A patient in whom syncopal episodes occurred following an inferior myocardial infarction is described. Electrocardiographic monitoring revealed periods of profound sinus bradycardia and AV block during syncope. In addition, transient spontaneous prolongations of the PR interval due to AV nodal delay and episodes of atrial fibrillation also occurred. Sinus node recovery time following atrial overdrive was within normal limits. Symptoms disappeared following the insertion of a permanent, demand pacemaker. The onset of symptoms following myocardial infarction suggests that dysfunction of the sino-atrial and AV nodes may have been the result of ischemic damage during the infarction.

Aged↗

PubMed1975

Myocardial lactate metabolism during isometric hand grip test. Comparison with pacing tachycardia.

Twenty-five patients with chest pain were studied by left ventriculography and coronary arteriography. Myocardial metabolic studies were done during control state, pacing tachycardia, isometric hand grip at 30 per cent of maximum force, and combined hand grip plus pacing tachycardia. Nine patients had myocardial lactate abnormality (group 1) as evidenced by myocardial lactate production or decreased extraction (less than 10%). Though tension time index and triple product (left ventricular ejection time times HR times systolic pressure) as determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption were highest during combined hand grip plus pacing tachycardia, myocardial lactate abnormalities were most frequent during pacing tachycardia. The present study indicates that isometric hand grip even if performed during pacing tachycardia is not a sensitive test for detection of myocardial lactate abnormalities. The rising level of arterial lactate during isometric hand grip is the most likely mechanism of positive myocardial arteriovenous lactate difference.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1975

Effects of epinephrine on resisitive and compliant properties of the canine vasculature.

The peripheral circulation of 22 anesthetized dogs was separated into three parallel regions, where the outflow from each region could be measured and both outflow and inflow pressures could be controlled. We were thus able to estimate arterial and venous resistance and venous compliance for each region. The pressure dependency of these parameters was determined before and during continuous infusion of epinephrine (3 mug-kg-1 min-1). Epinephrine increased the arterial resistance in all regions but did so in such manner as to increase the fraction of cardiac output perfusing the splanchnic region. The venous resistances were all elevated by epinephrine and showed a greater pressure dependency than during control. Systemic venous complicance was found to be pressure dependent during both control and epinephrine administration, decreasing by nearly 50% from the lowest to the highest venous pressures (4-12 mmHg) investigated. Splanchnic compliance was found to comprise nearly half the total systemic compliance. Results were interpreted using an extension of the parallel compartment model of the peripheral circulation described by Caldini, Permutt, Waddell, and Riley (2).

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Comparison of ejection fraction and zonal mean velocity of myocardial fiber shortening.

To determine the extent of cardiac involvement until a diminished ejection fraction (EF) is present, zonal mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf) was measured from the left ventriculogram in 36 patients. The longitudinal axis (apex to mid-point of the aortic valve plane) in right anterior oblique view was divided into four equal parts by three perpeendicular chords. Zonal Vct and percent shortening along the proximal, middle and distal chords were measured. The results of this study indicate that a normal EF is frequently associated with a reduced Vct in one or even two zones. A reduced EF is generally accompanied by a diminished Vct in all three zones of the heart. In addition, a close correlation was found between zonal Vct and percent shortening. Hence the latter, which is much simpler to measure, can be instead of Vct Ejection fraction as a measure of myocardial performance is not as sensitive as Vct, especially in hearts with asynchrony of contraction.

Angiocardiography↗

PubMed1975

Myocardial metabolic studies in prolapsing mitral leaflet syndrome.

Patients with prolapsing mitral leaflet syndrome (PML) frequently have chest pain of undetermined etiology. Twenty-three patients with PML underwent cardiac hemodynamic, angiographic, and metabolic studies. The latter were performed during control spontaneous heart rate and tachycardia by right atrial pacing. Myocardial supply-demand ratio (DPTI:SPTI) was estimated from the planimetric integration of the diastolic area (diastolic pressure time index = DPTI) and systolic area (systolic pressure time index = SPTI) of the central aortic pressure. Chest pain during pacing occurred in five patients. In two patients, it was associated with ST depression typical of ischemia on the electrocardiogram. Myocardial lactate abnormalities (lactate production or less than 10% extraction) occurred in seven patients during pacing tachycardia and was present in two patients during control state. DPTI:SPTI ratio during control state was 1.22 (+/- 0.07 SE) and decreased to 0.85 (+/- 0.05 SE) during pacing tachycardia. It is concluded that the myocardial lactate abnormalities in PML, which were present in approximately 30% of the patients in the present series, are most likely due to myocardial hypoxia. Whether or not the hypoxia is secondary to "small vessel disease" is not elucidated by this study.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Experience with retrograde left heart catheterization through the Bjork-Shiley aortic valve prosthesis: a preliminary report.

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Aortic Valve↗

PubMed1975

Iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula: a complication of percutaneous subclavian vein puncture.

A case of iatrogenic subclavian arteriovenous fistula is reported. An intracath had been inserted percutaneously into the left subclavian vein to monitor the central venous pressure during aortic valve surgery. On the second postoperative day a thrill and continuous murmur were detected at the left subclavian region. Left subclavian arteriogram and catheterization studies confirmed the diagnosis of subclavian arteriovenous fistula. The lesion was treated surgically with satisfactory results.

Aortic Valve↗

PubMed1975

Aortocoronary vein graft surgery in a cadaver kidney transplant recipient.

A case of Prinzmetal angina occurred in a recipient of a cadaver kidney transplant who was treated with aortocoronary vein graft. The patient had severe retrosternal chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads. Coronary arteriograms disclosed two major lesions in the proximal anterior descending artery. Aortocoronary vein graft was successfully performed with no untoward effect on the renal status. The patient has been free of angina approximately two years postoperatively.

Adult↗

PubMed1974