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J M Naessens

Publications and source records attributed to J M Naessens.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Traumatic brain injury and time to onset of Alzheimer's disease: a population-based study.

Controversy continues as to whether traumatic brain injury is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The authors examined a related hypothesis that among persons with traumatic brain injury who develop Alzheimer's disease, time to onset of the disease is reduced. They used data on all documented episodes of traumatic brain injury that occurred from 1935 to 1984 among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents. Community-based medical records were used to follow traumatic brain injury cases who were aged 40 years or older at last contact prior to June 1, 1988, for Alzheimer's disease until last contact, death, or June 1, 1988. The test of the hypothesis was restricted to those cases who developed Alzheimer's disease. The expected time to onset of Alzheimer's disease was derived from a life table constructed by using age-of-onset distributions within sex groups for a previously identified cohort of Rochester, Minnesota, Alzheimer's disease incidence cases without a history of head trauma. The authors found that of the 1,283 traumatic brain injury cases followed, 31 developed Alzheimer's disease, a number similar to that expected (standardized incidence ratio = 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.8-1.7). However, the observed time from traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's disease was less than the expected time to onset of Alzheimer's disease (median = 10 vs. 18 years, p = 0.015). The results suggest that traumatic brain injury reduces the time to onset of Alzheimer's disease among persons at risk of developing the disease.

Adult

Acute treatment of periodic severe headache: comparison of three outpatient care facilities.

We compared treatment of patients with episodic, severe, migraine-vascular headaches in three outpatient settings associated with a major medical center: the Charlton Outpatient Therapy Center (COTC), a dedicated transfusion and injection facility which provides treatment based on physician orders written in advance of the patient's visit; a walk-in Urgent Care Center (UCC); and a traditional hospital emergency trauma unit (ETU). For a 7-month period in 1995, all patient visits for acute migraine headache to the COTC, UCC, and ETU were reviewed. Data collected included the treatment and charges. After the study period, a sample of patients was surveyed regarding their outcome and satisfaction with care at each of the three facilities. During the study period, 15 patients visited the COTC 446 times for the treatment of acute migraine, 80 patients visited the UCC 233 times, and 182 patients visited the ETU 238 times. The average charges per visit were $39.93 for the COTC, $57.28 for the UCC, and $317.71 for the ETU. Average time spent in order to obtain care was 35 minutes in the COTC, 62 minutes in the UCC, and 105 minutes in the ETU. Intramuscular meperidine with either promethazine or hydroxyzine was the most commonly administered treatment in all three settings. Patients treated in the COTC reported greater satisfaction than the patients seen in the UCC or ETU. A dedicated outpatient facility with extended hours of operation and the capability of treating acute headache patients with parenteral medications based on standing orders has provided a community of migraine sufferers with cost-effective care.

Acute Disease

Impact of a diabetes electronic management system on the care of patients seen in a subspecialty diabetes clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the compliance with diabetes care performance indicators by diabetes specialists using a diabetes electronic management system (DEMS) and by those using the traditional paper medical record. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A DEMS has been gradually introduced into our subspecialty practice for diabetes care. To assess the value of this DEMS as a disease management tool, we completed a retrospective review of the medical records of 82 randomly selected patients attending a subspecialty diabetes clinic (DC) during the first quarter of 1996. Eligible patients were defined by the suggested criteria from the American Diabetes Association Provider Recognition Program. During the first quarter of 1996, approximately one half of the providers began using the DEMS for some but not all of their patient encounters. Neither abstractors nor providers were aware of the intent to examine performance in relationship to use of the DEMS. RESULTS: Several measures were positively influenced when providers used the DEMS. The number of foot examinations, the number of blood pressure readings, and a weighted criterion score were greater (P < 0.01) for providers using the DEMS. There was evidence, although not statistically significant, for lower mean diastolic blood pressures (P = 0.043) in patients and for number of glycated hemoglobins documented (P = 0.018) by users of the DEMS. CONCLUSIONS: Performance and documentation of the process of care for patients with diabetes in a subspecialty clinic are greater with the use of a DEMS than with the traditional paper record.

Adult

Determinants of the autopsy decision: a statistical analysis.

