Clinical and radiological results of surgical removal of periarticular ossifications after hip prosthesis implantation

The occurrence of heterotopic ossification (HO) is a well-recognized problem after total hip replacement. In a retrospective study, we investigated 32 patients who had undergone surgical excision of symptomatic HO followed by radiation with 7 Gy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy between 1994 and 1999. The mean follow-up was 20 months (range: 12-60). Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations included Harris hip score and classification according to Brooker. The preoperative Brooker class was III in 16 cases and IV in 16 patients. Comparison of the Brooker classification at follow-up revealed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.0001; class 0:3, class I: 14, class II: 8, class III: 7 patients). In one case with symptomatic Brooker class III ossification, surgical reexcision of HO was necessary. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in mean range of motion (ROM) was observed in flexion [preoperative: 57 degrees (+/- 26), follow-up: 83 degrees (+/- 21)], in abduction [preoperative: 17 degrees (+/- 12), follow-up: 24 degrees (+/- 9)], and in rotation (preoperative: 16 degrees (+/- 17), follow-up: 31 degrees (+/- 18)]. Comparison of preoperative Harris hip score (60 +/- 11) and Harris hip score at the time of follow-up examination (73 +/- 17) revealed a statistically significant increase (p < 0.0001) after treatment. At the time of follow-up examination, 18 patients (56%) assessed their pain symptoms as low but 6 patients (19%) reported strong pain symptoms. Nevertheless, the score at the time of examination (35 +/- 10) was statistically improved (p < 0.02) when compared to the preoperative score (30 +/- 8). Surgical excision of Brooker class III or IV heterotopic ossification with limited ROM followed by irradiation and anti-inflammatory prophylaxis results in significant improvement in flexion, abduction, and rotation arc and significant reduction of HO in radiographic examination at follow-up, but pain relief was only satisfactory.     

Fatigue and muscle amino acids during surgical convalescence

Muscle and plasma amino acids, subjective fatigue and body weight were studied in 16 patients before and 20 days after uncomplicated elective abdominal surgery. Fatigue increased from a mean (+/- SEM) preoperative level of 2.4 +/- 0.4 arbitrary units to 4.4 +/- 0.5 on postoperative day 20, while body weight fell from 67.3 +/- 2.5 to 64.7 +/- 2.9 kg (both differences p less than 0.001). Correlation was found between increase in fatigue and fall in body weight (r = 0.56, p less than 0.05). Plasma amino acids showed little change after surgery. In muscle, the nonessential amino group taurine, asparagine, glutamate and glycine increased and histidine and arginine decreased (both p less than 0.05) postoperatively. No correlation was found between postoperative fatigue and weight loss versus changes in muscle amino acids. Some of the well-defined immediate postoperative changes in muscle amino acids thus persisted into late, otherwise uncomplicated convalescence, but postoperative fatigue was related only to weight loss--not to changes in muscle or plasma amino acids.     

Subacromial impingement: influence of coracoacromial arch geometry on shoulder function

OBJECTIVE: To find correlations between radiological coracoacromial arch geometry and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a prospective study of the efficacy of arthroscopic subacromial decompression, we evaluated the function of the treated and contralateral shoulders using Constant's functional score and confronted the results to several radiographic parameters reflecting coracoacromial arch geometry. RESULTS: Constant's score values were low (42 +/- 15) because of pain and a low level of activity. Males had significantly higher scores than females. Constant's score was unaffected (P > 0.05) by patient age, the side, the level of activity, or the duration of symptoms, but was significantly influenced by the orientation of the acromion with respect to the scapular spine and to the vertical scapular axis. The preoperative Constant's score was significantly higher in patients with a more horizontal acromion (P = 0.01). A very tight correlation was found between the preoperative Constant's score and the angle between the acromion and scapular spine (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we defined an open and a closed coracoacromial arch geometry. Coracoacromial arch geometry is correlated with shoulder function syndrome and can assist in the interpretation of rotator cuff impingement.     

