Biomedical subjects

P Kessler

Publications and source records attributed to P Kessler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Transthoracic defibrillation. Physiologic and pathophysiologic principles and their role in the outcome of resuscitation].

As one major link in the chain of survival, early transthoracic (external) cardiac defibrillation is aimed at the termination of ventricular flutter and ventricular fibrillation. Most important to the success of defibrillation is the passage of a defined amount of current through a critical mass of heart muscle. Different transthoracic resistances reduce the effective density of the current within the heart. As for other therapeutic intervention procedures, recommendations for the optimal strength of current to be applied to the fibrillating heart need to be evaluated and defined for therapeutical defibrillation too. Unnecessarily high current density causes damage to the heart and should be prevented. By using biphasic waveforms in contrast to monophasic impulses, the amount of current can be reduced but the same or even higher efficacy is attained. Therefore possible myocardial damage might be clearly reduced. Even with individually altered thoracic impedance effective conversion of cardiac rhythm can be achieved by device-controlled compensation and biphasic waveforms. According to their different mechanisms or origin (electrically induced or spontaneously caused by organic heart disease) the probability of successful conversion of the cardiac rhythm by one single electrical impulse varies. The optimum point in time for defibrillation during resuscitation needs to be redefined. In order to improve comparability, further studies should use standardized definitions for successful defibrillation relating to the resulting cardiac rhythm.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

PubMed2004

Morbidity of harvesting of bone grafts from the iliac crest for preprosthetic augmentation procedures: a prospective study.

It has been the aim of the present prospective clinical study to assess the morbidity following the harvest of bone from the anterior and posterior ilium in elective preprosthetic augmentations. Fifty consecutive healthy patients (30 female, 20 male, mean age 52.5+/-9.3 years, range 31 years to 65 years) underwent augmentations of implant sites by iliac crest bone grafts. The bone harvest was carried out in 25 cases from the anterior and in 25 cases from the posterior ilium. The superficial sensory function of the skin was determined quantitatively preoperatively, 7 and 30 days after surgery with the 'Pain and Thermal Sensitivity' Test (PATH Test). On the same occasions subjective pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and gait disturbances were documented. In the PATH Test, for the innervation areas of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) and the superior and middle cluneal nerves (SMCN) a significant impairment of the superficial sensory function could be found after 1 week and a significant tendency towards recovery after 1 month (warm stimulus(FCNpreop) 37.9+/-3.0 degrees C, warm stimulus(LFCNday7): 38.6+/-3.2 degrees C, warm stimulus(LFCNday30): 37.9+/-2.9 degrees C, P(LFCNwarmpreop/day7)=0.023,P(LFCNwarmpreop/day30) =0.886, warm stimulus(SMCNpreop): 36.1+/-2.4 degrees C, warm stimulus(SMCNday7): 36.6+/-2.3 degrees C, warm stimulus(SMCNday30): 36.3+/-4.0 degrees C,P(SMCNwarmpreop/day7) <0.0005,P(SMCNwarmpreop/day30) =0.086). Gait disturbances were seen in seven patients after anterior and in three patients after posterior bone harvest 7 days after surgery (P(gaitdisturbanceanterior/posterior)=0.123). After 1 month none of the patients of both groups showed gait disturbances any longer. The maximum subjective pain level was found on the second postoperative day in both groups. It was significantly higher for the anterior approach (VAS(anteriorday2) 7.0+/-1.5, VAS(posteriorday2) 5.5+/-1.8,P(VASanterior/posteriorday2) =0.004). At day 7 and at day 30, the pain levels did no longer differ significantly (VAS(anteriorday7) 3.7+/-1.4, VAS(posteriorday7) 3.2+/-1.6,P(VASanterior/posteriorday7) =0.165, VAS(anteriorday30) 1.4+/-0.7, VAS(posteriorday30) 1.4+/-0.8,P(VASanterior/posteriorday30) =0.724). Because of the lower morbidity of bone harvest from the posterior ilium in the early postoperative phase compared to the anterior approach it seems that it should be preferred in elective augmentation procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Erythrocytapheresis in patients with secondary polyglobulia].

Apheresis is in blood components separators used to remove abundant or pathological blood components or to replace them with healthy ones. Erythrocytapheresis is an up-to-date, efficient and selective alternative of venepuncture. In our country it is used especially for treatment of abundant erythrocytes in polycythemia vera and secondary polyglobulias where its correct use leads both to significant symptomatic relief and erosion of pathogenetic chain and to a reduction of over-production of erythrocytes.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Anesthetic regimen for HIV positive parturients undergoing elective cesarean section].

OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, 50 million people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 43% are women. Perinatal vertical transmission of HIV accounts for most new pediatric cases. Elective Cesarean delivery, combined antiretroviral therapy perioperatively and abandonment of breast-feeding postoperatively reduces vertical HIV transmission. However, the incidence of maternal and neonatal morbidity perioperatively is relatively unknown. The goal of the present study was to prospectively record perioperative maternal and neonatal complications in the largest HIV positive collective undergoing elective Cesarean section with spinal anesthesia published to date. METHODS: From 1999-2001, 54 HIV positive parturients were enrolled in this study. All parturients received IV zidovudine therapy (2 mg/kg body weight) perioperatively. Spinal anesthesia was performed using 60 mg of 4% hyperbaric mepivacaine plus 5 microg sufentanil intrathecally. Sensory, analgesic and motor block characteristics, the incidence of maternal hypotension, postoperative maternal complications as well as neonatal outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Short-term hypotension occurred in 65% of the parturients. Intraoperatively, one parturient died following amniotic fluid embolism. In 17% of the parturients, postoperative complications headed by wound healing impairment, bronchitis and pneumonia requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy were observed. To date, after a minimum observation period of 8 months, only one infant (1.8%) is HIV positive. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal mepivacaine combined with sufentanil in HIV positive parturients undergoing elective Cesarean section is an appropriate anesthetic option. Postoperative maternal morbidity was 17%. Neonatal outcome showed no evidence of neonatal depression.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Operative techniques in awake coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was implemented to reduce trauma of surgical coronary revascularization by avoiding extracorporeal circulation. High thoracic epidural anesthesia further reduces intraoperative stress and postoperative pain. In addition, this technique even allows awake coronary artery bypass grafting, avoiding the drawbacks of mechanical ventilation and general anesthesia in high-risk patients. METHODS: Thirty-four patients underwent awake coronary artery bypass grafting with left internal thoracic artery to left anterior descending coronary artery by partial lower ministernotomy (n = 20), H-graft technique (n = 2), or rib cage-lifting technique (n = 2). In 9 cases we performed double bypass grafting, and in 1 case we performed triple-vessel coronary artery revascularization through complete median sternotomy. In addition to clinical outcomes, visual analog scale pain scores were recorded on days 1, 2, and 3 after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients remained awake throughout the whole procedure. Three patients required secondary intubation because of incomplete analgesia (n = 1) or pneumothorax (n = 2). Procedure time was 90 +/- 31 minutes, and recovery room stay was 4.2 +/- 0.6 hours. There were no in-hospital deaths or serious postoperative complications. In 1 case a graft occlusion was documented on predischarge angiography. Early postoperative pain was low (visual analog scale score of 30 +/- 6). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate the feasibility and safety of various surgical coronary revascularization techniques without general anesthesia. Continuation of thoracic epidural analgesia provides good pain control and fast mobilization postoperatively. Surprisingly, the awake coronary artery bypass grafting procedure was well accepted by the patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Thoracic epidural anesthesia does not influence the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after beating heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: At least 20 - 30 % of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or beating-heart surgery develop postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated the effect of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on the occurrence of postoperative AF in patients submitted to CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass (OPCABG). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 125 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization. Early postoperative incidence of AF was compared between three groups of patients - 50 after conventional CABG, 45 after OPCABG, and 30 after OPCABG combined with TEA intraoperatively and postoperatively. Clinical profile of the patients, including factors with a potential influence on postoperative AF was matched for groups. RESULTS: Postoperative AF occurred in 13.3 % of the TEA-treated patients, in 17.7 % of the patients in the OPCABG group, and in 26 % of the patients in the CABG group. This difference did not carry any statistical significance. Risk factors and incidence of postoperative complications were comparable in all groups. CONCLUSION: TEA has no effect on the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing beating-heart surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Mepivacaine for spinal anesthesia in parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery: maternal and neonatal plasma concentrations and neonatal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, long-acting bupivacaine is most commonly used for spinal anesthesia in parturients undergoing elective Cesarean delivery. However, advances in surgical technique and shorter duration of surgery make short-acting local anesthetic like mepivacaine appropriate, particularly if combined with opioids to enhance postoperative maternal pain relief. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed the effect of 4% hyperbaric mepivacaine (60 mg) plus 10 microg fentanyl for spinal anesthesia in 11 parturients undergoing elective Cesarean delivery. Sensory, motor and analgesic block characteristics, neonatal outcome (Apgar scores, umbilical cord blood analysis, neurologic and adaptive capacity score) as well as fetal and maternal mepivacaine plasma concentrations at delivery were determined (HPLC/UV). RESULTS: Motor block (Induction-Bromage 0) duration lasted 113 +/- 20 min. Effective analgesia (VAS < or = 40) was 128 +/- 35 min. Maternal and fetal mepivacaine free plasma concentration were 0.18 +/- 0.05 microg/ml and 0.10 +/- 0.03 microg/ml, respectively. The fetal to maternal (UV/MV)-ratio for mepivacaine free plasma concentration was 0.56. Apgar scores, NACScores and the umbilical blood analysis showed no evidence of neonatal depression. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly with short duration of surgery (21 +/- 5 min) intrathecal mepivacaine combined with fentanyl offers a favorable clinical alternative in parturients undergoing elective Cesarean delivery.

