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Biomedical subjects

J Jaggers

Publications and source records attributed to J Jaggers.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effect of repair strategy on hospital cost for infants with tetralogy of Fallot.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the total hospital cost (HC) for one-stage versus "two-stage" repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in infants younger than 1 year of age. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Total (one-stage) correction of TOF is now being performed with excellent results in infancy. Alternatively, a two-stage approach, with palliation of infants in the first year of life, followed by complete repair at a later time can be used. In some institutions, the two-stage approach is standard practice for infants younger than 1 year of age or is used selectively in patients with an anomalous coronary artery across the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), "small pulmonary arteries," multiple congenital anomalies, critical illnesses (CI), which increase the risk of bypass (e.g., sepsis or DIC), or severe hypercyanotic spells (HS) at the time of presentation. The cost implications of these two approaches are unknown. METHODS: The authors reviewed 22 patients younger than 1 year of age who underwent repair of TOF at their institution between 1993 and 1995. Eighteen patients had one-stage (1 degree) repair (mean age, 3.4 +/- 3.1 months; range, 3 days-9 months) and 4 patients were treated by a staged approach with initial palliation (1.6 +/- 0.4 month; range, 1.5-2 months) followed by later repair (14.75 +/- 1.5 months; range, 13-16 months). The reasons for palliation were severe HS at time of presentation (two patients), anomalous coronary artery (one patient) and CI (one patient). In the 18 patients undergoing 1 degree repair, 3 (16.6%) presented with HS, 6 (33.3%) had a transanular repair, and 6 (33.3%) were able to be repaired through an entirely transatrial approach (youngest patient, 1.5 months). The HC (1996 dollars) and hospital length of stay (LOS; days) were evaluated for all patients. The HCs were calculated using transition I, which is a cost accounting system used by our medical center since July 1992. Transition I provides complete data on all direct and indirect hospital-based, nonprofessional costs. RESULTS: There was no mortality in either group. The group undergoing 1 degree repair had an average LOS of 14.5 +/- 11.2 days compared to an average LOS for palliation of 14 +/- 6.4 days. When the palliated group returned for complete repair, the average LOS was 28.8 +/- 25 days, yielding a total LOS for the two-stage strategy of 43 +/- 30.8 days (p = 0.003 compared to 1 degree repair). The HC for 1 degree repair was $32,541 +/- $15,968 compared to $25,737 +/- $1900 for palliation (p = not significant compared to 1 degree repair) and $54,058 +/- $39,395 for subsequent complete repair (p = not significant compared to 1 degree repair) (total two-stage repair HC = $79,795 +/- $40,625; p = 0.001 compared to 1 degree repair). The LOS and HC for the two-stage group combine a total of palliation plus later repair and, as such, reflect two separate hospitalizations and convalescent periods. To eliminate cost outliers, a best-case analysis was performed by eliminating 50% of patients from each group. Using this analysis, the two-stage approach resulted in an average (total) LOS of 16.5 +/- 2.1 days compared to 8.5 +/- 1.4 days for the 1 degree group. Total cost for the two-stage strategy in this best-case group was $44,660 +/- $3645 compared to $22,360 +/- $3331 for 1 degree repair (p = 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this review show that palliation alone generates HC similar to that from 1 degree infant repair of TOF, and total combined HC and LOS for palliation plus eventual repair of TOF (two-stage approach) are significantly higher than from 1 degree repair. Furthermore, these data do not include additional costs for care delivered between palliation and repair (e.g., outpatient visits, cardiac catheterization, serial echocardiography). Although there may be occasions when a strategy using initial palliation followed by later repair may seem prudent, the cost is clearly higher and use of health care resources greater.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1996

Infective endocarditis: ten-year review of medical and surgical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is a complex disease process. Optimal outcome often requires both medical and surgical expertise. The need for and timing of surgical intervention is controversial and continues to evolve in parallel to advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Our experience with the treatment of infective endocarditis is reviewed herein. METHODS: A retrospective review was compiled of 140 consecutive patients who fulfilled the modified von Reyn criteria for the diagnosis of endocarditis between January 1982 and April 1992. RESULTS: Patient characteristics, symptoms, and risk factors are described. Follow-up averaged 3.5 +/- 0.8 years and totaled 491 patient-years. New York Heart Association functional class at presentation had a significant influence on survival (p < 0.0001). Long-term survival was significantly greater (p = 0.036) in patients treated medically/surgically than those treated with medical therapy alone (75% versus 54% at 5 years). Medical treatment of aortic and prosthetic endocarditis was associated with higher mortality (58% and 67%, respectively) when compared with combined medical/surgical treatment (28% and 38%, respectively). Among the survivors, New York Heart Association class at follow-up was better (p < 0.0001) in the medical/surgical group (1.05 +/- 0.04) versus the medical treatment group (1.70 +/- 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Combined medical/surgical treatment for infective endocarditis is associated with improved survival. Patients with aortic or prosthetic endocarditis are identified as subgroups that benefit most from surgical intervention. Valvular dysfunction incited by the infective process is an important factor that should be weighed carefully in the therapeutic decision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

LVOT pseudoaneurysm: a late complication of extended aortic root replacement.

The aortic allograft has become a valuable tool for repair of complex left ventricular outflow tract defects. These operations can be performed with low morbidity and mortality; however, complications do occur. In this report, we describe a pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricular outflow tract-homograft anastomosis that presented 3 years after extended aortic root replacement.

Aneurysm, False↗
PubMed1996

Effective control of pulmonary vascular resistance with inhaled nitric oxide after cardiac operation.

Increased pulmonary vascular resistance may greatly complicate the perioperative management of cardiac surgical patients. Inhaled nitric oxide may be a promising new therapy to selectively lower pulmonary vascular resistance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in cardiac surgical patients. Twenty patients (age 57 +/- 6 years) were studied in the operating room after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, systemic vascular resistance, and mean aortic pressure were determined at four points of data collection: before nitric oxide, with 20 ppm nitric oxide, with 40 ppm nitric oxide, and after nitric oxide. Statistical analysis was by analysis of variance; significance was accepted for p < 0.05. Inhaled nitric oxide produced selective pulmonary vasorelaxation. Pulmonary vascular resistance was lowered from 343 +/- 30 before nitric oxide to 233 +/- 25 dynes.sec-1.cm-5 with 20 ppm nitric oxide. Pulmonary vascular resistance was not further lowered by 40 ppm nitric oxide (p < 0.05). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 29 +/- 1 mm Hg before nitric oxide and was lowered to 22 +/- 1 mm Hg by 20 ppm nitric oxide and 21 +/- 1 mm Hg by 40 ppm nitric oxide (p < 0.05). Both pulmonary vascular resistance and mean pulmonary arterial pressure returned to baseline after withdrawal of inhaled nitric oxide. Inhaled nitric oxide produced no changes in either systemic vascular resistance or mean aortic pressure. We conclude that nitric oxide may be used as an effective pulmonary vasodilator after cardiac operations. It may be particularly valuable for selectively lowering right ventricular afterload in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Adenosine for refractory pulmonary hypertension.

We report 2 patients with refractory acute pulmonary hypertension. In both, a central venous infusion of adenosine into the circulation effectively lowered pulmonary arterial pressure when standard treatment measures had failed, and reversed the clinical state of shock by achieving pulmonary vasodilatation. We conclude that adenosine may help lower pulmonary arterial pressure without lowering systemic arterial pressure in the setting of acute pulmonary hypertension when standard measures have failed.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1995

Heart transplantation in children and young adults: early and intermediate-term results.

The purpose of this article is to report our short- and intermediate-term follow-up of cardiac transplantation for congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy in children (age greater than 6 months), adolescents, and young adults. Thirty patients (ages 8 months to 24 years) with end-stage heart failure have undergone cardiac transplantation in our program: 12 (40%) for postoperative end-stage heart failure, 9 (30%) as primary treatment for congenital heart disease, 5 (17%) for dilated cardiomyopathy, and 4 (13%) for restrictive/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Nineteen patients (63%) had undergone prior operations; 4 patients received transplants for failed Fontan procedures. Induction therapy with antithymocyte therapy was used routinely, and long-term immunosuppression was by cyclosporine and azathioprine alone. Rejection surveillance/diagnosis was based on echocardiographic criteria. Posttransplantation follow-up ranges from 3 to 78 months. Operative mortality was 3.3% (1/30). No patients have been diagnosed with either accelerated allograft atherosclerosis or posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease. We conclude that cardiac transplantation may be performed with excellent early and intermediate-term results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cardiac allograft failure: successful use of biventricular assist device.

Nonspecific primary allograft dysfunction is an important cause of perioperative death in cardiac transplant recipients. We report a case of severe nonspecific allograft dysfunction that was ultimately reversible after 18 days of biventricular mechanical circulatory support. Allograft recovery was echocardiographically recognized by a positive inotropic response to isoproterenol and milrinone. This case illustrates the potential for recovery of even extreme allograft dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chronic posttraumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm presenting with dysphagia.

Chronic posttraumatic thoracic aortic aneurysms are rare. The natural history of these aneurysms is symptomatic enlargement. Herein is reported a chronic posttraumatic thoracic aortic aneurysm that became symptomatic by producing extrinsic compression of the esophagus. Despite the chronic nature of these aneurysms they should be repaired when found.

Adolescent↗