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Biomedical subjects

W D Widmann

Publications and source records attributed to W D Widmann.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Peripheral migration of pacemaker electrodes.

A 55-year-old male was admitted with right ileo-femoral phlebitis caused by an unused pacemaker electrode fragment which had migrated from the right subclavian vein to the right iliac vein. Vena cava plication was followed by removal of the electrode fragment and complete resolution of the phlebitis. The exposed metal coil may have contributed to the severe inflammatory reaction.

Electrodes, Implanted↗
PubMed1982

Cholangiographic demonstration of relief of narcotic-induced spasm of the sphincter of Oddi.

Narcotics are known to cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. This spasm may be difficult to distinguish from obstruction of the distal common bile duct on operative cholangiograms in cases where narcotics are used perioperatively. A case is presented in which narcotic-induced spasm of the sphincter of Oddi, clearly demonstrated in an operative cholangiogram, is reversed by a narcotic antagonist, thereby avoiding an unnecessary common duct exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Inhibition of programmable demand pacemaker by pacemaker-induced myopotentials.

Pacemaker-induced myopotentials caused inhibition of a demand pacemaker in two cases in which the unipolar partially encapsulated pacemaker flipped over in its pocket and directly stimulated the muscles of the chest wall. This pacemaker-induced muscular stimulation, possibly combined with afterpotential sensing or T-wave sensing (or both), caused the rate of the demand pacemaker to fall when the output of the programmable pacemaker was set to deliver high energy charges. By programming the unit to deliver a lower charge (shorter width of pulse), the rate rose appropriately to the programmed rate. Likewise, manual rotation of the unipolar pacemaker into proper orientation with the active uninsulated surface directed towards the skin also solved the problem temporarily.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Avoiding renal vein entry when implanting the Mobin-Uddin vena cava umbrella filter.

Transvenous placement of a Mobin-Uddin vena cava umbrella filter is a safe and effective method of vena cava interruption in high-risk patients who cannot undergo laparotomy. When the renal veins enter the vena cava acutely, there may be preferential passage of the filter insertion device into the aberrant renal veins. If the usual maneuvers of changing the patient's position do not correct this aberrant passage, then a venous thrombectomy catheter may be used to temporarily occlude the vein orifice. This technique avoids the problems of incorrect placement and abandonment of the transvenous approach to vena cava interruption.

Filtration↗
PubMed1979

Pitfalls in measuring R waves in pacemaker-dependent patients.

Determination of adequate R wave sensing is an important step in pacemaker electrode implantation and pacemaker replacement operations. In patients who are completely pacemaker dependent, these operations are usually performed with a functional temporary pacemaker in place throughout the testing period. In such patients, there is the special problem of determining whether the test system is sensing the temporary pacemaker spike rather than the resultant QRS voltage. Patients were studied and a laboratory model was created to evaluate the response characteristics of a standard R wave test device. Patients showed two general types of curves as R waves were measured at various output voltages of the temporary pacemaker. Type A responses showed direct correlation between output voltage and measured R waves. Type B responses showed an initial high plateau of R waves followed by an abrupt fall below acceptable values, and then a direct correlation between R waves and output voltage. Laboratory testing revealed that the temporary pacemaker spike, and not the R wave, was being "sensed" in Type A curves, and that the R wave was sensed only in the initial plateau of the Type B curves. This pitfall can lead to acceptance of an unsatisfactory electode position in some patients and to futile electrode repositioning in others.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

The clinical value of pediatric herniography.

We review the herniography experience at a community hospital. Twenty-nine patients, aged 4 weeks to 6 years, were examined. Herniography was most often helpful (25 of 29 patients) in determining the need for exploration of the clinically normal side in the patient with a unilateral hernia. By herniography, patients with a right inguinal hernia were found to have a left sac in 47% of cases; whereas with a clinical left inguinal hernia, the incidence of right sacs was 67%. Herniography was also useful (four of 29 patients) as a diagnostic aid in children with a history of hernia but inconclusive physical findings. In all patients explored, the roentgenographic findings were confirmed at surgery.

Child↗