Anesthesia, Spinal↗

PubMed2003

Cardiopulmonary bypass impairs left ventricular function determined by conductance catheter measurement.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative cardiac depression is attributed to ischemia and the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To evaluate the effect of CPB alone on postoperative left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, we used a conductance catheter to determine the LV performance by pressure-volume relation before and after CPB. METHODS: Twenty-two 3-week-old piglets underwent sternotomy and normothermic CPB for one hour. A conductance catheter was placed in the LV cavity. End-systolic pressure-volume relationships (ESPVR), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured under steady-state conditions before and 15 min after weaning from CPB in group A (n = 11). Group B included 11 piglets without CPB and served as control. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups before initiating CPB. As an indication of depressed LV function, the ESPVR slope (mmHg/ml) was significantly lower in group A after weaning from CPB than in group B (1.69 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.86 +/- 0.55; p = 0.008). In group A, peak dP/dt (max index) (mmHg/s/m (2)) decreased markedly (1596 +/- 339 vs. 2045 +/- 206; p = 0.03), while LVEDP (mmHg) was significantly increased (11.7 +/- 2.6 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.9; p < 0.0001). In addition, SVR (index) (dyn x s x cm (-5)/m (2)) in group A was significantly lower (1407 +/- 176 vs. 1677 +/- 313; p < 0.0001) than in group B. CONCLUSION: Using the very sensitive conductance catheter technique in a pig model, we could show that CPB leads to a significant depression of LV contractility and elastance even without ischemic arrest.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Degradation characteristics of alpha and beta tri-calcium-phosphate (TCP) in minipigs.

In seven Goettingen minipigs 3.5--4.7-ml cancellous bone defects were created in the area of the tibial head on both sides. The defects were filled with alpha-TCP or beta-TCP (tricalciumphosphate). ITI implants (Straumann, Freiburg, Germany) of 3.2 x 12-mm length were inserted into the underlying ceramic substitutes. Two additional pigs were used as control. Within the periods of observation (4, 16, 20, 28, 46, 68, and 86 weeks) fluorescent dyes were applied. Nondecalcified thin-sliced sections were examined by means of light and fluorescence microscopy. In addition microangiography and microradiography were performed. Bony regeneration occurred basally and on the sides of the defect according the angiogenetic reossification pattern. Resorption was due to a hydrolytic and cellular degradation process. After 46 weeks histomorphological evaluation showed an incomplete osseointegration of the simultaneously implanted dental implants. The bone contact surface ratio was lower than 25%. After 86 weeks 95--97% of both alpha- and beta-TCP were resorbed. Ceramic residuals stayed within the newly formed trabeculae thus resisting further degradation until remodeling occurred. Both alpha- and beta-TCP show a comparable degradation process. At the 86-week postoperative point only small residuals of the ceramic can be found. These residuals stay within the newly formed trabeculae, which show a functional orientation. In comparison control defects showed only sparse reossification. The beta-TCP material shows an accelerated degradation mode and has an optimal reactivity with the surrounding tissues. According to the results of this animal experiment both materials can be classified as bone-rebuilding materials.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Coronary bypass operation with complete median sternotomy in awake patients with high thoracic peridural anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: High thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) combined with general anesthesia is increasingly being used for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation. Recent developments in beating heart techniques have rendered the use of TEA alone in conscious patients possible and have been reported for single-vessel beating heart CABG via lateral thoracotomy. For multi-vessel revascularization the heart is usually approached via median sternotomy, therefore the use of TEA alone was applied in awake patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent CABG via median sternotomy. METHODS: A total of 10 patients scheduled for awake coronary artery bypass grafting (ACAB) received TEA via an epidural catheter placed at T1/2 or T2/3. Total arterial myocardial revascularization was performed after median sternotomy. In addition to standard monitoring, anesthetic sensory and motor block levels were determined using an epidural scoring scale for arm movements (ESSAM). RESULTS: Except for one patient who required intraoperative endotracheal intubation due to a pneumothorax, all patients were awake and maintained spontaneous breathing during the entire procedure. Compared to baseline values, hemodynamic parameters, e.g. arterial blood pressure (SAP, MAP, DAP) and heart rate significantly declined during coronary anastomosis. No significant hypercarbia was observed. The intraoperative pain level was subjectively estimated by the patients as less than 20 out of 100 (median 10.95% confidence interval 4.2-21.6) using a visual analogue scale. All patients rated TEA as "good" or "excellent." Adverse effects associated with TEA were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: We could demonstrate that the use of TEA alone for CABG via median sternotomy was feasible and produced good results. High patient satisfaction in our small and highly selected cohort could be reported. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials in large cohorts are mandatory to definitively evaluate the role of TEA alone in cardiac surgery.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

[Preoxygenation with the NasOral((R)) system or the standard face mask?].

INTRODUCTION: Adequate preoxygenation of patients before onset of apnea for orotracheal intubation is of major importance in general anaesthesia. Various preoxygenation techniques are available but a face mask providing an oxygen supply via the circle absorber system of a mechanical respirator is most frequently used. Recently, a new device for preoxygenation - the NasOral((R)) system - has become available. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of intrapulmonary oxygen storage with either the NasOral((R)) device or the standard face mask. METHODS: After informed and written consent and ethics committee approval was obtained, 40 elective patients (ASA I and II) undergoing surgical procedures of the neck and mouth area, were enrolled in this randomized, prospective study. In group A ( n=20), preoxygenation was performed using the NasOral((R)) system. Patients inhaled 100% oxygen through the nose and exhaled orally through unidirectional valves. In group B ( n=20), a conventional face mask with an O(2) flow of 15 l/min and an open airway pressure release valve was used for preoxygenation. In both groups preoxygenation lasted for 2.5 min. Induction of general anaesthesia was performed in a standardized manner. After intubation patients were not ventilated until the O(2) saturation in pulse oximetry (psaO(2)) dropped to 95%. This time of apnea was recorded in both groups and we determined the hemoglobin concentration (cHb) after beginning of ventilation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard to demographic data and cHb. Time of apnea leading to a O(2) saturation of 95% was 6.0+/-2.1 min in group A and 6.3+/-2.1 min in group B (mean+/-SD, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both the NasOral((R)) system and the face mask are effective for intrapulmonary oxygen storage. In both systems the O(2) flow has to be adequately high and the masks have to be held tightly in order to avoid any contamination of the inhaled oxygen with nitrogen. Due to its unidirectional flow, the NasOral((R)) system additionally requires the patient to be cooperative. As the NasOral((R)) system is more expensive and has no clinical advantages without apneic oxygenation, we prefer the standard face mask for patient preoxygenation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Total arterial bypass operations with complete sternotomy in the awake patient].

