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Biomedical subjects

J H Svendsen

Publications and source records attributed to J H Svendsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Quality assessment of pacemaker implantations in Denmark.

AIMS: Quality assessment of therapeutic procedures is essential to insure a cost-effective health care system. Pacemaker implantation is a common procedure with more than 500,000 implantations world-wide per year, but the general complication rate is not well described. We studied procedure related complications for all implantations performed in an entire nation over a 3-year period. METHODS AND RESULTS: A prospective study of complications related to 99% of the 5648 primary pacemaker implantations performed in the 12 Danish pacemaker centres in 1997-1999 was carried out. Overall 76% of the patients received a physiological pacemaker system and 91% received the optimal pacing mode according to international guidelines. Perioperative complications requiring reoperation were: haematoma 0.3%, atrial lead related 1.9%, ventricular lead related 1.7%. Late complications requiring reoperation were: infection 02%, atrial lead related 13%, ventricular lead related 1.2%. The complication rate decreased over the study period, but overall the complication rate was higher than expected and showed considerable variation between centres. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that sensitive data such as complications related to pacemaker implantations can be collected on a national basis. We suggest that a reoperation rate higher than 3% for atrial as well as ventricular pacing electrodes in the individual implanting centre should cause the centre to evaluate carefully the procedure as well as the performance of the individual implanter.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Tissue temperatures and lesion size during irrigated tip catheter radiofrequency ablation: an in vitro comparison of temperature-controlled irrigated tip ablation, power-controlled irrigated tip ablation, and standard temperature-controlled ablation.

The limited success rate of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with ventricular tachycardias related to structural heart disease may be increased by enlarging the lesion size. Irrigated tip catheter ablation is a new method for enlarging the size of the lesion. It was introduced in the power-controlled mode with high power and high infusion rate, and is associated with an increased risk of crater formation, which is related to high tissue temperatures. The present study explored the tissue temperatures during temperature-controlled irrigated tip ablation, comparing it with standard temperature-controlled ablation and power-controlled irrigated tip ablation. In vitro strips of porcine left ventricular myocardium were ablated. Temperature-controlled irrigated tip ablation at target temperatures 60 degrees C, 70 degrees C, and 80 degrees C with infusion of 1 mL saline/min were compared with standard temperature-controlled ablation at 70 degrees C and power-controlled irrigated tip ablation at 40 W, and infusion of 20 mL/min. Lesion size and tissue temperatures were significantly higher during all modes of irrigated tip ablation compared with standard temperature-controlled ablation (P < 0.05). Lesion volume correlated positively with tissue temperature (r = 0.87). The maximum recorded tissue temperature was always 1 mm from the ablation electrode and was 67 +/- 4 degrees C for standard ablation and 93 +/- 6 degrees C, 99 +/- 6 degrees C, and 115 +/- 13 degrees C for temperature-controlled irrigated tip ablation at 60 degrees C, 70 degrees C, and 80 degrees C, respectively, and 112 +/- 12 degrees C for power-controlled irrigated tip ablation, which for irrigated tip ablation was significantly higher than tip temperature (P < 0.0001). Crater formation only occurred at tissue temperatures > 100 degrees C. We conclude that irrigated tip catheter ablation increases lesion size and tissue temperatures compared with standard ablation in the temperature-controlled mode at the same or higher target temperatures and in the power-controlled mode. Furthermore, tissue temperature and delivered power are the best indicators of lesion volume during temperature-controlled ablation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Lesion dimensions during temperature-controlled radiofrequency catheter ablation of left ventricular porcine myocardium: impact of ablation site, electrode size, and convective cooling.

