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Biomedical subjects

D C Nabseth

Publications and source records attributed to D C Nabseth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A study of nephrotoxin-induced acute tubular necrosis with 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) was used to obtain in vivo spectra from rat kidneys undergoing acute tubular necrosis induced by a nephrotoxic dose of cephaloridine (CLD). Spectra were obtained 0, 24, and 48 h after injection of CLD (experimental group, n = 6) or saline vehicle (control group, n = 6). The nephrotoxicity of CLD was demonstrated by severely increased serum creatinine levels and the development of extensive proximal tubular necrosis in the CLD-injected rats, and the lack of such changes in the controls. 31P MRS showed an increase in the inorganic phosphate region signal (Pi, p = 0.004) and a decrease in the phosphodiester region signal (PDE, p = 0.01) in the experimental group by 48 h, whereas these parameters did not vary significantly in the control group during the experiment. Significant correlations were found between serum creatinine and the same two 31P MRS parameters. In summary, rat kidneys which have developed severe CLD-induced proximal tubular necrosis exhibit changes in the 31P spectrum 48 h after administration of the drug. The causes of these changes were not determined.

Animals

Efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase in a canine model of prosthetic graft thrombosis.

Tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase were evaluated in a model of prosthetic graft thrombosis. In addition, the effects of thrombus age on lysability and the effect of thrombolytic agents on endothelium were examined. Polytef (polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]) grafts (3 mm X 3.5 cm) were placed in femoral arteries of dogs and graft thrombosis was induced. Grafts were treated with a local infusion of either urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator (4000 units/min) and the times for initial flow, complete thrombolysis, and anastomotic bleeding were noted. The luminal surfaces of the grafts and the proximal arterial segments were assayed for the production of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin and examined with scanning electron microscopy. No difference in the ease of graft lysis was observed, but 50% of tissue plasminogen activator-treated vs 0% of urokinase treated grafts had extravasation of blood through the wall. Grafts treated with tissue plasminogen activator produced less thromboxane A2 and had less thrombus than those treated with urokinase. No differences between arteries exposed to either agent and control arteries were seen. Grafts treated 1,3,5, and 7 days after thrombosis were progressively more difficult to lyse. We conclude that tissue plasminogen activator is an effective thrombolytic agent, but has a potential for local bleeding complications. Grafts of PTFE are thrombogenic after lysis, but may be less so with tissue plasminogen activator than with urokinase. No effect on arterial endothelium was seen, and our studies confirm the clinical impression that older thrombi are more difficult to lyse.

Animals

Staged infrainguinal revascularization: initial prosthetic above-knee bypass followed by a distal vein bypass for recurrent ischemia. A valid concept for extending limb salvage?

Optimal infrainguinal revascularization should provide limb salvage for the longest duration of time. It is not known whether limb salvage is longer with an initial below-knee popliteal or tibial in situ saphenous vein graft or with staged bypasses; that is, an initial above-knee popliteal prosthetic bypass if feasible, followed by a more distal vein graft should the above-knee prosthetic graft fail. A retrospective review of 197 lower extremity vascular reconstructions performed since 1976 utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), umbilical vein, or in situ saphenous vein was completed. The data were analyzed for differences in limb salvage and prevention of limb threatening ischemia among three subgroups: above-knee prosthetic bypass, below-knee or tibial in situ saphenous vein bypass, and staged reconstructions (above-knee prosthetic bypass with subsequent in situ bypass). The groups were similar with respect to severity of limb threatening ischemia as indicated by mean preoperative ankle-brachial indices. Cumulative secondary limb salvage at 36 months was 73 percent for prosthetic grafts in the above-knee position, 78 percent for in situ saphenous vein grafts in the below-knee or tibial position, and 87 percent for staged reconstruction with an initial prosthetic graft to the above-knee position followed by a distal in situ vein bypass when the prosthetic graft fails.

Arteriosclerosis

The natural history of endothelial structure and function in arterialized vein grafts.

When the saphenous vein is used in the in situ position for arterial bypass surgery, it is associated with more optimal preservation of the endothelial lining and with improved graft patency compared with reversed vein grafts. However, it is not clear whether preservation of endothelial integrity persists after arterialization. The goal of this study was to establish whether preservation of the endothelium before arterialization is a critical factor in the development of late functional and morphologic abnormalities of autogenous vein grafts. Paired reversed and in situ vein grafts were created in 75 mongrel dogs. Veins to be used in the reversed position were excised and stored in either heparinized whole blood at 37 degrees C or saline solution at 4 degrees C. Veins were studied before and after arterialization. The veins were arterialized by anastomosis to the carotid artery and excised at intervals of 1 day to 12 weeks for studies of the luminal production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 in addition to luminal morphology. Before arterialization, normothermic whole blood preserved biochemical function of the endothelium significantly better than hypothermic saline solution, but not as well as the in situ vein procedure. Soon after arterialization, all three vein grafts showed significant functional and morphologic abnormalities consistent with injury of the vein graft. Morphologic healing of the endothelial monolayer progressed slowly back to normal; however, the biochemical capacity of the vein graft never matched that of the prearterialized vein, nor that of normal host arteries. Regardless of surgical technique, all vein grafts exhibited a period of abnormal structure and function, which exposed them to the risk of thrombogenesis. This period of potential leukocyte or platelet interaction with the vein wall could lead to release phenomena as well as proliferative changes in the vessel wall.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

