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Biomedical subjects

M J Kern

Publications and source records attributed to M J Kern.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Use of intracoronary ultrasonography in assessing pharmacotherapy for myocardial ischemia.

Intracoronary ultrasonography can provide morphologic and physiologic information on coronary vasomotor responses to pharmacotherapy. Preliminary studies indicate a high correlation between dimensions determined by 2-dimensional echocardiography, angiography, and pathology. Similarly, the emerging data on intracoronary Doppler flow velocity responses beyond atherosclerotic obstructions before, during, and after coronary balloon occlusion will provide further insights into myocardial oxygen supply and its responses to pharmacotherapy during controlled myocardial ischemia.

Coronary Circulation

A novel murine homeobox gene isolated by a tissue specific PCR cloning strategy.

We have identified a novel homeobox gene, designated K-2, using a reverse transcription PCR cloning strategy. Sequence analysis reveals that the homeobox of K-2 is 77.6% homologous at the nucleotide level and 97% identical at the amino acid sequence level to another murine gene, S8. Homeodomain sequence comparisons indicate that K-2 and S8 represent a distinct subclass of paired type homeobox genes. Northern blot analysis of RNA from murine embryos and adult tissues identified multiple transcripts that are expressed in a developmentally specific and tissue restricted manner. Alternate splicing of K-2 at the 3-coding region leads to the inclusion of a chain terminating sequence. In addition, the developmental expression pattern of this gene at day 12 of gestation was determined by in situ hybridization. Expression was observed in diverse mesenchymal cells in craniofacial, pericardial, primitive dermal, prevertebral, and genital structures.

Alternative Splicing

Perspective: the cellular influences of calcium antagonists on systemic and coronary hemodynamics.

Calcium antagonists may have a valuable role in ameliorating the extent and duration of myocardial ischemia following infarction. The precise cellular effects of these agents are being revealed through studies using the model of transient coronary occlusion induced by coronary angioplasty. The class of calcium antagonists is not uniform, and these diverse agents may have a favorable effect on ischemia through one or more of the following mechanisms: direct cardioprotective effects, prevention of calcium accumulation in the mitochondria in ischemic cells, reduction in oxygen consumption or in coronary artery vasoconstriction or coronary spasm, prevention of ischemia-induced arrhythmias, and increased coronary blood flow to ischemic tissue directly or through enhancement of collateral flow. Recent studies of diltiazem, nifedipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, and amlodipine, as representative agents, are reviewed.

Animals

Advisory group reports on silent myocardial ischemia, acute intervention after myocardial infarction, and postinfarction management.

Three advisory groups of the Council for Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction regularly review current knowledge concerning the following clinical contexts: silent ischemia, acute intervention, and postmyocardial infarction. This article represents the most recent findings of each Advisory Group--the areas of agreement and those of disagreement. What is emphasized here is that ongoing research is critical to refining the therapeutic approach to ischemia and the postmyocardial infarction patient. What seems rational is the stratification of patients into risk groups--high and low--that dictate whether intervention should be aggressive or conservative.

Algorithms

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: coronary hemodynamics: I. Coronary catheter pressures.

The coronary pressure waveforms described in this rounds are an integral part of the angiographers approach to all patients, especially those with suspected left main coronary stenosis. Patient management will differ according to the laboratory experience and training of the operators. Recognition and appreciation of abnormal coronary pressure waveforms may directly affect the life and death of these patients.

Blood Pressure

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: coronary hemodynamics. Part II: Patterns of coronary flow velocity.

These specialized tracings illustrate several important patterns of coronary blood flow velocity that may occur in patients during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Recent advances in catheter methodologies permit easy measurement of coronary blood flow during routine coronary angiography. At the current time, measurement of coronary blood flow velocity remains a research technique but is of continuing interest in clinical syndromes of atypical angina, myocardial hypertrophy and infarction, early transplant rejection, or premature (subangiographic) atherosclerosis in some patients. A later hemodynamic rounds will examine the effects of coronary blood flow velocity and various hyperemic stimuli to assess coronary vasodilatory reserve.

Atrial Fibrillation

Angiographic identification of malpositioned balloon catheters during mitral valvuloplasty.

The positioning of balloon catheters for the percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty technique is critical to ensure an adequate result and minimize complications. Passage of two balloon catheters in parallel through a thickened atrial septum and maintenance of satisfactory positioning in the left ventricle can be difficult. We describe unsuspected malpositioning of the balloons in two patients documented angiographically in our laboratory. Recognizing and avoiding these positions will reduce the potential for serious complications.

Adult

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: effects of nitroglycerin.

Nitroglycerin has dependable, short-lived veno- and arterial vasodilatory effects ameliorating ischemia through both preload reduction and coronary vasodilation. Nitroglycerin should be used prior to left ventriculography in patients with elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The arterial pressure waveform alteration of nitroglycerin can be explained on the basis of changes in arterial distensibility and reflected wave patterns and may vary considerably among individuals with different degrees of atherosclerosis.

Aged

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: pericardial compressive hemodynamics, Part II.

Constrictive physiology characteristically alters atrial and ventricular waveforms. Normal pressure and flow responses to inspiration are blocked or reversed. The impairment of early diastolic filling is the common feature of restrictive myocardial, as well as diseased pericardial, processes. Low pressure tamponade can limit cardiac output, but may be difficult to detect by clinical signs alone. Examination of the pressure waveforms may provide clues to the diagnosis of constrictive physiology in these patients.

Blood Pressure

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: pericardial compressive hemodynamics, Part III.

Failure of right atrial pressure to normalize after pericardial pressure is relieved suggests persistent effusive-constrictive physiology, myocardial failure, or cardiomyopathy which may have indistinguishable hemodynamic pressure waveforms. Clinical characteristics, ancillary testing, and endomyocardial biopsy may be required to obtain a definite diagnosis in such cases. The hemodynamic waveforms obtained during pericardiocentesis provide insight into the pathophysiologic processes, producing symptoms of dyspnea in this interesting patient group.

Adult

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: coronary hemodynamics, Part III: Coronary hyperemia.

Basal patterns (systolic/diastolic components) of coronary flow velocity as previously described are generally maintained during hyperemia and can be easily recorded in the catheterization laboratory during pharmacologic stimulation. The interpretation of the clinical significance of coronary vasodilatory reserve may be complicated by both coronary and myocardial diseases. Distal coronary artery hyperemic responses measured with ultrasound Doppler-tipped guidewires will provide new information on traditional observations of coronary physiology in humans.

Adenosine

Initial experience with a new compression device for hemostasis after femoral arterial puncture.

We evaluated a new hemostasis device to maintain focused pressure over the femoral artery puncture site for 2-6 hours in 330 cases after diagnostic catheterization or coronary angioplasty. No patient developed later hematoma or vascular complications. The initial favorable experience suggests that this hemostasis device has advantageous features of stability and site visualization and is a suitable adjunct to current methods of maintaining puncture site pressure after brief manual compression following arterial catheterization.

Cardiac Catheterization

Interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis: mitral valve gradients: Part I.

The mitral valve gradient is dependent on the precise measurement of left atrial (or pulmonary capillary wedge) and left ventricular pressures. Artifacts involving either pressure measurement will produce inaccuracies which may have clinical significance. Several methods and formulas using both invasive and noninvasive techniques should verify clinical findings and confirm the severity of mitral valve disease prior to definite therapy. The changes in mitral valve gradients after balloon catheter valvuloplasty will be discussed in part II of this hemodynamic rounds.

Blood Flow Velocity