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Biomedical subjects

J L Ehrenhaft

Publications and source records attributed to J L Ehrenhaft.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Surgical treatment of cardiac myxomas: long-term results.

Between 1965 and 1988, 22 patients underwent 24 operations for cardiac myxomas. Two patients had the complex myxoma syndrome. Mitral valve replacement was required at initial operation in 2 patients. One patient died perioperatively, and 5 others died subsequently. The 16 surviving patients recently underwent evaluation at a mean duration of 9 years after operation. Ten are asymptomatic and 6 have New York Heart Association class II symptoms. Nine patients continue to be employed. Eleven are in sinus rhythm, 3 have permanent pacemakers, and 2 have chronic atrial arrhythmias. Echocardiography showed atrioventricular valve insufficiency in 3 patients and reduced contractility in 4, but no new tumor recurrences. The long-term prognosis of this relatively large group of patients with cardiac myxomas has been good. Patients without the complex myxoma syndrome had no recurrence, whereas 2 patients did require reoperation for mitral valve replacement. Long-term disability and chronic arrhythmias have been infrequent, and functional status and employability of these patients have been very good.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1988

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a tracheostoma: use of a bilateral thoracotomy incision.

The performance of cardiac surgical procedures via median sternotomy in patients with a tracheostoma can present difficult problems, including stomal necrosis, mediastinitis, and inadequate operative exposure. Bilateral thoracotomy is an alternative approach in such patients. This approach separates the stoma from the operative field and provides satisfactory exposure for internal mammary artery dissection and performance of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Bronchial carcinoid tumors.

Forty-six patients with bronchial carcinoid tumors were operated on over a 37-year period. The results were reviewed with special reference to presenting complaint, histological diagnosis, location of the tumor, lymphatic involvement, and type of surgical resection. Age at operation ranged from 9 to 86 years (mean, 43.6 years). Presenting symptoms were hemoptysis in 21 instances, chronic cough in 17, and pneumonia in 15. The primary tumor was within the main bronchus in 17 patients. Twenty-one patients required pneumonectomy, and 20 had lobectomy or bilobectomy . Nine of the patients under-going pneumonectomy had severely damaged lung tissue distal to the lesion in the main bronchus. Six patients had metastases to hilar nodes. Four patients died of carcinoid tumor, but none with metastases died of carcinoid tumor. This series confirms the low malignancy potential of bronchial carcinoid tumors, even in the presence of lymphatic involvement. Although conservative resection is an attractive surgical option, only 10 of the 46 (22%) were potential candidates for such intervention. Standard surgical resection resulted in "cure" in 90% of the patients in the series.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1984

Repair of pectus excavatum by sternal eversion.

Pectus excavatum was repaired by the sternal eversion (turnover) technique in 26 patients over a 7-year period. Vascular supply to the sternal graft was maintained by preservation of one internal mammary vascular pedicle. Good results were obtained in 21 (81%) patients followed for periods ranging from 2 to 76 months (mean, 32 months) postoperatively. Four patients (15%) had fair results; 2 patients with Marfan's syndrome had partial recurrence, as did 1 patient with skin necrosis and 1 with hypertrophic scar. One patient (4%) had a poor early result due to wound infection and distal sternal necrosis requiring reoperation. Other complications were minor: superficial wound seroma in 2 patients and pneumothorax in 1. The sternal eversion technique for repair of pectus excavatum utilizes the concave shape of the sternum when turned over to create a cosmetically acceptable convex anterior chest wall contour. Judicious tailoring of the costal cartilages and shaping of the anterior sternum corrects asymmetrical deformities. The chest wall is very stable after repair. Since no prosthetic struts or pins are used, a second operation for removal is avoided. Preservation of the vascular supply to the sternum should allow normal growth of the anterior chest wall. The results have been sufficiently encouraging for us to recommend sternal eversion as the primary method for repair of pectus excavatum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Coarctation of the aorta in infants.

