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N P Briffa

Publications and source records attributed to N P Briffa.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Surgical angioplasty of the left main coronary artery: follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery is a serious condition with a dismal prognosis. The treatment is surgical, with the two viable options being coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical angioplasty of the left main coronary artery. METHODS: We describe the use of surgical angioplasty to treat 3 patients (2 women and 1 man) with left main ostial stenosis using the posterior approach. Patency of the angioplasty was demonstrated subsequently with magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: All 3 patients were free of angina 12, 18, and 24 months after operation. Magnetic resonance imaging scans in all 3 patients demonstrated the widely patent left main coronary artery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical angioplasty is an effective alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with left main ostial stenosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent noninvasive method for monitoring the patency of the left main coronary artery.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Single lung transplantation for end stage emphysema.

BACKGROUND: The first successful single lung transplantation was carried out in 1983 for pulmonary fibrosis. Because of the inherent advantages of single lung transplantation, a transplantation programme has been started for patients with end stage lung disease due to emphysema. METHODS: Between October 1990 and August 1993 25 patients with severe emphysema (15 men, mean age 51 years) received a single lung transplant at our institution. All patients were severely disabled with a mean (SD) 12 minute walking distance of 281 (165) metres. There were five deaths in the series, four in the first 20 days and one on day 503. Two patients suffered graft compression by air trapping in the native lung. Bronchial narrowing requiring insertion of endobronchial stenting occurred in four patients. RESULTS: Mean (SD) FEV1 improved from a preoperative value of 17.8(13%) predicted to a six month value of 53.6(13)%, and FEV1/FVC from 23.8(12)% to 68.6(15)%. After the transplant 12 patients are in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I and the rest of the survivors are in NYHA II. Actuarial survival was 82% at one year and 74% at three years. CONCLUSIONS: Single lung transplantation is an effective treatment for end stage lung disease due to emphysema and carries an acceptable mortality and morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perforation of an intraaortic balloon twice in one patient.

Perforation of an intraaortic balloon is a well recognised complication of the device and is usually due to abrasion by a calcified aortic atheromatous plaque. We report a case in which a replacement balloon also perforated and suggest that if continued balloon assistance is required, a lower perfill volume may prevent damage to the second balloon.

Aged↗