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Biomedical subjects

J I Brenner

Publications and source records attributed to J I Brenner.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Coronary artery dilatation and aortic outflow tract enlargement in children with unicommissural aortic valves.

We evaluated the aortic outflow tract (AOT) and coronary artery dimensions in pediatric patients with unicommissural aortic valves. A retrospective review of an echocardiographic database identified 37 patients with unicommissural aortic valves. A total of 115 echocardiograms were reviewed, and the right coronary artery (RCA), left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending coronary artery aortic valve annulus, aortic root, sinotubular junction (STJ), and ascending aorta were measured and z scores determined. The aortic stenosis peak gradient and the amount of aortic regurgitation (AR) were also measured. The RCA diameter (z score, 1.85 +/- 1.8, p = 0.03) and LM diameter (z score, 1.74 +/- 1.47, p = 0.04) are significantly dilated, as are all the AOT measurements: aortic annulus (2.02 +/- 1.9, p = 0.02), aortic root (2.25 +/- 1.9, p = 0.02), STJ (2.22 +/- 1.74, p = 0.01), and ascending aorta (4.38 +/- 2.03, p < 0.001). Longitudinal follow-up showed that there was no significant variation over time in any variable. The AOT measurements were significantly correlated with each other. A trend was found in which an increasing amount of AR gave an increase in AOT measurements. The aortic gradient was not significantly associated with any measurement. Our study population demonstrated significant dilatation of the RCA and LM as well as the AOT. The dilatation of the AOT structures is likely caused by the same mechanism that accounts for the AOT dilatation in patients with bicommissural aortic valves. Dilatation of the coronary arteries may represent an intrinsic abnormality in the vessel wall. Further studies are needed to define possible changes.

Adolescent↗

Management strategy for very mild aortic valve stenosis.

It is unclear how often patients with very mild aortic stenosis (gradients < 25 mmHg) need interval follow-up. The purpose of this study was to define the determinants of disease severity progression and to propose appropriate management strategies. It is known that congenital aortic stenosis is a progressive disease that requires long-term follow-up at consistent intervals. We studied 89 patients with very mild aortic stenosis. Cox proportional hazard modeling was performed to ascertain predictors of morbidity and mortality. Events were defined as valve surgery or death. Of the original 89 patients, 7 died (92% survival); one death was sudden and unexplained and six were noncardiac. Eighteen individuals were lost to follow-up (10 not located and 8 refused participation). Twelve (17%) had valve surgery. The minimum time interval between initial diagnosis of very mild aortic stenosis and surgery was 4.6 years (mean, 14.0). Age at diagnosis, gender, initial gradient, initial gradient/age, and aortic regurgitation were found not to be predictive of outcome. However, the slope of the transaortic gradient [change of gradient/time (years)] was predictive of outcome (hazard ratio of 1.69; confidence interval, 1.4-2.2). At least 17% of these patients progress to require operation. For patients with a gradient slope < 1.1, evaluation every 4 or 5 years is recommended. For patients with a gradient slope > 1.2, evaluation every 1 or 2 years seems prudent.

Aortic Valve Stenosis↗

Sudden death in supravalvular aortic stenosis: fusion of a coronary leaflet to the sinus ridge, dysplasia and stenosis of aortic and pulmonic valves.

Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) is an uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly. We report sudden death, occurring during exercise, of a child who had SVAS with fusion of the right coronary aortic leaflet to the supravalvular aortic ridge, resulting in a closed sinus of Valsalva except for a few pinpoint fenestrations in the dysplastic leaflet. In addition, both aortic and pulmonic valves were dysplastic and stenotic. We postulate that near total isolation of the right coronary artery ostium from the aortic lumen compromised the blood supply to the hypertrophied ventricles. We emphasize the importance of other cardiac anomalies associated with SVAS as well as the development of coronary insufficiency.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