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Biomedical subjects

S Giusti

Publications and source records attributed to S Giusti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Percutaneous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus by the Rashkind double-umbrella device].

BACKGROUND: The transcatheter option consisting of implanting and releasing an occlusive device designed as a double-umbrella is an interesting alternative to surgery aimed to close persistently patent ductus arteriosus. POPULATION AND METHODS: Closure of a duct with the Rashkind device had been planned in 113 children. The procedure was abandoned in 12 with inadequately sized ducts (too large or too small). This study therefore included 101 attempts in patients aged 2.3 months to 18.5 years (m +/- 1 SD = 45.9 +/- 43.2 months) whose weights ranged from 3.3 to 87 kg (m +/- 1 SD = 15.7 +/- 11.7 kg). The narrowest dimension of the duct on the aortograms ranged from 1.2 to 6.2 mm (m +/- 1 SD = 2.9 +/- 0.9 mm). RESULTS: The procedure failed in seven patients because of a too large and/or tubular vessel, causing removal of the device prior to release in five patients, or surgical extraction after it had embolized into a pulmonary artery branch in two patients. An early acute hemolysis requiring again the surgical removal of an instable device in a tubular duct was seen in one case. Two patients had femoral artery occlusion successfully treated with thrombolytic agents. Complete occlusion was immediately proven in 32 (35%) of the 92 successful and stable implantations. These figures raised to 64% (59 cases) prior to discharge. At final follow-up (0.3-59 months, m +/- 1 SD = 13.8 +/- 14.4 months), another 16 total occlusions were observed and one patient was successfully managed by a second implantation. The final occlusion rate was 83% (76 cases). Of the 16 residual shunts, five were surgically suppressed and the remaining were minimal. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus is safe in children weighing more than 5 kg, having ducts with a narrowing ranging from 1 to 6 mm. It is efficient in five out of six cases and has less disadvantages than surgery.

Adolescent↗

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty in the first year of life.

Between February 1988 and September 1993 balloon aortic valvuloplasty was attempted in 33 consecutive patients in the first year of life: 20 patients (61%) were younger than 1 month. Major associated anomalies such as mitral stenosis, coarctation, and hypoplastic left ventricle were found in 11 cases (33%). The balloon dilation of the aortic valve was accomplished through the right carotid cut-down approach in neonates and patients with body weight < 5 kg, through a percutaneous femoral approach in the others; the procedure was completed in all. The peak systolic gradient across the aortic valve measured at catheterization fell from 80 +/- 33 mmHg (range 25-165) before the dilation to 27 +/- 17 mmHg (range 0-65), afterwards (p < 0.0001). The left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 44% +/- 26% to 61% +/- 17%, 24-48 hours after the procedure (p < 0.0001). Aortic insufficiency developed in 17 cases, being moderate in 2, mild in 6, and trivial in 9. Seven patients (21%), all in the first month of life, died within 30 days from the valvuloplasty; major associated anomalies were present in six; the death was due to a procedure related complication in one. No mortality was observed among the patients undergoing valvuloplasty beyond the first month of life. On follow-up (6 months to 6 years) aortic restenosis occurred in 3 cases; 1 was treated by surgical valvotomy, 2 by repeat balloon valvatomy; in another 2 cases, a subvalvular aortic obstruction developed and was relieved by surgical resection. There was no late mortality. Thus, balloon valvuloplasty appears to be an effective palliation for critical aortic stenosis in infancy. Early mortality is mainly related to associated anomalies.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

[Pulmonary valvuloplasty].

The aim of this study was to present the experience of 2 Institutions (Department of Cardiology in Bergamo and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Apuano Pediatric Hospital in Massa) in performing the balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. From January 1985 to August 1993 the balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed in 220 patients, age ranging from 1 day to 60 years (mean age 5 years), 55 (25%) in the first year of life, 17 (8%) in the first week of life. The systolic gradient across the pulmonary valve fell from 78 +/- 31 mmHg (range 40-160) to 20 +/- 16 mmHg (range 0-70) immediately after the procedure (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality happened in 3 cases (1.3%); 2 of them were neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis. In 7 cases (3%) the balloon valvuloplasty was repeated afterwards, because of inadequate relief of the gradient after the first dilatation. During the mean follow-up period of 4 years the other 210 patients (95%) did not need any further treatment and remain in stable clinical conditions. The balloon valvuloplasty gives excellent early and intermediate term results and should be considered the first choice procedure in the treatment of pulmonary stenosis at all ages.

Adolescent↗

[Truncus arteriosus with an unusual anatomy of the pulmonary arteries: a report of a surgically treated case].

The authors describe the rare case of an infant, 35 days old at operation, with truncus arteriosus in which the right pulmonary artery rose from the left posterolateral side of the truncus arteriosus above the truncal valve, and the left pulmonary artery from the inferior aspect of the proximal third of the aortic arch. At operation, the right ventricle-pulmonary artery continuity was reconstructed with an aortic homograft. The left pulmonary artery was anastomosed "end-to-side" to the left carotid artery of the aortic homograft, and the right pulmonary artery "end-to-side" to the joined openings of the left subclavian artery and descending thoracic aorta. It was difficult to understand if the first tract of the left pulmonary artery (2 mm in diameter) was a true pulmonary artery, a ductus arteriosus or an anomalous vessel. The infant survived the operation. Intensive postoperative treatment was necessary to counteract severe episodes of pulmonary hypertension. Enoximone 5 mcg/Kg/min and prostacyclin 5-10 mcg/Kg/min were effective in reducing pulmonary vascular reactivity. Four month follow-up shows optimal surgical correction and normal hemodynamic findings.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

[The closure with a double-umbrella prosthesis of recanalized ducts after surgical ligation].

