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Biomedical subjects

U Kaul

Publications and source records attributed to U Kaul.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Embolization of a Wiktor stent within a stent: successful nonsurgical management.

A case of embolization of an unexpanded Wiktor stent while attempting to traverse an expanded Wiktor stent is reported. The embolized stent was subjected to longitudinal axial traction, using a balloon catheter to cause stretching and partial unraveling. This partially unraveled stent was deployed across the dissection to scaffold it. The patient had no postprocedure complications.

Aged

Comparative study of the efficacy of metoprolol and verapamil in patients with syncope and positive head-up tilt test response.

Head-up tilt testing is a reliable diagnostic tool for patients with recurrent unexplained syncope. It has also been used to assess the drug efficacy for the treatment of patients with syncope. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of verapamil compared with metoprolol in a randomized crossover design for patients with syncope and a positive tilt test response. Twenty-eight patients with a positive head-up tilt test were randomized to receive either metoprolol or verapamil; the test was repeated after 7 days of therapy. Of the 15 patients initially given metoprolol, 2 (13.3%) did not respond; both were crossed over to verapamil, to which they remained unresponsive. Of the 13 patients who initially received verapamil, 8 (61%) did not respond; after crossing over to metoprolol therapy, 1 remained unresponsive. Overall, 20 of 23 patients receiving metoprolol had negative results on repeat tilt testing, whereas only 5 of 15 patients receiving verapamil had negative results (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that verapamil is considerably less efficacious than metoprolol in managing neurocardiogenic syncope.

Adolescent

Adjunctive magnesium infusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction.

Intravenous magnesium therapy in acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to be beneficial in many studies. However, these effects are not consistent from one trial to another, and their clinical significance is often questionable. A total of 78 consecutive patients were included in a prospective placebo controlled, randomized study of the effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion in acute MI. Of these, 52 (66%) received intravenous streptokinase and the rest belonged to a non-thrombolysed group. These patients were randomized to receive magnesium sulfate infusion (8 mmol over 5 min followed by 65 mmol over 24 h) or placebo. The end points were serious arrhythmias, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and death during hospital stay and at the end of 28 days. LVEF measured by radionuclide ventriculography at discharge (9 +/- 5 days) was similar in two groups (41 +/- 11 vs. 39 +/- 10; magnesium vs. placebo respectively, P = 0.40). However, the LVEF of the placebo-treated thrombolysed group was higher than the non-thrombolysed group (42 +/- 10 vs. 37 +/- 0, P = 0.02). Incidence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was higher with placebo than with magnesium (50% vs. 23% respectively, P < 0.02, odds ratio = 0.29; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.1-0.85). Mortality during hospital stay and at the end of 28 days was also similar in both the groups. Thus, the administration of magnesium infusion as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy remains to be of questionable benefit.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

In-hospital outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for long lesions and diffuse coronary artery disease.

We performed coronary angioplasty on 151 long or diffuse lesions (120 long and 31 diffuse) in 141 patients (86% male, mean age 50 +/- 9 years). Long lesions were defined as lesions 11-20 mm in length and diffuse lesions as lesions longer than 20 mm, or three or more lesions in the same vessel. One or more adverse morphologic features were present in 131 (93%) lesions. Long balloons were used in 44%, significantly more often for diffuse disease (long lesions 39% and diffuse disease 64%; P = 0.004). Newer devices including the rotational atherectomy device (9 lesions), stents and perfusion balloons were employed in 18 (12%) lesions, more often for diffuse lesions (long lesions 8% vs. diffuse lesions 26%; P = 0.017). Lesion severity was comparable in the two groups (long lesions: 88 +/- 7%; diffuse lesions: 88 +/- 8%), but diffuse lesions were associated with significantly higher residual stenosis (long lesions: 6 +/- 8%; diffuse lesions: 12 +/- 13%, P = 0.01). Major complications occurred in five (3.5%) patients, including one death (0.7% mortality). The angiographic and clinical success rates for all patients were 99% and 96%, respectively, and were comparable for long and diffuse lesions. Judicious case selection and the use of long balloons and newer interventional devices permit coronary angioplasty for long lesions and diffuse disease with excellent success and a low risk of complications. Diffuse lesions are associated with more frequent use of long balloons and newer devices, especially rotational atherectomy and slightly higher residual stenosis as compared to long lesions.

Adult

Balloon mitral valvotomy in patients with systemic and suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressures.

Mitral stenosis with severe pulmonary artery hypertension constitutes a high risk subset for surgical commissurotomy or valve replacement. Balloon mitral valvotomy has been proposed as a technique for treating high risk surgical patients with mitral stenosis. The efficacy of this technique in patients with severe pulmonary artery hypertension, however, has not been fully evaluated. Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) was performed in 450 consecutive patients. Of these, forty-five (10%) patients had systemic or suprasystemic systolic pulmonary artery pressures (110 +/- 20, range 96 to 170 mm Hg). The baseline characteristics and immediate hemodynamic results of these 45 patients with systemic/suprasystemic systolic pulmonary artery pressures (group I) were analysed and compared with those of 405 patients with subsystemic systolic pulmonary artery pressures (group II). Patients in group I were more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class > or = III, 96 vs. 55%, P < 0.001) and had severe subvalvular fibrosis (mitral subvalvular distance ratio [MSDR], 0.14 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01). Before PTMC, mean transmitral gradient was higher (34 +/- 8 vs. 25 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < 0.02) and mitral valve area smaller (0.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.4 cm2, P < 0.02) in group I patients, who also had higher pulmonary vascular resistance (16 +/- 5 vs. 9 +/- 5 U, P < 0.005). After PTMC final mean transmitral gradients (7 +/- 3 vs. 5 +/- 3 mm Hg) and mitral valve areas (1.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.4 cm2) were similar in both groups (P = NS). Group I patients had a greater decrease in pulmonary artery pressures (34 +/- 4 vs. 25 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) but final systolic pulmonary artery pressures (82 +/- 20 vs. 50 +/- 14 mm Hg) and pulmonary vascular resistance (12 +/- 4 vs. 6 +/- 4 U) remained significantly higher in this group (P < 0.005). Thus, in patients with severe pulmonary artery hypertension, PTMC is a safe and effective technique providing good immediate hemodynamic results.

Adult

Silent myocardial ischemia in diabetics with normal autonomic function.

Twenty male diabetic patients (age range, 40-60 years) with normal autonomic function were studied to determine the prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia on exercise as well as ambulatory electrocardiography. The presence and extent of silent myocardial ischemia was also correlated with the severity of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease as determined by coronary angiography. A cohort of 20 matched non-diabetic patients were also included in the study. Silent myocardial ischemia was detected in 50% of the diabetic patients on exercise electrocardiography and in 35% on ambulatory electrocardiography compared with 10% and 5% in non-diabetics by the two methods, respectively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). On exercise testing in diabetic patients, silent myocardial ischemia was detected in 64% of the patients with three-vessel disease, 50% of the patients with two-vessel disease and 20% of the patients with one-vessel disease whereas in non-diabetic patients silent myocardial ischemia was detected in only 18% of the patients with three-vessel disease (P < 0.05) and in none of the patients with two- or one-vessel disease. On ambulatory electrocardiography, only patients (both diabetic and non-diabetic) with three-vessel disease manifested silent myocardial ischemia. Total ischemic burden was similar in both the diabetic and non-diabetic patients. We conclude that silent myocardial ischemia occurs in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease more frequently even in the absence of autonomic dysfunction and the prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia is higher in patients with severe degree of coronary artery disease.

Adult

Effects of balloon compliance on angiographic and clinical outcomes after PTCA.

Eighty patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for 109 lesions. Comparison was done between two groups based on balloon compliance. The groups were comparable in their baseline characteristics. The mean inflation pressure used with compliant balloons was significantly higher; other procedural variables were not different. The occurrence rates of intimal tears and coronary dissections were not significantly different. The rates of side branch occlusions, myocardial infarction, redo PTCA or coronary stenting and death were low and similar, and likewise unaffected by balloon material. We conclude that the occurrence of adverse outcomes after PTCA is unrelated to balloon material compliance.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary

Retrograde nontransseptal balloon mitral valvuloplasty for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Retrograde nontransseptal balloon mitral valvuloplasty is a relatively new technique for dilating stenosed mitral valves, wherein a specially designed steerable catheter is used to enter the left atrium retrogradely. Over a 1-yr period, 52 patients (34 M, 18 F; mean age 26.4 +/- 6.5 yr) with symptomatic noncalcific rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent balloon mitral valvuloplasty by this technique at our center. The procedure was completed in 51 out of the 52 patients and technically successful dilatation was achieved in 47 (90.4%) patients. The mean valve area increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 cm2 to 1.86 +/- 0.37 cm2 and end diastolic gradients decreased from 21.2 +/- 9.4 mm Hg to 4.0 +/- 2.2 mm Hg. Significant mitral regurgitation (> 2+) developed in two (3.9%) patients, and both remained stable on medical treatment. In two patients, there was a significant decrease in femoral pulse, which improved with thrombolytic therapy. Our study is the first report of this technique from a center other than that of its origin. The results of this study further establish that this new retrograde technique may be a useful alternative to the conventional transseptal techniques for mitral valvuloplasty.

Adult

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy for restenosis after surgical mitral valvotomy.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) was performed in 350 patients. Of these patients, 51 (15%) (30 women and 21 men, aged 32 +/- 11 years) had restenosis 11 +/- 4 years following surgical valvotomy. Forty (79%) patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and 11 (21%) were in class IV. PTMC resulted in an increase in mitral valve area from 0.82 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.2 cm2 (p < 0.001), an increase in cardiac index from 1.9 +/- 0.4 to 2.8 +/- 0.5 l/min/m2 (p < 0.001), and a decrease in mean transmitral gradients from 29 +/- 4 to 6 +/- 4 mmHg (p < 0.001). The results did not differ from those observed in 299 patients without prior surgical valvotomy. On univariate analysis, the subvalvular fibrosis, assessed angiographically, and the duration from prior surgery were not found to influence the overall outcome. At 24 weeks, 46 of 48 (96%) patients in whom clinical follow-up was available, were found to be in NYHA class I and 2 (4%) patients were in class II. Thus, PTMC is a safe and effective procedure for patients with mitral restenosis following surgical valvotomy.

Adolescent

Influence of subvalvular fibrosis on results and complications of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy with use of the Inoue balloon.

In 136 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) with use of the single rubber-nylon (Inoue) balloon Inoue balloon angiographically analyzed subvalvular fibrosis was assessed retrospectively with regard to results and complications. There were 53 males and 83 females, with a mean age of 22 +/- 11 years (range 10 to 48 years). For the entire group, mitral valve area increased from 0.7 +/- 0.3 to 2.1 +/- 0.6 cm2 (p < 0.001). Valve area increased from 0.7 +/- 0.12 to 1.8 +/- 0.14 cm2 in patients with severe subvalvular fibrosis (n = 55) and from 0.8 +/- 0.11 to 1.9 +/- 0.12 cm2 in cases with mild to moderate subvalvular fibrosis (n = 80; p = NS). The number of patients with 2+ or greater increase in mitral regurgitation was not different between the two groups (6% vs 5.5%, p = NS). None of the patients required mitral valve replacement immediately after PTMC. We conclude that, with use of the Inoue balloon, PTMC can be successfully performed in patients with severe subvalvular fibrosis.

Adolescent

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy in 390 cases using the Inoue balloon catheter.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using the Inoue technique was performed in 390 cases of rheumatic mitral stenosis. There were 220 (56%) females and 170 (44%) males. The age range was 9-47 years [mean +/- S.D., 26 +/- 14) and all were symptomatic (New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II in 23 (6%); class III in 280 (72%); and class IV in 87 (22%) patients]. Mitral valve area increased from 0.6 +/- 0.4 to 2 +/- 0.7 cm2, mean transmitral gradients decreased from 26 +/- 8 to 5 +/- 3 mmHg and cardiac index improved from 2.2 +/- 0.8 to 3.0 +/- 0.7 l/min/m2 (P < 0.001). There were no procedure related deaths. An increase in mitral regurgitation by one grade was observed in 40 (10%) cases, with 8 (2%) cases developing severe mitral regurgitation. Oximetry evidence of left to right atrial shunt (Qp/Qs > or = 1.5:1) was observed in 11 (3%) patients. Four (1.0%) patients developed cardiac tamponade, none had thromboembolism. Follow-up of 290 cases at 26 +/- 5 weeks showed persistent improvement in clinical (NYHA class I in 98%) and echocardiographic mitral valve area. Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy is safe, easy to perform and provides excellent clinical and hemodynamic benefit in the majority of cases.

