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Biomedical subjects

A D Slater

Publications and source records attributed to A D Slater.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantitative electroencephalographic monitoring during myocardial revascularization predicts postoperative disorientation and improves outcome.

We evaluated computerized quantitative electroencephalography for the intraoperative detection of cerebral dysfunction. The quantitative electroencephalogram was recorded continuously during 96 myocardial revascularizations involving hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass using Cerebrovascular Intraoperative MONitor (CIMON) software. CIMON relies on an adaptive statistical approach to detect subtle, but clinically relevant, changes in electroencephalographic activity indicative of cerebrocortical dysfunction. Relative (percent of total) low-frequency (1.5 to 3.5 Hz) power was chosen as the single quantitative electroencephalographic descriptor because it is an established hallmark of cortical dysfunction and is surprisingly insensitive to moderate changes in body temperature and level of opioid anesthesia. Reference values for this measure were established for each patient after anesthetic induction before sternotomy. The large sample variance often seen in low-frequency power was dramatically decreased by using log-transformed data and allowing each patient to serve as his own control. Quantitative electroencephalographic changes in standard deviation units or z-scores were determined from the individualized reference self-norm. Prolonged (greater than 5 minutes) and statistically significant (greater than 3 standard deviation) focal increases in relative low-frequency power were temperature-corrected to determine a standardized cerebrocortical dysfunction time at 37 degrees C. (CDT37). In phase I (n = 48), this objective quantitative electroencephalogram-based numeric descriptor was used to predict neuropsychologic outcome. These CDT37 greater than 5-minute episodes occurred 38 times in 19 patients. The quantitative electroencephalogram-based descriptor predicted the occurrence of such disorientation (n = 14 or 29%) with a 68% false positive rate but only an 8% false negative rate. Since these intraoperative quantitative electroencephalographic episodes were often (19/38) associated with low (less than 50 mm Hg) pump pressures, phase II (n = 48) sought to correct the quantitative electroencephalographic abnormality and prevent postoperative disorientation by appropriate increases in cerebral perfusion. Although the number of episodes of quantitative electroencephalographic abnormality was similar (n = 31) in phase II, these ischemic events disappeared after prompt elevation of perfusion pressure. The phase II disorientation rate fell significantly (p less than 0.002) to 4%. Thus statistically significant increases in low-frequency electroencephalographic relative power persisting for a temperature-corrected duration of 5 minutes or more are a reliable means of alerting the surgical/anesthesia team to the presence of cerebrocortical dysfunction and provide a rational and objective basis for corrective intervention. This form of electroencephalographic monitoring appears to offer an opportunity for the timely correction of perfusion abnormalities or the administration of cerebroprotectant compounds.

Aged

Lateral thoracotomy for the automatic implantable defibrillator.

In 51 patients who required automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation without additional cardiac procedures, the lead system was implanted using a lateral thoracotomy approach, with complete muscle sparing in the last 24 patients. Exposure was excellent and allowed repositioning of leads for optimal defibrillation thresholds in 18 patients. Five of 19 patients who had previously undergone intrapericardial procedures required intrapericardial dissection for lead placement to provide satisfactory defibrillation thresholds. There were no intraoperative deaths or infarctions. The 30-day mortality rate of 3.9% was comparable with those in other series, and the use of muscle-sparing techniques and supplemental epidural anesthesia prevented pulmonary complications or the need for prolonged ventilatory support. We favor a muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy incision for automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion, particularly in patients with a history of previous intrapericardial procedures.

Adult

Emergency aortocoronary bypass after failed angioplasty.

One thousand two hundred fourteen percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties were performed over a 38-month period. Sixty patients required immediate emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after angioplasty failure; 7 of these had evidence of acute myocardial infarction before angioplasty and were excluded from the study. Of the 53 patients remaining, 27 (51%) had electrocardiographic and enzyme evidence of postoperative myocardial infarction. Two patients died (4%), and 10 had postoperative complications (19%). No statistical significance was noted comparing age, sex, incidence of prior myocardial infarction or myocardial dysfunction, time for revascularization, or average number of grafts completed in those with single-vessel (n = 21) versus multiple-vessel (n = 32) coronary artery disease. Postoperatively, those with multiple-vessel disease required intraaortic balloon pump support (p = 0.06) and antiarrhythmic medications more frequently than single-vessel patients (p less than 0.01) and had a higher complication rate (p less than 0.05). Although not reaching statistical significance, the data also suggest a higher death and postoperative myocardial infarction rate in patients with multiple-vessel disease. Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty carries a higher morbidity and mortality than elective coronary artery bypass grafting, particularly for patients with multiple-vessel coronary artery disease.

Aged

Is defibrillation testing safe?