Repair of coarctation of the aorta in the first year of life by resection and end-to-end anastomosis has been reported to have a high rate of recurrence, and recent studies favor angioplasty techniques. Forty-seven consecutive infants less than 1 year of age who were operated upon over a 20 year period were analyzed. The hospital mortality was analyzed in three groups: Group I--two of 11 patients (18%) with coarctation; Group II--one of nine patients (11%) with coarctation and ventricular septal defect; Group III--12 of 27 patients (44%) with coarctation and major intracardiac anomalies. There was no difference in age or body surface area between survivors and nonsurvivors. Repair was performed by a resection and end-to-end anastomosis to the distal aortic arch in 43 and by patch angioplasty in four. Anastomosis was performed with 5-0 silk suture prior to 1972. Since then, 7-0 polypropylene suture has generally been used. Arm/leg pressure gradient was assessed at rest by the Doppler technique in 31 long-term survivors of the end-to-end anastomosis technique; 24 of them had polypropylene suture used and seven had silk suture. Recurrence of coarctation was defined as arm/leg gradient greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg. Actuarial freedom from recurrence at 5 and 10 years was 91% in the polypropylene group versus 57% and 44% in the silk group. Good long-term results with low incidence of recurrent coarctation achieved by end-to-end anastomosis with fine polypropylene suture justify continued use of this technique in preference to angioplasty techniques, which sacrifice the left subclavian artery or introduce prosthetic materials. Techniques chosen for coarctation repair should be compared with current operative techniques and not older studies.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly.

One hundred fifteen patients over 65 years of age were operated on at our institution for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The operative mortality was 5% compared with an overall operative mortality of 2.5% in the last five years for 1,500 persons with CABG. Increased risk factors included qualification for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, ejection fraction of less than 35%, diffuse disease requiring more than five grafts, and age over 75 years. At one year after operation, 81% of the patients were clinically improved, and the survival rate was 91%. Patients over 65 years of age in NYHA classes II and III with good left ventricular function requiring four or less bypass grafts appeared to have an excellent prognosis both acutely and during a one-year follow-up period.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Results of pulmonary resection for metastatic lesions.

We reviewed the role pulmonary resection for metastatic pulmonary lesions in our institution. Over a 22 year period, 142 patients underwent 153 thoracotomies. The operative mortality was 0.7%. Complete follow-up was obtained on 140 hospital survivors (99.3%). The actuarial 5 year survival rate for carcinoma was 24% (70% confidence limit 0% to 52%) and for sarcoma was 29% (70% confidence limit 0% to 61%). The survival rate to the end of the follow-up for patients with short disease-free intervals (less than 3 months) was 30%; with free intervals of 3 to 30 months, the survival rate was 27%; with long intervals (greater than 30 months), it was 24% (p = 0.8). Six of 29 lobectomy or pneumonectomy specimens has secondary metastases in the regional nodes, but actuarial 5 year survival rates following lobectomy, pneumonectomy, or segmental or wedge excision were not statistically different. Long-term follow-up revealed an overall survival rate of 26%, which was not influenced by tumor histology, disease-free interval, or extent of pulmonary excision. In view of these findings, we continue to advocate conservative excision of pulmonary metastases when the primary tumor is controlled and other organ systems are not involved, regardless of the tumor histology or the disease-free interval.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Tined transvenous endocardial electrodes: results of a randomized prospective study.

The early (30-day) dislodgment rate of standard-use flange-tipped and of tined endocardial electrodes was compared in a randomized prospective clinical trial. Four of 16 (25%) of the flange-tipped leads and none of the 18 tined leads dislodged within 30 days of implantation (p = 0.01). We believe that the tined electrode represents a major improvement in electrode design and is clearly superior to the flange-tipped electrode in reducing the incidence of early dislodgment.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1981

Operation for aortic arch anomalies.

