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Biomedical subjects

O Daniëls

Publications and source records attributed to O Daniëls.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regional cardiac wall motion abnormalities during and shortly after anthracyclines therapy.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a new non-invasive ultrasound technique that enables quantitative assessment of regional myocardial wall motion. A previous study of survivors of childhood malignancies demonstrated abnormalities of regional diastolic wall motion abnormalities many years after treatment with anthracyclines. The purpose of the present study was to investigate this phenomenon during and shortly after treatment. PROCEDURE: A total of 60 patients, age range 4.4-16.0 years, were included in this study: 43 early survivors, with a mean follow-up duration of 2.1 (range 0.3-5.2) years from end of anthracycline treatment, were evaluated retrospectively. Seventeen other patients were evaluated before, during, and 6 months after the end of anthracycline therapy. All patients received moderate cumulative doses of anthracyclines (range 120-450 mg/m2). Echocardiographic examination was performed using standardized conventional and TDI techniques. RESULTS: Of the early survivors, 26 (60%) demonstrated regional LV free wall motion abnormalities. In the prospective group, serial echocardiographic studies revealed three patients (18%) with regional abnormalities of LV free wall motion before starting chemotherapy, but 14 (82%) at the end of treatment. Six months later, however, the incidence decreased to 61% of the survivors. Subject and treatment characteristics, as well as LV wall diameters and fractional shortening were not significantly different for children with or without free wall motion abnormalities. Regional wall motion abnormalities were also seen in the interventricular septum, although this was less frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Regional diastolic wall motion abnormalities are common during and shortly after anthracyclines therapy but may be transient. The authors recommend simultaneous use of both conventional echocardiography & TDI for the monitoring of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

Adolescent↗

Discriminative ability of conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging techniques for the detection of subclinical cardiotoxic effects of treatment with anthracyclines.

This study investigated improvement of diagnosing myocardial damage caused by anthracyclines using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The optimal set of conventional echocardiographic and/or TDI parameters, needed for the discrimination of survivors from healthy controls, was retrospectively assessed. A total of 60 patients and 99 controls, age range 8.5 to 17.6 years, were studied. The survivors received 50 to 400 mg/m(2) cumulative dose of anthracyclines, with a mean follow-up of 7.3 (+/-2.3) years. The parameters used in the discriminant score (S-score) were selected from a large set of 51 echocardiographic parameters, using logistic regression analysis (stepwise selection). The correct classification probability (C-index) and the generalized distance (d) between the distributions of S-scores were used to measure the overall discriminative performance of each echocardiographic technique separately and in combination. The overall discriminative performance of the conventional echo-Doppler parameters (C = 77.3%, d = 1.04) was lower than that of the TDI (C = 84.2%, d = 1.37); the highest C-index was obtained using both techniques (C = 89.2%, d = 1.66). The set of parameters includes: LV fractional shortening and MV early diastolic flow velocity, two long-axis and five apical 4-CV TDI wall velocities (systolic and diastolic). In the patient group, the S-score was positively associated with cumulative dose of anthracyclines (p = 0.05) and duration of treatment (p = 0.01). The diagnostic index S-score, based on a limited number of variables from both techniques simultaneously, could retrospectively discriminate asymptomatic children with anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy from healthy controls. The potentials of the S-score for serial and prospective studies are further investigated.

Adolescent↗

Spongy cardiomyopathy in a neonate.

Isolated noncompaction of ventricular myocardium is a rare cardiomyopathy, presumed to originate from a developmental abnormality in the evolution of the heart, and resulting in sponge-like myocardium. Isolated ventricular noncompaction can present with a variety of symptoms, but usually includes heart failure. The diagnosis is often made by echocardiography, which reveals a very distinct image of the myocardium, with many deep, confluent recesses and dense trabeculations. We encountered such findings in a moribund neonate presenting with cardiogenic shock with extremely low shortening fractions. After treatment with intravenous and oral cardiotonics, coupled with afterload reduction, we were able to optimize the balance between ventricular filling and myocardial contractility, resulting in markedly improved cardiac function as judged clinically, and as measured by echocardiography. As far as we know, this is one of the youngest patients yet reported to have a good recovery.