BACKGROUND: It is important to increase lesion size to improve the success rate for radiofrequency ablation of ischemic ventricular tachycardia. This study of radiofrequency ablation, with adjustment of power to approach a preset target temperature, ie, temperature-controlled ablation, explores the effect of catheter-tip length, ablation site, and convective cooling on lesion dimensions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro strips of porcine left ventricular myocardium during different levels of convective cooling and in vivo pig hearts at 2 or 3 left ventricular sites were ablated with 2- to 12-mm-tip catheters. We found increased lesion volume for increased catheter-tip length </=8 mm in vitro (P<0.05) and 6 mm in vivo (P<0. 0001), but no further increase was found for longer tips. For the 4- to 10-mm catheter tips, we found smaller lesion volume in low-flow areas (apex) than in high-flow areas (free wall and septum) (P<0.05). Increasing convective cooling of the catheter tip in vitro increased lesion volume (P<0.0005) for the 4- and 8-mm tips but not for the 12-mm tip as the generator reached maximum output. In contrast to power-controlled ablation, we found a negative correlation between tip temperature reached and lesion volume for applications in which maximum generator output was not achieved (P<0. 0001), whereas delivered power and lesion volume correlated positively (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Lesion size differs in different left ventricular target sites, which is probably related to convective cooling, as illustrated in vitro. Longer electrode tips increase lesion size for tip lengths </=6 to 8 mm. For temperature-controlled ablation, the tip temperature achieved is a poor predictor of lesion size.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation of cardiac tissue: an in vitro study of the impact of electrode orientation, electrode tissue contact pressure and external convective cooling.

BACKGROUND: A variety of basic factors such as electrode tip pressure, flow around the electrode and electrode orientation influence lesion size during radiofrequency ablation, but importantly is dependent on the chosen mode of ablation. However, only little information is available for the frequently used temperature-controlled mode. The purpose of the present experimental study was to evaluate the impact during temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation of three basic factors regarding electrode-tissue contact and convective cooling on lesion size. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro strips of porcine left ventricular myocardium were ablated in a tissue bath. Temperature-controlled ablation at 80 degrees C for 60 s was performed using a 7F 4 mm tip electrode in either perpendicular or parallel contact with the endocardium at a pressure of 10 or 20 g. Increased flow around the electrode was induced by circulating the saline in the tissue bath at a flow-velocity of 0.1 m/s. Lesion volume was determined by cutting lesions in 1 mm thick slices, staining with nitroblue tetrazolium and planimetering. A total of 107 lesions was created. Lesion size was significantly larger for perpendicular electrode orientation compared to parallel for both pressure-settings and both levels of flow around the electrode (p < 0.05). Increased flow around the electrode enlarged lesion size (p < 0.005). Electrode-tissue contact pressure had no significant impact on lesion size. CONCLUSIONS: During temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation increased external cooling of the electrode tip due to either flow of the surrounding liquid or poor electrode tissue contact, as exemplified by perpendicular versus parallel electrode orientation, increases lesion size significantly. This is in contrast to the impact of these factors during power-controlled ablation due to the lack of increased power-delivery in the latter situation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Lesion size in relation to ablation site during radiofrequency ablation.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of the convective cooling of the tip of the ablation electrode during temperature controlled radiofrequency ablation. In vivo two different application sites in the left ventricle of anaesthetised pigs were ablated and in vitro ablation was performed during two different flow-velocities in a tissue bath, while electrode contact pressure and position were unchanged. Target temperature was 80 degrees C. Obtained tip temperature, power consumption and lesion dimensions were measured. In vivo lesion volume, depth and width were found significantly larger for septal applications than apical applications (p < 0.01) and more power was used (p < 0.001). Obtained tip temperature was significantly lower in the septal applications (p < 0.001). In vitro increased convective cooling by induction of flow yielded larger lesion volume, depth and width (p < 0.01), and had higher power consumptions (p < 0.01). Obtained tip temperature did not differ significantly. For the given chosen target temperature power consumption was positively related to lesion volume (r = 0.66 in vivo and 0.65 in vitro), whereas obtained tip temperature was not (r = -0.49 in vivo and -0.61 in vitro). We conclude that during temperature controlled radiofrequency ablation lesion size differs for septal and apical left ventricular applications. Differences in convective cooling might play an important role in this respect. This is supported by our in vitro experiments, where increased convective cooling by induction of a flow around the electrode tip increases lesion dimensions and power consumptions. Furthermore we conclude that for the given target temperature the power consumption is positively correlated with lesion volume (p < 0.001), whereas the obtained tip temperature is not.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Temperature-controlled irrigated tip radiofrequency catheter ablation: comparison of in vivo and in vitro lesion dimensions for standard catheter and irrigated tip catheter with minimal infusion rate.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with ventricular tachycardias due to structural heart disease, catheter ablation cures < 60% partly due to the limited lesion size after conventional radiofrequency ablation. Irrigated tip radiofrequency ablation using power control and high infusion rates enlarges lesion size, but has increased risk of cratering. The present study explores irrigated tip catheter ablation in temperature-controlled mode, target temperature 60 degrees C, using an irrigation rate of 1 mL/min, comparing this to conventional catheter technique, target temperature 80 degrees C. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vivo anesthetized pigs were ablated in the left ventricle. In vitro strips of porcine left ventricular myocardium were ablated in a tissue bath. Lesion volume was significantly larger after irrigated tip ablation both in vivo (544 +/- 218 vs 325 +/- 194 mm3, P < 0.01) and in vitro (286 +/- 113 vs 179 +/- 23 mm3, P < 0.001). The incidence of cratering was not significantly different between the two groups. In vivo, no coagulum formation on part of the catheter tip was seen after irrigated tip ablation as opposed to 52% of the applications with conventional ablation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that temperature-controlled radiofrequency ablation with irrigated tip catheters using low target temperature and low infusion rate enlarges lesion size without increasing the incidence of cratering and reduces coagulum formation of the tip.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Positron emission tomography. A new measurement method for imaging of regional and biochemical parameters].

