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Biomedical subjects

U Livi

Publications and source records attributed to U Livi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Delayed cardiac tamponade following open heart surgery. Analysis of 12 patients.

The present report reviews our experience with 12 cases of delayed cardiac tamponade following open heart surgery, which occurred at various times after the seventh postoperative day (average 19 days). In each case the diagnosis was made on clinical grounds, supported by the radiographic findings in all, and confirmed by echocardiography in 4. Pericardial effusion was serous in 5 patients, sero-sanguineous in 3, sanguineous in 3, and purulent in one; it was most frequently caused by a postpericardiotomy syndrome (7 cases). A single pericardiocentesis was curative in 6 instances, while repeat procedures were required in 2 because of recurrence. A repeat median sternotomy was performed in 5 patients associated with pericardiocentesis, and a pericardiectomy in 2. Three patients died within one month from the initial operation; no recurrences have been noted so far in the long-term survivors. According to the results of the present investigation, early clinical recognition is considered the clue to a successful outcome. Sole pericardiocentesis is followed by immediate improvement of the patient's state, and is often curative, but recurrences may require other maneuvers for further fluid evacuation. Awareness of this possible complication may contribute to a decrease in the still high mortality rate associated with this condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Aortic valve replacement in active infective endocarditis.

From 1970 to 1979, 23 patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement because of active infective endocarditis at our Institution. The main indications for open heart surgery were cardiac failure unresponsive to medical treatment, embolic episodes and septic status. Staphylococci and streptococci were the most frequent offending microorganisms, which could be identified either from blood or valve cultures in 65.2% of the cases. Operative and late mortality was low (4.3 and 4.5% respectively), and postoperative complications rare. The favorable results, probably related to early surgical treatment, and the low incidence of postoperative complication seem to warrant an aggressive approach in the active phases of infective endocarditis involving the aortic valve.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Early hemodynamic changes after mitral valve replacement with the Hancock prosthesis].

In mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis the persistence of a depressed cardiac performance immediately after operation has been outlined by several authors. The choice of a porcine central flow prosthesis, that has several theoretical advantages, should allow better acute hemodynamic results. Therefore ten patients have been studied by thermodilution methods and the variations in their hemodynamic parameters has been evaluated with a paired T-Test. Results confirm the persistence of a depressed cardiac function throughout the time span of the study (36 hours). This behaviour could be related to the use of Kirsch solution for myocardial protection. Therefore the authors compare a similar group of nine patients that underwent mitral valve replacement with differently designed prosthesis and the use of a St Thomas analogue cardioplegic solution. They conclude for the persistence, in the acute postoperative period, of an intrinsic myocardial dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Aortic coarctation with bilateral aneurysms of the subclavian arteries: surgical treatment].

The natural history of untreated coarctation of the aorta may be complicated by dissection or aneurysms of the ascending as well as of the descending thoracic aorta distal to the coarctation. We report a case of coarctation of the aorta in a young man associated to bilateral aneurysms of the subclavian arteries, one of which of great size. In a review of the most recent and largest series of adult patients undergoing surgery for aortic coarctation we were unable to find a similar case. In such a condition complete repair may be accomplished quite safely, preferably employing a multi-stage technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Method for radiological recognition of cardiac valve prostheses. Analysis of the various models used at the Cardiosurgery Center of the University of Padua].

A rapid identification of the type of prosthetic heart valve from the plain chest roentgenogram is often of extreme importance in the care of patients who have undergone prosthetic valve replacement. In the present report we have analyzed the radiographic appearances of 9 different models of mechanical and biological prostheses which are or have been employed at our Institution since 1969, with the aim of providing simple guidelines to identify these devices. For this purpose photographs were taken of the postero-anterior and left lateral chest radiograms of patients in whom these particular prostheses were implanted. Once the silhouettes of the radioopaque components of these devices have become familiar, the differentiation of the types and the recognition of the site of implantation is easy and rapid.

Bioprosthesis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the regional responsivity to ryanodine of human myocardium from patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and secondary cardiomyopathies.

The aim of the study was to compare the contractile response to ryanodine of human heart preparations taken from right and left ventricles of patients affected by idiopathic (IDCM) and secondary (SCM) end-stage dilated cardiomyopathies. Right and left ventricle myocardial strips were obtained from hearts of patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation and suspended in an oxygenated bath (T = 35 degrees C; stimulation frequency = 0.5 Hz). After an equilibration period, a cumulative dose-response curve for contractility (peak tension) was obtained with ryanodine (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 microM). Basal contractility was not significantly different between right and left ventricles or between IDCM and SCM preparations. Ryanodine reduced peak myocardial tension but failed to completely suppress it, even at concentrations which achieved maximum effect. Ryanodine effect still persisted after a 45'-60' washout. The concentration-effect curves from IDCM right ventricle, IDCM left ventricle, SCM right ventricle and SCM left ventricle were compared: IDCM left ventricle was less sensitive to ryanodine than IDCM right ventricle and SCM left ventricle, while no difference was detectable between SCM left ventricle and SCM right ventricle. Thus, the overall sensitivity ranking was: IDCM left ventricle < IDCM right ventricle = SCM right ventricle = SCM left ventricle. IDCM left ventricle showed, in addition, a biphasic response with a shift from negative to positive inotropic effect at concentrations higher than approximately 10 microM. These findings indicate that the cardio-depressant effect of ryanodine, a drug which interferes with intracellular Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, differs quantitatively and qualitatively in IDCM left ventricle from both IDCM right ventricle and SCM left ventricle. This suggests that some specific alteration in the intracellular Ca signalling in IDCM exists and, from a methodological point of view, stresses the need for a "bi-ventricular" approach to studying biochemical and functional abnormalities of advanced congestive heart failure.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Discordance between pre and post cardiac transplant diagnosis: implications for pre- and postoperative decision making.

A correct clinical diagnosis in end-stage patients undergoing cardiac transplantation may have important prognostic and therapeutic implications. A retrospective clinico-pathologic study was carried out in 257 patients who had undergone cardiac transplantation at the University of Padua. A discrepancy between clinical and pathological diagnosis was found in 20 cases (8%). Among 126 patients with the clinical diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, seven were found eventually to have ischemic heart disease (IHD), five myocarditis, one arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and one non-compacted myocardium. Among the 87 patients with clinical diagnosis of IHD, three turned out to be dilated cardiomyopathy and one granulomatous myocarditis. Among the 10 patients with the clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic-restrictive cardiomyopathy, one had ARVC and one had cardiac fibroma. Altogether, only 24.5% underwent endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and 75% coronary angiography before transplantation. Missed diagnosis of myocarditis occurred in patients in whom EMB was not carried out. EMB and coronary angiography might be indicated routinely in patients with apparent dilated cardiomyopathy, before proceeding to cardiectomy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Open heart surgery in patients with dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is commonly considered a significant factor for increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. METHODS: To assess the risk in our population we retrospectively analyzed 28 patients (16 men and 12 women, mean age 58.1+/-10.8 years) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing cardiac surgery between 1989 and 2001. Sixteen (57.2%) patients had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), nine (32.1%) had isolated valve replacement, and three (10.7%) underwent combined CABG and valve replacement. Preoperatively, 20 (71.4%) patients were on hemodialysis and eight (28.6%) on peritoneal dialysis. Mean preoperative duration of dialysis was 38.7+/-24.9 months (range, 3 to 93 months). RESULTS: There were two perioperative deaths (30-day mortality, 7.1%). Actuarial survival at 1, 2, 5, and 12 years was 0.85+/-0.7, 0.73+/-0.10, 0.65+/-0.12, and 0.54+/-0.14, respectively. Among 22 survivors, mean NYHA class was 1.7+/-0.8 (p < 0.001 vs. preoperatively) and mean CCS class was 1.6+/-0.6 (p < 0.001 vs. preoperatively). CCS/NYHA functional class IV (p = 0.01), urgent/emergency operation (p < 0.001), LVEF < 35% (p < 0.001) were strongly related to early and late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Open-heart operations can be performed with acceptable short- and long-term results in patients with CRF on dialysis. Adequate preoperative management with identification of high-risk patients and a more aggressive approach before the onset of symptoms of cardiac failure are advisable.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Global and regional left ventricular function in heart transplant patients: an angiographic follow-up study.

We studied the global and regional left ventricular function, its determinants and its modification with time, in orthotopic heart transplant recipients. We reviewed the left ventricular cineangiography performed 1 (50 patients), 2 (33 patients), 3 (18 patients), and 4 (seven patients) years after operation. Regional wall motion was quantitatively evaluated by the area method. All patients had angiographically normal coronary arteries and no evidence of acute rejection at the time of the study. One year after heart transplantation, cardiac index and left ventricular ejection fraction were mildly but significantly lower than normal. Cardiac index was more than 2.5 L/min/m2 in all but one patient, and ejection fraction was more than 50% in all patients. Only previous acute cardiac rejection necessitating therapy and arterial hypertension showed some influence on the left ventricular function. Two years after operation, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume was increased, and left ventricular mass-volume ratio decreased compared with year 1. Three years after operation, an increase of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and of left ventricular ejection fraction was also evident. Four years after operation, the heart rate was higher, compared with previous years. Even if the changes in the parameters of left ventricular function were significant, they were small in terms of absolute value. Regional hypokinesia was detected 1 year after heart transplantation in eight patients, involving one segment in six patients and two segments in two patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical results of heart transplantation in recipients over 55 years of age with donors over 40 years of age.

Between November 1985 and November 1991, 180 patients underwent heart transplantation at our institution; 55 of these patients (31%) were over 55 years of age. Eighteen patients (10%) received hearts from donors who were over 40 years of age (mean age, 47 years; range, 40 to 55 years); (group 1); 37 hearts (21%) were from donors who were under 40 years of age (mean age, 23 years; range, 8 to 38 years). Mean recipient age was 59 years (range, 55 to 64 years) and 57 years (range, 55 to 68 years) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The main indication for transplantation was ischemic heart disease in group 1 and dilated cardiomyopathy in group 2. Perioperative mortality and intensive care assistance were similar in the two groups. Survival was 88% versus 84% at 1 year and 81% versus 80% at 4 years in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Although infections were more frequent in group 1 (0.27 versus 0.11 episode/patient), the incidence of acute rejection was comparable in the two groups (1.50 versus 1.65 episode/patient). Angiographic and echocardiographic controls showed normal graft function up to 4 years, with low incidence of chronic rejection in both groups. We conclude that heart transplantation in patients over 55 years of age with donors over 40 years of age offers excellent short-term and mid-term results. The consideration of older donors makes heart transplantation a valid therapeutic option for selected patients in the sixth and seventh decade of life, in spite of chronic donor shortage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Implantation of an external biventricular assist device: role of transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography.

A patient with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy underwent implantation of a pulsatile external biventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation. The device insertion was guided by transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography that proved extremely helpful in allowing expeditious and precise positioning of both right and left atrial withdrawal cannulas.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coronary artery spasm in heart transplant recipients.

Coronary artery spasm has rarely been observed in the transplanted, denervated heart. We report two patients who had coronary artery spasm after orthotopic heart transplantation that was documented by coronary angiography while ECG and Holter monitoring showed ischemic changes. Both patients were treated with calcium antagonists with no further evidence of this complication; however, one patient died suddenly at home after calcium antagonists were arbitrarily withdrawn. We believe that coronary artery spasm in heart transplant recipients may occur more frequently than expected. Careful monitoring of 24-hour ECG should be considered routinely in the follow-up of such patients, and when coronary spasm occurs it should be aggressively treated.

Adult↗