Determination of defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) testing requires repeated inductions of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and defibrillation attempts using known energy outputs. Little is known about the individual and cumulative effects of repetitive brief episodes of VF and hypoperfusion on cerebral function. The potential clinical utility of quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) monitoring during intraoperative ICD testing, by using processed 19-channel EEG (0.5-35 Hz bandwidth), was examined in ten anesthetized patients, five males and five females (mean age 62 +/- 10 years), who underwent ICD implantation and testing. Ischemic QEEG patterns were defined as those with a 3 standard deviation increase (P less than 0.01) in absolute delta (1.5-3.5 Hz) power persisting for greater than or equal to 2.5 minutes. The majority (80%) of the VF episodes (70) were accompanied by QEEG "slowing" (doubling of the pre-VF low frequency delta waves amplitude). All the patients (5/5) experiencing greater than 6 VF episodes showed a statistically significant increase in the low frequency amplitude. In contrast, this EEG abnormality was apparent in only one of five patients experiencing less than 6 VF episodes. These results suggest a cumulative QEEG depression associated with ICD testing. QEEG may provide an objective means for establishing an individualized upper safe limit of DFT testing and the total number of induced VF episodes.

Electric Countershock

Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in the critically ill patient.

Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) is a simple extracorporeal treatment for fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and removal of uremic toxins. The CAVH technique can be initiated rapidly and allows effective fluid removal without compromising cardiovascular status. This article describes two illustrative cases where CAVH was used to treat fluid overload accompanying in one case cardiogenic shock and in the other case septic shock. CAVH may have contributed to the removal of sepsis-related vasodilators as well as excess fluid. This therapy is an attractive alternative to hemodialysis in the critical care setting and may be the treatment of choice in hemodynamically unstable patients.

Adult

Management of extensive right ventricular injury or rupture.

Most penetrating right ventricular injuries require simple suture repair, but more extensive injury or rupture of the right ventricle may not be amenable to this method. We have developed an approach to the problem and a technique for repair. Compression of the area with early institution of cardiopulmonary bypass will result in decompression of the right ventricle and preservation of perfusion, preventing profound hypotension. Coverage with an onlay autologous tissue patch provides hemostatic control of the defect without compromising ventricular function. Reinforcement with omentum or muscle flap can give additional protection when risk of infection is present. Application of these principles can be lifesaving and insure good cardiac function despite massive injury to the right ventricular myocardium.

Aged

Extended use of bilateral internal mammary arteries for coronary artery disease.

The internal mammary artery is the conduit of choice for coronary artery revascularization. Wide angulation between the left anterior descending coronary artery and obtuse marginal branches and the diseased segments of the coronary arteries can prevent optimal positioning of the left internal mammary artery for sequential anastomoses for revascularization. We describe a technique using a segment of the left internal mammary artery as a free graft sewn in an end-to-side fashion to the in situ left internal mammary artery. This approach has technical and physiological advantages over previously described techniques.

Coronary Artery Bypass

Surgical approach to atrial septal defect in the female. Right thoracotomy versus sternotomy.

Repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) remains a high-benefit, low-risk procedure due to technologic improvements. From July 1981 to December 1986, 35 females (age, 7 months to 28 years) had repair of ASD; 20 by right thoracotomy and aortic cannulation (group 1) and fifteen by median sternotomy (group 2). In general, right thoracotomy was applied to patients with secundum ASD two years or older and without associated lesions, while median sternotomy was applied to patients with ostium primum lesions and/or associated lesions. Patients or their families perceived the cosmetic results superior to the right thoracotomy approach over the median sternotomy. We feel that a right thoracotomy and aortic cannulation is effective in females (2 years and older) with secundum ASD for a superior cosmetic result over median sternotomy. However, females with ostium primum and/or associated lesions should undergo median sternotomy for better cardiac access and safety.

Adolescent

The Pierce-Donachy ventricular assist device as a bridge to cardiac transplantation.

The Pierce-Donachy ventricular assist device (VAD) was used as an attempted bridge to orthotopic cardiac transplantation in 12 patients aged 13 to 55 years. Ischemic (4 patients), dilated (4 patients), acute viral (1 patient), postpartum (1 patient), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (1 patient), along with a failed transplant (1 patient), were the causative factors of end-stage cardiomyopathy in these patients. All patients were candidates for orthotopic cardiac transplantation but sustained refractory cardiogenic shock (cardiac index less than 2 L/min/m2). Left VADs were placed in all patients; 7 also required right VADs. Four patients died of hemorrhagic complications less than 24 hours after VAD insertion. Ventricular assist device stabilization was successful in 8 patients and support ranged from eight hours to 64 days. Seven patients successfully underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation. One died postoperatively of hemorrhagic complications, 6 were discharged from the hospital, and 1 patient died at 3 months of cytomegalovirus infection. Five patients are long-term survivors. The Pierce-Donachy VAD is an effective means for supporting critically ill patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock before orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Death is related to hemorrhagic, rather than infectious or thromboembolic, complications. Patients successfully stabilized with the VAD can undergo orthotopic cardiac transplantation with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates.

Adolescent

Surgical techniques for the implantation of heterotopic prosthetic ventricles.

Mechanical support of the failing heart is becoming an increasingly useful tool for bridging to cardiac transplantation and for recovery of the natural heart. Several options exist for cannulation sites during the implantation of the heterotopic prosthetic ventricles. These options include the left atrial appendage, the left ventricular apex, the interatrial groove, and the left atrial roof. The indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, and surgical technique for each option are described. Operation of the drive console and postoperative care are also discussed.