Our goal was to use cross-sectional national mortality data to provide a multivariable statistical analysis of the factors that contribute to the decision of whether an autopsy will be performed. The identification of determinants of the autopsy is an important prerequisite for finding cost-effective alternatives for arresting or reversing the decline of autopsy rates in the circumstances in which the autopsy can continue to make a crucial contribution to clinical medicine and public health. The source of the data was 1986 National Center for Health Statistics (Washington, DC) mortality data tapes for Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington for the 1986 calendar year. Separate multiple logistic regressions were conducted on these data on a state-by-state basis, with a total of 139,063 individual mortality records as the unit of analysis. The dependent variable in all models was autopsy (yes/no). Odds ratios for selected explanatory variables were estimated for all four states, and the relative contribution of each explanatory variable was studied in a detailed analysis of one state. In general, the following independent variables had a statistically significant positive relationship with whether an autopsy will be performed: male sex; nonwhite ethnicity; death due to ill-defined or unknown cause; death due to accident, suicide, or homicide; presence of a nationally recognized medical center in the county of death; and death occurring in a standard metropolitan statistical area. In general, the following independent variables had a statistically significant negative relationship with whether an autopsy will be performed: older age at death; higher income level of the decedent; death in a nursing home; death at home; and residency in the county of death. The two most important variables influencing the autopsy decision were age at death (especially old age) and death due to accident, homicide, or suicide.

Adolescent

The Mayo Ventilator-Dependent Rehabilitation Unit: a 5-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of 206 patients admitted to the Mayo Ventilator-Dependent Rehabilitation Unit (VDRU) during a 5-year study period. DESIGN: We analyze the patient data for 1990 through 1994, which had been prospectively entered into a computer database for a cohort of 206 patients who had become ventilator dependent during their current hospitalization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients in the VDRU were classified into one of six categories that reflected the reasons for ventilator dependence. Ability to be weaned from mechanical ventilation, duration of hospital stay and ventilator dependence, outcome, disposition, demographics, and long-term survival were analyzed. The VDRU patient group was compared for hospital and follow-up outcomes with a group of historical control patients previously described by us. RESULTS: The Mayo VDRU was established in January 1990. During the first 5 years of its operation, 206 newly ventilator-dependent patients were admitted to the VDRU, 190 (92%) of whom survived to be dismissed; 16 patients (8%) died in the hospital. Of the 190 patients dismissed, 77% were able to return to their homes. Overall, 153 patients were liberated from mechanical ventilation, whereas 37 remained either completely or partially ventilator dependent. Of these 37 patients, 27 (73%) were receiving nocturnal mechanical ventilation only. The 4-year survival was 53%. CONCLUSION: The Mayo VDRU has been highly successful in liberating newly ventilator-dependent patients from mechanical ventilation. The long-term survival after management in the VDRU has been excellent. In addition, the medical charges for care in the VDRU are less than intensive-care unit charges.

Adolescent

Effect of feedback on resource use and morbidity in hip and knee arthroplasty in an integrated group practice setting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a structured program of feedback about resource utilization and morbidity on resource consumption and complications in an orthopedic surgical practice. DESIGN: We prospectively analyzed use and outcomes before and after an intervention (departmental data presentation). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Feedback on resource utilization and morbidity for 2,820 patients who underwent a primary total hip or knee arthroplasty for a diagnosis of osteoarthritis between Jan. 1, 1990, and Dec. 31, 1992, was provided to members of the orthopedic department of an academic medical center. Data were adjusted for severity of disease. RESULTS: On reassessment 18 months after the beginning of the feedback program, total charges and length of hospital stay for hip or knee arthroplasty were significantly reduced. Interpractitioner variability was also reduced but not significantly. The feedback process was instrumental in identifying a specific complication--pulmonary embolism after bilateral total knee replacement--which was significantly reduced by addition of warfarin prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: The intervention was successful in reducing resource use (length of hospital stay) and complications (pulmonary embolism). In addition, total charges for hip and knee arthroplasty declined significantly at a time when medical center charges overall were increasing. Efforts to maintain continuous improvement will primarily focus on the development of critical pathways.

Critical Pathways

Outcome of patients cared for in a ventilator-dependent unit in a general hospital.

