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Biomedical subjects

P Neville

Publications and source records attributed to P Neville.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Echocardiographic Doppler study of left ventricular filling in the diagnosis of minimal or moderate rejection in cardiac transplantation].

The study of left ventricular filling by Doppler echocardiography may be a non-invasive diagnostic method of detection of acute rejection of cardiac transplants. The aim of this study was to assess the value of the method for diagnosis of minimal to moderate rejection (grades 1 to 3 of the Billingham classification). A total of 466 Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 23 cardiac transplantation patients (21 men, mean age 49.3 +/- 10 years) with endomyocardial biopsy as the reference method for the diagnosis of rejection. Over a follow-up period of 18.5 +/- 10 months, 22.7% of biopsies showed minimal or moderate rejection. The Doppler measurements of the isovolumic relaxation period and peak early diastolic (E) velocity with respect to the mitral velocity-time integral were no different in cases of acute rejection. The only difference observed was in the mitral half-pressure time which was much shorter in cases of rejection. However, after drawing a ROC graph, the accuracy of this parameter was insufficient for diagnosing rejection irrespective of the threshold of variation considered (23% sensitivity for a 20% shortening and 36% sensitivity for a 10% shortening). The authors conclude that Doppler echocardiographic study of left ventricular filling is of limited value for the diagnosis of acute minimal or moderate rejection in cardiac transplant patients. The half-pressure time may be a useful complement to endomyocardial biopsy or when biopsy investigations are performed less frequently.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Esophageal cancer resection in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Esophageal cancer is a disease whose prognosis is dismal and its surgery involves considerable risks, consequently the opportunity of esophageal resection in elderly patients with esophageal cancer is questionnable. The aim of this study was to analyze, with respect to their age, the outcome of 386 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy and simultaneous replacement for cancer. METHODS: A chart review of all patients with esophageal carcinoma admitted to our institution was undertaken for the period January 1979-December 1994. RESULTS: The portion of patients of 70 years of age and older (14.5%) has slightly increased during the period. Location to the lower third of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma type were prevalent in the 56 elderly patients (group I), but their postsurgical TNM staging was identical to that of the 330 younger patients (group II). Other clinical features, i.e. preoperative weight loss and the presence of co-morbid diseases, however, were comparable in the two groups. Pulmonary function, as assessed by spirometry, was significantly worse among the older patients, but blood gas determinations were not different. Operative mortality was comparable, between the two groups (10.7% vs 11.2%). Major morbidity included anastomotic leak (10.7% vs 13.6%) and pulmonary complications (17.9% vs 20.6%) in both groups. Excellent palliation of dysphagia was achieved in 92% of the 50 group I patients who survived the operation. Long-term survival was not different in elderly patients (5-year rate: 17%) when compared with that of younger patients (18.9%). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that esophagectomy can be performed safely in selected septuagenarian patients, thus allowing a substantial survival with excellent functional status in a portion of these patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Surgery of valve replacement with pericardial prosthesis].

The ideal artificial heart valve still does not exist among the various cardiac valves available to the clinician. Morbidity and mortality are directly related to the valve itself. Despite the promising hemodynamic results obtained in the 70s with pericardial prosthesis, these valves were progressively abandoned due to their poor long-term resistance. Based on an analysis of the causes of failures, modifications were made in the manufacturing method and current results with pericardial valves has greatly improved, inciting new interest in their clinical use. Today, the pericardium is recognized as a valid substitution material for bioprostheses. Results of long-term series should confirm current studies. Research is under way to determine how to improve pericardium longevity since tissue deterioration remains the limiting factor.

Bioprosthesis↗
PubMed1995

[Influence of anatomo-pathological involvement of the aorta on results of Bentall's operation].

The results of 51 patients undergoing the Bentall procedure for aneurysmal pathology of the ascending aorta during the last 10 years are analysed with respect to the nature of the pathology of the lesions of the arterial wall. The study population comprised 39 men and 12 women with a mean age of 47 +/- 17 years (range 2-76 years). They were divided into two groups, Group I (n = 38) with degenerative cystic medianecrosis, Group II (n = 13) with atheromatous lesions. The overall results were satisfactory with a hospital mortality of 3.9% and 5 and 10 year survival rates of 94 and 74% respectively. No difference in results was observed with respect to the anatomical site of the aneurysm, the presence of dissection or the technique used for repair. The results in degenerative lesions (Group I) were excellent but the accent should be placed on prevention to reduce the number of patients operated in a context of acute dissection. The presence of atheromatous lesions identifies a high risk group (Group II) due to advanced age, hypertension and associated vascular and coronary lesions. The hospital mortality in this group was 15.4% compared to almost nil when the aneurysmal pathology was due to degenerative lesions of the media. The extramortality of this group is directly related to the presence of atheromatous lesions (mesenteric infarction due to atheromatous embolism) and incites special attention to the mesenteric sphere in the postoperative period. The preoperative work-up should include transoesophageal echocardiography of the thoracic aortic wall, probably the source of the postoperative emboli.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The Carpentier-Edwards pericardial aortic valve: intermediate results in 420 patients.

