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Biomedical subjects

D C Crowley

Publications and source records attributed to D C Crowley.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hemodynamic responses to upright exercise of adolescent cardiac transplant recipients.

To characterize the hemodynamic response to exercise after cardiac transplantation, we asked seven adolescent transplant patients (aged 15.1 +/- 0.7 years; mean +/- SE) to perform upright discontinuous exercise to volitional exhaustion on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer. Data were compared with those of seven control subjects matched for age, gender, body mass, percentage of fat, and body surface area. The transplant group had lower peak power output values (92 +/- 13 vs 146 +/- 30 watts; p less than or equal to 0.001) and maximum oxygen consumption values (22 +/- 8 vs 32 +/- 8 ml/kg per minute; p less than or equal to 0.03), despite achieving the same peak venous lactic acid concentration (6.2 +/- 3 vs 5.9 +/- 3 mEq/L; p = not significant). The transplant group had a diminished heart rate in response to exercise--44% lower than the control group had (delta = 49 +/- 6.4 vs 87 +/- 9.1 beats/min; p = 0.005). The cardiac output response to exercise was maintained in the transplant group (delta = 6.5 +/- 1.5 vs 4.6 +/- 0.8 L/min; p = not significant) by an augmented stroke volume response (delta = 31 +/- 10 vs -4 +/- 3.4 ml; p = 0.01), which may relate to a greater decrease in systemic vascular resistance during exercise (delta = -13.7 +/- 2.2 vs -6.3 +/- 1.2 Wood units; p = 0.02). Thus adolescents who have undergone cardiac transplantation have a normal cardiac output response to upright exercise. This is accomplished, despite a blunted heart rate response, by an augmented stroke volume that may relate to the greater decrease in systemic resistance during exercise.

Adolescent↗

Intermediate-term survival and functional results after arterial repair for transposition of the great arteries.

An assessment of late morbidity and mortality is essential before arterial repair can be considered truly corrective for patients with transposition of the great arteries. We describe the early and intermediate-term results in 126 patients who underwent arterial repair. Operation was performed at a median age of 6 days, with 76 patients operated on within the first 7 days of life. Coronary artery anatomy differed from the usual arrangement in 37 patients. Simultaneous procedures included ventricular septal defect closure (35) and repair of interrupted aortic arch (2) or coarctation (5). Hospital mortality was seven of 126 (5.5%), with three deaths among the most recent 100 patients (3%). There were one late, noncardiac death and one late death after reoperation. Reoperation for pulmonary artery stenosis was required in 10 of the first 63 patients (16%), all of whom underwent pulmonary artery reconstruction with separate patches for closure of the coronary excision sites. Of the last 63 patients, all of whom underwent pulmonary artery reconstruction with a single pantaloon-shaped pericardial patch, one (2%) required reoperation for pulmonary artery stenosis. Doppler flow studies and echocardiography performed in 115 of 119 surviving patients at a mean of 12 months after repair demonstrated normal left ventricular function, minimal left ventricular outflow gradients, and no more than trivial aortic regurgitation. Peak gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract was 19 +/- 3 mm Hg in patients with separate pulmonary artery patches and 5 +/- 2 mm Hg in those with a single pantaloon patch (p = 0.0001). Follow-up is 96% complete from 1 month to 8 years after operation (mean 2.5 years). The actuarial survival rate at 5 years, including operative mortality, was 92%. All patients are in sinus rhythm, and none requires antiarrhythmic medications. These data suggest that pulmonary artery reconstruction with a single pantaloon patch may be associated with a decreased requirement for reoperation. Intermediate-term survival and functional results are excellent after arterial repair for transposition of the great arteries.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Acute hemodynamic effects of captopril in children with a congestive or restrictive cardiomyopathy.

The acute hemodynamic effects of captopril were evaluated at cardiac catheterization in 16 children (age, 0.3-18 years) with cardiomyopathy. Twelve children had congestive cardiomyopathy, whereas four had restrictive cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained 30 and 60 minutes after the oral administration of captopril (0.5 mg/kg). Blood pressures were measured in the aorta, pulmonary artery, right atrium, and pulmonary capillary wedge position; cardiac outputs were measured by the thermodilution technique. Hemodynamic data could not be obtained after the administration of captopril in one child with congestive cardiomyopathy because of an immediate, severe hypotensive response. In 11 of 12 children with congestive cardiomyopathy, cardiac index increased by 22%, from 2.3 to 2.8 l/min/m2 (p less than 0.05), and stroke volume increased by 22%, from 23 to 28 ml/m2 (p less than 0.05). Systemic vascular resistance decreased from 32 to 21 units.m2 (p less than 0.01), but the mean aortic pressure did not change significantly. In contrast, four children with restrictive cardiomyopathy had no change in cardiac output after captopril, but there was a trend toward significant arterial hypotension (mean aortic pressure decreased from 78 to 59 mm Hg). Thus, captopril acutely reduced systemic vascular resistance and increased both cardiac output and stroke volume in children with congestive cardiomyopathy. In children with restrictive cardiomyopathy, however, captopril did not affect cardiac output, but it did decrease aortic pressure. These data indicate that captopril may benefit children with a congestive cardiomyopathy but that captopril probably should not be used in children with restrictive disease.