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a method for quantitative imaging of regional physiological and biochemical parameters. Positron emitting radioactive isotopes can be produced by a cyclotron, eg. the biologically important carbon (11C), oxygen (15O), and nitrogen (13N) elements. With the tomographic principle of the PET scanner the quantitative distribution of the administered isotopes can be determined and images can be provided as well as dynamic information on blood flow, metabolism and receptor function. In neurology PET has been used for investigations on numerous physiological processes in the brain: circulation, metabolism and receptor studies. In Parkinson's disease PET studies have been able to localize the pathology specifically, and in early stroke PET technique can outline focal areas with living but non-functioning cells, and this could make it possible to intervene in this early state. With positron emission tomography a quantitative evaluation of myocardial blood flow, glucose and fatty acid metabolism can be made as well as combined assessments of blood flow and metabolism. Combined studies of blood flow and metabolism can determine whether myocardial segments with abnormal motility consist of necrotic or viable tissue, thereby delineating effects of revascularisation. In the future it will probably be possible to characterize the myocardial receptor status in different cardiac diseases. The PET technique is used in oncology for clinical as well as more basic research on tumor perfusion and metabolism. Further, tumor uptake of positron labelled cytotoxic drugs might predict the clinical benefit of treatment.

Brain↗
PubMed1994

[The effect of thrombolytic therapy on the outcome of early exercise test in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

UNLABELLED: Exercise test variables, such as an impaired heart rate response, are known to be related to left ventricular function and patient prognosis following acute myocardial infarction. The present study was performed to compare exercise test variables in acute myocardial infarct patients following either intravenous thrombolysis or placebo. Symptom-limited bicycle ergometer tests, carried out one to two weeks from the infarction, were performed in 85 patients randomized to intravenous streptokinase (n = 41) or placebo (n = 44) given within 12 hours from onset of symptoms. Resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product were similar in the two groups. At maximum workload the streptokinase treated patients had a significantly higher median maximal heart rate than controls (136 vs. 126 min-1; p < 0.01) but only a trend towards higher systolic blood pressure was seen (175 vs. 163 mmHg; p = 0.09). Rate-pressure product at maximal exercise was 23.620 vs. 20.100 mmHg x min-1; p < 0.01). A significantly smaller number of patients in the streptokinase group had exercise capacity below 50 W (0% vs. 15.9%; p < 0.01). IN CONCLUSION: patients treated with intravenous streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction reach both higher heart rates and rate-pressure products at maximum workload than their controls thus indicating that the beneficial effects of thrombolysis after acute myocardial infarction are reflected in an improved heart rate response during exercise.

