PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Neugebauer

Publications and source records attributed to A Neugebauer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Fractional flow reserve as a deciding criterion for intervention in patients with 50% coronary stenoses and impaired myocardial perfusion].

BACKGROUND: A fractional flow reserve (FFRmyo) < 0.75 is a well validated parameter for significance of coronary stenoses in cases of normal myocardial function. We used the FFRmyo limit in patients with impaired myocardial perfusion by myocardial infarction and/or hypertension for intermediate stenoses of the LAD for decision to PTCA and checked the indication by clinical follow-up. METHODS: In 20 pts (5 women) with chest pain and visual 50 D% LAD stenoses, the FFRmyo was obtained by using a RADI-Pressure-Wire, the CFR by a densitometric technique (HODGSON), and the geometry of stenosis (minimal lumen diameter and diameter stenosis) by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). EF and the kinetics of the anterolateral wall (expressed as radial shortening fraction) were measured by laevography. RESULTS: The mean age of our 20 pts. was 59.4 years: 13 of the pts. (65%) had a history of hypertension, 9 (45%) pts. a history of myocardial infarction. The mean diameter stenosis was 50.8%. The mean value of CFR was 2.9. The FFRmyo ranged from 0.66 to 0.90, the mean value was 0.78. The 12 pts. with FFRmyo > or = 0.75 (60%, group A) were treated with the usual anti-anginal medications. A PTCA was performed only in patients with FFRmyo < 0.75 (N = 8 (40%), group B). Except for one pt. with instent restenosis, in the 7 pts. with denovo stenoses stent implantation was performed. Significant differences between the groups A and B were seen only for the total number of myocardial infarctions (8/12 vs. 1/8) and diameter stenosis (48.5% vs. 54.3%). All lesions of group B had a diameter stenosis of 50% or higher. CFR correlated significantly with the radial shortening fraction (r = 0.75), minimal lumen diameter (r = -0.51) and diameter stenosis (r = -0.46). FFRmyo correlated with diameter stenosis (r = -0.47) only. All pts. treated with PTCA were primarily free of pain or reduced angina at least 1 CCS stage; only one developed an angina due to a restenosis (74 D%) 2 months after PTCA and stent implantation. The pts. of group A did not get worse, nor were they readmitted within 6 to 13 months after catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: Pts. with 50 D% stenoses, impaired myocardial perfusion and FFRmyo < 0.75 had a good long-term benefit concerning clinical and angiographic result. No pts. with FFRmyo < 0.75 had a D% lower than 50; therefore, the PTCA of intermediate stenoses without quantification must be avoided. CFR is not helpful for a decision to PTCA in such cases, because a normal value of CFR is relevant only.

Aged↗

[Catheter ablation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias].

The term "supraventricular tachyarrhythmia" summarizes electrophysiologically different arrhythmias. After detection of the mechanism of the present arrhythmia, the weak part of the reentrant circuit has to be identified using different mapping techniques. The catheter ablation is widely used as focal ablation (sinus tachycardia, ectopic atrial tachycardia, focal atrial fibrillation) or for interruption of conducting pathways (accessory pathways, AV nodal reentrant tachycardia). A single ablation line should be created in isthmus-dependent atrial flutter or in incisional tachycardias, which is less used now-a-days. Multiple ablation lines are needed for ablation of atrial fibrillation, which is a method investigated in arrhythmia centers only. Some arrhythmias are less well understood, not localizable and therefore not curatively treated with ablation techniques. Newer three-dimensional mapping methods may help in this situation. The challenge at the present time is the catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Catheter Ablation↗

Radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: mechanisms and recurrence rate.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the treatment of choice in atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Electrophysiologic investigations in 623 patients revealed eight mechanisms of tachycardia ablation: Ablation of fast (I) or slow (II), modification of fast (III) or slow AV nodal pathways (IV), modification of both pathways (V), ablation of fast and modification of slow (VI), ablation of slow and modification of fast pathways (VII) and ablation of both pathways (VIII). The criteria of diagnosis of these eight mechanisms of tachycardia ablation are described. Follow-up showed fewer relapses in patients with ablation (0-2%) in comparison to patients with modification of a single AV nodal pathway (8-12%). Alteration of both pathways includes an increasing risk of total AV nodal block, which occurred in 7 patients (1.1%). Detailed analysis of the mechanism of catheter ablation is recommended in all patients after radiofrequency current delivery for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia to estimate the risk of relapse during follow-up or development of total AV block in the particular patient in case of a further ablation procedure.

