Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

U Kaul

Publications and source records attributed to U Kaul.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Significance of ventricular late potentials in patients with myocardial infarction.

Fifty six patients (52 males, 4 females, mean age 53.6 +/- 8 years, range 35-75 years) were studied to determine the influence of clinical variables, site of myocardial infarction, thrombolytic therapy, documented arrhythmias and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on the incidence of ventricular late potentials (LP's). LP's were detected in 17 (30.3%) patients; in 6 (26%) patients with acute and in 11 (33.3%) patients with old healed myocardial infarction. 87.5% of the patients in whom LPs were detected had low LVEF. The presence of low LVEF correlated significantly with the presence of LP's (p = .02). LP's were also present in all patients with documented sustained ventricular tachycardia. Clinical variables (Killip and NYHA class), site of myocardial infarction, Q wave versus non-Q wave myocardial infarction and thrombolytic therapy did not relate to the presence of LP's (p > 0.5) Patients of myocardial infarction with low LVEF and a history of ventricular tachyarrhythmias should undergo signal averaged electrocardiography for LP detection. LP presence would identify patients at higher risk of future arrhythmic events within this subgroup.

Adult↗

Arrhythmias and conduction defects in patients with mitral valve prolapse: a study based on ambulatory monitoring and electrophysiologic studies.

Twenty consecutive symptomatic patients of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and 20 normal age, sex and symptom matched controls were studied. Ambulatory monitoring studies revealed the presence of atrial premature beats (APC) in 16 subjects in each group. Isolated ventricular premature beats (VPC) were observed in 12 patients with MVP and 15 subjects in control group (p = ns). Complex VPCs (Lown IVa, IVb) were recorded in 4 patients of MVP vs 3 controls (p = ns). There was no correlation between the occurrence of arrhythmias with the degree of MVP or the degree of mitral regurgitation. Likewise, MVP patients with prolonged QTc interval did not show higher incidence of spontaneous arrhythmias when compared to those with normal QTc interval. Nineteen patients underwent electrophysiological studies. Two patients showed evidence of abnormal sinus node function. Both these patients in addition had AV nodal abnormalities, manifested by prolonged AH interval. Programmed stimulation studies induced AV nodal tachycardia in one and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in two (polymorphic in one and monomorphic in the other). Ambulatory monitoring in both these patients did not show any evidence of complex VPCs or VT, indicating poor correlation between inducibility and presence of spontaneous complex VPCs. Patients with MVP do not have a higher prevalence of spontaneous atrial or ventricular arrhythmias when compared to matched normal controls with similar symptomatology. The presence of mitral regurgitation, severity of MVP and associated prolonged QTc interval is not associated with higher prevalence of arrhythmias. The correlation between spontaneous and inducible arrhythmias is poor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Electrophysiologic effects of oral diltiazem before and after beta blockade.

We conducted electrophysiologic (EP) studies and estimated the sinus node function and atrioventricular (AV) conduction in 10 patients with suspected coronary arterial disease (age range 35-55 years) before and during diltiazem therapy (60 mg thrice daily for 5-7 days). The effect of beta blockade (0.1 mg/kg of intravenous propranolol) was evaluated in both EP studies. The mean spontaneous sinus cycle length (SCL) and the AV nodal Wenckebach cycle lengths (AVWB) were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) after propranolol alone (913 +/- 131 and 504 +/- 197 ms, respectively) compared with baseline values (SCL: 827 +/- 149 ms, AVWB: 439 +/- 173 ms). Diltiazem alone failed to influence the SCL and AVWB significantly. Following the combination (diltiazem + propranolol), SCL (945 +/- 147 ms) and AVWB (533 +/- 148 ms) were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than baseline and post diltiazem values (SCL: 840 +/- 150 ms; AVWB 457 +/- 103 ms). None of the other parameters (sinoatrial conduction time, corrected sinus node recovery time, AH and HV intervals, AV nodal and atrial effective refractory periods) were significantly influenced by propranolol, diltiazem, or the combination. No patient developed AV block, sinus arrest/sinoatrial exit block, or symptomatic sinus bradycardia following beta blockade after diltiazem administration. Oral diltiazem therapy alone and after beta blockade does not appear to adversely influence the sinus node function and AV conduction in patients below the age of 55 years. The combination of diltiazem and beta blocker thus appears safe in selected patients with coronary arterial disease.

Administration, Oral↗

Probe angioplasty through an intracoronary probing catheter in lesions which are difficult to cross.

The clinical records of the first 17 consecutive patients (20 lesions) in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was done using the ultra-low profile "balloon-on-wire probe" passed through an intracoronary probing catheter were reviewed. All patients had high-grade "difficult" lesions. In 15 lesions (12 patients) other balloon systems (over-the-wire low profile balloons (n = 9), and balloon-on-wire used alone, (n = 6)) had failed to cross the lesion. Acute ischemia due to complete occlusion at the site of the lesion during attempts to cross was seen in 3 of these patients. The intracoronary probing catheter was used to deliver the probe across the lesion in all these cases. Successful dilatation was achieved in 14 lesions (93%). In 5 lesions (5 patients) this combination was used as the initial strategy. Three of these had chronic total occlusions. Successful dilatation was achieved in 3 lesions (60%) using this combination and in 1 lesion over-the-wire balloon finally succeeded. There was 1 failure. The intracoronary probing catheter in combination with probe balloon wire offers a promising method to increase the success rate in patients with high grade "difficult" lesions. This combination is especially useful in situations where other balloon systems fail to cross the lesion.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Profile of coronary arterial disease in diabetic patients undergoing coronary arterial bypass grafting.

Diabetics are believed to have more extensive and diffuse lesions of the coronary arteries in presence of coronary arterial disease. We studied prospectively 52 diabetics with coronary arterial disease who underwent coronary arterial bypass grafting and evaluated their pre-operative symptomatology, angiographic appearance of coronary arteries, coronary arterial dimensions as assessed at surgery, and the post-operative complications. These were compared to 52 age and sex matched non-diabetic controls undergoing surgery during the same period. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of pre-operative symptomatology or frequency of myocardial infarction in the two groups. Left ventricular angiographic findings were also comparable, as was the observation on the extent and severity of coronary arterial disease as assessed by angiography and at surgery. Hence, we recommend coronary arterial bypass grafting to diabetics with the same criteria as are applied to non-diabetics, confident that there will be no added morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗

The morphology of coronary arterial dissection occurring subsequent to angioplasty and its influence on acute complications.

We reviewed the records of 402 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty to identify factors predicting an ischemic event with arterial disruption during an otherwise uncomplicated angioplasty. Major dissection of the coronary arteries without immediate occlusion was found in 25 patients, who exhibited 28 dissected lesions. Dissections were classified into 2 types: those producing a continuous extraluminal and parallel filling tract, and those with a continuous parallel filling tract extending into and compromising the lumen. Ischemic complications (defined as myocardial infarction, the need for repeat angioplasty, or coronary arterial bypass surgery) occurred in 6 patients (24%) within 24 hours of the completion of the procedure. The remaining 19 patients had an uncomplicated hospital course. Acute ischemic complications following dissection correlated with the percentage of luminal compromise 50 +/- 0% in those with complications as opposed to 17 +/- 21% in those without: P less than 0.001) and the development of dissection producing a filling tract which compromised at least half the lumen (100% in those with complications versus 9.1% in those without: P less than 0.001). There was a trend towards an increase in ischemic complications in patients with proximal and eccentric lesions. We conclude that patients who develop dissections which produce significant luminal compromise after an otherwise uncomplicated angioplasty are at a high risk of developing an acute ischemic complication within 24 hours of the procedure.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of left coronary and laevo-phase pulmonary angiograms in detecting left atrial thrombi in rheumatic mitral stenosis.

We have compared the diagnostic accuracy of left coronary and laevo-phase pulmonary angiograms in detecting left atrial thrombi in 27 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent both these procedures prior to open-heart surgery. In 10 patients, both procedures were 'positive' for thrombus, confirmed at subsequent surgery in all instances (true positive). Both procedures were negative for thrombus in 11 patients, and none of these patients showed thrombi at subsequent surgery (true negative). Left coronary angiography only was positive for thrombus in one patient in whom no thrombus was found at surgery. Laevo-phase pulmonary angiography only was positive for thrombus in five patients, two of whom had thrombus at subsequent surgery. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of left coronary angiogram were 83.3% and 93.3% and 90.9% and that of laevo-phase pulmonary angiogram 100%, 80% and 80% respectively. Laevo-phase pulmonary angiograms showed higher sensitivity and left coronary angiograms showed higher specificity for angiographic diagnosis. However, the differences were found to be statistically insignificant. Angiography is a reliable method for detecting left atrial thrombi if both left coronary and pulmonary angiograms are performed and both procedures are positive or negative for thrombus.

Adolescent↗

Chest radiographs are unreliable in predicting thrombi in the left atrium or its appendage in rheumatic mitral stenosis.

We have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a flat or concave left mid-cardiac border (the region of the left atrial appendage) on conventional postero-anterior chest radiographs as a predictor of the presence of thrombi in the left atrium or its appendage in 80 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who subsequently underwent open-heart surgery. Forty-six patients (Group I) were found to have left atrial thrombus at surgery whereas 34 patients (Group II) showed no evidence of thrombosis. Only 22 of 46 patients in Group I showed a flat or concave left mid-cardiac border (sensitivity, 48%; specificity, 53%; positive predictive value, 58%). Furthermore in Group 1, the thrombus involved the left atrial appendage in 33 patients. In this subgroup only 14 patients showed a flat or concave left mid-cardiac border (sensitivity, 42%; specificity, 49%; positive predictive value, 37%). The presence of flatness or concavity in the left mid-cardiac border on conventional posterior-anterior chest radiographs in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis is an unreliable indicator of the presence of thrombi in the left atrium or its appendage.

Adolescent↗

Non-specific aorto-arteritis (Takayasu's disease) in children.

Digital subtraction panaorto-arteriography was performed in 32 consecutive children (21 females, mean age 10.8 years) with non-specific aorto-arteritis to assess digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in imaging these children and to study the patterns of involvement in the Indian sub-continent. Diagnostic quality DSA images were obtained in 21 out of 27 intravenous and nine out of 11 intra-arterial studies. Obstructive lesions were present in all the patients and commonly involved the abdominal aorta (24 patients) and renal arteries (20 patients). Aneurysms were seen in five patients and predominantly involved the descending thoracic aorta. Pulmonary artery involvement was uncommon (five out of 20 patients) and clinically silent. Based on clinical and angiographic features, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed for the management of uncontrolled hypertension in eight patients (10 lesions). Initial success was obtained in eight procedures (80%). Re-stenosis occurred after 5.5 months in one patient, but was successfully re-dilated. The follow-up period ranged between 5 and 16 months (mean 9 months). Long-term efficacy of transluminal angioplasty in the management of these children is awaited.

Adolescent↗

Silent myocardial ischemia after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and its prognostic significance.

A cohort of 175 patients who underwent successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were subjected to a treadmill exercise test to determine the prognostic significance of silent and symptomatic myocardial ischemia during the follow-up (average 11.7 months). The cardiac events during the follow-up were defined as cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, class III angina, and need for repeat angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery. During exercise, 39 patients (22%) had abnormal exercise-induced ST depression without chest pain (Group I). A group of 22 patients (13%) had both exercise-induced chest pain and ST-segment depression (Group II), and 114 patients (65%) had normal exercise test and no chest pain (Group III). The groups were similar in sex distribution, history of previous myocardial infarction, distribution of vessel disease, and presence of left ventricular dysfunction. Group III included more patients with complete revascularization. Follow-up data revealed that cardiac event rates in Groups I and II were significantly higher than in Group III (41%, 41%, vs. 16%) (p less than 0.01). The event rates in Groups I and II with multivessel angioplasty also were significantly higher than in Group III (58%, 61%, vs. 21%) (p less than 0.01). Exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia is frequently seen early after successful PTCA and is more prevalent in patients undergoing multivessel angioplasty and incomplete revascularization. Both silent and symptomatic ischemia early after PTCA are predictors of an unfavorable prognosis.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Identifying high-risk patients for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of subclavian and innominate arteries.

We have performed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for 7 subclavian (4 stenoses, 3 occlusions) and 2 innominate (both stenoses) artery obstructions in 7 patients by percutaneous femoral approach in all, and ipsilateral percutaneous brachial puncture in 2, patients. Initial success was obtained in 4 of the 6 stenoses (2 subclavian and both innominate) but in none of the 3 occlusions. Three of the 4 subclavian stenoses were located proximal to the vertebral artery origin and antegrade vertebral flow without subclavian steal was present in 2 of these lesions. Three patients had complications during the procedure. Two of them developed symptoms and signs of cerebral embolization. Both had shown antegrade vertebral flow and no evidence of subclavian steal in the initial angiogram. The third patient developed angina pectoris. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 18 months (mean 10.8 months) and no re-stenosis was detected. Angioplasty appears suitable for management of a selected group of patients with nonocclusive lesions in whom subclavian steal phenomenon is evident in the initial diagnostic angiogram. The patients with antegrade vertebral flow are at a high risk of cerebral embolization during angioplasty.

Adult↗

Percutaneous supra-aortic angioplasty in a high risk coronary patient.

We have performed percutaneous angioplasty of the innominate and carotid arterial stenoses in a high risk patient with proximal disease involving the vessels arising from the aortic arch and seriously limiting blood flow to all four cerebral vessels. The patient also had severe left main and triple vessel coronary artery disease. The role of supra-aortic angioplasty in this clinical setting is discussed.

Adult↗

Left coronary angiography in the pre-operative diagnosis of thrombosis of the left atrium or its appendage in rheumatic mitral stenosis.

We studied the utility of pre-operative selective left coronary angiograms for detecting thrombosis in the left atrium or its appendage in 81 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, who subsequently underwent open-heart surgery. Thrombus was predicted by the angiographic demonstration of neovascularity seen as a bunch of small vessels arising from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery coursing superiorly to the region of the left atrial appendage and terminating in a network of smaller vascular channels with a blush of contrast medium coalescing into small 'lakes'. This pooling of contrast medium was considered essential for positive angiographic diagnosis. Based on these criteria, the angiographic diagnosis of thrombus was made in 27 patients. Thrombus was found in 33 patients at surgery. Selective left coronary angiography had a sensitivity of 72.7%, specificity of 92.7% and predictive value of 88.8% for detecting thrombi in the left atrium or its appendage. Coronary angiography should be performed in all the patients with mitral stenosis who are undergoing cardiac catheterization especially if balloon mitral valvoplasty or closed mitral valvotomy are planned.

Adolescent↗

Initial experience with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the management of Takayasu's arteritis.

We have performed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for 15 arterial stenoses in 11 patients with Takayasu's arteritis. The lesions included tight, proximally located renal artery stenosis (12 stenoses; nine patients), localized abdominal aortic stenosis (two patients) and occluded left common iliac artery (one patient). Clinically successful dilatation was achieved in seven patients (10 stenoses) with renal artery stenosis, in both the patients with abdominal aortic stenosis and in the only patient with an occluded left common iliac artery. No complications related to the procedure were encountered. The follow-up period (n = 7) ranged between 1 and 16 months, mean follow-up period after renal angioplasty was 5 months and after abdominal aortic angioplasty was 12.5 months. Initial success has been maintained in both the patients with abdominal aortic stenoses and in four out of five patients with renal artery stenosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty offers an attractive alternative for the management of stenosing lesions in Takayasu's arteritis with good short term results.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological study of coronary heart disease in urban population of Delhi.

A community based survey of coronary heart disease (CHD) was carried out on a random urban sample of 13,723 adults in the age group 25-64 yr in Delhi, India. CHD was diagnosed either on the basis of clinical history supported by documentary evidence of treatment in a hospital or at home; or on ECG evidence in accordance with the Minnesota Code. The overall prevalence of CHD based on clinical history, was 31.9 (39.5 in males and 25.3 in females) per 1000 adults in this age group. The number of patients with CHD increased with advancing age in both sexes. The total prevalence rate based on both clinical history and ECG criteria (asymptomatic patients with ECG changes of definite myocardial infarction and ST-T changes suggestive of CHD) was estimated as 96.7/1000 adults in this age group. Analysis of information on socio-economic status, family history of CHD, obesity, hypertension and smoking obtained from this sample of 13,723 adults suggested that hypertension had the strongest association with CHD. Obesity, diabetes and family history were also found to be associated with CHD. It should, however, be noted that risk factor assessments in CHD can be done satisfactorily only through incidence studies.

Adult↗

Prevalence, awareness & treatment status of hypertension in urban population of Delhi.

A community based survey for the prevalence of hypertension was carried out on a random urban sample of 13,723 adults in the age group 25-64 yr from the Union Territory of Delhi (India). Hypertension was defined as systolic pressure greater than 160 mm Hg and/or a diastolic pressure greater than 90 mm Hg or a history of current antihypertensive medication. The overall prevalence rate/1000 adults was 127.5 (116.6 in males and 136.8 in females). Mild hypertension (diastolic pressure between 91-104 mm Hg) predominated in the whole group, the proportion decreasing with increasing age in both sexes. Fifty per cent of the hypertensives were aware of their problem, the awareness being slightly higher in females (51.8% versus 46.5%). Approximately 30 per cent of the hypertensives were on medication for high blood pressure. The status control of blood pressure was low in the population, being only 9 per cent, with little difference between the two sexes. The study emphasises the enormity of the problem of hypertension in an urban population in India and poor control of blood pressure achieved in the community.

Adult↗

Electrophysiologic evaluation of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Ten consecutive patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy proven by echocardiography were subjected to detailed electrophysiologic evaluation and 24-hour ambulatory monitoring to detect the spectrum of arrhythmias and to identify their clinical correlates, if any. Two patients presented with syncope and the others with varying grades of dyspnea and angina. Ambulatory monitoring revealed isolated ventricular ectopics in five patients including couplets in two cases and runs of atrioventricular dissociation in two patients. Four patients had a normal study. Electrophysiologic evaluation demonstrated inducible nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in two patients (one with syncope and the other without syncope), short runs of supraventricular tachycardia in one (with a history of syncope), an accessory atrioventricular connexion in one patient (without any inducible arrhythmia), short atrio-His interval with minimal prolongation on incremental atrial pacing in three patients and ventriculoatrial conduction in two patients. A variety of electrophysiologic abnormalities was demonstrated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In two patients with a history of syncope only a nonsustained tachycardia was inducible. Further studies are warranted to find out the significance of these arrhythmias.

Adult↗