Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M J Frank

Publications and source records attributed to M J Frank.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Echocardiographic features of cor triatriatum.

A patient is presented who had cor triatriatum documented with angiography and surgery. On echocardiographic study, an abnormal, dense linear echo on "sector scan" was consistently seen to traverse the left atrial cavity obliquely; the ends of the echo were attached to the posterior aortic and lateral walls of the left atrium. In addition, high frequency oscillatory movements were evident in the echo of the posterior mitral cusp. Both echocardiographic features disappeared promptly after successful resection of the intraatrial fibrinous membrane. This experience indicates that in the presence of strong evidence of mitral stenosis, an unexpectedly normal mitral valve echogram should initiate a thorough echographic search for cor triatriatum, a treatable cardiac malformation whose diagnosis can easily be missed on "routine" echocardiographic studies.

Adult↗

Systolic mitral flutter, an echocardiographic clue to the diagnosis of ruptured chordae tendineae.

A new finding of fine systolic fluttering of the mitral leaflet is described in two patients with ruptured chordae tendinease and severe mitral regurgitation. The flutter is caused by the action of high-velocity blood flow upon the leaflet margin that has lost its support. The jet stream of blood evokes a high-frequency vibratory motion of the tensed leaflet as opposed to the previously described, lower frequency, less specific, diastolic flutter. This finding was not seen in the echocardiograms of 75 patients with other forms of mitral regurgitation. Systolic flutter appears to be specific for ruptured chordae tendineae.

Adult↗

Contaminated aqueous benzalkonium chloride. An unnecessary hospital infection hazard.

During January and February 1975, nine patients on a single ward of a rural Tennessee hospital unexpectedly developed sepsis. The aseptic technique employed in the management of intravenous infusions was implicated. Pseudomonas cepacia was recovered from the following: bloodstream, inuse intravenous infusions and the antiseptic, aqueous benzalkonium chloride. The outbreak again calls attention to the infection risk associated with the use of this product. Selection of less hazardous antiseptics and disinfectants is strongly recommended.

Benzalkonium Compounds↗

Spectrophotometric determination of sodium nitroprusside and its photodegradation products.

A specific spectrophotometric method of analysis for sodium nitroprusside was developed utilizing the molar absorptivity values at the maxima appearing in the electronic spectrum at 394 and 498 nm that may be attributed to metal d leading to pi* NO transitions. These measurements appear to be indicative of the unaltered nitroferricyanide complex. A reaction sequence is postulated for aqueous solutions of nitroprusside exposed to normal artificial light. Evidence suggests that one species in the sequence is nitroferricyanide in a higher energy state but with the nitrosyl moiety still present in the coordination sphere, which exhibits an increased molar absorptivity at 394 nm. The molar absorptivity at the 498-nm maximum remains unchanged. Corroborating polarographic data are presented.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Hemodynamic effects of staged hematocrit reduction in patients with stable cor pulmonale and severely elevated hematocrit levels.

Patients with cor pulmonale and high hematocrit levels are often subjected to phlebotomy in the belief that the adverse effects of high viscosity may outweigh the benefit of increased oxygen carrying capacity. To evaluate this, 12 patients with stable cor pulmonale and hematocrit values greater than 55 per cent were studied before and after a series of venesections. Right heart and aortic pressures, cardiac output and blood gases were measured at three mean hematocrit levels, 61 per cent (stage I), 50 per cent (stage II) and 44 per cent (stage III), with blood volume unchanged. From stages I to II, there were significant decreases in both man pulmonary artery pressure and total pulmonary resistance. Oxygen transport fell but not oxygen consumption. Right ventricular end-diastolic pressure and cardiac output did not change. Right ventricular work either fell or was maintained by increased output. Frank-Starling performance (supine exercise) improved. No significant changes occurred with further reduction in hematocrit to normal levels (stage III). The findings of this study support the concept of overcompensating erythrocytosis in cor pulmonale, and the effects of moderate hematocrit reduction should not be overlooked in these severely ill patients.

Adult↗

Variations in right and left coronary blood flow in man with and without occlusive coronary disease.

The relation of angiographically recognized coronary occlusion to regional myocardial blood flow has not been studied adequately in spite of its clinical significance. This is particularly important, as revascularization procedures, based on angiographic studies, are being performed with increasing frequency. To compare the severity of reduction in flow to the severity of coronary occlusion, regional myocardial blood flow (85-Kr washout) was measured in 34 patients. Selective coronary anteriograms were obtained using the Sones technique, and occlusions were graded as a percentage of luminal diameter. Of 26 right coronary arteries for which satisfactory arteriograms and coronary blood flow measurements were obtained, 16 were normal and 10 had significant stenosis (greater than 50%). Dominant right coronary arteries appeared to have high flows (67 plus or minus 6 ml min-minus1 per 100 g muscle) and a greater incidence of occlusion (10 of 20) than nondominant arteries, which had less flow (41 plus or minus 2 ml min-minus1 per 100 g muscle) and a lower incidence of occlusion (1 of 8). Coronary blood flow in 16 normal left coronary arteries was 84 plus or minus 5 ml min-minus1 per 100 g muscle and in 15 with 50 per cent or greater occlusion, 68 plus or minus 3 ml min-minus1 per 100 g muscle. Though coronary blood flow appeared reduced when lesions of both the right and left coronary arteries were present, a critical reduction was seen only when occlusion was greater than 90 per cent.

Adult↗