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Biomedical subjects

H W Bender

Publications and source records attributed to H W Bender.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-lasting improvement after septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The most effective treatment of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is still disputed. Treatment options include medical therapy, pacemaker insertion, percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation, mitral valve replacement, and surgical resection of obstructing muscle. The long-term results of the various treatment options are not well defined. We aimed to demonstrate that septal myectomy is efficacious in reducing or abolishing left ventricular outflow tract gradient and leads to long-lasting symptomatic improvement in most patients. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients had septal myectomy between 1981 and the present. Their records were reviewed to document the details of their preoperative status, hospital course, their subsequent clinical outcome, and current status. RESULTS: Mean age at operation was 31.3 years. Preoperatively all patients were disabled by typical symptoms despite aggressive medical treatment. Mean resting gradient was 78 mm Hg. Nine patients required simultaneous associated cardiac procedures. There were no perioperative deaths and minimal morbidity. Two patients died at 6 and 9 years postoperatively of congestive heart failure and arrhythmias. Long-term survivors have been followed up for a mean of 6.6 years. Currently all have minimal or no symptoms. The mean resting gradient was 12 mm Hg. No patient has required reoperation for residual obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Septal myectomy reduces or abolishes left ventricular outflow tract gradient in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Myectomy provides long-lasting symptomatic improvement in most patients. The clinical status of patients late postoperatively can be affected by arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

Safety of remote aortic valve replacement after prior coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: A previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure may complicate subsequent aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the operative risks and long-term outcome of patients who undergo these two procedures remain poorly defined. METHODS: The medical records of all patients undergoing AVR between February 1986 and September 1995 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients selected for analysis had previously undergone CABG. RESULTS: We performed AVR in 23 consecutive patients who had previously undergone CABG (mean number of grafts, 2.8). The AVR was performed an average of 7.6 years after CABG (range, 2 to 17 years). There were 20 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 69 years (range, 56 to 85 years). Twenty patients were operated upon for aortic stenosis (mean gradient 54 mm Hg, mean valve area 0.7 cm2), and 3 patients underwent operation for aortic regurgitation. The average aortic valve gradient at the initial revascularization operation was 8 mm Hg (range, 0 to 29 mm Hg). There was no correlation between the aortic valve gradient at the initial revascularization and the interval between CABG and AVR. At the second operation, AVR was performed alone in 11 patients, combined with repeat CABG in 11 patients (mean number of grafts, 1.4), and with mitral valve replacement in 1 patient. A mechanical prosthesis was selected in 14 patients, and a bioprosthesis was used in 9 patients. There were no perioperative deaths. There were five late deaths at an average follow-up of 44 months. The 5-year actuarial survival was 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Previous CABG poses added technical challenges at the time of reoperation for AVR. The operation can be performed safely, with the expectation of satisfactory long-term survival.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Thymectomy for the myasthenia gravis patient: factors influencing outcome.

Thymectomy is a therapeutic option for patients with myasthenia gravis with moderate to severe disability. To document the efficacy of thymectomy coupled with medical therapy to treat this disease and to identify clinical factors that influence outcome, the clinical courses of all 46 patients (12 male and 34 female; mean age, 30 +/- 16 years) with myasthenia gravis who underwent thymectomy through a median sternotomy at a single institution over a 21-year period were reviewed. Clinical staging was determined preoperatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively, and at last follow-up (mean time, 75 months postoperatively) using the Oosterhuis classification. Changes in severity of illness were graded as "deteriorated," "unchanged," "improved," or "much improved." Preoperative Oosterhuis classification was 3.3 +/- 1.1 and at last follow-up, 1.4 +/- 1.2 (p = 0.022). At last follow-up, 40 patients (87%) were in the improved or much improved category, and 6 patients were in the deteriorated or unchanged category. Status at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after operation predicted outcome at last follow-up visit (p = 0.007, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). Clinical factors that positively influenced outcome were age less than 45 years (p = 0.004), female sex (p = 0.0309), and preoperative stage (p = 0.021).

Acetylcholine↗

Operative risk factors and durability of repair of coarctation of the aorta in the neonate.

The risk factors for the operative mortality and long-term durability of repair after surgical correction of coarctation of the aorta in neonates remain controversial. Between January 1970 and January 1993, 139 patients under 1 month of age underwent repair of coarctation of the aorta. Complex intracardiac defects were present in 59 patients. Another 44 patients had an associated ventricular septal defect. Subclavian artery flap repair was performed in 92 patients; end-to-end anastomosis (38 patients) and patch angioplasty (9 patients) were performed less commonly. The hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with complex intracardiac defects (9 of 59 patients; 15.2%) than in those with a ventricular septal defect (1 of 44 patients; 2.3%) or with isolated coarctation (none of 36 patients; p = 0.007). Elevated pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (p = 0.041) and complex intracardiac anomalies (p = 0.048) were found to be independent predictors of hospital mortality. The presence of a complex cardiac defect (p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of poor long-term survival. Recurrent stenosis requiring reoperation had occurred or balloon dilation had been necessary in 27.9% of the children at 5 years postoperatively. In patients followed up for at least 5 years, the recurrence-free survival was better in those who had undergone subclavian artery flap repair than in those who had undergone end-to-end repair (p = 0.017). When coarctation of the aorta must be repaired in the neonate, operative mortality and long-term survival are affected by the complexity of associated intracardiac anomalies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aortic Coarctation↗

Single lung transplantation: a temporal look at rejection, infection, and survival.

Single lung transplantation (SLT) has emerged as routine therapy for selected patients with end-stage lung disease. This study examines the incidence of rejection, infection, and survival during the first posttransplant year. Twenty-one patients (12 male, 9 female; mean age 46 +/- 13 years) underwent 23 SLT procedures (12 left, 11 right lung). Indications were pulmonary fibrosis in six, emphysema in seven, primary pulmonary hypertension in three, Eisenmenger's syndrome in one, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease in one, a-1 antitrypsin deficiency in two, CREST syndrome in one, and retransplantation (graft failure and bronchiolitis obliterans) in two. All were maintained on triple immunotherapy. Survival at 1 year was 100%. The five patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension had normal hemodynamics at follow up. Freedom from event at 1 year was rejection 23 per cent, all infections 6 per cent, viral 40 per cent, bacterial 55 per cent, fungal 74 per cent. At 1 year, cumulative incidence (events/patient-year) was rejection 1.61, all infections 2.18, viral 0.78, bacterial 1.12, fungal 0.28. Two of 21 patients have developed bronchiolitis obliterans at 1 and 2 years posttransplant. SLT provided safe, effective treatment for a wide variety of end-stage lung diseases. Rejection and infection, although common, may be safely treated with resolution.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Third-time coronary artery bypass grafting: midterm results.

Minimal data are available regarding the results of patients who have undergone myocardial revascularization more than twice. The records of 13 consecutive patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass procedure for the third time were reviewed. The indication for operation was unstable angina in all patients. All patients were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass through a median sternotomy. The mean number of bypass grafts placed at the third operation was 1.9 (range, 1 to 3 grafts). A new internal mammary artery graft was placed in 6 patients (2 had prior internal mammary artery grafts). Hospital mortality was 7.7% (1/13). The single death was due to incomplete revascularization in a patient with poor distal vessels. Three patients required intraaortic balloon pump support postoperatively, and 2 patients had prolonged ventilatory insufficiency. There have been no late deaths. The 12 survivors have been followed up a mean of 44 months (range, 6 to 90 months). Four remain asymptomatic; 5 have mild angina easily controlled with medication. All except 1 are in improved condition compared with their preoperative status. We conclude that a third myocardial revascularization can be performed with low mortality and morbidity and with the expectation of long-lasting symptomatic improvement.

Aged↗

Cytomegalovirus disease after heart transplantation: is acyclovir prophylaxis indicated?

To determine the efficacy of acyclovir prophylaxis in preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after heart transplantation, the clinical course of 103 patients (ages, 0.1 to 62 years; mean age, 41.8 years; 87 males, 16 females) was analyzed. Active CMV infection (defined as a positive culture from any site or a fourfold increase in immunoglobulin G antibody titers) occurred in 64% (66/103) and clinical CMV disease (defined as pathologic evidence of CMV in tissue biopsy or a typical CMV syndrome with fever and two of the following: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, atypical lymphocytes, and elevated liver function test results in a patient with CMV infection) occurred in 25% (26/103). Independent variables studied included acyclovir prophylaxis, duration of acyclovir use, duration and type of induction therapy, donor and recipient CMV status, total steroid dose at 3 and 6 months, azathioprine dose and cyclosporine level at 3 months, age, and sex. In a multivariate regression analysis, acyclovir prophylaxis was independently associated with freedom from CMV disease (p = 0.029). Positive donor CMV status (p = 0.025), higher total steroid dose at 3 months (p = 0.036), and lower azathioprine dose at 3 months (p = 0.047) were associated with higher occurrence of CMV disease. The use of antilymphocyte induction therapy was associated with an increased occurrence of active CMV infection (p = 0.022) but not CMV disease. The prophylactic administration of acyclovir reduced the occurrence of CMV disease after heart transplantation.

Acyclovir↗

Twenty years' experience with pulmonary metastasectomy.

From January 1969 through December 1989, 63 patients had 69 operations for pulmonary metastases. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 75 years; there were 36 men and 27 women. Metastasectomy was accomplished through a thoracotomy incision in 59 cases (5 staged, bilateral), and median sternotomy was used in 10 instances. Wedge resection was performed in 54 patients, with segmentectomy in 2, lobectomy in 12, and pneumonectomy in 1. There were no operative deaths. Multiple metastases were present in 29 patients, and a single metastasis in 34. Follow-up ranges from 2 to 204 months (mean = 42 months). Thirty-eight patients remain alive; thirty are free of disease and eight have developed other metastases. Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 40 (CL [confidence limits] 49,31), 36 (CL 44,26), and 24 (CL 35,13) per cent, respectively. Mean actuarial survival is 84 months, and median survival is 58 months. There is no difference in survival whether metastases were single or multiple. Survival is significantly less in groups with primary sarcoma and melanoma (P = .012). While pulmonary metastases may be a manifestation of terminal disease, metastasectomy has an important role in the multidisciplinary management of selected patients when metastatic disease is confined to the lung. Prolonged survival may be achieved in many patients.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Complete repair of atrioventricular septal defect.

We report our experience with 103 consecutive children who underwent repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect between 1971 and 1990. Ninety-one patients were less than 18 months old (mean age, 6.2 months; mean weight, 5.8 kg) and were repaired using deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. There were 15 perioperative deaths. Twelve patients were older (mean age, 40.2 months; mean weight, 18.9 kg) and were repaired using moderate hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass. There were two perioperative deaths. Repairs were performed with the single-patch technique. Four younger patients required repeat repair to control residual mitral regurgitation. Two of the older children required late reoperation to replace one or both atrioventricular valves. Three younger children underwent pulmonary artery banding initially; 1 died after complete repair. Three older children underwent initial pulmonary artery banding; 2 died at definitive repair, and the survivor required pulmonary artery reconstruction, which was repeated subsequently. Since 1977 our policy has been to perform primary definitive repair whenever possible. Two patients died late from unrelated causes. At the most recent follow-up the majority of patients had no or minimal symptoms. We continue to advocate primary definitive repair whenever possible using the single-patch technique in symptomatic patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Heart transplantation in children.

Orthotopic cardiac transplantation has been performed in 15 consecutive neonates and children since 1987. Diagnoses include hypoplastic left heart syndrome (5 patients), critical aortic stenosis with small left ventricle (1 patient), complex cyanotic heart disease (6 patients), and cardiomyopathy (3 patients). Twelve patients survived operation and have been followed from 1 to 45 months. Patients less than 6 years of age are managed with cyclosporine +/- azathioprine; in older patients steroid weaning is attempted. Monitoring for rejection is performed with serial echocardiography in patients under 6 years of age; older patients undergo serial biopsies. Actuarial freedom from rejection was 26% 3 months after operation; 47% were free of infection 6 months after operation. There have been no late deaths. Actuarial survival at 3 years is 79%. Nine patients have undergone postoperative catheterization. Resting hemodynamics were normal in every patient. All long-term survivors are asymptomatic and fully active. It is concluded that cardiac transplantation in neonates and children is an effective treatment option for end-stage cardiomyopathy or otherwise incurable congenital heart disease. Long-term survivors have excellent potential for full rehabilitation.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Cavoatrial tumor thrombectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass without circulatory arrest.

Of 29 patients with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus, 14 with supradiaphragmatic extension were deemed suitable for operation. Patients (age, 7.5 to 70 years) had renal cell carcinoma (n = 8), Wilms' tumor (n = 2), transitional cell carcinoma (n = 1), and adrenal carcinoma (n = 3). Seven patients had stage III disease, and 7 patients had stage IV disease. Two patients (group A) had unresectable disease at exploratory celiotomy, 4 patients (group B) underwent tumor thrombectomy without cardiopulmonary bypass, and cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in 8 patients (group C). Three of 8 group C patients had Budd-Chiari syndrome at diagnosis. Cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia, and inferior vena caval interruption (clip or filter), was employed in all patients. There were no perioperative deaths. Transient neurological impairment was observed postoperatively in 2 patients. Coagulopathy developed in 1 patient who had hepatic encephalopathy and Budd-Chiari syndrome preoperatively and in another patient in whom protamine could not be administered. No patient had acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Median survival is 41 and 17 months in groups B and C, respectively. Some authors have advocated profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in these patients. We find that satisfactory visualization and excision can be performed with cardiopulmonary bypass and moderate hypothermia, avoiding potential renal, hepatic, neurological, and septic complications associated with circulatory arrest.

Adolescent↗

Reappraisal of localized resection for subvalvar aortic stenosis.

Between June 1972 and August 1989, we operated on 45 patients with fixed subaortic stenosis. Discrete membranous stenosis was present in 28 patients and tunnel stenosis, in 13. Four patients had subvalvar stenosis complicating double-outlet right ventricle. There were 33 male and 12 female patients. Mean age at operation was 7.1 +/- 4.3 years (range, 6 months to 21 years). Local resection of the fibrous membrane was performed in 26 patients. Local resection was combined with myectomy in 18 patients. Aortoventriculoplasty (modified Konno procedure) was required at operation in 3 patients. There were three perioperative deaths at initial operation and two deaths at the time of reoperation. Follow-up ranges from 1 month to 17 years (average follow-up, 47.0 months). Reoperation for recurrent obstruction has been required in 12 patients (27%), and 3 patients have required a second reoperation. Mild to moderate aortic regurgitation was present in 17 patients. Subaortic stenosis is a spectrum of anatomical derangements ranging from a discrete fibrous membrane to a long, tortuous fibrous tunnel with aortic annulus hypoplasia. Successful removal of a discrete fibrous membrane can be followed later by recurrent stenosis necessitating myectomy or aortoventriculoplasty. Correction of subvalvar aortic stenosis can be followed by recurrent stenosis necessitating reoperation as long as 17 years after the initial procedure.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗

Cardiac surgery in patients age 80 years or older.

Between February 1978 and August 1989, forty patients aged 80 years or older underwent cardiac surgery at this institution. Patient age varied from 80 to 87 years (mean, 82.4 years). Operative indications were angina pectoris or congestive heart failure. Twenty-eight patients underwent coronary artery bypass (CAB) alone and 12 underwent valve replacement(s) with or without CAB. The operative mortality rate was 10%. Postoperative hospitalization averaged 14 days. There were three late cardiac deaths at 13, 36, and 48 months after operation and one late noncardiac death. Thirty-two survivors have been followed from 1 to 86 months (mean, 20 months). All experienced sustained improvement in functional status and minimal late morbidity. All survivors remained in NYHA class 1 or 2. Cardiac surgical procedures in patients older than 80 years can be performed with increased but acceptable mortality and morbidity rates. Most patients achieve sustained symptomatic improvement and excellent long-term survival.

Aged↗

Absence of left ventricular volume loading in infants with coarctation of the aorta and a large ventricular septal defect.

Clinical characteristics and angiographic ventricular volume data were obtained in 25 infants aged 1 to 66 days who presented with coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect and congestive heart failure to determine if left ventricular volume loading was present and if there were hemodynamic or volumetric variables that were predictive of operative mortality in this group. Pulmonary to systemic flow ratio averaged 2.8 +/- 0.8 and right ventricular/left ventricular peak pressure ratio was 0.96 +/- 0.12. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume averaged 116 +/- 49% of normal and was less than the investigators' lower limit of normal in 5 (20%) of 25 patients. In contrast, right ventricular end-diastolic volume, measured in eight patients, averaged 173 +/- 47% of normal and was greater than the investigators' upper limit of normal in seven (88%) of eight. Left ventricular ejection fraction averaged 0.47 +/- 0.17 and was below normal (less than 0.55) in 14 (58%) of 24 patients. Preoperative volume and ejection fraction data did not differ in infants with coarctation plus ventricular septal defect and a similar group of 19 infants with isolated coarctation. Abnormal left ventricular operative volume distensibility was inferred by normal or decreased left ventricular end-diastolic volume and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (greater than 12 mm Hg) in 12 (55%) of 24 patients. Early plus late mortality was related to left ventricular size: 3 of 5 patients with a small left ventricular end-diastolic volume died, compared with only 4 of 20 with a normal or increased volume (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abnormalities, Multiple↗