The role of H.I.D.A./P.I.P.I.D.A. scanning in diagnosing cystic duct obstruction.

A newer approach to the early diagnosis of acute biliary tract disease is review. Ninety-two patients were evaluated with a new hepatobiliary agent (H.I.D.A/P.I.P.D.A.) for the presence of cystic duct obstruction. Seven patients with suspected acute gall bladder disease were dropped from the study for the lack of pathologic confirmation of the diagnosis. Forty-four of the remaining 85 patients were subsequently operated on and found to have acute cholecystitis. Forty-three of the 44 had cystic duct obstruction demonstrated on H.I.D.A. Scan (one false negative). An additional 23 patients underwent cholecystectomy for chronic disease. In this group, the gallbladder scan was only 43% (10/23) accurate in correctly identifying disease. Eighteen patients with nonbiliary disease had normal scans. The accuracy of ultrasonography and the scan are also compared in a smaller subgroup of 53 patients who had both studies.     

In Vitro Evaluation of U. S. and U. S. S. R. Artificial Hearts

This report summarizes the results of the in vitro evaluation of Soviet and American artificial hearts. The devices were tested at the All-Union Institute of Transplantation and Artificial Organs, Moscow, U.S.S.R., and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U. S. A. These studies were designed to standardize procedures to allow comparison of artificial ventricles of different designs. Also, these studies might provide a means for evaluation of other characteristics such as hemolysis, durability, and reliability. Static and dynamic tests were performed, varying preload, afterload, rate, and systolic and diastolic time intervals. All designs demonstrated comparable function curves with capability of taking over the pressure and volume work of the natural heart.