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Biomedical subjects

S Lilley

Publications and source records attributed to S Lilley.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Assessment of the quality of neonatal echocardiographic images transmitted by ISDN telephone lines.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of echocardiographic images from neonates transmitted over Integrated Service Digital Network 2 (ISDN2) channels. DESIGN: Echocardiographic images were viewed live in real time either by a direct video link or by transmission over the commercial network, using one, two, or three ISDN2 channels. The order of the viewing formats was random and four observers marked each view for potential for provision of complete diagnostic information and quality. SETTING: Cardiology department of tertiary referral centre for paediatric cardiac services. ISDN lines were positioned in two nearby rooms. Telephone connection was through the commercial network and video connection by a direct video cable. PATIENTS: 10 neonates were studied (weight 2600 to 3900 g). In each, nine echocardiographic studies were undertaken to assess imaging (M mode and cross sectional) and Doppler (spectral and colour) quality. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in diagnostic ability between the different formats for M mode, colour, or spectral Doppler studies. For cross sectional imaging the diagnostic information and image quality increased with increasing numbers of ISDN channels. With six channels there was little difference from the directly connected images. CONCLUSIONS: In echocardiographic assessment of the newborn, one or two ISDN2 channels will transmit images of satisfactory quality in many situations but three or more channels are necessary to ensure minimum degradation of the live image.

Echocardiography↗

Intermittent ductal patency in healthy newborn infants: demonstration by colour Doppler flow mapping.

Colour Doppler flow mapping was used to determine the time of closure of the arterial duct in 51 healthy newborn infants. Initial time of closure corresponded with previous reports: 20% on the first day, 82% by the second day, 96% by the third day, and 100% by the fourth day. Twenty infants were delivered by caesarean section and followed up for seven days even if the duct had apparently closed; in six intermittent patency was demonstrated with flow in the third, fourth or fifth day, although earlier functional closure had been observed. All were found to be closed on the sixth and seventh days. It is necessary to be aware of the phenomenon of intermittent closure in any study determining or assessing the effect of any intervention on ductal patency.

Ductus Arteriosus↗

Electrocardiographic changes during cesarean section under regional anesthesia.

To determine electrocardiographic changes and whether myocardial ischemia occurs during cesarean section, electrocardiograms were recorded continuously using Holter monitoring in 25 patients undergoing elective cesarean section under either spinal or epidural anesthesia. In addition, in 13 of the patients, two-dimensional precordial echocardiography was carried out before and during cesarean section. ST segment depression suggestive of myocardial ischemia occurred in 16 patients including 8 of the 13 with echocardiograms. Wall motion remained entirely normal during episodes of ST segment depression. Patients in whom ST depression developed had significantly more rapid heart rates at delivery than those who did not experience ST depression. We conclude that ST segment depression is a common feature of the electrocardiogram during cesarean section under regional anesthesia and is not the result of myocardial ischemia.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

Balloon atrial septostomy under echocardiographic control: six years' experience and evaluation of the practicability of cannulation via the umbilical vein.