The role of computed tomography in symptomatic aortic aneurysms.

Forty-seven patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and recent onset of abdominal or back pain were evaluated by emergency computed tomography (CT) to identify those patients with a confined rupture, and unstable aneurysm, nonaneurysmal cause of pain and a stable AAA. CT suggested that 25 per cent of these had a confined rupture and should undergo emergency surgical treatment. Rupture was confirmed at operation in one-half of these instances. Thirteen per cent avoided operation since other significant pathologic factors were identified. The remaining 47 per cent benefited from optimal preoperative evaluation and semielective surgical treatment. No patient ruptured an AAA during the delay for complete preoperative evaluation and preparation. Additionally, a preoperative CT is useful to identify patients with an unsuspected iliac, suprarenal, thoracic or inflammatory aneurysm. Thus, we believe that CT has a particularly important role in the evaluation of the symptomatic AAA, adding it to the list of indications for CT evaluation of difficult aortic disorders.

Aorta, Abdominal

Expanded criteria for percutaneous abscess drainage.

The original criteria for percutaneous abscess drainage were limited to simple abscesses (well-defined, unilocular) with safe drainage routes. We expanded these entry criteria to include complex abscesses (loculated, ill-defined, or extensively dissecting abscesses), multiple abscesses, abscesses with enteric fistulas or whose drainage routes traversed normal organs, as well as complicated abscesses (appendiceal, splenic, interloop, and pelvic). Using these expanded criteria, cure was achieved nonoperatively in 92 (73.6%) of 125 abscesses with ten deaths (9%), and 11 complications (9%). Cure was achieved in 82% of simple abscesses, but only 45% of complex abscesses. There was no correlation between size, depth, drainage route, or etiology of the abscess (spontaneous v postoperative) with either cure or complications. We recommend a trial of percutaneous drainage in all simple abscesses and most complex abscesses with clinical response as the key determinant of the need for operative intervention.

Abscess

Venous stasis ulceration. Effectiveness of subfascial ligation.

Forty-seven extremities with recurrent venous ulceration were treated by subfascial ligation of incompetent perforating veins. The limbs were observed for an average of 8.5 years (range, 0.5 to 13 years). The risk for recurrence was 22%, 41%, and 51% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Patients with bilateral ulceration or prior venous ligation were at the highest risk for recurrence, while those with prior excision of prominent varicose veins had a reduced risk. There has been no loss of limbs or life secondary to this venous problem during the 398 cumulative years of observation.

Adult

In situ saphenous vein bypass grafts for limb salvage. A current fad or a viable alternative to reversed vein bypass grafts?

Revascularization of the lower extremity using the in situ saphenous vein bypass graft has resurfaced as a clinical alternative to reversal of the saphenous vein. Early patency rates have been excellent, however, concern has been raised about the durability of the in situ technique. Our total experience with this technique has been reviewed to evaluate its effectiveness on a teaching vascular service. Seventy-six limbs in 71 patients were revascularized using the in situ technique. The distal anastomosis was created at the below-the-knee popliteal level in 26 limbs and at the infrapopliteal level in 50 limbs. Operative assessment of the vein quality showed 42 percent to be phlebitic or less than 4 mm in diameter. Hospital mortality was 0 and late mortality was 8 percent. Cumulative life table analysis showed the graft patency rate to be 89 percent 1 month postoperatively, 82 percent at 1 year, 77 percent at 2 years, and 72 percent up to 4 year postoperatively. Patency was independent of runoff to the pedal arch and the level of the distal anastomosis. Limb salvage at 4 years was 83 percent for distal popliteal grafts and 79 percent for infrapopliteal reconstructions. Our results indicate that the long-term durability of the in situ saphenous vein graft is excellent despite suboptimal veins and poor runoff. When performed properly, it is the preferred technique for arterial reconstruction below the knee joint.

Adult

Intrahepatic pyogenic abscesses: treatment by percutaneous drainage.

During a 6 year period, 18 liver abscesses in 12 patients were identified by computerized tomography. Five patients had presumed hematogenous seeding. Five patients previously had bilioenteric anastomoses, stents, or both to relieve obstructive jaundice. Four patients with abscesses had recent abdominal operations. Diagnosis was established by guided needle aspiration and treatment was provided by percutaneous catheter drainage. Organism-specific antibiotics were administered to all patients. Patients were evaluated for recurrence by serial computerized tomographic studies and were clinically followed up for a minimum of 15 months. Ten of 12 patients (83 percent) and 16 of 18 abscesses (89 percent) were successfully treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. Two failures required operative intervention. In summary, the low morbidity and high success rate in treating hepatic abscesses by percutaneous drainage suggests that this therapy be tried before operative intervention is considered.

Adult

Favorable balance of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 improves early patency of human in situ vein grafts.

Graft thrombosis soon after reconstruction remains a major obstacle to the use of reversed vein grafts in infrapopliteal reconstruction. Our clinical experience with in situ vein grafts corroborates Leather's results by demonstrating an overall graft patency of 95% below the knee at 1 year and 94% in the infrapopliteal group. It has been postulated that this improved early patency rate of in situ vein grafts is the result of more optimal preservation of the endothelium of the vein graft. To investigate this hypothesis, human saphenous veins were handled by an in situ and a reversed technique. The intact vein segments were then tested for luminal production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 and fixed for scanning electron microscopic analysis of the surface morphology. This study demonstrated that endothelial cell prostacyclin release is enhanced in human in situ vein segments but not in reversed vein segments. In addition, luminal production of thromboxane A2 is significantly greater in the reversed than in the in situ vein segments. These findings are associated with marked endothelial structural damage in the reversed veins and minimal endothelial disruption in the in situ veins. Therefore the ratio of the antiaggregatory vasodilator prostacyclin to the proaggregatory vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2 is significantly more favorable for the in situ vein segment than for the reversed vein segment. The observed excellent early patency of the in situ vein grafts in our poor-risk patient population may in part be the result of this favorable balance of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 and the more optimally preserved endothelial morphology.

Aged

Luminal release of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 by arteries distal to small-caliber prosthetic grafts.

Myointimal hyperplasia distal to prosthetic grafts may be due to a local imbalance of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 that exaggerates platelet adherence. This study evaluated prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 production by arteries distal to prosthetic grafts. In 12 dogs, control segments of both iliac arteries were excised and a 5 cm segment of polytetrafluoroethylene was grafted end to end. One iliac artery was circumferentially dissected from the distal anastomosis to the inguinal ligament. The contralateral artery was not dissected. Of the 24 grafts, 19 remained patent and the arteries distal to these grafts were studied. After excision, each artery was analyzed for its ability to produce prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. Our data indicate that the luminal surface of a normal artery spontaneously produces both prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 and that the arterial wall distal to a prosthetic graft produces increased levels of these arachidonic acid metabolites. However, only those arteries not surgically dissected maintain a normal balance of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. The dissected artery may thus be more susceptible to platelet interaction and myointimal hyperplasia.

Animals

Prevalence of normal serum amylase levels in patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis.

Acute alcoholic pancreatitis is uncommonly diagnosed when the serum amylase level is normal. We defined acute alcoholic pancreatitis as a clinical syndrome in which hyperamylasemia was not a necessary component and sought support for the diagnosis by ultrasonography and computed tomography of the pancreas. In 68 episodes of acute alcoholic pancreatitis identified in a one-year period, the serum amylase level was normal at the time of hospital admission in 32%. In 40 episodes, we performed ultrasonography and computed tomography within 48 hr of admission. The diagnosis was supported by ultrasonography in 43%, by computed tomography in 68%. Ultrasonography and computed tomography supported the diagnosis as frequently in patients with normal serum amylase levels as in patients with hyperamylasemia. We conclude that patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis frequently have normal serum amylase levels. The widespread clinical practice of relying solely on hyperamylasemia to establish the diagnosis of acute alcoholic pancreatitis is unjustified and should be abandoned.

Acute Disease

Carotid endarterectomy in the presence of contralateral carotid occlusion: the role of EEG and intraluminal shunting.

Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy in the presence of occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery appear at greater risk for operative-related stroke or death. We had experience with 37 such patients in a five-year period. Routine intraluminal shunting without EEG monitoring was used in nine patients. Twenty-eight patients had continuous EEG monitoring during surgery. Of this group, 12 patients required intraluminal shunting based on intraoperative EEG criteria. In the early postoperative period, there was one death, and there were no instances of new, fixed neurological deficits. Life table analysis shows that 80% of the patients are neurologically stable in the five-year follow-up period. Electroencephalographic monitoring proved valuable in the detection of patients requiring intraluminal shunting, in the occasional recognition of poorly functioning shunts, and in the determination of the importance of alterations in blood pressure or cardiac rhythm on cerebral blood flow.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases