Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Jenni

Publications and source records attributed to R Jenni.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Malignant ventricular arrhythmia in congenital aneurysms of the left ventricle in adulthood].

Congenital aneurysms of the left ventricle (ALV) are rare cardiac lesions. Beyond that an association with malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia--VT or ventricular fibrillation--VF) is reported only in sporadic cases. Since 1988 we had the opportunity to study 5 patients (pts) with MVA (4 sustained VT, 1 VF; 1 female, 4 males; mean age 38 years) without cardiovascular risk factors, history of myocardial infarction, trauma or inflammatory disease. Left ventricular contrast angiography and echocardiography disclosed ALV's. At programmed electrical stimulation clinically documented MVA (4 VT, 1 resuscitated VF) were reproducible in all 5 cases, the respective VT was located in the area of the ALV in 4 cases. In 2 pts aneurysmectomy combined with subendocardial resection and cryotherapy (1 apical, 1 posterobasal ALV) was performed. In both pts histopathology confirmed a congenital disorder, without evidence of inflammatory lesions. In 2 pts MVA was controlled with antiarrhythmic therapy. The pt with VF and an ALV adjacent to the anulus of the aortic valve received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In congenital aneurysms of the left ventricle complicated by malignant ventricular arrhythmias surgical intervention offers a potential cure in selected cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Treatment strategy of vascular complications of acute aortic dissection].

Aortic branch occlusion may constitute the mode of presentation or become an important focus of treatment in patients sustaining acute aortic dissection. We reviewed the outcome of 187 consecutive patients (149 males and 38 females, mean age 58 yrs) with acute dissection of the thoracic aorta who were admitted and operated in our clinic during a 13-year period. We assessed the incidence, the consequences and the specific management of stenotic and obstructive lesions of the aorta and its branches. Noncardiac vascular complications occurred in 59 patients (32%); out of these complications, 38 were associated with dissection type A (incidence 28%) and 21 with dissection type B (incidence 48%). Trend towards decreasing overall surgical mortality was observed in the second part (1983-1989) of the study when compared with the first part (1977-1982): it was 28% versus 12%. Although aortic rupture and cardiac tamponade were the strongest correlate of morbidity and mortality, death specifically related to vascular complication was more common when such malperfusion occurred in the carotid, coelio-mesenteric and renal circulation. Proximal aortic repair at the site of the intimal tear with obliteration of the false lumen may have restore adequate distal circulation in 27 patients in whom improvement of the visceral or peripheral ischemia was observed after the thoracic aortic repair. Additional procedures (immediately after the thoracic repair or later on) were necessary in 15 patients to restore adequate perfusion in the compromised area. Early aggressive thoracic aortic repair followed in selected patients by additive vascular procedures can save some patients with compromise visceral or peripheric circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Late results following surgical repair of aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta].

A consecutive series of 74 patients was analyzed after repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. After hospital discharge there were 13/71 deaths (18%) during a mean follow-up of 60 +/- 20 months (range: 28-107). Actuarial analysis showed a mean survival rate of 89% after 1 year, 78% after 5 years and 71% after 9 years. During the same time period there were reoperations of the aorta in 10/71 patients (14%). Actuarial analysis showed freedom of reoperation in 97% after 1 year and in 80% after 5 years. Elective repair of these aneurysmal lesions can be recommended.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1991

[Successful resection of a hypernephroma extending continuously into the right ventricle: utilization of extracorporeal circulation in general surgery].

We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava and through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. Successful total removal was performed with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass. The rarity of this case prompted a review of the literature in which only the involvement of right atrium in this type of tumor was found. Review of our own experience with extracorporal circulation in non-cardiac procedures demonstrates that an aggressive therapeutic approach, requiring operations of escalating magnitude and multidisciplinary surgical treatment, can salvage patients who otherwise might not be considered for operation.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
PubMed1991

[Heart tumors: incidence, distribution, diagnosis. Exemplified by 20,305 echocardiographies].

The occurrence, type and location of cardiac tumors as detected by Doppler-echocardiography are reviewed. In a series of 20,305 consecutive echocardiographic studies performed at our institution over a four-year period, cardiac tumors were identified in 30 patients (0.15%; 17 male and 13 female, mean age 53 years). Primary cardiac tumors were detected in 21/30 patients (70%; mean age 50 years), secondary tumors in 5/30 patients (17%; mean age 58 years); however, in 4/30 patients (13%) the tumors could not be classified (mean age 59 years). In the group with primary tumors, benign cardiac tumors were found in 18/21 patients (86%) and malignant tumors in 3/21 (14%). All benign cardiac masses were myxomas (18/18) and accounted for 60% of all tumors; they were mainly located in the left atrium (16/18 or 89%) and rarely occurred in the right atrium (2/18 or 11%). One patient had a recurrence of a left atrial myxoma and a second patient of a biatrial myxoma. Three patients had a primary malignant cardiac tumor detectable either in the right atrium (leiomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma; 2/21) or in the left ventricle (epitheliocellular sarcoma; 1/21). The group of secondary cardiac tumors consisted of different types of metastatic processes which were most often detected in the right atrium (4/5; 80%) and in one case in the left ventricle (1/5; 20%). Overall, the most frequent tumors found in this series were benign cardiac tumors represented by atrial myxoma in 18/30 patient (60%); they resided most often in the left atrium (16/30 or 53% of all tumors). All the cardiac chambers and all main adjacent cardiac vessels must be visualized and inspected carefully to detect the magnitude, origin and recurrence of cardiac tumors.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗
PubMed1991

Long-term follow-up of medical versus surgical therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study.

In a retrospective analysis 139 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were followed up for 8.9 years (range 1 to 28 years). Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 60 patients with medical therapy and Group 2 of 79 patients with surgical therapy (septal myectomy). Groups 1 and 2 were subdivided according to the medical treatment. Group 1a received propranolol, 160 mg/day (n = 20); Group 1b verapamil, 360 mg/day (n = 18); and Group 1c, no therapy (n = 22). Group 2a received verapamil, 120 to 360 mg/day, after septal myectomy (n = 17) and Group 2b had no medical therapy after surgery (n = 62). In Group 1, 19 patients died (annual mortality rate 3.6%) and in Group 2, 17 patients died (mortality rate 2.4%, p = NS). Of the patients who died, approximately one half to two thirds in both Groups 1 and 2 died suddenly and the other one half to one third died because of congestive heart failure. The 10 year cumulative survival rate was 67% in Group 1, significantly smaller than that in Group 2 (84%, p less than 0.05). In the subgroups, the 10 year survival rate was 67% in Group 1a, 80% in 1b (p less than 0.05 versus 1a) and 65% in 1c (p less than 0.05 versus 1b). The 10 year survival rate was 100% in Group 2a (p less than 0.05 versus 1a, 1b, 1c) and 78% in Group 2b (p less than 0.05 versus 2a). It is concluded that cumulative survival rate is significantly better in surgically than in medically treated patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Left ventricular wall thickness measurements by magnetic resonance: a validation study.

Left ventricular (LV) wall thickness was determined by magnetic resonance (MR) in 15 patients (7 controls and 8 patients with coronary artery disease). End-diastolic (ed) and end-systolic (es) wall thickness were measured in a short axis view perpendicular to the LV long axis. Wall thickness measurements were compared to data obtained by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and M-mode echocardiography (Echo). End-diastolic and end-systolic wall thickness were significantly overestimated by MR (34% and 37%, respectively) when compared to DSA. In contrast, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic chamber diameter were significantly underestimated by MR (25% and 30%, respectively) when compared to DSA. However, fractioned shortening was similar (all NS) for MR (48 +/- 22%), DSA (54 +/- 15%) and Echo (44 +/- 10%), respectively. The mean difference (= accuracy) and the standard deviation of difference (= precision) for LV wall thickness was 0.4 +/- 0.2 cm between MR and DSA, 0.4 +/- 0.3 cm between MR and ECHO and 0.03 +/- 0.1 cm between DSA and ECHO. The correlation of wall thickness between MR and DSA (correlation coefficient r = 0.74, p less than 0.001) and between MR and Echo (r = 0.70, p less than 0.001) was good although the standard error of estimate (SEE) was 17% for MR vs. DSA and 21% for MR vs. Echo. The corresponding SEE for chamber diameter was 16% between MR and DSA and 19% between MR and Echo, respectively. Intraobserver variability for wall thickness determination by MR was excellent (correlation coefficient r = 0.99, p less than 0.001) SEE of 4%. Interobserver variability was also good (correlation coefficient r = 0.90, p less than 0.001) with a SEE of 12%. It is concluded that LV wall thickness and chamber diameter (short axis plane) can be determined by MR with good precision but only satisfactory accuracy. LV wall thickness is significantly overestimated probably due to signals from static blood which might be indistinguishable from the subendocardium.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed1991

Improved forceps for pulmonary embolectomy.

A malleable, nonocclusive forceps for surgical extraction of fresh pulmonary emboli is described. This device allows the performance of pulmonary embolectomy under direct vision with an unobscured peripheral field and reduces the potential for traumatic pulmonary artery laceration.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1991

Dealing with dilated ascending aorta during aortic valve replacement: advantages of conservative surgical approach.

Five to fifteen percent of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) will have an ascending aortic aneurysm requiring a concomitant surgical procedure. On the other hand, a dilated ascending aorta is known to be a potential source of complications after AVR. From 1972 to 1988, 2278 AVR, either isolated or combined with a second cardiac procedure, were performed in our institution. In the same time interval, a dilated ascending aorta was treated in additional 291 consecutive patients during AVR. Three different surgical options were employed: aortic remodelling and external wall support in 164 patients (56.4%), composite graft replacement in 81 patients (27.8%) and a supracoronary graft in 46 patients (15.8%). Early mortality was 4.8%. Aortic remodelling plus external wall support had the lowest early mortality (1.8%) and the best 8-year survival (89.6%). Supracoronary grafting had a higher early mortality (6.4%) and lower 8-year survival (73.2%). The results of the composite graft were least favourable: early mortality was 9.8% and 8-year survival 76.5%. The results point out the necessity for instituting the appropriate surgical procedure for a dilated ascending aorta during AVR. They show that conservative aortic surgery with preservation of endothelial lining gives excellent early and late results.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Predictability of aortic dissection as a function of aortic diameter.

The role of aortic diameter on the occurrence of type A dissection was investigated in 73 patients with dilated ascending aorta at the time of pre-operative evaluation. Using transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosis and measurements, 54 patients were identified with type A dissection (group 1) and 19 without dissection (group 2). The true mean aortic diameters were identical (6.0 +/- 1.3 cm in group 1 and 6.4 +/- 1.4 cm in group 2; mean +/- SD; ns) as were the indexed aortic diameters (ratio of diameter/body surface area; 3.2 +/- 0.8 cm.m-2 and 3.4 +/- 0.7 cm.m-2, respectively; ns). However, the individual diameters showed a pronounced scatter in both groups (range from 3.6 +/- 11.0 cm). Of the 73 patients, 66 had surgery (47/54 with and 19/19 without dissection) and seven patients were treated medically. Emergency surgery was performed in 45/66 patients (all with acute type A dissection) and elective repair in 21/66 (19 without and two with chronic type A dissection). In-hospital mortality was 18% in the emergency group, 5% in the elective group and 57% in the medical group. It is concluded that patients with dilated ascending aorta have a substantial incidence of acute dissection. Their clinical course is unpredictable: acute dissection occurs in some, and in others the ascending aorta continues to enlarge without dissection. Because patients with dissection often arrive too late for elective repair and have to be operated on as emergencies with a higher operative risk, we recommend elective surgery before the diameter of the ascending aorta has reached 6 cm.

Aortic Dissection↗
PubMed1991

Left ventricular flow from apex to base during systole and isovolumic relaxation in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and midventricular obstruction.

The occurrence of a left ventricular anterograde flow velocity (maximal: 3.9 m.s-1) is demonstrated in a 32-year-old patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and midventricular obstruction, beginning at early systole and persisting throughout the isovolumic relaxation. Cardiac catheterization with simultaneous dual high fidelity pressure measurements in the apical and basal chambers confirmed the presence of the Doppler maximal instantaneous pressure gradient of 60 mmHg. Contrast left ventricular angiography excluded apical dyskinesia. In the two intracavity compartments, isovolumic relaxation time and the time constant of pressure decay (tau) were abnormal whereby tau was more delayed in the apical than in the basal portion. The presence of an apical high pressure zone during systole with impeded and delayed emptying through the midventricular obstacle and the late onset and prolongation of relaxation are thought to be the cause of the intraventricular flow from apex to base lasting from early systole throughout isovolumic relaxation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Determination of left ventricular systolic wall thickness by digital subtraction angiography.

The accuracy of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for determination of left ventricular (LV) systolic wall thickness and muscle mass was evaluated in 20 patients (mean age 50 +/- 11 years). Conventional LV angiograms were digitized and subtracted using a combined subtraction mode ('mask mode' and 'time interval difference' subtraction). Wall thickness and muscle mass were determined at end-diastole, after the first- and second-third of systole and at end-systole. M-mode echocardiography (Echo), which was obtained from beam selection of the two-dimensional echocardiogram and conventional angiography (LVA), served as reference techniques. Angiographic LV wall thickness and muscle mass were determined according to the technique of Rackley in both, right (RAO) and left (LAO) anterior oblique projections, whereas echocardiographic wall thickness was measured just below the mitral valve orthogonal to the posterior wall (= LAO equivalent). Percent wall thickening was calculated in all patients. LV end-diastolic wall thickness and muscle mass correlated well between DSA and LVA (LV end-diastolic wall thickness in LAO projection r = 0.72, biplane LV end-diastolic muscle mass r = 0.83), LV end-systolic wall thickness (1.44 vs 1.33 cm, P less than 0.05) and percent wall thickening (52 vs 42%, P less than 0.05) compared favourably between echocardiography and DSA but was significantly larger when echocardiographically measured than with DSA (LAO projection). DSA and echocardiography showed a good correlation in regard to LV end-diastolic and end-systolic wall thickness (correlation coefficient r = 0.89, standard error of estimate SEE = 0.15 cm or 13% of the mean value).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Primary pulmonary hypertension in HIV infection.

A prospective evaluation of 74 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with cardiopulmonary complaints revealed six patients (8.1 percent) with pulmonary hypertension with elevated right ventricular systolic over right atrial pressure of 58 +/- 8 mm Hg (range, 49 to 66 mm Hg), as documented by Doppler echocardiography. A thromboembolic cause was excluded by normal lung perfusion scans. Electrocardiographic and roentgenographic features of pulmonary hypertension were present in five patients. Two patients died three and nine months after diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Autopsy revealed plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy in both. The observation of six patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in a cohort of 1,200 HIV-infected subjects corresponding to an incidence of 0.5 percent is striking and suggests a possible association of PPH with HIV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Congenital heart defects and abnormalities newly detected with echocardiography in adolescents and adults].

In 12,576 consecutive Doppler-echocardiographic studies (DE) performed on 11,450 patients over 3 years (1987-1989), 183 newly diagnosed congenital heart abnormalities were detected in 161 patients. The age of the 161 patients (86 female, 75 male) ranged from 16 to 84 years (median 34.5). The highest incidences of pathologies were those of ASD II (29%) and VSD (11%). With decreasing frequency the following abnormalities were diagnosed: pulmonary valve disease (8%), interatrial septal aneurysms (7%), membranous subvalvular aortic stenosis (5%), anomalous pulmonary venous connections (4%), atrioventricular canal defects (4%), persistent left superior venae cavae (4%), patent ductus arteriosus (4%), aneurysms of the membranous septum (4%), and sinus venosus defects (3%). Less common findings were coarctation of the aorta (2.5%), persistent sinusoids (2.5%), arteriovenous fistulas (2.5%), congenital LV-aneurysms (2.5%), Ebstein's anomalies (1%), anomalies of the papillary muscles (1%) and RV-dysplasias (1%). Rare findings were a cor triatriatum, a tetralogy of Fallot, a partial defect of the pericardium, a pulmonic atresia with VSD, an isolated cleft of the tricuspid valve, and finally a connection of a hepatic vein to the right atrium. In conclusion, we found an incidence of 1.4% in newly diagnosed congenital heart disease in adolescents and adults undergoing DE. 32 of 159 patients (20%) were referred to surgery, while endocarditis prophylaxis was indicated in 45%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Quantitative Doppler echocardiography in the evaluation of heart diseases].

Doppler ultrasound is an established noninvasive method in cardiology. The most important indications are: 1. stenosis/insufficiencies of atrioventricular/semilunar valves, 2. dysfunction of artificial valves, 3. atrial and ventricular septal defects, 4. intraventricular pressure gradients, e.g. in hypertensive cardiomyopathy, 5. determination of the systolic pulmonary artery pressure. Color Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler as mainly used for quantitative and semiquantitative-, continuous wave Doppler mainly for quantitative analyses. Doppler it can be obtained qualitative and semiquantitative, from continuous wave Doppler quantitative information about the velocity of blood flow.

Cardiomyopathies↗
PubMed1990

Noninvasive versus invasive assessment of cardiac output after cardiac surgery: clinical validation.

The accuracy of noninvasive cardiac output (CO) measurement techniques, such as electrical bioimpedance (BIO), suprasternal continuous-wave Doppler (CWD), pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD), and transesophageal continuous-wave Doppler (TED) ultrasound has been variably judged in recent years. In addition, clinical comparisons are hampered by the fact that there is no generally accepted gold standard in CO measurement. After coronary artery bypass surgery in 25 patients, CO was simultaneously determined by invasive standard techniques (thermodilution [TD] and Fick methods) plus BIO, CWD, PWD, and TED. There was an excellent agreement found between TD and the Fick method (COF = 0.13 + 1.01.COTD; r = 0.96; n = 99). Thermodilution was thus chosen to be the reference method. Bioimpedance underestimated COTD (COBIO = 0.47 + 0.60.COTD; r = 0.78; n = 111). Allowing physiological ejection times only led to an improved agreement between BIO and TD (COBIO = 0.05 + 0.69.COTD; r = 0.82; n = 79), but BIO still significantly underestimated COTD (P less than 0.0005). Using physiologic ejection times during COCWD determination reduced the scatter of data as compared with TD; however, CWD still considerably overestimated COTD, when COCWD computation was based on the echocardiographic aortic diameter (ECHO) (COCWD ECHO = 0.79 + 1.40.COTD; r = 0.84; n = 52). With the surgical aortic diameter (SURG), the agreement improved (COCWD SURG = 0.75 + 1.16.COTD; r = 0.89; n = 44), but overestimation of COTD remained significant (P less than 0.05). Irrespective of the aortic diameter, COPWD values showed a considerable scatter of data compared with COTD (COPWD ECHO = 1.26 + 0.60.COTD; r = 0.62; n = 64 and COPWD SURG = 1.42 + 0.41.COTD; r = 0.47; n = 61). Correlation of absolute COTED values to thermodilution depended on the method used for calibration. All investigated noninvasive CO measurement techniques unreliably measured relative CO changes. Despite its invasiveness, TD remains the method of choice for accurate CO determination in adult patients following cardiac surgery.

Adult↗