A case of delayed postoperative cardiac tamponade with unusual echocardiographic findings.

Postoperative cardiac tamponade due to localized compression of the atria occurred in a 64-year-old man after aortic valve replacement and repair of an ascending aortic dissection. The clinical findings were subtle and the echocardiographic findings were unusual. Color Doppler flow imaging assisted in making the diagnosis of localized atrial compression.

Pyrexia of unknown origin and aortic dissection.

A 67-year-old man was referred from his local hospital for investigation of a pyrexia of unknown origin. Computerized tomographic scanning revealed an extensive aortic dissection. This unusual case serves as a reminder of the protean clinical manifestations of this condition.

[Growth of tracheal anastomoses in growing animals].

Growth of the trachea after complete transection and anastomoses was studied in four equal groups (N = 7) of young New Zealand white rabbits (mean weight 1.19 +/- 0.19 kg).

Cardiac transplantation without cardiopulmonary bypass: experimental model to study growth of the transplanted heart.

An experimental model using surface-induced (20 degrees C) deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest instead of cardiopulmonary bypass was developed for the study of growth of the transplanted heart. Autotransplantation of the heart was performed in 42 young dogs weighing from 4.4 to 9.

The use of autologous pericardium for ventricular aneurysm closure.

Closure of the ventriculotomy following ventricular aneurysm resection usually requires buttressing material to provide strength and hemostasis. Although Teflon felt has usually been used, this material is bulky, noncompliant, and prone to infection. Autologous pericardium appears to offer an ideal substitute without the disadvantages of artificial material.

Ischemic myocardial protection. Comparison of nonoxygenated crystalloid, oxygenated crystalloid, and oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegic solutions.

This study was designed to compare myocardial protection with a nonoxygenated crystalloid solution, an oxygenated crystalloid solution, and an oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegic solution. Postischemic ventricular performance was studied in three equal (N = 7) groups of dogs subjected to 120 minutes of global ischemia induced at an average myocardial temperature of 18.5 degrees +/- 1.

Professional depression, 'burnout' and personality in longstay nursing.

Conceptualizations of 'burnout' vary between authors. Some descriptions of burnout show strong similarities to depression in the work setting, or 'professional depression' as described by Oswin [Children Living in Long Stay Hospitals, 1978. Heinemann, London].

Burnout and professional depression: related concepts?

In 1978 Oswin documented a process of 'professional depression' affecting some nursing staff in long-stay hospitals. This study tested the hypothesis that 'professional depression' in long-stay nursing and 'emotional exhaustion' as a component of burnout describe a similar phenomenon. This hypothesis was supported.

Patch closure of aortic annulus mycotic aneurysms.

Twenty-three patients with bacterial endocarditis and mycotic aneurysms of the aortic annulus were treated between 1978 and 1985. There were 18 men and 5 women ranging from 24 to 72 years old. All patients had congestive heart failure and positive blood cultures as a complication of the endocarditis and were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class III or IV.

Interpersonal support amongst nurses at work.

The needs for support of staff in human services work are often stated, but less often is the nature of such support clearly specified. This study attempts to clarify the nature of effective support from a superior, as perceived by qualified nursing staff working in psychiatric, mental handicap and medical settings. 'Personal respect', 'empathic attention' and 'absence of interpersonal defensiveness' appeared to be important components to such support.

Simplified technique for pericardial patch of the right ventricular outflow tract.

Pericardial patching to enlarge the right ventricular outflow tract is often required in congenital cardiac surgery in lesions such as tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, pulmonary stenosis, and pulmonary artery repair following removal of a palliative pulmonary artery band. A method of simplifying the attachment of the pericardial patch onto the right ventricular outflow tract is described.

Pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation for treatment of intraoperative right ventricular failure.

Pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation was used in 3 patients who underwent open-heart operation for the treatment of acquired cardiac lesions. This form of support was initiated because the patients could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass even with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation and maximal pharmacological support. After pulmonary artery balloon pumping was instituted, cardiopulmonary bypass was successfully terminated in all 3 patients.

The role of routine biopsy of all parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Since 1974, a concerted effort has been made to identify and biopsy all parathyroid glands in patients presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism. From 1974 until July 1982, 247 patients had initial cervical exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. The percentage of patients in whom four or more glands were identified rose from 53 per cent in 1974 to as high as 88 per cent, with a mean of 80 per cent during the 8.

Tracheoesophageal fistula from carcinoma of the esophagus.

The records of the patients with tracheoesophageal fistula from carcinoma of the esophagus treated from 1970 to 1983 were reviewed to assess the length and quality of their survival. Twenty-four patients with malignant tracheoesophageal fistula were treated during this period. The site of the carcinoma was the middle third of the esophagus in 18 patients, the lower third in 5, and the upper third in 1.

Pyoderma gangrenosum at the parastomal site in patients with Crohn's disease.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare idiopathic skin condition often associated with other diseases, including Crohn's disease. We believe this is the first report of cases in which pyoderma gangrenosum was identified at the parastomal site in patients with Crohn's disease. Four episodes of the condition occurred in three patients.

Carcinoma of the parathyroid gland: is it overdiagnosed? A report of three cases.

The true incidence of carcinoma of the parathyroid gland is probably about 1 percent of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Overreporting may occur if the diagnosis is based on histologic appearances alone because the histologic criteria are less than definitive. Carcinoma of the parathyroid gland, if diagnosed early and treated with adequate surgical excision, is associated with a satisfactory long-term prognosis.

Disastrous complication of the Angelchik prosthesis.

Since the introduction of the Angelchik prosthesis for the repair of hiatal hernias in 1979, there have been no previous formal reports of major problems with this procedure. The case reported here demonstrates that the device may be associated with disastrous complications and the authors suggest its use be reevaluated.

Nitroglycerin as an adjunct to hypothermic hyperkalemic cardioplegia.

The efficacy of nitroglycerin as an adjunct to hyperkalemic hypothermic cardioplegia was assessed by measurement of changes in coronary vascular resistance. Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. During a 1000 ml infusion of cardioplegia, a bolus of 1 mg of nitroglycerin or control solution was injected while the infusion rate was kept constant.

Diagnosis of arterial prosthetic graft infection by indium-111 oxine white blood cell scans.

Early and accurate diagnosis of infected prosthetic arterial grafts is difficult, despite the application of diverse diagnostic modalities. Delay in making the diagnosis is largely responsible for the high amputation and mortality rates associated with this complication. In nine patients with suspected graft infections, indium-111 white blood cell scanning was useful and accurate.

Porcine cardiac xenograft valves: analysis of survival, valve failure, and explantation.

Porcine cardiac xenografts were used for cardiac valve replacement in 1,093 patients. Hospital mortality for aortic valve replacement (AVR) was 3.7%; for mitral valve replacement (MVR), 7.