Adult

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using Inoue catheter in juvenile rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) using Inoue balloon was performed in 270 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Of these 81 (27%), 48 males and 33 females, had juvenile mitral stenosis (age < 20 years, range 9-20 years mean 14 +/- 5). All patients were symptomatic (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III in 61 patients and class IV in 20 patients). Following PTMC, the mitral valve area (MVA) increased from 0.8 +/- 0.4 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 cm2 (P < 0.001) and the cardiac index increased from 2.4 +/- 0.8 to 3.0 +/- 0.8 L/min/m2 (P < 0.001). Mean transmitral gradients decreased from 24 +/- 8 to 4 +/- 3 mm Hg (P < 0.001). Three (4%) patients had an increase in mitral regurgitation by 1 grade (grade 2/4); however, none required surgery. Significant left to right atrial shunt (Qp/Qs > 1.3: 1) on oximetry was detected in 8 (10%) patients. Overall results were compared to those with adult subgroup of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (n = 189, 100 females and 89 males), who underwent PTMC simultaneously. Their age ranged from 21 to 44 years (mean 32 +/- 11 years). The percentage increase in MVA was higher in juvenile as compared to adult patients (172 +/- 61 vs. 154 +/- 69, respectively, P < 0.01). A larger final MVA was achieved in the juvenile group (2.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.3 cm2, P < 0.05). However, the incidence of increase in mitral regurgitation by 1 grade was similar in two groups (6% vs. 4%, P = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Management of hepatic venous outflow obstruction.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) is a rare cause of portal hypertension and conservative treatment is usually ineffective. A large series of patients gave us an opportunity to devise a management protocol for this disorder. Between 1978 and 1992, we prospectively studied 75 patients with HVOO. The obstruction was in the hepatic vein in 24, in the inferior vena cava (IVC) in 44, and in both in 7. For hepatic vein obstruction proximal splenorenal shunts were done in 7 (2 died postoperatively); 4 shunts blocked and only 1 patient became completely symptom free. In 2 patients with partial obstruction we performed balloon dilatation of the right hepatic veins but within 6 months the obstruction recurred. In the next 6 patients we constructed a side-to-side portocaval shunt; 2 died of encephalopathy after discharge and 4 are alive and well. For IVC obstruction, after surgical procedures had yielded poor results in 14 patients, we changed to balloon angioplasty which was successful in 28 of the 30 other patients; restenosis occurred in 4. Of the 7 patients with a combined block, 3 have had balloon angioplasty followed by a side-to-side portocaval shunt; 1 died, 2 are well, and the remainder have not completed treatment. Of our 75 patients, 22 have died (5 in hospital and 17 after discharge), 7 have not completed treatment, and 2 have been lost to follow-up. However, 44 are symptom free. We did not encounter any case of hepatocellular carcinoma. We suggest that patients with HVOO should be actively managed with a side-to-side portocaval shunt for hepatic vein obstruction, balloon angioplasty for inferior vena caval obstruction, and perhaps both procedures for those with combined obstructions.

Adolescent

Balloon angioplasty for complete obstruction of inferior vena cava: needle puncture followed by balloon dilatation.

We report herein 2 cases with complete obstruction of the suprahepatic portion of the inferior vena cava successfully treated by balloon angioplasty after crossing the obstructing segment with the stiff end of the guidewire in 1 case and the Brockenbrough's trans-septal needle in the other. The gradients across the obstruction fell from 13 and 20 mm Hg to 3 and 4 mm Hg, respectively. Angioplasty resulted in dramatic clinical hemodynamic and angiographic improvement.

Adult

Thrombolytic therapy for prosthetic valve thrombosis: a study based on serial Doppler echocardiographic evaluation.

Sixteen patients with echocardiographic and cinefluoroscopic evidence of Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve obstruction (13 mitral valves and 3 aortic valves) were treated with intravenous streptokinase. Streptokinase was administered as an initial bolus of 250,000 units for 30 minutes, followed by an infusion of 100,000 units/hr. Serial cinefluoroscopy and echocardiography (M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler) were performed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment. The end point of treatment was defined as near normalization of clinical, echocardiographic, and fluoroscopic parameters. Successful thrombolysis was achieved in all patients. The average duration of streptokinase therapy was 43 hours (range 2 to 72 hours). Two of 16 patients had minor systemic embolism during therapy. Short-term follow-up has shown sustained benefit in 14 of 16 patients. Two patients have had rethrombosis of the mitral prosthetic valves and have undergone thrombectomy. Our study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis. It also emphasizes the role of serial Doppler echocardiography in guiding the duration of therapy and assessing its efficacy.

Adult

Fish oil supplements for prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

We have evaluated the effect of fish oil supplementation in the prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty by a randomised trial conducted in 107 patients. The treatment group (n = 58, 96 significant coronary narrowings) received 10 capsules of fish oil (1.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.2 g docosahexaenoic acid) besides aspirin and calcium blockers, beginning 4.3 (SD 2.9) days before coronary angioplasty. The conventional medical treatment group (n = 49, 81 significant coronary narrowings) received only aspirin and calcium blockers. Enrollment required the presence of angina pectoris and successful dilatation of all significant coronary narrowings. All patients were followed-up for at least 6 months. Restenosis was identified by symptoms and exercise testing and confirmed by angiography. The incidence of angiographic restenosis was 32% in the fish oil group and 27% in the conventional treatment group. Biochemical investigations showed a greater decrease in serum triglyceride levels in fish oil group as compared to the conventional treatment group. There was no significant difference in the cholesterol levels over the treatment period. Administration of fish oil in a dose of 3 g per day did not reduce the incidence of early restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary