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Biomedical subjects

V Parsonnet

Publications and source records attributed to V Parsonnet.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Endarterectomy of the left anterior descending and mainstem coronary arteries: a technique for reconstruction of inoperable arteries.

The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (PLAD) is an area of predilection for such severe and diffuse calcific arteriosclerosis that reconstruction of these vessels often is impossible. The branches of this segment include the septal perforators, median artery, the left anterior descending coronary artery, and its first and second diagonal branches. Successful endarterectomy, therefore, would revascularize large areas of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. We have performed 45 such operations during the past 13 months. Following endarterectomy there are several methods of reconstructing the endarterectomized vessel, the preferable technique being the addition of a saphenous vein bypass to the endarterectomized segment. Patients selected for this operation were mostly in the fair (58%) and poor risk (42%) categories; there were no good risk patients. Diffuse arterial disease was the rule. The average ejection fraction was 0.48. The operation was successful with respect to graft patency, bypass flow rates, and symptomatic relief. The operative mortality rate in the entire group was 15%, including the 19 poor risk patients in six of whom elective preoperative use of an antra-aortic balloon pump was required. Most of the surviving patients (92%) were either symptom free or greatly improved. Only two patients were clinically unchanged. There was one late sudden death. This operation is indicated when there is extensive involvement of the life main, the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and its major branches. It is the only possible way to revascularize otherwise inoperable arteries.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

Crossover femorofemoral grafts followed up five years or more. An analysis.

Crossover femorofemoral grafts continue to provide satisfactory long-term patency with low morbidity and mortality in the treatment of unilateral atherosclerotic iliac artery occlusion. In our series of patients, early failures were primarily a result of the inability to provide adequate runoff for the graft, and late failures were due to progressive atherosclerotic involvement of runoff vessels. Clear-cut progression of the atherosclerotic process in the donor iliac artery segment has not been observed in this series. In fact, there is evidence that suggests that this process may have been retarded when compared with other types of reconstructive procedures. There is a noticeably late mortality (33%) due to other disease processes and associated cardiovascular disorders. These facts continue to support the application of crossover femorofemoral grafts in the surgical treatment of unilateral atherosclerotic illiac artery occlusions.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Preliminary experience with the use of a programmable pacemaker.

One hundred sixty-four patients, in whom new externally programmable pacemakers had been inserted, were studied over a two year period, beginning July, 1972. Following implantation, the rate and current output of this pacemaker could be changed at any time by a non-invasive technique involving electromagnetic pulse trains emitted by an external "programmer". In 89 percent of the patients it was possible to reduce battery output by half, implying greater longevity of the pacer in these cases. In 15 percent of the patients, manipulative control of the pacemaker rate was employed and found beneficial.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Followup of implanted pacemakers: an evaluation of surveillance methods.

A waveform analysis clinic augmented by telephone transmission of pacemaker interval in the late stages of pacemaker life will yield a considerable amount of information and will permit elective replacement of pacemakers in about 90 per cent of cases. The clinic has an advantage over other surveillance systems in the accuracy of the diagnosis, the identification of abnormalities that do not require pacemaker replacement, and the multiple benefits of a direct doctor-patient relationship. No system of surveillance can be recommended over all others in all circumstances. It is sufficient here to indicate the merits of each system and to allow the various centers to develop according to their own particular needs and desires. There is no objection to telephone monitoring alone as long as one realizes that only about 80 per cent of the problems can be detected and that there will be an irreducible percentage of false negative and false positive diagnoses. The danger of errors of this type is not great, but it does exist and should be avoided if possible. Other methods of pacemaker followup, such as simple examination and an electrocardiogram in a doctor's office or changing the pacemaker on the basis of the manufacturer's prediction, are relatively unsatisfactory. It should be stressed that pacemaker surveillance of some type is essential to satisfactory patient care because it provides for maximum utilization of the pacemaker, for replacement only if and when necessary, for detection of 90 per cent of pacemaker problems, and for protection of the patient against unexpected pacemaker failure.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1975

Iatrogenic entrapment of femoropopliteal saphenous vein bypass grafts by the gastrocnemius muscle.

Two patients are described in whom saphenous vein grafts placed distal to the knee joint were "entrapped" by the medial gastrocnemius tendon. In one, the superficial position of the graft was detected by postoperative angiography. In the other, a true aneurysm of the vein graft developed over a 3 year period. The similarity between the iatrogenic and congenital forms of the popliteal entrapment syndrome is noted.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1975

Clinical experience with nuclear pacemakers.

Approximately 1,400 nuclear pacemakers have been implanted in patients since April, 1970, without a single battery failure; 64 of these have been implanted at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. All except four of the 64 pulse generators were attached to transvenous electrodes, 39 to pacing wires already in place. Fifty-nine of the 64 units are in service and continue to function normally in a follow-up period of up to 2 years. In the total worldwide experience, 70 pacemakers are out of service, approximately half because of the patient's death, and the rest for infection or lead problems, and only three or four because of difficulties with components. The first 15 ARCO pacemakers implanted 2 years ago continue to function well. Of the 15 control pacemakers implanted at the same time, one unit has failed. We have concluded that a nuclear pacemaker should not be used in a patient with limited life expectancy or in an infant, but for the otherwise healthy young or middle-age individual, it should be the unit of choice.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