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G D Plotnick

Publications and source records attributed to G D Plotnick.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Assessment of severity of mitral stenosis by echocardiographic leaflet separation.

Mitral valve area (MVA) determined at cardiac catheterization was compared with M mode echocardiographic measurements in 44 patients with mitral stenosis and no substantial mitral regurgitation. Despite statistically significant correlations, measurements of anterior leaflet motion, including rate of diastolic closure (EF slope) were not useful in predicting severity of stenosis. In contrast, maximal diastolic separation of anterior and posterior leaflets (SEP) was more closely correlated with MVA and appears to have some predictive value. Narrow separation was associated with severe mitral stenosis. Wide separation was associated with relatively mild stenosis. Intermediate values in 16 of 44 patients (36%) were not of predictive value. Recognizing this limitation, measurement of maximal diastolic mitral leaflet separation from M mode echocardiograms is proposed as a simple and useful method for assessing severity of mitral stenosis.

Adult↗

Rest angina with transient S-T segment elevation. Correlation of clinical features with coronary anatomy.

In 44 consecutive patients with angina at rest associated with transient S-T segment elevation, clinical features were correlated with angiographic coronary anatomy. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the number of major vessels having greater than or equal to 70 per cent luminal narrowing: Group I = no or minimal disease (six patients); group II = single vessel disease (13 patients); and group III = multiple vessel disease (25 patients). The following features did not differ significantly among groups I, II or III: age, sex, risk factors, time from onset of episodes of pain at rest to study or arrhythmias during ischemic episodes. Patients in group III were more likely to have angina on effort (p less than 0.001) and an abnormal base line electrocardiogram (p less than 0.001) than patients in groups I or II. However, the absence of these features did not separate patients in group I from those in group II. In patients with angina at rest associated with transient S-T segment elevation, clinical features identify patients with multiple vessel disease but do not allow differentiation of patients with no or minimal coronary disease from patients with single vessel disease.

Adult↗

Misleading noninvasive signs of Bjork--Shiley mitral valve dysfunction.

Three months after receiving a Bjork--Shiley mitral valve prosthesis, a patient experienced acute gastronintestinal bleeding associated with heavy alcohol intake and poor compliance with oral anticoagulation therapy. As a result of the gastrointestinal bleeding, treatment with warfarin was discontinued. Ten months later, the patient presented with symptoms of transient cerebral ischemia. Despite demonstrated loss by phonocardiography of the previously well-recorded opening click and echocardiographic suggestion of a thrombosed prosthetic mitral valve, no thrombosis or dysfunction of the prosthetic mitral valve was revealed at reoperation.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Transient ST-segment in unstable angina. Clinical and hemodynamic significance.

The significance of the direction of the ST-segment shifts on the 12-lead electrocardiogram was evaluated in 82 consecutive patients with unstable angina. Eighteen patients with ST-segment elevation (group I) were compared with 64 patients with ST-segment depression (group II). There was no difference between group I and group II with regard to age, sex, or history of previous myocardial infarction. There also was no difference in the angiographic extent, location or severity of the coronary artery disease, collaterals, or resting hemodynamics. A larger proportion of patients in group I presented with recent onset angina. Life-threatening arrhythmias were more frequent in group I but were uncommon in both groups. A normal resting electrocardiogram was associated with normal ventricular function in both group I and group II but was associated with single vessel disease only in group I. An abnormal resting electrocardiogram was associated with multiple coronary vessel disease and abnormal ventricular function in both groups. Single vessel disease was encountered twice as frequently in group I but this difference was not statistically significant. Left main coronary artery disease was found only in group II.

Angina Pectoris↗

The preoperative electrocardiogram as an indicator of risk in major noncardiac surgery.

In this series of 198 patients studied prospectively before major noncardiac surgery, we previously reported that an abnormal preoperative electrocardiogram was a statistically significant independent predictor of an increased risk of postoperative complications, i.e., death, myocardial infarction, or myocardial ischemia. We therefore carried out a detailed analysis of the preoperative electrocardiographic (ECG) findings using Minnesota code criteria. Both ST-T abnormalities and intraventricular conduction delays showed a statistical trend toward a higher frequency in patients with a complicated vs. an uncomplicated postoperative course (82% vs. 59% and 24% vs. 7%, respectively). Although only a minority of patients with either ECG finding actually developed a complication (22% and 40% respectively), the preoperative ECG appears to be a useful screening method, with ST-T abnormalities and intraventricular conduction delays identifying patients at increased risk for postoperative complications.

Adult↗

Systolic time intervals in hypothyroidism: end organ function as a reflection of clinical status.

Systolic time intervals (STI) were determined in 14 hypothyroid patients who did not have congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation, and who were not taking cardiotropic drugs. Compared to normals, there was a significant decrease in the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and there were significant increases in the pre-ejection period (PEP) and the PEP/LVET ratio. The prolongation of the PEP primarily reflected lengthening of the isovolumic contraction time. Serial recordings during thyroxine therapy in seven patients showed consistent changes in STI toward normal values. These results in hypothyroid patients complement our earlier data in hyperthyroid patients; they indicate that STI's are a sensitive measure of the heart as an end organ over the entire range of thyroid hormonal activity.

Adult↗