We describe our initial experience with the admission of 129 patients for 132 episodes of ventilator-dependence to a self-contained ventilator-dependent unit (VDU) in a general hospital and present a survival comparison between VDU patients and a historic control population from the same institution. Forty-three patients were screened and denied admission to the VDU because long-term ventilator dependence was not felt to be a probable outcome (56%); they were medically unstable, often requiring electrocardiographic monitoring (19%), they had poor rehabilitation potential because of markedly depressed mental status (13%), or they preferred to be treated closer to their homes (12%). Thirteen (9.8%) of the VDU patients died in the hospital compared to 44 (42%) in the historic control group. After exclusion of patients with multiorgan failure (who made up 26% of the control group) and using a proportional hazard model to adjust for group differences in age and disease class, the difference in hospital mortality remained highly significant (p < or = 0.01). Ninety-one of the 119 VDU patients (77%) were ultimately able to return home; 16 (13%) continued to use a ventilator intermittently at night; 26 patients (22%) were permanently placed in nursing homes, all off of the ventilator. Overall, 88% of the 119 patients discharged had been liberated from mechanical ventilation. Ninety-seven (82%) and 86 (72%) remain alive 1 and 2 years after discharge, respectively. Some of the survival benefits may be directly attributed to the VDU. Others reflect a change in treatment philosophy, which was nevertheless reinforced by our VDU experience.

Adult

Value of autonomic testing in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To attempt to characterize reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and to determine factors that would predict a response to sympathetic block. DESIGN: We undertook a retrospective analysis on 396 patients with chronic limb pain referred for autonomic testing during a 5-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical endpoints were relief of pain after sympathetic block and a composite RSD diagnostic probability score, based on the clinical attributes of allodynia, protopathia, swelling, and vasomotor alterations. We compared the results of three autonomic tests--resting sweat output (RSO), resting skin temperature (RST), and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART). RESULTS: Increased RSO predicted the diagnosis of RSD with 94% specificity, and the specificity was 98% when RSO was considered in conjunction with an abnormal QSART result, the best laboratory correlate (P = 0.003) of the clinical diagnosis. Shorter duration of pain correlated with a warmer limb (P < 0.001), even in the absence of RSD. Response to a single sympathetic block did correlate with the diagnosis (P = 0.031) but correlated most significantly with short duration of pain in the arm (P = 0.001) and laboratory findings in the leg, where increased RST (P < 0.001) and QSART (P < 0.001) were near-perfect predictors of response. CONCLUSION: Sweating abnormalities correlate strongly with the clinical syndrome of RSD, and alterations in RST may be superior to clinical findings in predicting the response to sympathetic block. The findings provide physiologic support for the unproven view of a natural disease progression ("stages"), with better treatment response and a warmer extremity initially. Because certain physiologic trends occur in all patients, general alterations of autonomic function with pain are suggested.

Adolescent

Popliteal artery aneurysms: the risk of nonoperative management.

To evaluate the risk of nonoperative management of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs), a retrospective cohort study of 106 consecutive patients (103 males and 3 females) with PAAs seen between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1985, was performed. The mean age was 70.5 years (range 50 to 90 years). The 106 patients with 161 PAAs were followed for a mean of 6.7 years (range 3 days to 12.1 years). Follow-up was complete in 91.5% (97/106) of the patients. PAA was confirmed by ultrasonography in 124 limbs (77%), arteriography only in 7 (4.3%), and physical examination only in 32 (19.9%). Fifteen limbs presented with acute symptoms, 52 with chronic symptoms, and 94 were asymptomatic. Five of the 15 limbs with acute symptoms (33%) underwent amputation (4 primary, 1 secondary). PAAs in 23 of the 52 limbs with chronic symptoms were repaired; 2 limbs required amputation (8.7%). Twenty-seven of the 94 asymptomatic limbs were repaired initially; 1 required amputation (3.7%). The remaining 67 asymptomatic limbs were initially managed nonoperatively. Amputation was required in 3 of 67 limbs (4.4%), 1 with acute symptoms and 2 with chronic symptoms, all of which had undergone attempted repair. Symptoms (3 acute, 9 chronic) eventually developed in 12 (17.9%). At least one of three risk factors (size > 2 cm, thrombus, and poor runoff) was initially present in 11 of 12 limbs (91.7%) compared with 9 of 24 control limbs (37.5%) that remained asymptomatic (p < 0.05). Amputation rates in symptomatic patients with PAAs continues to be high. In patients with asymptomatic PAAs, aneurysm size > 2 cm, thrombus, or poor runoff predicted the development of symptoms. PAA patients with any of these factors should undergo elective repair, even asymptomatic patients who have a reasonable chance for long-term survival.

