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Biomedical subjects

S H Hou

Publications and source records attributed to S H Hou.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Ventricular septal defect in Chinese with aortic valve prolapse and aortic regurgitation.

The incidence of aortic valve prolapse and aortic regurgitation (AR) among Chinese with ventricular septal defect (VSD) has not been studied, and controversies still exist regarding optimal surgical treatment and timing of operation for this condition. A prospective study of 332 consecutive patients with VSD showed that aortic valve prolapse and AR occurred in 43 (11.9%) patients. Valve lesions occurred more commonly among patients with subpulmonic VSD (28.0%) than with subaortic VSD (8.8%) (P less than 0.005). A retrospective study of another 306 patients revealed that 37 (12.1%) had valve complications. Of the 80 patients with valve lesions, 60 were males and 20 were females. The youngest ages of prolapse and AR in subpulmonic VSD were 7 months and 3 years 8 months, respectively; those in subaortic VSD were 2 years and 3 years 6 months, respectively. Valve prolapse occurred mostly before the age of 6-10 years, leading progressively to AR. The coronary cusps prolapsed in subpulmonic VSD were limited to the right cusp; and those in subaortic VSD were the right cusp, noncoronary cusp, or both. The magnitude of left-to-right shunts was small and the pulmonary artery pressure was normal in the majority of patients. Seventy-two patients underwent open-heart closure of the VSD, with additional valvuloplasty in 15 and valve replacement in three patients. It is concluded that Chinese with VSD are prone to develop aortic valve complications. Surgical closure of the subpulmonic VSD may restore the prolapsed valve to normal. Closure of the subaortic VSD has little effect. Valvuloplasty in subaortic VSD may palliate AR, but in all probability cannot restore valve competency.

Adolescent↗

Downward displacement of aortic anulus leading to aortic and mitral regurgitation.

A rare case of combined aortic and mitral regurgitation resulting from downward displacement of the aortic anulus is reported. The patient was treated successfully with an aortic valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis, which was anchored at the normal site of the aortic anulus. No procedures were performed on the mitral valve, but mitral regurgitation was not evident postoperatively.

Adult↗

Pregnancy in women with renal disease and moderate renal insufficiency.

Data were gathered on 25 pregnancies in 23 women with moderate renal insufficiency as defined by a serum creatinine level of 1.4 mg/dl or greater prior to or at the onset of pregnancy. Twelve of the women had primary glomerular diseases, five (accounting for seven pregnancies) had interstitial diseases, and six had other renal diseases. In seven women with baseline serum creatinine levels ranging from 1.7 to 2.7 mg/dl, pregnancy was accompanied by a decline in renal function that was believed to be greater than expected from the natural history of the disease. The change ranged from a rise in serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dl to a functional decline that required dialysis. In 14 women (16 pregnancies), renal function either remained stable or declined to a degree consistent with the natural history of the disease. In two, the follow-up period was not long enough to judge the effect on the natural history of the disease. In 14 pregnancies, development or worsening of hypertension occurred. In nine, the diastolic blood pressure rose to 110 mm Hg or greater, and delivery was required because of hypertension. Twenty-three of 25 pregnancies ended in live births (92 percent) and 21 babies survived (84 percent). Fourteen of the 23 live births were premature. It is concluded that, in a substantial fraction of women with moderate renal insufficiency, pregnancy is accompanied by a decline in renal function; however, the fetal survival is much better than previously reported.

Blood Pressure↗

Hyperprolactinemia in patients with renal insufficiency and chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis or chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Hyperprolactinemia is common in patients with renal failure. Because radiographic contrast material given during a computed tomographic (CT) scan of the sella as part of the evaluation for prolactinoma worsens renal insufficiency, we attempted to define the point at which hyperprolactinemia becomes an expected finding in patients with renal insufficiency in this study. Of 59 patients with serum creatinine levels of 1.5 to 12 mg/dL, 16 (27.1%) were hyperprolactinemic. Of these 16, nine were not taking medications known to raise prolactin levels and their prolactin levels were less than 100 ng/mL. In the eight patients taking medications prolactin levels were much higher. In one patient the prolactin level fell from 2,210 to 100 ng/mL when methyldopa was discontinued. In patients with chronic renal failure prolactin levels were similar regardless of the method of dialysis. We conclude that in the absence of medications known to affect prolactin secretion, hyperprolactinemia occurs infrequently (18.3%) and, when it occurs, is mild (less than 100 ng/mL). Marked hyperprolactinemia may occur in patients taking such medications. These should be stopped and the prolactin level rechecked before a CT scan is performed.

Creatinine↗

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Survival with early cesarean section.

We have cared for two women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy in the past two years. Both patients survived as did three of babies. This compares with published mortality rates of up to 85% with this condition. Both patients presented with symptoms and signs of impending liver failure during the third trimester of pregnancy. Both patients were jaundiced, had elevated aminotransferases, leukocytosis, hepatic encephalopathy, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The diagnosis was confirmed by liver biopsy in both. We attribute the unusually good outcome of these women and their children to early recognition of their disorder and prompt delivery once the diagnosis was considered.

Acute Disease↗

Two-dimensional echocardiographic detection of pericardiocentesis-induced intrapericardial thrombus.

