elderly patients provides a high clinical success rate with a low frequency of complications, similar to the results obtained in young patients.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Diagnosis of mitral valve myxoma by transesophageal echocardiography.

Mitral valve myxomas are rare. We report a patient with a mitral myxoma arising from the posterior mitral leaflet in whom transthoracic echocardiography revealed equivocal findings. However, transoesophageal echocardiography provided accurate relevant anatomical information including the size, morphological characteristics, and tumour attachment point.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1993

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

The widespread use of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty on the basis of gained experience, technical advances, and a thorough understanding of its pathophysiologic consequences, has generated great clinical enthusiasm and stimulated research efforts. Recent reports provide new insights into a number of topics, including technical issues, the current value of noninvasive techniques, and the results obtained with mitral valvuloplasty in particular clinical and anatomic settings. This review examines the information provided by recent studies.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1992

Predictors, mechanisms and outcome of severe mitral regurgitation complicating percutaneous mitral valvotomy with the Inoue balloon.

During 241 consecutive percutaneous mitral valvotomy (PMV) procedures performed with the Inoue balloon, 16 patients (6.6%) developed severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Baseline clinical, echocardiographic (Doppler mitral valve area and Wilkins' score) and hemodynamic data were not different from those of patients without this complication. Severe MR occurred during the first inflation in 7 patients and after several stepwise inflations in 9. Although maximal balloon size was similar in both groups, unusual indentations and subvalvular inflations were more frequently observed in patients who developed severe MR. Early mitral valve replacement was required in 6 patients. All of them had a leaflet rupture either along the midportion (2 patients), along a commissure (4 patients), or both. Commissural calcium was present in 5 valves and 5 also had severe subvalvular involvement that had been underestimated by echocardiography. Of the 10 nonsurgically treated patients, 4 had chordal rupture by echocardiographic criteria, whereas in the remaining 6 the precise mechanism of MR could not be determined. During follow-up (11.4 +/- 4 months, range 1 to 30), 1 patient required surgery for symptoms and the remaining 9 were symptomatically improved and free of left ventricular dilatation. In conclusion, severe MR complicated 6.6% of PMV procedures with the Inoue balloon, and its mechanism was leaflet or chordal rupture. Although one third of the patients required early mitral surgery, most of the remaining obtained midterm symptomatic benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with and without selective requirement of surgical standby.

To determine the outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with the use of 2 different strategies of surgical coverage, the results of 1,283 consecutive PTCAs were analyzed. In 269 procedures (21%) (patients considered at high risk should acute vessel closure occur--standby group) the operating room and the surgical team were ready for an immediate intervention. In the remaining 1,014 procedures (79%) (backup group), although the surgical team was "in house," they were not necessarily ready for an immediate intervention. Mean age of the population was 58 +/- 10 years and 84% of patients were men. Coronary risk factors, medical treatment, clinical indication for PTCA, previous coronary surgery and left ventricular ejection fraction were similar in both groups. Dilatation was more frequently multiple (23 vs 16%, p less than 0.05), or performed in the left anterior descending coronary artery (71 vs 46%, p less than 0.001), in bypass grafts (4 vs 2%, p less than 0.02), in proximal coronary segments (72 vs 57%, p less than 0.001) or in lesions at bifurcation (35 vs 28%, p less than 0.02) in the standby than in the backup group, respectively. PTCAs were less frequently performed during the same diagnostic procedure (15 vs 34%, p less than 0.001) in the standby group. Angiographic success was obtained in 91 and 92% of the attempted lesions and PTCA success in 89 and 88% of the procedures in the standby and backup groups, respectively. The incidence of death (1 vs 0.7%), acute myocardial infarction (2.9 vs 2.7%) and emergency surgery (0.7 vs 0.1%) was also similar in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty in patients with large (greater than 6 cm) versus those with smaller left atria.

To determine whether the presence of an aneurysmatic (severely enlarged) left atrium (greater than 60 mm on echocardiography) influences results of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV), the clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic characteristics and the results of this technique were compared in 46 consecutive patients with aneurysmatic left atrium (group I) and 125 consecutive patients without such echocardiographic finding (group II). Left atrial size was 70.5 +/- 8 vs 50.1 +/- 6 mm (p less than 0.005) in groups I and II, respectively. Patients in group I were older (57 +/- 12 vs 48 +/- 12 years, p less than 0.025), more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class greater than or equal to III or IV: 67 vs 42%, p less than 0.05), and had atrial fibrillation more frequently (91 vs 44%, p less than 0.001). The echocardiographic score (8.9 +/- 1.9 vs 7.5 +/- 2, p less than 0.005) and the incidence of mild mitral regurgitation on angiography before PMV (54 vs 30%, p less than 0.01) was also higher in group I patients. Hemodynamic parameters before PMV were similar in both groups, but after the procedure, final mitral valve area (1.61 +/- 0.5 vs 1.95 +/- 0.4 cm2, p less than 0.05) and the absolute increase in mitral area (0.81 +/- 0.3 vs 1.02 +/- 0.3 cm2, p less than 0.05) were lower and mean pulmonary artery pressure (35 +/- 10 vs 28 +/- 9 mm Hg, p less than 0.025) was higher in group I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lymphoma of ovary with stromal luteinization, presenting as secondary amenorrhea.

A case of primary lymphoma of the ovary with extensive stromal luteinization is presented. Immunohistochemical markers that work satisfactorily in fixed tissues allowed a diagnosis of B cell lymphoma to be made on formalin-fixed tissue sections. Immunohistochemical analysis of frozen tissue and genotypic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of B cell lymphoma. By electron microscopy two populations of cells, including large atypical lymphoid cells and luteinized stromal cells, were identified. Presentation with amenorrhea and resumption of menstrual periods after removal of the tumor suggested the possibility of functional activity in the luteinized stromal cells. Stromal luteinization has not been previously described in primary ovarian lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Midterm outcome of patients with asymptomatic restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty.

