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Biomedical subjects

M B Forman

Publications and source records attributed to M B Forman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Intracoronary verapamil for reversal of refractory coronary vasospasm during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Coronary artery spasm unresponsive to intracoronary nitroglycerin was observed in eight patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for unstable ischemic symptoms (unstable angina or recent nontransmural infarction, or both). All patients manifested eccentric lesions angiographically with the right coronary artery involved in four, circumflex artery in two and left anterior descending in two. Severe coronary spasm was documented angiographically in all patients after angioplasty and resulted in symptomatic and electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia. Multiple sites of spasm were present in the dilated vessel in three patients. Coronary artery spasm persisted despite the infusion of large doses of intracoronary nitroglycerin (200 to 2,000 micrograms, mean 850 micrograms) over 10 min. Administration of intracoronary verapamil (1 to 1.5 mg over 10 min) resulted in complete relief of spasm with restoration of brisk anterograde flow in all patients. These findings suggest that intracoronary verapamil may be a useful agent for the relief of coronary spasm occurring in the setting of coronary angioplasty.

Adult↗

Glutathione redox pathway and reperfusion injury. Effect of N-acetylcysteine on infarct size and ventricular function.

Glutathione peroxidase is an important enzyme in the degradative cascade of reactive oxygen free radicals. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a low molecular weight compound that has been used clinically to replenish glutathione. To assess the role of the glutathione redox pathway on reperfusion injury, 23 animals underwent 90 minutes of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by 24 hours of reperfusion with the administration of NAC (n = 11) or saline (n = 12) beginning 30 minutes into occlusion and continuing for 3 hours after reperfusion. Regional ventricular function was measured with contrast ventriculography, and regional myocardial blood flow was determined with microspheres. At 24 hours, the area at risk was defined in vivo with Monastral Blue, and the area of necrosis was defined by incubation in triphenyltetrazolium. Biopsies were taken from the ischemic and nonischemic zones to determine levels of total glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and reactivity to thiobarbituric acid, an index of lipid peroxidation. The rate-pressure product and myocardial blood flow were similar in the two groups throughout the study. No significant differences were noted in infarct size expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (28.6 +/- 5.3% vs. 36.6 +/- 6.0%) and of the total left ventricle (14.4 +/- 3.2% vs. 16.5 +/- 3.1%), and no differences were noted between the two groups on examination of the ischemic subendocardium by light and electron microscopy. Both groups exhibited similar degrees of dyskinesis during occlusion; however, treated animals showed significant improvement in regional radial shortening at 3 hours (3.4 +/- 2.4% vs. -2.4 +/- 2.1%, p less than 0.02) and 24 hours (9.2 +/- 2.2% vs. -2.5 +/- 6.3%, p less than 0.001) after reperfusion. No differences were present in total glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactivity, or superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in the ischemic zones of the two groups. This study suggests that N-acetylcysteine treatment before reperfusion may reduce myocardial stunning but does not limit myocyte death after reperfusion.

Acetylcysteine↗

The pathology of mitral valve prolapse.

The gross criteria for diagnosing prolapsing mitral valve are: 1. interchordal hooding of the involved leaflets, 2. hooding or doming of leaflets towards the left atrium, 3. elongation of the involved leaflets resulting in an increase in valve area, 4. dilatation of the valve annulus in patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The posterior leaflet is most frequently affected. The involved leaflets, in general, are thickened, soft, greyish white and have a smooth atrial surface. Chordae tendineae are described as elongated, tortuous and attenuated or thinned. Deviations from normal chordal insertion have recently been observed which possibly appear to represent the underlying abnormality. Microscopic findings include significant thickening of the spongiosa and the fibrosa, changes in dense collagen fibers in the atrialis layer, occasionally, with fibrin platelet deposits. Histochemical characterization of changes in the spongiosa may also be helpful in the diagnosis. Ultrastructurally, there may be changes in collagen and elastic fibers as well as myxoid areas. On comparison of findings in surgically-removed mitral valves with those of control specimens from autopsy patients with no cardiac abnormalities, the length of the anterior and posterior leaflet as well as the annular ring diameter was larger in the valves with prolapse. Two-dimensional echocardiography accurately assessed leaflet length when compared to morphologic measurements, however, the annular diameter during systole or diastole was smaller. In patients with mitral regurgitation requiring surgery, mitral valve prolapse is the most common cause. Annular ring dilatation and chordae tendineae rupture appear to contribute substantially to incurrence of the mitral regurgitation. The heart weight is increased in the majority of patients with symptomatic mitral valve prolapse but normal, however, in those without symptoms. The most frequent complication of mitral valve prolapse is mitral regurgitation with or without congestive heart failure. Patients with redundant leaflets may be at high risk of sudden death. Young women with abnormal resting ECG, prolonged Q-T interval, family history of sudden death or complex ventricular arrhythmias may also be at a greater risk of sudden death. The incidence of infective endocarditis appears higher in those with redundant than in those with nonredundant valves. The incidence of cerebral ischemic events is low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Abnormal chordal insertion: a cause of mitral valve prolapse.

Although the morphology of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has been described, abnormalities of chordal arrangement and insertion have not been emphasized. We retrospectively reviewed 23 surgically-excised MVP and 10 control mitral valves removed at necropsy. Two-dimensional echocardiograms (2DE) were available in 10 MVP and in six additional controls. 2DE accurately assessed the length of anterior leaflet (AL) and posterior leaflet (PL) of the mitral valve (3.2 +/- 0.7 cm and 2.2 +/- 0.6 cm, respectively) as compared to morphologic measurements (3.0 +/- 0.4 cm and 2.1 +/- 0.4 cm, respectively). However, annular diameter as assessed by echocardiography was significantly less (4.6 +/- 0.7 cm) than that derived by morphologic measurements of annular circumference (AC) (5.3 +/- 0.7 cm). The AL and PL lengths and the mitral anuli were significantly larger in patients with MVP as compared to controls (p less than 0.01) when assessed both by 2DE and by morphology. The ratio of the maximum distance of chordal separation/AC was 0.11 +/- 0.04 in MVP and 0.13 +/- 0.02 in controls (p less than 0.05). Chordal divisions were increased in MVP (4.2) compared to controls (3.1, p less than 0.01). The most striking morphologic feature of MVP was abnormal chordal insertion and a random, unpredictable pattern of chordal distribution. We postulate that abnormal chordal architecture may be responsible for unequal stress on the valve leaflets and may thus lead to MVP.

Adult↗

Right ventricular hypertrophy is an important determinant of right ventricular infarction complicating acute inferior left ventricular infarction.

To explore the role of right ventricular hypertrophy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the pathogenesis of right ventricular infarction, 27 consecutive patients with a first inferior left ventricular infarction were prospectively studied. Right ventricular infarction was diagnosed using established hemodynamic criteria. Right ventricular hypertrophy was defined as right ventricular free wall thickness greater than or equal to 5 mm. Patients were classified into two groups: Group I patients with right ventricular infarction (n = 15), and Group II patients without right ventricular infarction (n = 12). The ratio of forced expiratory volume over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% expired volume (FEF) as a percent of predicted values were significantly reduced in Group I versus Group II (90 +/- 5 versus 105 +/- 6% and 63 +/- 13 versus 103 +/- 15%, respectively; p less than 0.05). This was associated with increased right ventricular wall thickness (Group I 5.5 +/- 0.3 mm versus Group II 3.9 +/- 0.2 mm, p less than 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that right ventricular wall thickness was the strongest predictor of right ventricular infarction (p less than 0.0005). No significant difference was found in the site of right coronary occlusion, collateral blood supply or extent of coronary artery disease between the two groups. These findings suggest that right ventricular hypertrophy predisposes patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction to right ventricular infarction independent of the site or extent of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Beneficial long-term effect of intracoronary perfluorochemical on infarct size and ventricular function in a canine reperfusion model.

