Biomedical subjects

J N Wetherbee

Publications and source records attributed to J N Wetherbee.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Constrictive pericarditis associated with patch electrodes of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

A case of constrictive pericarditis intimately involving patch electrodes of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is described. Typical clinical and hemodynamic findings for constrictive pericarditis were noted 15 months after lead installation. Additionally, chest x-ray examination revealed a severe crumpling deformity of the patch electrodes. Thoracotomy was performed and revealed marked fibrous reaction surrounding both surfaces of each patch electrode. Histologic examination revealed fibrous tissue with multinucleated giant cells, consistent with a foreign body reaction. The patient had complete resolution of signs and symptoms of constrictive pericarditis after removal of the patch electrodes and pericardial stripping. Constrictive pericarditis from implanted patch electrodes appears to be an uncommon complication of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and should be considered in patients with one or more patch electrodes and other signs of constrictive pericarditis.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Pseudo P waves: a cause of diagnostic confusion in wide QRS tachycardia.

A patient with wide QRS tachycardia is described. His initial electrocardiogram revealed P waves in lead V1 that led to a diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia. Subsequently, during an electrophysiology study, the tachycardia was reproduced and documented to be ventricular in origin. The P waves seen were actually part of the QRS complex and therefore pseudo P waves. The correct diagnosis of the arrhythmia allowed for more appropriate therapy for the patient. This case illustrates that pseudo P waves may be present on the surface electrocardiogram and confuse the diagnosis of wide QRS tachycardia.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed1985

Long-term follow-up of survivors of prehospital sudden cardiac death treated with coronary bypass surgery.

Although coronary artery bypass surgery is beneficial to patients with severe coronary artery disease, its role in preventing the recurrence of prehospital cardiac arrest in patients is not clear. In this article, we report on the long-term follow-up of 49 survivors of prehospital coronary arrest who had coronary artery bypass surgery. Prior to their prehospital cardiac arrest, 14% of the patients had a history of unstable angina. Coronary angiograms obtained after prehospital cardiac arrest showed that 71% of the patients had three-vessel coronary artery disease and 6% had single-vessel disease. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 45%. There were four postoperative deaths; three were caused by pump failure, and one was caused by refractory ventricular arrhythmias. After a maximum follow-up period of 102 months (mean of 55.4 months), there were seven cardiac deaths; five of the patients died of recurrent ventricular fibrillation, and two patients' deaths were related to refractory heart failure. Actuarial analyses of the 49 patients showed that the probability of survival at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years was 92%, 92%, 89%, 82%, and 72%, respectively. After surgery, 35 of the 45 patients who were discharged from the hospital were asymptomatic, and 23 of the 32 patients who were employed when their prehospital cardiac arrest occurred returned to their employment. We concluded that coronary artery bypass surgery is beneficial to certain survivors of prehospital sudden death. After surgery, most patients are asymptomatic and capable of returning to their employment and the recurrence of prehospital sudden death is low.

Aged↗