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Biomedical subjects

C Dresler

Publications and source records attributed to C Dresler.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Ectopic thyroid tissue in the heart--two case reports].

A 61-year-old previously healthy woman had been suffering from a dry cough for several weeks. On auscultation she had a 3/6 holosystolic murmur. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) and abnormal repolarisation. Conventional and oesophageal echocardiography revealed a right ventricular tumour and significant coronary heart disease. At operation a tumour, arising from the interventricular septum and histologically consisting of thyroid tissue, was resected. In addition, the left mammary artery was anastomosed to the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. A 34-year-old woman developed increasing exertion-independent dyspnoea. For years she had had occasional attacks of palpitations and restlessness, once even a syncope. The ECG showed IRBBB, echocardiography demonstrated a tumour attached to the right side of the interventricular septum. The tumour was removed and found histologically to consist of colloid-containing thyroid follicles. Both tumours were benign. 45 and 36 months, respectively, later both patients are free of symptoms.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of active infective endocarditis with paravalvular involvement.

Aortic root infection remains a challenging problem in the surgical treatment of both native and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Between 1980 and 1991, 73 patients with active aortic valve endocarditis and paravalvular infection underwent operation. Indications for operation included congestive heart failure and uncontrolled sepsis. Aortic root abscesses were located in the noncoronary anulus or in the aorticomitral junction in 45% of cases, followed by the subannular interventricular septum in 23%. Two patients had an aorticoatrial fistula, seven an interventricular septal defect. Total or partial left ventricular-aortic dehiscence was observed in 27 patients. All patients underwent aortic valve replacement, nine with simultaneous mitral valve operations. Two of the latter required patch reconstruction of the destroyed aorticomitral septum with double valve replacement. Reconstruction of the aortic base was possible in 16 patients, whereas in 12 total replacement of the aortic root was necessary. In one patient, supracoronary aortic valve replacement was used. Recently, topical application of antibiotics in fibrin sealant was used in 25 patients. The operative mortality rate was 21% and correlated to preoperative uncontrolled sepsis and the presence of extensive root destruction. Operation for active endocarditis of the aortic root requires radical, individualized techniques and results in an acceptable operative and long-term risk. The use of an antibiotic fibrin compound appears to be a useful prophylactic tool to prevent postoperative residual endocarditis.

Abscess↗

Cytomegalovirus infection and pneumonitis. Impact after isolated lung transplantation. Washington University Lung Transplant Group.

Using aggressive surveillance of blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and lung tissue, we sought to determine the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis in isolated lung transplant recipients and to characterize its impact on pulmonary function, chronic rejection, and survival. Forty-six lung transplant recipients who survived greater than 30 days had prospective documentation of CMV infection in blood and BAL fluid and regular surveillance with transbronchial lung biopsy. CMV infection was documented in 92% of patients who were D-/R+, D+/R+, or D+/R-, and the incidence of histologically confirmed CMV pneumonitis among these patients was 75%. No D-/R- patient experienced CMV infection or disease. D+/R- patients experienced more frequent and severe episodes, and ganciclovir prophylaxis during the first 2 wk was not useful. CMV pneumonitis was accompanied by detectable radiographic changes in less than one third of cases. The detection of CMV in BAL fluid was not predictive of CMV pneumonitis on biopsy, except in D+/R- patients during the first 90 days after transplantation. There was no evidence of an adverse impact because of CMV infection on pulmonary function during the first year after transplantation. A relationship between CMV infection and bronchiolitis obliterans could not be documented; however, D+/R- patients had higher morbidity and a trend toward lower survival. In a multivariate analysis, D+/R- status was an independent predictor of death.

Adult↗

Enoximone, a post-operative inodilator in patients following mitral valve operation: a prospective and controlled study.

Inotropic support is often required for post-operative management of patients following mitral valve operation. The use of positive inotropes is limited by tolerance development and increase in myocardial oxygen demand. We have compared i.v. enoximone (E) (group E, n = 13), a recently developed phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, to the conventional i.v. therapeutics dopamine (D) and glyceroltrinitrate (G) in patients following mitral valve operation. The two groups were comparable in terms of physical and pre-operative haemodynamic data. Haemodynamic measurements including cardiac index (CI) determinations were recorded for the first 18 h post surgery in both groups. Group E received a bolus of 1 mg.kg-1 E followed by 4-20 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 (mean = 5 +/- 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) for 14 h according to therapeutic requirements, while group D received dopamine (4-10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, mean = 3.8 +/- 1.9 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) and glyceroltrinitrate (0.5-5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1; mean = 4 +/- 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Adrenaline was added if the MAP was below 60 mmHg or the CI was below 2.5 in both groups (range 50-500 ng.kg-1.min-1; mean E = 0.7 +/- 2 ng.kg-1.min-1; mean D = 2 +/- 2.8 ng.kg-1.min-1). Bolus injection of E resulted in a rise in CI from 2.6 to 3.21.min-1.m-2 (P less than 0.05) within 30 min, followed by a further rise to a maximum of 3.51.min-1.m-2 6 h post bolus. Termination of the E drip resulted in a drop of CI to baseline values (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Lung transplantation of ventilator-dependent patients. The Washington University Lung Transplantation Group.

During the last few years, lung transplantation has been extended to patients with a variety of end-stage lung diseases, but recipient selection guidelines have remained relatively strict. Ventilator-dependent patients have traditionally been considered poor candidates for transplantation. However, patients who have been thoroughly evaluated and accepted for transplantation and subsequently develop respiratory failure caused by progression and/or exacerbation of their underlying disease and recipients who experience respiratory failure caused by graft failure may be suitable candidates while ventilator-dependent if no other major complications or contraindications arise before a donor organ becomes available.

Adult↗

Morbidity, mortality, and early results of single versus bilateral lung transplantation for emphysema.

Both single lung transplantation and bilateral lung transplantation have been successful in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Limited availability of donor lungs dictates wider use of single lung transplantation as long as this procedure provides a comparable functional result at less risk. Early morbidity, mortality rates, and functional results were compared in 32 consecutive patients undergoing either single or bilateral lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When pretransplantation and posttransplantation values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second, single breath diffusing capacity, total lung capacity, arterial oxygen tension, and 6-minute walking distance were compared, statistically significant improvement (p less than 0.01) was seen in both groups. However, significantly higher values (p less than 0.01) were attained for forced expiratory volume in 1 second, single breath diffusing capacity, and arterial oxygen tension in the bilateral transplantation group than in the single lung transplantation group. Patients receiving bilateral lung transplants were at greater risk for postoperative complications, especially cardiac arrhythmias and bronchial anastomotic defects. Actuarial survival for the single lung transplantation group was 93% at 1 year, versus 87% at 6 months and 71% at 1 year for the bilateral lung transplantation group. The optimal transplantation procedure for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has not been determined. Longer follow-up periods are needed to define better the roles of bilateral and single lung transplantation in this group of patients.

Age Factors↗

Nitrogen balance and electrolyte requirements in intralipid-based hyperalimentation.

The present study was directed at determining whether or not a relatively low-calorie regimen in which 40 to 50% of the calories are provided as fat will produce positive nitrogen balance in most patients, and at establishing the electrolyte requirements for such a regimen. Clearly, the recommended regimen is successful in promoting nitrogen balance and provides adequate electrolytes. Further experience will be necessary to determine the place of intravenous fat emulsions in the clinical practice of total parenteral nutrition.

Diet↗