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W H Edwards

Publications and source records attributed to W H Edwards.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Evaluating quality, cost-effective health care. Vascular database predicated on hospital discharge abstracts.

This population-based study examines all carotid endarterectomies (CE) performed by all surgeons in a single state over a 10-year period. The methodology is designed to determine morbidity rate, mortality rate, cost, and length of stay, as well as to understand the effect of pre-existing chronic disease, physician, and hospital volume on these outcome variables. The data source consisted of hospital discharge abstract data uniformly collected on all admissions (N = 5.9 million) to acute care hospitals in the state. In the decade 1979 to 1988, 11,199 patients underwent CE. Mortality rate from CE was 2.1%, and the postoperative stroke rate was 3.7% over this period. High physician volume decreased the mortality rate (p less than 0.05) and stroke rate (p less than 0.01) by 50% and significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced hospital cost and length of stay independent of patient complexity. Examination of cost data, adjusted for inflation, showed a decrease in mean cost for CE over the decade. Thus physicians are providing better care for less hospital dollars. Both patient and payor outcome is improved by concentrating CE patients in the hands of high-volume surgeons. Although the data suggests this trend is already evolving, the pace of this evolution can be expected to increase as payors recognize that regionalization of this procedure lowers costs.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1990

Extended profundoplasty to minimize pelvic and distal tissue loss.

Multiple levels of aortoileofemoral occlusive disease may necessitate profundoplasty or extension of the outflow anastomosis to insure pelvic and distal arterial perfusion. During the period 1978 through 1988, 1637 patients underwent elective aortic reconstruction for aneurysmal or occlusive disease. One hundred forty-five had profundoplasty performed to ensure adequate outflow. Associated disease was common with 88 (60%) patients having arteriosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present in 89 (61%) patients. Hypertension and extracranial occlusive disease was found in 68 (46%) and 56 (38%) patients, respectively. The superficial femoral artery was occluded in 108 (74%) patients, while in 17 (12%) the profunda femoris was the only patent artery in the groin. Death occurred in nine patients (6.2%). Three were due to arrhythmias or myocardial infarction and ischemic colitis was the cause of death in two. Renal failure, sepsis, aspiration and cerebral anoxia, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy accounted for one each. Five graft limbs failed. Amputation was required in one patient, while thrombectomy or distal bypass restored flow in four patients. Seventeen graft limbs in 136 patients occluded during the follow-up period. Distal bypass was successful in four and amputation was required in the fifth patient. Extension of the profundoplasty restored flow in nine limbs, while thrombectomy alone was successful in one. Bilateral amputation was required in one patient with poor run off and insufficient autogenus venous tissue. One hundred fourteen (78.6%) of the 145 patients survived 10 years with patency in 268 of the original 290 limbs at risk (92.4%). Profundoplasty in these patients with multilevel disease seems to extend the long-term patency of aortofemoral grafts and allows return to a normal life-style.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1990

Major hepatic resection: an update.

In 1981, we reported a series of 75 major hepatic resections done over a ten-year period; 58 were for hepatic trauma, nine were for benign disease, and eight were for malignant disease. Since that report, the indications for major hepatic resection have changed, with a more conservative approach to hepatic trauma and a more aggressive approach toward hepatic tumors. In this update, we report 88 hepatic resections from Vanderbilt University Hospital and Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital; 32 were for trauma, 25 were for benign disorders, and 31 were for malignant disease. Since 1977, nine adults and four children have had hepatic resection for primary malignant tumors; there were six hepatocellular lesions, three hepatoblastomas, two malignant hemangioendotheliomas, one malignant hepatoma, and one intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. At the time of this writing, the four children have survived for 7.3, 6, 6, and 3.8 years (mean 5.7), and all are alive without evidence of recurrence. For the nine adults, survival has averaged 1.7 years, excluding one postoperative death. Three adult patients are alive at this writing, one of whom is a five-year survivor without evidence of disease. Seventeen adults and one child had hepatic resection for metastatic lesions. In the adults, the primary tumor was in the colon in 14 cases and in the small bowel, stomach, and an unknown site in one case each. The one child had a metastatic Wilms' tumor. Survival has averaged two years, with two long-term survivors (nine years). Six patients are alive at this time. Operative mortality for elective resection has decreased from 12% (2/17) in our earlier report to 3% (1/31) in this series, which has encouraged us to assume a more aggressive approach to the resection of malignant primary and metastatic liver tumors.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1990

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and horseshoe kidney.

