Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T A English

Publications and source records attributed to T A English.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Electrophysiological abnormalities in the transplanted human heart.

Fourteen relatively long term survivors of cardiac transplantation underwent systematic electrophysiological evaluation and ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. Six patients had prolonged conduction intervals during sinus rhythm. Sinus node function could be assessed in all donor atria and in 10 recipient atria. Sinus node recovery times were prolonged in four of the donor atria and in six recipient atria. In the donor atria abnormalities of sinus node automaticity were invariably associated with abnormalities of sinoatrial conduction. Four patients showed functional duality of atrioventricular nodal conduction during programmed extrastimulation, but no patient developed re-entrant arrhythmia. During ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring no pronounced tachyarrhythmias were recorded. Three patients showed abnormalities of sinus node impulse formation. All three patients had abnormal sinus node recovery times during their electrophysiological study. Long term survivors of cardiac transplantation have a high incidence of electrophysiological abnormalities. Abnormalities of donor sinus node function are probably of clinical significance. The clinical significance of abnormalities detected within the atrioventricular conduction system of the denervated heart remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗

The direct electrophysiologic effects of disopyramide phosphate in the transplanted human heart.

To evaluate the direct electrophysiologic effects of i.v. disopyramide phosphate and to differentiate these effects from its autonomically mediated actions, we administered the drug (2 mg/kg over 5 minutes) during electrophysiologic study to eight cardiac transplant recipients who had documented functional cardiac denervation. After disopyramide, the cycle length of the denervated donor right atrium increased from 626 +/- 129 to 716 +/- 148 msec (mean +/- SD, p less than 0.001), whereas that of the innervated recipient atrium decreased from 846 +/- 195 to 659 +/- 99 msec (p less than 0.02). There were small increases in both the sinus node recovery time (1128 +/- 616 to 1198 +/- 592 msec, p less than 0.05) and corrected sinus node recovery time (440 +/- 418 to 489 +/- 409 msec, p less than 0.02) of the donor atrium, whereas the recovery times of the recipient atrium shortened (sinus node recovery time, 1298 +/- 218 to 1218 +/- 196 msec; corrected sinus node recovery time, 464 +/- 108 to 410 +/- 115 msec). Disopyramide markedly prolonged all conduction intervals. The PA interval increased from 47 +/- 16 to 54 +/- 17 msec (p less than 0.01), the AH interval from 55 +/- 12 to 78 +/- 12 msec (p less than 0.001), the HV interval from 38 +/- 9 to 58 +/- 13 msec (p less than 0.001), the QRS duration from 93 +/- 18 to 129 +/- 34 msec (p less than 0.001) and the QT interval from 339 +/- 23 to 403 +/- 39 msec (p less than 0.001). There was no significant change in the effective refractory period of the atrium, ventricular or atrioventricular node. The functional refractory period of the atrioventricular node increased from 369 +/- 34 to 395 +/- 31 msec (p less than 0.001). The electrophysiologic effects of disopyramide in the denervated heart are markedly depressant. In the innervated normal heart, the majority of these effects are counteracted by the drug's autonomically mediated anticholinergic actions.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic detection of subvalvar aortic root aneurysm extending to mitral valve annulus as complication of aortic valve endocarditis.

Acute aortic regurgitation as a consequence of infective endocarditis developed in a young man after peritonitis. A large subvalvar aortic root aneurysm extending to the mitral valve annulus together with features of severe acute aortic regurgitation were shown by M-mode echocardiography. The echocardiographic findings were confirmed at operation when obliteration of the aneurysmal space and aortic valve replacement were performed. Postoperative echocardiography confirmed obliteration of the aneurysmal space.

Adult↗

Sinus node function in first three weeks after cardiac transplantation.

Donor sinus node function was studied in 10 patients from day 4 to day 24 after cardiac transplantation. Cycle length, atrial arrhythmias, corrected sinus node recovery time, and estimated sinoatrial conduction time were recorded daily. Five patients had at least two sets of results suggesting sinus node dysfunction (group A) while five patients had no such abnormalities (group B). The prognosis in group A was poor, with four of the five patients dying within four months of the operation; one unexpected death from arrhythmias was recorded by ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. All five patients in group B survived for at least eight months. In nine patients sinus node function varied from day to day, with corrected sinus node recovery time reaching a peak at 11 to 18 days after operation. The longest corrected sinus node recovery time was 11 160 ms. Neither the differences between the patients, nor the day to day variation, could be explained solely by the degree of rejection as assessed by biopsy or by the ischaemia time of the heart during procurement. Sinus node dysfunction soon after transplantation is associated with a poorer prognosis and might be the terminal event in some cases.

Adult↗

Emergency open-heart surgery. Experience with 100 consecutive cases.

