Biomedical subjects

N Zuech

Publications and source records attributed to N Zuech.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Cyclosporine-associated end-stage nephropathy after cardiac transplantation: incidence and progression.

BACKGROUND: The salutary immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine in extending cardiac allograft survival may be curtailed by its nephrotoxic effects. We reviewed our first 9 years of experience with cyclosporine after cardiac transplantation, to evaluate the incidence and progression of cyclosporine-associated end-stage renal failure necessitating chronic hemodialysis. METHODS: Retrospective computer-based file review and personal interview when possible. RESULTS: The population at risk was comprised of all adult cardiac recipients surviving at least 3 years (n=293). Of these, 19 (6.5%) developed end-stage renal failure requiring chronic hemodialysis. There were 17 men and 2 women (mean age of 45 +/- 11 years). The mean creatinine clearance for the study group decreased by 38% (P<0.001 vs. before transplant) by 6 months after transplantation and by 48% by 3 years postoperatively (P<0.001 vs. before transplant). The mean serum creatinine rose by 80% (P< 0.001 vs. before transplant) by 6 months after transplantation and by 125% by 3 years postoperatively (P<0.001 vs. before transplant). Time elapsed from transplantation to hemodialysis ranged from 3.7 to 9.5 years (mean 6.4 +/- 2). Actuarial 1- year survival after onset of hemodialysis was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Although cyclosporine remains the central immunosuppressive agent for cardiac allograft recipients, its use leads to a greater than one-third decrease in creatinine clearance by 6 months after transplantation and progression to end-stage renal failure, requiring hemodialysis in 6.5% of cardiac transplant recipients. Moreover, these patients are at increased risk of death compared with other cardiac allograft recipients. This data warrants the search of alternative or adjunctive agents that would allow decreased dosing or reduced nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine, while maintaining equivalent survival.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair after cardiac transplantation.

Efforts aimed at limiting the pool of cardiac retransplantation candidates have focused increasingly on attempts to preserve cardiac allograft function. The present report reviews the course of a patient who underwent mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty for bivalvular incompetence after cardiac transplantation and examines the limited reported world experience with valve replacement after transplantation. The limited yet successful experiences with these and other operations in cardiac allograft recipients suggest that worsening donor organ shortages will likely lead to increased clinical experience with conventional operations in the transplanted heart.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

PubMed1996

Carcinoma of the lung after heart transplantation.

We have recently noted an unexpected high incidence of lung cancer in our population of cardiac allograft recipients. We conducted a retrospective review of cardiac transplantation at our institution to investigate the incidence, clinical course, and outcome of patients who developed lung cancer following heart transplantation. Nine patients--each with a history of smoking at 30 pack-years--developed lung cancer following heart transplantation, for an incidence of 1.56% of patients at risk. Eight of the patients were male > or = 50 years of age, representing 3.3% of the male transplant recipients in this age group. The interval from transplantation to diagnosis clustered around 3-5 years after transplantation, but in two instances (22%), a neoplasm was discovered within 6 months of transplantation. Almost half of the cancers were discovered incidentally, despite routine radiographic surveillance. Seven of 9 (78%) patients had stage IV disease at presentation. Median survival after diagnosis was 3 months, and five of the seven patients who died survived less than 4 months after diagnosis. We conclude that cardiac transplant recipients are at increased risk for development of lung cancer. Patients with a moderate to heavy smoking history might well be advised to undergo chest CT scanning in an aggressive search for occult lung cancer before cardiac transplantation is considered further. Finally, despite frequent radiologic examinations, these lung cancers are often diagnosed incidentally, are far advanced at the time of diagnosis, are not surgically resectable, and are poorly responsive to adjuvant therapy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Shock caused by electrical current].

The authors elaborate the most frequent causes of electroshock and consequences to the human body thereof. Recent advances in modern medical technology increase the hazard of the electroshock. Tissue burns, asphyxia, CNS destruction and ventricular fibrillation are possible consequences. Depending on the electric current strength, the organism may be a subject of either a macroshock or a microshock. The methods of microshock prevention in hospital environment are disclosed. Two patients are presented, being treated at the Institute of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

[Anesthesia in surgery of the veins].

Patients with varicose complex of low extremities do not present any special problem in anaesthesiology. Method recommended is inhalational anaesthetic, eadly mobilisation of patient and infusion of low molecular dextran, during and immediately after operative procedure. During thrombectomy from deep venous system there is real danger of pulmonary embolism. This group of patients has higher risk than former, too. Authors recommended their own method for prevention of preoperative centripetal mobilization of thrombus, using a standard Recklinhausen's cuff inflated against abdominal wall under a plexiglass plate.

Adult↗