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Biomedical subjects

I Singer

Publications and source records attributed to I Singer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Review of the literature: severe hyperphosphatemia.

A patient with a markedly elevated serum phosphorus level (23.9 mg/dL) is described, followed by a brief review of severe hyperphosphatemia. Elevated serum phosphorus levels may be artifactual or true. True hyperphosphatemia is usefully subdivided according to (a) whether phosphorus is added to the extracellular fluid from a variety of exogenous or endogenous sources, or (b) whether the urinary excretion of phosphorus is reduced from either decreased glomerular filtration or increased tubular reabsorption. Severe hyperphosphatemia, defined herein as levels of 14 mg/dL or higher, is almost invariably multifactorial--usually resulting from addition of phosphorus to the extracellular fluid together with decreased phosphorus excretion. The hyperphosphatemia of the patient described herein appeared to result from a combination of dietary phosphorus supplementation, acute renal failure, acute pancreatitis, and ischemic bowel disease, complicated by lactic acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1995

Transseptal defibrillation is superior for transvenous defibrillation.

The conventional electrode configuration of current internal defibrillation systems most commonly use superior vena caval (SVC) or combined SVC and subcutaneous (SC) electrodes as anode, and right ventricular apex (RVA) electrode as cathode. We have demonstrated earlier that the septal mass is important for defibrillation. The purpose of the present study was to compare a transseptal to a conventional electrode arrangement in the canine model. Three endocardial electrodes, 5 French EnGuard were positioned in RVA, SVC, and the right ventricular outflow (RVO) in eight dogs. A 5 French SC electrode was positioned in the fifth left intercostal space. RVA-RVO-/SC+ (configuration 2) was compared to SVC-SC+/RVA- (configuration 1). Defibrillation threshold testing was performed using asymmetrical biphasic shock, 6 msec+/2 msec-. Probit fit was used to compare the results at 40%, 50%, 60%, and 90% probabilities, and the logistic regression analysis to estimate the impact of variables. Electrode configuration had the strongest predictive value. Configuration 2 was superior to configuration 1 (P = 0.0016). At any voltage settings the probability of success for configuration 2 was greater, and current less (P < 0.00005). The energy requirements were reduced by approximately 33% for configuration 2. There were no significant differences in impedance between the two configurations. We conclude that transseptal defibrillation is more effective because of the improved lead geometry and voltage gradient.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Electrode surface area is an important variable for defibrillation.

Previous studies have established efficacy of transseptal defibrillation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of transvenous electrode surface area for defibrillation. Sixteen dogs were randomized to 8 French and 5 French EnGuard electrodes; 8 dogs in each group. The length of the defibrillation coils was identical for both, but the surface area was different due to differences in the electrode diameters. Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing was performed using a biphasic shock waveform, 6 msec+/2msec-. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if the probability of defibrillation adjusted for voltage, current, and energy was different for 8 French electrodes. Logistic regression analysis found significant differences between 8 French and 5 French electrodes, with less voltage (P < 0.005), current (P < 0.03), and energy (P < 0.001) required at any level of probability to defibrillate for 8 French electrodes. These results support the conclusion that the surface area for endocardial electrodes is a significant factor for defibrillation. Therefore, when designing endocardial electrodes a desirable objective of reducing the electrode size should be weighed against the need to minimize DFTs.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

AVID necessity.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1993

Potential hazards of fixed gain sensing and arrhythmia reconfirmation for implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Appropriate sensing of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) is of paramount importance for safety of patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Recently, the GuardianR ATP 4210, a new third generation ICD that uses programmable but fixed sensing during sinus rhythm and doubles its sensitivity settings when VF is detected, to a maximum programmable sensitivity of 1 mV, has been tested in phase I and II clinical trials. A reconfirmation algorithm of this ICD confirms the presence of VT or VF prior to therapy. This case report describes undersensing of VF in a patient with the GuardianR ATP 4210 at the maximum programmed sensitivity of 1 mV. Inappropriate episodes of asystole and prolonged bradycardias were also observed in this patient due to shortcomings in the reconfirmation algorithm design. Reoperation was required, with positioning of a new endocardial sensing lead to correct the undersensing of VF. This, however, did not correct asystolic pauses following antitachycardia pacing or spontaneous tachycardia termination prior to therapy. This case report highlights the hazards of fixed gain sensing for implantable ICDs and a potential limitation of a specific tachyarrhythmia reconfirmation algorithm used in this device.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Interpretation of hypercalcemia in a patient with end-stage renal disease.

