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Biomedical subjects

J E Dougherty

Publications and source records attributed to J E Dougherty.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-term survivors of heart transplantation: the Hartford Hospital experience.

Heart transplantation has been a clinical program at Hartford Hospital for the past 15 years, resulting in 206 transplants. The five-year survival rate is 69% and is 43% at 10 years. The first recipient is surviving and has had full rehabilitation. Thirteen patients have survived 10 years or more. Advances in immunosuppression are ongoing and will result in further long-term survivors. Graft vasculopathy and lack of organ donation are current problems.

Adult↗

Combined assessment of myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function with exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography can differentiate between ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) accurately distinguishes between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and patients with nonischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Noninvasive tests have previously failed to accurately separate patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy from those with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Technetium-99m gated SPECT imaging offers advantages that have the potential to overcome the limitations of previous studies. Thirty-seven adults with a left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35%, including 24 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and 13 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, were prospectively evaluated using symptom-limited metabolic exercise treadmill testing with technetium-99m sestamibi gated SPECT imaging. Interpretation of myocardial perfusion and regional wall motion was performed, using a 17-segment model. Summed stress, rest, and reversibility perfusion defect scores were determined, and the variance of segmental wall motion scores was computed. Summed stress, rest, and reversibility perfusion defect scores were significantly lower in nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients, compared with those with ischemic cardiomyopathy (summed stress defect score: 6.9 +/- 3.8 vs 32.9 +/- 7.7, respectively, p <0.001). Variability in segmental wall motion was also significantly lower in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy compared with those with ischemic cardiomyopathy (variance: 0.3 +/- 0.3 vs 1.2 +/- 0.8, respectively, p <0.001). Thus, assessment of myocardial perfusion and regional ventricular function with exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated SPECT imaging can reliably distinguish between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

Treatment of thrombotic saphenous vein bypass grafts using local urokinase infusion therapy with the Dispatch catheter.

Percutaneous treatment of thrombotic stenoses or total occlusions in aged saphenous vein bypass grafts is associated with a significant incidence of complications primarily related to distal embolization. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of local urokinase delivery with the Dispatch catheter prior to balloon angioplasty and/or intragraft stent placement as a new technique of vein graft revascularization. Local urokinase delivery with the Dispatch catheter was performed in 15 saphenous vein grafts (mean age = 11.7 +/- 2.5 yr) in 13 patients with unstable or postinfarction angina. The target lesion was a total occlusion in 5 of the procedures and a severe vein graft stenosis in the remaining 10. In all cases, urokinase was administered directly to the site of the stenosis/occlusion via the Dispatch catheter at 0.5 cc/min and at a concentration of 30,000 units/cc. The mean urokinase infusion time for the 15 procedures was 33 +/- 10 min (range = 10-60 min) and the mean urokinase dose was 495,000 +/- 158,000 units (range = 150,000-900,000 units). Following Dispatch therapy, mean minimal lumen diameter increased from 0.34 +/- 0.32 to 1.81 +/- 0.78 mm (P < 0.01), mean TIMI flow increased from 1.9 +/- 1.4 to 2.8 +/- 0.8 (P < 0.06), and mean thrombus score was reduced from 2.3 +/- 0.6 to 0.3 +/- 0.8 (P < 0.01). Mild no reflow was noted in two cases, although no patient demonstrated angiographic evidence of gross distal embolization. One of the patients with no reflow also demonstrated a small increase in cardiac enzymes. Subsequent balloon angioplasty/stent placement was successful in 14 of the 15 procedures (93% success rate). This preliminary report suggests that pretreatment of thrombotic saphenous vein graft stenoses with local urokinase delivery via the Dispatch catheter may decrease intragraft thrombus and possibly decrease the incidence of vascular complications associated with percutaneous intervention. This technique may allow for recanalization of totally occluded vein grafts with large clot burdens by using significantly less urokinase and shorter drug administration times than conventional infusion protocols.

Adult↗

Coronary stent placement as a bridge to coronary artery bypass surgery in an unstable, anemic Jehovah's Witness patient: a case report and review of bloodless surgery techniques.

Bloodless cardiac surgery would be optimal for all patients undergoing major or complex heart surgery; however, for Jehovah's Witnesses it involves a religious law and is fundamentally mandated. In this context, we review a case of unstable angina with associated anemia requiring catheterization and definitive intervention in a Jehovah's Witness patient. Coronary stenting to stabilize the acute coronary syndrome is described with definitive total revascularization performed by coronary artery bypass graft surgery after utilizing erythropoietin and aggressive blood conservation techniques.

Aged↗

Primary angioplasty using a urokinase-coated hydrogel balloon in acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy.

A 38-year-old multigravid white female presented at 16 weeks gestation with an acute inferoposterolateral myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary angiography demonstrated a total proximal occlusion of a large dominant left circumflex artery with a filling defect at the site of the occlusion suggestive of thrombus. Primary angioplasty using a urokinase-coated hydrogel balloon resulted in successful recanalization of the vessel with restoration of normal TIMI Grade III flow and, most notably, apparent complete lysis of the intracoronary thrombus. After a subsequently uneventful pregnancy, a healthy baby was delivered.

Adult↗

Recanalization of totally occluded saphenous vein grafts using local urokinase delivery with the Dispatch catheter.

Current techniques for the percutaneous revascularization of totally occluded vein grafts are limited by a low initial success rate, a significant incidence of distal embolization, and a high rate of early graft reclosure. This case report describes two patients in whom graft recanalization was attempted with the combined use of balloon angioplasty/intra-graft stent placement and local urokinase delivery using a new angiotherapy catheter. Successful recanalization was achieved in both patients without major complications, in spite of a large thrombus burden as demonstrated by angiography.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Traumatic intramyocardial dissection secondary to significant blunt chest trauma: a case report.

The case of a patient with delayed mitral regurgitation and right coronary artery traumatic injury in association with intramyocardial dissection without rupture or pseudoaneurysm is presented. These findings evolved secondary to blunt chest trauma and were confirmed by cardiac ultrasound scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac catheterization. Successful surgical correction was facilitated with this combination of diagnostic testing.

Adult↗

Made to order.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ambulances↗

First impressions.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Allied Health Personnel↗

Medical therapy in the elderly.

Recommendations concerning nutrition and physical activity are an important part of health care in the elderly. There is increasing evidence that diet and exercise influence the development and progression of cardiovascular disease in the elderly as well as the young. Decreases in coronary risk factors can be achieved in the elderly by attention to proper diet and exercise.

Aged↗

Drug-induced left ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary disease. Endomyocardial biopsy demonstration of catecholamine myocarditis.

Three patients with severe chronic lung disease had left ventricular failure develop with marked impairment of cardiac function. Ejection fractions by radioactive blood pool ventriculography were 0.17, 0.24, and 0.20. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens showed interstitial hemorrhage and foci of interstitial polymorphonuclear leukocytes, strongly suggestive of catecholamine myocarditis. These patients had used beta-adrenergic agonist inhalants and methylxanthines. One of them clearly abused the inhalant and had elevated levels of urinary catecholamines. Progressive deterioration of pulmonary and cardiac function occurred in two patients, with death within three months of the initial myocardial biopsy. Concomitant use of beta-adrenergic agonists and methylxanthines may cause myocarditis with left ventricular failure in susceptible patients.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

The basically advanced provider.

There do exist several ALS techniques that could be performed by BLS personnel. With the proper training, EMTs can assist the paramedic with duties that can speed aid to the patient.

Allied Health Personnel↗

Bedside pulmonary angiography utilizing an existing Swan-Ganz catheter.

A single view, wedge, pulmonary angiogram was performed at bedside in nine patients using a Swan-Ganz catheter which had been inserted previously for other indications. Criteria for consideration of a bedside study were as follows: (1) a clinical suspicion of significant, acute pulmonary embolism; (2) the inability or inadvisability of transferring the patient for definitive studies; and (3) a Swan-Ganz catheter in situ. Seven of the nine patients subsequently died. Of five patients who underwent necropsy, three positive studies and one negative, were confirmed. No post-mortem evidence for embolism could be demonstrated in one patient with a positive study. Of the two patients who survived, one negative study was confirmed with a negative radionuclide perfusion lung scan. There was no morbidity or mortality associated with the procedure. These data suggest that this technique is safe and has a role in the early diagnosis of significant pulmonary embolism in selected critically ill patient.

Adolescent↗

Selenium deficiency and fatal cardiomyopathy in a patient receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition.

Fatal cardiomyopathy in a patient who received home parenteral nutrition (HPN) for eight years is reported, and the relationship of selenium deficiency to cardiomyopathy and other adverse effects is discussed. A 42-year-old white man with Crohn's disease who was receiving HPN was admitted to the hospital with severe chest pain and dyspnea. During the three days following admission, his symptoms of congestive heart failure and compensated metabolic acidosis persisted despite treatment. On hospital day 6, the patient developed increased ventricular irritability and refractory ventricular fibrillation and died. At autopsy, the heart weighted 500 g, all chambers were dilated, and the myocardium was grossly flabby. Extremely low concentrations of selenium (5-12% of normal) were found in plasma, heart, liver, and kidney tissue samples. The pathological findings in this patient were similar to those in two previously reported cases and strongly suggest that the fatal cardiomyopathy was secondary to selenium deficiency. Selenium is an integral part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which plays an important role in the metabolism of tissues and organs. For metabolically stable patients receiving total parenteral nutrition, the suggested selenious acid dosage is 25-60 micrograms/day for adults and 1.4-30 micrograms/kg/day for pediatric patients. In selenium-depleted adults, a dosage of 100 micrograms/day administered intravenously for 21-31 days has been recommended to reverse symptoms. All HPN patients and hospitalized patients receiving extended parenteral nutrition should be monitored for selenium deficiency and given supplements if necessary.

Adult↗