BACKGROUND: In minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery beating heart procedures and operations via limited incisions became more popular and are routinely performed in many centers. An additional approach to minimize general trauma is avoidance of general anesthesia endotracheal intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March and June 2001, 14 spontaneously breathing patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart without general anesthesia. Intra- and postoperative analgesia management was performed using continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetics at level Th2-Th3. Single (n = 8) as well as double (n = 5) and triple (n = 1) bypass grafting was performed with the off pump technique. Surgical access to the chest cavity was created via partial (n = 8) or complete sternotomy (n = 6). RESULTS: Twelve patients remained awake throughout the procedure; 2 patients required secondary intubation due to incomplete sensory block and pneumothorax. Operating time was 94 +/- 18 minutes. Intermediate care monitoring time amounted to 4.8 +/- 0.6 hours. No surgery-related complications or myocardial infarction occurred. Postoperative angiography reviewed good graft function in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary experience shows that complete surgical revascularization is safe and feasible without endotracheal intubation and general anesthesia. Thus, invasiveness in cardiac surgery is further reduced with less need for intensive care unit monitoring enabling faster mobilization and recovery.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

[Endoscopically-assisted LeFort I osteotomy in distraction procedures of the maxilla].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of combining a minimally invasive endoscopic approach to the maxilla with transverse and sagittal distraction procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four human cadavers were used for training of a minimally invasive access to the maxilla to perform an endoscopically assisted Le Fort I osteotomy, before this technique was applied in three patients with transverse and sagittal growth deficits of the maxilla. Access to the maxilla was gained through a small mucosa incision in the vestibule to create a visualization port to the maxillary sinus through a bur hole. Landmarks were identified through the endoscope before a Le Fort I osteotomy was performed using straight and angulated chisels of different form and angulation. In two patients, the maxilla was split sagittally to perform a transverse maxillary expansion. In one patient, a buried distractor was applied close to the piriform aperture to correct a sagittal growth deficit in a hypoplastic maxilla. RESULTS: The endoscopic exposure of the maxillary sinus walls from within the sinus, the accurate identification of landmarks, and the creation of a Le Fort I osteotomy was achieved in all cases. Distractor application close to the piriform aperture rendered good stability. CONCLUSION: The results of these case reports indicate that the endoscopic approach to the maxillary sinus allows excellent exposure of the sinus walls to perform an endoscopically assisted Le Fort I osteotomy. The combination of endoscopy and osteodistraction supports the trend toward minimally invasive, less traumatic surgical procedures, especially in individuals still growing.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Long-term results of distraction osteogenesis of the maxilla and midface.

Since the beginning of 1998, eight patients have been treated by osteodistraction to correct hypoplasia of the maxilla and midface of various origins. Among them were five patients who were treated by high LeFort I osteotomies and insertion of subcutaneous intraoral distraction devices in the malar region. In the remaining three patients, extraoral distraction devices were applied after LeFort II and III osteotomies. Distraction osteogenesis was successful in all cases, resulting in a mean sagittal bone gain measured parallel to the skull base of 9.0 mm (range 4.5-12.0) in the group treated with intraoral distractors and a mean of 20.3 mm in the extraoral distraction group (range 15.0-25.0). All patients were kept under orthodontic supervision before, during, and after osteodistraction. Long-term cephalometric and clinical evaluation after a mean follow-up period of 24 months in the intraoral distraction group (range 22-26) and 12 months in the extraoral distraction group (range 10-14) show stable results concerning the skeletal and dental relations. Long-term follow-up is necessary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Computer-enhanced telemanipulation enables a variety of totally endoscopic cardiac procedures.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in the field of cardiac surgery in 1997, computer-enhanced telemanipulation has been used in a number of different specialized areas. In cardiac surgery, various procedures have been successfully completed in totally endoscopic fashion ever since. Between June 1999 and January 2002, 75 closed-chest cardiac procedures have been performed at our institution using the da Vinci telemanipulation system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 42 patients, a single-vessel totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass was performed on the arrested heart (left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD), n = 36; right internal thoracic artery (RITA) to right coronary artery (RCA), n = 6). 12 patients had different types of multivessel revascularization using both internal thoracic arteries. 8 patients underwent LITA-to-LAD grafting on the beating heart. 10 patients underwent closure of an atrial septal defect (9 direct, 1 patch). 3 patients received an epicardial left ventricular pacemaker lead, 2 of which were reoperations. RESULTS: Overall conversion rate to any kind of incision was 25 %. The last 26 LITA to LAD patients on the arrested heart had a conversion rate of 4 %. There were no mortalities, 3 patients required reexploration via a median sternotomy, and one patient suffered a hypoxemic brain damage. The first 22 TECAB patients demonstrated excellent graft patency in angiographic control upon discharge. None of the atrial septal defect (ASD) closures showed any residual shunt on the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). Patients with end-stage heart failure had successful biventricular stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our current experience confirms the feasibility of various totally endoscopic cardiac procedures with good clinical outcomes. After a steep learning curve, the conversion rate could be lowered to an acceptable figure. Some of these procedures at our institution became a reasonable treatment alternative in selected patients.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

PubMed2002

[Quality of life and tolerance of maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma].

Questionnaires on the quality of life and tolerance of different parts of maintenance treatment were sent to a total of 83 patients with multiple myeloma. All patients were for more than one year on maintenance treatment which involved either interferon alpha monotherapy (I), 3 million u. three times per week till signs of relapse developed or sequence administration of interferon alpha and dexamethazone 40 mg on day 1 to 4, 10 to 13 and 20 to 23 and then after a four-week interval again interferon alpha, again till progression of the disease occurred. The patients evaluated the presence or absence of different undesirable effects of treatment during the first two weeks of treatment and throughout the year and listed their intensity into four categories defined in the questionnaire. The quality of life was evaluated by means of a basic module of the questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30). The results of the questionnaire are to a certain extent surprising as from the patients' answers ensues that this maintenance treatment is associated with more numerous undesirable effects than the physicians realized when in contact with the patient. In this summary we can list only the most frequent effects (deterioration of eyesight, impaired sleep, depressions, irritability and unrest, chill, pain in muscles and joints, general weakness and dyspnoea). From the questionnaires on the quality of life ensues a markedly poorer quality of life of these patients as compared with the healthy population. There are however no basic differences between individual groups. The questionnaires were handed only to patients who had maintenance treatment for more than one year and thus patients were eliminated where maintenance treatment was discontinued because of undesirable effects. To give a general idea of the tolerance of the above maintenance treatment the authors mention that to the date of Aug. 31, 2001 113 patients were randomized into one of the branches of maintenance treatment. Maintenance treatment had to be discontinued in 6% patients (in two instances on account of severe hypothyroidism, in one case on account of hallucinations, in three instances on account of severe mental depression caused by this treatment). Reduction of interferon doses in 20% patients usually because of cytopenia but also on account of psychic problem. To the question what length of prolongation of life compensates the undesirable effects of maintenance treatment the following replies were obtained from patients receiving ID, possibly I: 3 months--47.6 and 38.3%, 6 months--4.3 and 10.6%, 9 months--0 and 4.3%, 12 months--47.6 and 46.8% of the addressed patients. In reply to the question whether the patients would prefer, assuming equal effectiveness, a maintenance monotherapy with interferon alpha or dexamethazone more patients preferred interferon to dexamethasone. For practice ensues from this article informing on undesirable effects of maintenance treatment and the effect of maintenance treatment on the quality of life: 1. the necessity of thorough knowledge of physicians of all possible undesirable effects as only a doctor knowing possible undesirable effects of treatment can recognize them, 2. regular monitoring not only of the activity of the basic disease, but also undesirable effects of maintenance treatment and the influence of treatment on the patients' quality of life, 3. the necessity to assess the quality of life in clinical trials as an important parameter for deciding on the way of treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2002

Transesophageal echocardiography or fluoroscopy during port-access surgery?

INTRODUCTION: In Port-Access cardio-surgical procedures, both intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy can be used for placement of the catheters and cannulae needed for cardiopulmonary bypass. Our study sought to clarify whether it is possible to rely exclusively on TEE for catheter placement without increasing the risk for the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients underwent cardiac surgery with the Port-Access system. Fluoroscopy as well as TEE were used for placement of the transjugular and transfemoral catheters required for cardiopulmonary bypass. The time required for fluoroscopy was recorded, as were any complications during cannulation and cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: The average fluoroscopy time was 10.7 +/- 12.1 min. Fluoroscopy time required for placement of the coronary sinus and pulmonary vent catheters could be reduced to zero early in the course of the study. Once we had gained enough experience with TEE, fluoroscopy for placement of the transfemoral catheters was also no longer necessary. During cannulation, 3 patients suffered complications requiring immediate surgical intervention. These complications were all diagnosed by TEE. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that positioning of the coronary sinus and the pulmonary vent catheters is safe and practicable with TEE alone. Nonetheless, if TEE imaging is poor or fails, fluoroscopy has still a place in Port-Access surgery and should always be available intraoperatively.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Echocardiographic findings in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting: The role of intrathoracic CO2 - insufflation and single lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Current options for surgical treatment of coronary single vessel disease range from beating heart procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass via a mini thoracotomy (MIDCAB) to totally endoscopic robot-assisted techniques (TECAB) with cardiopulmonary bypass. Both procedures are associated with considerable stress even before revascularization such as single lung ventilation, temporary coronary occlusion, Luxatio cordis, intrathoracic CO2 insufflation and extended bypass and operating time. The aim of the this study was to document the extent of intraoperative segmental wall motion abnormalities (SWMA) by echocardiography, and to identify variables affecting SWMA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with coronary single vessel disease were included in the study. 16 patients were operated with the MIDCAB technique, and 24 patients underwent TECAB. In both groups of patients sequential transesophageal echocardiograms (2D-loops) were recorded and analyzed. Hemodynamic and electrocardiographic data as well as oxygenation parameters were acquired during echo exams. In both groups of patients mild, but significant perioperative SWMA were identified, which increased in the course of the operation. These SWMA were more pronounced in the TECAB as compared to the MIDCAB group. Independent of operating time these changes disappeared completely until the ends of surgery. Significant hemodynamic or elektrocardiographic modifications were not observed. CONCLUSION: The application of minimally invasive techniques for the surgical treatment of coronary single vessel disease is associated with significant perioperative SWMA. The more pronounced SWMA in the TECAB group may be a consequence of intrathoracic CO2-insufflation. Both techniques can be applied without significant myocardial ischemia, provided that appropriate intraoperative monitoring is performed, and intrathoracic CO2 pressure in TECAB patients is limited.

Blood Gas Analysis↗