Biomedical subjects

N P Couch

Publications and source records attributed to N P Couch.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1976

Changing clinical trends in patients with peripheral arterial emboli.

One hundred and twenty-four patients treated by Fogarty balloon catheter embolectomy from 1964 through 1973 were reviewed and compared to an earlier series of 82 patients treated by direct extraction during the interval from 1948 to 1963. In patients undergoing embolectomy, the incidence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) declined from 55 to 27 percent, and that of arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) rose from 39 to 55 percent. The operative mortality rate of those with RHD was unchanged and that of patients with ASHD declined from 74 to 36 percent. This was attributed, in part, to the lesser degree of operative stress entailed by the Fogarty catheter and the local anesthesia. Limb salvage was 82 percent when ischemic symptoms were less than 24 hours in duration and 66 percent when such symptoms were more than 24 hours in duration. The amputation rate for the entire group was 22 percent. The low 2 year survival of patients with ASHD and of amputees was ascribed to the wide extent of their atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This was emphasized by the fact that 44 percent of late deaths were due to myocardial infarction.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

The predictive accuracy of renal vein renin activity in the surgery of renovascular hypertension.

In a consecutive group of 38 patients undergoing operations for renovascular hypertension, there were 24 arterial reconstructions and 16 nephrectomies. Thirty-two patients were available for late observation, and 25 (78 percent) had a successful result. The renal vein renin ratio (RVRR) correctly predicted successful results in 76 percent of the patients with a RVRR of 1.5 or more but was correct in predicting an unsuccessful result in only one of the six patients with an RVRR less than 1.5. This high incidence of "false-negative" results has appeared in several other reports but has received insufficient emphasis. The presumed causes include inadequate sodium depletion prior to the renal blood vein samplings or, less likely, the effects of renin-suppressing drugs such as alpha methyldopa, propranolol, or reserpine. Because five of the six patients with RVRR less than 1.5 enjoyed a successful result from operation, it is apparent the clinical factors and the aortogram should be determinant when the RVRR, performed under the conditions described, is not diagnostic of renovascular hypertension. Nonetheless, when all diagnostic factors, i.e., the aortogram, the rapid-sequence intravenous pyelogram, and the RVRR, support such a diagnosis, a successful surgical result is nearly certain.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

A new use for catheter duodenostomy. Postoperative enteric dimentation.

A planned duodenal tube fistula was used in conjunction with partial gastrectomy to avoid closure of a difficult duodenal stump. Because the patient refused adequate oral feedings for various reasons, despite a functional and patent intestinal tract, the duodenostomy tude was used for alimentation. Removal of such tubes should be delayed in such patients until their oral intake is satisfactory.

Aged↗

PubMed1975

Mortality and morbidity rates after inferior vena caval clipping.

In 112 patients receiving inferior vena caval, serrated, Teflon clips over a 7 year period beginning Jan. 1, 1966, the operative mortality rate was 6 percent (seven patients) and the 1 to 12 month mortality rate was 9 percent (10 patients). Patients with severe heart disease accounted for eight of these 17 deaths. The mortaligy rate was zero in patients who were free of heart disease, malignancy, sepsis, or massive pulmonary embolism. Recurrent pulmonary embolism was suspected, but not lethal, in four patients and was proved in two. Patients who had leg swelling preoperatively were more likely to have swelling postoperatively than those who were initially free of swelling. Postoperative anticoagulation was ineffective in preventing edema and carried the risk of wound hemorrhage. Twelve months after operation, 12 of the 83 patients available for follow-up had severe lower extremity symptoms and 23 had milder, easily controlled edema. Late stasis changes, therefore, appeared at an acceptably low frequency and could reasonably be expected for patients with lower extremity phlebothrombosis. There was no instance of fatal pulmonary embolism in the follow-up period extending from 1 to 6 years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1974