J F Best | PubMed Health

PubMed1986

Amiodarone: an effective alternative for recalcitrant supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias.

Amiodarone was used in the treatment of 21 patients with supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias which were refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic drugs, individually or in combination. Six of seven patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and 12 of 14 with ventricular tachycardia were controlled with amiodarone. Although side effects were common, only one patient was removed from treatment due to pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic drug for refractory ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Amiodarone↗

PubMed1986

Starr-Edwards aortic prosthesis: a 20-year retrospective study.

Over the years the Starr Edwards prosthesis has demonstrated a high durability and improved survival in patients with severe aortic stenosis or insufficiency. While the ideal valve prosthesis is not yet available, the Starr-Edwards valve in most instances demonstrates an adequate hemodynamic performance, does not degenerate throughout the human life span, is biocompatible, and is inserted reliably without requiring unique technical dexterity. Despite occasional valve-related complications with early models, beneficial effects of valve replacement are clearly seen in patients with a reversible myocardial dysfunction, a lower level New York Heart Association functional class (II to III), and who survive the early postoperative period and the first year. Long-term complications seen with the Starr-Edwards valve are primarily thromboembolism, endocarditis, hemolysis, and anticoagulation related complications. Despite good operative results, the major cause of deaths in these patients remains cardiac.

Adult↗