Captopril↗

Effects of verapamil on left ventricular diastolic filling in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The effects of oral verapamil on resting left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling were examined in 10 children and adolescents with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Measurements of diastolic filling were made from gated technetium-99m radionuclide angiograms with postbeat rejection of data outside a 5% RR-interval window. LV time-activity curves were generated and the rapid-filling phase fit with a 3 degrees polynomial to calculate the peak filling rate and the time from end-systole to the point of peak filling. All patients had a radionuclide angiogram performed before and after 0.25 to 3 years of oral verapamil therapy. Verapamil did not change the LV ejection fraction but increased the peak filling rate (3.24 +/- 0.15 to 4.62 +/- 1.05 end-diastolic volume/s,p less than 0.01) and reduced the time to peak filling (217 +/- 57 to 168 +/- 63 ms, p less than 0.01). An increase in exercise endurance as measured by exercise treadmill test and subjective symptomatic improvement were also seen after verapamil therapy. Thus, in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, symptomatic improvement and LV diastolic filling parameters improved with long-term oral verapamil.

Administration, Oral↗

Atrial pacing to estimate total sinoatrial conduction time in children.

No data exist concerning the total sinoatrial conduction time (TSACT) in children that compare values determined by the atrial extrastimulation technique (TSACTS) with those generated by the atrial pacing method (TSACTN). In this study, TSACT in 55 patients, age 0.2-18.5, was measured using both techniques. TSACTN was performed at a mean 90% (TSACTN-90) (n = 32) or a mean 95% (TSACTN-95 and (n = 38) of sinus cycle length (SCL). When data generated during determination of TSACTN-90 and TSACTS were compared, SCL and recovery cycle length (REC) were similar for both techniques. Likewise, TSACTS (128 +/- 40 ms) and TSACTN-90 (126 +/- 74 ms) were not significantly different. Coefficient of correlation was r = 0.82, p less than 0.001. Chi-square analysis demonstrated a strong association of normal and abnormal values between TSACTS and TSACTN-90. In contrast, when values generated during TSACTN-95 and TSACTS were compared, TSACTS exceeded TSACTN-95 (137 +/- 38 vs 105 +/- 58 ms; p less than 0.001). Values for SCL and REC were similar while correlation between TSACT determined by the two techniques remained strong (r = 0.82, p less than 0.001). Despite a good correlation between TSACTN-90 and TSACTS, individual differences in magnitude and direction were noted between the two techniques. In summary, TSACTN-90 approximates TSACTS in children. TSACTN-90 is preferable to TSACTN-95, probably due to more complete sinus node capture during atrial pacing. However, the behavior of the sinus node in response to extrastimuli (single or train) precludes favoring one technique over the other. More precise evaluation of sinoatrial conduction will require direct recording of sinus node activity.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of single and double balloon valvuloplasty in children with aortic stenosis.

To compare the effectiveness of the single and double balloon techniques, the short-term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty were assessed in two consecutive groups of children with valvular aortic stenosis. In 16 children (aged 3 months to 17 years) the single balloon technique was utilized; the ratio of balloon diameter to valve anulus diameter was 0.96 +/- 0.03 (mean +/- SEM). In 11 children (aged 3 months to 21 years) the double balloon technique was utilized in which two balloons are positioned across the valve and inflated simultaneously; the ratio of the balloon diameter sum to valve anulus diameter was 1.32 +/- 0.05. The groups were similar in age, weight, cardiac output, prevalvuloplasty gradient and valve anulus diameter. Overall, valvuloplasty reduced the peak systolic gradient by 53% from 80 +/- 4 to 38 +/- 3 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). In the single balloon group the gradient decreased from 82 +/- 6 to 46 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001), whereas in the double balloon group the gradient decreased from 76 +/- 5 to 26 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001). The peak systolic gradient after valvuloplasty was 43% lower in the double balloon group (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the single balloon technique reduced the gradient by an average of 43% compared with a 67% reduction with the double balloon technique (p less than 0.001). The short-term complications of valvuloplasty were similar, with an increase in aortic insufficiency occurring in three children in each group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Arterial repair for transposition of the great arteries and large ventricular septal defect in early infancy.

Arterial repair for transposition of the great arteries and large ventricular septal defect (VSD) may be superior to atrial correction, but the risk of either approach in early infancy has been high. The results of early correction were therefore assessed in 12 children with transposition of the great arteries and a large VSD who underwent arterial repair. Patients ranged in age from 3 to 90 days (median age, 19 days) and in weight from 2.5 to 3.7 kg. The VSD was infundibular in eight, inlet in three, and muscular in one. Coronary artery anomalies were present in five patients, including one patient with a single left coronary artery. There was one early death (8%) in the only patient with a pulmonary artery band. There were no late deaths. The 11 survivors have been followed up from 2 to 59 months (mean follow-up period, 20 months) and remain free of cardiac symptoms. Catheterization (n = 5) and Doppler echocardiography in all patients show no significant left ventricular outflow obstruction, aortic insufficiency, or residual VSD. Catheterization documented normal pulmonary artery pressure and unobstructed coronary arteries. Only one patient had significant pulmonary stenosis and underwent successful reoperation. These data indicate that arterial repair and VSD closure can be successfully performed in early infancy with low mortality and morbidity. Repair in this age group is advocated before changes of pulmonary vascular disease occur.

Angiography↗

Quinidine syncope in children.

Quinidine syncope and factors associated with it are well known among adult patients treated for cardiac arrhythmias. To define factors that may influence the occurrence of syncope in children taking quinidine, the clinical, anatomic, electrocardiographic, roentgenographic and pharmacologic data were compared in six patients with syncope (Group A) and 22 patients without syncope (Group B). There was a significant (chi-square = 10.2, p = 0.001) relation between heart disease and quinidine syncope: all six Group A (syncopal) patients had heart disease whereas 15 of the 22 Group B (non-syncopal) patients had no structural heart disease. In contrast, no significant difference was noted between Group A and Group B patients in mean age (11.4 versus 11.4 years), mean quinidine serum concentration (2.9 versus 2.3 micrograms/ml), mean corrected QT interval before quinidine (0.43 versus 0.40 second) or mean corrected QT interval during quinidine therapy (0.46 versus 0.46 second) or between those taking digitalis and those not. Two of the six Group A (syncopal) patients died during therapy, one 6 days after initiating therapy and one suddenly at home 6 months after beginning quinidine. Another two of the six Group A patients exhibited hypokalemia (both 2.9 mEq/liter) at the time of syncope, 2 weeks and 6 months, respectively, after initiation of quinidine therapy; both survived. Syncope occurred within 8 days of initiation of quinidine therapy in three of the six patients. Sustained ventricular tachycardia was observed during quinidine associated arrhythmia in three of six patients with syncope; nonsustained ventricular tachycardia or complex ventricular ectopic activity while on this therapy was observed before syncope in the other three patients in Group A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Percutaneous balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta.

Twenty-six children, aged 5 weeks to 14.7 years, underwent percutaneous balloon angioplasty for a discrete native coarctation of the aorta. The procedure reduced the systolic coarctation gradient acutely in all children. The mean systolic gradient decreased by 75%, from 48.6 +/- 2.4 before to 12.3 +/- 1.9 mm Hg after angioplasty (p less than 0.001). Long-term results were evaluated in 14 children by follow-up catheterization 12 to 26 months (mean 15.3) after angioplasty. At follow-up, the residual gradient averaged 11.7 +/- 3.7 mm Hg (range -5 to 36) and had not changed from that measured immediately after angioplasty (p = 0.64). Compared with preangioplasty values, the systolic pressure in the ascending aorta had improved substantially at follow-up (116.0 +/- 3.2 versus 143.9 +/- 3.1 mm Hg, p less than 0.001). On the basis of follow-up data, two groups of children were identified: Group 1 consisted of nine children with a good result, defined as a residual gradient less than 20 mm Hg and no aneurysm; Group 2 consisted of five children with a poor result, four with a residual gradient greater than 20 mm Hg (range 25 to 36) and one with an aneurysm at the dilation site. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in age at angioplasty, balloon size, ratio of balloon to isthmus diameters, follow-up duration, heart rate or cardiac output. However, of the four children with a residual gradient greater than 20 mm Hg, two were the youngest in the study, and in two the aorta was inadvertently dilated with a balloon 4 to 5 mm smaller than the isthmus diameter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Long-term outcome after repair of coarctation in infancy: subclavian angioplasty does not reduce the need for reoperation.

To assess the influence of surgical technique on the need for reoperation after coarctation repair in infancy, follow-up data were analyzed for 125 consecutive infants (less than 12 months) who underwent repair of coarctation of the aorta by subclavian angioplasty or resection and end to end anastomosis. Sixty-three infants underwent coarctation repair by resection between 1960 and 1980, and 62 underwent subclavian angioplasty between 1977 and 1985. The mean age (+/- SEM) at operation for infants with subclavian flap angioplasty was 1.54 +/- 0.93 months and for infants with resection was 2.70 +/- 0.93 months (p = 0.02). There was no difference between the groups in patient weight at initial repair or the proportion of patients with complex anatomy or aortic arch hypoplasia. Follow-up duration for the subclavian flap group was 2.55 +/- 0.51 years (range 0.3 to 8.2), and for the resection group was 7.97 +/- 3.61 years (range 0.6 to 21). Indication for reoperation was the presence of a coarctation gradient at rest of 40 mm Hg or greater and arm hypertension. Reoperation was required in 5 patients in the subclavian flap group and 12 patients in the resection group. The mean reoperation rate after subclavian flap repair was 0.0356 reoperations per patient-year, and after resection was 0.0342 reoperations per patient-year (p = 0.94). To determine an individual's risk of requiring reoperation from these group measures, a reoperation risk model was developed. The risk of reoperation by the fifth postoperative year was found to be 16.3% after subclavian flap repair and 15.7% after resection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Comparison of high pulse repetition frequency and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography for velocity measurement and gradient prediction in children with valvular and congenital heart disease.

To compare the ability of high pulse repetition frequency and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography to detect the peak velocity of a jet flow disturbance and to predict pressure gradients accurately, two groups of children with valvular or congenital heart disease were examined using both Doppler techniques. The use study group included 84 children or adolescents (aged 1 day to 19 years) who underwent examination in the echocardiography laboratory with both Doppler techniques in a randomized sequence. The peak velocity recorded with high pulse repetition frequency Doppler echocardiography was compared with the peak velocity recorded with the continuous wave technique. The accuracy study group included 41 children or adolescents (aged 1 day to 16 years) who underwent examination with both Doppler techniques at the time of cardiac catheterization. Doppler pressure gradients were calculated from the peak velocity using the simplified Bernoulli equation and were compared with peak instantaneous gradients and peak to peak gradients measured at catheterization. In the use study, a high correlation was found between peak velocities detected by high pulse repetition frequency and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography (r = 0.94, SEE = 0.28 m/s). In the accuracy study, close correlations were found between measured peak to peak pressure gradients and pressure gradients calculated from continuous wave (r = 0.95, SEE = 7.9 mm Hg) and high pulse repetition frequency Doppler echocardiography (r = 0.94, SEE = 8.7 mm Hg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Doppler evaluation of left ventricular diastolic filling in children with systemic hypertension.

To assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in children with systemic hypertension, 11 patients with hypertension (mean blood pressure 99 mm Hg) and 7 normal patients (mean blood pressure 78 mm Hg) underwent M-mode echocardiography and pulsed Doppler examination of the LV inflow. From a digitized trace of the LV endocardium and a simultaneous phonocardiogram, echocardiographic diastolic time intervals, peak rate of increase in LV dimension (dD/dt), and dD/dt normalized for LV end-diastolic dimension (dD/dt/D) were measured. Doppler diastolic time intervals, peak velocities at rapid filling (E velocity) and atrial contraction (A velocity), and the ratio of E and A velocities were measured. The following areas under the Doppler curve and their percent of the total area were determined: first 33% of diastole (0.33 area), first 50% of diastole, triangle under the A velocity (A area), and the triangle under the E velocity (E area). The A velocity (patients with hypertension = 0.68 +/- 0.11 m/s, normal subjects = 0.49 +/- 0.08 m/s), the 0.33 area/total area (patients with hypertension = 0.49 +/- 0.09, normal subjects = 0.58 +/- 0.08), the A area (patients with hypertension = 0.17 +/- 0.05, normal subjects = 0.12 +/- 0.03), and the A area/total area (patients with hypertension = 0.30 +/- 0.11, normal subjects = 0.20 +/- 0.07) were significantly different between groups (p less than 0.05). M-mode and Doppler time intervals, (dD/dt)/D, E velocity, and the remaining Doppler areas were not significantly different between groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