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Results for “systemic embolism”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[High incidence of left ventricular thrombosis and systemic embolism in patients with left ventricular assist system].

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of left ventricular (LV) thrombosis and systemic embolism in 14 patients with LV assist systems. Echocardiography was used to detect LV wall motion abnormalities, intracavitary smoke-like echoes and thrombosis, and the effect of anticoagulant therapy was serially examined. During full assist of the circulation, the aortic valve did not open in any patient. Smoke-like echoes were observed in 9 patients (64%) and thrombi in 8 (57%). The thrombus developed within the first 3 assist days. Systemic anticoagulant therapy decreased the thrombus size in only 3 patients, but there was a possibility of intracranial or mediastinal bleeding in other 3 patients. Systemic embolism was noted in 7 of 11 autopsy patients (64%). The characteristic finding was that there were multiple embolized organs, such as the brain, kidneys, spleen and liver, in all patients. Development of a thrombus is a serious complication in all patients with LV assist systems. However, the problem does not lie in the assist system but in the left ventricle of the patient's own heart. It is also noteworthy that systemic anticoagulation is not effective for an LV thrombus. A new method of assisting the failing heart, or a new anticoagulant delivery technique for the LV cavity to prevent LV thrombus development is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Systemic embolism in chronic sinoatrial disorder.

We attempted to estimate the prevalence of systemic embolism in patients with chronic sino-atrial disorder. In a group of 100 patients, evidence of embolism was found in 16, of whom 15 had the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome. In 712 controls with chronic complete heart block, who were matched for age and sex, embolism had occurred in only 1.3 per cent (P less than 0.001). A second group of 41 patients with chronic ventricular bradycardia and atrial flutter or fibrillation had an embolic prevalence of 7.3 per cent, which was also greater than that in the controls (P less than 0.05). All patients with sinoatrial disorder in whom systemic embolism developed were over 54 years of age; multiple episodes occurred in six. The risk of embolization remains even if the bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome is replaced by stable atrial fibrillation. Impaired atrial function appears to be a key factor in predisposing to intracardiac thrombosis, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia increases the risk of subsequent embolization.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve complicated by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis with systemic embolization.

Myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve is a disease of unknown etiology that is associated with many ominous complications. A case in which non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, superimposed on a myxomatous mitral valve, resulted in systemic embolization to the brain, heart, and kidney is presented. The purpose of this report is to describe a serious and previously unreported complication of myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Influence of etiology of atrial fibrillation on incidence of systemic embolism.

Atrial fibrillation is well known to increase greatly the risk of systemic arterial embolism in patients with mitral valve disease. In light of the clinical frequency of embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation due to other types of heart disease, a study was made of embolic occurrences in 333 autopsy patients with atrial fibrillation associated with various kinds of heart disease. Considering only symptomatic emboli with pathologic or surgical confirmation, embolism occurred in 41% of patients with mitral valve disease, 35% of those with ischemic heart disease, 35% of those with coexisting mitral and ischemic heart disease and 17% of those with "other" types of heart disease. Embolism was found in only 7% of a control group of 58 autopsy patients with ischemic heart disease without atrial fibrillation. These findings suggest a high risk of embolism from atrial fibrillation of any origin, but particularly from that caused by ischemic heart disease and mitral valve disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Missile migration from lung to heart with delayed systemic embolization.

A bullet migrated from the heart to the left femoral artery in a youth ten days after he sustained a gunshot wound to the right chest. The bullet apparently traversed the pulmonary venous system at the time of the injury and lodged in the interior of the left ventricle. The production of an embolism in the systemic circulation was a delayed and unanticipated event.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Chondrosarcoma: a case report with left atrial involvement and systemic embolization.

A 26-year-old white man underwent amputation of the right lower extremity for a chondrosarcoma of the distal femur. Eleven years later, after a long symptom-free interval, he was hospitalized for rapidly progressive dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and hemoptysis resulting from a large pulmonary metastasis that had extended directly to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein. Within 24 hours of hospitalization, obstruction of the left commom iliac artery by tumor embolus necessitated embolectomy. This represents the second report of a metastatic chondrosarcoma involving the left atrium. The case presented clinically as an atrial myxoma and disseminated via the systemic circulation with a rapidly downhill course therafter.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Systemic embolization of the disk occluder of the Wada-Cutter prosthetic valve. A late complication.

The results in 22 patients in the Denver area with Wada-Cutter prostheses were reviewed. There were 14 late deaths, with an average follow-up of six years. Four cases of valve malfunction not related to thrombosis were documented. There were three cases of embolization of the occluder. A survivor is reported. Clinical evaluation of the group suggested new mitral regurgitation to be a sensitive indicator of impending embolization of the occluder. Documentation of valve malfunction warrants valvular replacement.

Embolism↗
PubMed1976

Herpes simplex encephalitis simulating systemic embolism.

A case of herpes simplex virus encephalitis is described in a patient known to suffer from chronic atrial fibrillation and whose clinical symptoms suggested cerebral embolism of cardiac origin. The final diagnosis was based on the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and a significant rise in antibody titers in the serum. The patient regained consciousness after craniotomy and treatment with idoxuridine. The case emphasizes that the possibility of herpetic encephalitis should be considered in patients presenting with typical signs of a cerebrovascular accident.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Massive pulmonary embolism permitting paradoxical systemic arterial embolism: successful surgical management.

The case of a young woman, receiving oral contraceptives, who developed massive pulmonary embolism producing circulatory collapse and paradoxical arterial embolism through a patent foramen ovale is documented.. Limb viability was threatened. Emergency management included removal of arterial and pulmonary emboli, surgical closure of the patent foramen ovale, inferior caval partitioning, ovarian vein ligation, and short-term anticoagulation. Recovery was rapid and complete.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Left atrial thrombosis complicating mitral stenosis: results of surgical treatment.

In 343 patients treated surgically for mitral valve disease, there was thrombosis of the left atrium in 40. Massive atrial thrombosis was present in 32 of them, yet the diagnosis was suspected or established preoperatively in only 12, because of insufficient clinical signs. A transventricular mitral commissurotomy was performed in 32 patients and mitral valve replacement in the remaining 8. Surgical mortality was 23% in the patients with atrial thrombosis compared with 7% in the trombus-free patients: 66% of the deaths were due to cerebral embolism. Systemic embolism occurred in 17% of the patients who had a closed approach initially and in 27% following a planned open procedure. Among the survivors, 65% were asymptomatic or markedly improved; the average follow-up was 42 months. Atrial thrombosis increases the surgical risk because of the high incidence of operative embolism, a complication that is not avoided by the use of open procedures, but that could be prevented by earlier surgical treatment of mitral stenosis, before atrial thrombi develop.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Systemic air embolism following penetrating trauma to the lung.

Systemic air embolism following penetrating injuries of the lung has not been widely recognized clinically. Experimental studies designed to reproduce the phenomenon in dogs have been at variance, although none has taken into consideration the often high intrabronchial pressures created during resuscitative efforts in such patients. Twelve patients with systemic air embolism following penetrating traumatic injuries to the lung have been seen at our hospital. Ventilatory pressures created during resuscitative thoracotomy in traumatized patients were monitored and found to be as high as 100 mm Hg. Penetrating injuries of the lung were created in mongrel dogs, and the animals were ventilated with pressures reaching 90 mm Hg. All dogs unequivocally developed systemic air embolism, with air visualized in the coronary arteries. It would appear that systemic air embolism following penetrating injury to the lung may result when increased intrabronchial pressure, such as found during manual ventilatory assistance, forces air through traumatic bronchovenous fistulae into the systemic circulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The acute phase of myocardial infarction.

During the acute phase of myocardial infarction, two groups of patients are observed. Patients in the first group have no significant complications, and approximately 95 per cent of these patients recover fully without any specific therapy. Patients in the second group may have various complications, some of which are benign, whereas others may lead to a fatal outcome. The complications may be divided into four major types: 1. Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction defects. The tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias are the most frequently encountered complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Tachyarrhythmias include ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. Bradyarrhythmias include sinus and junctional bradycardia and various degrees of heart block. Those patients who are unable to reach a hospital and die suddenly presumably succumb to ventricular fibrillation. 2. Left ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. In more than 33 per cent of patients with acute myocardial infarction, a third heart sound and pulmonary rales may be heard. If they are present for only 24 hours, the physical findings may indicate an alteration of left ventricular failure. However, if they persist for a few days and disappear after medical therapy, mild left ventricular failure may be present. About 12 per cent of patients have acute pulmonary edema, and 10 per cent of patients develop cardiogenic shock. These two complications carry a high mortality rate (40 per cent and nearly 100 per cent respectively). 3. Rupture of the heart. Cardiac rupture may occur in the free wall, ventricular septum, and papillary muscles. These complications, although less frequently encountered, cause a number of deaths in patients with acute myocardial infarction. 4. Thromboembolism. Under this category are included pulmonary embolism, systemic arterial embolism, and systemic venous thrombosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1977

Systemic air embolism in experimental penetrating lung injuries.

Several reports have described systemic air embolism in association with penetrating lung injuries. We produce lung lacerations in 18 dogs ventilated with air containing charcoal powder. An ultrasonic bubble detector was positioned over the carotid artery in six dogs. Evidence of arterial air embolism was found in every case of pulmonary laceration in open-chest, tension pneumothorax, and hypovolemic preparations. The quantity of air was small, producing only transient arrhythmia. No air was detected under control conditions. We conclude that systemic air embolism is a frequent accompaniment of penetrating lung injuries, that it is rarely recognized clinically because of its generally small quantity and minor, nonspecific effects, but that the potential for dangerous air embolism does exist with lung wounds and warrants precautions in management.

Animals↗