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Biomedical subjects

W E Walker

Publications and source records attributed to W E Walker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Durability and low thrombogenicity of the St. Jude Medical valve at 5-year follow-up.

Between November, 1978, and December, 1983, 736 patients had valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical valve prosthesis. There were 478 patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR), 188 with mitral valve replacement (MVR), 63 with double valve replacement, and 7 with tricuspid valve replacement (they were not included in this study). The mean age at the time of operation was 46.7 years for patients having AVR and 48.6 years for those having MVR and AVR + MVR. Follow-up totaled 1,116 patient-years (range, 4 to 82 months). Early (30-day) mortality was lowest for isolated MVR (2.3%) and AVR (3.7%), and increased with reoperation or when associated procedures were combined with valve replacement. Patients undergoing reoperation or having associated procedures made up 49% of the AVR and 54% of the MVR groups. All patients were advised of the need for long-term anticoagulation with warfarin sodium. Nine patients (7 with AVR, 1 with MVR, 1 with AVR + MVR) had suspected or confirmed episodes of systemic thromboembolism, a linearized incidence of 0.99% per patient-year for AVR, 0.36% per patient-year for MVR, and 0.98% per patient-year for AVR + MVR. Eight patients with AVR underwent reoperation for prosthetic valve endocarditis (5 of the 8 patients had endocarditis prior to initial valve replacement). There were no instances of structural valve failure. There were 37 late deaths. Actuarial survival at 5 years (excluding early mortality, 95% confidence limits) was 89.8% for AVR, 84.8% for MVR, and 95.2% for AVR + MVR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actuarial Analysis↗

Apicoaortic conduits for complex left ventricular outflow obstruction: 10-year experience.

We interposed valved conduits between the left ventricular apex and aorta in 38 patients over a 10-year period. Indications included tunnel subaortic stenosis, aortic annular hypoplasia, tubular supravalvular aortic hypoplasia, and severe calcification of the ascending aorta. Operative mortality was 11%, but 78% of the survivors were alive at 5 years, and 70% had had no major complication. The results were better in adolescents and adults than in young children. Although complications included calcific degeneration of the valve and disruption of the conduit at the site of insertion into the ventricular apex, we continue to believe in the utility of this procedure in a few patients with complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Adolescent↗

Management of traumatic sinus of valsalva-right ventricular fistulae.

Residual intracardiac defects following penetrating injuries to the heart require thorough invasive evaluation and strong consideration for operative repair based upon the degree of hemodynamic compromise. Traumatic aortico-right ventricular fistulae result in high flow left-to-right shunts, and are associated with early onset of congestive failure. Operative repair requires utilization of total cardiopulmonary bypass, ventriculotomy and aortotomy to allow for thorough inspection of the ventricular septum, aortic valve cusps, and coronary ostia. Obliteration of both ends of the fistula (septal and sinus of Valsalva repair) minimizes the risk of recurrence.

Journal Article↗

Left coronary artery spasm causing severe left ventricular dysfunction without myocardial infarction.

This report describes a patient with persistent, recurrent left anterior descending coronary artery spasm, which causes marked left ventricular dysfunction in a clinical course that is typical of acute myocardial infarction with hyperacute electrocardiographic changes. However, after emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, the patient had complete reversal of left ventricular dysfunction, with no residual evidence of acute myocardial infarction by electrocardiograph or gated blood pool imaging and no CPK enzyme rise. The patient therefore demonstrates that coronary spasm in some instances clearly precedes the sequence of pathophysiologic events leading to acute myocardial infarction. Our report also demonstrates for the first time in man that massive left ventricular dysfunction may occur in this intermediate coronary syndrome, presenting clinically as impending myocardial infarction. With aggressive surgical intervention and emergency bypass surgery, left ventricular function was restored to normal. Despite the semantic problems of categorizing such patients as having impending myocardial infarction, the severe left ventricular dysfunction and alarming course of this patient's illness was resolved by emergency surgery, suggesting that, in some instances, aggressive therapy is warranted.

Journal Article↗

The effect of coronary bypass on the outcome of peripheral vascular operations in 1093 patients.

One of the greatest risks in peripheral vascular operations is the presence of significant coronary artery disease. To assess the proper timing and demonstrate a possible protective effect of coronary artery bypass (CAB), 1093 patients who underwent one or more peripheral vascular operations in addition to CAB from 1976 through 1984 were analyzed. During that same period, 24,441 patients underwent CAB procedures, and 8530 patients underwent major vascular operations. Carotid endarterectomy (493 patients), abdominal aneurysm resection (130 patients), renal artery bypass (12 patients), aortofemoral bypass (77 patients), femoral-popliteal-tibial bypass (190 patients), and combined vascular procedures (191 patients) were included. The patients were divided into three groups according to severity of disease, which determined timing of the procedure. Group I (255 patients) underwent simultaneous CAB and peripheral vascular operation because of unstable coronary artery disease and severe vascular disease. The early mortality rate for group I was 4% (10 patients). Seven of the 10 deaths were cardiac. In group II, 279 patients had CAB and peripheral vascular operation during the same hospital admission with the same operative mortality rate (4%, 10 patients). Six deaths were from cardiac causes, three from neurologic causes, and one from hemorrhage. In group III, 559 patients underwent CAB first, then peripheral vascular operation during a separate hospital admission. There were no cardiac-related deaths and only one neurologic-related death (operative mortality rate, 0.2%). These data demonstrate the protective effect of CAB in patients who undergo elective vascular surgery. The increased risk in patients undergoing simultaneous or same admission procedures was related to the severity of the vascular and coronary artery disease and not to the combined operations. Operative complications were not increased by performing simultaneous or same admission procedures.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Physiologic principles and clinical sequelae of cardiopulmonary bypass.

CPB has been a key element in the safe and effective practice of cardiac surgery since its inception more than 30 years ago. Refinements in the apparatus, methods of tissue preservation, and innovations in technique have lowered the morbidity and mortality rates from these procedures. Despite these factors, the pump-oxygenator apparatus itself and the processes of hemodilution, hypothermia, and anticoagulation, which are intrinsic to its operation, effect temporary physiologic derangements in organ system functions. Although all of these phenomena resolve spontaneously, some require treatment while others do not. Therefore, appropriate clinical management of this group of patients, must be based on an understanding of CPB techniques and the anticipated physiologic sequelae. Hypertension should mostly be controlled because high systemic vascular resistance exacerbates the tendency for bleeding and stresses fresh anastomoses. Volume, urine flow, and potassium loss must be monitored strictly and treatment initiated promptly. Cardiac dysfunction requires cautious, individualized pharmacologic, and sometimes mechanical support in the perioperative and postoperative periods. Laboratory values should never be treated routinely. CPB is not without intrinsic risk of serious clinical complication, and these must be anticipated after surgery. The potential for complication increases when CPB exceeds 2 hours and rises sharply when pump time is prolonged more than 3 to 4 hours. Excessive pump time exacerbates blood trauma, produces abnormal capillary membrane permeability, and predisposes the patient to tissue anoxia. The potential for embolism and pulmonary complications is increased. Permanent organ system damage can be avoided through strict attention to myocardial and tissue preservation, meticulous filtration, precise technique, and avoidance of prolonged extracorporeal circulation.

Blood Pressure↗

Reoperation for aortic coarctation: techniques, results, and indications for various approaches.

To define the safety and efficacy of operation for recurrent thoracic aortic coarctation, we reviewed the hospital records and subsequent courses of 53 patients who underwent such procedures over a 23-year period. Previous operations included end-to-end anastomosis, prosthetic patch or subclavian flap aortoplasty, and prosthetic interposition or bypass grafts, performed in patients ranging from 1 day to 44 years old. Several different reoperative procedures were used, including an ascending-descending aortic bypass graft in 4 patients who had had two previous repairs. There were no hospital or late deaths and only 3 relatively minor complications. Only 2 patients have hypertension requiring drug therapy at follow-up, which now averages 7 years. We conclude that operative management of severe, recurrent coarctation is both safe and effective, and that several techniques of reconstruction may have a place in such therapy.

