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Biomedical subjects

K Uzark

Publications and source records attributed to K Uzark.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with Fontan repair of functional single ventricle.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the neurodevelopmental status of children after Fontan repair of functional single ventricle and to examine the relationship between cognitive function and selected patient characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Neurodevelopmental tests including the Stanford-Binet Intelligence (IQ) scale and the Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) were administered to 32 children (26 months to 16 years of age) with complex single ventricle. The mean and distribution of IQ and VMI scores were compared with population norms. The relationship between test scores and patient characteristics was examined utilizing analysis of variance and correlational methods. RESULTS: The majority of children had intellectual function within the normal range (mean, 97.5 +/- 12.1). Below average VMI scores were found in 21.4% of children. There were no significant correlations between intellectual function or visual motor integration ability and preoperative oxygen saturation or age at Fontan. Children who had deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during a prior Norwood procedure tended to have a lower IQ score. CONCLUSIONS: Intellectual development in children with Fontan repair of complex heart defects is essentially within the normal range. Visual motor integration deficits may be more prevalent in these children. In our population, the duration and degree of preoperative hypoxemia had no apparent effect on cognitive function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Changing practice patterns for children with heart disease: a clinical pathway approach.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cardiac care is costly and requires extensive resources. We studied the effect of clinical pathways on practice patterns and patient care outcomes in infants and children hospitalized for cardiac surgery. METHODS: In consecutive patients admitted for selected cardiac surgical procedures before (n = 69) and after (n = 173) implementation of clinical pathways, outcomes including hospital length of stay, days in the ICU, time to extubation, ordering of blood studies, costs, and readmissions were compared. Data were analyzed for each of five cardiac surgical procedures: repair of an atrial septal defect, repair of a ventricular septal defect, division of a patent ductus arteriosus, repair of tetralogy of Fallot, and neonatal arterial switch operation to correct transposition of the great arteries. RESULTS: A significant reduction in length of hospital stay, including days in the ICU (decreased 1 to 2 days per admission), was achieved after the clinical pathway was implemented. Reductions in average duration of mechanical ventilation ranged from 28% for repair of a ventricular septal defect to 63% for repair of tetralogy of Fallot. The number of blood studies ordered decreased 20% to 30%. A significant reduction in hospital costs for each procedure, ranging from 16% to 29%, was also achieved with no adverse effects on patients' outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Use of clinical pathways with children hospitalized for cardiac surgery can shorten length of stay in the hospital, reduce use of resources, and improve cost-effectiveness with beneficial outcomes for patients.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1995

Bidirectional Glenn. Is accessory pulmonary blood flow good or bad?

BACKGROUND: The bidirectional Glenn (BDG) is frequently used in the staged surgical management of single ventricle patients. Controversy exists whether accessory pulmonary blood flow (APBF) sources should be left at the time of the BDG to augment systemic saturation or should be eliminated to reduce volume load of the ventricle. The present study was a retrospective review to assess the influence of APBF on outcome after the BDG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-two patients have undergone BDG at our institute during the interval from 1986 through 1994. At the time of BDG, 40 patients had either a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt or patent right ventricular outflow tract as an additional source of pulmonary blood flow. Fifty-two patients had elimination of APBF. There were three operative deaths (two with and one without APBF) and four procedures (two in each group) that failed and required subsequent revision. Thus, there were 85 patients who underwent successful operation. Effusions (defined as chest tube drainage exceeding 7 days' duration) occurred in 8 of 85 patients; this complication was seen in 7 of 36 patients (19%) with APBF and 1 of 49 patients (2%) without APBF (P < .05). There were 11 deaths, including 6 patients (17%) with APBF, 2 patients (4%) without APBF, and 3 of the patients (75%) who had a failed BDG. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that morbidity and mortality are lower in patients in whom APBF is eliminated at the time of the BDG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Percutaneous use of stents to correct pulmonary artery stenosis in young children after cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Pulmonary artery distortion is a risk factor among candidates for the Fontan procedure. In 57 patients evaluated by catheterization after successful cavopulmonary anastomosis, 8 had proximal left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis, either discrete (4 patients) or long segment (4 patients). Median age was 27 months (range 19 to 60 months). Median weight was 11.4 kg (range 9.1 to 20.0). Mean diameter at LPA stenosis was 4.4 +/- 0.4. Proximal right pulmonary artery mean diameter was 10.4 +/- 1.0 mm. After angiographic and hemodynamic assessment, short 11F sheaths were placed in the right internal jugular (6 patients) or subclavian veins (2 patients). Pulmonary artery angioplasty and stent placement were performed. LPA stenoses were enlarged using 10 Palmaz stents dilated to 10 mm (7 patients) or to 12 mm (3 patients). Poststent angiograms showed that narrowest LPA dimensions were significantly enlarged to 9.9 mm +/- 1.0 mm, p < 001). There were no complications. Follow-up studies (catheterizations in 4 patients, echocardiograms in 8 patients) were performed 4 to 9 months after stent implantation. No restenosis was observed. Five patients had completion of their Fontan procedures; three patients are pending Fontan completion. This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous use of Palmaz stents to correct pulmonary artery stenosis in young children after cavopulmonary anastomosis.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1994

Percutaneous closure of the small patent ductus arteriosus using occluding spring coils.