One thousand two hundred and three open-heart operations were performed at Papworth Hospital between January 1973 and December 1978 with an early (30 day) operative mortality of 5.3%. One hundred patients were treated on an emergency basis. This is defined as an operation necessarily performed within 24 hours of referral to a surgeon. The early mortality in this group was 24 (24 per cent) and accounted for one third of the early deaths during the period under review. The main clinical conditions requiring emergency surgery included ischaemic heart disease (36 patients, early mortality 22.2%); critical valve disease (24 patients, 12.5%); bacterial endocarditis (14 patients, 28.5%); acute aortic dissection (11 patients, 36%) and complications associated with valve substitutes (11 patients, 36%). Almost all the deaths in the ischaemic heart disease group occurred in those undergoing operation for the complications of infarction. Many factors contribute to the higher risk of emergency open-heart surgery. Of these, dysfunction of other organ systems secondary to low cardiac output and the state of the left ventricle are the most important. Earlier referral for operation of patients with critical valve disease should help to reduce mortality.

Adult↗

Recent experience with heart transplantation.

The major factors contributing to the recommencement of clinical heart transplantation in the United Kingdom last year were the steadily improving results from Stanford University, the clarification of the diagnosis of brain death, and advances in preserving donor hearts. Twelve men aged 16 to 52 years received heart transplants at Papworth Hospital from January 1979 to July 1980. Six had cardiomyopathies and six ischaemic heart disease. The donors were aged 16 to 35 (mean 21) years. A combination of road and air transport was used to transport the heart to Papworth in seven cases. The total donor heart ischaemic time ranged from 108 to 171 minutes (mean 151), and early graft function was satisfactory in all cases. Postoperative management was directed towards preventing rejection and infection. Equine antihuman thymocyte globulin, prednisolone, and azathioprine were used for immunosuppression. Endomyocardial biopsy was performed every 10 to 14 days during the early postoperative period. There were three deaths: one at 17 days from brain damage and two at 59 and 76 days from rejection. Of the remaining nine patients six left hospital and three returned to work. The number of patients who might benefit from heart transplantation is large, but the cost is high. The cost would fall if an effective non-toxic immunosuppressive agent were developed. Meanwhile, a careful evaluation of the benefits of heart transplantation should continue.

Adolescent↗

Myxoma of the mitral valve.

A case of myxoma of the mitral valve is reported. The clinical features were indistinguishable from left atrial myxoma with prolapse through the mitral valve. Because of the known tendency for these tumours to recur it was treated by wide excision which necessitated replacement of the mitral valve.

Adult↗

Heart valve replacement in the elderly.

From January 1973 to December 1976, 70 operations for heart valve replacement were performed on 68 patients aged 65--75 years. These comprised 40 aortic valve replacements, 27 mitral valve replacements, and three aortic and mitral valve replacements. Three patients died within 30 days of operation (early mortality 4.3%), and five died 12 weeks to three years after operation. Four patients showed no improvement. The results were excellent or good in the remaining 56 patients. Valve replacemnt can restore to a useful independent life elderly patients who would otherwise be a burden on costly social and medical domiciliary services. The indications for valve surgery in the elderly should therefore be the same as in any other age group.

Aged↗

Esophageal intubation in the management of perforated esophagus with stricture.

Insertion of a Celestin tube was employed in the treatment of 5 elderly patients who sustained perforations of the thoracic or abdominal esophagus during dilation of benign or malignant strictures. Two perforations treated within 24 hours were closed by direct suture in addition to intubation. There was a delay of 24 to 48 hours between the occurrence of the perforation and treatment in the other 3 cases. Only 1 of the latter patients subsequently developed pleural effusion, and this responded to drainage. One patient died 3 weeks after intubation; there was no evidence to suggest continued leakage through the perforation. The Celestin tube appears to be effective in sealing off esophageal perforations while healing occurs and merits consideration in the management of esophageal perforations associated with stricture in elderly patients when more radical treatment is not envisaged.

Aged↗

Repeat open intracardiac operation. Analysis of fifty operations.

Between December, 1972, and February, 1976, 50 open-heart operations were performed on 44 patients who had previously had open cardiotomies. Reasons for reoperation were failure of biological tissue valves (15 cases), failure of mechanical valves (12 cases), paraprosthetic reguritation (nine cases), recurrent or incompletely corrected congenital malformations (eight cases), prosthetic endocarditis (two cases), misdiagnoses (two cases), and miscellaneous causes (two cases). Operations performed included 20 aortic valve replacements, 10 mitral valve replacements, seven double valve replacements, five repairs of paraprosthetic leaks, one tricuspid valve replacement, and seven procedures for congenital defects. There were two deaths within 30 days of operation (operative mortality rate of 4 percent) and six deaths between 7 weeks and 3 years after operation. Postoperative complications were slightly more frequent than in patients undergoing similar operations for the first time. The late functional result was good in the majority (73%) of survivors.

Adolescent↗

A simple cooling circuit for topical cardiac hypothermia.

Rapid uniform cooling of the heart is the most important requirement of any method using local hypothermia for protection of the myocardium during open intracardiac surgery. We report the construction and operation of a recirculation cooling circuit comprising a reservoir, pump, and heat-exchanger for this purpose. It is operated by the perfusionist and can deliver up to 1 litre of fluid per minute at 4 degrees C into the pericardium or interior of the heart. Advantages of the system include rapid cooling of the myocardium, simplicity of operation, and applicability to all routine cardiac surgical procedures.

Aortic Valve↗