Patients with both end-stage renal disease and multiple myeloma are prone to changes in ionized calcium homeostasis that may have grave consequences. However, only total calcium level is reported in most routine laboratory testing, with various algorithms used to derive the physiologically important ionized or free calcium level to guide treatment. We studied a patient with multiple myeloma undergoing long-term hemodialysis who presented with a markedly elevated total calcium level but with only minimal elevation in the ionized calcium level. All of the commonly used algorithms would have overestimated the ionized calcium level, and some of these might have led to inappropriate treatment. When therapy depends critically on the ionized calcium level, direct measurement is essential.

Calcium↗
PubMed1991

Lateral thoracotomy for the automatic implantable defibrillator.

In 51 patients who required automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation without additional cardiac procedures, the lead system was implanted using a lateral thoracotomy approach, with complete muscle sparing in the last 24 patients. Exposure was excellent and allowed repositioning of leads for optimal defibrillation thresholds in 18 patients. Five of 19 patients who had previously undergone intrapericardial procedures required intrapericardial dissection for lead placement to provide satisfactory defibrillation thresholds. There were no intraoperative deaths or infarctions. The 30-day mortality rate of 3.9% was comparable with those in other series, and the use of muscle-sparing techniques and supplemental epidural anesthesia prevented pulmonary complications or the need for prolonged ventilatory support. We favor a muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy incision for automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion, particularly in patients with a history of previous intrapericardial procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Contacts between hair cells in the avian cochlea.

In the avian papilla basilaris, contacts between hair cells are a common feature. With few exceptions, they only occur between tall hair cells (THC), and they are more frequent in the apical half of the papilla. In this quantitative study, four types of contacts are defined: Protrusion contacts, touch contacts, fusion contacts and multiple contacts. There are strong indications that these contacts are dynamic structures. The fact that avian hair cells probably communicate with each other means that their function can only be fully understood if cell groups are studied.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Defibrillation efficacy using two low-profile endocardial electrodes.

The hypothesis that improved energy delivery and defibrillation efficacy can be achieved by using two widely separated endocardial electrodes and a cutaneous patch electrode was explored by positioning two 6.5 F electrodes (NuMed, Hopkinton, New York) with 5 cm platinum-iridium coils in the right ventricular apex (RVA) and the right ventricular outflow (RVO) in eight dogs. In another 12 dogs, an additional electrode was positioned in the RVA. A cutaneous patch (P) was placed at the cardiac apex. Biphasic pulses were delivered, the first pulse (6 ms) positive, the second negative (2 ms). The leading edge of the second was equal to the trailing edge of the first. RVO-/P+ and RVA-RVO-/P+ were compared with RVA-/P+ at a constant voltage setting required to achieve a 60% probability of success (P60) for RVA-/P+. At a constant voltage output, the probability of success for RVA-RVO-/P+ was significantly higher (81%) than RVO-/P+ (60%) or RVA-/P+ (67%) (p less than 0.03). The current delivered was greater for RVA-RVO-/P+ (9.9 +/- 2.3 amps) than for either RVA-RVO-/P+ (8.7 +/- 1.9 amps) or RVO-/P+ (9.0 +/- 2.0 amps) (p less than 0.0001). Similarly, the impedance was significantly lower for RVA-RVO-/P+ (66 +/- 12 omega) than for RVA-/P+ (75 +/- 12 omega) and RVO-/P+ (72 +/- 9.6 omega) (p less than 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Is defibrillation testing safe?

Determination of defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) testing requires repeated inductions of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and defibrillation attempts using known energy outputs. Little is known about the individual and cumulative effects of repetitive brief episodes of VF and hypoperfusion on cerebral function. The potential clinical utility of quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) monitoring during intraoperative ICD testing, by using processed 19-channel EEG (0.5-35 Hz bandwidth), was examined in ten anesthetized patients, five males and five females (mean age 62 +/- 10 years), who underwent ICD implantation and testing. Ischemic QEEG patterns were defined as those with a 3 standard deviation increase (P less than 0.01) in absolute delta (1.5-3.5 Hz) power persisting for greater than or equal to 2.5 minutes. The majority (80%) of the VF episodes (70) were accompanied by QEEG "slowing" (doubling of the pre-VF low frequency delta waves amplitude). All the patients (5/5) experiencing greater than 6 VF episodes showed a statistically significant increase in the low frequency amplitude. In contrast, this EEG abnormality was apparent in only one of five patients experiencing less than 6 VF episodes. These results suggest a cumulative QEEG depression associated with ICD testing. QEEG may provide an objective means for establishing an individualized upper safe limit of DFT testing and the total number of induced VF episodes.

Electric Countershock↗
PubMed1991

The initial clinical experience with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator/antitachycardia pacemaker.

Guardian antitachycardia pacing (ATP) 4210 is a third generation, multi-programmable cardioverter defibrillator undergoing Phase I clinical trials. The tiered response includes ATP, low energy cardioversion or defibrillation, and bradycardia support. Extensive telemetry is available, including an episode log and details of all episode events. Five patients underwent the implantation of Guardian ATP 4210 as part of a Phase I trial at the University of Louisville. Two of the five patients had multiple VT episodes that were reverted successfully using ATP pacing (slow VT) and defibrillation (fast VT) and VF episodes, which resulted in defibrillation therapy over a follow-up period of 6 to 8 months. Four of the five patients required bradycardia support for bradyarrhythmias unassociated with ATP therapy or defibrillation and one patient required bradycardia support postdefibrillation therapy. The device design is microprocessor based and requires continuous interrogation of the microprocessor memory and checks of the validity of programmed parameters to continue its operation. When the safety check fails, the device is designed to shut down its antitachycardia and defibrillator functions. This design feature has a potential for leaving the patient unprotected if the device shuts down. Modification of this feature is required to ensure the device's long-term safety.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Effects of stress and beta 1 blockade on the ventricular depolarization gradient of the rate modulating pacemaker.

Prism-CLR is a closed loop, rate modulating pacemaker that uses ventricular depolarization gradient (Gd) to continuously adjust heart rate. Heart rate response to a formal mental stress protocol, esmolol (500 mcg/kg bolus, 75-125 mcg/kg/min infusion), and mental stress during esmolol infusion were studied in six patients to investigate if Gd and paced heart rate response are under direct beta-adrenergic control. Paced heart rates increased in response to mental stress in a physiological manner (P less than 0.001). Response to esmolol infusion was paradoxical, with increased paced heart rates during esmolol bolus and infusion (P less than 0.05). There was no significant alteration in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure during mental stress or esmolol infusion (P greater than 0.05). Paradoxical increase in paced heart rates during esmolol administration suggests a primary or secondary effect of esmolol to decrease the ventricular depolarization gradient. This hypothesis was supported in four dog studies in which direct Gd measurements were made during esmolol infusion. Mental stress during esmolol infusion resulted in significantly increased paced heart rates (esmolol effect) with blunted changes in heart rate in response to the mental stress. The results of this study suggest that the physiological rate response during mental stress is attributable to sympathetic autonomic response.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1990

Low energy partial ablation of the atrioventricular node junction in the dog using a suction-ablation catheter.

A suction electrode catheter was used for low energy, partial ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node junction in 12 dogs. In 10 dogs, partial injury of the AV node was induced. In six dogs, delivered energy was measured precisely with use of a specially designed electronic circuit. The total energy required for partial ablation was 225 +/- 91 J. The increase in PR (p less than 0.0001) and AH (p less than 0.001) intervals was proportional to the energy delivered. After ablation, the PR interval increased from 98 +/- 10 to 154 +/- 33 ms (p less than 0.004) and the AH interval from 59 +/- 8 to 102 +/- 16 ms (p less than 0.004). There was no significant change in QRS, QTc, HV or RR intervals. AH and PR intervals were significantly prolonged at 3, 7 and 14 days after ablation (p less than 0.05). Anterograde conduction was significantly altered in 10 dogs. Anterograde AV node effective refractory period increased from 157 +/- 14 to 214 +/- 45 ms (p less than 0.005). Anterograde AV node Wenckebach cycle length increased from 196 +/- 30 to 244 +/- 44 ms (p less than 0.002). Retrograde conduction was assessed in three dogs. Retrograde AV node effective refractory period increased from 156 +/- 21 to 260 ms in two dogs, with complete retrograde block in the third. These changes persisted for up to 2 weeks. Pathologic changes were limited to the region of the AV node. In four dogs adherent thrombus without pulmonary emboli was noted. Partial focal injury to the AV node is feasible in the canine model.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Nonpharmacological therapy of supraventricular arrhythmias: surgery and catheter ablation techniques.

Treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias has undergone substantial change and development over the past decade. Pharmacological approaches to management of supraventricular arrhythmias have been supplanted by nonpharmacological techniques. These nonpharmacological techniques are the subject of the present review. The first part of this review will concentrate on the nonpharmacological techniques available for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia, excluding Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, whereas Part 2 will concentrate on the surgical and the ablative procedures for management of tachycardias associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Pacing techniques for termination of supraventricular tachycardias are beyond the scope of this article and will not be included in the discussion.

Animals↗