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Biomedical subjects

W Konertz

Publications and source records attributed to W Konertz.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Heterotopic heart transplantation: current indications for the procedure, with results in 10 patients.

From January 1986 to September 1987, we performed 27 orthotopic and 10 heterotopic cardiac transplantations at our institution. Of the 10 heterotopic transplantation recipients, 9 were men; ages ranged from 36 to 65 years; and indications for transplantation were ischemic cardiomyopathy in 8 patients and dilatative cardiomyopathy in 2 patients. Five of the 10 heterotopic transplantation recipients received donor hearts under emergency conditions, when no hearts of suitable size for orthotopic transplantation were available. In 3 of the 10 heterotopic procedures, we performed pure left ventricular (rather than biventricular) bypass in patients with chronic conditions requiring only aneurysmectomy, or aneurysmectomy in combination with an aortocoronary graft. During postoperative hospitalization, the following complications occurred in the 10 heterotopic-transplantation recipients: 10 infectious episodes in 6 patients; 1 episode of severe graft rejection; and 1 episode of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. All these complications were overcome, and no patient in the heterotopic-transplantation group died. Fifteen months postoperatively, one male in the group lost his graft, but his own heart had by then recovered function, despite dilatative cardiomyopathy. More commonly, late investigation (6 months or longer after transplantation) has yielded ambiguous overall evaluations of pump performance of the recipients' native hearts, showing slight improvement in some instances and further deterioration in others. We conclude that heterotopic heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure in urgent cases when only small donor hearts are available, and that it offers a good chance of hemodynamic and functional improvement not only in emergency cases, but also in cases of chronic cardiomyopathy when there is salvageable myocardium.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1977

[Hemodynamics after reconstruction of the outflow tract in tetralogy of Fallot. Infundibulectomy, patchreconstruction or valve rearing conduit (author's transl)].

The peak systolic pressure ratio PRV/PLV of the right and left ventricle after correction of the outflow tract (OFT) in Tetralogy of Fallot (TF) yields reliable dates about the efficiency of the outflowtract correction and the probability of survival. In 110 patients (2 to 57 years) the ratio after correction PRV/PLV was measured and compared with different methods of reconstruction of the OFT. Infundibulectomy (54) pericard-patch insertion across the pulmonary valve ring (43) and a valve bearing Hancock-Conduit (13) were used. To calculate the statistical differences the U-test according to Wilcoxon, Whitney, Mann was applied on the 95% level. Moreover the pulmonary insufficiency (PI) was evaluated in 60 patients within 15 to 60 days, after correction with a videodensitometric method. There is no PI after use of a valve bearing Hancock-Conduit. In severe TF a valve bearing Hancock-Conduit is hemodynamically superior to a pericard-patchreconstruction of OFT to relief right ventricular hypertension, particularly if hypoplasia of pulmonary vessels and pulmonary vascular disease after shunt-operation is present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[Metabolism and organ functions in experimental hypothermic, bloodless whole-body perfusion with hydroxyethyl starch (HES)].

After surface-induced hypothermia in 12 cats total body washout was performed followed by 60 min bloodless perfusion. In the rewarming period at 28 degrees C, packed red cells were added and at 35 degrees C, ECC was finished. Functional parameters of metabolism, liver, and kidney were measured and followed by histologic examination. Bloodless perfusion does not alter the morphology of the organs examined. Abnormal values of organ function and metabolic data seem to be reversible.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Successful treatment of postoperative right ventricular heart failure with the HIA-Medos-assist system in a 2-year-old girl.

One year after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot, reoperation was performed in a 2-year-old infant because of an aneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract. After removal of the aneurysm, massive right ventricular failure occurred. Maximal medical inotropic support could not reestablish sufficient right ventricular function. Therefore, it was decided to implant the new HIA-Medos system as a right ventricular assist. In the postoperative period, echocardiographic controls showed increasing contractility of the right ventricle. The assist system was removed after 3 days and the infant was discharged in good condition on the 22nd postoperative day.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A critical evaluation of results of partial left ventriculectomy.

BACKGROUND: Because of the variation in the surgical procedures designed to reduce ventricular radius, along with differences in hospital care, it is difficult to disentangle the factors that may contribute to the success or failure of the partial left ventriculectomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook partial left ventriculectomy in 18 patients, 10 suffering from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 8 from ischemic heart disease. We assessed the amount of reduction in wall stress, the systolic thickening of the ventricular wall, and the extent of connective tissue in the excised segment of the wall. Of the overall group, six patients died, three from infarction, one of stroke, one with asystole, and one with ventricular fibrillation. The mean decrease in measured mesh tension was 40% (p < 0.001). Most patients exhibited improvements postoperatively in terms of the systolic thickening of the posterior and superior free walls of the left ventricle. In those in whom the events could be monitored, life-threatening arrhythmias posed complications in three of four patients with ischemic heart disease, and in two of six patients suffering from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In one patient, death was associated with a transmural alignment of fibrous tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our measured reductions in myocardial mesh tension were in keeping with the anticipated theoretical reduction in wall stress expected from partial ventriculectomy. The basic concept underscoring surgical maneuvers to reduce ventricular radius, therefore, is sound. A potential trap is the resection of the marginal artery. Critical myofibrosis was a rare complication. Arrhythmias, which are common, can successfully be treated by implantation of antitachycardic and defibrillatory devices.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Results after partial left ventriculectomy in a European heart failure population.

BACKGROUND: Forty-nine consecutive patients undergoing partial left ventriculectomy (Batista) surgery between January 1995 and June 1998 were studied. METHODS: Patient ages ranged from 12 to 85 years, and all patients were in New York Heart Association functional Class III or IV. Thirty-three patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 16 had idiopathic myopathy. Inclusion criteria were left ventricular end diastolic volume index of > 150 mL/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction of < 20%, or left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of > 70 mm. Sixteen patients were transplant candidates. Partial left ventriculectomy and mitral valve repair by means of a Cosgrove annuloplasty ring plus the Alfieri repair constituted only part of the complex cardiac reconstruction in 38 patients. RESULTS: Five patients died early and five patients died late between 3 and 30 months postoperatively. The actuarial 1-year survival rate was 81%. Twenty-seven patients with coronary artery disease underwent one to five bypass grafts when appropriate. In addition, three patients received aortic valve replacement, four received tricuspid valve repair, two received mitral valve replacement, and two underwent dynamic cardiomyoplasty. Left ventricular (LV) diameter could be reduced from a preoperative mean of 71 to 56 mm postoperatively. LV ejection fraction increased to 36% postoperatively. Ninety percent of patients are in New York Heart Association functional Class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with end-stage idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathies can be improved considerably with partial left ventriculectomy. Any cardiac comorbidity should be repaired simultaneously.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Partial left ventriculectomy: the 2nd International Registry Report 2000.

BACKGROUND: Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) has been performed without standardized inclusion or exclusion criteria. METHODS: An international registry of PLV was expanded, updated, and refined to include 287 nonischemic cases voluntarily reported from 48 hospitals in 11 countries. RESULTS: Gender, age, ventricular dimension, etiology, ethnology, myocardial mass, operative variation, presence or absence of mitral regurgitation, and transplant indication had no effects on event-free survival, which was defined as absence of death or ventricular failure that required a ventricular assist device or listing for transplantation. Preoperative patient conditions, such as duration of symptoms (> 9 vs < 3 years; p = 0.001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (Class IV vs < Class IV; p = 0.002), depressed contractility (fractional shortening [FS] < 5% vs > 12%; p = 0.001), and refractory decompensation that required emergency procedure (p < 0.001) were associated with reduced event-free survival. Five or more cases in each hospital led to significantly better outcomes than the initial four cases. Rescue procedures for 14 patients nonsignificantly improved patient survival (2-year survival 52%) over event-free survival (2-year survival 48%; p = 0.49), with improved NYHA class among survivors (3.6 to 1.8; p < 0.001). Outcome was better in 1999 than in all series before 1999 (p = 0.02) most likely due to patient selection, which was refined to avoid known risk factors such as reduced proportion of patients in NYHA Class IV, FS < 5%, and hospitals with experience in 10 or less cases. A combination of these risk factors could have stratified 17 high-risk patients with 0% 1-year survival and 26 low-risk patients with 75% 2-year event-free survival. CONCLUSION: Avoidance of risk factors appears to improve survival and might help stratify high- or low-risk patients. Although less symptomatic patients with preserved contractility had better results after PLV, change of indication requires prospective randomized comparison with medical therapies or other approaches.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Safety and feasibility of a cardiac support device.

The Cardiac Support Device (CSD), a preformed-knitted polyester device surgically placed over the cardiac ventricles, prevents left ventricular (LV) remodeling and improves LV ejection fraction (EF) in dogs with heart failure (HF). This study was designed to examine the safety of the CSD in patients with advanced HF. As of December 31, 1999, the CSD was implanted into 22 patients with myocardial disease. Ten patients had concomitant mitral valve repair, two patients had valve replacement (one patient aortic and one patient mitral), one patient had LV assist device (LVAD) placement, and eight patients received only the CSD. The CSD was placed while on bypass with the heart beating, attached to the epicardium groove, and tailored anteriorly to snugly fit the ventricles. There were no intraoperative deaths or complications. Two patients died early from non-CSD-related causes 4 and 23 days postoperatively; one late death occurred. Of the remaining 19 patients, none had any CSD-related adverse events during an average 3.5 +/- 0.4 month follow-up. All patients had completed 3-month follow-up. No patients had evidence of constrictive and/or restrictive physiology. Mitral valve regurgitation (MVR) improved in all patients. [table: see text] Initial findings indicate that the CSD is safe and improves heart failure symptoms and LV function. Additional studies and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.

Adult↗