We have described three patients surviving resection of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in the presence of horseshoe kidney. If division of the renal isthmus is required to gain rapid control of the ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is not necessarily associated with increased morbidity or mortality. The arterial supply to the horseshoe kidney may complicate arterial reconstruction, but with flexible use of modern vascular surgical techniques, preservation of renal tissue is feasible.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Human values and marijuana use.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between prioritized rankings of human values among persons who either use or do not use marijuana. Discriminant analyses indicated that personal values are more important to marijuana users, while social values are more important to nonusers. Based upon the present study and previous research, the existence of a value orientation predisposing some individuals toward substance experimentation and use is suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

A multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled trial of surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome.

We carried out a multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of surfactant in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. The study population was made up of newborn infants weighing 750 to 1750 g who were receiving assisted ventilation with 40 percent or more oxygen. The eligible infants received a single dose of either surfactant (100 mg of phospholipid per kilogram of body weight [4 ml per kilogram]) or an air placebo (4 ml per kilogram), administered into the trachea within eight hours of birth by an investigator not involved in the clinical care of the infant. When compared with the infants who received the placebo (n = 81), the infants who were treated with surfactant (n = 78) had a 0.12 greater average increase in the ratio of arterial to alveolar oxygen tension (P less than 0.0001), a 0.20 greater average decrease in the fractional inspiratory oxygen concentration (P less than 0.0001), and a 0.26-kPa greater average decrease in the mean airway pressure (P less than 0.0001) during the 72 hours after treatment. Pneumothorax was less frequent among the infants treated with surfactant than in the control group (13 percent vs. 37 percent; P = 0.0005). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the proportion of infants in each of five ordered clinical-status categories on day 7 (P = 0.08) or day 28 (P = 0.75) after treatment. There were also no significant differences between the groups in the frequency of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, or periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage. In each group, 17 percent of the infants died by day 28. We conclude that treatment with the single-dose surfactant regimen used in this study reduces the severity of respiratory distress during the 72 hours after treatment and decreases the frequency of pneumothorax, but that it does not significantly improve clinical status later in the neonatal period and does not reduce neonatal mortality. Further study of different surfactant regimens and patient-selection criteria will be required to determine whether this initial improvement can be translated into reductions in mortality or serious morbidity.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗
PubMed1989

Recurrent carotid artery stenosis. Resection with autogenous vein replacement.

Recurrent carotid artery stenosis (RCAS) occurs in 10% to 15% of patients following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). A recurrent stenosis may occur as early as 6 months and will become symptomatic in 3% to 5% of patients. Early stenosis is myointimal hyperplasia, but with the passage of time may progress to the characteristic atherosclerotic lesion. Improvements in noninvasive testing allows for evaluation and early detection of restenosis. Since 1974 we have performed 3711 CEAs in 2909 patients. One hundred and six second or third CEAs were performed in 98 patients (3.5%). In 20 of these reoperations, the common carotid (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) were resected and replaced by autogenous vein, usually saphenous. One of these patients had 3 previous CEAs while 7 patients had 2 and 12 patients had 1 previous operation. There were no deaths; thrombosis of one vein interposition requiring replacement occurred. Hoarseness and hypoglossal nerve palsy occurred in one patient. Follow-up ranged to 5 years with a mean of 2.8 years. Although a second CEA is possible, there are inherent technical difficulties that may be encountered and vein interposition will solve these as well as offer the potential to prevent a further recurrence.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Long-term assessment of a damp-stored, albumin-coated, knitted vascular graft.

In a previous study the authors reported greater endothelialization and thrombus-free surface area in albumin-coated grafts compared with collagen-coated grafts after 1 month's aortic interposition. Another study was undertaken to determine whether these differences persisted after a 6-month implantation period. A 6 cm segment of either an albumin-coated [n = 6] or a collagen-coated [n = 4] graft was implanted into a canine descending thoracic aorta for 6 months. Light micrographs from multiple sections of each explanted graft were scored from 1 to 4, least to most, for tissue ingrowth, perigraft inflammation, and capsular thickness. Using computer planimetry, luminal thrombus free surface area and endothelial coverage were calculated from gross and electron photomicrographs, respectively. The results were averaged and expressed as mean +/- standard error (SEM). After 6 months, no significant differences were noted between the albumin-coated grafts and the collagen-coated grafts, both of which were durable and served equally well as scaffolds for vascular remodeling and tissue incorporation. The authors conclude that the safety, ease of handling, low porosity, low thrombogenicity, and durability of the albuminated grafts warrant their clinical trial.