Late results of CABG for postinfarction angina--relation to preoperative myocardial infarct size

We evaluated the late results of coronary bypass grafting (CABG) in 85 patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to preoperative MI size estimated by the Selvester QRS score; 24 with MI size of larger than 20% of LV muscle (group A; average 28 +/- 11%), and 61 with MI size smaller than 20% (group B; average 10 +/- 9%). New York Heart Association classes of both groups following CABG improved significantly (from 2.8 +/- 0.7 to 1.3 +/- 0.4 in group A; p less than 0.01, from 2.5 +/- 0.6 to 1.2 +/- 0.5 in group B; p less than 0.01). There was higher incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias in group A than in group B (83% vs. 21%, p less than 0.01). In Group A, LVEF and LVESVI did not improve following CABG (from 17 +/- 9 to 16 +/- 8 mmHg, from 39 +/- 15 to 40 +/- 15%, from 66 +/- 28 to 69 +/- 40 ml/M2), while in Group B, those improved significantly (from 13 +/- 6 to 11 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than 0.01, from 53 +/- 14 to 58 +/- 10%; p less than 0.01, from 39 +/- 23 to 32 +/- 14 ml/M2; p less than 0.05). The exercise-to-rest LVSWI ratios increased significantly following CABG in both groups (from 86 +/- 25 to 160 +/- 56% in group A; p less than 0.05, from 92 +/- 31 to 140 +/- 37% in group B; p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The influence of preoperative anticoagulation on heparin response during cardiopulmonary bypass.

The effect of preoperative anticoagulant therapy on intraoperative heparin response in patients undergoing cardiac operations was examined in a prospective study. The study included 45 patients with different preoperative anticoagulant treatments: 10 patients received treatment with phenprocoumon (a warfarin analogue) (group M), 12 patients received treatment with intravenous heparin (group Hiv), and 13 patients received treatment with subcutaneous heparin (group Hsc). The control group consisted of 10 patients who did not receive anticoagulant therapy before operation (group C). Preoperative antithrombin III activity was highest in group M (85% +/- 6%) and lowest in group Hiv (70% +/- 15%, p less than 0.05). The activated clotting time, determined 10 minutes after bolus injection of 250 IU (group M) or 375 IU heparin (all other groups), was 529 +/- 109 seconds in group C, greater than 1000 seconds in group M, 483 +/- 99 seconds in group Hsc, and 406 +/- 63 seconds in group Hiv (p less than 0.05). Heparin consumption during cardiopulmonary bypass varied between 4.6 +/- 1.4 IU/kg.min (group Hiv) and 2.6 +/- 0.9 IU/kg.min (group M) (p less than 0.05). Despite this increased heparin consumption, the patients who had received heparin before operation demonstrated increased activation of coagulation at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass (thrombin-antithrombin III complex, 19 +/- 4.1 ng/ml in group M and 61 +/- 7 ng/ml in group Hsc, p less than 0.05; cross-linked fibrin fragments, 257 +/- 92 ng/ml in group M and 875 +/- 152 ng/ml in group Hiv, p less than 0.05). Increased platelet activation was also found in patients with preoperative heparin therapy (beta-thromboglobulin at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass was 585 +/- 88 ng/ml in group M versus 1341 +/- 190 ng/ml in group Hsc, p less than 0.05). Drainage from the chest tube 24 hours after operation was 815 +/- 305 ml in group C, 644 +/- 238 ml in group M, 1133 +/- 503 ml in group Hsc, and 950 +/- 505 ml in group Hiv (p less than 0.05 for group M versus group Hsc). This study suggests that patients who receive heparin therapy before operation face a high risk of insufficient anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass if standard heparin doses are used. Therefore, for patients who receive preoperative heparin therapy, a larger (500 IU/kg) initial bolus of heparin is recommended before cardiopulmonary bypass. On the other hand, patients who undergo preoperative treatment with phenprocoumon receive sufficient anticoagulative effect with a heparin bolus of 250 IU/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Subacromial denervation as a treatment modality for patients with subacromial pathology