Aspirin↗
PubMed1994

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha increases myocardial microvascular transport in vivo.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a primary mediator in the pathogenesis of tissue injury, and high circulating levels of TNF-alpha are found in a variety of pathological conditions. In open-chest anesthetized dogs, the effects of intracoronary recombinant human TNF-alpha (rTNF-alpha; 100 ng/kg for 60 min) on myocardial microvascular transport of a small hydrophilic indicator was examined by the single-injection, residue-detection method. Intracoronary infusion of rTNF-alpha increased myocardial microvascular transport after 120 min. This increase was preceded by a sustained decline in cardiac output and was associated with the appearance of areas with myocardial necrosis in the regional left ventricular wall. The myocardial plasma flow rate and maximum plasma flow rate in response to a 30-s coronary occlusion were not influenced by rTNF-alpha, although a decrease in the myocardial plasma flow rate was observed after 180 min. Circulating neutrophil counts were increased by rTNF-alpha, but the increase in myocardial capillary permeability could not be ascribed to regional neutrophil infiltration. We conclude that picomolar levels of rTNF-alpha can influence the movement of small hydrophilic molecules across the myocardial microvascular barrier in vivo and induce a prolonged decrease in cardiac performance. These effects may be important elements in myocardial pathophysiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Myocardial blood flow rate and capillary permeability for 99mTc-DTPA in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Evaluation of the single-injection, residue detection method with intracoronary indicator bolus injection and the use of a mobile gamma camera.

The aims of the present study were to quantitate myocardial perfusion and capillary permeability in the human heart by means of the single-injection, residue detection method using a mobile gamma camera. With this method, the intravascular mean transit time and the capillary extraction fraction (E) can be determined in one experiment and in the same myocardial region. Eighteen patients with a history of chest pain episodes and angiographically normal coronary arteries were studied after intracoronary bolus injections of 99mTc-DTPA during elective coronary angiography. Two measurements were performed at a 15-min interval during resting conditions, and a third measurement was made during atrial pacing. Regions of interest were drawn in the left anterior descending (LAD) and the circumflex (CX) coronary artery perfusion beds. Sources of variation in plasma flow rate (fpl), E, and the calculated capillary permeability area product (PS) were determined. Spontaneous 15 min variations (mean of two values) for the LAD and the CX territory, respectively, gave a mean fpl(LAD) of 74.2 (measurement 1) and 77.8 ml.(100 g.min)-1 (measurement 2) (SD of the difference 7.5 ml.(100 g.min)-1) and fpl(CX) of 82.7 and 92.1 ml. (100 g.min)-1, respectively (SD of the difference 16.1 ml.(100 g.min)-1), and E(LAD) was 51.0 and 55.7%, respectively (SD of the difference 8.4%), and E(CX) was 52.9 and 50.4%, respectively (SD of the difference 5.9%). During atrial pacing, the rate-pressure product increased by 97%, and in the LAD area fpl increased by 46% (p < 0.05), E decreased by 6% (NS), and PS increased by 39% (NS), whereas in the CX region flow increased by only 9% (p < 0.01), E decreased by 15% (p < 0.05), and PS decreased by 15% (NS) compared with baseline values. Both the spontaneous variation and the observer variation are low. The reduced vasodilator response in the CX region in combination with the decrease in E, which reduce the supply of nutrients, may play a role in the symptoms of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Leucocyte depletion attenuates the early increase in myocardial capillary permeability to small hydrophilic solutes following ischaemia and reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the significance of polymorphonuclear leucocytes on the myocardial capillary permeability to a small hydrophilic indicator, on the vascular tone of the resistance vessels, and on contractile function following ischaemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Open chest, anaesthetised dogs were randomised to treatment with polyclonal antibody against polymorphonuclear leucocytes (anti-PMN group) or non-specific antibody (control group), and subjected to 40 min of coronary occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion. The capillary extraction fraction and the myocardial plasma flow rate were quantitated in vivo by intracoronary indicator bolus injection and external registration of the washout, and the capillary permeability-surface area product was calculated. Postischaemic vasodilator tone in the myocardial resistance vessels was measured by the local 133xenon washout method. RESULTS: 20 dogs were included (10 in each group), and 13 dogs completed the ischaemia-reperfusion protocol (anti-PMN group, n = 7; control group, n = 6). In the anti-PMN group, blood polymorphonuclear leucocyte counts were reduced to a minimum of 15% of pretreatment values. After ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion, the capillary extraction increased by 17% in the control group but decreased by 22% in the anti-PMN group (p < 0.05). The corresponding capillary permeability-surface area product increased by 22% in the control group, but decreased by 16% in the anti-PMN group (p < 0.05). Neither maximum myocardial plasma flow during reactive hyperaemia nor contractile function were influenced by anti-PMN treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphonuclear leucocytes appear to participate in the increase in myocardial capillary permeability observed early after reperfusion following a 40 min period of ischaemia, but do not influence postischaemic vascular tone or postischaemic contractile function. During normal physiological conditions reduction of the circulating polymorphonuclear leucocyte counts did not induce significant changes in myocardial capillary permeability.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A miniature silicon diode matrix detector for in vivo measurement of 133Xe disappearance following local tissue injection.

