Radio-opaque pellets as faecal markers for faecal fat estimation in malabsorption.

Thirty-seven patients undergoing routine investigation for malabsorption were given radio-opaque pellets (ROP) which were compared with polyethylene glycol and chromic oxide as continuous faecal markers. Percentage recovery of all markers showed a wide range. The recovery of all markers was very similar, and radio-opaque pellet-corrected daily faecal fat correlated very closely with PEG-and chromic oxide-corrected fat results. Estimation of ROP is precise, simple, and minimises faecal handling. ROP are suitable for routine use in faecal fat studies and have advantages over markers used at present.     

Rectus sheath hematoma.

We describe 3 patients with rectus sheath hematoma presenting to the emergency department. Prompt consideration of this uncommon cause of abdominal pain may prevent more expensive and invasive diagnostic tests and, in some cases, unnecessary hospitalization and laparotomy.     

Experimental evaluation of a new transducer tipped catheter

The accuracy and fidelity of a new transducer-tipped catheter (Camino Laboratories) was compared in 10 closed chest anesthetized dogs with standard Millar catheters. Simultaneous Camino and Millar measurements of left ventricular pressures and its first derivative (dp/dt) were recorded in control, after Isoprenaline infusion and during left anterior descending coronary artery balloon occlusion, to vary the pressures for comparison. Linear regression analysis comparing the Camino and Millar systems yielded a good correlation, and one way analysis of variance showed no difference between the two catheter readings, thus revealing that the recently developed Camino disposable transducer-tipped catheter provides accurate measurements of left ventricular pressure and its first derivative.     

Rectus sheath hematoma

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a known complication of anticoagulation therapy and a source of potential morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment may help to prevent complications including hemodynamic instability, the abdominal compartment syndrome or multiorgan dysfunction. Although the diagnosis can be made clinically, it can be confirmed with computed tomography of the abdomen. Most patients can be managed conservatively; however, it is often necessary to suspend anticoagulation in the acute setting. Rectus sheath hematoma is not a contraindication to resuming anticoagulation once the hematoma has been adequately managed and the patient has returned to a stable clinical baseline.     

Continuous ambulatory pulmonary artery pressure monitoring. A new method using a transducer tipped catheter and a simple recording system.

A transducer tipped catheter and simple recording system were used for the continuous measurement of ambulatory pulmonary artery pressure. The pulmonary artery pressure was recorded on a miniaturised tape recorder and replayed via an optical writer. Pulmonary arterial systolic and diastolic pressures can be analysed on a beat to beat basis. Continuous ambulatory monitoring was performed for a total 288 hours in 13 patients who were undergoing routine investigation for coronary artery disease. There was less than 1% zero drift and 0.25% linearity error per full scale pressure. The frequency response of the entire system was flat to 8 Hz with a linear phase delay. The transducer tipped catheter and a conventional fluid-filled system were used to measure left ventricular and pulmonary artery end diastolic pressures in eight patients. The correlation between the results obtained by the two methods was excellent. This method could be used at any centre equipped for ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring.     

球囊漂浮电极导管行床旁临时起搏62例

目的探讨静脉应用球囊漂浮电极导管行床旁心脏临时起搏的方法和可行性。方法回顾性分析62例球囊漂浮电极导管行床旁临时起搏的患者的临床资料．着重分析球囊漂浮电极导管行床旁临时起搏的方法。结果62例均床旁成功完成带囊临时起搏电极右心室起搏,从穿刺到起搏的时间为10～20min,中位时间15min,除外1例出现起搏导线打结外,所有患者均无出现严重心律失常、局部血肿、气胸、栓塞、心脏穿孔、感染等并发症发生。结论经静脉应用球囊漂浮电极导管进行床旁右心室临时起搏安全、可行。