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Biomedical subjects

G Rabago

Publications and source records attributed to G Rabago.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Recurrent pulmonary embolism due to hydatid disease of heart. Study of 3 cases, one with intermittent tricuspid valve obstruction (atrial pseudomyxoma).

Three cases of pulmonary hypertension caused by hydatid emboli from the right side of the heart are described; cardiac catheterisation was performed in 2. One case was confirmed at operation and 2 at necropsy. The pulmonary emboli were caused by hydatid vesicles in all 3 cases and in none was there pulmonary thrombosis; free scolices were found in the pulmonary alveoli in 2. In 1 patient with repeated syncopal attacks there was a pedunculated cyst in the right atrium which was though to have intermittently obstructed the tricuspid valve. Gamma radiography, angiocardiography, and necropsy suggested a mechanical cause for the pulmonary hypertenion with no vasoconstrictive element. The surgical patient was alive and well 18 months later.

Adult↗

Cost analysis of the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System as an outpatient bridge to heart transplantation.

Three patients were bridged to heart transplantation with the wearable Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Oakland, CA) (LVAS). Two have been transplanted and discharged. The third patient remains at home. Hospitalization costs, which include the unit room charge, admission profile to the unit, and daily supply charge, were determined for all patients and compared. The patients were transferred from the surgical intensive care unit to a telemetry unit once they were hemodynamically stable. The projected hospitalization costs, if the patients had remained in the hospital, were calculated to determine probable savings for the third party payer. The average period from admission to placement of the Novacor LVAS was 15 days (range, 7-21 days). The average hospitalization cost from admission to time of Novacor left ventricular assist device implant was $2,240/day, and the average hospitalization cost after implant to discharge was $1,570/day. Hospitalization cost savings were $2,632 for the first patient, $5,922 for the second patient, and $132,124 for the third patient, who has not been transplanted. Although the number of patients is small, the daily hospitalization cost was higher before the Novacor LVAS was implanted. This is related to the severity of the disease and the length of stay in a surgical intensive care unit. There also is a significant cost savings for the third party payer, especially if the patient has to wait a significant amount of time before heart transplantation. These are important considerations in this time of managed care.

Ambulatory Care↗

[Supraventricular arrhythmia. Potential applications of esmolol].

Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxistical supraventricular tachycardias and atrial tachycardias are the main supraventricular arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation is the most common. In this review we comment their physiopathology, clinical manifestations, and treatments, paying special attention to the possible esmolol applications.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Results of coronary artery surgery in young adults.

To study the results of bypass surgery in young adults, 221 patients undergoing myocardial revascularisation aged 40 or less (1979-1989) were reviewed. The study included 200 men and 21 women. Mean age was 36.2 years. Risk factors were essentially cigarette smoking (69.6%) and hyperlipidaemia (52%). One-hundred and eighteen patients (53.4%) had a history of previous myocardial infarction (MI) and 16 were operated on after an episode of preinfarction angina. One-hundred and twenty-nine patients had three-vessel disease, 59 had double-vessel disease and 33 single-vessel disease. Twenty-three had left main stem coronary artery lesions. Four-hundred and forty-six saphenous vein grafts and 79 internal mammary artery grafts were performed, an average of 2.3 grafts per patient. Operative mortality was 2.7% (6 patients). Deaths were caused in 4 cases by MI. Twelve patients (5.5%) had a non fatal perioperative MI. One-hundred and ninety-nine patients were followed up for a mean of 7.4 years (4838 patients-years). Seventeen late deaths occurred. Six were from cardiac causes. Overall survival was 84% at 9 years. Five patients underwent cardiac reoperation at a mean interval of 6.4 years after the primary procedure. Eighty-five% of patients were free of angina and 11.5% were in an improved condition. In conclusion, coronary revascularisation can be performed at a reduced risk in younger patients. Long-term prognosis seems similar to that of the overall group of patients undergoing bypass surgery.

Adult↗

Mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation: current status of total artificial heart in 1989 and determinants of survival.

Since April 1986, 40 total artificial hearts (TAH) were implanted as a bridge to transplantation in our institution. In an attempt to identify factors affecting survival of TAH recipients we reviewed our experience over 1000 days of mechanical support. There was no postoperative bleeding requiring surgery nor were there any clinical episodes of thromboembolic complications. Over a total functioning period greater than 3 years there were no mechanical failures in the driving system but one artificial ventricle had to be replaced because of mechanical dysfunction. Infections and multiple organ failure were the primary causes of morbidity and mortality during mechanical support. When the patients who underwent staged transplantation (no. 17) were compared with those who died during mechanical support (no. 23) there were no differences in TAH driving mode or hemodynamic variables between the groups. Although preoperative pulmonary, hepatic and renal functions were found to be similar between the groups, there were significant differences in the early evolution (3 days) of hepatic and renal functions following TAH implant (p less than 0.01). Urinary output was found to be the earliest variable discriminating recovery and survival (p less than 0.01). Finally, univariate analysis indicated age (less than 40 vs greater than 40 years) and modality of cardiac decompensation (acute vs chronic) as the most important factors affecting survival after TAH implantation. Since young patients (less than 40 years of age) with acute decompensation were successfully transplanted in 82% of cases while 100% of older patients with chronic decompensation died before or after transplantation, TAH should be advised in young patients with acute or chronic heart failure and in selected older candidates with recent, acute cardiac failure.

Adolescent↗

Heterotopic heart transplantation: current status in 1988.

Among the 480 patients who underwent heart transplantation in our institution (since 1968), 40 patients received an allograft in the heterotopic position. The recipients were evaluated by using hemodynamics and Doppler echocardiography before and after surgery. Ten to 30 days after surgery, preoperative pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased significantly (p less than 0.005). Cardiac output increased significantly (p less than 0.0001). Postoperative Doppler echocardiography showed that heterotopic hearts had an excellent ejection fraction (mean 73% +/- 11%). No improvement occurred in the left ventricular function of the native heart. Among the factors affecting short-term prognosis of heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) recipients. PVR seems to be the most important determinant of survival. HHT does not seem to improve the prognosis of patients with elevated PVR. HHT, however, is still indicated in large patients and in emergency situations in which an available donor heart appears unable to support the recipient's circulation if used in the orthotopic position.

Adult↗

The new De Vega technique in tricuspid annuloplasty (results in 150 patients).

A new technique of circular tricuspid annuloplasty in the treatment of tricuspid insufficiency is described. One hundred and fifty patients have been operated on by this technique between April 1973 and March 1975. The operative findings and the results of the operation from 6 to 30 months after operation are described. The addition of tricuspid circular annuloplasty to mitral and aortic valve replacements where indicated has resulted in a gratifying fall in operative mortality and better long term functional result.

Adolescent↗