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Biomedical subjects

W Doig

Publications and source records attributed to W Doig.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Assessment of the quality of neonatal echocardiographic images transmitted by ISDN telephone lines.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of echocardiographic images from neonates transmitted over Integrated Service Digital Network 2 (ISDN2) channels. DESIGN: Echocardiographic images were viewed live in real time either by a direct video link or by transmission over the commercial network, using one, two, or three ISDN2 channels. The order of the viewing formats was random and four observers marked each view for potential for provision of complete diagnostic information and quality. SETTING: Cardiology department of tertiary referral centre for paediatric cardiac services. ISDN lines were positioned in two nearby rooms. Telephone connection was through the commercial network and video connection by a direct video cable. PATIENTS: 10 neonates were studied (weight 2600 to 3900 g). In each, nine echocardiographic studies were undertaken to assess imaging (M mode and cross sectional) and Doppler (spectral and colour) quality. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in diagnostic ability between the different formats for M mode, colour, or spectral Doppler studies. For cross sectional imaging the diagnostic information and image quality increased with increasing numbers of ISDN channels. With six channels there was little difference from the directly connected images. CONCLUSIONS: In echocardiographic assessment of the newborn, one or two ISDN2 channels will transmit images of satisfactory quality in many situations but three or more channels are necessary to ensure minimum degradation of the live image.

Echocardiography↗

Outcomes of transposition of the great arteries in the ear of atrial inflow correction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine long term morbidity and mortality following atrial inflow corrective procedures for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and to investigate factors that influence morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from a single centre. SETTING: Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgical unit in a large tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: All 130 patients who had TGA diagnosed between August 1972 and May 1988 and were considered suitable for atrial inflow correction; 109 of these underwent surgery (operative cohort: 84 Mustard operations and 25 Senning operations); 95 survived to hospital discharge (hospital surviving cohort). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Death and cardiac events. RESULTS: There were relatively good long term results from atrial inflow correction for TGA with 5, 10, and 15 year survivals of 77.3%, 75.9%, and 71.3%. However, there was an appreciable incidence of late cardiac death and events, with 5, 10, and 15 year cardiac event-free survivals of 74.5%, 67.1%, and 39.6%. Supraventricular tachycardia was the only significant risk factor for late cardiac death (relative risk 8.72, 95% confidence interval, 2.86 to 26.64). Senning patients had better event-free survival (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial inflow correction for TGA has a reasonably good 15 year survival (71.3%), but there is an appreciable incidence of late cardiac deaths and events (15 year event-free survival 39.6%). The Senning procedure is preferable to the Mustard procedure for cases unsuitable for arterial switching.

Adolescent↗

Left atrial myxoma in a preschool child.

A case of left atrial myxoma successfully removed using cardiopulmonary bypass in a 5-year-old child is presented. Review of the literature emphasizes the rarity and clinically aggressive behavior of this tumor in this age group.

Child, Preschool↗

Family studies of congenital heart block associated with Ro antibody.

Complete congenital heart block is associated with the presence of maternal autoantibodies to small ribosomal nucleoproteins (such as anti-Ro) which cross the placenta and may be deposited at the site of cardiac damage. Ten such cases of congenital heart block, their mothers, and their siblings were studied. The seropositive mother of one case had a similar conduction defect (bifascicular block) to that in her affected child. None of the siblings examined had cardiac lesions. Six mothers had Ro or La antibody five to 17 years after the birth of the affected child. Four mothers examined 11-32 years after the birth of an affected child were seronegative. Three of these mothers had evidence of a connective tissue disorder. This evidence is consistent with a hypothesis that a maternal viral infection, associated with autoantibody production, leads to virus crossing the placenta, damaging the fetal heart, and eliciting local deposition of maternal antibody.

Adolescent↗

Complete congenital heart block. Report of 35 cases.

Congenital complete atrioventricular block is uncommon, and the outlook is usually regarded as favourable. Thirty-five patients with congenital heart block are presented. There was no obvious sex difference and their ages ranged from 12 days to 85 years, though most were under the age of 20 years when first seen. Accompanying heart disease was noted in six, but presentation with symptoms in early infancy was a more serious risk factor in our experience. Permanent pacing was required in 21, three of whom were neonates. One of the 14 unpaced patients died unexpectedly at the age of 5 years. Long term supervision is necessary, as most will require permanent pacing before their 50th birthday.

Adolescent↗

Reversion to sinus rhythm 11 years after surgically induced heart block.

A patient is presented in whom the heart reverted spontaneously to sinus rhythm 11 years after surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect complicated by complete heart block. It seems unlikely that regeneration of fibres in the bundle of His, if these had indeed been destroyed, could account for the restoration of sinus rhythm after so long an interval.

Adolescent↗