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K A Kurdziel

Publications and source records attributed to K A Kurdziel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A nonischemic electrocardiogram does not always predict a small myocardial infarction: results with acute myocardial perfusion imaging.

BACKGROUND: A nonischemic electrocardiogram (ECG) in association with myocardial infarction (MI) indicates a small MI in some but not all cases. Myocardial perfusion imaging using technetium-99m sestamibi offers the ability to better characterize these "electrically silent" infarctions. METHODS: Patients considered low risk for myocardial infarction with a normal or nonischemic ECG (no significant ST elevation, ST depression, ischemic T-wave inversion, or left bundle branch block) underwent early emergency department perfusion imaging, followed by serial myocardial marker sampling. Risk area (defect size) was quantitated by use of a 50% threshold from multiple short-axis slices. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients with nonischemic ECGs had myocardial infarction (mean peak creatine kinase [CK] 710 +/- 720 U/L, range 111-3196 U/L). Peak CKs were lower in the 7 patients with negative perfusion imaging (420 +/- 290 U/L vs 730 +/- 740 U/L, P =.06). Mean risk area was 18% +/- 11% of the left ventricle (range 0%-62%) and was not significantly different among the different infarct-related arteries. Patients with normal ECGs had a similar risk area compared with other patients (16% +/- 12% vs 19 +/- 12%, P =.25). Coronary angiography was performed in 81 patients, with significant stenoses in 74 (91%) (37 one-vessel, 19 two-vessel, 18 three-vessel), with the infarct related artery most commonly the left circumflex (n = 32 [38%]). CONCLUSIONS: The ischemic risk area in patients with a nonischemic ECG was comparable to patients with inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction found in previous studies. A nonischemic ECG does not predict a small ischemic risk area.

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed2000

The panda sign.

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Animals↗
PubMed1996

"Robo-Rad": an inexpensive user-friendly multimedia report system for radiology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The complex information obtained by CT, MR, and ultrasound examinations is often difficult to convey with a written report. Today's multimedia computer technology provides a medium within which the audio and the visual components of a radiologic consultation can be made available simultaneously, with the projected capability of remote access from any personal computer. A system was developed to run on low-end computer systems with image quality adequate for reporting purposes and prudent memory management (each report occupies < 4 MB). With this system-"Robo-Rad"-the image and radiologist are recorded simultaneously while he or she describes and points out (with a mouse) areas of interest. This dynamic report, along with patient data, can be retrieved and viewed by the consulting physician at his/her convenience using a low-end PC or Macintosh computer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the clinical utility of Robo-Rad, survey responses were solicited from clinical physicians at the Penn State University Hospital (41.5% faculty/fellows, 31.7% residents, 11.8% medical students, 2% clinical nursing; n = 101) during a hands-on demonstration using studies of 35 consecutive inpatients whose CT scans had been dictated into the system. RESULTS: In an average week, the surveyed professionals ordered 3.2 +/- 3.0 CT studies, reviewed 3.8 +/- 3.0 CTs, spent 1.5 +/- 2.0 hours locating Ct studies, and discussed 2.3 +/- 1.9 CT cases with a radiologist. The average time spent discussing a single CT case with a radiologist was reported as 9.4 +/- 5.9 minutes. On a five-point rating scale (1 = not at all to 5 = very much so), respondents indicated that the Robo-Rad report was helpful (4.3 +/- 0.7) and provided clinically important information that would be difficult to convey with current dictation systems (4.2 +/- 0.8). Desire to discuss the case with a radiologist in addition to viewing the Robo-Rad report scored 3.2 +/- 1.0. If such a system were readily available, 91.8% of the respondents indicated that they would use it in addition to the currently available written report and audio dictation system, and 96.6% would use it instead of the current system. Local area network and modems were the modalities of highest interest for remote access (69.3% and 44.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Judging by these data, the Robo-Rad system would be of benefit to clinicians. It provides a user-friendly, low-cost multimedia radiology report utilizing readily available technology to improve radiologist-clinician communication.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