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Biomedical subjects

J Fetter

Publications and source records attributed to J Fetter.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Doing it with DRGs.

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Abstracting and Indexing↗

Contribution of atrioventricular synchrony to left ventricular systolic function in a closed-chest canine model of complete heart block: implications for single-chamber rate-variable cardiac pacing.

This study assessed the impact of atrioventricular (AV) synchrony on characteristics of left ventricular (LV) systolic function during ventricular pacing over a wide heart rate range in a conscious closed-chest canine model of complete AV block. Ten healthy adult dogs underwent thoracotomy during which complete AV block was created by formaldehyde injection, and paired ultrasonic sonomicrometers were positioned on the LV anterior-posterior minor axis. Following recovery from surgery, peak and end-diastolic LV transmural pressure, maximum dP/dt, stroke work, end-diastolic minor axis dimension, and maximum velocity of shortening, were quantitated at heart rates of 80, 100, 120, 140, and 160 beats per minute (bpm) during both ventricular pacing alone and AV sequential pacing with increasing AV intervals (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ms). Over the heart rate range tested, parameters of LV systolic function did not differ significantly during ventricular pacing with or without AV synchrony. For example, during ventricular pacing alone maximum LV dP/dt varied from 2110 +/- 70 mmHg/s to 2463 +/- 567 mmHg/s, a range essentially identical to that observed in the presence of AV synchrony. On the other hand, although the impact on LV performance of varying AV interval from 0 to 300 ms was small, differences tended to become more pronounced at higher pacing rates. At 80 bpm, neither stroke work nor maximum LV dP/dt were affected by change in AV interval, while at heart rates greater than or equal to 120 bpm both stroke work and LV dP/dt tended to maximize at AV intervals of 50 and 100 ms and thereafter declined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Noninvasive conversion of a fixed-rate demand pacemaker to activity mode: a method for assessing the clinical effect of rate-responsiveness.

Some patients with fixed-rate demand pacemakers may benefit from conversion to a rate-responsive pacing system. In this report, we describe a technique by which the effect of rate-responsive pacing can be assessed before replacing the pacemaker system. An externally positioned activity-mode physiologic pulse generator was used to drive a previously implanted ventricular demand pacemaker programmed to the triggered mode. Comparison of exercise capacity under both conditions suggested a substantial benefit from rate-responsiveness.

Aged↗

Single-chamber cardiac pacing with activity-initiated chronotropic response: evaluation by cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

In this study, sequential cardiopulmonary exercise testing was used to assess the physiologic benefits of a single-chamber ventricular pacing system that utilizes a piezoceramic sensor to adjust heart rate by detecting "physical activity." An initial exercise test was conducted with the pacemaker programmed (based on a randomization table) to either the fixed rate (VVI, 70 beats/min) or rate-variable (VVI-Act) mode, and the results were compared with those obtained during a second exercise test in which the pacemaker was programmed to the alternate pacing mode. A 1.5 to 2 hr rest period was permitted between exercise tests, each of which consisted of a symptom-limited constant speed (3.0 mph) Balke protocol with 2 min stages commencing at 0.0% grade with increments of 2.5% at end of each stage. Compared with findings during fixed-rate VVI pacing, VVI-Act pacing was associated with greater exercise-induced positive chronotropic response (mean maximum heart rate VVI-Act 128 +/- 15.3 beats/min vs VVI 90 +/- 28.4 beats/min; p less than .01), prolongation of exercise duration (VVI-Act 10.2 +/- 3.8 min vs VVI 7.7 +/- 2.5 min; p less than .01), increased peak oxygen consumption (VVI-Act 1617 +/- 656 ml O2/min vs VVI 1325 +/- 451 ml O2/min; p less than .01), and onset of anaerobic threshold at a higher oxygen consumption (VVI-Act 1208 +/- 343 ml O2/min vs VVI 1064 +/- 377 ml O2/min: p less than .01). Additionally, of 44 comparable exercise stages tested in the two pacing modes, perceived exertion (assessed by a numerical grading system) was lower in 38 of 44 instances during VVI-Act compared with VVI pacing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Sensor-triggered, rate-variable cardiac pacing. Current technologies and clinical implications.

Conventional implantable dual-chamber cardiac pacemakers adjust heart rate and maintain normal atrial and ventricular contraction by tracking "native" atrial electrical activity and pacing the ventricles after a predetermined programmable atrioventricular delay. However, in patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias, optimal function of "atrial-tracking" devices may be limited by concomitant sinoatrial disease. Provision of chronotropic response during physical exertion or emotional stress may be achieved by using physiologic sensors to alter pacing rate independently of atrial activity. Additional systems using sensor technologies are being developed. Future pacing systems will have dual-chamber pacing capability and may use several sensors coupled synergistically in order to take advantage of particular strengths of each. Physiologic sensor technology may be of diagnostic value in both antitachycardia devices and implantable cardioverter and defibrillator systems.

Bradycardia↗

Intracavitary electrode catheter cardioversion of atrial tachyarrhythmias in the dog.

This study examined factors determining efficacy of intracavitary cardioversion of atrial tachyarrhythmias in closed chest, anesthetized dogs with talc pericarditis. Electrode catheters were positioned transvenously with the cathode in the right atrial appendage. In Group 1 dogs (n = 6), three anode sites (superior and inferior venae cavae ostia and mid-right atrium) were tested with graded energy shocks to determine the lowest effective cardioversion energy at each anode position. In Group 2 dogs (n = 9), multiple cardioversion attempts with energy levels of 0.01 to 5.0 J were used to evaluate reproducibility of energy thresholds. In Group 3 dogs (n = 6) without talc-induced pericarditis, atrial pathologic study was done after five intracavitary shocks (0.5 or 5.0 J). In Group 1, cardioversion was achieved with 0.75 J or less with no significant difference in minimal effective cardioversion energies among the three anode positions tested. In Group 2, 98 (26%) of 372 cardioversion attempts were successful. Intra-animal minimal effective cardioversion energies varied widely, and timing of shocks relative to atrial electrograms did not influence efficacy. Complications were infrequent and included delayed sinus rhythm recovery, transient atrioventricular block and ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 9 (2.4%) of 372 shocks, and was associated with higher delivered energies (6 of 9 with greater than or equal to 1.0 J) and with shocks delivered 116 to 180 ms after onset of the QRS complex. In Group 3, two dogs had no histologic damage, three dogs had multiple small foci of subendocardial necrosis and in one dog these foci coalesced to involve half the atrial wall thickness. Thus, low energy cardioversion of atrial tachyarrhythmias is feasible using intracavitary electrodes. Synchronization of energy delivery to the QRS complex is important to minimize risk of ventricular fibrillation.

Animals↗

The effects of nuclear magnetic resonance imagers on external and implantable pulse generators.

This study evaluates the effect of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scanning on pacemaker function. It must be emphasized that each manufacturer's pulse generators and each pacing modality may behave differently and, therefore, require individual evaluation. According to our results, patients with pacemakers should have their pacing activity monitored continuously during scanning with the NMR 1500 gauss imaging system. External pulse generators should be set to the asynchronous mode and placed outside the NMR image volume but within the radiofrequency (RF) shield. Implanted pacemakers should be verified for type and mode of operation. All implantable pulse generators evaluated reverted from the demand to the asynchronous mode within the magnetic field of the scanner. There was no observable damage to the discrete pacemaker components that were tested. In vivo testing of implantable single-chamber pulse generators did not significantly alter the pacemaker's operating parameters. Changes in stimulation rate analogous to the RF field pulse rate were seen. In single-chamber devices the resultant rate was a multiple of the RF frequency, changing to a value less than the normal asynchronous magnetic rate. With more sophisticated dual-chamber devices the results varied. With VDD pacing during RF scanning, the cardiac stimulation rate increased to a value analogous to the RF field modulation period. More extensive in vivo testing using different models of pulse generators of various manufacturers is needed to identify specific device susceptibility to the RF, time variance and steady-state magnet fields. From these data a comprehensive statement about NMR scanning of patients with implanted pacemakers can be made.