Assisted Circulation

Treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias with the automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Twenty-eight patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias were treated with the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) in a 14-month period. Thirteen patients were resuscitated from a ventricular fibrillation (VF) episode. Fifteen patients presented with ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to medical therapy. The etiology was coronary artery disease in 23 of 28 patients (82%), dilated cardiomyopathy in 2 of 28 patients (7%), sarcoidosis in 2 of 28 patients, and 1 patient in 28 had lupus erythmatosis. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 29%. A total of 27 of 28 patients (96%) patients had inducible ventricular tachycardia using programmed stimulation. The patients considered for AICD implant failed a mean of 3.6 antiarrhythmic drugs. Rate counting and defibrillating leads were inserted through a lateral thoracotomy in 17 patients and a mediansternotomy incision in 11 patients in conjunction with another cardiac procedure in 10 patients. The generators were positioned in a subcutaneous pocket beneath the left costal margin. There were no operative deaths. The mean follow-up was 6.7 months (range 1 to 14) with no VT/VF deaths in patients with defibrillators. The study demonstrated that AICD is an effective device for prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Adult

Use of OKT3 monoclonal antibody in the treatment of acute cardiac allograft rejection.

OKT3 is a murine monoclonal antibody that recognizes the T3 surface antigen present on mature T cells, and it has been used to successfully treat renal allograft rejection. We report our experience with OKT3 in the treatment of cardiac allograft rejection. Eight patients with endomyocardial biopsy evidence of moderate or severe rejection were given fourteen daily intravenous treatments of OKT3. Six of the eight patients had complete recovery following OKT3 therapy; one required additional steroid therapy for recurrence and one patient failed to respond. Five of the six patients with a complete response have experienced no further rejection (mean follow-up 437 days). Adverse reactions to OKT3 were common early in the treatment course, but were well tolerated. We concluded that OKT3 is a safe and effective treatment of cardiac allograft rejection and that a majority of patients experience long-term rejection-free periods.

Acute Disease

Clinical orthotopic cardiac transplantation.

The results of orthotopic cardiac transplantation have improved dramatically since the early experiences in the late 1960s. After almost 20 years of research and experience and the introduction of cyclosporine, 1 and 5 year survival rates are now 80 percent and 60 percent, respectively. The number of potential recipients far exceeds that of available donors, which is the limiting factor in cardiac transplantation. Complications related to immunosuppressive therapy remain significant, and despite decreased length of hospitalization, costs remain high. The majority of patients have good functional rehabilitation and are free of cardiac symptoms. Moreover, orthotopic cardiac transplantation has finally become a therapeutic treatment of end-stage heart disease.

Age Factors

A successful cardiac transplantation program using combined university and community resources.

From August 1984 to August 1986, 75 patients with end-stage heart disease and cardiac failure were evaluated. Twenty-five patients received orthotopic cardiac transplants from donors as far away as 1300 miles with an ischemic time of less than 4 hours. Seventeen of 25 patients are alive 3-24 months after transplantation. Evidence of rejection was seen in each patient. Twelve patients had mild, easily controlled rejection; 13 patients had severe rejection averaging 3.1 episodes per patient. The initial immunosuppressive regimen included cyclosporine and prednisone. To decrease complications related to high dose steroids, azathioprine has recently been added to our maintenance regimen to lessen steroid requirements. Acute rejection episodes were treated with 500-1000 mg of methylprednisolone for 3 days; antithymocyte globulin or the murine monoclonal antibody, OKT3, was added for severe or resistant rejection episodes. Three patients died of rejection, and two patients died of infection. Seventeen of 18 survivors are New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I; 15 patients have returned to employment or full activity. Because of new developments in support of transplant candidates and treatment of complications, as well as the introduction of cyclosporine, orthotopic cardiac transplantation has become an effective treatment for end-stage heart disease.

Costs and Cost Analysis

The effects of interferon-alpha/beta in a model of rat heart transplantation.

Interferons have multiple immunologic effects. One such effect is the activation of expression of cell surface antigens. Interferon alpha/beta enhance expression of class I but not class II histocompatibility antigens. Contradictory information has been published regarding the effect of interferon-alpha/beta administration in patients with kidney transplantation. In a model of rat heart transplantation we demonstrated that administration of interferon-alpha/beta accelerated rejection in a dose-dependent fashion in the absence of maintenance cyclosporine. Animals treated with maintenance cyclosporine had evidence of increased rejection at 20 days that was resolved completely at 45 days with cyclosporine alone.

Animals

Repair of infected pseudoaneurysm with aortic arch replacement after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Arterial wall infections are rare after orthotopic heart transplantation. An infected pseudoaneurysm developed in a patient at the site of aortic cannulation 6 months after his transplant procedure. Debridement of the infected tissue necessitated removal of a major portion of the aortic arch and reconstruction with in situ placement of a synthetic polyester (Dacron) graft. In situ placement of grafts is a controversial form of treatment of arterial wall infections in other portions of the aorta. Because of the extensive nature of the infection and its site, no other option was available. This patient represents the first reported case of successful aortic arch replacement for an infected pseudoaneurysm after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Adult