PURPOSE: The purpose of the presented study was to valuate the question whether subacromial denervation alone is sufficient in patients with subacromial pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients (male: 7; female 13) with subacromial pathology without anterior acomionosteophytes, rotator cuff tear, calcific tendinitis or ac-joint pathology underwent endoscopically controlled subacromial denervation. The procedure was performed with an HF device. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months with the Constant score. RESULTS: The preoperative Constant score was 59 +/- 18. Postoperatively the Constant score increased to 78 +/- 18 after 6 weeks, up to 83 +/- 5 after 3 months and up to 85 +/- 13 after 6 months. There was no difference between male and female patients nor between patients with different profession or athletic activity. We could not document any complication. Patients returned to work within 6 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients without anterior acromion osteophytes and without rotator cuff tear may get good results with subacromial denervation alone and may not need acrornioplasty.     

Evaluation of ventricular arrhythmias late after coronary artery bypass graft surgery--relation to clinical variables

This study was undertaken to evaluate ventricular arrhythmias (VA) using ambulatory ECG monitoring in 150 patients 33 +/- 22 months (mean +/- SD) after successful CABG in relation to severity of coronary artery disease (LS: Leaman score, Circulation 1981), revascularization ratio (RI: preop. LS-postop.LS/preop.LS), preoperative myocardial infarct size (Selvester score: SQS, Circulation 1982), LV function and other variables. They were divided into two groups according to the Lown classification; 42 patients with serious VA (group A: grade 4 to 5), and 108 without them (group B: grade 0 to 3). Group A was older than group B (60 +/- 5 vs. 57 +/- 9; p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences in follow-up period, coronary risk factors, LS and RI between the groups. Group A had significantly higher SQS (7.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.9; p less than 0.01), LVEDP (preop.: 14 +/- 7 vs. 11 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than 0.05, postop.: 14 +/- 7 vs. 11 +/- 5 mmHg; p less than 0.05), LVESVI (preop.: 53 +/- 27 vs. 31 +/- 17 ml/M2; p less than 0.01, postop.: 53 +/- 35 vs. 30 +/- 14 ml/M2; p less than 0.01), LVEDVI (preop.: 93 +/- 28 vs. 72 +/- 22 ml/M2; p less than 0.01, postop.: 90 +/- 36 vs. 74 +/- 21 ml/M2; p less than 0.01), and lower LVEF (preop.: 44 +/- 15 vs. 58 +/- 11%; p less than 0.01, postop.: 44 +/- 15 vs. 60 +/- 10%; p less than 0.01) than group B.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Are cystgastrostomy and cystjejunostomy equivalent operations for pancreatic pseudocysts?

To compare the effectiveness of cystgastrostomy and cystjejunostomy for treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, 39 patients with cystgastrostomy were compared to 59 patients with cystjejunostomy. The groups were comparable in age, sex, cause of pancreatitis, pseudocyst location, symptoms, and preoperative serum amylase level. Cysts treated with cystgastrostomy were larger (mean diameter, 11.1 +/- 0.9 cm) than cysts treated by cystjejunostomy (mean diameter, 6.7 +/- 0.7 cm) (p less than 0.05). Mean duration of surgery was 148 +/- 11 minutes for cystgastrostomy versus 265 +/- 15 minutes for cystjejunostomy (p less than 0.05). Mean blood loss was 397 +/- 82 ml for cystgastrostomy versus 703 +/- 80 ml for cystjejunostomy (p less than 0.05) Mean intraoperative fluid requirements were 2640 +/- 313 ml for cystgastrostomy and 4403 +/- 362 ml for cystjejunostomy (p less than 0.05). Cyst recurrence was 10% for cystgastrostomy versus 7% for cystgastrostomy. Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 8% of patients with cystgastrostomy and in 2% of patients with cystjejunostomy. Infection problems with cystjejunostomy included two wound infections and one case of septicemia; infection problems with cystjejunostomy included five intraabdominal abscesses, two wound infections, and one case of pneumonia. Two patients died with cystgastrostomy (both from gastrointestinal bleeding); two patients died with cystjejunostomy (one from intraabdominal sepsis and one from pulmonary embolus). Cystgastrostomy was used for significantly larger pseudocysts and was associated with significantly less blood loss and operating time than cystjejunostomy (p less than 0.05). Morbidity and mortality from cystgastrostomy and cystjejunostomy were comparable, although gastrointestinal bleeding was more common with cystgastrostomy and intraabdominal abscess was more common with cystjejunostomy. Since cystgastrostomy can usually be performed more quickly and with less blood loss, it should be considered whenever anatomically feasible.     