Aged

Microscope-aided pedal bypass is an effective and low-risk operation to salvage the ischemic foot.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the current operative risks of the pedal bypass procedure, its durability, and the factors affecting long-term outcome. METHODS: We prospectively observed 96 patients who consecutively underwent 100 pedal bypasses using autogenous vein grafts for chronic critical ischemia. Of the 100 limbs, 91 had ischemic ulcers or gangrene, and 9 produced rest pain only. Sixty-four patients were diabetic, 21 had renal failure, and 36 had coronary artery disease. Nonreversed saphenous vein grafts were used most frequently (68 translocated, 13 in situ), followed by composite (13) and reversed vein grafts (6). Fifty-two long grafts originated from the iliac or femoral arteries, and 48 short grafts originated from the popliteal or tibial arteries. For the 100 procedures, 102 distal anastomoses were performed--68 to the dorsalis pedis, 8 to the distal posterior tibial, 10 to the common plantar, 2 to the medial plantar, 9 to the lateral plantar, 4 to the lateral tarsal, and 1 to the first dorsal metatarsal arteries--with the aid of an operating microscope. RESULTS: No patient died during the perioperative period. Two had hemodynamically insignificant myocardial infarctions. Wound complications developed in 12 patients--infection in 7 and hematoma in 5. There were 10 early graft failures, 6 of which could be salvaged, and 96 grafts were patent at dismissal. Mean follow-up was 2.1 years (range 1 month to 6.4 years). Postoperative surveillance identified 33 failed or failing grafts, 16 of which were successfully revised. At 3 years, cumulative primary and secondary patency rates were 60% and 69%, respectively. Factors correlating with increased secondary patency were intraoperative flow rate > or = 50 mL/min (P = 0.004) and diabetes (P < 0.05). Major amputations were performed on 17 limbs. The cumulative foot salvage rate at 3 years was 79%. CONCLUSION: Pedal bypass is a safe, effective, and durable procedure. It should be considered even for high-risk patients with critical limb ischemia before major amputation is contemplated.

Adult

Pseudomyxoma peritonei. Long-term patient survival with an aggressive regional approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to analyze the natural history of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), evaluate clinical and pathologic variables as prognostic indicators, and review the authors' experience with different treatments. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: PMP is an unusual form of intra-abdominal neoplasm that presents with large amounts of extracellular mucin. Diffuse peritoneal spread occurs in most patients with PMP, and distant metastasis is infrequent. Debulking surgery, radiation therapy (radioisotope and external beam), and chemotherapy (both intraperitoneal and systemic) have all been advocated for optional patient management, but the variability of patients studied, the small patient numbers, and the prolonged course of this disease make the evaluation of results difficult. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were treated for PMP at the Mayo Clinic between 1957 and 1983. The data were collected retrospectively. Univariate (log-rank test) and multivariate (Cox regression model) analyses were performed for disease recurrence and patient survival. RESULTS: Most patients with PMP had carcinomas of the appendix (52%) or ovary (34%). All gross tumor could be removed only in the 34% of patients with limited disease. Although tumor progression occurred in 76% of patients, the 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 98%, 53%, and 32%, respectively. Adverse predictors of patient survival included weight loss (p = 0.001), abdominal distention (p = 0.004), use of systemic chemotherapy (p = 0.005), diffuse disease (p = 0.038), and invasion of other organs (p = 0.04). Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (p = 0.009) and radioisotopes (p = 0.0043) both were effective in prolonging the recurrence time of symptomatic PMP. CONCLUSIONS: Although PMP is an indolent disease, aggressive surgical debulking followed by intraperitoneal radioisotopes and/or chemotherapy should be considered because of the diffuse peritoneal involvement.