OBJECTIVES: This report summarizes our experience with the use of occluding spring coils to close the small patent ductus arteriosus. BACKGROUND: Several patent ductus arteriosus occluders (most notably the Rashkind device) have been developed and studied. Occluding spring coils have been used to close abnormal vessels and vascular connections. We previously reported the use of occluding spring coils to close the small patent ductus arteriosus in a small group of patients. This report describes our series of patients having patent ductus arteriosus closure with occluding spring coils. METHODS: Between June 1990 and June 1993, 30 patients underwent cardiac catheterization to have patent ductus arteriosus closure by occluding spring coils. Selection criteria were age > 6 months and narrowest patent ductus arteriosus internal dimension < or = 3.0 mm by color flow imaging. Definitive selection was based on review of aortograms performed at catheterization. A 5.2F coronary catheter was used to deliver one or two standard occluding spring coils. A loop was delivered in the main pulmonary artery, and the remainder of the coil was delivered across the patent ductus arteriosus and into the aortic diverticulum. Patent ductus arteriosus closure was confirmed by aortography or color flow imaging, or both. Follow-up after coil placement occurred at 6 weeks and 6 months and included two-view chest radiography, echocardiography and color flow imaging. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 29 had successful implantation by one (27 patients) or two (2 patients) occluding spring coils. Of these 29 patients, 19 had a clinically apparent and 10 had a silent patent ductus arteriosus. Average ductus minimal internal dimension was 1.7 mm (range 1.0 to 3.0). Complete closure of the ductus was confirmed in 27 patients by aortography or color flow imaging or both (in 24 within 4 h, in 2 after 6 weeks and in 1 after 6 months). Six weeks after implantation, two patients had a tiny residual patent ductus arteriosus noted on color flow imaging. One patient did not have successful implantation. This patient had a 3.2-mm ductus, and two coils migrated to the distal left pulmonary artery and could not be retrieved. There were no deaths or any significant complications noted during early or late follow-up in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Occluding spring coils may have additional application in closing the small patent ductus arteriosus.

Aortography↗
PubMed1992

Counseling adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Adolescents with congenital heart disease need information regarding their cardiac condition and health care needs, including any life-style implications of the cardiac diagnosis. Pertinent topics to be addressed include preventive health care needs, physical activity (recreational and vocational considerations), pregnancy and contraception issues, and psychosocial stresses of adolescents. Sensitive counseling and health education by nurses can promote the physical health and psychosocial adaptation of adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Caring for families of pediatric transplant recipients: psychosocial implications.

Organ transplantation is allowing the hope for survival and an improved quality of life to become a reality for many children with end-stage diseases. Most pediatric transplant recipients are active and able to participate in age-appropriate activities. Despite dramatic symptomatic improvements, however, children and families continue to face major psychosocial stresses. Family stresses are related to the uncertainty of the child's future health and well-being, role strain, social isolation, and financial burdens. Pediatric transplant recipients may have difficulties with psychosocial adjustment, especially related to dissatisfaction with the cosmetic side effects of immunosuppressive therapy and a lack of socialization skills or social competence. Psychosocial stresses faced by children following transplant may result in behavior problems, depression, poorer social adaptation, or noncompliance. The psychosocial adaptation of pediatric transplant recipients can be promoted through support and counseling from health professionals caring for these families. More research is needed to evaluate the psychosocial implications of pediatric organ transplantation and identify effective methods of providing psychological support and promoting adaptation in these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Psychosocial responses of children to cardiac pacemakers.

