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A Laczkovics

Publications and source records attributed to A Laczkovics.

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

Early results with the anatomical correction of transposition of the great arteries.

From November 1984 to April 1991, 38 children underwent an arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries (TGA). In 24 infants (mean age 8 days) TGA with intact ventricular septum was present, in 14 patients (mean age 75 days) TGA was combined with a ventricular septal defect (VSD). There were 11 in-hospital deaths with an overall mortality of 29%, mainly due to technical problems. Whereas the group TGA + VSD showed a mortality rate of 50%, simple TGA and the subgroup simple TGA younger than 14 days had a mortality rate of 16.7% and 17.4%, respectively. Mortality was not influenced by coronary artery morphology and age. In simple TGA, the data presented suggest that this operation can be performed with good short-term clinical results. Most children are asymptomatic and without medication at a mean follow-up time of 2.5 years; but as there are pathological postoperative findings in echocardiography, the long-term benefit remains a matter of concern. Considerable perioperative problems are present in cases of TGA + VSD so surgical management is more differentiated, including other options.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1991

[Significance of surgically corrected heart valve diseases on fertility].

We report on 111 patients, who were operated for heart valve failure. The influence of the operation on fertility was examined. Only 24 women became pregnant. From 34 pregnancies, 4 resulted in early abortion; in 12 cases abortion was performed (8 times for medical reasons), therefore 18 children were born. The remaining 87 operated patients (78.4%) never became pregnant, although only 29 patients were advised against pregnancy. 27 patients decided on various contraceptive methods by themselves.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1991

The progression of mild acute cardiac rejection evaluated by risk factor analysis. The impact of maintenance steroids and serum creatinine.

The natural course of mild acute cardiac allograft rejection (MAR) under cyclosporine-based therapy is generally considered benign, and usually antirejection therapy is not instituted. The present study was undertaken to determine the frequency of and the risk factors for progression of MAR into a clinically significant (moderate or severe) rejection on subsequent endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). Among 167 cardiac recipients, transplanted from 3/1984 to 4/1990, MAR under cyclosporine-based therapy was diagnosed on 220 EMBs. Depending upon the outcome on the subsequent EMB, MAR was categorized as progressive or nonprogressive. This served as the dependent variable for a stepwise logistic regression analysis evaluating 11 covariates as potential risk factors: perioperative antibody prophylaxis (ATG vs. OKT3), maintenance therapy, underlying disease, HLA-mismatches for A- and B + DR-loci, serum creatinine (mg/dl) and cyclosporine HPLC blood level (ng/ml) at diagnosis of MAR and at subsequent biopsy, recipient age, donor age. 40 (18.2%) of 220 MARs became progressive as opposed to 37 (7.3%) of a control cohort of 507 negative EMBs (P less than 0.0001). Stepwise logistic regression yielded the type of maintenance therapy (P = 0.0019) and serum creatinine level at diagnosis of MAR (P = 0.0615) as independent predictors of progression of MAR. After adjustment for influence of maintenance therapy and serum creatinine none of the cyclosporine variables provided any additional information. MARs without maintenance steroids and low serum creatinine levels had the highest risk (37.2% observed incidence) to develop moderate or severe rejection on subsequent EMB. This analysis supports evidence that diagnosis of MAR on EMB is associated with a considerable high progression rate into clinically significant rejection when compared to negative EMBs. Progression particularly occurs in MAR under steroid-free maintenance therapy and suggests early augmentation of immunosuppression. In terms of progression of MAR serum creatinine values, obviously indicating cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, appear to reflect the extent of cyclosporine-mediated immunosuppressive activity more properly than parameters of its bioavailability by measuring cyclosporine HPLC blood levels.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

Demographic and perioperative factors associated with initial and prolonged sinus node dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation. The impact of ischemic time.

