Pregnancy and hyperprolactinemia. Review of therapeutic measures apropos of a series of 35 patients

Forty-eight pregnancies were observed in 35 patients with hyperprolactinaemia divided into 3 groups according to their initial radiological appearances: normal sella turcica (Group I, n = 11), microadenoma (Group II, n = 12) or macroadenoma without suprasellar expansion, visual defect or pituitary deficiency (Group III, n = 12). Twenty-seven patients were treated with Bromocriptine (Br) from the outs six by adenomectomy + Br, one by adenomectomy alone complicated by meningitis and by corticotropic and thyrotropic hormone deficiencies, followed by amenorrhea despite normalisation of the hyperprolactinaemia requiring induction of a first pregnancy with Clomid. As regards the pregnancies induced by Br (43/48), Br was withdrawn at an early stage in Group I and in the majority of cases in Groups II and III. In all, 37 pregnancies came to term; after Br therapy we observed 5 spontaneous abortions and 3 premature deliveries; 2 caesarian sections were performed before term (one case of hypertension and one adenomatous expansion); one early termination was performed for a tumoral complication. One congenital abnormality (oesophageal atresis) was detected. These observations support the results of extensive studies showing no effects of Br on the outcome of pregnancy and no detectable teratogenic effects with this drug. Five pituitary complications occurred during pregnancy after withdrawal of Br; 1 case of headaches with expansion of a macroadenoma cured by adenometry after prophylactic caesarian section before term; 1 case of optic chiasma compression (Group III) which responded to emergency surgery and 2 cases of pituitary apoplexy (Groups II and III) which responded favourably to Br and in which pregnancy continued normally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction: comparison of ACTH stimulation, insulin-hypoglycemia and metyrapone

The response to ACTH stimulation, insulin-hypoglycemia and metyrapone in patients with suspected HPA axis dysfunction due to corticosteroid therapy (Group I, n = 10), or pituitary surgery (Group II, n = 7) and in a control population (Group III, n = 8) was studied. Group I patients had been maintained on a stable low dose of prednisone 5.0-7.5 mg/day for 1 month-16 yr (mean = 31 mos) prior to testing. Basal 08:00 h cortisol levels in this group were not different from control values. However, the mean responses to all three testing procedures were suppressed (Group I vs III, ACTH p less than 0.001, insulin p less than 0.01, metyrapone p less than 0.05). Group II patients had undergone surgery 1-26 months (mean = 10 mo) prior to testing and had been maintained subsequently on a stable dose of prednisone 5.0-7.5 mg/day. In this group basal mean 08:00 h cortisol and the cortisol response to ACTH and insulin-hypoglycemia were not significantly different from control values while the response to metyrapone was suppressed (Group II vs III p less than 0.02). Basal serum DHEA-S levels were suppressed in both Groups I and II when compared to Group III (p less than 0.001). Discordant responses to the three testing procedures were noted in 6 patients with suspected HPA dysfunction with abnormal test results in 1/6 using cortrosyn, 3/6 using insulin-hypoglycemia and 4/6 using metyrapone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile in alcoholic patients with and without liver disease: on the relative roles of alcohol and liver injury

In the present study, we report on alterations in plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein patterns in three separate populations of alcoholic patients, one without liver damage (Group I), a second presenting steatosis or mild alcoholic hepatitis or both (Group II) and a third with alcoholic cirrhosis (Group III), using a healthy, normolipidemic, nonalcoholic group as controls (Group C). Total plasma cholesterol levels were elevated in Groups II and III when compared with Groups I and C, while the ratio of esterified to free cholesterol was considerably lower in Group III than in the other groups. Plasma apo-AI levels were higher in Groups I and II than in Group C, but varied over a wide range in Group III. Apo-AII was present at higher concentrations in Groups I and II than in both Groups III and C. In contrast, no significant differences were detected in total apo-B levels, irrespective of the group. Modifications in the chemical composition of plasma lipoproteins primarily concerned a reduction in the cholesteryl ester content of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in Group III, this being compensated by a reciprocal increase in triglyceride. In addition, Group III lipoproteins, with the exception of HDL3 (density 1.100 to 1.140 gm per ml), exhibited a greater content of phospholipids than those of corresponding density from patients in Groups I and II. No significant differences were found in very low-density lipoprotein concentrations, while LDL levels increased in parallel with the severity of liver injury. In Groups I and II, HDL2 concentrations were elevated relative to Group C, while HDL3 decreased in parallel with the degree of impairment of liver function and thus from Group C to Group III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

高血压病左房扩大的意义及其相关因素

７０例高血压病分成三个亚组：Ⅰ组左室结构正常组，４７例；Ⅱ组单纯左室肥厚组（ＬＶＭＩ＞１２０ｇ／ｍ￣２）１３例；Ⅲ组左室肥厚并左室扩大（ＬＶＥＤＩ＞５５ｍｍ）组１０例。此外根据ＬＡ大小分成ＬＡ≥４０ｍｍ组１９例及ＬＡ＜４０ｍｍ组５１例。正常对照组２３例。应用Ｕｌｔｒａｍａｒｋ－９彩色多普勒显像仪测定有关参数。结论：ＬＡ扩大是高血压病对左心影响的早期表现，与其相关的因素有年龄、ＬＶＭＩ及Ａ／Ｅ三个指标。     

Effects of electrical pacing to the preischemic rate during rewarming after hypothermic ischemia in the rat heart

Summary The effects of electrical pacing during the early reperfusion following hypothermic global ischemia (60 min, at 25°C) was studied in the isolated working rat heart model. The hearts were divided into three groups. Hearts in Group I (n=8) were control without hypothermia, ischemia or pacing. Hearts in Group II (n=16) were paced with ventricular rate at 300 beats/min with 1 m Volt for 10 min during the Langendorff mode after an initial 5 min of reperfusion. Hearts in Group III (n=14) were not paced. The recovery of aortic flow (both absolute and percent) was significantly better in Group II than in Group III, but was significantly lower in both groups than in control. No significant differences were noted, however, in heart rate, aortic pressure or coronary flow between Group II and III. In contrast, the tissue concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in Groups II and III decreased significantly by the end of reperfusion relative to Group I, but no difference in ATP existed between Group II and III. Myocardial ATP concentrations did not correlate with percent recovery of aortic flow. The myocardial concentration of calcium in Groups II and III increased by the end of reperfusion as compared with Group I, but no difference in calcium existed between Group II and III. The myocardial concentration of calcium demonstrated a significant correlation with percent recovery of aortic flow (r=0.71, n=30,p<0.005). Our results indicate that an electrical pacing during early reperfusion in the myocardium improves functional recovery of aortic flow.     

Intra-atrial conduction delay and fragmented atrial activity in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

To examine the electrophysiologic characteristics of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), we studied intra-atrial conduction delay and fragmented atrial activity during premature stimulation of high right atrium in the following four groups: Group I (n = 25), patients without PAF and without sick sinus syndrome (SSS); Group II (n = 22), patients with PAF but without SSS; Group III (n = 10), patients without PAF and with SSS; Group IV (n = 6), patients with PAF and SSS. Intra-atrial conduction delay was the increase in the interval (from the stimuli to the coronary sinus electrogram) observed with early premature beats greater than or equal to 20 ms compared with that of basic rhythm. Fragmented atrial activity was defined as disorganized atrial activity greater than or equal to 150% of the duration of high atrial activity of basic beats recorded. The conduction delay zone (CDZ) and fragmented atrial activity zone (FAZ) were significantly wider in Groups II, III and IV than in Group I. There were no significant differences in either CDZs or FAZs among Groups II, III and IV. Thus, the widening of CDZs and/or FAZs are characteristic of PAF and SSS. CDZ and FAZ may be good indices of development of PAF in patients without SSS.     

The effect of fluid loading, blood transfusion, and catecholamine infusion on oxygen delivery and consumption in patients with sepsis

Fifty-four patients with systemic sepsis and signs of circulatory shock were prospectively investigated immediately before and after 1 of 3 therapeutic interventions chosen to increase systemic oxygen delivery (DO2): colloidal fluid loading (Group I, n = 20), blood transfusion (Group II, n = 17), or catecholamine infusion (dopamine or dobutamine, Group III, n = 17). Patients in Groups I and II with normal blood lactate concentrations (less than 2.2 mmol/L) exhibited no significant increases in systemic oxygen consumption (VO2) in response to the increases in DO2. However, significant increases in VO2 were noted in patients in Groups I and II with elevated lactate concentrations (greater than 2.2 mmol/L). In contrast to patients in Groups I and II, patients in Group III with and without lactic acidosis exhibited significant increases in VO2 after catecholamine administration. Lactic acidosis, a clinical marker of anaerobic metabolism or oxygen debt, appears to predict increases in VO2 in response to increases in DO2 in septic patients receiving fluid and catecholamines increase VO2 without regard for the presence or absence of anaerobic metabolism. The results of this clinical trial therefore suggest that catecholamines may exert a direct effect on oxidative metabolism.     

Effects of preoperative fractionated irradiation on left colonic anastomoses in the rat

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is frequently used as a (neo)adjuvant to surgery in colorectal cancer patients, and because such therapy could influence the integrity of the anastomosis, we decided to investigate the effect of preoperative irradiation on colonic anastomosis. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats, weighing 200 to 348 g, were divided into three groups: a control group (I) underwent left colon resection and primary anastomosis (n=20); a sham irradiated group (II, n=20); a study group (III) that received fractionated irradiation to the whole pelvis (anterior-posterior pelvic field), for a total dose of 22 Gy, 5.5 Gy per fraction, on four consecutive days with linear accelerator (n=32). Four days after irradiation, both Groups II and III underwent the same operation as performed in Group I. Within each group, one-half of the animals were anesthetized on the third postoperative day and one-half on the seventh postoperative day. Abdominal wound-healing, anastomotic complications, and anastomotic bursting pressure measurements were recorded. Following these measurements, the anastomotic segment was resected for hydroxyproline content and myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS: Irradiated animals had more pronounced weight loss during therapy. There were no differences with abdominal wound-healing, intraperitoneal adhesions, and anastomotic complications between groups. At days 3 and 7, mean bursting pressures of the anastomosis were determined at 36.5 and 208 mmHg in Group I, 34.5 and 228 mmHg in Group II, and 25 and 150 mmHg in Group III, respectively (P<0.01 Group IIIvs. both Groups I and II on days 3 and 7). The burst occurred at the anastomosis in all animals tested on the third postoperative day and one in Group I (10 percent), none in Group II, and six in Group III (37.5 percent) on the seventh postoperative day. In addition, hydroxyproline content and myeloperoxidase activity was significantly lower in Group III. CONCLUSION: Although preoperative fractionated irradiation significantly decreased the anastomotic bursting pressure and more burst occurred in the anastomotic line on postoperative day 7, the clinical outcome was similar among the groups.Presented at the 37th World Congress of Surgery of the ISS/SIC, Acapulco, Mexico, August 24 to 30, 1997.     

Rapid improvement in insulin binding to erythrocyte insulin receptors in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus during therapy

Summary Insulin binding to erythrocyte receptors was studied in 36 newly diagnosed male subjects with NIDDM, treated with diet alone (Group I; n=10) or diet + glibenclamide (Group II; n=12) or diet + glibenclamide + metformin (Group III; n=14). Fourteen matched non-diabetic subjects were also studied as controls. Initially, mean (± SD) specific insulin binding was lower in NIDDM patients than in controls (p<0.001), due to decreased receptor number and affinity. Control of diabetes with short-term therapy (10 ± 2 days) resulted in significantly increased specific insulin binding in Groups II and III (p<0.001). A marginal increase was observed in Group I (p<0.01). The improved insulin binding observed in Group II and III patients after short-term therapy was maintained even after long-term therapy (9 ± 1 months). Analysis of the insulin binding data by Scatchard plots and average affinity profiles indicated increased receptor number and affinity after short-term therapy. However, changes in affinity were reversed with long-term therapy in Groups II and III and the predominant effect appeared to be an increase in the number of binding sites.     

Response to hepatitis B vaccine in preterm babies.

INTRODUCTION: A well-accepted vaccination schedule for preterm babies is not available. We therefore studied the response to hepatitis B vaccine in preterm babies. METHODS: 60 babies born to HBsAg-negative mothers were studied. Group I (n=20) consisted of term babies with birth weight >2.5 Kg, group II (n=20) included preterm babies with birth weight between 1.8 and 2.49 Kg, and group III (n=20) included preterm babies with birth weight between 1.2 and 1.79 Kg. Mean gestational age in the three groups was 38.5 (1.1), 33.5 (1.4) and 32.7 (2.1) weeks, respectively. All babies received 3 doses (10 microg/0.5 mL) of a recombinant HBV vaccine within 3 days of birth, and at 6 weeks and 6 months of life. Anti-HBs levels were measured one month after the 2nd and 3rd doses each; the immune response was categorized as good responders (anti-HBs >100 mIU/mL, low responders (anti-HBs 10-100 mIU/mL) and non-responders (anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL). RESULTS: Good antibody response after the second dose was seen in 95% of babies in group I, 60% of those in group II and 10% of those in group III. This increased to 100%, 90% and 45%, respectively after the third dose. The response was influenced by gestational age (r=0.73); 94% of babies with gestational age 34-36 weeks attained good antibody response compared to only 55% of babies with gestational age of 31-33 weeks. Birth weight had no independent influence on the antibody response. CONCLUSION: The response to hepatitis B vaccine is influenced by gestational age. Hence, in preterm babies, it is advisable to check antibody titers one month after the third dose to assess the need for a booster dose.     

Community hospital administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator in acute myocardial infarction: improved timing, thrombolytic efficacy and ventricular function

As an investigational fibrinolytic agent for acute myocardial infarction, intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has been administered primarily in tertiary care and university centers. To determine the value of early initiation of such therapy, two satellite community hospital emergency rooms were established for use of rt-PA and the experience was compared among 142 consecutive patients who were transferred to a regional center for acute cardiac catheterization after intravenous rt-PA therapy. In Group I (n = 19), patients received rt-PA after interhospital transport to the regional center, but before cardiac catheterization. In Group II (n = 70), rt-PA therapy was initiated by the helicopter physician and nurse team after their arrival at the local community hospital emergency room. Group III patients (n = 53) had rt-PA administered in the local community hospital by the emergency room physician. Group III patients had earlier initiation of therapy (2.1 +/- 0.8 hours in Group III versus 3.8 +/- 1.2 hours in combined Groups I and II, p less than 0.001) and an increased rate of infarct vessel recanalization on the 90 minute coronary angiogram (81 in Group III versus 67% in combined Groups I and II, p = 0.057). The patients in Group III had a higher acute left ventricular ejection fraction (54 +/- 8% versus 50 +/- 9.5% in combined Groups I and II, p less than 0.01) and a trend toward an increased 7 day ejection fraction (55.5 +/- 9% versus 51.7 +/- 9.5%, respectively, p = 0.08).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cardiac size and performance during pregnancy estimated with echocardiography