Balloon atrial septostomy was undertaken under cross sectional echocardiographic control in 63 consecutive infants: in no case was fluoroscopic imaging required. The procedure was performed in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, ward side room, or at the bedside in the neonatal intensive care unit. Catheterisation via the umbilical vein was attempted in 37 infants aged less than 48 hours old and was successful in 27. No complication was clearly attributable to the procedure though two infants died. A nine day old child died from disseminated intravascular coagulation the day after septostomy by the iliofemoral route and another, aged nine days, died of necrotising enterocolitis which had developed when he was eight days old, after umbilical catheterisation at eight hours. Balloon atrial septostomy is a safe and easy procedure under cross sectional echocardiographic imaging control. Catheterisation via the umbilical vein was safe, easy to perform, and is appropriate in infants aged less than 48 hours.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Influence of colour Doppler echocardiography on the ultrasonic assessment of congenital heart disease: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the additional information provided by colour Doppler in the ultrasonic assessment of congenital heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 215 children (age range 1 day-16 years) presenting with clinical signs of congenital heart disease. RESULTS: Colour Doppler was essential for the diagnosis of an anomalous left coronary artery and altered the management of a patient initially diagnosed as having cardiomyopathy. Colour Doppler provided extra information, but without major impact on management, in the following: the diagnosis of ventricular septal defects associated with other defects, of multiple ventricular septal defects, of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and of mild mitral regurgitation; the demonstration of site of coarctation, of stenotic or hypoplastic pulmonary artery branches, of unobstructed flow through a right atrial membrane, and of left ventricle to right atrium regurgitation; the assessment of the width of the duct and of flow through the patent foramen ovale in transposition and tricuspid atresia; the differentiation of pulmonary atresia from critical pulmonary stenosis and the measurement of maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: Ideally all patients should undergo colour Doppler studies before cardiac surgery to ensure a more accurate diagnosis. However, since the additional information provided does not affect the management in most patients, machines without colour Doppler can provide a satisfactory service in paediatric cardiology centres in countries where resources are limited.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

A conceptual framework for dietetics.

The model for the practice of dietetics recently adopted by the CDA board of directors clarifies how the different facets of dietetics are interrelated and part of a common definition of dietetics. It is our hope that this discussion will help us to move beyond the question of identity we often feel in our profession and will stimulate debate and the development and testing of alternate models; this should further clarify the essence of dietetic practice and enable us to continue to improve our unique and common contribution towards the provision of quality nutritional care to the population.

Canada↗

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk: elucidation with colour Doppler flow mapping.

Four infants and children with anomalous connection of the left coronary artery to the pulmonary trunk were studied with colour Doppler flow mapping. In three the diagnosis was only suspected when the colour Doppler study showed dilated intraseptal and epicardial vessels and an abnormal flow signal into the pulmonary artery in diastole; this latter signal localised the exact site of communication, which was not apparent on angiocardiography. Two of these patients had previously had operations for severe mitral regurgitation, the diagnosis of anomalous left coronary artery having been previously considered in one but missed despite aortic root angiography. The colour study in the fourth was largely confirmatory, operation without catheterisation being undertaken on the basis of the echocardiographic images. By contrast in two infants subsequently seen with congestive cardiomyopathy the demonstration of flow direction in the left coronary artery confirmed that it was normally connected to the aorta. Colour Doppler flow mapping can show flow direction in the left coronary artery and from the mouth of an anomalous coronary artery into the pulmonary artery, thus simplifying the diagnosis and allowing the site of the connection of the left coronary artery to the pulmonary artery to be determined with precision.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

Variability of the Doppler gradient in pulmonary valve stenosis before and after balloon dilatation.

The variability of the valve gradient measured by Doppler in pulmonary stenosis was compared with the variability of the gradient measured at catheterisation in 42 infants and children undergoing catheterisation with a view to balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valve. The maximum value measured by Doppler when the patient was unsedated was significantly higher than that measured when the patient was sedated for catheterisation, and the maximum gradient was significantly higher shortly after than several days later. In a patient with pronounced infundibular obstruction after dilatation the Doppler signal clearly showed that the obstruction was dynamic, with a superimposed lower fixed signal that correctly predicted the final low gradient. The Doppler gradient in an alert and unsedated patient may be a better measure of the true physiological value. The highest Doppler value so obtained is a more appropriate indicator of the need for balloon dilatation than a single catheter measurement. The result of dilatation is best assessed by Doppler measurement at least a day after the procedure.

Adolescent↗

Congenital fistula between the left ventricle and coronary sinus: elucidation by colour Doppler flow mapping.

A fistula between the left ventricle and the coronary sinus was diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac catheterisation in a symptom free child who presented with clinical signs of mitral regurgitation. A similar abnormality has been reported after repeated mitral valve replacement and after myocardial infarction but a congenital fistula of this type has not been described before.

Child, Preschool↗