New prognostic factors for adjacent-segment degeneration after one-stage 360 degrees fixation for spondylolytic spondylolisthesis: special reference to the usefulness of pelvic incidence angle

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between adjacent-segment degeneration (ASD) and pelvic parameters in the patients with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Sagittal balance is the most important risk and prognostic factor in the development of ASD. The pelvic incidence angle (PIA) is an important anatomical parameter in determining the sagittal curvature of the spine and in the individual variability of the sacral slope and the lordotic curve. Thus, the authors evaluated the relationship between the pelvic parameters and the ASD. Methods. Among 132 patients with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis who underwent surgery at their institution, the authors selected patients in whom a one-stage, single-level, 360 degrees fixation procedure was performed for Grade I spondylolisthesis and who underwent follow-up for more than 1 year. Parameters in 34 patients satisfied these conditions. Of the 34 patients, seven had ASD (Group 1) and 27 patients did not have ASD (Group 2). The investigators measured degree of spondylolisthesis, lordotic angle, sacral slope angle (SSA), pelvic tilt angle (PTA), PIA, and additional parameters pre-and postoperatively. The radiographic data were reviewed retrospectively. Results. The population consisted of nine men and 25 women whose mean age was 48.9 +/- 9 years (+/- standard deviation) (range 28-65 years). Seven patients developed ASD after undergoing fusion. Of all the parameters, pre- and postoperative degree of spondylolisthesis, segmental lordosis, lordotic angle, SSA, preoperative PTA, and preoperative PIA did not differ significantly between the two groups; only postoperative PTA and PIA were significantly different. Conclusions. The development of ASD is closely related to postoperative PIA and PTA, not preoperative PIA and PTA. The measurement of postoperative PIA can be used as a new indirect method to predict the ASD.     

Rate of return to work and driving following arthroscopic subacromial decompression

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the return to work and return to driving of a cohort of patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompressions +/- arthroscopic acromioclavicular joint excision. METHODS: Arthroscopic subacromial decompressions +/- arthroscopic acromioclavicular joint excision were performed in 68 patients between February 2000 and November 2000. All patients had symptoms of subacromial impingement +/- acromioclavicular joint arthrosis for more than 6 months that had not settled with conservative treatment. All had positive local anaesthetic injection tests. All patients were followed up at 3 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Their Constant-Murley score was measured preoperatively and at 3 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Patients were asked to record when they had returned to work and when they had returned to driving. RESULTS: Only one non-manual worker did not return to work within 6 weeks. Eighty-five per cent of manual workers returned to manual work within 3 months. Fifty-one patients held driving licences. The average time to return to driving was 28.9 days. Average preoperative Constant-Murley scores were 47.5 (20-67). At 3 weeks postoperation average Constant-Murley scores were 66.8 (40-92), and at 3 months 76.5 (48-99).     

Humorally mediated alterations in cardiac performance as a consequence of positive end-expiratory pressure.

Two experimental designs were used to study the mechanism of the decreased cardiac output associated with the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). In the first study of nine dogs the application of 15 cm H2O PEEP led to a decrease in cardiac output (CO) from 2.68 +/- 1.05 to 2.01 +/- 1.26 liters/min (+/- SD) (p less than 0.05) concomitant with an increase in transmural central venous pressure of 5.2 +/- 0.9 to 8.4 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and a slight increase in transmural left atrial pressure of 6.8 +/- 3.3 to 7.3 +/- 3.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.1). These data are consistent with altered ventricular performance. In a second study nine pairs of dogs were cross-circulated. Application of 15 cm H2O PEEP to one member of the experimental pair led to a decrease in the CO of the other member from 2.71 +/- 0.98 to 2.21 +/- 0.81 liters/min (p less than 0.001). This decrease returned toward baseline with the removal of PEEP (p less than 0.02). Results indicate that one mechanism whereby PEEP reduces the cardiac output is through the action of a humoral agent.     

