Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Alfonso

Publications and source records attributed to F Alfonso.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[The correlation between measurements performed by intravascular echography and quantitative digital angiography in large- and small-caliber arteries].

Intravascular ultrasound is a new promising technique that appears as a very useful complement to standard angiography in the study of atherosclerosis. Specifically, intravascular ultrasound provides by itself, information of great value concerning vessel wall characteristics. Nevertheless, before taking any decision with the results provided by this new technique, we must validate this information with that provided by other more conventional techniques like standard angiography. Accordingly, we have analyzed in 25 patients, 50 images of the abdominal aorta and 77 images of the coronary arteries taken from arterial segments free of atherosclerotic involvement. With the use of a calibrated small grid located over the patient's thorax, we have analyzed "in the same points" the images obtained with intravascular ultrasound and those provided by contrast angiography using a quantitative angiographic analysis. In the abdominal aorta the vessel diameter measured by intravascular ultrasound and angiography was 17.8 +/- 0.39 mm vs 18.6 +/- 0.42 mm (NS), whereas in the coronary arteries it was 2.76 +/- 0.39 mm vs 2.98 +/- 0.37 mm (NS), respectively. The correlation between both techniques was good for both types of arteries (r = 0.93 in the abdominal aorta and r = 0.87 in the coronary arteries). We conclude, that in our experience and with the methodology used, there is a good correlation between the measurements of the vessel diameters obtained by both intravascular ultrasound and digital angiography in arteries of different sizes, being the correlation even better in large arteries.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Transluminal percutaneous coronary angioplasty of the left coronary artery].

This paper describes our preliminary experience with left main coronary angioplasty in 8 patients (9 procedures). In 6 patients the left main coronary artery was "protected" either by previous by-pass surgery (4 patients) or by collateral vessels from the right coronary artery (2 patients). Three patients had a total occlusion of the left main coronary artery and 2 of them had a recent or acute myocardial infarction and the coronary angiogram suggested a thrombotic occlusion of the infarct-related artery. Three patients were not considered surgical candidates and an additional patient, who was in cardiogenic shock, required an emergency coronary angioplasty as "rescue" procedure. A successful dilatation was achieved in 6 patients (including a patient with successful deployment of a Palmaz-Schatz stent) but, unfortunately, one them eventually died 7 days later from a femoral sepsis related to the procedure. However in the 2 remaining patients--with a total occlusion of the left main coronary artery in relation with a myocardial infarction--the dilatation procedures were unsuccessful. One patient underwent a successful repeat coronary angioplasty for restenosis of left main coronary artery. Our preliminary experience confirms previous reports suggesting the value of coronary angioplasty in patients with left main coronary artery disease providing a careful selection of possible candidates is performed prior to the procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Right ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

A case of right ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy associated with primary biliary cirrhosis is described. The patient was a middle aged woman, who initially complained of fatigue and itching. The diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis was made based on clinical, biochemical and histological evidence of the disease. Seven years later severe right-sided heart failure developed. The diagnosis of right ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy was made based on echocardiographic and angiographic evidence of a globally dilated and poorly contracting right ventricle. Left ventricular function was within normal limits. Autoimmune serology screening at this time revealed the presence of organ-specific cardiac antibody (titre 1/20) and of antinuclear antibody (titre 1/80) by indirect immunofluorescence. There were no findings of mitochondrial antibody or other non-organ specific or organ-specific antibodies. Overall, this assessment demonstrates autoimmunity in both hepatic and heart muscle disease in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis and right ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy.

Angiography↗
PubMed1991

Diagnostic value of two-dimensional echocardiography in cardiac hydatid disease.