Cardiomyopathies↗

Tissue Doppler imaging in detection of myocardial dysfunction in survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines.

The applicability of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was investigated for estimating cardiac function in long-term survivors of childhood cancer treated with anthracyclines. A total of 63 children (age range 7.8-17.3 y) underwent standard echo Doppler cardiographic studies of blood flow velocities, left ventricular dimensions and fractional shortening, followed by measurements of peak myocardial velocities and direction using the noninvasive tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) technique. All 63 were late survivors (median 7.1 y, range 3.5-13.5 y after end of therapy) who had received mean (+/- SD) cumulative dose of 242 (+/- 141) mg/m(2) of anthracyclines. The control group consisted of 160 healthy subjects (age range 4 to 17.9 y). Standard echo-Doppler anatomical parameters that were found significantly (p < 0.01) different for the study group are: RV wall thickness (decreased); LV diameter (increased); and LV fractional shortening (decreased). Studied hemodynamic parameters were not found to be different between the two groups. Quantitative TDI parameters: peak late diastolic myocardial velocities, as well as transmyocardial systolic and diastolic velocity differences, were significantly lower in late survivors than in the healthy pediatric population (p < 0.01). Qualitative local functional impairment of the movement of the left ventricular walls was detected in 20% of the patients. TDI might become a useful noninvasive method for detecting subclinical myocardial damage in apparently healthy children who received moderate doses of anthracyclines for treatment of childhood malignancy. Prospective studies with TDI for the detection of regional myocardial abnormalities are recommended.

Adolescent↗

Assessment of myocardial velocities in healthy children using tissue Doppler imaging.

The objective was to determine the normal range of tissue velocities in paediatric hearts as measured by tissue Doppler imaging. A prospective study was carried out involving 160 healthy children (mean age 10.8 y, range 4.0-17.9 y). Using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) from parasternal long axis and apical views, peak velocities and peak myocardial velocity differences across the right ventricular anterior wall, interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall were assessed during systole, early and late diastole. The existence of transmyocardial velocity differences between the left and right side of the interventricular septum, as well as between the endocardium and epicardium of the left ventricular posterior wall was observed throughout the heart cycle. With range-gated TDI from apical four-chamber view, peak velocities were measured within the basal, mid and apical parts of the interventricular septum, and the left and right free ventricular walls. The highest peak systolic, early and late diastolic velocities were measured within the basal parts of all myocardial walls. The ranges of the calculated velocity ratios (early-to-late diastolic velocity and early diastolic-to-systolic velocity) for the various wall parts appeared to be overlapping. The correlations of peak myocardial tissue velocities and their ratios with age and weight were weak and practically irrelevant. These normal values of peak myocardial velocities, transmyocardial velocity differences and the ratios of peak wall velocities can be used as reference values in future investigations of ventricular dysfunction in this age group.

