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Biomedical subjects

J R Malm

Publications and source records attributed to J R Malm.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Electrophysiologic properties and response to pharmacologic agents of fibers from diseased human atria.

We used standard microelectrode techniques to record action potentials of human right atrial fibers obtained during cardiac surgery, and correlated these potentials with clinical and preoperative ECG data. Human atrial fibers were classified as follows: Group A (ten patients) had a maximum diastolic potential (MDP) of -71.4 +/- 5.1mV (mean +/- SD), and action potentials that were primarily fast responses. These atria were normal or slightly dilated. In group B (12 patients) MDP was 50.3 +/- 5.7 mV; action potentials were slow responses and the atria were moderately to markedly dilated. Atrial arrhythmias occurred in four group B and no group A patients. The ECG revealed a signficant difference (P less than 0.005) in P wave duration: group A, 89 +/- 3.0 msec; group B, 111 +/- 6.0 msec. Verapamil, 0.1 mg/L, markedly depressed only the action potential plateau of group A. Procainamide 1-100 mg/L had equivalent effects on fibers of both groups A and B, effects which were small at dosages of less than 40 mg/L. Procainamide did not depress slow response automaticity, but verapamil (0.1-1 mg/L) did.

Action Potentials↗

Left anterior and left posterior hemiblock in tricuspid atresia and transposition of the great vessels: observations and electrocardiographic nomenclature and electrophysiologic mechanisms.

A patient with tricuspid atresia and characteristic electrocardiographic features of counterclockwise and superiorly oriented frontal plane QRS loop (left anterior hemiblock) is presented. Operative intervention resulted in a clockwise and inferior rotation of the frontal QRS loop (left posterior hemiblock) without the development of complete left bundle branch block. This observation suggests that the electrocardiographic pattern of left anterior hemiblock may result from other mechanisms in addition to block of the left bundle branch fibers oriented toward the anterior part of the left ventricle. The case further suggests that electrocardiographic patterns of apparent A-V conduction defects may not be at all associated with true block in the A-V conduction system. Further, it emphasizes the fact that various electrophysiologic mechanisms may account for identical electrocardiographic patterns.

Child↗

Cardiac output in infants and children after open-heart surgery.

Green dye measurements of cardiac index (in liters per minute per square meter) were compared in 32 infants and 58 children, 6 and 24 hours after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac index was significantly lower in infants under one year of age, as compared to older infants and children. This parameter was also lower in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, truncus arteriosus, and tetralogy of Fallot. Five infants who died had 6-hour cardiac index determinations of 2.0 L./min./sq. M. Only 2 of 27 survivors had cardiac indices below this level. Simultaneously recorded heart rate and central venous pressure did not correlate with cardiac index. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in infants in whom the cardiac index was less then 2.0 L./min./sq. M. (p less than 0.01). However, in individual situations, determination of systemic blood pressure lacked specificity in predicting outcome. Measurements of cardiac index are helpful in the management of infants and children following intracardiac repair by (1) assessing the hemodynamic status, (2) providing a useful indication of the cardiocirculatory effects of therapeutic interventions, and (3) predicting outcome.

Adolescent↗

Effects of pulsatile and nonpulsatile coronary perfusion on performance of the canine left ventricle.

This study compares the effect of pulsatile (Group C, Fib/P) and nonpulsatile (Group B, Fib/NP) coronary perfusion on myocardial performance during 2 hours of normothermic ventricular fibrillation. Group A (BH/NP), used as a base-line observation, consisted of 2 hours of nonpulsatile coronary perfusion in beating hearts. The assessment of ventricular performance included diastolic ventricular compliance, myocardial oxygen consumption and lactate extraction, regional myocardial blood flow, and histology. After 120 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, Group C showed normal ventricular diastolic compliance as compared to a 50 per cent decrease in Group B (p less than 0.01). Myocardial oxygen consumption was not significantly different from that in Group B. Because of a 70 per cent increase in oxygen extraction above Group B (p less than 0.05), total left ventricular myocardial blood flow was reduced (103 +/- 23 versus 260 +/- 36 ml. per 100 Gm. per minute, p less than 0.05) and had near-constant resistance. Lactate extraction was significantly greater and more stable as compared to Group B (9.28 +/- 1.33 versus 1.8 +/- 1.08, p less than 0.05). Left ventricular endocardial/epicardial flow ratio was greater in Group C (1.21 +/- 0.08 versus 1.06 +/- 0.06, p less than 0.05). Minimal subendocardial histologic changes were present as compared to the marked patchy subendocardial ischemic changes seen in Group B. The results demonstrate that the addition of pulsatile flow to coronary perfusion minimized the deleterious effects of prolonged ventricular fibrillation on myocardial performance.

