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Biomedical subjects

J M Galloway

Publications and source records attributed to J M Galloway.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Rising tide of cardiovascular disease in American Indians. The Strong Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) used to be rare among American Indians, Indian Health Service data suggest that CVD mortality rates vary greatly among American Indian communities and appear to be increasing. The Strong Heart Study was initiated to investigate CVD and its risk factors in American Indians in 13 communities in Arizona, Oklahoma, and South/North Dakota. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 4549 participants (1846 men and 2703 women 45 to 74 years old) who were seen at the baseline (1989 to 1991) examination were subjected to surveillance (average 4.2 years, 1991 to 1995), and 88% of those remaining alive underwent a second examination (1993 to 1995). The medical records of all participants were exhaustively reviewed to ascertain nonfatal cardiovascular events that occurred since the baseline examination or to definitively determine cause of death. CVD morbidity and mortality rates were higher in men than in women and were similar in the 3 geographic areas. Coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence rates among American Indian men and women were almost 2-fold higher than those in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Significant independent predictors of CVD in women were diabetes, age, obesity (inverse), LDL cholesterol, albuminuria, triglycerides, and hypertension. In men, diabetes, age, LDL cholesterol, albuminuria, and hypertension were independent predictors of CVD. CONCLUSIONS: At present, CHD rates in American Indians exceed rates in other US populations and may more often be fatal. Unlike other ethnic groups, American Indians appear to have an increasing incidence of CHD, possibly related to the high prevalence of diabetes. In the general US population, the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes may reverse the decline in CVD death rates. Therefore, aggressive programs to control diabetes and its risk factors are needed.

Aged↗

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in an American Indian woman.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) dysplasia consists of a dilatation of the right ventricle with a reduction of RV ejection fraction with fibrofatty replacement of the RV myocardium in the face of a well-preserved left ventricular systolic function. Arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia, which is a cause of sudden unexpected death, has been reported from many geographic areas, including the United States, Europe, and the Far East. This case report presents the first case of arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia in an American Indian (Native American) patient.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia↗

Procainamide-induced psychosis: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of procainamide-induced psychosis in an adult treated for atrial fibrillation. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old Native American woman developed acute psychosis within 72 hours of initiating procainamide for atrial fibrillation. Symptoms abated within 24 hours of discontinuing procainamide. Serum procainamide/N-acetylprocainamide concentrations were therapeutic throughout treatment. Sotalol was started without recurrence of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Psychosis is a rare complication of treatment with procainamide, but the exact mechanism for this adverse event is not fully understood. Seven cases implicating procainamide as the cause of acute psychosis are reported in the literature. Cases of psychosis involving other antiarrhythmic agents have also been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare personnel should be aware of this adverse event related to procainamide and other antiarrhythmic agents.

Adult↗

Accuracy of carotid duplex is laboratory specific and must be determined by internal audit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of carotid duplex in a single vascular laboratory at the prediction of an angiographic 70% internal carotid artery stenosis. DESIGN: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent both carotid duplex and angiography in a 1-year period at a vascular unit which participates in the ACST trial. METHODS: Peak systolic velocity was used as a primary end-point in carotid duplex examinations with a PSV > 130 cm/s used as an indication for angiographic assessment. Biplanar arch aortography and selective carotid catheterisation were performed as indicated and diameter reduction calculated by the ECST method. RESULTS: The sensitivity of 130 cm/s for the detection of a 70% stenosis was 96% and the specificity 67%. If a PSV of 250 cm/s were used the sensitivity would be only 37% and specificity 96%. CONCLUSIONS: Applying duplex criteria from one centre to another is inappropriate. Laboratory specific audit of duplex and angiography is essential before deciding to abandon preoperative angiography for carotid disease.

Aortography↗

Effect of carotid endarterectomy on the ocular circulation and on ocular symptoms unrelated to emboli.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate haemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery and the retina following carotid endarterectomy and their effect on the pathophysiology of the eye. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHOD: Twenty-two consecutive patients with severe carotid stenosis underwent 23 carotid endarterectomies and one subclavian-carotid bypass. The following measurements were made preoperatively and 3 months after operation; Ophthalmic artery (OA) and retinal arteriole (RA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) and peak diastolic velocity (PDV), macular photostress recovery time, visual acuity, intraocular pressures, colour vision and visual fields testing. RESULT: The RA PSV increased by 50% (p = 0.005) and PDV increased by 22% (p = 0.03). The OA PSV increased by 51% (p = 0.001). Macular photostress testing decreased from 58 s to 42 s (p = 0.001). Visual acuity improved in four and was unchanged in 13 eyes ipsilateral to the endarterectomy which had abnormal preoperative measurements. One patient experienced a dramatic increase in the ipsilateral intraocular pressure associated with visual deterioration. In two patients there was resolution of periorbital pain. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate an increase in the PSV of the RA and OA following carotid surgery. There are pathophysiological changes in the eye, which accompany tight stenotic extracranial carotid artery disease and these may be influenced by carotid endarterectomy.

Aged↗

Impact of the New Deal on vascular surgical training.

The rapid development and technological advances in vascular surgery have provided the impetus for the establishment of dedicated pure vascular surgical services. It remains unclear whether all vascular surgery will be provided by such units in the future or whether several district general hospitals will combine resources and provide dedicated vascular on-call rotas between surgeons on separate sites. Training in vascular surgery is also changing rapidly. A modular training scheme encompassing three levels of training has been recommended (1). Some of the training will only be performed in large training units, but there remains a requirement for general surgeons to be exposed to some vascular surgery during their training. The "New Deal' for junior doctors has imposed limits on the amount of hours worked during a week. Junior doctors should not on average be contracted for more than 72 hours a week or work more than 56 (2). The maximum on-call rota which fulfils these criteria is a 1 in 4 on-call with no early starts, late finishes and no prospective cover. Allowing for holidays, study leave, early starts and late finishes a 1 in 5 or 1 in 6 rota system is required. Implementation of the Calman report in higher specialist training would reduce the time spent in training at high specialist level to perhaps five years. In a modular training programme in vascular surgery there may be as little as one year Level II training spent in vascular surgery or perhaps two years if the candidate opted to have vascular surgery as their only sub-specialty. In an attempt to assess the impact of the New Deal and the Calman report on vascular surgical training we have assessed the exposure to vascular surgical procedure of hypothetical trainees on a 1 in 6 rota.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

Exclusion of atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography does not preclude embolism after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been used recently to detect atrial thrombi before cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias. It has been assumed that embolic events after cardioversion result from embolism of preexisting atrial thrombi that are accurately detected by TEE. This study examined the clinical and echocardiographic findings in patients with embolism after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation despite exclusion of atrial thrombi by TEE. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical and echocardiographic data in 17 patients with embolic events after TEE-guided electrical (n = 16) or pharmacological (n = 1) cardioversion were analyzed. All 17 patients had nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, including four patients with lone atrial fibrillation. TEE before cardioversion showed left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in five patients and did not show atrial thrombus in any patient. Cardioversion resulted in return to sinus rhythm without immediate complication in all patients. Thirteen patients had cerebral embolic events and four patients had peripheral embolism occurring 2 hours to 7 days after cardioversion. None of the patients were therapeutically anticoagulated at the time of embolism. New or increased left atrial spontaneous echo contrast was detected in four of the five patients undergoing repeat TEE after cardioversion including one patient with a new left atrial appendage thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Embolism may occur after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in inadequately anticoagulated patients despite apparent exclusion of preexisting atrial thrombus by TEE. These findings suggest de novo atrial thrombosis after cardioversion or imperfect sensitivity of TEE for atrial thrombi and suggest that screening by TEE does not obviate the requirement for anticoagulant therapy at the time of and after cardioversion. A randomized clinical trial is needed to compare conventional anticoagulant management with a TEE-guided strategy including anticoagulation after cardioversion.

Adult↗

Estimation of left ventricular filling pressures using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in adult patients with cardiac disease. Additional value of analyzing left atrial size, left atrial ejection fraction and the difference in duration of pulmonary venous and mitral flow velocity at atrial contraction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether left atrial size and ejection fraction are related to left ventricular filling pressures in patients with coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary artery disease, left ventricular filling pressures can be estimated by using Doppler mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity variables. However, because these flow velocities are age dependent, additional variables that indicate elevated left ventricular filling pressures are needed to increase diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: Echocardiographic left atrial and Doppler mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity variables were correlated with left ventricular filling pressures in 70 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: Left atrial size and volumes were larger and left atrial ejection fractions were lower in patients with elevated left ventricular filling pressures. Mean pulmonary wedge pressure was related to mitral E/A wave velocity ratio (r = 0.72), left atrial minimal volume (r = 0.70), left atrial ejection fraction (r = -0.66) and atrial filling fraction (r = -0.66). Left ventricular end-diastolic and A wave pressures were related to the difference in pulmonary venous and mitral A wave duration (both r = 0.77). By stepwise multilinear regression analysis, the ratio of mitral E to A wave velocity was the most important determinant of pulmonary wedge (r = 0.63) and left ventricular pre-A wave (r = 0.75) pressures, whereas the difference in pulmonary venous and mitral A wave duration was the most important variable for both left ventricular A wave (r = 0.75) and left ventricular end-diastolic (r = 0.80) pressures. The sensitivity of a left atrial minimal volume > 40 cm3 for identifying a mean pulmonary wedge pressure > 12 mm Hg was 82%, with a specificity of 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial size, left atrial ejection fraction and the difference between mitral and pulmonary venous flow duration at atrial contraction are independent determinants of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with coronary artery disease. The additive value of left atrial size and Doppler variables in estimating filling pressures and the possibility that left atrial size may be less age dependent than other mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity variables merit further investigation.

Atrial Function, Left↗

Outpatient arteriography--a safe and practical proposition?

Ninety-five patients, who underwent fine catheter peripheral angiography as outpatients, were followed up and assessed to determine the safety of this procedure. No patients reported any major side effects and in particular no patients experienced a rebleed from the arterial puncture site. This procedure could be safely adopted in any radiology department.

Ambulatory Care↗

Is yield pressure at the cardia increased by effective fundoplication?

Yield pressure at the cardia was measured before and after fundoplication in 10 patients; five had a Nissen fundoplication and five a Belsey mark IV procedure. Surgery was considered successful if oesophagitis healed or if 24 hour pH monitoring returned to normal. There was a marked rise in yield pressure in all eight patients with a successful operation. Yield pressure remained low in two patients in whom oesophagitis persisted.

Cardia↗

Pathogenesis of venous ulceration in relation to the calf muscle pump function.

Air plethysmography has been used to quantitate venous reflux by measuring the average filling rate of the veins (venous filling index; in milliliters per second) on standing from the supine position, the ejection fraction of the calf muscle pump as a result of one tip-toe movement, and the residual volume fraction after 10 tip-toe movements. Thirty normal limbs, 110 limbs with primary varicose veins, 34 limbs with reflux in the deep veins but without occlusion, and 31 limbs with deep venous occlusion, with or without reflux, have been studied. An increase in the incidence of ulceration occurred with increasing values of reflux and decreasing values of the calf muscle pump ejection fraction. A poor ejection fraction was the primary cause of venous ulceration in limbs with minimal reflux. A good ejection fraction, however, significantly reduced the incidence of ulceration in limbs with marked reflux (p less than 0.05). The residual volume fraction, which expresses the combined effect of venous reflux and ejection fraction with rhythmic exercise, showed a good correlation with the incidence of ulceration and the measurements of ambulatory venous pressure (r = 0.81). The air-plethysmographic measurements completely assess the calf muscle pump function and provide an accurate method to identify the predominant hemodynamic factor (ejection fraction, reflux, or both) responsible for the clinical picture of the patient.

Adult↗

A perioperative technique for detection of retained valve cusps in the in situ vein graft.

A problem of the in situ vein bypass technique is the retained value cusp. To ensure that maximum flow has been obtained through the vein graft after valvotomy, a simple perioperative technique has been developed. This consists of infusing normal saline solution into the vein and comparing the distal to proximal (antegrade) flow with the proximal to distal (retrograde) flow under the same conditions. Twelve consecutive in situ vein grafts have been assessed. Antegrade and retrograde flow measurements were similar in four of the grafts but different in eight (40% to 80% reduced retrograde flow). Valvotomy was repeated and subsequent measurements of retrograde flow were similar or greater than the antegrade. The technique described is simple, reproducible, inexpensive, and may prove useful for routine intraoperative evaluation of valvotomy of in situ vein grafts.

Aged↗

Objective noninvasive evaluation of venous surgical results.

The hemodynamic effect of conventional surgery for varicose veins has been evaluated with a new method of air-plethysmography. The functional venous volume of the leg, venous reflux, and calf muscle pump-ejecting capacity have been measured in 42 legs with primary varicose veins. The patients were studied clinically, with Doppler ultrasound, duplex scanning, and phlebography preoperatively. Doppler ultrasound was repeated postoperatively. Air-plethysmography was performed one day before surgery and 8 to 10 days after surgery. A decrease of the functional venous volume of 16% has been observed (p less than 0.001). The abolition of venous reflux has been shown in all the patients. An improvement in the calf muscle pump-ejecting capacity has also been shown, with a 30% increase of the ejection fraction of the calf muscle pump and with a 43% decrease of the residual volume fraction after 10 tiptoe movements (p less than 0.001). The results indicate that this new method of air-plethysmography apart from its diagnostic value offers a new and unique technique for a noninvasive, objective, and quantitative evaluation of the results of established and experimental venous surgery.

Adult↗

Does measurement of yield pressure at the cardia during endoscopy provide information on the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter mechanism?

We describe a technique for measuring the yield pressure at the cardia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The test was applied to 47 patients with macroscopic oesophagitis and nine patients with achalasia. Controls were 123 patients from the routine endoscopy list in whom no abnormality was found and 21 healthy volunteers. Yield pressure was similar in both control groups, but was significantly higher in achalasia (p less than 0.001) and lower in oesophagitis (p less than 0.001). Yield pressures fell dramatically after pneumatic dilatation in the achalasia patients. The test was reproducible and yield pressure was not affected by age, sex, weight, or sedation. Measurement of yield pressure during endoscopy provides information which may reflect the function of the whole antireflux mechanism, and not just the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Adolescent↗