Although many patients with restenosis after balloon coronary angioplasty have recurrence of angina, others remain asymptomatic. To assess the clinical implications of asymptomatic coronary restenosis, we analyzed clinical and angiographic characteristics of 277 consecutive patients with restenosis, 133 (48%) of whom were asymptomatic (group I) and 144 (52%) symptomatic (group II). Restenosis was documented 6 to 9 months after the index procedure, or earlier if angina recurred, and was defined as a greater than 50% lumen narrowing (visual estimation). Group I (asymptomatic group) included fewer female (9% vs. 18%, p less than 0.05) and hypertensive patients (38% vs. 56%, p less than 0.005) and more patients with a previous myocardial infarction (48% vs. 28%, p less than 0.05) and single-vessel disease (67% vs. 55%, p less than 0.05). Before angioplasty, symptoms had lasted for a shorter period (10 +/- 25 vs. 23 +/- 42 months, p less than 0.001), ischemia after a recent infarction was a more frequent indication (21% vs. 10%, p less than 0.05) and total revascularization more frequently obtained (74% vs. 63%, p less than 0.05) in group I than in group II patients. Only a normal blood pressure, previous myocardial infarction, single-vessel disease and a shorter duration of symptoms were independent correlates of asymptomatic restenosis. No differences were found in stenosis severity before angioplasty (90% in both groups) or after angioplasty (22% +/- 12% vs. 24% +/- 16%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1992

[Conventional and color Doppler echocardiography in mitral balloon valvotomy].

With the aim of assessing the value of conventional echocardiography and Doppler and colour Doppler during and in the follow-up of percutaneous mitral valvotomy we have studied prospectively 100 consecutive patients with 1 (90%), 6 (69%) and 12 (53%) months follow-up. Age was 50 years and 80% were women. The single balloon technique was used in 68%, mitral valve area increased from 0.9 +/- 0.2 to 1.8 +/- 0.3 cm2 and decrease in pulmonary artery pressure was 10 +/- 0.05 mmHg. We found that: 1) percutaneous mitral valvotomy produced and acute and transient decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (pre 69 +/- 9%, post 61 +/- 10% p less than 0.001; 1 month 70 +/- 10; 2) a severe mitral regurgitation appeared in 4% of patients and 17% of patients had a moderate degree of regurgitation after valvotomy; 3) after valvular dilation an increase in the width of the aliasing greater than 29% predicted a successful procedure (final area greater than 1.5 cm2) with a sensibility 80% and specificity 94%, and 4) colour Doppler detected an atrial septal defect immediately after valvular dilation in 77% of patients, and permitted non invasive follow-up of the left to right shunt. At one year a left to right shunt at the atrial level persisted roughly in 1/3 of patients. We conclude that colour Doppler Echocardiography during percutaneous mitral valvotomy is useful for a rapid assessment of the increase in valve area, the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation induced by valvular dilation and the follow-up in these patients.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗
PubMed1992

[The usefulness of intravascular echography during the percutaneous dilatation of aortic coarctation].

An intravascular ultrasound study was performed in a patient, to assess the anatomy of aortic coarctation and the results obtained after percutaneous dilation with a balloon catheter. Intravascular ultrasound imaging provides important additional information, not obtainable with other diagnostic procedures, regarding aortic wall structure and thickness. After balloon dilation, aortic disruption was clearly observed, accounting, together with the stretching of the outer layers of the aortic wall, for the increase in aortic luminal area. Intravascular ultrasound permitted also the accurate assessment of the improvement obtained. Intravascular imaging was clearly superior not only to conventional angiography, but also to transesophageal echocardiography in detecting the mechanism of dilation. We conclude that ultravascular ultrasound, with the additional information that it provides, may help in the selection of patients for percutaneous dilation of the coarctation as well as contributing to the identification of the mechanism of dilation.

Aorta, Thoracic↗
PubMed1992

[The evaluation of the results after coronary angioplasty by intracoronary Doppler and quantitative angiography. The correlation of both methods].

To study the importance of measuring coronary flow reserve immediately after coronary angioplasty we have analysed the results obtained after 28 angioplasties performed in 21 patients. Coronary flow reserve was measured with a 3F intracoronary catheter selectively placed in the dilated artery. Corresponding coronary angiography was analysed with an automatic edge detection program (ARTREK) and visual estimation. Coronary flow reserve increased in 26/27 cases after angioplasty from 2.4 +/- 1.3 to 4.1 +/- 2.7 (p less than 0.001). A correlation was found between minimal luminal area and minimal luminal diameter after coronary angioplasty, and coronary flow reserve (r = 0.46; p less than 0.05 and r = 0.47; p less than 0.05, respectively). The finding of a normal coronary flow reserve (greater than or equal to 3.5), had a 100% specificity but only 56% sensitivity to detect angiographic success (residual stenosis less than 50%). However 47% of patients with angiographic success did not reach normal values of coronary flow reserve. Visual estimation of the stenosis had a good correlation with automatic evaluation but significant scattering was observed at visual levels less than or equal to 25%. Visual assessment underestimated residual stenosis in all but one of the procedures. We conclude that coronary flow reserve is a potentially useful index for assessing the results after angioplasty that may complement coronary angiography. Nonetheless substantial differences between both methods exist in a significant number of cases. The relative merits of both methods, as well as the particular circumstances in which coronary flow reserve should be used, require further studies.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