Journal of the American College of Cardiology
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2001
alpha-Methylnorepinephrine, a selective alpha2-adrenergic agonist for cardiac resuscitation.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a selective alpha2-adrenergic agonist, alpha-methylnorepinephrine (alphaMNE) as an alternative vasopressor agent during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ⋯ The selective alpha2-adrenergic agonist, alphaMNE, was as effective as epinephrine for initial cardiac resuscitation but provided strikingly better postresuscitation myocardial function and survival.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Mar 2001
Balloon angioplasty for obstructed modified systemic-pulmonary artery shunts and pulmonary artery stenoses.
The results of percutaneous balloon angioplasty for obstructed modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) or central shunts and pulmonary artery (PA) stenoses were studied to assess its role as an alternative to second shunt and surgical PA angioplasty. ⋯ When a second shunt is under consideration because of obstruction of the modified shunt, balloon angioplasty is a possible alternative procedure. Pulmonary artery stenosis, if present, can be simultaneously dilated.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2001
Comparative StudyReoperation for prosthetic aortic valve obstruction in the era of echocardiography: trends in diagnostic testing and comparison with surgical findings.
We sought to: 1) identify trends in the diagnostic testing of patients with prosthetic aortic valve (AVR) obstruction who undergo reoperation and 2) compare diagnostic test results with pathologic findings at surgery. ⋯ Doppler TTE is the primary means to diagnose AVR obstruction; hemodynamic catheterization is not routinely needed. In unselected patients with mechanical AVR obstruction, TEE differentiation of pannus or thrombus from mismatch is challenging.
-
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. · Feb 2001
Impact directly over the cardiac silhouette is necessary to produce ventricular fibrillation in an experimental model of commotio cordis.
In an experimental model of sudden death from chest wall impact (commotio cordis), we sought to define the chest wall areas important in the initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF). ⋯ For nonpenetrating, low-energy chest blows to cause sudden death, impact must occur directly over the heart. Initiation of VF may be mediated by an abrupt and substantial increase in intracardiac pressure. Prevention of sudden death from chest blows during sports requires that protective equipment be designed to cover all portions of the chest wall that overlie the heart, even during body movements and positional changes that may occur with athletic activities.