Catheter Ablation↗

Counterrotation of the globe in macular translocation.

BACKGROUND: Macular translocation is a new treatment option in age-related maculopathy. The aim of this study was to report experience with the handling of the sensory problems concerning subjective cyclorotation and binocularity that arise with this technique. METHODS: The data of 33 patients who had undergone macular translocation and counterrotation of the globe by muscle surgery in a first operation, followed by silicone oil removal and sometimes revision of the eye muscles in a second operation, were evaluated. The counterrotation consisted of a partial transposition of the rectus muscles and extensive surgery on the anterior margins of the oblique eye muscles. Subjective monocular cyclorotation, motility and binocularity were tested. RESULTS: In 5 patients after the two operations binocular single vision was proved; in one of these cases there was even stereoscopic function. Seventeen patients excluded one eye: 13 excluded the operated eye, 4 the fellow eye. Eleven patients experienced double vision or tilted images under binocular viewing conditions and thus required further surgery or occlusion of one eye. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients were not hindered by subjective cyclorotation. Nevertheless, in a large proportion of patients binocularity could not be reestablished because of still reduced visual acuity or cyclotropia. The data show that the aim of restoring binocularity can be achieved but in practice is often not attained.

Aged↗

The cost-effectiveness of screening strategies for amblyopia: a preliminary report.

Five screening strategies for amblyopia in different age groups were compared according to a decision-analytical model from the perspective of the health insurance funds. Our findings indicate that the costs per detected case of amblyopia range from about 1200 DM to 3000 DM (613 Euro to 1534 Euro). The two most cost-effective screening strategies were to screen high-risk children up to the age of one by ophthalmologists and to screen all children up to the age of one by ophthalmologists. The screening of high-risk children identifies only about a third of all affected children in this age group, when compared with the number of cases detected by screening all children up to the age of one. However, the average cost per detected case of amblyopia among high-risk children is lower than the cost of screening all children in this age range.

Amblyopia↗

Preliminary report: long-term results of transnasal orbital decompression in malignant Graves' ophthalmopathy.

In order to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of transnasal orbital decompression for malignant Graves' ophthalmopathy, we carried out a retrospective chart review and clinical follow-up examination of 78 consecutive patients who were operated on for compressive optic neuropathy (CON) with loss of visual acuity or visual field defects. The intervention - strictly transnasal, endoscopically controlled, bilateral decompression of the medial and inferomedial wall of the orbit - was performed when medical and radiation therapy had failed. A total of 145 endonasal decompressions were performed on 78 patients (63 female, 15 male, 52. 2 +/- 10.5 yrs.) over 9 years. Of these, 65 were operated bilaterally, 15 required only unilateral decompression; 4 had repeated surgery. Visual acuity increased from an average of 0.50 +/- 0.27 (range, 0.01 - 1.25) to 0.75 +/- 0.21 (range, 0.01 - 1.25). Proptosis decreased by an average of 3.94 +/- 2.73 mm (range, -1.0 - 11.0 mm), from a mean preoperative Hertel measurement of 22.19 +/- 3. 13 mm (range, 15 - 34 mm) to a mean postoperative Hertel measurement of 18.3 +/- 2.65 mm (range, 10 - 26 mm). Ocular motility was corrected by recession of the medial rectus muscle in 58 cases, in 26 cases immediately after decompression in the same surgical session. The transnasal orbital decompression procedure improved vision, decreased proptosis in a range comparable to more invasive techniques and had favorable cosmetic results without additional disfiguring by scars. Post-decompression strabismus was successfully managed by recession of both medial orbital muscles in the same surgical session.

Decompression, Surgical↗

Preschoolers' characterizations of multiple family relationships during family doll play.