Echocardiography was performed In 55 women In the following groups: Group I, 15 normal nonpregnant control subjects; Group II, 13 normal women In the 13th to 23rd weeks of gestation; Group III, 15 normal women In the 24th to 32nd weeks of gestation; and Group IV, 12 women at term pregnancy. The heart rate was 20 percent greater In pregnant women than In normal control subjects, and left ventricular dimensions and volumes were significantly larger during gestation. The right ventricular dimension was significantly increased in women in Group III (P < 0.001). Stroke volume increased by 32 percent in the 13th to 23rd weeks (Group II, P < 0.005) and remained Increased later (Group III). There was a parallel rise in ejection fraction. Cardiac output, 3.93 ± 0.53 (mean ± 1 standard deviation) liters/min in normal nonpregnant women, increased to 6.05 ± 1.58 in the second trimester (P < 0.001) and to 6.15 ± 1.5 liters/min later in gestation (P < 0.001). When women at term pregnancy were studied in the left lateral position they had a higher cardiac output (5.88 ± 1.69 liters/min) (P < 3.001) than normal control subjects (Group I), but when they were studied supine their cardiac output was almost as low as that in Group I although they had a higher heart rate. The velocity of circumferential shortening and posterior wall slope both increased to a significant extent in all pregnant women. In Group III, the velocity of circumferential shortening increased to 1.35 ± 0.19 circumferences/sec compared with 1.13 ± 0.12 circumferences/sec in control subjects (P < 0.005), and the slope of posterior wall motion increased to 61.1 ± 8.7 mm/sec compared with 50.5 ± 4.9 in control subjects. Cardiac output increased early in pregnancy because of an increase in both stroke volume and heart rate. Enhanced myocardial contractility may have contributed to the observed increase.     

Endoscopic hemostasis of bleeding peptic ulcers: 1:10000 adrenalin injection vs. 1:10000 adrenalin +1% aethoxysclerol injection vs. heater probe

To evaluate the efficacy of three endoscopic methods which utilize different mechanisms of hemostasis to control bleeding peptic ulcers, we performed a prospective randomized study in 83 patients. Thirty-two patients were treated with 1:10000 adrenalin (Group I), 29 patients with 1:10000 adrenalin + 1% aethoxysclerol (Group II), and 22 patients with the heater probe (Group III). Gastric ulcers were the source of bleeding in 14,15 and 12 patients while duodenal ulcers were the source in 16, 13 and 10 patients in Groups I, II and III, respectively. Two stomal ulcers were noted in Group I and 1 in Group II. Two spurters were treated in Group I and 4 in Group II, while 22,13 and 10 oozers were treated in Groups I, II and III, respectively. Definitive hemostasis was achieved in 94%, 100% and 95% in Groups I, II and III, respectively while the rebleeding rate was 6.25%, 6.9% and 9% respectively. 1:10000 adrenalin injection alone or when combined with subsequent instillation of a sclerosing agent and heater probe application have comparable efficacy in the endoscopic control of bleeding peptic ulcers.     

Biochemical,clinical, and morphologic studies on lungs of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We correlated clinical, biochemical, and morphologic findings in the lungs of 48 infants dying of either bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or hyaline membrane disease (HMD) to obtain a better idea of the disease process. The infants ranged from 24 weeks of gestation to 1½ postnatal years. The lungs of BPD and HMD infants had higher contents of DNA, alkali-soluble protein, hydroxyproline, and desmosine, as well as increased concentrations of DNA, hydroxyproline, and desmosine when compared with the lungs of 72 control infants. BPD was classified histologically into 4 groups: Group I was a phase of acute lung injury; Group II the proliferative phase; Group III the phase of early repair; and Group IV the phase of late repair. We saw a significant increase in hydroxyproline concentration in Groups II and III. The ratio of type VIII collagen decreased in BPD Groups II to IV. Desmosine was significantly higher only in Group III than in controls. When the pathological classification was related to biochemical and clinical features of BPD, the classification showed dependence on the number of days the infant survived postnatally and not on the gestational age of the infant. The number of days on assisted ventilation was a slightly better predictor of the disease classification than days on > 60% oxygen. A statistical model correctly predicted the pathologic classification 83% of the time. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 22:215–229. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Discrepancies between the responses to skin prick test to food and respiratory antigens in two subtypes of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM：To compare the response to skin prick tests （SPTs） to food antigens （FAs） and inhalant allergens （IAs） in patients with two subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） and healthy controls.
METHODS：We compared the results of SPTs for IAs and FAs in 87 volunteers divided into three groups：diarrhea predominant IBS （D-IBS） GroupⅠ（n = 19）, constipation predominant IBS （C-IBS） Group Ⅱ （n = 17）, and normal controls Group Ⅲ （n = 51）.
RESULTS：Of the 285 tests （171 for FAs and 114 for IAs） performed in GroupⅠwe obtained 45 （26.3%） positive responses for FA and 23 （20.1%） for IA. Of the 153 tests for FA in Group Ⅱ, we obtained 66 （20.1%） positive responses, and of the 102 tests for IA, we obtained 20 （19.6%） positive responses. Of the 459 tests for FA performed in Group Ⅲ, we obtained 39 （84%） positive responses, and of the 306 for IA, we obtained 52 （16.9%） positive responses. The numbers of positive responses were not significantly different between the three groups, but in the D-IBS group, the number of SPTFA responses differed significantly from those for the other two groups （P 〈 0.01）.
CONCLUSION：Despite the small number of cases studied, the higher reactivity to FAs in GroupⅠcompared to Groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ adds new information, and suggests the presence of a possible alteration in intestinal epithelial function.     

