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Biomedical subjects

D M Nicoloff

Publications and source records attributed to D M Nicoloff.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Chylothorax after median sternotomy for intrapericardial cardiac surgery.

Chylothorax following cardiovascular surgery occurs with an incidence of 0.25 to 0.5 per cent. We are aware of only 5 reported cases in the literature following intrapericardial procedures. This report includes the forth documented case following ventricular septal defect closure and the first 4 reported cases following median sternotomy for intrapericardial acquired cardiac disease. The fistula in all cases occurred in the anterior mediastinum in the region of the thymic tissue. This problem can be prevented by surgical ligation of the thymic vascular structures at the time of dissection rather than the use of electrocautery. The treatment recommended is a 2 week trial of conservative therapy with a diet of medium-chain triglycerides and closed-chest suction. If this fails, surgical division of the fistula is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

CPK-MB isoenzyme: use in diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in the early postoperative period.

The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the early postoperative period may be quite difficult in certain patients. Electrocardiograms fail to be diagnostic of AMI in as many as one third of patients with myocardial injury found at autopsy. Enzyme patterns commonly used to diagnose AMI in patients admitted to coronary care units are obscured by muscle injury, medications, cardioversion, surgical manipulation, and blood transfusion. The MB isoenzyme of creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) has been described as a specific indicator of myocardial injury. Therefore the CPK-MB isoenzyme level was evaluated as a potential aid in the diagnosis of AMI in the early postoperative period. Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery and 7 patients undergoing thoracic surgery not involving the heart were studied. CPK-MB isoenzyme was present in the serum in 10 of 30 patients after cardiac surgery but in none of 7 patients after thoracic surgery. The presence of CPK-MB isoenzyme was found to be a valuable adjunctive indicator in the diagnosis of AMI in the early postoperative period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Rate of decay and distribution volume of MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase, intravenously injected into the baboon.

We determined the decay constant and distribution space of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase after intravenous injection of 440 to 720 U, in a group of seven adult baboons. The rate of decay of the isoenzyme was monoexponential, with a mean decay constant of 0.00175 min-1 (SD, 0.00019). The mean distribution volume obtained by extrapolation of the monoexponential curve to zero time was 5.22% (SD, 1.06) of body weight. We have determined these parameters with the purpose of using this isoenzyme in the baboon as an experimental model for measuring myocardial infarct size.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Cardiac surgery in geriatric patients.

From June, 1960, to January, 1976, 157 patients 65 years or older had elective operations with cardiopulmonary bypass. Ninety-three patients had one or two valves replaced, 47 had coronary artery surgery, and 17 had both. The operative mortality rate was 22.6 percent (21 of 93), 19.1 percent (nine of 47), and 5.8 percent (one of 17), respectively. The over-all mortality rate was 19.7 percent (31 of 157). The mortality rate of patients of 65 to 69 years of age was 20 percent (22 of 110) and 19 percent (9 of 47) in patients 70 years or more. Ninety-four of these operations were performed within the last 3 years, with a reduction in patients' mortality rate to 9.6 percent (nine of 94). A retrospective study revealed a significant correlation between operative mortality rate and preoperative heart size. We could find no correlation between operative mortality rate and diabetes, smoking history, or hyperlipidemia. The major causes of death were myocardial infarction (68 percent-21 of 31), pulmonary complications (35 percent-11 of 31), infections (29 percent-nine of 31), and renal failure (29 percent-nine of 31) or combinations thereof. The patients who died had 2.5 times the number of complications of the survivors. Ninety percent of our patients in the past 3 years have survived their operation. Therefore, elective cardiac operations can be performed with an acceptable mortality rate in patients over the age of 65 years.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

Clinical use of the membrane oxygenator.

Since April 1973 we have treated nine patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), utilizing the spiral coil membrane lung. One patient is a long-term survivor. All patients except one showed substantial improvement in peripheral arterial oxygen tension. Four adults and two neonates were treated for critical hypoxia. Two patients were treated for cardiac failure but failed to show improved myocardial function. Complications involving perfusion circuitry, cannulation, chronic systemic heparinization, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure have been managed with minimal difficulty. However, irreversible pulmonary, neurologic, hepatic, or gastrointestinal damage due to hypoxia present before the institution of ECMO was associated with lethal complications. The ECMO has supplied adequate oxygenation to this group of nine critically hypoxic patients. Institution of ECMO at an earlier date in patients with critical hypoxia would provide a higher likelihood of survival.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1975

Pathology of stable and unstable angina pectoris.

The clinical and pathological data from 46 patients who died during or shortly after coronary bypass surgery and one patient who died shortly after angiography were studied. Each patient was placed into one of three clinical categories of angina pectoris. Twelve were classified as having unstable angina pectoris, 20 as stable severe angina, and 15 as stable moderate angina. No significant difference was found between the three catagories whem age, sex, presence of hypertension, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, smoking, family history of myocardial infarction, or history of previous mycardial infarction were examined. Most patients in all classes of angina had extensive atherosclerotic coronary disease: 12 patients had triple vessel plus left main disease; 25, triple vessel disease; nine double vessel disease; and only one, single vessel disease. There was no difference in severity or distribution of coronary disease when the three catagories of angina were compared. Thirty-six of the 47 patients had evidence of scarring of one or more aspects of the left ventricular wall. There was likewise no significant difference between extent and distribution of myocardial scarring between the three clinical categories. Four of the 12 patients with unstable angina pectoris had pathologic evidence of preoperative myocardial infarction, whereas this was not found in any of the 35 patients with stable angina.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1975

Post-traumatic aneurysms of the thoracic aorta.

Nineteen patients with histologically proved post-traumatic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta were reviewed. Only seven aneurysms were detected at the time of hospitalization for trauma. Eight of 12 patients with chronic aneurysms either became symptomatic or showed enlargment during a period of observation. Surgical excision was the recommended method of therapy.

Accidents, Traffic↗