The etiology of sinus node (SN) dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation as assessed by the origin of rhythm, heart rate (HR), and, provided the origin of rhythm was sinus, by corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) was studied in 50 patients. The possible influences on postoperative donor SN function of donor age, recipient age, underlying pretransplant heart disease, pretransplant amiodarone (AMIO) treatment, date of surgery, ischemic time, surgical technique of atrial incision, the use of different cardioplegic solutions during the study period, and rejection were evaluated. The results thus obtained indicate that SN dysfunction is common after cardiac transplantation and pinpoint to a different etiology of transient (restoration of normal SN function within 4 postoperative weeks) and persistent (SN function still impaired at 3 months) SN dysfunction. Of the several demographic and perioperative variables evaluated, only ischemic time had an influence on postoperative SN function in that ischemic times were significantly longer in patients with impaired SN function when compared with patients exhibiting normal SN function (148 +/- 39 min vs. 110.5 +/- 36 min, respectively, P = 0.001). Further stratification according to the duration of SN dysfunction revealed significantly longer ischemic times in patients with transiently impaired SN function only (156.3 +/- 35 min vs. 110.5 +/- 36 min, P = 0.0026). No relation to persistent SN dysfunction of ischemic time (130.5 +/- 36 min vs. 110.5 +/- 36 min, P = ns) or any other factor investigated was found.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1991

The new small Viennese total artificial heart: experimental and first clinical experiences.

For bridging to transplantation, a new small total artificial heart (TAH) design has been developed. Function of the two membrane pumps (filling volume left: 87 ml, and right: 75 ml; four mechanical disc valves and screwed connectors) for orthotopic implantation were studied in calf experiments. A calf survival up to 180 days was achieved without problems by pumping with a rate of 117 +/- 2.4 beats/min and a cardiac output of 7.4 +/- 0.7 L/min. For bridging to transplantation, the New Small Viennese TAH was implanted into a small 45-year-old patient (height 160 cm, weight 75 kg) with end-stage coronary heart disease. The patient deteriorated suddenly [mean aortic pressure: 38 mm Hg; cardiac output (CO): 1.8-2.1 L/min; anuria and multiple organ failure] while waiting for a donor heart. Even though his pericardial space was not enlarged, no fitting problems appeared. By using pumping rates of 104.3 +/- 8.7 beats/min, a cardiac output of 5.8 +/- 0.63 L/min was achieved (free hemoglobin was 4.1 +/- 0.48 mg/dl). Even though blood circulation was reestablished, after a TAH duration of 12 days, multiple organ failure persisted, and TAH bridging had to be stopped. In November 1989, a 50-year-old deteriorating transplant candidate with idiopathic cardiomyopathy was bridged for 6 days. Adjusting the heart rate to 86.5 +/- 11.2 beats/min, a CO of 6.84 +/- 0.46 L/min was achieved (free hemoglobin was 5.9 +/- 1.7 mg/dl). Because of chronic liver dysfunction, the patient developed severe icterus while on the TAH, and it took 2 months after heart transplantation to achieve physiological bilirubin concentrations. The patient recovered fully and remains in excellent condition.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Heart transplantation in childhood].

This report presents 5 children, in whom a heart transplantation was performed at the II. Chirurgische Universitätsklinik of Vienna. At the time of transplantation the age of the children was 2, 3, 6, 10, and 14 years. The preoperative diagnosis was dilative cardiomyopathy in two patients, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, right ventricular decompensation after atrial repair of TGA and a tumor of the heart in the other patients. Three children are alive and well. One child suffered from severe postoperative complications and 1 child died because of rejection of the heart. Indication, follow-up, complications of the therapy and the position of heart transplantation in children are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Uni- and bilateral lung transplantation: surgical results and experiences of the 1st year. Vienna Lung Transplant Group].

Transplantation of the lung has gained increasing importance during the last years and is now an established therapy for end stage lung disease. After a 3 years period of preparation the first single lung transplantation (SLTX) was performed at the Second Surgical Department of the University of Vienna in November 1989, followed by the first double lung transplantation (DLTX) in April 1990. Until the end of 1990 11 patients underwent SLTX and 6 DLTX. 7 of the 11 SLTX patients and 4 of the 6 DLTX patients are at present alive with significantly improved lung function and therefore markedly improved quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Unilateral lung transplantation as an effective therapy in primary lung emphysema].

Unilateral lung transplantation is the treatment of choice for terminal restrictive lung disease. We report about three patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema treated by single lung transplantation. All patients are alive 3, 6 and 7 months after the operation with good quality of life. Blood gases have normalized and lung function parameters have markedly improved. We conclude, that single lung transplantation can be an effective treatment for selected patients with end-stage obstructive lung diseases in the absence of chronic infections.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Timing for implantation and transplantation in mechanical bridge to transplantation.

The implantation of a mechanical blood pump in a deteriorating candidate for heart transplantation is indicated in general if the cardiac index is less than 1.9 L/min/m2 despite maximal inotropic support. Deterioration of end organ function may be taken as a second factor indicating the need for mechanical support as patients with acute onset of shock may react differently from patients with chronic deterioration. Preoperative need for dialysis largely reduces the chances of long-term survival. The time on support should be long enough to normalize or at least improve secondarily damaged organ systems, but with time infectious and thromboembolic complications will increase. So optimal periods for artificial heart support range between two days and four weeks. Age less than 40 years is a positive predictor for outcome in TAH bridging. The general guidelines, however, do not preclude a favourable outcome in complicated cases, as we show in our own series.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Monitoring of mononuclear cell subsets isolated from the coronary sinus and the right atrium in patients after heart allograft transplantation.

The rejection of a transplanted heart leads to an accumulation of mononuclear cells in the cardiac tissue and to reactions of the antigen-recognizing cells with the foreign tissue. Consequently, during rejections immunologic changes, such as the number of mononuclear cells and the patterns of mononuclear cell subpopulations, should be detectable by analysis of mononuclear cells from the coronary sinus of transplanted hearts. Seventy-nine endomyocardial biopsies were performed in 37 patients. Severity of graft rejection was classified by the Billingham scheme. Thirty-two biopsy specimens showed no rejection, 33 mild, and 14 moderate rejection. After endomyocardial biopsy the coronary sinus was catheterized under x-ray guidance. Heparinized blood samples were obtained from the coronary sinus and the right atrium, and mononuclear cell counts and subpopulation pattern were compared. Patients without rejection and patients with mild rejection showed no significant differences in the patterns of mononuclear cell subpopulation identified in right atrium blood. However, a significant (1.56-fold) increase of mononuclear cells was assessed in the CS blood (p less than 0.01). Moderate rejections showed a 4.2-fold augmentation of mononuclear cells in the coronary sinus (p less than 0.005) compared with nonrejections. In addition, the T-helper/inducer (CD4) percentage increased from 27.1% in the right atrium to 41.2% in the coronary sinus (p less than 0.005), natural killer cells (CD16) from 17.7% to 31.8% (p less than 0.005), and the interleukin 2 receptor-bearing cells from 6.6% to 15.3% (p less than 0.005). Percentage of pan-T cells (CD3), T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells (CD8), and monocytes (CD14) showed no statistically significant changes. These findings correlated with grading according to endomyocardial biopsy. Using the ratio of values obtained from cells of the coronary sinus and the right atrium rendered the coronary sinus immunologic monitoring independent of changes in the administered immunosuppressive regimen. The specificity of the described method was as good as that of endomyocardial biopsy. It is concluded that the discrimination of the patterns of mononuclear cell subpopulations from right atrium versus coronary sinus blood samples is highly sensitive and allows the correct diagnosis of graft rejection within 1 to 2 hours.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1991

[Quality of life and personal satisfaction following heart transplantation: an indicator of treatment results].

Cardiac transplantation is an established method of treatment to prolong survival in terminally-ill patients with severe heart disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of life and its best expression as satisfaction in patients who had undergone cardiac transplantation one year previously. From a total of 47 patients (14 with coronary artery disease, 27 with dilated cardiomyopathy and six with valvular heart disease), self-assessment questionnaires were completed to judge postoperative improvement/deterioration (change of status) and satisfaction with the level achieved as designated on the basis of visual analogue scales. Quality of life and satisfaction were assessed in nine categories: physical, emotional, mental, vocational, sexual status, financial situation, leisure activities, partnership and overall quality of life. The data was analyzed with the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The patients reported a consistent improvement in quality of life and satisfaction with respect to all categories except financial situation. Accordingly, quality of life after cardiac transplantation can be regarded as substantially improved. While most marked improvement was incurred in physical status and, consequently, overall quality of life, there was also a meaningful salutary effect on psychosocial aspects of life such as emotional well-being and leisure time activities. There were significant differences between change of status postoperatively and satisfaction with the level achieved in the categories of mental and vocational status, financial situation and partnership as well as family relations. Statistical analysis showed that outcome with respect to quality of life and satisfaction was not dependent on the underlying disease or the age of the patient at the time of transplantation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

[Successful bridge transplantation with the Vienna artificial heart].

The Vienna Heart, a pulsatile artificial ventricle, vacuum-formed from Pellethane has been used successfully as total artificial heart (TAH) and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to bridge over patients in terminal heart failure. A 50 year-old patient with cardiomyopathy had to be resuscitated and was transferred in cardiogenic shock, with impaired renal and liver function. 6 days after orthotopic implantation of a Vienna TAH a suitable donor organ was found and the patient was transplanted. 7 weeks later he was discharged and is alive and well now. A 40-year-old patient was transferred in cardiogenic shock 22 days after recurrent anterior infarction. Due to renal failure he was on haemofiltration. Congestive liver failure caused a severe coagulation disorder so a Vienna LVAD was implanted without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Despite development of septicaemia he was transplanted 24 days later. It was thought that either the ventricular thrombus or the LVAD was the septic focus. All consecutive blood cultures have been negative and he was discharged 6 weeks later. To our knowledge, case 1 represents the first successful bridging with a non-Jarvic TAH. The second case shows that sepsis is not necessarily a contraindication to heart transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Surgical success following heart transplantation in relation to preoperative status].

Patients waiting for heart transplantation have in common the acute threat of death with a maximal survival time of one year, but they differ in quality of life within the waiting period for a donor organ. The spectrum of life quality ranges from being able to work up to the day of transplantation to virtual immobility in an intensive care unit, controlled by machines right up to operation. Using the Quality of Life Index (Spitzer) and surgical assessment on a 3-tier scale following rehabilitation as measurements, a random study on 31 patients was conducted to determine whether a significant connection exists between preoperative quality of life and the result of operation. The statistical evaluation (Kendall's Tau-B = 0.7; p = 0.33) did not show any connection at all... Good preoperative quality of life cannot, therefore, be taken as indicator of surgical success in heart transplantation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1990

[Heart transplantation: indication, selection criteria and patient management].

Evaluation of potential candidates for cardiac transplantation is a difficult and wearisome process for both physician and patients. As long as we are confronted with the present situation of an increasing chronic donor unavailability, the importance of standardized, rational criteria for evaluation of heart transplantation candidates has to be emphasized, since the success of any organ transplantation depends on adequate selection of potential candidates.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1990

Clinical and electrophysiologic correlates of sinus node dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation. Observations in 42 patients.

We assessed incidence and course of postoperative SN dysfunction in 42 cardiac transplant recipients. RHY, HR and CSNRT were compared in distinguishing between persistent (9 of 42 patients) and transient (11 of 42) SN dysfunction. Persistent SN dysfunction was distinguished by a significantly lower HR (day 14: 46.2 +/- 12 vs 67 +/- 19 bpm; day 21: 40.3 +/- 21 vs 70.8 +/- 16 bpm; p less than 0.05, respectively) and by RHY: postoperative AS (3 of 42) was found only in patients whose SN dysfunction persisted while patients with SR but prolonged CSNRT more often had transient impairment (6 of 42 vs 2 of 42); CSNRT, in contrast, is unlikely to be useful in distinguishing between transient and persistent SN dysfunction since exceptionally long CSNRTs (11,340 ms. 12,080 ms) occurred in patients with both types. Ischemic times were significantly longer in patients with transient impairment when compared with the group with normal SN function (155.1 +/- 36 vs 109.2 +/- 36 min, p less than 0.05) but did not differ significantly in patients with persistent SN dysfunction (124.8 +/- 32 min). Thus, (1) SN dysfunction after cardiac transplantation is common but most often transient; (2) RHY and HR are adequate follow-up parameters and best predictors of long-term SN function; (3) SN dysfunction after transplantation has important clinical implications given the unreliability of lower pacemakers to take over in 3 patients; (4) transient SN dysfunction is related to duration of ischemia during hypothermic preservation whereas pathogenesis of persistent SN dysfunction remains to be elucidated.

Adult↗