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Biomedical subjects

B R Wilcox

Publications and source records attributed to B R Wilcox.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Surgical management of left ventricular-aortic discontinuity complicating bacterial endocarditis.

Successful hemodynamic repair of left ventricular-aortic discontinuity complicating bacterial endocarditis in 2 patients was achieved using a composite valve-woven Dacron tube graft. The prosthetic valve was sutured without tension into the remaining aortic annulus, ventricular muscle, and base of the aortic leaflet of the mitral valve. Use of the composite graft allows adequate debridement of the abscess, restores ventricular-aortic continuity, excludes the abscess wall from systemic pressure, and does not require saphenous vein coronary bypass. Total exclusion of the aortic root, as described, is a lifesaving alternative repair in the care of desperately ill patients with this condition.

Abscess↗

The effects of early pneumonectomy on the remaining pulmonary parenchyma.

To determine the age-related response of the remaining pulmonary parenchyma to lung resection, a matched set of 24 purebred beagle dogs underwent pneumonectomy at 6 to 10 weeks of age (group I) or at 1 year of age (group II). Eight unoperated adult beagles served as controls (group III). One year after pneumonectomy, pulmonary hemodynamics in group I were the same as those in older animals shortly after pneumonectomy and in normal control animals. Functional residual capacity, total lung capacity, single breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and static lung compliance were measured in all three groups while anesthetized and intubated. Lung volumes and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide in group I did not differ significantly from those of control animals. Group I animals did have a lower lung compliance than the control group, but significantly greater than the group II adult pneumonectomy dogs. The adult pneumonectomy dogs (group II) had significantly lower values for lung volumes, diffusion capacity, and compliance when compared to the control group. Arterial blood gases were not significantly different among the groups. It is concluded that beagles undergoing early pneumonectomy have an increase of alveoli beyond the normal complement in the remaining lung with concomitant remodeling of the pulmonary capillary bed resulting in normal lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and gas exchange.

Age Factors↗

The assessment of operability of esophageal carcinoma.

The extremely poor outlook for patients with esophageal cancer necessitates careful definition of the extent of disease prior to the selection of treatment. Evaluation of regional lymph node involvement may avoid excessive morbidity and identify favorable candidates for aggressive excisional therapy. The role of combined mediastinoscopy and celiotomy in assessing the operability of epidermoid carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus was examined in 30 consecutive candidates for esophageal resection at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. The prognostic value of combined mediastinoscopy and celiotomy in assessing the operability of epidermoid value in assessing mediastinal extension of carcinoma of the upper thoracic and midthoracic esophagus.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

The role of transbronchial lung biopsy in diffuse pulmonary disease.

Forty consecutive patients underwent flexible fiberoptic transbronchial lung biopsy for diagnosis of diffuse nodular or infiltrative lung disease. Biplane fluoroscopic examination with image intensification greatly facilitated accurate placement of the biopsy forceps near the pleura; Specimens of lung parenchyma were obtained for culture and histological study in every case. A pathological diagnosis was correctly established in 34 of 40 patients. Transbronchial biopsy was helpful in the clinical management of an additional 4 patients. Biopsy results were not accurate in 2 patients. No significant morbidity was associated with the procedure. Fiberoptic transbronchial lung biopsy is a safe and useful adjunct to the diagnosis of parenchymal lung disease.

Adolescent↗

The long-term outlook for valve replacement in active endocarditis.

This study follows the clinical course of 22 patients in the active phase of infective endocarditis who inderwent valve replacement at North Carolina Memorial Hospital between March, 1966, and March, 1976. At the time of operation, there was gross valve tissue destruction in 16 patients, verrucae in nine, ruptured chordae tendineae in five, and myocardial or annular abscess formation in five. Four patients survived less than 6 months after the initial operation. One survived almost 3 years before dying of recurrent carcinoma of the lung. The remaining 17 patients have been followed an average of 4.6 years. Major postoperative complications were as follows: paravalvular problem, five patients; congestive heart failure, seven patients; complete heart block, three patients; systemic arterial emboli, four patients. These complications often were associated with the preoperative presence of annular or myocardial abscess. Thus it appears that postoperative complications often result from annular structural deficiencies rather than being directly related to active infection.

Adolescent↗

Clinical evaluation of the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valve.

A four-year clinical evaluation of 133 patients with Lillehei-Kaster pivoting-disc valves has shown that patients with an aortic valve prosthesis have remained free from valve-related problems. Patients with a mitral valve implanted have a satisfactory survival record as calculated by actuarial methods; however, a 10% incidence of valve thrombosis was experienced. Analysis suggests that this may be related to inadequate anticoagulation or use of an inappropriate suturing technique or both. The patients enjoyed significant clinical improvement following operation, with no evidence of hemolysis. A history suggestive of postoperative embolization was present in only 1 patient in this series.

Adolescent↗

Contrasting pulmonary blood flow profiles in children with atrial and ventricular septal defects.

Instantaneous pulmonary blood flow profiles and other measures of haemodynamic functioning were studied in children with atrial septal defects (ASD) and children with ventricular septal defects (VSD) and normal pulmonary pressures and resistance at the time of defect closure. Though most parameters measured were comparable in the patient populations, several significant differences were found in the shape of the flow profile.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Hemodynamic evaluation of the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting disc valve in patients.

Forty-five patients with Lillehei-Kaster pivoting disc valves had intraoperative assessment of valve hemodynamic function by simultaneous recording of aortic, left ventricular, and left atrial pressures and cardiac output. Mean transvalve gradients and prosthetic valve areas were calculated and recorded. Comparison of the results with data previously reported on the caged-ball valves indicates that the Lillehei-Kaster pivoting disc valve has superior hemodynamic characteristics.

Aortic Valve↗

Intramural esophageal hamartoma. An unusual cause of progressive stricture in a child.

The unusual occurrence of an intramural hamartoma mimicking a peptic esophageal stricture in a child is presented. Early operative intervention is indicated to diagnose the condition and to avoid certain morbidity or death. The remarkable embryologic feature of this report is the presence of annular cartilage at the site of the esophageal stricture. Conservative resection of the involved esophagus and primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice.

Child, Preschool↗

Secundum atrial septal defect and mitral valve incompetence.

Mitral regurgitation associated with secundum atrial septal defect is described in 4 patients, each with a different mitral lesion: rheumatic valvular disease, congenitally cleft valve, subacute bacterial endocarditis with disruption of the chordae tendineae, and traumatic valve rupture. The pathological spectrum of mitral valve disease associated with atrial septal defect is reviewed, and it is suggested that structural abnormality of the mitral valve may accompany the atrial septal defect. More general awareness of this association will allow the surgeon more accuracy in defining and repairing this rather unusual combination of lesions.

Adult↗

Aortic valve replacement in the anephric patient.

A 30-year-old anephric patient on a home dialysis program developed bacterial endocarditis, aortic insufficiency, and severe hear failure. After a period of intensive medical management she underwent aortic valve replacement successfully. One year following operation she continues to do well and is again managed by home dialysis without further complication.

Adolescent↗