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Biomedical subjects

S J Leshin

Publications and source records attributed to S J Leshin.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

The diving reflex used to treat paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.

Induction of the diving reflex, by immersion of the face in cold water (2 degrees C) while the breath was held, converted paroxysmal atrial tachycardia to sinus rhythm within 15-35 seconds in seven patients (aged 22-66). Four had histories of heart attacks that had previously required vasopressor therapy, and two had been digitalised; three had no history of prior paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or heart-disease. The reported procedure, which is convenient, non-invasive, and can be self administered by the patient after brief instruction, may offer a useful adjunct to carotid-sinus massage and intravenous infusion of vasopressors for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.

Adult↗

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in patients in cardiogenic shock, medically refractory left ventricular failure and/or recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

Of the 27 patients described, 23 were in cardiogenic shock, 2 had severe left ventricular failure, and 2 had medically refractory ventricular tachycardia. Utilizing intraaortic counterpulsation, adequate systemic blood pressure was initially restored in 19 patients. Nine of these were subsequently weaned from circulatory assistance, but only three were discharged from the hospital and are currently alive. The remaining 10 patients who derived initial benefit from circulatory assistance were balloon-dependent in that they could not be weaned from circulatory assistance. Eight of these patients subsequently underwent cardiac catheterization; four had inoperable disease. The remaining four patients underwent surgery for either resection of the area of infarction and/or for myocardial revascularization; only one survived to subsequently leave the hospital. Ventricular volumes were abnormal and ejection fractions were below 30 per cent in all the patients in cardiogenic shock except one who underwent cardiac catheterization and ultimately died. Ejection fractions were greater than 30 per cent in the two patients with cardiogenic shock who were weaned from balloon support and survived to leave the hospital without surgery. Both of these patients had inferior myocardial infarction. The data obtained from this experience suggest that intraaortic counterpulsation is a very useful adjunct to currently existing medical measures to treat both cardiogenic shock and medically refractory left ventricular failure but that most patients have such extensive disease that they can neither be weaned from balloon support nor undergo successful infarctectomy or myocardial revascularization.

Adult↗

Dimensional analysis of the left ventricle: effects of acute aortic regurgitation.

The effects of acute severe aortic regurgitation on the left ventricle were investigated in conscious, chronically instrumented dogs. Left ventricular dimensions and volumes were measured from biplane cineradiographs of beads positioned near the endocardium. Data were collected before and after the production of aortic regurgitation by a catheter technique. The aortic regurgitation resulted in increases in mean aortic pulse pressure from 44 to 73 mmHg (P smaller than 0.001), heart rate from 87 to 122 beats/min (P smaller than 0.02), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 11 to 25 mmHg (P smaller than 0.05). Mean end-diastolic volume rose from 61 to 69 cc (P smaller than 0.001), while end-systolic volume remained unchanged at 37 cc. The end-diastolic dilatation following regurgitation was asymmetrical in that the increase in size was due principally to an increase in the septal-lateral axis. The acute volume load of aortic regurgitation was accomplished by an increase in end-diastolic volume, i.e., the Frank-Starling mechanism. The tachycardia probably reflects augmented cardiac sympathetic activity, but the constant end-systolic volume at a similar mean systolic pressure suggests that the net contractile state was unchanged.

Animals↗

Skeletal muscle metabolites in patients with cardiogenic shock or severe congestive heart failure.

Skeletal muscle metabolite concentrations were determined in 19 patients in either cardiogenic shock or severe left ventricular failure by obtaining a needle biopsy specimen of lateral thigh muscle. Evidence of anaerobic skeletal muscle metabolism was found in both patient groups with the greatest lactate accumulation and most severe high-energy phosphate depletion present in the patients in cardiogenic shock. The skeletal muscle lactate accumulation was most pronounced in the patients that died. Blood lactate values did not absolutely predict skeletal muscle lactate concentrations in those patients in whom skeletal muscle lactate concentrations were the highest. The patients in cardiogenic shock and severe left ventricular failure who survived demonstrated a reduction in skeletal muscle lactate levels and a restoration of high-energy phosphates over several days which correlated with clinical and hemodynamic improvement.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