Albumins↗
PubMed1989

Renal artery aneurysm: selective treatment for hypertension and prevention of rupture.

Thirty-nine patients with renal artery aneurysm (RAA) were seen over a period of 15 years. Among 20 women and 19 men, 31 were found to have solitary aneurysms, and eight had multiple RAA. Thirty-three patients had diastolic hypertension; nine of them proved to be of renovascular origin. Of the 18 patients who underwent RAA resection, 13 had reconstruction for treatment of hypertension, three had a solitary functional kidney, one had recurrent flank pain, and one had resection for prevention of rupture in a woman of childbearing age. Six of the 18 patients had aneurysmorrhaphy with primary repair or patching, seven had a resection with an aortorenal bypass, and five patients had six ex vivo renal reconstructions with multiple anastomoses. Nephrectomy was performed in two patients with RAA rupture at the time of childbirth and in one patient with hypertension and RAA in a poorly functioning kidney. Reconstructive procedures for documented renovascular hypertension in seven patients resulted in improvement in all cases. Blood pressure improved in only six of 10 patients operated on with hypertension and no lateralization of renovascular studies. Eighteen patients were observed for one to 16 years without surgery, and none experienced rupture. Resection of RAA is indicated to treat patients with renovascular hypertension, patients with hypertension and a solitary functional kidney, and selected patients with severe hypertension and to prevent rupture in women who may become pregnant. Other patients with asymptomatic RAA can be safely observed clinically without serial arteriograms and without fear of rupture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Reflections from a decade of carotid reconstructive surgery.

Carotid artery reconstructive surgery for atherosclerotic lesions of the extracranial cerebral circulation has become the most common operation in peripheral vascular surgery. A better understanding of the indications for operative intervention, enhanced monitoring during surgery, and more precise management of intraoperative anesthesia have all helped decrease the risks associated with internal carotid endarterectomy. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of extracranial carotid reconstructive surgery, we reviewed 2,857 operations done on 2,087 patients from 1976 to 1985. Operation was recommended because of hemispheric symptoms in 58%, and because of asymptomatic, significant stenosis in 14%. Postoperative hemiparesis occurred in 24 patients and was associated with thrombosis at the operative site in 18 patients. Antiplatelet drugs used during the last three years were found to be effective in preventing thrombosis at the operative site. Operative mortality during the study period was 1.5%. Follow-up has ranged from one month to 104 months, with 84% of the patients alive and 79% symptom free.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Prevention of stroke during carotid endarterectomy.

From 1976 through 1985, 2857 carotid reconstructive procedures were performed on 2087 patients. Postoperative neurologic deficit occurred in 59 patients (2.1%). Thirty one patients (1.2%) suffered deficits that were permanent while 25 patients (0.9%) cleared to be discharged normal. In the last 5 years of the study, an aggressive approach was taken in cases where the patient was noted to have a postoperative neurologic change. It is routine to allow the patient to awaken in the operating room and to perform a simple neurologic examination prior to transport to the recovery room. If a neurologic change occurs during the postoperative period, immediate exploration is undertaken without preliminary testing. With this policy, 20 patients underwent exploration of the operated carotid artery and six of these patients recovered completely. To reduce the stroke rate from carotid endarterectomy (CE), technical errors must be kept to a minimum. Prevention of hypoperfusion with a shunt and careful mobilization of the artery to prevent microembolization should be practiced. Postoperative thrombosis can be decreased by the routine use of platelet antiaggregates and the avoidance of perioperative hypotension. Reperfusion of injury can be minimized by control of postoperative hypertension and proper preoperative selection of patients. Postoperative neurologic deficit following CE remains a relatively rare event and consequently sufficient experience in the treatment of this problem is difficult to acquire.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1988

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: a 25-year experience and analysis of recent cases.

An 8-year experience with treatment of 58 patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is reviewed with hospital mortality of 25.9 per cent. Added to a previously reported experience, 115 patients have been treated over 25 years with 33 per cent mortality. Preoperative hypotension, free rupture, venous injury, and massive transfusion were found to be associated with mortality. Interhospital transfer, preexisting coronary or pulmonary disease, known aneurysm, anemia, delay in surgery, and operative time were not found to predict outcome. Some patients are normotensive at presentation, providing an excellent chance for survival when expeditious diagnosis and treatment are carried out. Optimal operative management, complications, and causes of death are discussed. The role of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis is considered. Elective resection of known aneurysms is the most important factor in reducing deaths from RAAA. The role of regionalization of care is unclear, since some patients cannot be safely transported. However, some evidence for optimal results in specialized centers is presented.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Renal impairment following biliary tract surgery.

Postoperative mortality has been directly attributed to renal failure in approximately 5 per cent of patients after surgery for obstructive jaundice. An analysis of 334 patients undergoing biliary tract surgery was undertaken to identify the perioperative factors associated with the development of renal impairment, and to estimate the contribution of renal failure to mortality. Thirty-eight patients (11 per cent) developed postoperative renal impairment (a two-fold increase in serum creatinine postoperatively or a rise of greater than 100 mumol/l). Ninety-three factors were examined in these and 196 control patients. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified only three factors which were significantly associated with renal impairment: postoperative sepsis (P less than 0.0005), pre-operative serum bilirubin (P less than 0.0005), and pre-operative urea (P less than 0.05). Renal impairment developed at a median 4 days after surgery and was associated with a median of two additional major postoperative complications, particularly sepsis and haemorrhage, for which 17 patients underwent reoperation. Twenty-eight (74 per cent) of the patients with renal impairment died in hospital, but in only one case was the cause of death directly related to renal failure. Twenty patients received specific therapy for renal failure, but only one of these survived. Pre-operative obstructive jaundice and postoperative infection are the major factors associated with renal impairment after biliary tract surgery. Renal impairment appears to be related to postoperative complications rather than directly to the surgical procedure itself. The development of postoperative renal impairment predicts a low chance of survival but appears to be an indicator, rather than a direct cause of a poor prognosis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1987

Liver resection in malignant disease.

As more surgeons become familiar with the techniques of hepatic resection and the mortality and morbidity decrease, the indications for resection of malignant disease within the liver broadens. The preoperative assessment of malignant liver lesions, as well as the definition of resectability, are outlined. Indications for operative intervention as well as the results obtained are covered. The personal experience of the authors at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School Hepatobiliary Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, in dealing with malignant lesions of the liver is detailed with respect to procedures performed and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and metastatic colon carcinoma are discussed in detail. The authors' experience with each of these diseases is presented.

Adenoma, Bile Duct↗
PubMed1987

The lesser saphenous vein: autogenous tissue for lower extremity revascularization.

From December 1980 to December 1985, 54 patients underwent 56 lower extremity arterial procedures with the use of lesser saphenous vein (LSV) as graft material. LSV was used in all cases because a satisfactory greater saphenous vein (GSV) was unavailable to accomplish the proposed revascularization. Indications for operation were rest pain, ulceration, and gangrene (74%), and 26% had claudication alone. Fifty of the 56 procedures were femorotibial and femoroperoneal bypasses. Three graft combinations were used: LSV alone (29), lesser saphenous vein and other autogenous vein composites (LSV/AUTO) (14), and lesser saphenous vein with synthetic composite grafts (LSV/SYN) (13). Graft patency rates were determined by life-table analysis. The 3-year patency rate for LSV was 60% and for LSV/AUTO was 38%. LSV/SYN graft composites had a graft patency rate at 18 months of 21%. These data suggest that the LSV may function as an autogenous venous graft for lower extremity revascularization when sufficient GSV is not available.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗
PubMed1987

Alternative methods of renal revascularization.

Saphenous vein aortorenal bypass is the most commonly used surgical procedure for relief of renovascular hypertension. Years of experience have shown the procedure to be effective with satisfactory long-term results. Coexisting disease conditions of the aorta sometimes make alternative methods of renal revascularization preferable, especially when more than one renal artery is involved. Such alternative procedures include transaortic endarterectomy, bilateral renal endarterectomy via a transverse incision across both renal arteries, or extra-anatomic bypass from the splenic, hepatic, or iliac arteries. Two hundred twenty-five renal revascularization procedures performed either alone or in combination with other abdominal vascular procedures during the last 5 years is reported. In 18 patients, one of the above procedures was performed. This experience with these various types of renal revascularization will be discussed with particular reference to indications, technique, and potential pitfalls of each procedure.

Aged↗