Myectomy versus myotomy as an adjunct to membranectomy in the surgical repair of discrete and tunnel subaortic stenosis

The results of membranectomy and deep myectomy in the left ventricular outflow tract were compared to those of membranectomy and myotomy in 42 patients who underwent surgical repair of discrete and tunnel subaortic stenosis. Fifteen consecutive patients (Group A) underwent membranectomy and myotomy, and 27 consecutive patients (Group B) underwent membranectomy and myectomy. Two patients of Group A and nine of Group B had tunnel subaortic stenosis. The preoperative mean (+/- standard deviation) peak systolic gradients across the left ventricular outflow tract in patients with discrete subaortic stenosis types I and II were 64 +/- 29 mm Hg in Group A and 52 +/- 3 mm Hg in Group B (p = not significant). In the patients with tunnel subaortic stenosis the preoperative mean gradients were 97 +/- 74 mm Hg in Group A and 73 +/- 26 mm Hg in Group B (p = not significant). In patients with discrete subaortic stenosis types I and II, postoperative catheterization at a mean follow-up of 21 months revealed residual mean gradients of 29 +/- 24 mm Hg in Group A and 10 +/- 13 mm Hg in Group B (p less than 0.01). In the patients with tunnel subaortic stenosis, the postoperative mean gradients were 25 +/- 7 and 30 +/- 30 mm Hg in Groups A and B, respectively (p = not significant). We conclude that in the surgical management of discrete subaortic stenosis types I and II, deep myectomy (in addition to membranectomy) produces better relief of the left ventricular outflow obstruction than do membranectomy and myotomy. In patients with tunnel subaortic stenosis myectomy is less effective than in the non-tunnel type but still produces acceptable results and may delay radical procedures to a later age.     

The result of extended thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis of pure ocular type

We studied postoperative status of 14 patients with myasthenia gravis of ocular type who underwent extended thymectomy. Nine patients were in remission, three improved, and two unchanged. No patient became worse and died. The remission rates at one, three, five, and ten years after operation were 50.0%, 58.3%, 60.0%, and 80.0%. The palliation rates at one, three, five, and ten years after operation were 64.3%, 75.0%, 80.0%, and 100%. The remission rate at one year after operation in patients of ocular type was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than that in generalized type (191 patients). The mean preoperative duration of symptoms in patients who obtained remission after surgery was 7.2 +/- 6.5 months, while mean duration was 85.6 +/- 45.8 months in those patients who could not obtain remission, indicating a significant difference (p less than 0.05) of duration of symptoms between two groups. Among 89 patients with generalized as well as ocular symptoms before extended thymectomy, 62 patients (69.7%) still complained of ocular symptoms and 48 patients (53.9%) had generalized symptoms with or without ocular symptoms in 1 to 12 years after operation. This result shows that ocular symptoms do not disappear more easily than generalized ones. We conclude that extended thymectomy should be performed even in patients with myasthenia gravis of pure ocular type.     

Subvalvar aortic stenosis: timing of operation

Subvalvar aortic stenosis can be associated with progressive left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, aortic insufficiency, and infective endocarditis. We reviewed the records of 36 surgical patients who underwent 39 operations for subaortic stenosis. Seventeen patients had associated congenital cardiac anomalies. One perioperative death occurred in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot. The mean preoperative left ventricular outflow tract systolic pressure gradient was 64 +/- 5 mm Hg (+/- standard error of the mean) and decreased to 9 +/- 2 mm Hg postoperatively (p less than 0.001). Reliable preoperative and postoperative information regarding aortic valve function was available for 27 patients. Aortic insufficiency was found in 17 (63%) of those patients preoperatively. Postoperatively, insufficiency increased in 3 patients and decreased in 4; none of these changes was major. Severity of preoperative aortic insufficiency increased significantly with age (p less than 0.05), but did not correlate with left ventricular outflow tract gradient. The information from this study and previous studies suggests that resection of subaortic stenosis is safe and effective, and operation at the time of diagnosis, regardless of left ventricular outflow tract gradient or symptomatic status, is a reasonable therapeutic alternative.     

