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Biomedical subjects

H G Beebe

Publications and source records attributed to H G Beebe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Gender bias in use of venous ultrasonography for diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.

PURPOSE: We observed that ultrasound examinations for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were more frequently requested for women than for men in our vascular laboratory serving a general outpatient population and referral 774-bed hospital. Because existing literature presents conflicting information about sex differences in occurrence of DVT, we investigated correlation in our population with positive ultrasound study results and risk factors for DVT. METHODS: In 13 months, 2055 ultrasound examinations for DVT were requested. Of these, 300 patients (15%) were categorized in four subgroups: 75 ultrasonography-negative men, 75 ultrasonography-negative women, 75 ultrasonography (DVT)-positive men, and 75 ultrasonography (DVT)-positive women for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: Women comprised 64% (1311 of 2055) and men 36% (744 of 2055) of ultrasound examinations requested, but men had significantly higher incidence of DVT-positive ultrasonography results (101 of 744 [14%]) compared with women (118 of 1311 [9%]) (p = 0.002 by chi-square testing). There were no significant sex differences in conventional DVT risk factors and no difference in aggregate number of risk factors. The anatomic distribution of DVT was the same in men as in women. Among those having negative ultrasonography results, significantly more outpatient examinations were performed in women (p = 0.018 by t testing). CONCLUSIONS: Gender bias exists in use of ultrasonography for diagnosis of DVT. The greater incidence of women undergoing venous ultrasonography is not explained by higher prevalence of DVT risk factors or of higher occurrence of positive ultrasound examination results. Further investigation is needed to determine whether these differences indicate underuse of ultrasonography in men or overuse in women.

Bias

Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy as primary treatment for bleeding esophageal varices.

In this study of 75 patients with bleeding esophageal varices we confirm not only the ability of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) to control acute bleeding episodes but to effect variceal obliteration that confers a significant survival advantage, regardless of initial Child's classification. Survival correlates directly with the degree of hepatic dysfunction, although all patients regardless of Child's status have a statistically significant survival advantage when treated until esophageal variceal obliteration is achieved. All patients treated with EVS should be followed for life, but virtually all follow-up can be done on an outpatient basis. Shunt surgery should be reserved for: (a) patients whose acute bleeding cannot be controlled with EVS at the time of index bleed; and (b) patients who rebleed repeatedly or uncontrollably from gastric or duodenal varices. EVS is more cost-effective than other available treatments. It also effectively stabilizes potential candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation. Despite a progressive increase in the admissions for bleeding varices at our institution, the introduction of EVS has been associated with a significant decline in portosystemic shunt therapy. We believe that EVS is now the first-line treatment for all patients with bleeding esophageal varices.

Endoscopy

Assessing risk associated with carotid endarterectomy. A statement for health professionals by an Ad Hoc Committee on Carotid Surgery Standards of the Stroke Council, American Heart Association.

This position statement provides guidelines for assessing risk associated with carotid endarterectomy and defines the point at which risk is too high to perform surgery for specific indications described below. Morbidity and mortality levels are discussed. This statement does not address indications for surgery or merits of specific medical or surgical treatments. Results of current studies that compare relative risk of various treatments for carotid artery disease are not yet available.

Brain Ischemia

Antegrade aortorenal bypass graft: a new alternative.

The search for a site of origin for renal artery bypass grafting other than the inclusion aorta has resulted in a variety of recommendations, including use of the splenic, hepatic, gastroduodenal, and superior mesenteric arteries and even retrograde bypass grafts originating from the iliac artery. The present study has described our early experience with a new procedure utilizing an antegrade aortorenal bypass graft originating in the mediastinal supraceliac aorta. Eight patients underwent operation; four for renovascular hypertension and four for renal salvage plus hypertension. There were no operative deaths. All grafts (three saphenous and five polytetrafluoroethylene) functioned well, as judged by clinical response and renal scan. One graft failed at 6 weeks. Hypertension was cured in three patients and improved in four at a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 3 to 58 months). Improved hemodynamic performance of antegrade flow, avoidance of liver and biliary complications, and applicability to the right or left kidney are the advantages of this technique. When renal artery reconstruction is required and the infrarenal aorta is to be avoided, we believe this operation is a useful alternative.

