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Biomedical subjects

P F Eckstein

Publications and source records attributed to P F Eckstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Left ventricular aneurysm and intraventricular thrombi. Investigation and surgical correlations.

Formation of a left ventricular aneurysm and intraventricular thrombus represents one of the dreaded sequelae of coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction. The present emphasis is to reduce the incidence by reduction of cholesterol and fats, elimination of smoking, improved detection and control of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Earlier diagnosis is available with stress testing and other noninvasive techniques. Cardiac catheterization allows detection of occlusive lesions. The CASS and other studies increasingly prove that percutaneous angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery improve life expectancy and implicitly should reduce the incidence of acute myocardial infarction. In the setting of the latter, thrombolytic agents may reduce the amount of myocardial injury. Despite these measures, formation of left ventricular aneurysms remains a common occurrence. Diagnosis and management are critical issues to the cardiac surgeon.

Cardiac Catheterization

Results of emergent versus elective cardiac transplantation procedures.

Twenty-six patients underwent emergent (Group I) and 34 patients elective (Group II) cardiac transplantation (C. Tx.) from June 1985 through June 1989. Age, sex, etiology, presence of diabetes, renal failure and pulmonary artery pressures were comparable for both groups (P greater than 0.5). Twenty-two patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV for Group I and 17 for Group II. Group I included 12 patients on inotropic agents, five on intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and one on IABP and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Elective patients were stable at home. Location of the donor heart and mean ischemic times were comparable for both groups. Early mortality (within 30 days) included four patients for Group I and two for Group II. There were four late deaths for Group I patients and six for Group II. Four deaths were due to infection, six to rejection, two to malignancy, two neurological and one each to suicide and multisystem failure. Immunosuppression regimen was similar for both groups. The number and severity of early and late rejection episodes were similar despite blood group crossing in 11 patients for Group I (P less than .01). Incidence of infection was comparable. Favorable lifestyles were comparable, including employment of 12 patients for Group I and 16 for Group II. Cumulative survival for the entire series was 70% at two years. The study indicates that the results of emergent and elective cardiac transplantation procedures are equally gratifying, that mortality is mainly related to rejection and sepsis complications and blood group crossing does not significantly increase the number of rejection episodes.

Bacterial Infections

Results of coronary bypass surgery in elderly women.

One hundred two female and 102 male patients all older than 70 years who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 1978 and 1983 were matched according to age, anginal status, ejection fraction (EF), number of bypass grafts, and year of operation. These 204 patients were characterized by a mean age of 73 years, a mean EF of 64%, a mean of 3.2 bypass grafts per patient, and unstable angina in 82%. Statistical analyses were performed on the following variables in conjunction with patient sex to determine whether the two samples (women and men) can be considered representative of a single patient population: preoperative resting ECG, stress test result, number of diseased vessels, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, presence of carotid artery disease, use of an internal mammary artery graft, incidence of operative death, perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), hospital complications, late MI, recurrent angina, late death, and cumulative survival. All differences were small and failed to reach statistical significance except that women had a higher incidence of recurrent angina-like chest pain and a higher incidence of ischemic changes in the preoperative ECG and men had a higher incidence of conduction abnormalities. We conclude that in this age group, CABG is equally beneficial to women and men in terms of survival, but may result in less subjective symptomatic benefit in women.

Aged

Surgical treatment of 200 consecutive patients with left main coronary artery disease.

Two hundred consecutive patients underwent myocardial revascularization for left main coronary artery disease between January, 1975, and December, 1981. The mean age of this group was 64 +/- 8 years, and 78.5% of the patients were men. The anginal pattern was chronic stable in 6% of the patients and progressive or unstable in the remainder. Resting electrocardiograms showed prior myocardial infarction in 45.5%. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was elevated in 145 patients, and ejection fraction was less than 50% in 40 patients. The mean number of bypass grafts per patient was 3.2 +/- 1.4 (standard deviation). Seventeen patients underwent major concomitant cardiovascular procedures. The operative mortality was 3.5%, and the incidence of perioperative infarction was 3%. Factors associated with reduced operative survival were increased age; unstable angina, or acute myocardial infarction, or both; female sex; circumflex-dominant circulation; and major concomitant procedures. Late mortality at a mean follow-up of 33.5 months was 6%, and 91% of the surviving patients assessed their quality of life as "excellent" or "good."

Adult

Right atrial myxoma with atrial septal defect: a case report and review of the literature.

We report the case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with progressive dyspnea of insidious onset culminating in severe central cyanosis. Conventional studies including M-mode echocardiography did not point to the diagnosis. At cardiac catheterization a large right atrial myxoma producing partial dynamic tricuspid obstruction was discovered along with an atrial septal defect with a right to left shunt. After successful surgical excision of the tumor and repair of the atrial septal defect, the patient has been totally relieved of her presenting symptoms.

Aged

Traumatic sinus node dysfunction.

A 50-year-old man exhibited sinus node dysfunction following non-penetrating chest trauma. Transiently elevated cardiac isoenzymes, together with normal past electrocardiograms, support the contention that the blunt chest trauma was responsible for the sinus node dysfunction. This case suggests that this condition may occur more frequently than expected and remain unrecognized. Temporary and subsequent permanent pacing may be necessary. Also emphasized is the potential for liability issues.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial

Extra-anatomic bypass operation for aorto-iliac disease in poor risk cardio-pulmonary patients.

Three years experience with subcutaneous axillo-femoral and bifemoral bypass surgical procedures has been outlined in patients with poor cardio-pulmonary and other risk related factors. Special emphasis has been made regarding technical consideration; advantages and disadvantages have been discussed. There were 49 limbs at risk in this group of 27 patients requiring axillo-bifemoral in 22, and axillo-unifemoral in 5. Sixty-three percent of patients had associated arteriosclerotic heart disease and 48% had severe emphysema. There were 3 peri-operative deaths for 11% hospital mortality and 3 late deaths (12.5%). Six of the remaining patients for whom long term follow-up is available, acute graft thrombosis occurred in 3 patients salvaged by graft thrombectomy and 4 patients had late thrombosis resulting in 3 permanent graft failures. Two patients required above the knee amputation. Limb salvage and relief of lower extremity ischemic pains has been gratifying. During the limited follow-up period from 1-36 months (Mean 18) there is 87% patency rate for 43 grafts to 43 limbs.

Aged

The role of intra-aortic balloon pump in the management of patients with main left coronary artery disease.

Seventy-five patients with greater than or equal to 70% stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) were treated surgically between January 1974 and February 1980. The group consisted of 57 men and 18 women with a mean age of 62.8 years. All patients were symptomatic with angina pectoris, and 64 (85%) had unstable angina. Twenty-nine patients (38.6%) had electrocardiographic evidence (ECG) of old myocardial infarction (MI) and only six (8%) had a normal resting ECG. Preoperative exercise testing was done in 22 of the 75 patients. The stress test was positive in all patients, 17 (77%) of whom had greater than 2 mm ST depression; 90.6% (68/75) had significant right coronary artery disease. The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was inserted preoperatively in only four patients (5%) and was required in two additional patients postoperatively. The IABP was inserted preoperatively in four patients because of medically refractory angina and not on the basis of coronary anatomy alone. An average of three grafts per patient were inserted. There were three (4%) postoperative myocardial infarctions and two (2.6%) deaths. During the follow-up period, which comprised 105 patient-years, there was one myocardial infarction and one death. These data indicate that successful surgical treatment of left main coronary artery disease can be achieved with low mortality and that routine preoperative insertion of IABP is unnecessary.

Aged

Implantation of permanent transvenous atrial J lead using lateral view fluoroscopy.

Fifty consecutive, tined, atrial J leads were implanted for atrial and atrioventricular sequential pacing using lateral view fluoroscopy for atrial lead manipulation and positioning. The technique is described in detail. It is concluded that lateral view fluoroscopy allows a more expeditious and reliable positioning in the right atrial appendage.

Fluoroscopy

Temperature-related pacemaker tachycardia.

A case of sudden increase in rate of an implanted ventricular-inhibited pacemaker is reported. Testing of the unit at room temperature revealed the measurements to be entirely within normal limits. Subsequent electrical testing at a temperature of 38 degrees C confirmed the abrupt increase in rate of the unit.

Aged