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Biomedical subjects

L Kappenberger

Publications and source records attributed to L Kappenberger.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Pathogenesis of anterior circulation stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: the Lausanne Stroke Registry.

We studied coexisting potential arterial and cardiac causes of stroke in 159 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), who were admitted to a population-based primary care center for an anterior circulation infarct. Systematic investigations included brain CT, carotid Doppler ultrasounds with frequency analysis and echotomography, and mono- and bidimensional echocardiography. Lacunar infarction due to small-artery disease was at least as likely as an AF-related stroke in 13% of the patients who had hypertension and a small deep infarct. In 67% of the patients, internal carotid artery disease ipsilateral to infarct was present, but it was severe (greater than or equal to 50% stenosis or occlusion) in only 11%. There was a potential cardiac source of embolism other than AF in 14%. Overall, although only 18% of the patients had AF as the only potential cause of stroke, embolism from the heart remained the most likely etiology of infarct in 76%. Our findings emphasize the role of AF-related hemodynamic disturbances, which were often associated with embolic phenomena, and a rather low early risk of recurring embolism (4%) within the 1st month after stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Immediate and late complications secondary to the implantation of a coronary endoprosthesis].

The incidence of acute and late complications after coronary stenting has been studied in 95 consecutive patients. A total of 113 stents were implanted: 23 cases for acute occlusion of the dilated vessel and 72 for restenosis. After 16 months of follow-up, minor complications had occurred in 22 patients (23%). They consisted of transient occlusion of the prosthesis in 7 patients (7.3%), non-Q wave infarction in 4 patients (4.2%) and 10 hemorrhages (11%). During the following period major complications were observed in 11 patients (12%) with myocardial infarction in 7 instances and acute occlusion in 7 patients. 5 patients (5.3%) underwent coronary artery bypass graft and 6 (6.3%) died (one in-hospital death). Two deaths were related to the stent, but in the other four no definite correlation between the prosthesis and the death could be demonstrated. Restenosis at 12 months was present in 4 cases: in 3 patients (4.7%) where the stent had been implanted for restenosis and 1 (4.7%) where it had been implanted for acute occlusion. We conclude that for selected patients, coronary stenting is a promising new technique, especially for acute occlusion after PTCA; moreover, at 12 months restenosis is less frequent than after PTCA. However, technical improvement is necessary to diminish the rate of complications, particularly thrombosis and hemorrhage.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Multicenter long-term results of antitachycardia pacing for supraventricular tachycardias.

This report describes the multicenter experience of the Tachylog antitachycardia pacemaker (Siemens-Elema) in the treatment of drug-refractory, recurrent supraventricular arrhythmias. The device has been implanted in 63 patients (mean age 47 years). The arrhythmias were atrial tachycardia in 4 patients (6%), atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia in 23 patients (37%), circus movement tachycardia via an overt bypass tract in 17 patients (27%) and via a concealed bypass tract in 19 patients (30%). The mean follow-up period was 30 months. In 28 patients (44%) arrhythmia control was achieved with the pacemaker therapy alone. In 31 patients (49%) drug therapy had to be reintroduced to obtain control of recurrent arrhythmias. Four patients (6%) were definite nonresponders. In 4 patients (6%) the pulse generator was explanted either because it was not tolerated or because of tachycardia-sensing failure. No syncope or death was observed during follow-up. Thus, antitachycardia pacing gives satisfactory results in selected patients with drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardias.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1989

[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and verapamil: apropos of a case of ventricular fibrillation].

Numerous highly effective antiarrhythmic agents are now available which have a powerful anti-arrhythmia action but may cause severe side effects in the case of inappropriate use. We report the case of a patient with WPW syndrome in whom inappropriate administration of verapamil during an episode of atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response caused ventricular fibrillation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Retrospective study of permanent cardiac stimulation in patients over 80 years of age].

Out of 833 pacemakers implanted between 1979 and 1983, 228 were in patients aged over 80 years (137 aged 80-84, 79 85-89, and 12 90-93). Indication for cardiac stimulation was high-grade atrioventricular (av) block in 47%, sick sinus syndrome in 38%, low ventricular response in atrial fibrillation in 13% and hypersensitivity of the carotid sinus in 1%. An average follow-up period of 29.5 months (18-78 months), focusing special interest on quality of life, revealed that of the 199 patients (87%) who were independent at the time of implantation, 29 (15%) became dependent on social services during the follow-up and during the same period 49 (21%) were rehospitalized (88 hospitalizations) for reasons other than pacemaker problems. During the first year after implantation the mortality in the "paced" population was higher than in the general population of the same age groups; thereafter the survival curves run almost parallel. Mortality does not differ between persons paced for av block of for sinus node disease. We conclude that cardiac stimulation in patients aged over 80 years allows them to preserve their lifestyle and independence when compared to the general population, with the same rate of survival.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Prevention of arrhythmias by flecainide after noncardiac thoracic surgery.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a frequent complication after thoracic operations. The prophylactic value of flecainide administered as a constant-rate, intravenous infusion (0.15 mg/kg/h) after a loading dose (2 mg/kg) was tested in a randomized, placebo-controlled study in 30 patients using Holter monitoring during the first 72 hours after operation. A high incidence of atrial and complex ventricular arrhythmias was observed in the placebo-treated group, with a clear predominance in patients undergoing left thoracotomy. Antiarrhythmic drugs had to be added in 6 patients in the placebo-treated group (n = 16), but in none in the flecainide-treated group (n = 14) (p less than 0.01). The preventive effect of flecainide was observed at serum concentrations in the middle of the therapeutic range (409 ng/mL) without side effects. It is concluded that flecainide administration effectively reduced or prevented cardiac arrhythmias after thoracic operations.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Phospholipids and other lipids in angiographically assessed coronary artery disease.

Lipoprotein subclasses and their composition in cholesterol, triglycerides and in 5 types of phospholipid as well as apolipoproteins A-I and B were determined in blood of 114 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected or confirmed myocardial ischaemia. Lipid concentrations of lipoproteins were measured after preparative ultracentrifugation; high performance thin-layer chromatography was used to separate phospholipid subfractions. Patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly differed from those without CAD in 25 different lipid or phospholipid parameters. Using discriminative analysis, apo A-I/apo B ratio was the only parameter with more than 70% success in reclassifying the patients in the CAD group. When correlated with a coronary atheromatous score reflecting either the number and degree of stenoses (Jenkins score) or the number of diseased vessels alone, only LDL-cholesterol was found to correlate with the Jenkins score. We conclude that serum phospholipid fractions may differ significantly in CAD group as compared with controls, but they are, however, no better predictors of CAD than other lipids.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Intravascular stenting for stenosis of aortocoronary venous bypass grafts.

To test the ability of endoluminal stents to prevent saphenous vein graft restenosis after balloon angioplasty, 13 patients with angina and previous coronary bypass surgery underwent implantation of one or more stents into 14 stenosed grafts. Implantation was technically successful in all cases and there were no major in-hospital complications. During a median follow-up interval of 7 months (range 2 to 26), 10 patients (77%) underwent follow-up angiography. Seven patients remained asymptomatic or in improved condition without further intervention; three patients had further angioplasty with stent implantation for a new stenosis in the same graft. Two patients (20%) developed within-stent restenosis. There was one death from progressive congestive heart failure 7 months after implantation. No patient had a myocardial infarction or needed surgical revascularization during the follow-up period. In selected cases, stent implantation appears to be a promising new technique that may decrease the incidence of restenosis after balloon angioplasty in venous bypass grafts. The rate of complications is low. Further experience and longer follow-up will be needed before definite recommendations can be made about its use.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome after transplantation of the heart.

The classic features of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome developed in a 49 year old man after he was given the heart of a donor who had had a normal electrocardiogram. The recipient showed type A pre-excitation on the surface electrocardiogram and clinically important paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. An electrophysiological study showed a left sided accessory pathway and dissociation between donor and recipient atrial activity during tachycardia. The arrhythmia was controlled by flecainide.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1988

[Acute coronary occlusion following transluminal angioplasty: the role of an implanted parietal support via transluminal route].

Acute coronary artery occlusion complicates some 5% of balloon angioplasty procedures and often makes emergency surgical revascularization necessary. Initial experience is reported with emergency implantation of endoluminal stents for acute vessel closure following coronary balloon angioplasty. 10 patients received one stent and 2 patients two stents during the study period. In the study group, implantation was technically successful in all cases: there were no deaths, Q-wave infarctions or cases requiring emergency surgery.--2 patients showed a moderate rise in creatinine phosphokinase in the first 48 hours. During a mean follow-up period of 4 months (range 1-21 months) there have been no deaths and no cases requiring elective coronary bypass surgery. 10 patients underwent control angiography and none have developed significant restenosis within the stented segment. For selected patients, coronary artery stenting appears to be a promising technique as an alternative to emergency bypass surgery after acute vessel occlusion during balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1988

[Incidence and treatment of coronary restenosis in spite of the implantation of an endoprosthesis].

Between April 1986 and February 1988, 72 endoprosthesis implantations were carried out in the coronary arteries of 65 patients. The indication for implantation was either abrupt closure post angioplasty or prevention of restenosis. The first 3 cases of restenosis within the stented segment are reported. Two were treated by repeat balloon angioplasty, with temporary improvement. The possible mechanisms underlying this particular form of restenosis are discussed.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1988

[Current strategy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarct].

Systemic thrombolysis significantly reduces mortality in acute myocardial infarction if the treatment is administered rapidly after the first symptoms become manifest. To optimize utilization of this new treatment, patients should be accepted for thrombolysis if they can be admitted to a hospital with intensive care units within less than three hours of first clinical signs of acute myocardial infarction evidenced by electrocardiogram. The patients should undergo coronary angiography only if chest pain or ischemic ECG changes at rest or under exercise can be documented after thrombolysis or in young patients with large infarct. If this therapeutic revolution is exploited with care and selecting the best indications, the patient will benefit from improved management.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Restoration of sinus rhythm with flecainide in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The efficacy of flecainide acetate for conversion of atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm was assessed in 69 patients (mean age of 63 +/- 14 years). Mean duration of the arrhythmia was 49 +/- 45 days. Mean cardiothoracic index was 0.49 +/- 0.03. Flecainide treatment was started intravenously with a bolus of 2 mg/kg over 10 minutes, followed by oral treatment (200 to 300 mg/day) according to body weight. Conversion to sinus rhythm was obtained in 49 patients (71%). The mean delay between initiation of treatment and restoration of sinus rhythm was 301 minutes (range 5 to 1,600). The left atrial diameter was smaller (40 +/- 1 mm) in patients who had successful cardioversion than in those who did not (46 +/- 1 mm) (p less than 0.05). Patients with atrial fibrillation lasting for less than 10 days had a higher conversion rate (79%) than patients with long-standing atrial fibrillation, in whom the conversion rate was only 38% (p less than 0.05). Conversion to sinus rhythm occurred in 33 patients during the first 5 minutes after injection. Adverse effects necessitated discontinuation of treatment in 4 patients (5.8%). Gastrointestinal disorders and dizziness occurred in 5 other patients but did not necessitate discontinuing treatment. In conclusion, flecainide is an effective drug for converting atrial fibrillation into sinus rhythm. Unlike quinidine, flecainide can be administered intravenously. The conversion rate with flecainide is higher in patients with a shorter duration of atrial fibrillation and smaller atria.

Atrial Fibrillation↗
PubMed1988

Prevention of coronary restenosis by stenting.

Balloon angioplasty fails to provide acceptable long-term results for a significant proportion of patients. An intravascular mechanical support, developed with the aim of preventing restenosis and acute closure of diseased arteries after transluminal angioplasty, was implanted in 44 patients (39 male and five female), aged from 35 to 70 years (mean 56 years) with documented restenosis of native coronary artery (41 stents) and bypass grafts (12 stents). In the group of bypass graft patients there was no local restenosis and no major complication. In patients in whom stents were placed in native coronary arteries, the complication rate was higher (two patients died after coronary bypass surgery). One patient died suddenly at home. Except for one patient, in whom a new lesion developed proximally with extension into the stent, no case of restenosis could be observed. Despite the still relatively high complication rate, we feel that stenting may present a rational approach to the unresolved problem of restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide to patients with congestive heart failure.

Atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) exert vasodilating and natriuretic actions. The present study was undertaken to test the effect of low dose infusions of synthetic ANP on hemodynamic and humoral variables of patients with severe heart failure. Eight patients, aged 26 to 71 years, with severe congestive heart failure due to ischemic heart disease or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were included in the study. Synthetic human (3-28) ANP was infused at doses ranging from 0.5 to 2 micrograms/min for up to 3 h. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure fell from 24 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 2 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) (p less than 0.01) and cardiac index tended to rise from 2 +/- 0.2 to 2.3 +/- 0.2 L/min/m2 (NS), while blood pressure and heart rate did not change. One patient experienced a marked drop in pulmonary capillary wedge and arterial blood pressure that necessitated the administration of saline. ANP infusion did not alter plasma renin activity or plasma aldosterone, norepinephrine, or vasopressin levels. It decreased plasma epinephrine levels from 0.472 +/- 0.077 to 0.267 +/- 0.024 nmol/L (p less than 0.05). Plasma ANP levels were markedly elevated in all patients before initiating the infusion. They had no predictive value for the hemodynamic response to exogenous ANP. No correlation was observed between the hemodynamic effects of ANP and those induced by the subsequently administered converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, which seemed to improve cardiac function more consistently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