Aged

Results of renal artery balloon angioplasty limit its indications.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) of 83 renal artery lesions in 55 patients was done because of renal failure in eight patients, hypertension in 35, renal failure and hypertension in 11, and polycythemia in one patient. Early results in 38 patients with arteriosclerosis showed five (13%) were worse and 13 (34%) were unchanged. Twenty patients (53%) with arteriosclerosis were initially cured or improved; however, seven of these patients had recurrence in 4 to 48 months. Ultimately, only 13 of 38 patients with arteriosclerosis (34%) were cured or improved (mean follow-up 22 months). Nine patients with fibromuscular dysplasia required 17 dilatations of arteries (three bilateral and five repeat), resulting in eight patients (89%) who were cured or improved. Selection of patients with hypertension by medical failure while receiving three or more hypertension medications or by lateralizing renal vein renin values yielded benefit in 17 of 26 patients (65%). Five of six patients with transplant stenosis of the renal artery and hypertension were cured or improved at mean follow-up of 18 months. Overall technical results of 83 artery dilatations were as follows: good, 58 (69%); fair, 10 (12%); poor or unsatisfactory, 16 (19%); these were judged with a blinded radiologic review. No patient suffered main renal artery thrombosis. There were 16 patients with complications of dilatation (morbidity rate of 29%). Nine patients subsequently had renal artery surgery from the same day to 64 days later with good results in all patients except one.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Supraceliac aortomesenteric bypass for intestinal ischemia.

The supraceliac aorta has received little attention as an inflow site of bypass graft origin for mesenteric arterial reconstruction; this article describes our experience with its use in 10 patients. Ten patients underwent bypass grafts (three vein and seven prosthetic grafts) from the supraceliac aorta incorporating the celiac axis to the superior mesenteric artery. All patients had two- or three-vessel mesenteric arterial occlusion. No operative deaths occurred. Nine patients were studied with postoperative arteriography. Nine of ten patients have had satisfactory results on follow-up from 5 to 99 months (mean 43 months), although two patients required operative revision to achieve this. The operative technique is described, including approach to the aorta in the lower mediastinum via upper abdominal exposure and pancreatic displacement to expose the superior mesenteric artery. This method permits avoidance of the infrarenal aorta, if desired because of atherosclerotic disease or previous operation. Antegrade supraceliac aortomesenteric grafts avoid turbulence and compression of conventional "retrograde" bypass beneath the mesentery. We conclude that supraceliac aortic grafts provide a useful visceral artery reconstruction technique.

Aorta, Abdominal

Gracilis muscle flap for closure of rectourethral fistula.

A gracilis muscle flap can be used to close a rectourethral fistula caused by operative trauma and radiation. The flap is rotated easily into the perineum, brings vascularized muscle to irradiated and/or traumatized tissue and is a mechanical barrier between the urethra and the rectum.

Humans

An evaluation of the Mobin-Uddin umbrella in the prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism.

A vena caval umbrella was implanted in twenty-eight patients for the prevention of recurrent pulmonary embolism. Eighteen of these patients were catastrophically ill at the time of reimplantation. Thirteen patients died after implantation, one from a recurrent pulmonary embolus originating in the vena cava. There have been two additional recurrent nonfatal emboli. Three of the thirteen long-term survivors had significant lower extremity edema. Our experience and that of others indicates that the inferior vena caval umbrella is comparable to other methods of incomplete interruption in terms of effectiveness, morbidity, and mortality. Its unique technical advantage is the simplicity of insertion in severely ill patients in whom abdominal surgery is undesirable.

Adult

Progress in chronic mesenteric arterial ischemia.

Analysis of surgical treatment for chronic mesenteric arterial occlusive lesions in 45 patients between 1964 and 1986 has shown an evolution in diagnostic criteria, indications for operation, and surgical technique. Prior to 1976, a variety of surgical procedures (diaphragmatic crus release, arterial dilation, patch angioplasty, reimplantation, endarterectomy) were employed in treatment of patients with a wide range of symptoms and variation in number of mesenteric vessels involved. Since 1976, we have selected patients with "typical" symptoms (postprandial epigastric pain, fear of eating, weight loss) and 2 or 3 vessel disease, and have avoided surgery for celiac crus lesions. Typical symptoms were seldom present in isolated celiac artery crus compression, 4 of 15 pts (23%), but were often present with 2 or 3 vessel disease, 17 of 28 pts (61%, p = 0.03). Satisfactory resolution of pain was achieved in 18 of 24 pts with 2 or 3 vessel disease. We conclude that presence of "typical" symptoms and angiographic findings of 2 or 3 vessel disease are prerequisites for effective surgical treatment. Bypass graft is our surgical technique of choice, but the extent of arterial reconstruction required to relieve symptoms remains undefined.

Adolescent