Investigated 4-year-olds' depictions of family relationships during a semistructured doll play task. Examined developmental and family correlates of these depictions, and their relative stability over a 1-month period. Forty-nine children related stories about happy, sad, mad, and worried families using dolls reflecting their own family configuration. For each story, coders recorded (a) proportion of total story time devoted to each family dyad and (b) number of conflictive, aggressive, and affectionate acts per dyad. Children divided their focus during stories evenly between father-child, mother-child, and father-mother relationships with child-sibling interactions occurring regularly among participants with siblings. Depictions of affection and aggression among family figures were relatively commonplace, related to mothers' reports of family climate, and stable across a 1-month period. Results substantiated preschoolers' awareness and discrimination of intrafamily relationship dynamics and provided some guidelines and cautions to practitioners who employ doll family assessments in their clinical work.

Aggression↗

Transvasal closure of interatrial defects using the Babic double-umbrella occluder system.

The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility and safety of closure of atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale by means of a new interventional technique. Transvasal closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale was performed in 18 patients using an occluder system for atrial septal defects. Two patients had undergone unsuccessful direct surgical closure years before. Implantation and follow-up were controlled using radiographic views both with and without contrast injection, transthoracic and multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic imaging, color Doppler sonography, and computed tomography. The defect was closed in 16 patients using 19 procedures. Removal of the devices through the sheath was indicated in 4 patients because of placement failure. Intraprocedural complications were ventricular fibrillation in one patient and fixation of the device in Chiari's network in an additional one. During 7-26 months follow-up occluder damage was seen in two patients and perforation of the left atrium in one patient. Thickening on the occluder surface was observed in two patients. There was no death. The system for closure of atrial septal defect is feasible and safe in patients with defects < or = 27 mm in diameter. Long-term observation of outcome is limited yet.

Adult↗

The acute effects of intravenously administered mibefradil, a new calcium antagonist, on the electrophysiologic characteristics of the human heart.

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was designed to assess the acute effects of intravenous mibefradil on the electrophysiologic characteristics of the human heart. METHODS: Seventy-one patients referred for routine electrophysiologic testing were randomized to receive one of three intravenous treatments: placebo n = 23, 15 mg mibefradil in 15 min followed by 25 mg in 60 min (group 1, n = 24), or 35 mg mibefradil in 15 min followed by 45 mg in 60 min (group 2, n = 24). Electrophysiologic evaluations were performed prior to study drug administration and 30 min after the start of the infusion. Plasma samples were obtained at the start of the infusion and after 15, 75, and 105 min. RESULTS: Sinus node recovery time decreased significantly in Group 1 patients (-103 ms). Corrected sinus node recovery time in group 2 patients was 68.7 ms (P = 0.053). Compared to placebo, mibefradil produced mild but significant slowing of conduction in group 2 patients as manifested by an increase in the AH interval of 6.7 ms. Atrioventricular (AV) nodal refractoriness was increased, as indicated by a prolongation of the Wenckebach point in patients in both group 1 (32.1 ms) and group 2 (32.5 ms), compared to placebo. All adverse events were classified as mild to moderate and only one event (vasovagal attack) was considered to be treatment related. CONCLUSIONS: At plasma levels close to those found after chronic oral administration of 50 and 100 mg mibefradil, the higher dose produced an increase in corrected sinus node recovery time. Mibefradil also produced small but significant effects on AV nodal conduction and increased AV nodal refractoriness. Mibefradil had no effect on any other electrophysiologic parameter and was well tolerated.

Benzimidazoles↗

[Comparison of subjective and objective parameters after oculomotor muscle surgery].

BACKGROUND: In regard to quality-control studies concerning strabismus surgery we were interested in a comparison of subjective and objective parameters after squint surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a questionnaire 175 patients were asked for their evaluation of the functional and cosmetic results 1 week and 6 weeks after squint surgery. Parallel, objective parameters like reduction of the squint angle and quality of stereopsis were documented. RESULTS: Overall 94.2% of patients with esotropia (n = 52) were satisfied cosmetically and 5.8% were not 1 week after squint surgery was performed. In the group of a patients with exotropia (n = 36), 91.7% of the patients were satisfied cosmetically and 8.3% were not. Even in cases of esotropia or exotropia no changes in the quality of stereopsis were noted by some patients or they could not be mentioned in the questionnaire. Some patients did not appreciate the improvement of binocular function found in our examination. CONCLUSIONS: Good congruence between objective and subjective results 1 week after squint surgery was found.

Adolescent↗

[QT dispersion in surface ECG and QT dynamics in long-term ECG in patients with coronary heart disease in the chronic post-infarct stage with and without ventricular tachyarrhythmias--correlation with other risk parameters].

QT-dispersion (QTD) in 12-lead surface-ECG and QT-dynamics in Holter-ECG, defined as the time-course of the frequency corrected QT-interval (mQTc), were determined in 42 patients with coronary artery disease in chronic postinfarction stadium without ventricular tachyarrhythmias (CAD/VTA-) and in 24 CAD patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (CAD/VTA+). 14 healthy volunteers served as control group (CG). Correlations with hemodynamic data (LVEF, severity of CAD) and with other risk-parameters (ventricular late potentials, short-time heart rate variability) were calculated. QTD in CAD/VTA-was significantly higher compared to CG (48.4 ms+/- 19.6 vs 31.4 ms +/- 9.8, p < 0.05). There were no intergroup differences in QT-dynamics. CAD/VTA+ patients showed the highest QTD-values (59.5 ms +/- 31.1, p < 0.05 compared to CG/CAD/VTA0) and a significantly altered QT-dynamics compared to CG/CAD/VTA- (mQTc: 431.3 ms +/- 38.8 vs 400.8 ms +/- 25.5 vs 406.3 ms +/- l0.6, p < 0.05). Only parameters of QTD were significantly correlated to severity of CAD (r = +0.41, p < 0.01) and to LVEF (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). We did not find significant correlations between the parameters of QT-dispersion/QT-dynamics among one another and to the risk-parameters. These results indicate that the QT-dispersion in CAD-patients also in chronic post-infarction stadium is elevated and that CAD-patients with VTA are characterized by an altered QT-dynamics. Parameters of both methods are independent of other validated risk-parameters. So the measurement of QT-dispersion and QT-dynamics as markers of inhomogenous repolarization could contribute to an improvement of risk-stratification of CAD-patients.

Coronary Disease↗

Do standard procedures in squint surgery influence the blood-aqueous barrier?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Surgery on the rectus muscles may interfere with anterior segment perfusion. This study investigates the influence of combined rectus muscle surgery on the blood-aqueous barrier in children. Namely, the influences of tucking and resection procedures were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Laser flare measurements for tyndallometry were performed preoperatively and postoperatively in 25 children. Fifteen of the children had undergone a combination of a rectus recession and tucking; 10 had undergone a combined recession-resection procedure. RESULTS: The mean preoperative flare value was 4.1 photon counts/ms versus 3.7 photon counts/ms postoperatively in the eyes that had undergone surgery. Statistical evaluation showed that the postoperative changes were insignificant. No significant difference was found between the two surgical techniques (tucking vs resection) regarding the preoperative versus postoperative flare value change (level of statistical significance .05). CONCLUSION: Combined squint surgery, either recession-tucking or recession-resection, was not shown to influence the blood-aqueous barrier.

Anterior Eye Segment↗

[Vitamin E distribution of lipoproteins in patients with coronary heart disease].

The oxidative modification of LDL could play an important role for the development of atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to compare the concentration of vitamin E in serum and lipoproteins between patients with coronary heart disease and a healthy control group. The study included 36 male patients with angiographically established coronary three-vessel disease and 32 healthy volunteers. Cholesterin, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterin, HDL-cholesterin, and vitamin E in serum and in lipoproteins were determined. The serum vitamin E concentration in the patients group was significantly higher than in controls. However, vitamin E was correlated with cholesterin in both groups. The distribution of vitamin E in healthy volunteers was LDL 53%, HDL 34% and VLDL 13%, whereas that in patients was LDL 57%, HDL 26% and VLDL 16%. The level of vitamin E in LDL was in the patient group significantly higher and correlated with the vitamin E- and the cholesterin-concentration in serum. The ratio vitamin E/cholesterin in LDL was in patients discretely lower, whereas the same ratio in HDL was higher. The results suggest that also in patients with coronary artery disease vitamin E is related to the lipid concentration. The decreased ratio vitamin E/cholesterin in LDL could be attributed to the oxidative modification of LDL.