To examine the psychosocial responses of children and adolescents with a cardiac pacemaker and compare their responses to those of their peers, we evaluated 30 pediatric pacemaker patients, aged 7 to 19 years, and two age- and sex-matched comparison groups, including 30 patients with similar heart disease but without pacemakers and 30 physically healthy children, using standardized psychometric tests and a specific interview format. We postulated that children with pacemakers would experience greater stress in psychosocial adaptation. No significant differences on standardized measures of trait anxiety, self-competence, or self-esteem were found between the pacemaker group and the comparison groups. In contrast, pacemaker subjects were significantly (p less than 0.05) more external in their locus-of-control orientation than were healthy subjects, suggesting a diminished sense of personal control and less autonomy. Pacemaker subjects, particularly the older ones, had significantly (p less than 0.05) greater knowledge of pacemaker systems than did subjects in the other two groups, facilitating the use of intellectualization as a coping mechanism. The pacemaker patients were likely to be as fearful of social rejection as of potential pacemaker failure. All three groups identified potential negative peer reactions toward an individual with a pacemaker. The patients with cardiac disease but without pacemakers and the healthy subjects perceived significant (p less than 0.05) social and emotional differences between patients with pacemakers and their peers, but the pacemaker patients did not view themselves as different from their peers. This study demonstrates healthy psychosocial adaptation of children with cardiac pacemakers. Although these children appear to cope effectively with the stress of their life situation through the use of denial and intellectualization, they may experience problems both in the development of autonomy and in social isolation and rejection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Repair of truncus arteriosus in neonates with the use of a valveless conduit.

Each of seven infants 1 to 9 days old and weighing 2.1 to 3.3 kg with truncus arteriosus underwent repair of their defects with a right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery valveless conduit. Congestive heart failure and cyanosis were present before surgery in each. Five patients survived surgery and one of these subsequently died. Comparison between preoperative hemodynamics of the survivors and nonsurvivors disclosed similar peak systolic pulmonary arterial and aortic pressures, and pulmonary (Rp) or systemic resistance (Rs) in the groups. However, the mean Rp/Rs ratio in survivors (0.15) was significantly less than in nonsurvivors (0.63) (p = .001). The four remaining survivors are asymptomatic 7 months to 5.5 years after operation. Postoperative cardiac catheterization in three patients disclosed proximal conduit obstruction of 10 to 20 mm Hg in each, distal conduit obstruction of 35 mm Hg in two, and mild truncal valve stenosis and moderate truncal regurgitation in one each. We recommend the use of a valveless conduit for the symptomatic neonate with truncus arteriosus and a low Rp/Rs ratio (less than or equal to 0.03).

Blood Vessel Prosthesis↗
PubMed1982

Use of videotape in the preparation of children for cardiac catheterization.

To help children with congenital heart disease, and their parents, cope with the stress of hospitalization for cardiac catheterization, a videotape was developed entitled "Leonard Z. Lion Presents ... Learning About Your Heart Catheterization." Fifty-three patients with congenital heart disease, 3 to 12 years of age, were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 31) or control (N = 22) groups. Each viewed the catheterization videotape or an unrelated control videotape before cardiac catheterization. The child's knowledge, anxiety, and adjustment during and after hospitalization for catheterization were evaluated. The experimental group displayed a significantly greater knowledge of events and sensations experienced during hospitalization than controls (P less than .0001). Children in the experimental group tended to sleep more during the catheterization procedure (P = .05) and when awake to ask more questions (P = .02). After discharge, the experimental group also tended to demonstrate more independent behavior. We conclude that viewing this videotape on heart catheterization helped children with congenital heart disease to cope with the stress of hospitalization for the procedure.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary preventive health care in children with heart disease.

In order to evaluate the preventive health care practices in children with heart disease, 499 families were surveyed in outpatient settings. Data were collected on 215 children with heart disease and 284 control children without known chronic illness. There was no significant difference between the groups in the type of primary physician utilized or frequency of visits to the primary care physician. Immunizations were incomplete in 32.7% of the children with heart disease compared to only 2.5% in the control group (P less than 0.0001). Among the children over 3 years of age with heart disease, 29% had not received routine dental care within the past year compared with 23.4% in the controls (P = NS). The parents of children with heart disease were found to pay less money out-of-pocket for their child's health care than the parents of control children (P less than 0.0001). The data suggest that important aspects of primary health care were neglected in a large group of children with heart disease and that cost was not a major cause for the inadequate preventive care delivery. An educational program directed at health care professionals and parents is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health education needs of adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Self-concept, health beliefs, health behaviors, health information sources, and perceived health information needs were assessed in 90 patients with congenital heart disease and 54 peers without chronic illness, ages 13 to 22 years. Data revealed that patients with congenital heart disease did not differ from their healthy counterparts in overall self-concept, health beliefs, use of preventive health services, and sources of health information. Patients with congenital heart disease reported greater perceived stress in comparison to peers. Significantly more patients with heart disease needed information regarding pregnancy and contraception, and older cardiac subjects were less likely to be sexually active. For these patients who currently seem to rely largely on peers for some critical health information, sensitive and comprehensive counseling by health professionals is imperative.

Adolescent↗