Adolescent↗

Patterns of infection and mortality in thoracic trauma.

Tissue infection and systemic sepsis are common causes of morbidity and late mortality after major thoracic trauma. To seek causative mechanisms, prognostic indicators, and areas of possible improvement in therapy, we reviewed 310 consecutive adults admitted with major thoracic trauma. Of these, 56 (18%) died of massive injuries in the first 5 days; the remaining 254 were considered at risk for infectious complications. There were 21 late deaths in this group, and 15 (71%) were caused by systemic sepsis. Eighty-four patients (33%) developed thoracic infections, and 15 (6%) had significant nonthoracic infections. Markers of increased risk of infection included blunt injury, shock and unconsciousness on arrival, and splenectomy. Pulmonary infection was increased significantly following prolonged endotracheal intubation, but was virtually absent following tracheostomy. The risk of infection was increased significantly if prophylactic antibiotics were not used, but no definite correlation could be made to advanced age, pre-existent disease, nor post-traumatic malnutrition. Attention to some of these factors may decrease the risk of infection in thoracic trauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗

AIDS prodrome in an apparently normal man following coronary artery bypass: new significance of postoperative bleeding.

An otherwise healthy, apparently normal 45-year-old man underwent a triple coronary artery bypass procedure, complicated only by modest postoperative bleeding. He had received aspirin and dipyridamole preoperatively, and was given 1 unit of packed red cells and 4 units of fresh frozen plasma on the day of operation. Fifteen months later, malaise and diffuse lymphadenopathy developed. Lymph node biopsy and immune studies were characteristic of the AIDS prodrome. This experience emphasizes the need for control of bleeding and the avoidance of blood products wherever possible.

Journal Article↗

Hemopericardium and tamponade following intracoronary thrombolysis with streptokinase.

Two patients underwent surgery for hemopericardium and pericardial tamponade after intracoronary thrombolysis by streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction. In both instances, the artery had reopened, but left ventricular function had not improved. A subxiphoid pericardial window relieved the tamponade, and both patients made good recovery. Hemopericardium is rare in myocardial infarction without cardiac rupture or anticoagulant therapy, and may constitute a specific complication of reperfusion with streptokinase. Pericardial window may be preferable to pericardiocentesis because of the possibility of cardiac rupture.

Journal Article↗

Cardiac surgery in children of Jehovah's Witnesses.

A retrospective study was done of 73 consecutive Jehovah's Witness children less than 2 years of age who were operated on for lesions of the heart and major vessels. The series was divided into three groups: (1) neonates less than 31 days old, (2) children between 31 days and 2 years, and (3) children requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. The overall mortality rate for the series was 12.3% (9/73). Only three of the nine deaths were complicated by blood loss and anemia. The mortality rate for Group I was 18.2% (2/11). Only one of the two deaths was partly attributable to anemia. The overall mortality rate for Group II was 14.9% (7/47). Only two of these seven deaths were complicated by anemia. No deaths occurred among the 15 patients in Group III. Bloodless prime hemodilution techniques were used in all patients. Based upon our data, we have concluded that cardiac surgery can be performed when indicated on children of Jehovah's Witnesses with acceptable mortality rates and relatively straightforward perioperative care.

Journal Article↗

Left atrial rhabdomyosarcoma mimicking mitral valve stenosis.

A rare case of left atrial rhabdomyosarcoma is presented in a patient with symptoms of congestive heart failure mimicking a hemodynamically obstructive mitral stenosis and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Although the diagnosis of a cardiac neoplasm is often difficult, it should be suspected in any patient with idiopathic heart failure refractory to conventional therapy, or with systemic or pulmonary emboli without an obvious source. The possibility of a "tumor plop" should always be considered during auscultation of a diastolic click. If clinically suspected, echocardiography will usually establish the diagnosis and allow follow-up for recurrences. If the tumor is benign, cardiac surgery will be curative and, if malignant, chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered.

Journal Article↗

Valve failure with the Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial bioprosthesis: analysis of 2680 patients.

Early reports on the excellent hemodynamic function and low thromboembolic rates of the Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial bioprosthetic valve (BPV) encouraged us to use it as our choice for valve replacement in 2680 patients from 1978 through 1983. Analysis of these patients at 5-year follow-up (mean 21.6 months) demonstrated the following important trends. Despite anticoagulation therapy in 48%, thromboembolism occurred in 88 patients for a linearized rate of 1.87% emboli per patient-year and was not time-related. The highest incidence of thromboembolism was in mitral valve replacement (MVR) (2.76% per patient-year). The actuarial freedom from reoperation resulting from valve failure at 5 years was 82% in aortic valve replacement (AVR), 87.1% in MVR, and 92.6% in AVR/MVR. The most distressing causes for reoperation were valve calcification (33 patients, 0.68% per patient-year) and leaflet disruption (11 patients, 0.23% per patient-year). Valve calcification was related to age, small valve size, and AVR position and increased with time, especially at the 4- to 5-year intervals. In patients under 30 years of age, calcification occurred in 18.7% at a mean time of 40.8 months in AVR and in 8.2% at 44 months in MVR, for an overall rate of 11.6%. Over the age of 30 years, it occurred in 14 patients (0.6%) at a mean time of 44 months. Leaflet disruption was not related to age and occurred later in AVR (50 to 58 months) than MVR (1.5 to 61 months). Events increased with time (mean range 37 to 58 months). Because of calcification and leaflet disruption, valve failure causing reoperation has increased significantly at the 4- to 5-year intervals even when valve replacement in patients under 30 years of age is excluded. If this trend continues, the valve failure rate will be exceedingly high on further follow-up. Thus we have limited the use of the BPV to a selected group of patients in whom valve longevity is less important than effective orifice size, thromboembolic rate, and freedom from anticoagulation.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Role of coronary artery bypass surgery after intracoronary streptokinase infusion for myocardial infarction.

Intracoronary streptokinase infusion has been shown to improve left ventricular function and reduce hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Adjuvant coronary artery bypass surgery is of value in many of these patients who have recurrent angina, circulatory instability, severe coronary artery occlusive disease, or a high risk of reinfarction. There is little, if any, evidence that immediate coronary artery bypass surgery affects the results adversely--either because of recent myocardial infarction or recent streptokinase infusion, and early operation appears to be a safe and worthwhile modality of treatment in this group of patients with myocardial infarction.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

Comparison of dopamine and dobutamine therapy during intraaortic balloon pumping for the treatment of postcardiotomy low-output syndrome.

Treatment of postcardiotomy low-output syndrome includes intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP), volume loading, pharmacological afterload reduction, and stimulation with an inotropic agent. This study compares the effectiveness of combined nitroprusside and dopamine therapy and nitroprusside and dobutamine therapy in 12 patients requiring IABP postoperatively. Serial hemodynamic measurements were made before and during infusion of nitroprusside and after administration of the combined therapy (N = 6 in each group). Prior to pharmacological therapy, cardiac index was 1.47 +/- 0.31 L/min/m2 and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was 3,114 +/- 1,350 dynes sec cm-5 in patients subsequently given dopamine, and 1.59 +/- 0.38 L/min/m2 and 2,661 +/- 405 dynes sec cm-5, respectively, in those given dobutamine. With infusion of nitroprusside, both groups showed significant reduction in SVR. Nitroprusside plus either inotropic agent resulted in augmentation of cardiac index and an additional reduction in SVR, both changes being greater in the group given dopamine. Larger doses of dobutamine than dopamine were needed to achieve similar hemodynamic improvement. We conclude that the addition of an inotropic agent to vasodilator therapy during IABP results in a greater increase in cardiac index and a greater decrease in afterload than a vasodilator alone. In addition to its beneficial effect on renal perfusion at the dose required to effect these improvements, dopamine appears a better inotropic agent than dobutamine for postcardiotomy low-output syndrome.

Aortic Valve↗