Adolescent

Accuracy of hospital discharge abstracts for identifying stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Much of the available data on stroke occurrence, service use, and cost of care originated with hospital discharge abstracts. This article uses the unique resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to estimate the sensitivity and positive predictive value of hospital discharge abstracts for incident stroke. METHODS: The Rochester Stroke Registry was used to identify all confirmed first strokes (hospitalized and nonhospitalized) among Rochester residents for 1970, 1980, 1984, and 1989 (n = 364). The sensitivity of discharge abstracts was estimated by following these individuals for 12 months after stroke to determine the proportion assigned a discharge diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (International Classification of Diseases [ICD] codes 430 through 438.9). The positive predictive value of discharge abstracts was assessed by identifying all hospitalizations of Rochester residents with an ICD code of 430-438.9 in 1970, 1980, and 1989 (n = 377). Events were categorized as incident stroke, recurrent stroke, stroke sequelae, or nonstroke after review of the complete community-based medical record by a neurologist. RESULTS: Only 86% (n = 313) of all first-stroke patients in 1970, 1980, 1984, and 1989 were hospitalized. Of hospitalized patients, only 76% were assigned a principal discharge diagnosis code of 430-438.9. Fatal strokes and those occurring during a hospitalization were less likely to be identified. Among all hospitalizations of Rochester residents in 1970, 1980, and 1989, there were 377 with a principal diagnosis code of 430-438.9. Less than half (n = 177) were determined by the neurologist to be incident stroke; only 60% (n = 225) were either incident or recurrent stroke. Comparison of alternative approaches showed the validity of discharge abstracts was enhanced by increasing the number of diagnoses and excluding codes with poor positive predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides previously unavailable estimates of the sensitivity of stroke-coded hospitalizations for a US community. A model for improving the sensitivity and positive predictive value of discharge abstracts is presented.

Aged

A study of various tests to detect asymptomatic urinary tract infections in an obstetric population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rapid screening techniques for detecting asymptomatic urinary tract infections (AUTIs) in pregnant women. DESIGN: Comparison of results of the screening tests of urinalysis, urine dipstick, and Gram's staining with the results of standard urine culture at an initial prenatal visit. In follow-up visits, urine dipstick testing was compared with urinalysis. SETTING: Departments of Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. PATIENTS: Pregnant women (1047) from the local community were screened for AUTI on initial and follow-up visits. METHODS: Initial prenatal urine was tested by using urine dipstick testing, urinalysis, Gram's staining, and urine culture. At each follow-up visit, urine specimens were tested by using urine dipstick and urinalysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity, incremental patient costs, and clinical outcomes were used to assess the effectiveness of the techniques. RESULTS: On initial visits, rapid screening tests for AUTI in pregnant women revealed the following: Gram's staining identified 22 of 24 patients with AUTI (sensitivity, 91.7%; specificity, 89.2%); urine dipstick, 12 of 24 (sensitivity, 50.0%; specificity, 96.9%); and urinalysis with presence of leukocytes, six of 24 (sensitivity, 25.0%; specificity, 99.0%). In follow-up visits, urine dipstick tests detected 19 infections and urinalysis, three (positive predictive value, 5% compared with 3%). CONCLUSIONS: Urine dipstick testing for nitrites identified half of all patients with urinary tract infections and was superior to urinalysis on follow-up visits. Although Gram's staining is more expensive, it was more accurate for AUTI than urinalysis or urine dipstick test for nitrites. Urinalysis was never the test of choice because it was more expensive and detected fewer positive cultures. Leukocyte measurement correlated poorly with AUTI.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A 50-year experience of male breast cancer: is outcome changing?

During the period 1933-1983, 124 men (median age 62.5 years, range 33-86 years) were treated for breast carcinoma. Median length of follow-up was 6.7 years and was complete for 93% of patients. Presenting complaints were most frequently a mass (95%) or pain (31%) while physical examination revealed the tumour to be central in 95% of patients with nipple or skin retraction in 36% and associated gynaecomastia in 12%. Twenty-seven per cent of the patients had a positive family history of breast cancer, 6% noted previous breast trauma and 7% had prior chest wall irradiation. Mean tumour size was 2.5 cm, and the pathological stage was 0 in 3%, I in 17%, II in 22%, III in 35%, IV in 11%, and unknown in 12%. Ninety-four per cent were ductal carcinoma. Histological grading of tumours was 2% grade 1, 10% grade 2, 33% grade 3 and 48% grade 4. Ninety-two per cent of patients underwent mastectomy (41% radical, 39% modified radical and 12% simple), while adjuvant irradiation was used in 44% and chemotherapy in 9%. Median disease-free patient survival was 5 years (36% of patients developed tumour recurrence). Median overall patient survival was 6.3 years (57% at 5 years and 31% at 10 years). Tumour size (P < 0.05), pathological stage (P < 0.04), and tumour grade (P = 0.007) were adverse factors for recurrence, while pathological stage (P < 0.02), tumour size (P < 0.03), pain (P < 0.05) and age (P < 0.02) were associated with a decreased survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Variations of the arterial anatomy of the foot.