Forty-two patients with aortic arch anomalies resulting in tracheoesophageal compression were treated during the period 1948 through 1978. These anomalies are important causes of upper respiratory and esophageal obstruction in babies and small children and can be corrected safely with excellent relief of symptoms. Nineteen patients (45%) had a right aortic arch with a ligamentum arteriosum, 17 patients (40%) had double aortic arches, and 6 patients (15%) had aberrant right subclavian arteries. Other associated congenital malformation and mental retardation were seen in 15 patients (36%). Diagnosis was accurately made in 38 patients (90%) by barium esophagogram. Basic surgical principles include exposure through a left thoracotomy, complete identification of the aortic arch anatomy, and division of the constricting ring. Surgical treatment resulted in 2 deaths (5%), and 1 patient died late. Early postoperative respiratory complications were common. All survivors were relieved of their symptoms late (median, 94 months) postoperatively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.

In the operating room, 66 preterm infants weighing between 710 and 2,700 gm (23 less than 1,000 gm) underwent ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Respiratory distress syndrome was present in 53 patients; the rest had apnea-bradycardia syndrome. PDA ligation was indicated for intractable congestive heart failure in 52 patients or progressive respiratory failure in 14. There were no intraoperative deaths. Fifteen infants died 1 to 120 days postoperatively. Seven deaths resulted from intracranial bleeding, 3 from diffuse coagulopathy, and 1 from respiratory failure. The condition of patients with heart failure improved postoperatively, with the mean left atrium to aorta ratio reduced from 1.56 to 1.02 (p = 0.05). Respiratory function improved in 25 patients extubated by the third postoperative day. Late follow-up (one to five years) of the 51 survivors showed 1 late death. Seventeen survivors had roentgenographic evidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia required longer postoperative ventilation (mean, 21.5 days compared with 4.75 days). Twenty-four infants were normal. Ligation of PDA in preterm infants has low intraoperative risk and improves the condition of those with heart and respiratory failure. Late follow-up showed good recovery of nearly two-thirds of the patients.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1981

Intramyocardial electrical and metabolic activity during hypothermia and potassium cardioplegia.

Hypothermic potassium cardioplegia is widely used to reduce myocardial metabolism as a means of myocardial protection. To investigate the efficacy of intramyocardial electrical activity as an indicator of myocardial metabolism, 12 dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial oxygen consumption, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) in the coronary sinus, myocardial temperature, and intramyocardial and surface electrocardiograms were measured. The hearts were fibrillated and cooled to 15 degrees C. In Group 1 (6 dogs), potassium cardioplegia was given at 15 degrees C. In Group 2 (6 dogs), it was given at 25 degrees C. Maximum coronary sinus PCO2 and oxygen consumption occurred at 36 degrees C and gradually decreased, but there was still evidence of metabolic activity and intramyocardial electrical activity at 15 degrees C. When cardioplegia was given at 15 degrees C, all electrical activity ceased and there was a further significant reduction in metabolic activity (coronary sinus PCO2 and oxygen consumption). In Group 2 similar findings were found at 25 degrees C, and there was no further reduction in metabolic activity at 15 degrees C. These data indicate that: (1) myocardial metabolic activity is lowest when there is electrical quiescence as measured with an intramyocardial electrode; (2) potassium arrest and hypothermia are both necessary to achieve electrical quiescence; and (3) in the potassium-arrested heart, lowering temperature from 25 degrees to 15 degrees C does not result in a further reduction of metabolic activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Fifty-seven babies were surgically treated for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula between 1968 and 1978. Forty-eight (84%) had proximal esophageal atresia and a distal tracheoesophageal fistula, 2 (4%) had proximal and distal esophageal atresia and no tracheosophageal fistula, and 7 (12%) had a tracheosophageal fistula without esophageal atresia. Primary repair was accomplished in 43 patients (75%), colon interposition was required in 5 (9%), while the remainder had staged or palliative reapirs. Forty-six (81%) survived surgical treatment. All 21 babies in Waterston Category A, 90% of 20 in Category B, and 44% of 16 in Category C survived surgical treatment. Serious complications occurred in 17 (30%), and dilatable strictures and other minor problems developed in 27 (47%). Late follow-up (mean, 48 months) revealed 3 (7%) late deaths, 2 of which were due to congenital heart disease. Three patients required late colon interposition, and several require frequent dilatations of the esophagus. The Category A and B survivors are all functionally well, while the 5 surviving Category C patients are all significantly impaired by associated anomalies.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1980

Surgical management of pulmonary metastasis.

