Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in experimental peritonitis in the rat

The changes in the regulation of insulin secretion that accompany sepsis are yet to be fully established. We therefore examined insulin secretion both in vivo and in vitro in 2 different models of peritonitis/sepsis in the rat. Sepsis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli either alone or together with bile. Following sepsis induction, an initial hyperglycemia developed. This hyperglycemia was transient and had vanished after 3 h (coli group) or 9 h (bile group). However, after 24 h, a second phase of hyperglycemia developed in both groups. The glucose elimination rate after intravenous glucose injection (0.5 g/kg) at 4 and 10 h after peritonitis/sepsis induction was retarded and the hyperglycemia that occurred during intravenous glucose infusion (10 mg/min for 30 min) was exaggerated. This is consistent with a reduced glucose uptake. Simultaneously, the plasma insulin responses to glucose were markedly exaggerated. This could be due to a true potentiated insulin secretion or simply to an adaptation to the hyperglycemia. However, also during intravenous arginine infusion (7 mg/min) at 4 h after peritonitis/sepsis induction, the plasma insulin responses were markedly exaggerated. Since only a slight change in plasma glucose occurred during this challenge, the results suggest that sepsis is accompanied by a true hypersecretion of insulin. To verify whether this is directly or indirectly mediated, pancreatic islets were isolated from peritonitis/sepsis animals at 4 h after disease induction and incubated for 45 min in a KRB medium supplemented with different concentrations of glucose. The subsequent insulin secretion was the same in islets from the septic animals as in controls. Hence, our results show that experimental peritonitis/sepsis in the rat is accompanied by (1) glucose intolerance and (2) a true hypersecretion of insulin which is indirectly mediated.     

Comparison of left and right atrial epicardial pacing in patients with congenital heart disease

Background. Complex congenital heart disease (CHD) often necessitates the use of epicardial pacing. Adequate right atrial (RA) sensing and pacing thresholds are often difficult to obtain due to suture line scarring and RA dilatation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the placement of left atrial (LA) epicardial leads in children.

Methods. Patient demographics, pacing, and sensing data of atrial pacing systems implanted between January 1994 and January 1997 were collected.

Results. Forty-nine pacing systems were implanted: 14 LA epicardial, 19 RA epicardial, and 16 transvenous in the right atrium. Lead impedance, current, and energy were similar in the two epicardial groups throughout the study. Energy thresholds (ET) were lower in the LA than RA at 6 months, and 1 and 2 years (p < 0.05). Analysis of post-Fontan patients performed alone revealed a lower ET in the LA as compared with the RA. Pacing and sensing parameters from transvenous leads are presented for relative comparison.

Conclusions. Transvenous leads are most efficient but often contraindicated in complex CHD. LA leads offer lower energy thresholds than RA leads with similar sensing parameters.     

Transvenous pacing in infants and children with congenital heart disease

A technique for transvenous pacemaker implantation in children with complex heart disease is described. The use of small positive-fixation leads, introducers, retained guidewires, and atrial lead loops to allow for growth all have an important role in management of this often challenging problem.     

心电图对常见左向右分流的先天性心脏病合并肺动脉高压的评价

目的评价心电图对左向右分流先天性心脏病合并肺动脉高压的诊断价值。方法我院100例左向右分流先天性心脏病患者,男性60例,女性40例,室间隔缺损(VSD)40例,动脉导管未闭(PDA)35例,房间隔缺损(ASD)25例。肺动脉压力和分流均经心导管证实。分析心电图改变与肺动脉高压的关系。结果PDA和VSD患者合并肺动脉高压时,心电图改变为右心室肥大和双心室肥大,与未合并肺动脉高压的差异有统计学意义,ASD患者合并肺动脉高压的心电图改变和肺动脉压力正常的心电图改变差异无统计学意义。结论心电图对先天性心脏病(动脉导管未闭和室间隔缺损)肺动脉高压的诊断是一种简便有效的检查方法。     

High origin of the right coronary artery with congenital heart disease

We encountered a case of anomalous high origin of the right coronary artery associated with ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. The right coronary artery originated from the distal part of the ascending aorta resulting in unsuccessful induction of cardiac arrest by cardioplegia. We describe this rare case with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery.     

Congenital heart disease having left to right shunts combined with pulmonary hypertension

A large population of patients with congenital heart disease with relevant systemic to pulmonary shunts( left to right shunts) will develop pulmonary arterial hypertension if left untreated. There are 2 different statuses of an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure. One is high resistance due to high pulmonary blood flow( high flow with high resistance), another one is low pulmonary flow due to high resistance( low flow with high resistance). Chronic large left-to-right shunt induced severe pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension. This was then subsequence of low pulmonary blood flow with high pulmonary vascular resistance. We have to avoid this situation and have to do intervention while the pulmonary vascular reactivity has been left. Therefore accurate diagnosis, preoperative treatment for avoidance of high flow, appropriate timing of interventions and post operative various managements are important factors as aiming of low pulmonary resistance in this group. It is important to be familiar with.     

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in interatrial right to left shunt postpneumonectomy

Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a syndrome characterized by dyspnea and hypoxemia on adoption of an upright posture (i.e., orthodeoxia), and by the absence or reduction of symptoms and of hypoxemia in a supine position. We describe the case of a 64-year-old patient who had developed an acute respiratory insufficiency due to right-to-left shunt in a patent foramen ovale one month after right intrapericardiac pneumonectomy. The patient was initially treated unsuccessfully with bronchodilators, corticosteroids and oxygen therapy. He was then admitted to the ICU due to severe refractory hypoxemia. Diagnosis of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome was demonstrated by O2 saturation and arterial blood gas analysis in the supine and upright positions. The presence of a right-to-left interatrial shunt through a patent foramen ovale was documented by transesophageal echocardiography 24 h after admission to intensive care. The next day, the patient underwent a percutaneous occlusion procedure with an Amplatzer device after consultation with surgeons and cardiologists. The patient was dismissed from the ICU after 24 hours of monitoring, and successfully discharged to home after one week.     

Renal function and injury in infants and young children with congenital heart disease

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate renal function and injury in infants and young children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 58 CHD children aged ??3?years and 20 age-matched controls and divided these into four groups: Group I, acyanotic CHD (n?=?24); Group II, cyanotic CHD with arterial oxygen saturation of >75?% (n?=?20); Group III, cyanotic CHD with arterial oxygen saturation of ??75?% (n?=?14); Group IV, normal controls (n?=?20). Urinary levels of microalbumin (MA), N-acetyl-?-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and ??1-microglobulin (??1-MG) corrected by creatinine (UCr) were compared.

Results

Children with CHD had elevated urinary ??1-MG/UCr levels, with Group III children having the highest level. Groups I and III children had higher urinary NAG/UCr levels than those of Groups II and IV. Urinary MA/UCr levels in the three patient groups were comparable and significantly higher than that in the control group. A ??1-MG?×?100/ (??1-MG?+?MA) of <15?%, indicative of glomerular damage, was present in two patients in Group I and one in Group III, but none in Group II.

Conclusions

Tubular injury can occur in CHD patients during infancy and early childhood. Among our patient cohort, it was most prominent in children with severe cyanosis. Glomerular injury was detected in some individuals with advanced heart failure or severe cyanosis.     

婴幼儿危重先天性心脏病的急诊外科治疗

目的探讨婴幼儿危重先天性心脏病急诊外科治疗的可行性以及手术适应证选择、手术技术和围术期处理.方法 1998年5月～2003年5月为67例危重先天性心脏病婴幼儿(年龄14天～32个月,平均年龄11.8±8.9个月;体重2.6～14.8 kg,平均体重8.4±3.0 kg)施行急诊或亚急诊手术.室间隔缺损39例,法洛四联症13例,完全房室间隔缺损5例,完全性肺静脉异位引流4例,房间隔缺损合并肺动脉瓣狭窄3例,完全型大动脉转位2例,先心病术后肺动脉瓣赘生物1例.64例行根治手术,3例行姑息手术.结果术前准备时间0～9天,平均3.7±2.6天;术后呼吸机辅助呼吸时间1～14天,平均3.8±3.2天;ICU时间2～18 天,平均5.7±2.8天.全组住院死亡5例,手术死亡率7.5%(5/67).其余患者术后并发症为:低心排血量综合征14例,肺不张14例,肺部感染8例,肺动脉高压危象2例,气胸和膈肌麻痹各1例,均治愈.随访2～60个月,晚期死亡1例,其余患者心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,效果满意.结论婴幼儿危重先天性心脏病急诊、亚急诊外科治疗是安全的,可以挽救大部分患者的生命,并取得较好效果,关键在于准确选择适应证、围术期加强营养和心肺功能支持.