Reconstruction of the arteries of the foot in patients with severe chronic arterial occlusive disease has become a routine and valuable procedure. However, it is frequently difficult to select the optimal site for the distal arterial anastomosis. In order to determine the most important anatomic variations of foot arteries and the relationship of the dorsalis pedis artery to crossing tendons, the following study was performed in 30 cadaver limbs of 17 persons (9 men and 8 women). Their mean age at death was 69.8 years (range: 42 to 93 years). Methods to evaluate anatomy included anatomic dissection, arteriography, and preparation of corrosion cast models. The latter was performed by injection of liquid plastic and catalyst into the tibial arteries followed by chemical débridement of the soft tissue of the foot. Photographs of the corrosion cast models were taken at various stages of soft tissue dissolution. The dorsalis pedis artery was absent in 6.7% of the cases, and the arcuate artery was absent in 33%. The dorsalis pedis artery arose from the peroneal artery in 6.7%. The dorsalis pedis artery crossed under the extensor hallucis longus tendon at the ankle in 54%, above the ankle in 43%, but below the ankle in only 3%. Our study suggests that the optimal site for the dorsalis pedis artery anastomosis on the foot is the segment distal to the ankle.

Adult

Advanced carotid disease in patients requiring aortic reconstruction.

Perioperative stroke is a devastating complication of abdominal aortic operations. Patients requiring aortic reconstruction with advanced carotid occlusive disease pose a particularly challenging management problem regarding timing of operations. All patients (n = 121) undergoing both carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) and abdominal aortic reconstruction (AAR) within 1 year of each other between 1979 and 1989 were reviewed. The sequence of operation was analyzed to determine its effect on early and late outcome. CEA was the first operation in 99 patients (group I); AAR was performed first in 22 patients (group II). Age, gender, number, types of risk factors, and associated medical problems were similar in both groups. Indications for CEA were: transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), recent ipsilateral stroke, or high-grade asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis exceeding 80%. Indications for aortic operation included: abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortoiliac occlusive disease, and combined aortic and renovascular disease. There were five perioperative strokes, two in group I (2%) and three in group II (14%) (p < 0.04). All strokes occurred after AAR. There were five perioperative deaths (4%), four in group I (4%) and one in group II (5%). Overall survival was significantly greater in group I compared to group II (p < 0.04); 5-year survival was 77% and 51%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age, hypertension, and diabetes to adversely affect survival; CEA as the first procedure, however, had a protective effect. Importantly, eight strokes occurred in group I in late follow-up, but only one was ipsilateral to the CEA. We conclude that CEA in selected patients who require AAR is safe, and, when performed prior to abdominal aortic repair, reduces perioperative stroke and may improve long-term survival.

Adult

Myocardial revascularization before abdominal aortic aneurysmorrhaphy: effect of coronary angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has assumed an increasing role in the preoperative preparation of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The influence of this modality on perioperative morbidity and long-term outcome has not been substantiated. To determine the effect of PTCA, we analyzed a cohort of 2,452 patients who underwent repair of an AAA between 1980 and 1990 at our institution. We compared the cardiac morbidity, mortality, and survival of patients who had preoperative coronary revascularization by PTCA or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The overall perioperative mortality for the 2,452 patients was 2.9%. Preoperative coronary revascularization was necessary in 100 patients (4.1%)--86 had CABG and 14 had PTCA. Of these 100 patients, 95% had cardiac symptoms. Patients selected for PTCA, in comparison with CABG, had significantly less three-vessel disease but not significant differences in cardiac history or ejection fraction. During the study period, the use of PTCA increased significantly. The perioperative rate of myocardial infarction for patients with prior CABG was 5.8% in comparison with 0% for those with prior PTCA. No hospital deaths occurred in either group. The median interval between coronary revascularization and repair of an AAA was 10 days for PTCA and 68 days for CABG. The 3-year survival was not statistically different between CABG (82.8%) and PTCA (92.3%) groups. The rate of late cardiac events (at 3 years) was 56.5% in the PTCA group and 27.3% in the CABG group. We conclude that PTCA as part of a highly selective approach to coronary revascularization before repair of an AAA minimizes cardiac-related events and death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged