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Biomedical subjects

J Dubernet

Publications and source records attributed to J Dubernet.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[DDD dual chamber pacemakers. Initial experience].

Our preliminary experience with dual-chamber DDD pacemakers is reported. Technological innovations of the device, atrio-ventricular electrode stability and sequential stimulation have contributed to improve the conditions of patients previously submitted to VVI pacemaker implantation. Primary indications for DDD pacemaker implantation in our series included 7 patients with complete atrio-ventricular (A-V) block, 3 with Mobitz type II second-degree A-V block and 2 with sick sinus syndrome. In six of the 12 patients (50%) additional indications included: ventricular tachycardia in 4 patients, atrial fibrillation in one and pacemaker syndrome in one. Other cardiac conditions were diagnosed: dilated cardiomyopathy in 3 patients, ischemic heart disease in 2 patients, valvular heart disease in 2 patients, congenital heart disease in 1 patient and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in one patient. The implanted pacemakers were: 5 Genesis, 4 Ultra CPI and 3 Versatrax. J-shaped atrial electrodes were used in 8 patients and in 4 instances a screw-in electrode was employed. Improvement of hemodynamic function was achieved by frequent follow up and reprogramming of DDD pacemaker in every patient. While 4 patients died with progressive deterioration of cardiac function, eight patients survived with adequate sequential stimulation. We conclude that DDD pacemakers are reliable and afford symptomatic relief in a broad spectrum of patients.

Adult

[Interventricular rupture following myocardial infarction. Surgical treatment and long-term follow-up].

The natural course of post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect is towards cardiogenic shock and death. 50% in the first week, over 90% a year latter. Between 1973-1989, 28 patients where operated on. Before surgery 14 patients (53%) where in Killip IV, 5 patients (19%) in III, 5 patients (19%) in II and 2 patients in I. The repair was accomplished under hypothermia and cardioplegia, with the insertion of a Teflon patch to close the defect in 20 patients (70%). Complementary procedures (CABG, Pacemaker, repair of dissections) were performed in 12 patients (47%). Three patients (10%) could not be weaned from the pump; another 10 (36%) died before discharge: 2 with multisystem failure and sepsis, the other 8 with cardiogenic shock (4 with residual VSD). The only independent predictor of operative mortality, by univariate analysis, was preoperatory cardiogenic shock. All 15 survivors (100%) where followed between 5 months and 14.5 years (mean 104.5 months). Two patients died at 4 years, one at 10, another at 10.5 years. The actuarial probability of being alive after discharge was 100% at 4 years, 75% at 5, and 50% at 10 years. At last follow up only 2 patients had mild dyspnea, the remaining where asymptomatic. Surgical treatment provides an opportunity to improve this otherwise dismal survival and offers a surprising good long term result. An early diagnosis and efficient repair, before the onset of cardiogenic shock, should provide better results.

Actuarial Analysis

[The long-term evolution of aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis: experience with the Starr-Edwards (1965-1974) and Bjork-Shiley (1973-1981) prostheses].

We compared the short- and long-term results of isolated aortic valve replacement in 98 patients receiving a Starr-Edwards (SE) prosthesis from 1965 to 1974 and 80 pts receiving a Bjork-Shiley (BS) prosthesis from 1973 to 1981 at our institution. Operative mortality was 20% (SE) and 6% (BS). Follow-up information was obtained in 88% (SE) and 96% (BS) of pts discharged alive. The mean period of follow up was 8.2 and 6.7 years respectively. The 5 and 10 year actuarial survival rates were 72% and 61% (SE) vs 89% and 83% (BS). Complications per 100 pt-years among pts with SE and those with BS were: systemic emboli 2.8 vs 0.6, major hemorrhagic events 1.25 vs 1.36, perivalvular leak 1.6 vs 1.15, endocarditis 0.31 vs. 0.39, prosthetic thrombosis 0 vs 0.58 and ball variance 0.47 vs 0, respectively. Some of these differences may reflect shortcomings of the initial surgical experience during the period in which the SE prosthesis was used, rather than different performance of both valves.

Adolescent

[Acute cardiac rupture in myocardial infarction. A case report].

A 60 year old woman with a large anterior wall myocardial infarction developed severe hypotension 12 hr after admission to the coronary care unit. X rays showed an enlarged cardiac shadow and echocardiography signs of pericardial effusion. Swan Ganz catheterization revealed severe venous hypertension and no suggestion of ventricular septal rupture. Emergency surgery, initiated with partial cardiopulmonary bypass, showed a 1 cm tear of the anterior wall of the left ventricle, close to the left anterior descending artery. A successful repair was obtained by suture on teflon pledgets. After a difficult postoperative course, the patient was doing well 8 months after surgery.

Electrocardiography

[Surgery of evolving myocardial infarction].

Limitation of infarct size has been proven to improve the prognosis in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). Emergency coronary bypass surgery may be used for this aim. We operated on 44 such patients within 15 days of onset of MI. Operation was done within 6 hr in 11 patients and later on in the other 33, due to post infarction angina or incomplete MI. One patient died in the perioperative period. Thirty nine patients were followed at a mean of 33 months: 2 have angina, one dyspnea and the rest is asymptomatic. We believe that bypass surgery is an effective treatment in selected patients with recent MI.

Adult

Disc dislodgment in Björk Shiley mitral valve prosthesis: two successfully operated cases.

Two patients with Björk Shiley mitral valve replacement had migration and embolization of the occluding disc. One patient suffered migration of the disc a few hours after surgery and the other had a strut fracture with disc translocation six years after the initial operation. Clinical signs in both cases were pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, and absence of prosthetic sounds. Both patients were reoperated on an emergency basis, recovering after a complicated postoperative course. They are on functional Class I, 8 and 1 years later, respectively, with their dislodged discs still in the abdominal aorta. The only hope for survival in these patients is emergency reoperation, once the prosthetic mitral valve dysfunction is confirmed.

Adult

Surgical removal of entrapped endocardial leads without using extracorporeal circulation.

Of 267 patients having a tined endocardial lead implanted from 1978 to December 1983, three (1.1%) developed pulse generator pocket infection. Proper treatment of this complication involves removal of the pulse generator, continued external pacing via the implanted lead, pocket drainage and administration of specific antibiotics until the infected area clears. In two patients, the electrode could not be removed by traction. A sternotomy was performed, the pericardium was opened, the endocardial electrode was located by palpation, and a purse string suture (PSS) was prepared around it on the right ventricular wall. A new myocardial electrode with its corresponding generator was then implanted to reestablish pacing. Through the PSS the myocardium was incised, the distal end of the endocardial lead was exteriorized and severed, and the PSS was tied. The remaining lead was withdrawn proximally and the surgical wounds were closed. The results of this procedure have been been excellent, allowing the removal of the entrapped leads, with continuous pacing and without the need for extracorporeal circulation.

Aged

[Atrial myxoma. Report of eight surgical cases, four with electron microscopy study (author's transl)].

From 1970 to 1979 we studied and operated on 8 patients with atrial myxoma, 7 females and 1 male, 24 to 58 years of age. Symptoms had been present for 4 to 24 months prior to surgery. Five patients were functional class IV (NYHA), 2 class III and one class I. All patients were studied by catheterization and angiography. The diagnosis was suspected from physical findings in 3 patients and was not made before surgery in 2 cases. The tumor was located at the left atrium in 6 patients and the right atrium in 2. Electron microscopy performed in 4 cases revealed the typical findings of myxomatous tissue. Adequate resection under extracorporeal circulation was possible in all subjects. One female who was in severe congestive heart failure died shortly after operation. The survivors did well, remaining functional class I, one to nine years after surgery.

Adult