Electrocardiography↗

The clinical incidence and significance of myopotential sensing with unipolar pacemakers.

Myopotential oversensing by unipolar pulse generators can cause patient symptoms ranging from dizziness and syncope to ventricular tachycardia. Seventy-seven patients with implanted unipolar pacemakers from three manufacturers participated in isometric and reach exercises to evaluate their pacemakers' susceptibility to myopotentials. Myopotential inhibition occurred in 47% of the patients performing the reach maneuver. Testing revealed a wide difference in level of susceptibility to myopotentials between pacemakers of different manufacture (a low of 33% inhibition for the least susceptible to a high of 78% inhibition for the most susceptible during the reach maneuver). The normal pacing interval was extended by myopotential oversensing for each manufacturer's model within a range of 0.3-3.9 seconds. Pulse generators incorporating additional automatically-adjusting threshold and reversion circuits in the sense amplifier along with standard bandpass filtering exhibited: a) two-to-three times less susceptibility to myopotentials; and b) a 75% reduction in the maximum pacing interval extension as compared with pacemakers with bandpass filtering alone. The effectiveness of insulative coating in reducing myopotential inhibition was substantiated as coated pulse generators had a 22% lower incidence of muscle sensing than those that were uncoated. Six out of seven patients tested had symptoms during Holter monitoring which correlated with pacemaker myopotential inhibition. Selecting pulse generators with improved sensing amplifiers, clinical testing of patients with unipolar pacemakers using the reach method, and reprogramming of sensitivity will significantly reduce the incidence of myopotential inhibition.

Action Potentials↗

Simplified method of heterotopic cardiac transplantation for left ventricular assist.

A method of heterotopic cardiac transplantation has been developed which is performed through a left thoracotomy and requires only two vascular anastomoses. Systemic heparinization and cardiopulmonary bypass are not necessary. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that this heterotopic transplant technique was effective for left ventricular assist; in some experiments, a multimode atrioventricular programmable pacemaker was used to provide sequential pacing for "counterpulsation." This technique or similar techniques may have potential clinical benefit for patients with intractable left ventricular failure.

Animals↗

Postoperative electrophysiological studies with a modified radiofrequency system. Technical aspects and clinical usefulness.

Two patients who underwent a ventricular aneurysmectomy for treatment of ventricular tachycardia are presented. In both patients, a radiofrequency pacemaker was implanted at surgery (for therapeutic use if surgery should fail). In both patients, electrophysiological studies were performed before discharge utilizing a radiofrequency pacemaker without recourse to repeat catheterization. This was possible by modifying the transmitter and coupling it to a commercially available programmable stimulator.

Electrocardiography↗

Endogenous formation of N-nitrosomorpholine from a new fungicide.

Trimorphamide [N-(1-formamido-2,2,2-trichloroethyl)morpholine], with an acute LD50 of 990 mg/kg, is a systemic fungicide under development. To examine its possible nitrosation in vivo, CFY rats were treated i.g. with 326 mg/kg trimorphamide, suspended in 40 mg/kg sodium nitrite. after 1 hour, another 40 mg/kg sodium nitrite was given i.g. and the animals were killed an hour later. The nitroso derivative was extracted by dichloromethane from the gastric content, after steam distillation. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). N-Nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) was identified by comparison with authentic samples, both by GC and MS, using retention times and electron impact mass spectra. Quantification was carried out by GC-MS-specific ion monitoring, using the m/e 116 peak. The yield of NMOR ws found to be 0.65%. By the use of the Ames test, NMOR formed in vivo proved to be strongly mutagenic for the strains TA 1535 and TA 100, both in presence and absence of S-9 fraction. Tumour-bearing animals, treated by sodium nitrite plus trimorphamide, are being analysed.

Animals↗