Animals↗

Bypass grafts for recurrent or complex coarctations of the aorta.

Twenty-three patients aged 5 to 53 years with recurrent or complex coarctations of the aorta were successfully operated upon using bypass grafts. This technique of repair was selected for 5 patients with recurrent coarctation, 11 with long-segment coarctation with or without hypoplasia of the transverse aortic arch, and 7 with inadequate collateral circulation. Nineteen patients had bypass grafts from the left subclavian artery to the distal descending thoracic aorta. The other 4 had a combined approach through a left thoractomy and median sternotomy with grafts between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. All patients survived the operative procedure. One patient were reexplored for a hemothorax and 5 developed transient postoperative hypertension. There were no instances of abdominal vasculitis or lower extremity paralysis. These patients have been followed from 3 months to 11 years postoperatively, and all but 1 are alive and well. Twenty-two are normotensive, and none have the sequelae of hypertensive disease. Gradients up to only 15 mm Hg exist between upper and lower extremity blood pressures. Five patients have undergone postoperative catheterization and aortography, and all have patent grafts. This procedure is a useful and adjunct in difficult coarctations of the aorta and can be safely performed with excellent reproducible long-term results.

Adolescent↗

Postoperative left anterior hemiblock and right bundle branch block following repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Clinical and etiologic considerations.

Previous reports have indicated an incidence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left anterior hemiblock (LAH) pattern varying from 8-22% following corrective surgery in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Among 207 patients with tetralogy of Fallot operated on at our institution, 8.7% developed an ECG pattern of RBBB and LAH. These patients were followed for 1-13 years (mean 6.2 years) for a total of 111 patient years. All patients are alive and none have had documented late atrioventricular dissociation, syncope, or other symptoms. Transient heart block was present in one patient in the immediate postoperative period but has not recurred. This group of patients differs significantly from other series in which such an ECG pattern was associated with a marked increase in morbidity and mortality. These data and the experimental evidence suggest that two distinct groups of patients exist: 1) a group in which this ECG pattern is secondary to lesions within the bundle of His and 2) a group in which the pattern is caused by lesions in the peripheral conduction system. It is postulated that these two groups which demonstrate the same ECG pattern may carry significantly different prognoses. Analysis of H-V intervals postoperatively may help identify patients at risk.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative unidirectional intra-aortic balloon pumping in the management of left ventricular power failure.

Unidirectional intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was applied to 28 adult patients undergoing open-heart surgery over a 35 month period. The patients were divided into three groups according to the temporal sequence of initiating IABP. Group A consisted of 4 patients who were in a low output state or in cardiogenic shock prior to study. All patients survived cardiac catheterization and surgery, and 3 (75 per cent) were long-term survivors. Group B included 15 patients who could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass with the usual supportive measures. Twelve patients (80 per cent) were weaned from bypass with IABP, and 11 (73 per cent) were discharged from the hospital. Group C was composed of 9 patients who manifested a low cardiac output syndrome within the first 24 hours following surgery. IABP was initiated in the recovery room. Six patients (67 per cent) were discharged. The total experience with these 28 patients therefore includes 24 patients (86 per cent) who were weaned from IABP, 20 (71 per cent) who were discharged, and 18 (64 per cent) who were long-term survivors. The present criteria for the use of IABP in the cardiac surgical patient are defined.

Adolescent↗