Atrial electrophysiological study of unexplained cerebrovascular disorders

The aim of this study was to detect possible atrial electrophysiological abnormalities in patients with unexplained embolic cerebrovascular accidents without overt atrial arrhythmias. This group was compared with normal controls and a group of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Sixty-six patients were studied: Group I normal controls (N = 20); Group II patients with CVA (N = 26) and Group III, patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (N = 20). Each group was divided into 2 subgroups according to age (over and under 45 years). The following parameters were taken into consideration: parameters correlated to atrial excitability (effective and functional refractory periods, adaptation of these refractory periods, intraatrial conduction--A1 and A2, S1A1, S2A2 intervals--, index of latent vulnerability); provocative testing by the extrastimulus technique; classical indices of atrioventricular conduction and sinus node function. In subjects over 45 years of age, the effective refractory periods were shorter in Group III (214 +/- 33 ms) and II (214 +/- 32 ms) than in the control Group I (248 +/- 21 ms), p less than 0.01. This difference was not apparent in younger patients. Inadaptation of the refractory periods was demonstrated equally in Groups II and III in all ages whilst the control subjects showed normal adaptation, p less than 0.05. Intraatrial A1 and especially A2 conduction was significantly prolonged in Group III (94.5 +/- 24 ms) and II (87 +/- 14 ms) compared with the control group (69 +/- 8 ms), p less than 0.01, especially in younger subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparative effects of aspirin, a synthetic thrombin inhibitor and a monoclonal antiplatelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antibody on coronary artery reperfusion, reocclusion and bleeding with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in a canine preparation

The comparative effects of intravenous aspirin, the synthetic thrombin inhibitor (2R,4R)-4-methyl-1-[N2-(3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8- quinolinesulfonyl)-L-arginyl]-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid monohydrate (Argatroban) and F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibody 7E3 against platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (7E3-F[ab']2) on thrombolysis, reocclusion and bleeding associated with 0.45 mg/kg body weight bolus injections of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) were studied in a canine coronary artery thrombosis model. Coronary patency was monitored for 2 h both by flow probe and by coronary angiography. Four groups were studied: Group I = pretreated with 17 mg/kg intravenous aspirin (n = 6), Group II = pretreated with 200 micrograms/kg per min intravenous Argatroban for 60 min (n = 5), Group III = pretreated with aspirin and Argatroban (n = 5) and Group IV = pretreated with 0.8 mg/kg intravenous 7E3-F(ab')2 (n = 5). In Group I, reflow occurred in four of six dogs, but did not persist; reflow was induced in Group II in four of five dogs, persisting in one; in Group III, reflow occurred in all five dogs, persisting in four; in Group IV reflow was achieved in four of five dogs, persisting in two. The frequency of persistent reflow in Group III was significantly higher than in the combined Groups I and II (p = 0.012), whereas the time to reflow was significantly shorter in the groups receiving Argatroban than in the aspirin group (median 25 versus 55 min, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between Groups III and IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Postoperative treatment of clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas with dopamine agonists decreases tumour remnant growth