From July 1984 to December 1991, 420 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis in our Institution. Of the patients 71.5% were male, the mean age was 66.9 +/- 11.9 years and 48% were in NYHA clinical stage III or IV. The operative mortality rate was 2.9% (12/420). All patients but six were followed up for an average of 3.9 years after their operation and total follow-up was 1444 patient-years. At this time of the study, over 80% of the patients are in NYHA class I or II, 6% are in atrial fibrillation and 7% receive anticoagulation treatment. There were 41 late deaths. After 8 years the actuarial survival rate is 80% +/- 6%. Nine patients died of valve-related causes (three endocarditis, three thromboembolic complication, one structural failure, and two sudden deaths). The actuarial rate of freedom from valve-related death was 97% +/- 3% at 8 years. Valve-related complications included 12 thromboembolic episodes (0.8% patient-year), 7 endocarditis (0.5% patient-year), 4 anticoagulant-related complications (0.2% patient-year), 6 reoperations (0.4% patient-year) and 2 structural valve failures (0.1% patient-year). After 8 years, freedom from thromboembolic complication was 96% +/- 3%, from endocarditis 97% +/- 2%, from reoperation 98% +/- 2% and from valve failure 99% +/- 1%. There were only two structural deteriorations (calcification and stenosis) and one explanation. No leaflet tear was observed. We conclude that these intermediate results are better than those obtained with previous pericardial bioprostheses.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1994

Rupture of pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm in duodenum. Report of a case.

We report the case of a 74 year-old woman presenting a rupture in the duodenum of pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm treated with success by an aorto-mesenteric by-pass and ligature of gastroduodenal artery. The pancreaticoduodenal artery is an uncommon aneurysmal localization; surgical treatment of which is often difficult on account of the proximity of the pancreatic parenchyma and arteriography is essential to guide the surgical procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Electrophysiological properties of the transplanted heart. Clinical applications].

With the improvement in the results of cardiac transplantation, more and more cardiologists are called on to follow up cardiac transplant patients. Cardiological follow-up requires a knowledge of the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological features of the transplanted heart after surgery and the suppression of autonomic innervation. The transplanted heart ECG is characterised by the presence of 2 P waves of different morphology and frequency (from the native and transplanted atria), an acceleration of the sinus rhythm, clockwise rotation of the longitudinal axis, right bundle branch block and ST-T segment changes. The increase in heart rate during exercise is catecholamine-dependent, more progressive and less important than in normal subjects, as is the deceleration of the cardiac rhythm when exercise is stopped. The observation of early sinus node dysfunction is not rare (6.6%) and though usually asymptomatic and transient, implantation of a pacemaker is commonly proposed with different modes of stimulation (VVI, VVIR, AAIR, AAT). The authors have observed changes in the electrophysiological properties of experimental transplanted hearts during acute rejection. The most important of these were in the conduction of the activation within the atrium and in the atrioventricular node, and a reduction in the amplitude of the ventricular potential. The recording of these changes in humans by a non-invasive method could help early diagnosis of acute rejection and limit the number of endomyocardial biopsies. Of the non-invasive techniques under assessment, signal-averaged electrocardiography (temporal and/or frequency analysis) seems to be the most promising.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Methods for comparing cumulative hazard functions in a semi-proportional hazard model.

Graphical methods based on the analysis of differences between log cumulative hazard functions are considered for a two-group semi-proportional hazard model which allows for interaction between treatments and covariates. Confidence procedures and test statistics that can be used to test for interaction and for main effects are developed. Their use is illustrated by applying them to the analysis of kidney transplant data from the University of California, San Francisco.

Azathioprine↗
PubMed1991

Clinical and virologic effects of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients receiving chemotherapy for human immunodeficiency virus-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of a randomized trial.

Thirty patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) receiving chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) were randomized to receive either subcutaneous recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) or no additional therapy. Recombinant rGM-CSF (at a dose of 10-20 micrograms/kg/d) was given on days 1 to 10 (early rGM-CSF) to the first five patients, but was changed to days 4 to 13 (delayed rGM-CSF) of each chemotherapy cycle in subsequent patients. Compared with the control group (N = 10), the delayed rGM-CSF group (N = 11) had higher mean nadirs of the absolute neutrophil count (0.36 v 0.89 x 10(9)/L; P = .009), shorter mean durations of neutropenia (4.9 v 1.3 days; P = .02), fewer chemotherapy cycles complicated by neutropenia and fever (67% v 27%; P = .001), fewer days hospitalized for fever and neutropenia (4.9 v 1.8; P = .004), fewer reductions in chemotherapy dosages, and less frequent delays in chemotherapy administration. No significant differences were observed between patients in the control group and those in the early rGM-CSF group (N = 5). Median levels of serum HIV-1 p24 antigen decreased to 18% and 17% of baseline values in control (N = 4) and rGM-CSF groups (N = 6), respectively, 1 week following administration of the first cycle of chemotherapy. In the third week after chemotherapy, median antigen levels remained below baseline in the control group, but rose to 243% of baseline values in the rGM-CSF group (P = .01), suggesting stimulation of HIV replication. The effect of this change in HIV activity on clinical outcome of treated patients could not be determined, and therefore the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Complete response rates of 67%, 70%, and 60% were observed in the control, delayed rGM-CSF, and early rGM-CSF groups, respectively, with corresponding survival times of 9.0, 11.4, and 8.0 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in San Francisco.

The characteristics of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 84 patients diagnosed and treated at San Francisco General Hospital are presented herein. While the majority were high-grade B-cell lymphomas, one cutaneous T-cell and one peripheral T-cell lymphoma were observed. In addition, three other tumors were suspicious for T-cell lymphoma. Sixty-seven percent of patients had stage IV disease, often at unusual sites. Epstein-Barr virus DNA sequences were identified in only five of 15 tumors by dot-blot analysis. Patients were treated with a variety of standard chemotherapeutic regimens, with radiation therapy alone, or with a novel chemotherapy protocol (COMET-A). No significant differences in complete response rates were observed. The most important predictor of survival was the total number of CD4-positive lymphocytes. Other predictors of survival included history of a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Karnofsky performance score, and the presence of extranodal disease. Survival was shorter among patients who received higher doses of cyclophosphamide (greater than 1 g/m2), including those treated with the COMET-A regimen. Implications for therapeutic decision making are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Spinal cord compression due to intradural extramedullary aspergilloma and cyst: a case report.

A case of thoracic spinal cord compression caused by intradural extramedullary cyst associated with aspergilloma is presented. The specific diagnosis was extremely difficult and required specialized tissue studies. Clinical suspicion of fungal infection, surgical intervention for spinal cord decompression, and tissue biopsy and relentless diagnostic laboratory studies are particular features of this case.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Risk factors for early occurring pressure ulcers following spinal cord injury.

We carried out a prospective study to determine the association between immobilization in the immediate postinjury period and the development of pressure ulcers in spinal cord-injured patients following their admission to Charity Hospital, New Orleans. Of 39 patients consecutively admitted to the hospital, 23 (59%) developed a grade one ulcer within 30 days, mostly in the sacral region (57%), the peak time of onset being day 4 postinjury (6/23 cases). In partial support of an earlier retrospective study (Linares HA, Mawson AR, Suarez E, Biundo JJ Jr: Association between pressure sores and immobilization in the immediate post-injury period. Orthopedics 1987;10:571-573), duration of unrelieved pressure prior to ward admission was significantly associated with ulcers developing within the first eight days of injury (P = 0.04), but not with ulcers developing during the entire 30-day observation period (P = 0.09). Time on the spinal board was also significantly associated with ulcers developing within 8 days (P = 0.01), but not with ulcers developing within 30 days (P = 0.09). An unexpected finding was the significant inverse association between systolic blood pressure and the development of ulcers both within 8 days (P = 0.03) and within 30 days (P = 0.02), suggesting that reduced tissue perfusion increases the spinal cord-injured patient's susceptibility to pressure ulcers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Leicester ECT trial: results in schizophrenia.

As part of the Leicester electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) study, the role of ECT in schizophrenia was investigated in a double-blind trial. The Present State Examination criteria for schizophrenia were fulfilled by 22 patients, of whom 19 gave consent and entered the trial. Neuroleptic medication was restricted during the trial period. Patients were randomly allocated to eight real ECT or eight simulated ECT. At the end of the four-week trial period, patients receiving real ECT showed a significantly greater improvement when measured on the Montgomery-Asberg Schizophrenia Scale (MASS), the visual analogue global psychopathology scale, and the depression scale. The differences on the MASS and visual analogue global psychopathology scale were not due to improvement in depressive symptoms. The superiority of real ECT was not demonstrated at the 12- and 28-week follow-up, when treatment was not controlled.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Electroconvulsive therapy: results in depressive illness from the Leicestershire trial.

Electroconvulsive therapy was investigated in a double blind trial. Altogether 186 clinically selected patients were referred to the trial, but 48 of these did not participate. According to the present state examination, 95 of the remaining 138 patients fell into one of the classes of major depression. Patients were randomly allocated to a course of real or simulated electroconvulsive therapy. Treatment was given twice a week with a maximum of eight treatments. On the Hamilton depressive rating scale the improvement in the group given real treatment was significantly greater than that in the group given simulated treatment both at two weeks (p = 0.014) and at four weeks (p = 0.0001). At follow up at 12 and 28 weeks there was no difference between the treatment groups. At the end of the four week trial consultants, who were blind to the allocation of treatment, rated the patients who had received real treatment as having made a significantly greater improvement than the patients who had received simulated treatment (p less than 0.00005). Further analysis showed that electroconvulsive therapy was effective in depression associated with delusions and in depression associated with retardation.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