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V E Judd

Publications and source records attributed to V E Judd.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Late results and reintervention after aortic valvotomy for critical aortic stenosis in neonates and infants.

BACKGROUND: Many centers have adopted balloon valvuloplasty for treatment of infants with critical aortic stenosis because of historically poor early results and a lack of long-term results with surgical valvotomy. We evaluated our results with open aortic valvotomy over the past decade, specifically examining factors influencing survival and reintervention in the current era. METHODS: From 1986 to 1996, 37 infants in the first 3 months of life underwent open aortic valvotomy for critical aortic stenosis. All patients underwent cardiopulmonary bypass, valvotomy, and valve debridement under direct vision with standard techniques. RESULTS: Early mortality was 11% (4 of 37, 70% confidence limit 7% to 20%) and all early deaths were in neonates less than 2 weeks of age. Late death occurred in 6 patients a mean of 10 +/- 12 months (range, 2 to 36 months) after valvotomy. Actuarial survival, including operative deaths was 92% +/- 6% at 1 month, 78% +/- 9% at 1 year, and 73.4% +/- 10% at 10 years. In a multifactorial regression analysis, the best predictors of death were the presence of endocardial fibroelastosis and small body surface area and the best predictor of the need for late reintervention was preoperative aortic annular size. Thirteen patients required reintervention: repeat operation in 7 patients, balloon valvuloplasty in 3 patients, and both balloon valvuloplasty and reoperation in 3 patients. Actuarial freedom from reintervention postoperatively is 97% +/- 3% at 1 month, 73% +/- 9% at 1 year, and 55% +/- 11% at 10 years. Reintervention was for recurrent left ventricular outflow obstruction in 9 patients and mixed aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency in 4. Echocardiography 4.3 +/- 2.5 years after aortic valvotomy in survivors who have not required reintervention (n = 20) revealed a Doppler peak instantaneous systolic gradient of 37 +/- 14 mm Hg and mild or less aortic regurgitation in 16 patients and moderate aortic regurgitation in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Current surgical results with critical aortic stenosis in the neonate and young infant are acceptable in terms of both late survival, reintervention, and functional results in the majority of patients. Newer interventions, such as balloon valvuloplasty, should be carefully evaluated for long-term results and should be compared more appropriately to current surgical results to determine the best treatment modality for the neonate and infant with critical aortic stenosis.

Actuarial Analysis

Prospective evaluation of the antenatal incidence and postnatal significance of the fetal echogenic cardiac focus: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the antenatal incidence and postnatal significance of echogenic cardiac foci observed during antenatal ultrasonography. STUDY DESIGN: During a 4-month period, all women undergoing dating ultrasonography between 16.0 and 24.9 weeks' gestation at one referral center were prospectively evaluated for an echogenic cardiac focus during an apical four-chamber view of the heart. Referrals for maternal or fetal complications were excluded. Postnatal echocardiography was performed for those identified with positive findings. Controls were selected from among normal subjects in the general group for comparison with the study group. RESULTS: Five hundred six consecutive fetuses were evaluated at a mean +/- SD gestational age of 20.6 +/- 1.6 weeks. There were 25 (4.9%) fetuses found to have echogenic cardiac focus (left ventricle = 19, right ventricle = 6). Echocardiography was performed between 0.3 and 20.1 weeks postdelivery. After birth, 12 echogenic left ventricle papillary muscles and three echogenic left ventricle chordae were identified; there were no postnatal right ventricle findings. There were no cases of intracardiac tumor or myocardial dysfunction; one neonate had minor structural malformations. There were no significant differences in maternal age, gravidity, parity, gestational age at ultrasonography, gestational age at delivery, or 5-minute Apgar scores. A significant difference was observed in birth weight between the control (n = 50) and study (n = 25) groups (3465 +/- 501 gm vs 3124 +/- 589 gm; p = 0.002). This difference persisted after correcting for gestational age, although all infants in both groups born after 37.0 weeks weighed > 2500 gm. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of echogenic cardiac foci during routine midtrimester ultrasonography is 4.9%. As an isolated finding, the echogenic cardiac focus may be associated with a statistically significant but clinically insignificant decrease in birth weight. Because of these findings, we consider an isolated echogenic cardiac focus in a patient at low risk for cardiac abnormalities a variant of normal, which does not warrant follow-up clinical evaluation.

Case-Control Studies

Comparison of angioplasty and surgery for unoperated coarctation of the aorta.

BACKGROUND: The use of balloon coarctation angioplasty instead of surgery as treatment for unoperated coarctation of the aorta is controversial. The efficacy and complications of the two procedures have not been studied before in a prospective fashion. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were prospectively randomized to either angioplasty (20 patients) or surgery (16 patients). Immediate results and patient follow-up, including physical examination, angiograms, and magnetic resonance imaging, were compared between groups. Reduction in peak systolic pressure gradient across the coarctation was similar (86%) immediately after both balloon coarctation angioplasty and surgery. On follow-up, aneurysms were seen only in the angioplasty group (20%) and not in the surgery group (0%). No aneurysms have shown progression or required surgery. The incidence of other complications was similar in both groups, although two patients experienced neurological complications after surgery. Although not statistically different, the incidence of restenosis (peak systolic pressure gradient > or = 20 mm Hg) tended to be greater in the angioplasty group (25%) than in the surgery group (6%). Restenosis after angioplasty occurred more frequently in patients with an aortic isthmus/descending aorta diameter ratio < 0.65 and was associated with an immediate catheterization residual peak systolic pressure gradient across the coarctation > or = 12 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate gradient reduction is similar after balloon coarctation angioplasty and surgical treatment of unoperated coarctation of the aorta. The risks of aneurysm formation and possibly restenosis after angioplasty are higher than after surgery, although the risks of other complications are similar. Balloon coarctation angioplasty may provide an effective initial alternative to surgical repair of unoperated coarctation of the aorta in children beyond infancy, particularly in patients with a well-developed isthmus. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term risks of postangioplasty aneurysms.

Angiography

Right ventricular growth after transventricular pulmonary valvotomy and central aortopulmonary shunt for pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

We performed transventricular pulmonary valvotomy as initial surgery in 22 consecutive patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum who had a patent infundibulum. Nineteen patients also had placement of a central aortopulmonary shunt. All patients survived surgery, and 16 patients have had preoperative and later postoperative catheterizations. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of the right ventricle to transventricular pulmonary valvotomy with regard to relief of right ventricular hypertension and growth of the entire right ventricle, including tricuspid valve, right ventricular volume, and right ventricular outflow tract. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 111.3 +/- 31.7 mm Hg before initial surgery to 65.6 +/- 26.2 mm Hg. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume increased from 59.1 +/- 39.3% of predicted normal before initial surgery to 114.6 +/- 63.2% at late follow-up catheterization. Tricuspid valve anulus circumference also increased in size from 73.2 +/- 21.3% of predicted normal before initial surgery to 90.4 +/- 22.8% at late follow-up catheterization. Only one patient (6%) required a transanular right ventricular outflow tract patch at the time of biventricular repair. Twenty of 22 patients (91%) either have had or are awaiting biventricular repair. We conclude that transventricular pulmonary valvotomy and central aortopulmonary shunt can be performed safely in newborn infants with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum who have a patent infundibulum. Effective valvotomy relieves right ventricular hypertension, allows for excellent right ventricular and tricuspid valve growth, and optimizes potential for biventricular repair.

Aorta

Double balloon technique for dilation of valvular or vessel stenosis in congenital and acquired heart disease.

Despite the generally excellent success with balloon dilation for the stenotic lesions of congenital and acquired heart disease, technical difficulties sometimes prevent satisfactory results. Such technical difficulties include: a large diameter of the anulus of the stenotic lesion relative to available balloon diameter, difficulty in the insertion or removal of the larger balloon catheters, and permanent damage to or obstruction of the femoral vessels by the redundant deflated balloon material of the large balloons. A double balloon technique was initiated to resolve these difficulties. With this method, percutaneous balloon angioplasty catheters were inserted in right and left femoral vessels, placed side by side across the stenotic lesion and inflated simultaneously. Dilation procedures using the two balloon technique were performed in 41 patients: 18 with pulmonary valve stenosis, 14 with aortic valve stenosis, 5 with mitral valve stenosis, 3 with vena caval obstruction following the Mustard or Senning procedure and 1 with tricuspid valve stenosis. Patient ages ranged from 1 to 75 years (mean 17.8) and patient weights ranged from 8.9 to 89 kg (mean 42.3). Balloon catheter sizes ranged from 10 to 20 mm in diameter. Average maximal pressure gradient in mm Hg before dilation was 61 in pulmonary stenosis, 68 in aortic stenosis, 21 in mitral stenosis, 12 in tricuspid stenosis and 25 in vena caval stenosis. Average maximal valvular pressure gradient after dilation was 13 in pulmonary stenosis, 24 in aortic stenosis, 4 in mitral stenosis, 0 in tricuspid stenosis, and 1 in vena caval stenosis. No major complications were encountered with the procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Intracardiac yolk sac tumor: echocardiographic evaluation.

To our knowledge, this case of an abdominal yolk sac tumor with extensive cardiac involvement is the first to be reported in a pediatric patient. The report describes the echocardiographic findings of the tumor and the role of echocardiography in providing important information for patient management decisions.

Echocardiography

Sinus node dysfunction in tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant disease with potential for involvement of the skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart. A case of prolonged sinus node pause and episodes of unresponsiveness in a 21-week-old infant with tuberous sclerosis is described. The infant subsequently underwent placement of an epicardial pacemaker. This case illustrates the importance of electrocardiographic studies in infants with tuberous sclerosis and seizure-like episodes.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial

Inverted left atrial appendage presenting as an unusual left atrial mass.

An unusual left atrial mass in an infant after repair of truncus arteriosus was imaged by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. The mass was identified as an inverted left atrial appendage, and the patient underwent uncomplicated surgical eversion. Unnecessary anticoagulation was avoided.

Echocardiography