Adult↗

Effects of bilateral orbital decompression by an endoscopic endonasal approach in dysthyroid orbitopathy.

AIMS: The efficacy of endoscopic endonasal orbital decompression in dysthyroid orbitopathy was analysed. METHODS: In 21 consecutive cases of bilateral operation short term (10 (SD 6) days after operation) and long term (156 (12) days after operation) results were recorded. RESULTS: Short term results showed that vision of the more affected eye improved from a mean of 0.35 to 0.59; vision improved in all but one eye which remained unchanged. In the fellow eyes mean visual acuity improved from 0.6 to 0.7; three of these eyes showed a decrease. Mean proptosis returned from 23.0 mm to 20.0 mm. As to motility the mean abductive capacity decreased from 5.5 mm to 4.0 mm of monocular excursion, whereas adduction increased from 7.5 mm to 8.5 mm. Upgaze and downgaze did not show any major change. The mean angle of horizontal squint shifted from 7.5 degrees of convergence to 15.5 degrees while no significant vertical or cyclorotational deviation was induced. These immediate postoperative results proved to be stable for the period of long term follow up with only slight changes. No significant bleeding or specific otorhinolaryngological complication without resolve occurred intraoperatively or perioperatively. CONCLUSION: This method is believed to be superior to non-endoscopic techniques because it avoids external scars and antral pain. With regard to the relief of intraorbital pressure, the technique gives good results for visual acuity improvement, but in proptosis reduction the method is not as efficient as external or combined procedures. There seems to be no difference when compared with other approaches in induction of horizontal squint. The method has a protective long term effect against the recurrence of compressive optic neuropathy.

Adult↗

The influence of strabismus surgery on the blood-aqueous barrier: tyndallometry case studies in patients with risk factors.

We present tyndallometry as a method for investigation of subclinical changes in anterior-chamber flare in patients with risk factors regarding anterior-segment ischemia after squint surgery. The cases of six adult patients who underwent surgery on the vertical recti and who had additional risk either because of dysthyroid orbitopathy or because of transpositions carried out on the recti are presented. In one case a transient subclinical increase in the flare value was observed. This noninvasive method seems suitable for the provision of further information on the pathophysiology of anterior-segment ischemia and for monitoring of patients at special risk postoperatively such that early treatment can be started if necessary. Additionally, early detection of nonischemic intraocular inflammation in the postoperative course is rendered possible by this examination.

Adult↗

Unscheduled brain DNA synthesis, long-term potentiation, and depression at the perforant path-granule cell synapse in the rat.

We investigated the effect of long-term potentiation (LTP) of the perforant path-granule cell synapse, on the synthesis of DNA in the target area and in polysynaptically stimulated hippocampal (CA3/CA1) and cortical areas (entorhinal, temporal, and occipital cortices) in the rat. The contralateral nonstimulated side was used as a control. The degree of LTP was indexed by the field EPSP and population spike amplitude recorded in the dentate area of the stimulated side before and after high frequency stimulation (250 Hz, 250 ms) every 30 min. DNA synthesis was evaluated in tissue homogenates after a 3-h period of incorporation of 3H-thymidine. DNA synthesis was significantly lower in the stimulated side in the hippocampal cortex CA3/CA1 (-25%), and in the entorhinal cortex (-50%), but not in the dentate area. In addition, the occurrence of preparations without expression of LTP allowed the analysis of unscheduled brain DNA synthesis (UBDS) in a supposedly long-term depression (LTD) subgroup. UBDS was higher in the group without LTP (no-LTP group) than in that with a significant LTP expression (LTP-group) on both sides of the brain. Furthermore, correlative analyses revealed that UBDS covaried with LTP of the EPSP (but not of population spike) in the dentate area and in extratarget hippocampal subregions on both sides and in dorsal cortex on the stimulated side. Further, regional crosscorrelation analyses revealed a high degree of coupling among brain sites following LTP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