Because of the clarity of roentgenograms, the lungs act as a window to the body through which we can "watch" the growth of a metastatic tumor. By obtaining serial roentgenograms, we can follow the course of a tumor, as well as its response to different forms of therapy. Usually the mass seen on roentgenogram is only part of a larger tumor found in other metastatic deposits. However, Farrell, in a study of 75 cases, found that 15% of the patients had metastatic lesions confined to the lung. Therefore, a finding of pulmonary metastasis should not imply a completely hopeless prognosis. Many patients may benefit from pulmonary resection of a metastatic lesion, either in terms of ultimate cure or by palliation. This report will discuss the pathogenesis of pulmonary metastasis and the surgical approach based on histology and biologic behavior of these tumors and current concepts of oncology as viewed through the study of pulmonary metastasis.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Surgical treatment of left main coronary artery disease: operative risk.

Surgical experience with 100 consecutive patients with left main coronary artery stenosis (greater than 50%) was reviewed to determine the risk factors and their relationship to preoperative use of intraaortic balloon (IAB). The 30-day mortality rate was 3% and the perioperative infarction rate was 2%. There was no correlation between surgical mortality and ejection fraction (EF) (15% had EF of less than 40%), degree of stenosis (58% of the patients had greater than 70% left main stenosis), right coronary artery stenosis (81%), or the number of grafts placed. We conclude that surgery for left main coronary artery disease can be done with a low mortality rate by strict attention to the induction of anesthesia, surgical technique, and complete revascularization. In our experience, prophylactic use of the IAB does not appear to be justified and is only rarely necessary for postoperative support (one case).

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Surgical treatment of atrial myxomas: early and late results of 11 operations and review of the literature.

Eleven patients underwent surgical excision of atrial myxomas during a 15-year period, with no hospital deaths. The operation consisted of excision of the tumor with a generous portion of atrial septum or wall. Patch reconstruction of the atrial septum was required in most patients. There were 2 late deaths (14 and 121 months after operation). Late recurrences have been reported in other series but no recurrences were diagnosed in any of the patients in this series reexamined by echocardiography 7 to 156 months (mean, 48 months) after operation. Late functional results were excellent (78%, New York Heart Association Class D. The pertinent literature is reviewed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Combined multiple-valve procedures: a five-year experience with 125 patients.

One hundred twenty-five patients underwent 128 operations for combined multiple-valve procedures, with an overall early mortality of 16%. Highest mortality was associated with mitral and tricuspid valve disease (28.5%), followed by triple-valve disease (18.2%) and aortic and mitral valve disease (14%). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac index, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and arteriovenous oxygen difference were all significantly different in patients with regard to early mortality. Late follow-up of 94% has been achieved in 105 early survivors, with a late mortality rate of 11.2%. Analysis of late functional results reveal that 85% of survivors improved at least one Functional Class. Actuarial 5-year survival of 75% was achieved for early survivors of operation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction.

Review of the literature since 1970 revealed more than 200 patients who had a ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction and underwnet operation. Pathogenesis and diagnosis are discussed. The primary therapy is operative repair, which is considered from the standpoint of approach, timing, technique, concomitant coronary artery bypass, mortality, and long-term survival. Operative mortality in those patients operated on less than 3 weeks following perforation remains high (40%) but when it is possible to wait 3 weeks, there is a marked decrease in mortality (6%). Several general principles have evolved for the care of these patients. (1) Operation should be deferred until 3 weeks after infarction if possible. (2) The intraaortic balloon allows preoperative evaluation of the patient with clinical hemodynamic deterioration in the early postinfarction period. (3) The incision should be placed through the infarct. (4) Associated coronary artery or mitral valve disease should be repaired as well.

Cardiac Catheterization↗