Significance of Microembolic Signals during Oxygen Inhalation in Patients with Prosthetic Mechanical Heart Valve.
- Author:
Soo Jin CHO
1
;
Chan Young NA
;
Eunil LEE
;
Yang Ki MINN
;
Ki Han KWON
;
Jeong Ju LEE
;
Man Jong BAEK
;
Sam Se OH
;
Suk Keun HONG
;
Hweung Kon HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Korea. dowonc@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Ultrasound;
Heart valve prosthesis;
Embolism;
Oxygen
- MeSH:
Embolism;
Heart Valve Prosthesis;
Heart Valves*;
Heart*;
Humans;
Inhalation*;
Middle Cerebral Artery;
Oxygen*;
Prevalence;
Ultrasonography;
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2004;37(1):50-55
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) can detect microembolic signals (MES) in the patients with a potential embolic source. Clinical significance of MES has not been demonstrated in patients with prosthetic mechanical heart valves. We studied the correlation between cerebral thromboemoblic events after the mechanical heart valve surgery (MHVS) and residual MES during TCD monitoring with 100% oxygen inhalation in patients with mechanical heart valves. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients with previous cerebral thromboemoblic events after MHVS and a sex- and age-matched control group (n=30) were studied. TCD monitoring was performed from unilateral middle cerebral artery. After baseline monitoring for 20 minutes, 6L of oxygen was inspired for 40 minutes. RESULT: The site of valve and the duration after MHVS of the patients did not differ from those of controls. During baseline monitoring, there was no significant difference in MES prevalence or counts compared to controls. During oxygen inhalation, patients showed a higher MES prevalence (55%, 27.6%, p=0.045) and a more frequent MES counts (p=0.027) compared to controls. CONCLUSION: TCD monitoring with oxygen inhalation may be useful to differentiate clinically significant MES in patients with mechanical heart valve.
