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Biomedical subjects

S E Heintz

Publications and source records attributed to S E Heintz.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Growth of the pulmonary arteries following Blalock-Taussig shunt.

The Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt remains the standard systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt. We reviewed our experience with the classic BT shunt in terms of mortality, patency, duration of palliation, and growth of the pulmonary artery. Records were reviewed in 49 consecutive patients, 25 of whom were less than one month old at the time of operation. They underwent a total of 53 BT shunts. Also, the pulmonary artery index (PAI), or the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the right and left pulmonary arteries standardized by the body surface area (BSA), was calculated. There were 4 operative deaths (7.5%) and 1 late death (2.0%). Early shunt thrombosis (within 72 hours postoperatively) occurred in 3 patients. Four patients required a second BT shunt, 5 underwent a palliative outflow tract reconstruction, and 5 required a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Twenty-one patients underwent a corrective procedure, and 26 underwent a second cardiac catheterization. Of these 26 patients, 24 represent the subgroup used to assess the growth of the pulmonary arteries. The mean duration of palliation was 25.15 months. Mean PAI increased significantly from 127 +/- 40 mm2/BSA pre-shunt to 286.1 +/- 144 mm2/BSA post-shunt (p less than .004). This series demonstrates that the pulmonary arteries do grow after BT shunt. Pulmonary artery growth in patients with tetralogy of Fallot was greater than that in patients with single ventricle, and the duration of palliation was acceptable in most patients. Calculation of PAI may aid in the decision whether to perform a corrective surgical procedure or a second palliative shunt procedure.

Heart Defects, Congenital↗

Bronchial carcinoid tumors.

Forty-six patients with bronchial carcinoid tumors were operated on over a 37-year period. The results were reviewed with special reference to presenting complaint, histological diagnosis, location of the tumor, lymphatic involvement, and type of surgical resection. Age at operation ranged from 9 to 86 years (mean, 43.6 years). Presenting symptoms were hemoptysis in 21 instances, chronic cough in 17, and pneumonia in 15. The primary tumor was within the main bronchus in 17 patients. Twenty-one patients required pneumonectomy, and 20 had lobectomy or bilobectomy . Nine of the patients under-going pneumonectomy had severely damaged lung tissue distal to the lesion in the main bronchus. Six patients had metastases to hilar nodes. Four patients died of carcinoid tumor, but none with metastases died of carcinoid tumor. This series confirms the low malignancy potential of bronchial carcinoid tumors, even in the presence of lymphatic involvement. Although conservative resection is an attractive surgical option, only 10 of the 46 (22%) were potential candidates for such intervention. Standard surgical resection resulted in "cure" in 90% of the patients in the series.

Adenoma↗

Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Fifty-seven babies were surgically treated for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula between 1968 and 1978. Forty-eight (84%) had proximal esophageal atresia and a distal tracheoesophageal fistula, 2 (4%) had proximal and distal esophageal atresia and no tracheosophageal fistula, and 7 (12%) had a tracheosophageal fistula without esophageal atresia. Primary repair was accomplished in 43 patients (75%), colon interposition was required in 5 (9%), while the remainder had staged or palliative reapirs. Forty-six (81%) survived surgical treatment. All 21 babies in Waterston Category A, 90% of 20 in Category B, and 44% of 16 in Category C survived surgical treatment. Serious complications occurred in 17 (30%), and dilatable strictures and other minor problems developed in 27 (47%). Late follow-up (mean, 48 months) revealed 3 (7%) late deaths, 2 of which were due to congenital heart disease. Three patients required late colon interposition, and several require frequent dilatations of the esophagus. The Category A and B survivors are all functionally well, while the 5 surviving Category C patients are all significantly impaired by associated anomalies.

Child, Preschool↗

Value of arterial pressure measurements in the proximal and distal part of the thigh in arterial occlusive disease.

A prospective study was carried out comparing two techniques of segmental arterial pressure measurements of the leg to detect, localize and quantify regional arterial occlusive disease. The measurement of pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh with the narrow cuff technique permitted correct anatomic localization of aortoiliac, femoropopliteal or combined disease in 78 per cent of diseased extremities, including all limbs with isolated aortoiliac or femoropopliteal disease. A single wide cuff arterial pressure measurement of the thigh correctly localized arterial obstructions in only 19 per cent of diseased extremities. Although a wide cuff is associated with less artifactual elevation in measured arterial pressure at the thigh, this advantage is outweighed by the limitation of diagnostic accuracy in localizing segmental arterial occlusive disease. We recommend that segmental arterial pressure measurements of the limb be made at four levels on the lower extremity, including arterial pressures of the proximal and distal parts of the thigh to achieve maximal diagnostic accuracy.

Angiography↗

Repair of coarctation of the aorta in children with Turner syndrome.

Increased risk of perioperative hemorrhage has been described in patients with Turner syndrome and coarctation of the aorta. We have operated on 11 patients with Turner syndrome and coarctation of the aorta, two of whom developed bleeding. One patient died. End-to-end anastomosis was performed in all patients. Histologic studies of resected specimens did not reveal any abnormalities. The risk of bleeding was not related to age at the time of repair or postoperative hypertension. Although no specific abnormality has been identified in these patients, the risk of serious hemorrhage appears increased.

Aortic Coarctation↗