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Biomedical subjects

H G Fieguth

Publications and source records attributed to H G Fieguth.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Results and experiences of transvenous endocardial defibrillator therapy].

We studied the follow-up of 72 patients who underwent implantation of a transvenous defibrillation lead system (ELS) (Endotak, CPI). All patients had ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. There were 51 patients with coronary disease and 21 patients had non-ischemic VT/VF. ELS was combined with a subcutaneous patch in 52 patients and implanted alone ("single lead only") in 20 patients. 40 patients received the ELS combined with antitachycardia pacing devices (Ventak PRx, CPI; Cadence, Ventritex) and 32 patients with the Ventak P 1600 or P2, CPI. Implantation of the ELS was attempted in 80 patients and performed in 72 patients (90%): Intraoperatively, the mean defibrillation threshold (DTF) was > 25 Joule (J) in five patients and no reliable ELS position was possible to achieve in three patients. These eight patients underwent thoracotomy with epicardial patch implantation. The mean DFT was < or = 20 J in all 72 patients with a mean DFT of 14 +/- 8 J in VT patients and 17 +/- 10 J in VF patients. Two of 80 patients (3%) died: one patient died intraoperatively and one during the mean follow-up of 6 +/- 2 (< 1 to 18) months. Complications occurred in three patients (4%): Dislocation of the Endotak electrode was observed in two patients (3%) and one patient developed pneumothorax postoperatively. Our data show that the ELS is most suitable in the majority of patients with VT/VF and is the approach of first choice for cardioverter defibrillator implantation at the present time. However, despite a relatively low intra- and perioperative complication rate, this approach should not be performed in institutions without cardiac surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Aorto-iliac reconstruction after kidney transplantation with in situ transplant perfusion with HTK solution].

A case report of a 57 year old male is presented, who underwent kidney transplantation in 1987. Subsequently he developed arterial occlusive disease. A bifurcated prosthesis was implanted and the graft preserved by in-situ-perfusion with HTK-solution (Custodiol). The graft artery was anastomosed in an end to side fashion to the prosthesis. The postoperative course was uncomplicated with unimpaired renal function. We conclude that in-situ-perfusion with cold HTK-solution represents a simple method for kidney graft protection during reconstructive vascular procedures.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMed1992

Future horizons of lung preservation by application of a platelet-activating factor antagonist compared with current clinical standards. Euro-Collins flush perfusion versus donor core cooling.

With the introduction of platelet-activating factor antagonists, a direct inhibition of ischemia-induced reperfusion injury can be achieved by prevention of platelet activation, reduction of microvascular leakage, and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchoconstriction. At present, two preservation methods are established for clinical lung preservation: (1) donor core cooling by extracorporeal circulation and (2) pulmonary artery flush with Euro-Collins solution and prostacyclin. We compared the quality of organ preservation obtained with these methods to the application of a platelet-activating factor antagonist (WEB 2170; 0.3 mg/kg) for the donor, perfusion solution, and throughout the first 6 hours of reperfusion in combination with prostacyclin (20 ng/kg/min) and Euro-Collins solution (60 ml/kg). Eighteen heterotopic heart and orthotopic left lung transplants were performed in three groups of six dogs each after 6 hours of cold ischemia (group I, donor core cooling; group II, Euro-Collins flush and prostacyclin; group III, Euro-Collins flush, prostacyclin, and WEB 2170). Myocardial preservation was achieved with St. Thomas' Hospital solution (20 ml/kg) in all groups. After transplantation, cardiorespiratory function was assessed at an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.4. After transplantation, superior results were observed in group III, as expressed by significantly improved oxygenation, while cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressures were similar in all groups. We concluded that the use of the platelet-activating factor antagonist WEB 2170 resulted in better lung preservation than current clinical standards.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Organ preservation for heart-lung and lung transplantation.

One of the most important restrictions in the field of heart-lung- and lung-transplantation remains the limited ischemic tolerance of the lung. From December 1987 through February 1991, 44 patients underwent either single-, double-, or heart-lung-transplantation. All organs were harvested in multiorgan procedures. For the first 4 patients core cooling of the donor was used. For the rest pulmonary artery flush with modified Euro-Collins solution and prostacyclin was employed. Ischemia time varied from 3-6.5 hours (mean 241; 176-390 minutes). Hearts were arrested with St. Thomas cardioplegia. Oxygenation was satisfactory at 24 hours: p O2 greater than 100 mmHg, FI O2 less than 30% oxygen. It is concluded that for lung preservation modified Euro-Collins solution and prostacyclin for flush perfusion of the pulmonary artery will result in excellent lung function early postoperatively with ischemic times up to 6.5 hours. This method seems advantageous compared to others due to the limited surgical and instrumental needs.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Distant organ procurement in clinical lung- and heart-lung transplantation. Cooling by extracorporeal circulation or hypothermic flush.

The scarcity of suitable donors for single lung and heart-lung transplantation calls for methods of medium-term pulmonary preservation to allow for distant organ procurement. At our institution, the first five grafts (four heart-lung, one single lung) were cooled by means of a transportable extracorporeal circulation unit, while the last eight grafts (four heart-lung, four single lung) were flush-perfused with modified cold Euro-Collins solution. The technique of extracorporated circulation included aortic and right atrial cannulation and cooling to 12 degrees-14 degrees C (rectal temperature) using a bubble oxygenator. Bypass times ranged between 41 and 52 min. Following excision, the organs were transported in ice-cold donor blood for ischemic times from 171 to 310 min. For cold flush preservation, simultaneous coronary (cold St. Thomas's solution) and pulmonary artery perfusion (Euro-Collins solution, 50 ml/kg over 4 min) were initiated simultaneously. The organs were transported in cold Euro-Collins solution for ischemic times of 175 to 270 min. In heart-lung transplantations the first postoperative arterial PO2 upon arrival at the intensive care unit was 120 +/- 38 Torr in the extracorporeal circulation and 140 +/- 38 Torr in the Euro-Collins solution group. Six of eight patients were extubated within 48 h after cardiopulmonary grafting. We conclude that pulmonary function following heart-lung or single lung preservation with simple hypothermic flush is as good or better than that following extracorporeal circulation. Since distant organ retrieval is much more convenient without the latter, preservation using Euro-Collins solution is preferred.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Indications and results of orthotopic heart transplantation in coronary heart disease].

In parallel to increasing numbers of orthotopic heart transplantations performed during recent years, the proportion of patients with preexisting ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) enlarged. The present study examined peri- and postoperative risk factors and the prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease after orthotopic heart transplantation in comparison to a group with dilatated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This comparison revealed a higher risk of severe rejection episodes in patients with coronary artery disease, whereas infections were not more frequent. Graft atherosclerosis was found in a higher incidence in patients with preexisting ICM than in the DCM group. The overall incidence of graft atherosclerosis was less than 10% at one and at two years after orthotopic heart transplantation. Postoperative renal function was more impaired in the group of ICM patients, although blood levels of cyclosporine A were lower in this group. In the ICM group one and two year survival rates were 75% and 74%, respectively. Although survival rates are lower in this patient group, if compared to DCM patients (84% and 83%), orthotopic heart transplantation seems to be acceptable therapeutic alternative for endstage coronary artery disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Combined heart and kidney transplantation in terminal myocardial and renal insufficiency].

In a 38-year-old man combined heart and kidney transplantation was performed successfully in one operation. Both organs have functioned well postoperatively: the patient was discharged from hospital on the 19th postoperative day and has remained in functional class I (New York Heart Association) eight months later. Only two episodes of cardiac rejection have been observed during this period, responding to treatment, and there was no evidence of rejection of the kidney. Such combined heart-kidney transplantation from one donor seems to be a promising form of treatment for patients in end-stage myocardial and renal failure. The frequency of cardiac rejections my be lower after combined heart-kidney transplantation than after cardiac transplantation alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Hyperimmunoglobulin treatment in CMV infections following heart transplantation].

Clinically manifest cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, with and without pulmonary involvement, occurred in two patients after heart transplantation. The diagnosis was confirmed immunologically. After administration of CMV hyperimmunoglobulin and prophylactic antibiotics and a reduction of immunosuppressives, rapid clinical improvement ensued so that both patients were discharged from hospital after seven and ten days, respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Hyperimmuneglobulin for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis following heart transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality following organ transplantation. In a series of 75 heart transplant patients, we have compared two protocols for prophylactic administration of CMV hyperimmuneglobulin. The first group of patients received immunoglobulin on the operative and on the tenth postoperative days. The second group of patients received immunoglobulins on the operative day, and repeatedly with each period of increased immunosuppression. With repeated doses of immunoglobulin prophylaxis, the incidence of CMV reactivation and the clinical severity of CMV infection were both significantly reduced. A reduction in the incidence of CMV infection in recipients who were seronegative preoperatively was also observed. (5/8 vs. 7/25 patients; P = 0.06). We conclude that repeated administration of specific hyperimmuneglobulin with each period of increased immunosuppression following heart transplantation has a beneficial effect on both CMV reactivation and infection.

Adult↗