Biomedical subjects

R Kaulitz

Publications and source records attributed to R Kaulitz.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Comparative value of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of congenital abnormalities of the atrioventricular junction.

Information obtained from transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (two-dimensional echocardiography with spectral Doppler and color flow imaging) was compared in 17 patients with major congenital abnormalities of the atrioventricular (AV) junction (10 discordant AV connections, 1 criss-cross connection, 5 absent right connections and 1 absent left connection). The findings by either technique were correlated with findings at cardiac catheterization (12 patients) and at surgery (5 patients). In two of six patients with an absent AV connection as defined by transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal imaging demonstrated an imperforate AV valve. In 11 of 11 patients with a discordant or criss-cross connection, assessment of AV valve and ventricular morphology (by defining the chordal attachments of both AV valves) was possible with transesophageal echocardiography (3 of 11 patients by transthoracic echocardiography); chordal straddling was detected in 1 patient and excluded in 3 others with an associated inlet ventricular septal defect. Anomalous pulmonary venous connection (one patient), atrial septal defect (three patients) and subpulmonary stenosis (five patients) were better assessed by transesophageal imaging, and atrial appendage morphology could be demonstrated in all. The transesophageal technique was less useful in demonstrating the anterior subaortic infundibulum or aortopulmonary shunt (two patients). Although systemic ventricular function could be assessed by either method with use of short-axis M-mode scans, transesophageal pulsed Doppler interrogation of AV valve and pulmonary venous flow patterns provided clues to diastolic dysfunction of the systemic ventricle.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Comparative roles of intraoperative epicardial and early postoperative transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of surgical repair of congenital heart defects.

In 94 consecutive patients undergoing surgical repair of congenital heart defects the results of intraoperative (after cardiopulmonary bypass) epicardial two-dimensional and Doppler color flow imaging were compared with those of sequential transthoracic echocardiography performed within 24 h of surgery and again before hospital discharge to define the precise role of intraoperative imaging. In 6 of 7 patients with a residual defect requiring immediate surgical revision, intraoperative imaging correctly identified the defect; spectral Doppler imaging underestimated or did not identify a residual outflow tract gradient in 17 patients. Left atrioventricular (AV) valve regurgitation after repair of complete AV septal defect was underestimated in three patients. Although intraoperative documentation of good ventricular function was usually associated with a good outcome, in three patients poor systemic ventricular function after cardiopulmonary bypass was not associated with early mortality. A minor degree of shunting around the patch was a common finding on epicardial and early postoperative imaging and persisted at the time of hospital discharge in 17 of 46 patients who had undergone patch closure of a ventricular septal defect as part of the surgical procedure. Additional trabecular septal defects were missed on color flow imaging after cardiopulmonary bypass in three patients, one of whom required subsequent reoperation. Although intraoperative two-dimensional and color flow imaging permitted the recognition of the majority of residual defects requiring immediate revision, residual outflow obstruction or AV valve regurgitation was usually underestimated.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intraoperative transesophageal versus epicardial ultrasound in surgery for congenital heart disease.

Twenty-eight patients (age range, 0.7 to 65 years; median age, 6.1 years) who were undergoing correction for congenital heart disease were entered into a prospective study with both intraoperative transesophageal and epicardial ultrasound to determine the relative values of these techniques before and after bypass surgery. Introduction of the transesophageal probe was successful in 26 patients (93%); children were studied with use of dedicated pediatric transducers. Epicardial studies were performed in all 28 patients. Epicardial studies allowed for higher resolution imaging and a more complete assessment before bypass surgery of the intracardiac morphological condition (ventricular septum and right ventricular outflow tract) than the assessment that was obtained by the transesophageal approach. In the period immediately after bypass surgery, the transesophageal technique allowed a more detailed insight into atrioventricular valve function (valvar regurgitation [five patients] and ventricular inflow patterns) and the continuous monitoring of left ventricular function and volume. Residual interventricular shunting (three patients) or residual outflow tract obstruction (four patients) could not be reliably documented by transesophageal studies. It is concluded that intraoperative transesophageal and epicardial ultrasound in surgery for congenital heart disease are complementary rather than alternative techniques.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The value of transesophageal echocardiography in children with congenital heart disease.

With the use of dedicated pediatric single-plane probes, transesophageal echocardiography was performed prospectively in 102 children to determine the potential value of this new technique in the diagnosis (40 patients) and the follow-up of congenital heart disease (29 patients) and as a monitoring technique during the perioperative period or interventional cardiac catheterization (33 patients). The findings were correlated with precordial studies (102 patients), cardiac catheterization (82 patients), epicardial ultrasound findings (18 patients), or surgical inspection (34 patients). The age at investigation ranged from 2.5 months to 14.9 years (mean age, 5.2 years); weight ranged from 3.7 to 52 kg (mean weight, 19.1 kg). Additional information was obtained in 49 patients (48.4%) and was relevant for patient management in 21 patients (20.6%). Major areas of improved diagnostic insight included the following: (1) systemic and pulmonary venous return, (2) atrial morphology, (3) atrioventricular junction abnormalities, (4) left ventricular outflow tract disease, (5) atrial baffle function, and (6) the Fontan circulation. Inherent limitations were as follows: (1) the semiinvasive character of the procedure, (2) the need for heavy sedation or general anesthesia, and (3) the limited imaging planes provided. Transesophageal echocardiography in children can provide important additional diagnostic information on a wide spectrum of congenital heart lesions. The technique would appear to be a highly valuable adjunct to the diagnostic armentarium of the pediatric cardiologist.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Thrombotic occlusion of the abdominal aorta in the neonatal period--successful thrombolytic treatment].

Aortic thrombosis during neonatal period is rare and usually related to an umbilical artery catheter. In an infant (birth weight 3110 gm) with complete thrombosis of the abdominal aorta distal to the renal arteries of unknown etiology we started a fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase at the age of 12 days (streptokinase intravenously with an initial loading dose of 3000 U/kg, maintenance 1000 U/kg/hr for 2 days). This was followed by a heparinisation (10,000 U/m2/d, 24 hours later 200 U/kg/d). 72 hours after onset of therapy there was no blood pressure difference between upper and lower limbs. Side-effects of therapy did not occur; the success of medical treatment continued after termination of the heparinisation.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Long-term course of 6 boys with congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus].

From 1975-1986 6 boys with congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus were diagnosed at the age of 3 months to 10 years. Symptoms appeared within the first few weeks of life. The diagnosis was confirmed by polyuria, low urinary osmolality (97-225 mosm/kg H20), hypernatraemia (max. 171 mmol/l) and the missing response to vasopressin. The treatment was variable; 4 boys received only hydrochlorothiazide (2-2.5 mg/kg/d) which lead to a reduction of the daily urinary volume of 26-44%. Hyperelectrolytaemia disappeared and a normal thriving could be achieved. Later an additional treatment with indomethacin (2 mg/kg/d) was necessary in 3 boys because of an increase of polyuria; there was a further reduction of the daily urinary volume of 50-60%. The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and indomethacin in the treatment of the congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus was well tolerated and seems to be--especially during the first few years of life--a necessary and effective treatment which allows a normal thriving and psychointellectual development.

Adolescent↗