Echinococcal infection of the heart is rare. The preoperative findings, with special attention to two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), of six patients with cardiac echinococcosis and their surgical and pathological correlations are reported. Cardiac hydatid cysts (HCs) were located in the cardiac apex in three patients, in the upper part of the interventricular septum extending towards the anterior aspect of the heart in one and in the postero-superior right atrial wall in another patient. The remaining patient had multiple intrapericardial cysts. In three patients the cysts presented as well defined, rounded, echolucent masses within the myocardial wall bulging into the cardiac chambers. In two patients, the cysts had ruptured into a cardiac chamber with loss of the characteristic 'cystic' appearance; these cysts presented as an echogenic or solid mass protruding into a cardiac chamber. Finally, another patient had one HC with echolucent appearance and another HC in a different location with echogenic appearance; this last cyst corresponded to a degenerated HC. In two cases the cyst showed a loculated internal aspect. In one patient the myocardial segment involved by the cyst had a dyskinetic movement. In all six patients, 2DE accurately demonstrated the location and morphological details of the cardiac cysts, permitted recognition of the ruptured and/or degenerated cysts and was superior to thoracic computed tomography and angiography in the preoperative assessment of these patients. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (one patient) gave no further information to that obtained by 2DE. We conclude that 2DE is the technique of choice for an early diagnosis of this rare entity.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in lesions with thrombi].

Previous studies have suggested that the results of coronary angioplasty are poorer when the attempted lesion has a thrombus associated. With the aim of assessing the results of coronary angioplasty in lesions with thrombus, 1,192 consecutive coronary lesions attempted were prospectively analyzed. Of these, 88 (7%) had associated an angiographic intraluminal filling defect consistent with thrombus (group I) and were compared with the remaining 1,104 lesions (93%) without thrombus (group II). Age (56 +/- 12 vs 59 +/- 10 years) was similar in both groups, but patients in group I required more frequently dilatation after a myocardial infarction (acute phase or following thrombolytic therapy) (36% vs 12%, p less than 0.005) but infrequently for stable angina (6% vs 21%, p less than 0.005). Left ventricular ejection fraction (60 +/- 13% vs 63 +/- 12%) and the number of diseased vessels (1.46 +/- 0.7 vs 1.58 +/- 0.8) were similar in groups I and II, respectively, but lesions in group I were less frequently located in the left anterior descending coronary artery (35% vs 53%, p less than 0.025). Furthermore, lesions in group I were more frequently total occlusions (35% vs 4%, p less than 0.001), and were more severe (94 +/- 6% vs 87 +/- 8%, p less than 0.005), eccentric (81% vs 54%, p less than 0.005), irregular (72% vs 32%, p less than 0.005) and more frequently located at bend points (31% vs 17%, p less than 0.05). Primary angiographic success was lower in group I (79% vs 92%, p less than 0.001) and, after dilatation, the incidence of luminal irregularities (34% vs 15%, p less than 0.001) and early reocclusion (10% vs 1%, p less than 0.05) was higher in this group. However, when patients presenting with total occlusions were excluded from both groups primary angiographic success was similar (90% vs 91%) for groups I and II, respectively. We conclude that: 1) Lesions with intracoronary thrombus usually present other unfavourable angiographic characteristics for dilatation. 2) Results of coronary angioplasty in lesions with thrombus are similar to those obtained in other lesions when totally occluded vessels are excluded.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1990

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction.

The value of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for ischemia after a non-Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was assessed prospectively in 33 consecutive patients. In 30 patients the indication for the procedure was post-AMI angina and 3 patients underwent PTCA for silent ischemia. A total of 43 lesions were attempted at 63 +/- 94 days after the non-Q-wave AMI. Primary PTCA success was obtained in 30 (91%) patients and no major complications occurred. Angiographic evaluation was performed either for symptoms or for protocol (7 +/- 1 months after PTCA) in 28 (93%) of the 30 patients with successful PTCA, but 2 patients (7%) who were asymptomatic refused the repeat angiogram. Twenty (71%) had no restenosis and 8 (29%) had restenosis. Of these, 5 patients with restenosis underwent a successful repeat PTCA (6 +/- 1 months after the initial procedure). At the last clinical follow-up (17 +/- 8 months), 2 of the 30 (7%) patients successfully dilated presented with stable angina despite medical treatment, whereas the rest (93%) remained asymptomatic. During the study period no patient died, had an AMI or required coronary artery bypass grafting. Thus, selected patients with ischemia after a non-Q-wave AMI, a "high-risk population," can be effectively treated with PTCA with an initial success rate and angiographic restenosis rate similar to that of the general PTCA population and appear to have sustained symptomatic benefit remaining free of subsequent cardiac events.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1990

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection and B-cell clonal selection without myc rearrangement.

A case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis of lung that occurred in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was studied by light microscope, electron microscope, cell surface markers, and Southern blot test. Clonal selection of two clones of B-cells was seen. Two clones were infected with Epstein-Barr virus. There was no c-myc rearrangement. Lymphomatoid granulomatosis in patients with AIDS may represent multiclonal selection of B-lymphocytes in association with Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Clinical significance of giant negative T waves in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To assess the clinical significance of "giant" negative T waves in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from Western nations, clinical, echocardiographic, radionuclide and 48 h electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring findings were compared in 27 patients with and 56 patients without giant negative T waves. Patients with giant negative T waves were older at diagnosis (43 +/- 15 versus 32 +/- 14 years, p less than 0.005), had greater ECG voltage (SV1 + RV5 = 57 +/- 20 versus 37 +/- 18 mm, p less than 0.001) and had a more vertical frontal plane axis (38.4 +/- 34 versus 13.4 +/- 45 degrees, p less than 0.05). Left ventricular wall thickness on two-dimensional echocardiography was similar at the mitral valve level (mean 16.5 +/- 4 versus 16.6 +/- 3 cm), but was greater at the papillary muscle level (mean 20.7 +/- 5 versus 17.6 +/- 3 mm, p less than 0.01) and apex (mean 23.3 +/- 5 versus 17.3 +/- 3 mm, p less than 0.001) in patients with giant negative T waves. Fewer patients with giant negative T waves had asymmetric septal hypertrophy (12 [44%] of 27 versus 36 [64%] of 56, p = 0.08) or systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (4 [14%] of 27 versus 25 [45%] of 56, p less than 0.01), whereas left ventricular end-diastolic (44.1 +/- 6 versus 39.6 +/- 5 mm, p = 0.01) and end-systolic dimensions (27.8 +/- 4 versus 24 +/- 6 mm, p less than 0.05) were greater in this group. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was seen on ECG monitoring in 21% of patients in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Q waves in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in relation to the distribution and severity of right and left ventricular hypertrophy.

The cause of abnormal Q waves in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Myocardial wall thickness was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography at 8 left ventricular and 10 right ventricular sites in 67 patients (mean age 40 years) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the findings were analyzed in relation to the presence of abnormal Q waves on the 12 lead rest electrocardiogram (ECG). Nineteen (28%) of the 67 patients had abnormal Q waves. Right ventricular hypertrophy was significantly more common in patients without abnormal Q waves (25 [52%] of 48 versus 2 [11%] of 19, p less than 0.001). With univariate analysis, there were six measurements that were significantly associated with abnormal Q waves: an increase in upper anterior septal thickness (p less than 0.005) and maximal left ventricular wall thickness (p less than 0.02), a decrease in mean and maximal right ventricular wall thickness (both p less than 0.005) and an increase in the ratio of both upper anterior septal to mean right ventricular wall thickness (p less than 0.005) and upper anterior septal to upper posterior wall thickness (p less than 0.005). With multivariate analysis, only the ratios of upper anterior septal to mean right ventricular wall thickness (p less than 0.005) and to upper posterior wall thickness (p less than 0.05) were significantly related to the presence of abnormal Q waves and predicted Q wave location with a sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of 90%, 88% and 89%, respectively. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the presence of abnormal Q waves on the 12 lead ECG is primarily a function of the relation of right ventricular wall thickness and upper anterior septal thickness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Repeat coronary angioplasty during the same angiographic diagnosis of coronary restenosis.

To determine whether any differences exist in results of treatment of restenosis with repeat angioplasty when the procedure is performed during diagnosis or, as an alternative, when it is performed as a separate elective procedure, we prospectively compared the outcome of 48 consecutive procedures (including 51 lesions) at the time of initial cardiac catheterization (group 1) with the outcome of 26 consecutive elective procedures (including 30 lesions) (group 2). Before control angiography was performed, the anatomic and procedural characteristics of the previous dilatation and the new symptomatic status were carefully reevaluated in all patients. Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics including age, sex, ejection fraction, and number of diseased vessels in which repair was attempted were similar in both groups. Reasons for angioplasty were also similar with unstable angina being the most frequent indication: 29 (60%) in group 1 versus 13 (50%) in group 2. (p = NS). Morphology of the lesions was also similar, although longer lesions (greater than 12 mm) were dilated in group 2 (13 (43%) vs 10 (20%) in group 1; p less than 0.05). Angiographic success was achieved in 51 lesions (100%) in group 1 versus 28 (93%) in group 2 (p = NS). Primary angioplasty success (in the absence of major complications) was achieved in 46 (95%) procedures in group 1 versus 24 (92%) in group 2 (p = NS). Two patients in group 1 had a myocardial infarction, but there were no other major complications in either group. Preliminary data suggest that the outcome of repeat coronary angioplasty for restenosis is similar whether it is performed at the time of diagnostic catheterization or later on as an independent elective procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Coronary angioplasty on calcified lesions].

To assess the value of coronary angioplasty in calcified lesions we have prospectively compared the clinical, procedural and anatomic characteristics of 55 calcified lesions (group A) with 830 lesions without calcium (group B). Patients in group A were older (67.2 +/- 8 vs 58.8 +/- 11 years), had a higher incidence of 3 vessel disease (20% vs 8%, p less than 0.05), and received less frequently a complete revascularization (50% vs 68%, p less than 0.05). Lesions in group A were more frequently located in the left anterior descending coronary artery and tended to be longer (0.86 +/- 0.5 vs 0.67 +/- 0.5 cm, p less than 0.1) whereas were rare at distal segments (9% vs 19%, p less than 0.05). In addition, group A lesions were more eccentric (81% vs 58%, p less than 0.05), more irregular (67% vs 33%, p less than 0.05), and frequently were located at bifurcation (42% vs 26%, p less than 0.05). More balloon inflations were required in group A (4.1 +/- 2.4 vs 3.1 +/- 1.4, p less than 0.05), but the maximal pressures utilized were similar in both groups (7.9 +/- 2.5 vs 7.6 +/- 1.9 atm). Dilatation success was achieved in 80% of the lesions in group A vs 90.1% in group B (p less than 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed a trend towards a higher restenosis rate--per lesion--in group A (42.8% vs 30.5%, p less than 0.1), which was not longer present after step-wise logistic regression analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1990

[Characteristics of coronary angioplasty in young patients].

To assess the characteristics and efficacy of coronary angioplasty in young people (less than 40 years old) (YCA) we have compared the clinical and anatomic characteristics, and the results of 27 YCA (35 lesions), with those of 732 procedures (854 lesions) performed in patients older than 40 years of age (NYCA). Clinical indication for dilatation were similar in both groups, but YCA were performed more frequently during an acute myocardial infarction (18.5 vs 4.5%, p less than 0.005). In addition, lesions in NYCA were frequently located in the left anterior descending coronary artery (51% vs 31%, p less than 0.05) were more eccentric (61% vs 37%, p less than 0.025) and tended to be more irregular (37% vs 26%, NS), and calcified (6.5% vs 0%, NS) than lesions in YCA, which more frequently presented a total occlusion (23% vs 8%, p less than 0.005) and tended to be longer (7.7 +/- 4.5 vs 6.8 +/- 4.7 mm, NS). Furthermore, YCA had a more complete coronary revascularization than NYCA (84% vs 66%, p less than 0.05). Angioplasty success per lesion (88.6% vs 89.5%), or procedure (77.8% vs 87%), was similar in both groups. The number of acute reocclusions was higher in YCA (8.6 vs 2%, p less than 0.05), but when patients with acute myocardial infarction were excluded from the analysis this difference was not longer present. Angiographic control was available in 20 YCA lesions (9 [45%] with restenosis) and in 567 NYCA lesions (178 [31%] with restenosis, NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Clinical sustained uniform ventricular tachycardia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: association with left ventricular apical aneurysm.

Of 51 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had episodes of ventricular tachycardia detected during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring only two had clinical sustained uniform ventricular tachycardia that required medical treatment because of worsening symptoms. In both patients the arrhythmia was associated with the uncommon finding of an apical aneurysm with angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Adult↗