Improvement in resting ventricular performance following coronary bypass surgery

To assess the changes in resting left ventricular (LV) function following coronary bypass surgery, technetium 99m-labeled multiple equilibrated blood pool gated scans were performed in 53 consecutive patients at rest, before operation, and at 24 hours and 1 week after operation. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) were measured. The LVEF increased significantly from a preoperative value of 49 +/- 2% to 56 +/- 2% at 24 hours after operation (p less than 0.05) and 56 +/- 2% at 1 week following operation (p less than 0.05 compared with the preoperative value). The EDV also exhibited significant changes, decreasing from a preoperative value of 148 +/- 8 ml to 91 +/- 11 ml at 24 hours (p less than 0.001) and 114 +/- 9 ml at 1 week (p less than 0.01 compared with the preoperative value). When the patients were divided into two groups according to the preoperative LVEF (Group 1, LVEF of greater than or equal to 50%; Group 2, LVEF of less than 50%), the observed changes were similar. This study demonstrates significant improvement in resting LV function 24 hours following coronary bypass surgery. This improvement persists at 1 week and is not related to the degree of preoperative impairment. We conclude that the combination of successful revascularization and optimal myocardial protection can result in significant improvement of LV function at rest.     

Pulmonary inactivation of vasopressors following cardiac operations

Vasoactive drugs were infused through catheters in the right atrium and then the left atrium of 34 patients who required either vasopressor or vasodilator support following cardiac operation to determine if the route of infusion affected the aortic blood concentration of these agents. Drugs were given through the right atrium for one hour and then the left atrium for an hour. Both central aortic and pulmonary arterial blood were assayed for drug concentrations, and hemodynamic measurements were made. Sixteen patients receiving dopamine hydrochloride through the left atrium had a 36 +/- 12% (+/- standard error of the mean) increase in aortic concentration of the drug (p less than 0.005) and a 37 +/- 14% increase in cardiac index (p less than 0.005) compared with administration through the right atrium. Seven patients receiving epinephrine showed a 59 +/- 21% increase in aortic concentration (p less than 0.05) and a 21 +/- 10% increase in cardiac index (p greater than 0.05, not significant). Eleven patients receiving sodium nitroprusside achieved a 99 +/- 25% increase in aortic concentration (p less than 0.005) and a 20 +/- 7% increase in cardiac index (p less than 0.05). In all instances, significantly higher central aortic blood concentrations were achieved during left atrial (LA) versus right atrial (RA) infusions. Changes in blood concentration of the drug between the pulmonary artery and the aorta during RA infusion suggest removal or inactivation of these drugs in the pulmonary vasculature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Left ventricular contractile function and prognosis of surgical treatment in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation

We assessed the preoperative left ventricular contractile function affected to the postoperative prognosis in 28 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). The patients were divided into two groups and compared with 11 normal subjects. 21 patients improved clinically after surgery (group-A) and 7 patients died or did not improve with surgery (group-B). Both preoperative end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) and end-systolic volume index (ESVI) were significantly greater in group-B than in group-A (220 +/- 48 vs 162 +/- 48 ml/M2, 143 +/- 50 vs 66 +/- 21 ml/M2, p less than 0.01). Ejection fraction (EF) was lower in group-B than in group-A (0.36 +/- 0.07 vs 0.59 +/- 0.08, p less than 0.01). End-systolic stress (ESS) was higher in group-B than in group-A (250 +/- 38 vs 170 +/- 37 kdyne/cm2, p less than 0.01). ESS/ESVI was lower in group-B than in group-A (1.83 +/- 0.28 vs 2.66 +/- 0.68 kdyne.M2/cm5, p less than 0.01). The ratio of wall thickness to radius at end-systole (h/R) was higher in group-A than in group-B (0.32 +/- 0.13 VS 0.18 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.01). There were significant positive correlation between ESS and ESVI in normal subjects (Y = 2.14X + 78, r = 0.59, p less than 0.05) and in MR (Y = 210 logX - 206, r = 0.81, p less than 0.001). Patients in group-B were distributed rightward on the logarithmic correlation curve in MR. These data indicated more depressed contractility in group-B than group-A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Aorto-coronary artery saphenous vein bypass surgery. A ten-year follow-up