Four patients of 5, 27, 27 and 62 years of age, who previously underwent surgical ligation of ductus arteriosus (respectively 3, 17, 19 and 17 years before), came to our observation because of recanalization of the duct. In three cases the duct was an isolated finding, whereas in the oldest patient the duct ligation had been accompanied by implantation of a Starr prosthesis in aortic position. The diagnosis of residual shunt was based on the auscultation of a continuous murmur at the left subclavicular space and on typical signs of patent ductus evidenced by Doppler interrogation. In all cases the diagnosis was confirmed by angiography; the minimal diameter of the ducts varied between 2.5 and 4 mm. Three umbrellas of 17 mm and one of 12 mm diameter were employed for the closure of the residual shunt. The implantation of the double-umbrella device was obtained with the routine transfemoral venous approach. In the youngest patient, in order to facilitate the progression of the transseptal catheter through the duct, it was necessary to create a circuit with the guide wire from the femoral vein to the contralateral femoral artery. In all four patients the shunt was completely abolished. The oldest patient underwent replacement of a malfunctioning aortic prosthesis three days after implantation of the double-umbrella device; the surgical approach was this way significantly simplified. The implantation of a Rashkind double-umbrella device is the method of choice for closure of residual shunts through the duct after surgical ligation.

Adult↗

[Not Available].

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History, Ancient↗

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Late follow-up after ventricular myotomy-myectomy.

A series of 25 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, isolated or associated with minor anomalies, were operated upon using a modified Morrow's procedure. The indication for operation was based on either the presence of severe symptoms despite treatment with beta-blocking agents, or a significant peak gradient of over 50 mmHg even in asymptomatic patients. All patients survived and none was lost to follow-up. Long-term results were evaluated with 2-dimensional echocardiography. Surgical versus pharmacological treatment is discussed, with particular consideration given to paediatric patients.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical, hemodynamic and cineangiocardiolographic findings in congestive cardiomyopathy].

Sixteen patients affected by congestive cardiomyopathy were studied by means of right and left cardiac catheterization and cineangiocardiography. Cardiac output and mean pulmonary circulation time were determined by the radiocardiographic method. Left ventriculograms were obtained in all the patients in the 45 degrees RAO projection; the left ventricular end diastolic and end systolic volumes were calculated both by the area-length and by the slice method. Among the several hemodynamic data (stroke index, mean pulmonary circulation time, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction) the most early impaired and therefore usefull for an early diagnosis, were: the left ventricular end-systolic volume, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and the left ventricular ejection fraction.

Adolescent↗

[A cohort study of art glass workers in the Empoli area].

The investigation aimed at studying cause-specific mortality of art glass workers employed in 17 industrial facilities in Tuscany, Italy. A cohort of 3390 workers employed for at least 1 year was obtained from company payrolls. Follow-up was between the year each factory started operations, mostly in the mid-fifties, and the end of 1993. The cause specific expected mortality was computed relative to Tuscany rates, specified for gender, 5-year age groups and calendar year. Separate analyses were carried out for the job titles of makers, batch mixers and grinders. For males, 3180 individuals, the observed mortality for cancer causes was above the expected for the lung [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 123, 10 observed (Obs)], larynx (SMR 166, 10 Obs), stomach (SMR 105, 30 Obs) and brain (SMR 150, 7 Obs). For non-cancer causes observed mortality was above expected for hypertensive diseases (SMR 178, 10 Obs) and diseases of the genitourinary system (SMR 169, 11 Obs). Increases for the above listed causes were shown also among makers. Mortality for larynx and lung cancer increased with time since first exposure and significantly increased SMRs were observed for 21 or more years since first exposure: this pattern was still present with smoking adjustment. The results showed consistently increased mortality for lung and larynx cancer in the overall cohort and among makers. Stomach cancer, brain cancer, hypertensive diseases and diseases of the genitourinary system were also increased in the overall cohort and among makers.

Adult↗

Pulmonary atresia or critical pulmonary stenosis with intact interventricular septum diagnosed in utero: echocardiographic findings and post-natal outcome.

BACKGROUND: Survival of neonates with critical pulmonary obstruction depends on cardiac morphology and function but also on proper perinatal management. METHODS: Postnatal outcome of five neonates with critical pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia detected in utero is reported. RESULTS: Right ventricular morphology and ratio between tricuspid and mitral annulus at Fetal Echocardiography were the most important prognostic parameters. Increasing severity of obstruction and of right ventricular hypoplasia was documented in two fetuses. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis was useful for planning delivery; we hypothesize that it can be of benefit on postnatal outcome. In selected cases, earlier delivery and relief of obstruction could have beneficial effect on prognosis.

Female↗