A variety of biological processes can be studied from the washout of compounds labelled with a gamma emitter. Conventional systems for measurement of gamma radiation can detect count rates at both the low and high energy range of the indicator in question, 133Xe. However, silicon (Si) photodiodes have the capability of measuring the lowest energies (25-40 keV) of gamma and x-ray emitters with sufficient efficiency when applied on the skin surface and close to the indicator depot. The purpose of the present study was firstly to evaluate a portable Si photodiode matrix detector system, composed of 16 photodiodes, for in vivo measurement of disappearance rate constants of 133Xe following injection into subcutaneous (SC) or skeletal muscle (SM) tissues as compared with a stationary sodium iodide single crystal detector. Secondly, from these results, to evaluate the contribution from intra-tissue indicator diffusion and indicate means of avoiding influence from local diffusion in the washout curve of 133Xe. From the recorded 133Xe distribution in the depot proper, Si photodiodes in the matrix were selected for calculation of the washout. The Si matrix detector was reliable with a constant linearity and sensitivity within the range 20-38 degrees C and calibrated to +/- 1% between diodes. The in vivo investigations comprised two SC injections on humans with four measuring periods for comparison, and four SC and five SM injections on dogs, resulting in eight and five measuring periods for comparison. Only when the results obtained from the Si photodiodes at the position just above the count rate maximum were selected, was the contribution from diffusion significant. The ability to detect geometry changes is advantageous in studies with potential motion artefacts, such as during exercise.

Americium↗
PubMed1992

Effects of exogenous oxygen derived free radicals on myocardial capillary permeability, vascular tone, and incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in the canine heart.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the effects of exogenous oxygen derived free radicals on myocardial capillary permeability for a small hydrophilic indicator, postischaemic vascular tone, and the occurrence of arrhythmias in the canine heart in vivo. METHODS: Free radicals were generated by simultaneous intracoronary infusion of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase into normally perfused myocardium, and at reperfusion following five minutes of coronary occlusion, respectively, in 20 anaesthetised open chest dogs. Myocardial capillary extraction for 99mTc-DTPA, plasma flow rate, and the interstitial washout rate constant were measured by the single injection, residue detection method, and the capillary permeability-surface area product (PS) was calculated. The maximum plasma flow during reactive hyperaemia was measured by the local 133Xe washout method. RESULTS: Hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase infusion into normally perfused myocardium induced a 15% decrease in capillary extraction (p = 0.05), a 24% decrease in PS (p < 0.01), and a 23% decrease in the interstitial washout rate constant (NS) two minutes after the end of the infusion. When hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase were infused into postischaemic myocardium, 86% of animals developed sustained ventricular arrhythmias, in contrast to none in control experiments (p < 0.05). The maximum plasma flow was 363% of preocclusive values in control experiments v 268% in hypoxanthine + xanthine oxidase experiments (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In normally perfused hearts, intracoronary infusion of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase induce a decreased capillary extraction, suggesting a reduced capillary surface area. In postischaemic myocardium these substances cause a decreased vasodilatation in the initial phase of reactive hyperaemia, and induce ventricular arrhythmias.

Animals↗