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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The specific aim of this study is to compare and contrast the biophysical and psychosocial profile of men and women undergoing cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft and valve replacement) during the perioperative and home recovery period. Coronary artery disease appears to be qualitatively worse in women than men although the prevalence in women does not approach that in men until the seventh decade. Valvular disorders also reveal a different profile by sex with the greater valvular problems in women related to the fact that women have more rheumatic heart disease. A prospective, longitudinal design with a convenience sample of 117 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and their spouses (234 subjects) from five Northern California hospitals was used to tap patient response at three critical perioperative data points. Female patients were observed during the perioperative period to have significantly more shortness of breath, poorer cardiac functional status (New York Heart Association), significantly longer intensive care unit stays, and proportionately more deaths. At 1 and 3 months after discharge, however, their recoveries did not differ significantly from men's when they were compared on sexuality, recreation, or return-to-work variables. Surprisingly, female patients had significantly less mood disturbances as measured by the Profile of Mood States than their male counterparts, and they scored higher on measures of family satisfaction than did male patients. Implications of the study involve early recognition of heart disease in women, preparation of families for longer intensive care unit stays, and appreciation of different psychosocial responses to surgery.
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PMID:Differences in recovery from cardiac surgery: a profile of male and female patients. 221 Nov 55

The authors report on 13 cerebral abscesses developed in children with cyanogenic heart disease. The abscesses have been treated by one or several punctures and by a general antibiotherapy adjusted to the germ when it was isolated. C.T. Scan and epidural Intra-cranial pressure monitoring have defined the Therapeutic tactics. The mortality rate is 7.7%. 60% of the survivors lead a normal life; 40% are mentally retarded; however this mental retardation is not directly related to the abscess; it appears to be a consequence of the cyanogenic cardiopathy. The neurological sequelae are one epilepsy and two visual defects compatible with normal life. Successive C.T. Scans in the months following treatment have shown the progressive disappearance of the abscess membranes. The conclusions of this study are under antibiotherapy, it is better to tap abscesses than to remove them and that their prophylaxy is the suppression of the shunt responsible of the cyanosis.
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PMID:[Intra-cranial abscesses and congenital heart disease in children (author's transl)]. 711 Apr 99

In the last 16 years, 33 children have been treated for brain abscesses. Fifteen (45.5%) presented with cyanogenic congenital heart disease; eleven (33.5%) with E.N.T. infection. The standardized treatment protocol included puncture of the abscess, antibiotherapy and anti-edematous drugs. Postoperative permanent epidural ICP monitoring and, in the last 6 years, repeated CT scans indicated when it was necessary to tap the abscess again or to reinforce the anti-edematous treatment. However, in 3 of these 33 cases, the abscess had to be removed. Postoperative mortality rate was 3%. Overall mortality rate was 6%. Neurological sequelae were slight. Epilepsy occurred in 10%. Mental retardation (16%) was only found in children with cyanogenic congenital heart diseases. Repeated CT scans showed the progressive disappearance, within a few months, of the abscess membranes. This study shows an improvement in the results when brain abscesses in children are punctured rather than excised.
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PMID:[Cerebral abscesses in children treated by puncture. A 16 year-experience]. 716 18

This paper describes a paper and pencil questionnaire that measures heart disease risk knowledge in people with diabetes. The Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ) is a 25-item questionnaire that was developed to tap into respondents' knowledge of major risk factors for the development of CHD. Approximately half of these items specifically address diabetes-related CHD risk factors. Based on extensive pilot data, the current study analyzed responses from 524 people with diabetes to assess the psychometric properties. The HDFQ is readable to an average 13-year old and imposes little burden. It shows good content and face validity. It demonstrates adequate internal consistency, with Kuder-Richardson-20 formula = 0.77 and good item-total correlations. Item analysis showed a desirable range in P-values. In discriminant function analyses, HDFQ scores differentiated respondents by knowledge of their own cardiovascular health, use of lipid lowering medications, health insurance status, and educational attainment, thus indicating good criterion related validity. This measure of heart disease risk knowledge is brief, understandable to respondents, and easy to administer and score. Its potential for use in research and practice is discussed. Future research should establish norms as well as investigate its test-retest reliability and predictive validity.
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PMID:Development of a questionnaire to measure heart disease risk knowledge in people with diabetes: the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire. 1595 Aug 40

Significant hypoxemia can result from right-to-left intracardiac shunting through a patent foramen ovale, an atrial septal defect or a ventricular septal defect. Pulmonary embolus, congenital heart disease and pericardial tamponade are well-recognized causes of right-to-left shunting. However, right-to-left shunting can also follow pericardiocentesis. A case of profound hypoxemia caused by right ventricular hypokinesis precipitated by pericardial tap is reported. This under-recognized entity can be responsible for significant morbidity in the critical care setting. The clinical presentation, natural history, diagnosis and treatment of hypoxemia caused by intracardiac shunt following pericardiocentesis are discussed.
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PMID:Intracardiac shunt with hypoxemia caused by right ventricular dysfunction following pericardiocentesis. 1878 27

Despite compelling statistics that show we could eliminate 80%of all heart disease and strokes, 90% of all diabetes, and 60% of all cancers with basic lifestyle changes, we have failed to motivate the public to make these changes and failed to motivate policy makers to make healthy choices the easiest choice. Dr. Katz suggests we have failed because we have focused too much on statistics and too little on passion. He implores all of us to tap into people's passion by connecting each of these statistics with a human story.
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PMID:Facing the facelessness of public health: what's the public got to do with it? 2172 59