The 10-year follow-up of consecutive series of 126 patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery from January 1970 through December 1972 without associated procedures is reported. There were 112 men and 14 women with a mean age of 50.3 +/- 8.0 years. Indications for operation were stable angina pectoris in 35 cases and unstable angina in 91 cases. Eleven patients had one-vessel disease, 55 patients had two-vessel disease and 60 patients had three-vessel disease. The mean number of grafts per patient was 1.8. Graft patency rate was 78.4% at the time of early angiographic control (from one to 24 months). There were two early deaths and 47 late deaths. One patient was last to follow-up. Twenty-six of the late deaths were cardiac in nature (57.7%). The overall 10-year survival rate was 68.0 +/- 4.1%. The factors most clearly related to survival rate were: age (p less than 0.05) ischaemic ST-segment depressions on resting preoperative electrocardiogram (p less than 0.005), preoperative electrocardiographic evidence of anterior, septal or lateral myocardial infarction (p less than 0.05), ventricular function as assessed by preoperative left ventriculography (p less than 0.05). During the follow-up period 35.1% of survivors had had no recurrence of angina and 64.9% had experienced at least one episode of angina. At the ten-year evaluation 33 surviving patients considered themselves free of angina, 27 patients considered the angina to be less severe than before the operation and four considered it to be the same or more severe. A significant positive correlation was noted between clinical response and completeness of revascularization (p less than 0.05).     

The clinical effect of ketoprofen after arthroscopic subacromial decompression: a randomized double-blind prospective study.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effect of ketoprofen after arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD). The design was randomized, prospective, and double-blind, with a placebo control group. Forty-one consecutive patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, were randomized to treatment with ketoprofen 200 mg once daily or placebo for 6 weeks following ASD. For additional analgesia, patients used paracetamol if necessary. Clinical follow-up was performed at 6 weeks and at 2 years postoperatively. At the 6-week follow-up, the patients treated with ketoprofen had a statistically significant increase in UCLA total score (P<.05), range of movement (P<.05), and satisfaction (P<.05), and they had significantly less pain (P<.05). There was no statistical difference between the ketoprofen and placebo groups regarding strength. Patients receiving ketoprofen had significantly less need for additional analgesia (P<.05). At the 2-year follow-up, there were no differences in the scores between the ketoprofen and placebo group.     

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with and without arthroscopic subacromial decompression: a prospective, randomized study of one-year outcomes

We performed a prospective, randomized study to determine whether arthroscopic subacromial decompression changes the outcome of rotator cuff repair. We performed a power analysis to ensure statistical validity. Patients scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomized to cuff repair with arthroscopic subacromial decompression (group 1) or without it (group 2). All other aspects of the surgical and postsurgical treatment were identical. We included patients with full-thickness tears limited to the supraspinatus tendon and a type 2 acromion. We excluded patients with prior surgery, those with larger tears involving two or more tendons, those with a type 1 or 3 acromion, those with workers' compensation claims, and those who had concomitant procedures (labral repair, acromioclavicular joint resection) There were 47 patients in group 1 and 46 in group 2. Minimum follow-up was 1 year (mean, 15.6 +/- 3.3 months). We recorded the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder scores preoperatively and postoperatively. There was no statistical difference in postoperative ASES scores between group 1 (91.5 +/- 10.3) and group 2 (89.2 +/- 15.1) (P =.392). The change in ASES score over time did not differ between the two groups (61.1 vs 60.2, P =.363). In conclusion, within the parameters described above, arthroscopic subacromial decompression does not appear to change the functional outcome after arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff.