Extraluminal or intraluminal inferior vena cava occlusion in pulmonary embolism

Twenty-five cases of extraluminal and 47 of intraluminal inferior vena caval (IVC) occlusion for management of pulmonary embolism were reviewed. A comparison of results obtained with both methods suggests that the IVC umbrella filter provides the safer, more reliable means of IVC interruption in patients whose condition fulfills the criteria for caval occlusion. The simplicity of this technique and the fact that it can be performed under local anesthesia justify its consideration as the procedure of choice for IVC occlusion and permit its use in severely ill patients. On the basis of our positive findings, we now recommend that extraluminal occlusion be reserved for patients in whom insertion of the IVC umbrella is technically impossible.

Role of cardiac catheterization in infective endocarditis

The benefits and hazards of catheterization and angiography were evaluated in 19 patients with acute aortic and/or mitral endocarditis and heart failure. In 14 patients (74%), the bedside diagnosis of valvular insufficiency and heart failure was proved correct. In three patients with both aortic and mitral valve disease, angiography (without hemodynamic measurements) was necessary to clarify the diagnosis. Angiography detected four aortic aneurysmal erosions that were unsuspected clinically, but missed three others. After angiography, heart failure worsened in two patients with severe progressive aortic insufficiency and one died. Thus, catheterization-angiography was of greatest value if more than one left-sided valve lesion was present, if extravalvular diseases mimicked heart failure, or if extravalvular infection was present. Patients with isolated, clear-cut mitral insufficiency usually do not need these diagnostic procedures, and they are probably contraindicated in patients with severe aortic regurgitation with rapidly progressing heart failure.

Fistula from coronary arteries to left ventricle after myocardial infarction

Coronary arteriography and left ventriculography, performed in a 42-year old patient with unstable angina seven months after a myocardial infarct showed communications from both the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries to the left ventricular chamber. The area of communication corresponded to the site of infarction as established by electrocardiogram and left ventriculogram. Whether this is a congenital or acquired lesion is unclear.

The impact of coronary artery bypass on late myocardial infarction

Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass for stable and unstable angina pectoris were followed clinically 3 to 53 months (mean 27) and with serial electrocardiograms (ECG's) 3 to 43 months (mean 18.5) postoperatively. Complete (twelve lead) resting ECG data including preoperative, early postoperative (in hospital), and late (post hospital) studies were available in 98 per cent (196/199) of hospital survivors. A total of 2,304 ECG's were examined by two cardiologists for a total follow-up of 3,629 patient months. Myocardial infarction was defined as the appearance of a new, significant (Minnesota Code) Q wave. Fifty-four per cent (108/200) had triple vessel disease and 24 per cent (47/200) preinfarction angina pectoris by strict criteria. There was one hospital death for an operative mortality of 0.5 per cent (1/200). There was one late fatal and three late nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Seventeen patients developed new Q waves in the early postoperative period, a perioperative infarction rate of 8.5 per cent (17/200). The 43 month cumulative myocardial infarction rate, including all early and late postoperative new Q waves and three late deaths from cardiac disease, was 14 per cent. Twenty-two per cent (20/91) showed disappearance of Q waves present at the time of hospital discharge. These data suggest that the late myocardial infarction rate is low in surgically managed patients.

Impaired parasympathetic responses in patients after myocardial infarction

To assess whether vagal and sympathetic responses are impaired 3 months after myocardial infarction, 27 patients, 15 age-matched control subjects and 13 young normal subjects underwent physiologic stress tests. In patients, facial immersion in water at 25 degrees and 0 degrees C provoked less slowing of heart rate than in age-matched control subjects. Young normal persons responded with the greatest reduction in heart rate. Response to facial immersion decreased linearly with age in normal subjects (Y = -0.97X+86). Isometric handgrip or cold pressor test elicited brisk increases in blood pressure in almost all patients, but the vagal response to facial immersion correlated poorly with such pressor responses. Thus, in the patients studied 3 months after myocardial infarction, the parasympathetic response to facial immersion was significantly impaired whereas sympathetic pressor responses remained intact.

Cardiac abnormalities in poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants

Of 80 consecutive admissions to a general hospital for drug overdose, 10 had taken one or other of the tricyclic antidepressants. All 10 had abnormalities of cardiac conduction as shown by prolonged Q-T(e) intervals, and eight had S-T segment and T-wave changes. Five of the 10 patients had arrhythmias and two of these died. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring is recommended in patients with overdosage of tricyclic antidepressants.