Heart puncture-induced hemopericardium is a serious complication of the pericardiocentesis. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination performed in two patients just before and after the development of hemopericardium revealed a unique image in which pericardial bleeding manifested itself by an echodensity thrombus appearance adjacent to the cardiac chambers. With appropriate differentiation to some other intrapericardial echodensity masses, such distinctive images can be highly specific for active bleeding into the pericardial sac.

Aged↗

Hospital-acquired renal insufficiency: a prospective study.

Twenty-two hundred sixty-two consecutive medical and surgical admissions were evaluated prospectively to determine the contribution of iatrogenic factors to the development of renal insufficiency in hospital. Of 2,216 patients at risk, some degree of renal insufficiency developed in 4.9 percent. Decreased renal perfusion, postoperative renal insufficiency, radiographic contrast media, and aminoglycosides accounted for 79 percent of the episodes. Iatrogenic factors, broadly defined, accounted for 55 percent of all episodes. Poor prognostic indicators included oliguria, urine sediment abnormalities and, most importantly, severity of renal insufficiency; with an increase in serum creatinine of 3 mg/dl or greater, the mortality rate was 64 percent. Age, admission serum creatinine levels, and the number of episodes of renal insufficiency did not significantly affect outcome. We conclude that there is a substantial risk of the development of renal failure in hospital and that the mortality rate due to hospital-acquired renal insufficiency remains high.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Neuroendocrine alterations in systemic disease.

Systemic disorders clearly may exert a significant influence on neuroendocrine function. Disorders that cause significant stress to the body, either physical or psychological, may cause a resetting upward of the HPA axis to provide sufficient cortisol to counteract the stress and to help sustain energy substrate levels. GH levels also increase in many of these situations, again promoting sufficient energy substrate levels. In some circumstances the concomitantly low somatomedin activity may be speculated to be adaptative to prevent the insulin-like agonist activity of these substances as well as to prevent energy expenditure in body growth. However, in other situations such as chronic renal failure and cirrhosis, the decreased somatomedin activity may be primary, causing decreased feedback at the hypothalamic-pituitary level and increased GH levels. The stress-induced rise in PRL may also play a minor role in preserving energy substrate since high levels may promote insulin resistance. In most illnesses the 'euthyroid sick syndrome' develops. Whether such patients are 'euthyroid' or mildly hypothyroid is a matter of controversy. The fact that protein losses are increased during fasting when the lowered T3 levels are returned to normal with exogenous T3 supplementation suggests that these patients are indeed hypothyroid and this hypothyroidism serves to conserve energy substrate by decreasing the metabolic rate. The reproductive axis is often impaired with systemic illness. Again, teleologically this may be viewed as an inactivation of non-essential functions in times of stress. It would appear that the changes that occur with systemic illness, in general, are favourable to the organism in that they promote survival. The detailed neurotransmitter and hypophyseotrophic hormone changes resulting in the alteration in pituitary function remain to be elucidated for the most part.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Midterm outcome of mitral valve regurgitation after repair of atrioventricular septal defect.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of mitral regurgitation (MR) following repair of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs). Echocardiograms of all survivors after AVSD surgery between 1991 and 1996 were reviewed. This study enrolled 16 patients who had had more than two postoperative color Doppler studies. On each echocardiogram, MR severity was graded on a 1+ to 4+ scale, based on the size of the MR jet. Mean age at surgery was 31.1 months (range 2.5 to 83) and mean postoperative follow-up duration was 23.6 months (range 1 to 59). Mild deterioration of mitral valve function was common. MR severity increased by one or more grades in 5 patients (31%) between the initial and final examinations. However, the deterioration in mitral valve function occurred primarily on the immediate postoperative stage. On mid-term follow-up, the MR improved, or at least became stationary, in all patients. Mitral valvuloplasty was not necessary in surviving patients. We conclude that postoperative MR remains fairly stable following AVSD repair. Serious deterioration is rare.

Child↗

Rupture of chordae tendineae in acute rheumatic carditis: report of one case.

Acute rheumatic carditis is a rare cause of ruptured chordae tendineae of the mitral valve. Such rupture could result in severe mitral regurgitation and in fatality. Surgical valvuloplasty or valve replacement is usually necessary. A 12-year old boy presented with acute rheumatic carditis, complicated with rupture of the chordae tendineae of the mitral valve leading to intractable congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock. He was successfully treated by a simple repair of the chordae and by mitral valvuloplasty.

Acute Disease↗

Unilateral pulmonary vein stenosis with atrial septal defect: report of one case.

A male infant with stenosis of the left pulmonary veins and atrial septal defect is reported. He began to have repeated pulmonary infections, with poor response to medical treatment, when he was 6 months old. Localized stenosis of the left upper and lower pulmonary veins were diagnosed with cardiac catheterization at the age of 7 months. Transvenous balloon dilation was attempted, but failed. Surgical treatment with pericardial patch venoplasty of the left pulmonary veins and closure of the atrial septal defect successfully released the pulmonary venous obstruction. There has been a follow-up for more than one year, and no cardiopulmonary symptoms were reported.

Follow-Up Studies↗