Adolescent↗

Neonatal pulmonary hypertension during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was designed to monitor severe pulmonary hypertension during extra corporeal membrane oxygenation using echo Doppler variables. BACKGROUND: All neonates treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation also have severe pulmonary hypertension. A study which monitors the reaction of the pre-existing pulmonary hypertension during extracorporeal oxygenation by frequent sampling of those variables related to pulmonary pressure is still lacking. Such a study is necessary to analyze the complex haemodynamic changes in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. METHOD: In 29 neonates, we estimated pulmonary arterial pressure using peakflow velocity of regurgitation across the tricuspid- and pulmonary valve, peakflow velocity of shunting across persistent arterial ductus, and systolic time intervals of the right ventricle. Correlation between the several estimations of pulmonary arterial pressure were analysed with the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure measured by the velocity of tricuspid regurgitation illustrated severe pulmonary hypertension prior to extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (mean 63 mmHg, sd 20). Similar levels for the systolic pulmonary arterial pressure could be derived (mean 73 mmHg, sd 17) from ductal shunting. A fair correlation of 0.76 (p< 0.002) could be demonstrated. Pulmonary hypertension responded well and quickly to treatment by extra corporeal membrane oxygenation, with reductions within 24 hours to mean systolic levels of 35 mmHg, sd 23. This very early reaction has not previously been demonstrated and could be of importance in defining parameters for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure was investigated because of its relation to vascular resistance. It proved more difficult to measure because of the low incidence of pulmonary regurgitation. Derived diastolic pressures did not show any good correlations. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary hypertension is well documented prior to extra corporeal membrane oxygenation and response very quickly to the institution of treatment. Ultra sound techniques are indicated at the bedside, and prove useful in monitoring pulmonary blood pressure during the procedure.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗

Difficulties generated by the small, persistently patent, arterial duct.

Over recent years, echo-Doppler cardiography has shown that a small, sometimes silent, arterial duct exists in more patients than previously recognized. To know the incidence of an arterial duct subsequent to therapy, we studied retrospectively our patients undergoing open-heart surgery and surgical or catheter closure. Three groups of patients were studied: those with patency of the duct subsequent to open heart surgery without any sign of patency before or during surgery, those with persistent duct after surgical ligation and those with persistent patency after attempted catheter occlusion with the Rashkind device. In the first group (of 431 children) four (0.9%) had persistence of this duct, of which three were silent. In the second group, patency persisted in four of 100 patients (4%), three being silent. In the last group there were five persisting shunts, three producing no murmur, in 30 patients (17%). We compared our results with those reported in the literature and conclude that echo-Doppler cardiography is needed to detect persistent shunting across a duct after therapy, since most of the residual ducts in this study were silent. This means that clinical findings alone cannot be relied upon, and careful echo-Doppler cardiography is essential. Also, the process of closure of a persistent duct by surgical ligation or transcatheter intervention is no guarantee of success. The risk of infective endocarditis is important in such persistent ducts and, at present, it is unknown either for a small, silent duct or in a persistent duct that remains open after attempted transcatheter closure, but now is in association with a foreign body.

Child↗

Natural history of congenital pulmonary valvar stenosis: an echo and Doppler cardiographic study.

Doppler echocardiography allows accurate serial assessment of pulmonary valvar stenosis by measuring the velocity of the jet stream through the pulmonary valve. Between 1979 and 1997, we saw 174 patients with isolated pulmonary valvar stenosis. At admission their ages ranged from 9 days to 22.5 years. We measured the velocity over the pulmonary valve, and the thickness of the anterior wall of the right ventricle, and made a study of their electrocardiograms. We found that rapid increases and decreases occurred in almost every age-group. For patients with a trivial, mild or moderate level of stenosis, severe stenosis developed in 3, 10 and 9%, respectively. In most of the patients, 122 (90%), in whom there was more than one examination, a change in pressure gradient between -12 mmHg/year and +3 mmHg/year was found. Only 7 patients had an increase of more than 10 mmHg per year. In contrast with our patients having aortic stenosis, these with stenosis of the pulmonary valve showed no rapid increase in early childhood. Indeed, in 58% the severity of the stenosis decreased. No correlation was found when comparing the echocardiographic measurements of the thickness of the anterior wall of the right ventricle with the voltages on the electrocardiogram. A significant relation was found however, between an increasing pressure gradient and thickened valvar leaflets (p=0.017).

Adolescent↗

Cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsation in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and periventricular hemorrhage.

