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Biomedical subjects

C E Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to C E Ruiz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Factors determining normalization of pulmonary vascular resistance following successful balloon mitral valvotomy.

Balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) provides improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with severe mitral stenosis. Its normalization, however, remains questionable. We evaluated PVR before, after BMV, and at follow-up in 37 patients who had a previous successful BMV. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 had 21 patients with normalized PVR (<125 dynes/s/cm5) either after BMV or at follow-up, and group 2 had 16 patients with persistently abnormal PVR. Patients in group 2 were older than patients in group 1 (55+/-13 vs 43+/-14 years, p = 0.01) and had atrial fibrillation more frequently (10 [63%] vs 6 [29%], p = 0.04). Age, cardiac rhythm, mitral valve area, pulmonary bed gradient, pulmonary artery pressure, and PVR before the procedure were significant univariate predictors for normalization of PVR. Age, echocardiographic score, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and mitral regurgitation were all independent determinants of normalization of PVR in a multivariate logistic regression model. We conclude that PVR failed to return to normal in 16 patients (43%) after successful BMV; this can be predicted by baseline clinical and hemodynamic parameters.

Adult↗

Percutaneous closure of a left ventricular perforation post balloon mitral valvotomy.

The risk of left ventricular perforation is a rare but well-recognized complication of percutaneous double balloon mitral valvuloplasty that usually requires surgical bailout. We describe a case of left ventricular perforation with cardiac tamponade, caused by the propulsion of the balloons during balloon mitral valvotomy on an 86-year-old female with previous thoracotomies that was resolved using percutaneous coil embolization of the perforation. This approach to these types of complications, although unlikely to be of extensive use, will serve to expand the horizon of options in the field of interventions. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:78-83, 1999.

Aged↗

Comparison of late results of balloon valvotomy in mitral stenosis with versus without mitral regurgitation.

Balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV) is safe and effective in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and coexisting mild mitral regurgitation (MR). Influence of preexisting MR on late outcome of BMV is under evaluation. We included 77 patients without MR and 72 with MR in this study, and compared their immediate and late results in a mean follow-up of 33 +/- 24 months after BMV. Patients with coexisting MR were older and more frequently had significant valvular calcium and atrial fibrillation than patients without MR. After BMV, mitral valve gradient decreased, and cardiac output and mitral valve area by planimetry increased significantly (all p = 0.0001) in both groups. There was no difference in values of mitral valve gradient and cardiac output after BMV between the groups. Mitral valve area was significantly smaller in patients with preexisting MR. During follow-up, there were 11 patients (14%) in the group without MR and 24 (33%) in the group with MR developed cardiac events (p = 0.006). Cumulative event-free survival was 90% at the second year, 87% at the fourth year, and 69% at the sixth year, respectively, in the group without MR versus 78%, 62%, and 37%, respectively, in the group with MR (p = 0.0014). Cox regression showed that preexisting MR was a significant predictor for late cardiac events with a threefold increased hazard risk (p = 0.0025), but age, valvular calcium, echocardiographic score, and cardiac rhythm also played a culpable role. We conclude that preexisting MR is an important risk factor for poor, late outcome of BMV.

Adolescent↗

Catheter therapy for fontan baffle obstruction and leak, using an endovascular covered stent.

A 6 1/2-year-old (weight 20 kg) patient was found to have significant cavo-atrial obstruction and significant right-to-left shunt via multiple large fenestrations in the baffle, with oxygen saturation of 81% 3 1/2 yr after a fenestrated Fontan operation. In one session, this patient had undergone placement of a Palmaz stent at the cavo-atrial narrowing in order to increase anterograde venous return into the pulmonary artery. This was unsuccessful in improving the oxygen saturation because of the large leak in the baffle. Therefore, at a second catheterization session, two telescoping dacron-covered experimental vascular self-expanding stents were placed from the right atrial origin (distal to the hepatic veins) into the pulmonary artery connection delineated by the Palmaz stent, with complete reconstruction of the baffle and improvement in oxygen saturation to 95%.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Percutaneous treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a swine model: understanding the behavior of aortic aneurysm closure through a serial histopathological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies used covered stent grafts to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms; however, such devices block flow into aortic side branches. We used uncovered stents with and without additional embolization coils to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm in a swine model and examined serial histological changes in the aneurysms over a 6-month period. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined aneurysms in 9 control and 9 treated pigs (5 received stents alone and 4 received stents and coils). Aneurysms were surgically created with abdominal fascia. Three days later, we percutaneously placed a self-expandable uncovered stent across the aneurysm. Coils were implanted through the stent into the aneurysm lumen. An aortogram immediately after stent placement showed no significant change in aneurysm lumen; however, in pigs that had aortograms between 6 weeks and 6 months after treatment, the diameter decreased (28% to 65%) in 4 of 5 pigs, and 1 had no discernible aneurysm. Three treated pigs died, but only 1 from rupture. In contrast, 7 untreated aneurysms ruptured (2 pigs died of other causes). Histological examination revealed that the aneurysm lumen was reduced after treatment by collagen production. This healing process was accelerated in aneurysms treated with both stents and coils. In contrast, only limited amounts of new collagen were found in untreated, ruptured aneurysms. Instead, the fascia was disrupted and there was evidence of collagen degradation. CONCLUSIONS: We found that uncovered stents reduce the likelihood of aneurysm rupture in a swine model without blocking arterial branches. The presence of coils enhanced filling of the lumen by collagen.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗

A novel prognostic scoring system to predict late outcome after percutaneous balloon valvotomy in patients with severe mitral stenosis.

We developed a prognostic scoring system to predict the outcome of follow-up after balloon mitral valvotomy. The system incorporates seven variables before valvotomy: age, New York Heart Association class, fluoroscopic calcification, echocardiographic score, cardiac rhythm, mitral regurgitation, and mitral valve area. Each variable was coded with either 0 or 1 and a total score was between 0 and 7. The study included 150 patients with a mean follow-up of 33 +/- 24 months. In patients with scores of 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-7, the estimated cardiac event-free survival rate was 97%, 94%, 86%, and 68%, respectively, at 1 year; 95%, 88%, 74%, and 47%, respectively, at 3 years; and 92%, 82%, 61%, and 30%, respectively, 5 years after valvotomy (p = 0.0001). The hazard risk ratio for cardiac events was 1.7 times greater for every step up of the score (p = 0.0001). Our scoring system provides a simple but effective method to predict late outcome of balloon mitral valvotomy.

Catheterization↗

Non-surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Percutaneous placement of an endovascular stent, with and without coils, in the treatment of large AAA in animal models is feasible, safe and effective. The covered stent sealed off AAA immediately after stent placement, however, it interrupted blood flow into arteries in the area covered by the stent. The uncovered stent prevented further expansion of the aneurysm and also significantly decreased the incidence of rupture. The long-term patency of branch arteries by the uncovered stent supported the possibility of safely using this approach in humans. Furthermore, either covered stent or uncovered stent with additional coils have the potential for treatment of acute aneurysm rupture or leaking. Most importantly, the aneurysm lumen in our model was gradually replaced by collagen after stent placement which further reduces the risk of aneurysm rupture: and this healing process was enhanced by the addition of coils. If proven safe and effective for humans as well, this technique has the potential for substantially reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with AAA.

Animals↗

Core curriculum for the training of pediatric invasive/interventional cardiologists: report of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions Committee on Pediatric Cardiology Training Standards.

Within the field of pediatric cardiology, a number of subspecialty fields are generally recognized. Some of these overlap. For example, most electrophysiologists also would consider themselves to be clinical cardiologists. Some fields, however, are relatively mutually exclusive. For example, most clinical pediatric cardiologists would not consider themselves to be electrophysiologists and would admit that there is a different knowledge, skill, and experience base that separates an electrophysiologist from other specialists within the broader field of pediatric cardiology. Likewise, it is our opinion that a separate knowledge, skill, and experience base exists among pediatric Invasive/Interventional cardiologists. The purpose of this report is to define the unique knowledge and skill base required for the training of an invasive pediatric cardiologist. The scope of this report is limited to the training of Invasive/Interventional cardiologists dealing with the treatment of pediatric patients and the cardiac diseases most often encountered in these patients. This report describes in detail the core curriculum suggested for the training of an invasive pediatric cardiologist. For these purposes, invasive pediatric cardiology encompasses all aspects of pediatric diagnostic cardiac catheterization, whether congenital or acquired. Additional curriculum regarding training for therapeutic or interventional procedures is also addressed because of today's needs: most pediatric cardiac catheterizations are performed to acquire specific data that cannot be obtained otherwise by non-invasive technologies and are required for the best medical or surgical management. However, more and more frequently the need for a cardiac catheterization entertains the possibility of having to proceed with an interventional procedure, and therefore, to conserve the vessels of pediatric patients as well as to consider costs, any invasive pediatric cardiologist should be well trained in most of the accepted interventional pediatric cardiology procedures. The curricula is divided here into five major sections followed by a bibliography keyed to those sections. Also included is a suggested format for the objective evaluation and documentation of the progress of invasive pediatric cardiology fellows. It is intended to complement the core curriculum and provide a means for standardizing the evaluation of invasive pediatric cardiology fellows.

Angiography↗