The administration of a drug soon after reperfusion that could enhance myocardial salvage would have important clinical application. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effect of the perfluorochemical, Fluosol DA 20%, on infarct size, infarct morphology, ventricular ectopic activity and serial regional ventricular function in a 2 week closed chest canine model. After 90 minutes of proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion, animals randomly received either oxygenated Fluosol DA (n = 9) or saline solution (n = 9) intracoronary at 15 ml/kg body weight over 20 to 30 minutes. Hemodynamic variables were similar in the two groups except for transient elevation of left ventricular filling pressure immediately after infusion in the treated group. Infarct size was markedly reduced in the perfluorochemical-treated animals when expressed as a percent of the risk region (10.8 +/- 1.8% versus 28.9 +/- 5.5%, p less than 0.02) or as a percent of the total left ventricle (3.7 +/- 1% versus 10.8 +/- 8%, p less than 0.006). This was associated with greater improvement in radial shortening in the jeopardized zone at 2 weeks after reperfusion (15.3 +/- 2.8% versus 5.2 +/- 2.1%, p less than 0.01). Histologic examination revealed adequate healing in the treated animals with an increased number of swollen mononuclear cells in the border zones. Holter electrocardiographic recordings demonstrated a low frequency of ventricular ectopic beats in both groups. This study suggests that the perfluorochemical, Fluosol DA, may be a potentially useful agent in enhancing myocardial salvage after successful reperfusion.

Animals↗

Preservation of endothelial cell structure and function by intracoronary perfluorochemical in a canine preparation of reperfusion.

To determine the effect of intracoronary perfluorochemical on endothelial cell structure and function, 16 dogs were randomized to receive either low-dose (15 ml/kg) intracoronary perfluorochemical (Fluosol-DA) or saline after 90 min of proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). The animals underwent reperfusion for 60 min with the introduction of perfluorochemical or saline 5 to 10 min after the onset of reperfusion. Endothelium-dependent coronary vasodilatory reserve was determined in vivo both at baseline and 1 hr after reperfusion by infusion of acetylcholine and then serotonin into the distal LAD bed in 12 animals (six in each group). Both agonists significantly increased regional flow measured by 133Xe washout in the two groups before occlusion, but at 1 hr after reperfusion only animals given perfluorochemical demonstrated a significant increase in flow. Vasodilatory reserve was assessed in vitro with cumulative dose-response curves to acetylcholine on LAD rings proximal and distal to the snare in all animals. These studies demonstrated a significant reduction in endothelial cell-mediated relaxation of epicardial arterial segments in the ischemic segment of control but not treated animals. Light microscopy revealed the presence of neutrophils within vessels in the ischemic zones in control animals only. Electron microscopy showed capillary obstruction by endothelial cell protrusions and neutrophil and red cell plugging in control animals in the ischemic region but an intact endothelium and predominantly unobstructed capillaries in treated animals. These findings suggest that the structural and functional endothelial damage after reperfusion may be prevented by the administration of intracoronary perfluorochemical after the onset of reperfusion.

Animals↗

Oxypurinol limits myocardial stunning but does not reduce infarct size after reperfusion.

To explore the role of oxygen free radicals produced by the xanthine oxidase pathway on infarct size and left ventricular function, the effect of oxypurinol, an active metabolite of allopurinol and a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, was assessed in a 90 min, closed-chest, canine preparation of occlusion-reperfusion. Animals were randomized to receive 25 mg/kg iv oxypurinol (n = 13) or saline (n = 13) 60 min after occlusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres and regional ventricular function with contrast ventriculography. Hemodynamic variables, regional myocardial blood flow, and size of the occluded bed were similar in the two groups. Oxypurinol failed to reduce infarct size 24 hr after reperfusion when expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (36.3 +/- 4.9% vs 36.0 +/- 5.6%; p = NS). Both groups exhibited comparative radial shortening at baseline and similar degrees of dyskinesia 1 hr into occlusion (-6.6 +/- 1.2% vs -4.9 +/- 1.0%). However, oxypurinol-treated animals demonstrated an improved regional ventricular function at 3 hr after reperfusion (0.7 +/- 2.6% vs -2.8 +/- 2.0%) and a significant improvement at 24 hr (5.4 +/- 2.5% vs -3.2 +/- 1.7%; p less than .05). A reduced neutrophil infiltrate was observed in the border zone in treated animals. These findings suggest that oxygen free radicals derived from the xanthine oxidase pathway contribute to stunning of reversibly damaged myocardium but do not determine the final extent of myocardial necrosis in a canine preparation of reperfusion.

Animals↗

Reduction of reperfusion injury in the canine preparation by intracoronary adenosine: importance of the endothelium and the no-reflow phenomenon.

We hypothesized that the endogenous coronary vasodilator adenosine may reduce infarct size by progressively increasing reflow in a preparation of coronary occlusion-reperfusion. After 90 min of proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion, 20 dogs were randomized to blood reperfusion with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) adenosine into the proximal left anterior descending vessel at 3.75 mg/min for 60 min after reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined serially with microspheres and regional ventricular function was assessed by a computerized radial shortening method. At 24 hr, the area at risk was defined in vivo with monastral blue dye and area of necrosis was determined after incubation of left ventricular slices in triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Hemodynamic variables were similar in the two groups during the experimental protocol. Infarct size was significantly reduced in treated animals, both when expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (9.9 +/- 2.8% vs 40.9 +/- 6.6%, p less than .001) and as a percentage of the left ventricle (4.6 +/- 1.3% vs 18.0 +/- 3.4%, p = .002). This was associated with significant improvement in radial shortening in the ischemic zone 24 hr after reperfusion (10.1 +/- 2.5 vs -2.8 +/- 2.2%, p less than .01). Regional myocardial blood flow was significantly increased in endocardial and epicardial regions from the lateral ischemic zone 1 hr after reperfusion in adenosine-treated animals. Light microscopy demonstrated decreased neutrophil infiltration in the ischemic zone and electron microscopy showed relative preservation of endothelial structure in the subendocardium with reduced neutrophil and red cell stagnation of capillaries in the treated group. These findings suggest that intracoronary administration of adenosine after reperfusion significantly reduces infarct size and improves regional ventricular function in the ischemic zone in the canine preparation.

Adenosine↗

Effect of Fluosol-DA on infarct morphology and vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia.

Although the blood substitute perfluorochemical Fluosol-DA has been shown to reduce experimental myocardial infarct size, the electrophysiologic properties of the surviving myocardium have not been assessed. Twenty-six dogs underwent closed-chest occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Prior to infarction animals were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: groups receiving blood exchange with either Fluosol-DA (F = 9) or autologous heparinized blood (H = 8), given 30 minutes following occlusion over the next 30 minutes (these animals were ventilated with 100% oxygen for 6 hours), or a control group (C = 9) receiving no exchange transfusion and ventilated with room air. On the third postmyocardial infarction day the animals underwent programmed stimulation. The area at risk was defined by injecting different colored microvascular dyes into the three coronary beds, and the area of necrosis was defined by sectioning ventricular slices and staining with Mallory's trichrome stain. Infarct size was significantly reduced in the Fluosol-DA-treated group as compared to the heparin-treated and control groups when expressed as a percentage of the area at risk (F = 53.3 +/- 10, H = 67.2 +/- 12.8, C = 73.6 +/- 11.4: F vs H p less than 0.05; F vs C p less than 0.01). Ventricular tachycardia was inducible and sustained in 16 animals (3F, 6H, and 7C), and there was morphologic correlation with greater endocardial necrosis and smaller viable epicardial regions. In the 10 animals (6F, 2H, and 2C) without sustained ventricular tachycardia, there was greater epicardial viability and sparing of the endocardial regions with irregularity of the borders between viable and necrotic myocardium. We conclude that Fluosol-DA not only decreases infarct size but also modifies infarct morphology to reduce electrical instability.

Animals↗

Acquired coronary arterial aneurysms: an autopsy study of 52 patients.

In the past decade most studies of coronary arterial aneurysms have been clinical; few have focused on morphology and etiopathogenesis. The subjects of the present autopsy study were 52 patients, 5 months to 80 years of age, with coronary arterial aneurysms. Patients were divided into two groups: 38 with atherosclerotic coronary aneurysms and 14 with aneurysms secondary to inflammation. Of the 38 patients with atherosclerotic aneurysms, 20 (53 per cent) had histories of ischemic heart disease; the aneurysms were in the right coronary artery in 18 (47 per cent), the left coronary artery in 13 (35 per cent), and in the right and left coronary arteries in seven (18 per cent). Of the four major coronary arteries, the average number of severely narrowed arteries (reduction of more than 75 per cent) in cross-sectional luminal area) was 1.8/patient; aortic aneurysms were present in eight of these patients (24 per cent). Of the 14 patients with coronary aneurysms secondary to inflammation, four had histories of ischemic heart disease; 10 had histories of an influenza-like syndrome. Isolated left coronary arterial aneurysms were seen in six of these patients (43 per cent), while eight (51 per cent) had multiple right and left coronary arterial aneurysms. The average number of severely narrowed coronary arteries in this group was 1.5/patient, and only one patient had an aortic aneurysm. Therefore, patients with atherosclerotic aneurysms are more often symptomatic; they have increased heart weights and equal numbers of coronary arterial aneurysms in the right and left vessels, and the majority (89 per cent) have single aneurysms with thrombi in the lumen. Patients with coronary arterial aneurysms secondary to inflammation are younger; the majority of these patients have a prodromal influenza-like syndrome, a low incidence of ischemic heart disease, and multiple coronary arterial aneurysms.

Adolescent↗

Determinants of left ventricular aneurysm formation after anterior myocardial infarction: a clinical and angiographic study.

To determine factors involved in left ventricular aneurysm formation after transmural anterior myocardial infarction, 79 patients with a first myocardial infarction who underwent cardiac catheterization within 6 months of infarction were evaluated. Patients who had received thrombolytic therapy were excluded. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the status of the left anterior descending artery and the presence or absence of a left ventricular aneurysm: Group I (n = 25): aneurysm with occluded left anterior descending artery; Group II (n = 27): no aneurysm and occluded left anterior descending artery; Group III (n = 23): no aneurysm and patent left anterior descending artery; and Group IV (n = 4): aneurysm with patent left anterior descending artery. Single vessel disease was more common in Group I (aneurysm) compared with Groups II and III (no aneurysm) (chi 2(4) = 12.8; probability value equal to 0.012). Collateral blood supply in the presence of an occluded left anterior descending artery was significantly less in Group I (aneurysm) compared with Group II (no aneurysm) (0.9 versus 2.4, p less than 0.001). The extent of coronary artery disease and collateral blood supply in Groups I and II were directly related (p = 0.012). Neither age, sex nor risk factors for coronary disease correlated with aneurysm formation. At a mean follow-up of 48 months, no differences were observed in the incidence of recurrent angina, new myocardial infarction, embolic events or sudden death. More patients in Group II underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. Total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in association with inherent poor collateral blood supply is a significant determinant of aneurysm formation after anterior myocardial infarction. Multivessel disease with either good collateral circulation or a patent left anterior descending artery is uncommonly associated with the development of left ventricular aneurysm.

Angiography↗

Myocardial abscess with complete heart block complicating anaerobic infective endocarditis.

Myocardial abscess caused by anaerobic infection is rare and usually occurs in cases of myocardial infarction, in which it may be related to areas of low oxygen tension. Bacteroides CDC group F-1 infective endocarditis complicated by an aortic valve ring abscess with resultant complete heart block developed in a patient with steroid dependent systemic lupus erythematosus. The genitourinary system was the presumed source of the infection. Endocarditis developed after an elective abortion, despite antibiotic prophylaxis according to American Heart Association recommendations. This case shows that an anaerobic abscess of the aortic valve ring can affect contiguous vital structures of the conducting system. Immunosuppression may increase the risk of anaerobic infection after genitourinary procedures, and in this situation the recommended antibiotic prophylaxis may be inadequate.

Abscess↗