The present study addressed the hypotheses that cerebral ischemia and/or excessive cerebral blood pulsation contribute to periventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborns with respiratory distress and that the pulse width is a valuable tool to estimate the contribution of cerebral blood pulsation. These hypotheses were tested by following preterm newborns at risk for respiratory distress and periventricular hemorrhage. We monitored for cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), cerebral pulse width, and cerebral pulsatility index; for patent ductus arteriosus, capillary Pco2, heart rate (HR) and behavior; and for the occurrence of respiratory distress and periventricular hemorrhage (PVH). The data obtained were analyzed with linear regression with the mode of respiration (spontaneous or supported) and postnatal age as additional covariates. We observed that (a) respiratory distress, either uncomplicated or complicated by PVH, correlates with a low CBFV and a high cerebral pulsatility index; (b) PVH also correlates with a high cerebral pulse width; (c) the increased pulse width precedes the onset of the hemorrhage; and (d) these CBF alterations can be partly attributed to ductal shunting and are ameliorated by mechanical ventilation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Is noninvasive determination of pulmonary artery pressure feasible using deceleration phase Doppler flow velocity characteristics in mechanically ventilated children with congenital heart disease?

Noninvasive determination of pulmonary hemodynamics is important for the management of congenital heart disease complicated by pulmonary hypertension. Flow deceleration is less influenced by right ventricular function and would allow more accurate estimation of pulmonary hemodynamics than acceleration. Respiratory influences on pulmonary blood flow are exaggerated by mechanical ventilation. Doppler-derived pulmonary artery (PA) blood flow velocity characteristics were therefore compared with pulmonary hemodynamic parameters in 42 mechanically ventilated children, aged 0.2 to 14.8 years (mean +/- SD 6.7 +/- 4.9). Mean PA pressure ranged from 11 to 47 mm Hg (21 +/- 9 mm Hg). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 14 patients. Significant differences were found between patients with and without pulmonary hypertension in maximal velocity (1.03 +/- 0.22 vs 0.88 +/- 0.18 m/s), acceleration time (119 +/- 39 vs 136 +/- 29 ms), maximal acceleration (17.6 +/- 6.4 vs 13.1 +/- 4.0 m/s2), mean acceleration (9.3 +/- 2.6 vs 6.7 +/- 2.0 m/s2), and mean deceleration (4.5 +/- 1.0 vs 3.8 +/- 0.8 m/s2). In contrast to our hypothesis of the deceleration phase-derived parameters, only maximal deceleration correlated with PA pressure. Acceleration parameters showed closer relations with PA pressures, but correlations were generally low and did not permit accurate prediction of PA pressure (SEE 5 to 11 mm Hg), PA resistance (SEE 1.14 U. m2) or PA driving force (SEE 7 mm Hg). An analysis that took respiratory phase into account did not improve correlations. Measurement of mean acceleration, maximal deceleration, and rate-corrected preejection period permitted for accurate discrimination between the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension, with positive and negative predictive values being 92% and 90%. In mechanically ventilated children with congenital heart disease, accurate noninvasive PA pressure assessment is not possible. Accurate predictions for the presence of pulmonary hypertension can be made by measurement of both acceleration and deceleration parameters.

Adolescent↗

Influence of end expiratory pressure on cerebral blood flow in preterm infants.

The effect of interruption of positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) on cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and CBF fluctuation (CBFF) in the internal carotid arteries and on heart rate, restlessness and wakefulness has been studied in 17 mechanically ventilated neonates with RDS. A decrease in CBFV was found, but no significant change in CBFF. Multiple regression analysis showed that the decrease in CBFV is less pronounced if the PEEP interruption is accompanied by restlessness. It further appeared that the decrease in CBFV is more pronounced if CBFV is high, the ductus arteriosus is patent, or RDS follows a complicated course. These findings indicate that PEEP supports CBF, probably by a decrease in ductal stealing from the brain. Therewith PEEP protects against cerebral hypoperfusion which is one of the major risks in RDS and immaturity. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the decrease in CBF during PEEP interruption is moderated by restlessness and accentuated by brain damage.

Blood Flow Velocity↗