OBJECTIVE: There is no consensus as to the optimal postoperative treatment of patients with clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) in whom total tumour removal has not been achieved. In this study we assessed whether dopamine agonist (DA) treatment can prevent postoperative remnant enlargement in NFPA. DESIGN AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients (25 men/8 women; mean age, 61.7 +/- 11.2 years; mean follow-up, 40.6 +/- 4.8 months) were treated with DA, and their outcome was compared to that of 47 untreated patients (33 men/14 women; mean age, 59 +/- 2 years; mean follow-up, 42.9 +/- 4.2 months). RESULTS: Tumour mass decreased or remained stable in 18/20 patients in whom DA treatment was initiated upon detection of residual tumour on postoperative MRI (group I). In 13 subjects (group II), DA therapy was started when tumour remnant growth became evident during the course of routine follow-up. Tumour growth stabilized or decreased in 8/13 (61.5%) of these patients. In contrast, tumour size remained stable in only 38.3% (18/47) of the untreated subjects (P < 0.0001 for comparisons among the three groups) and increased in the remaining 29 patients. Tumour enlargement free mean survival time was 103.7 +/- 8.8 months (CI 86.3-121) for group I, 43.9 +/- 9.6 months (CI 25.2-62.8) for group II and 36.7 +/- 3.8 (CI 29.2-44.2) for the control group (P = 0.0017). Treatment vs. control hazard ratio for tumour enlargement was 0.135 for group I (P = 0.007, 95% CI 0.032-0.577) and 0.892 for group II (P = 0.817; 95% CI 0.34-2.34). CONCLUSIONS: Dopamine agonist therapy is associated with a decreased prevalence of residual tumour enlargement in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, particularly when treatment is instituted before tumour remnant growth is detected.     

Determinants of left ventricular aneurysm formation after anterior myocardial infarction: a clinical and angiographic study

To determine factors involved in left ventricular aneurysm formation after transmural anterior myocardial infarction, 79 patients with a first myocardial infarction who underwent cardiac catheterization within 6 months of infarction were evaluated. Patients who had received thrombolytic therapy were excluded. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the status of the left anterior descending artery and the presence or absence of a left ventricular aneurysm: Group I (n = 25): aneurysm with occluded left anterior descending artery; Group II (n = 27): no aneurysm and occluded left anterior descending artery; Group III (n = 23): no aneurysm and patent left anterior descending artery; and Group IV (n = 4): aneurysm with patent left anterior descending artery. Single vessel disease was more common in Group I (aneurysm) compared with Groups II and III (no aneurysm) (chi 2(4) = 12.8; probability value equal to 0.012). Collateral blood supply in the presence of an occluded left anterior descending artery was significantly less in Group I (aneurysm) compared with Group II (no aneurysm) (0.9 versus 2.4, p less than 0.001). The extent of coronary artery disease and collateral blood supply in Groups I and II were directly related (p = 0.012). Neither age, sex nor risk factors for coronary disease correlated with aneurysm formation. At a mean follow-up of 48 months, no differences were observed in the incidence of recurrent angina, new myocardial infarction, embolic events or sudden death. More patients in Group II underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. Total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in association with inherent poor collateral blood supply is a significant determinant of aneurysm formation after anterior myocardial infarction. Multivessel disease with either good collateral circulation or a patent left anterior descending artery is uncommonly associated with the development of left ventricular aneurysm.     

Arrhythmia Profile and Sudden Death After Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest

Incidence of sudden death and arrhythmia pattern were studied using ambulatory monitoring in 40 patients resuscitated < 24 hours (n = 26, Group I) or 4–12 weeks (n = 14, Group II) after myocardial infarction. Forty patients with myocardial infarction and no resuscitation served as controls (Group III). Ambulatory ECGs were recorded with an average of 2 months (Recording 1) and 28 months (Recording 2) after myocardial infarction. Incidence of sudden death was significantly higher in Group II (43%) than in Group I (15%) or Group III (8%) (p < 0.01). In Recording 1, there were no significant differences in the incidence of premature ventricular beats and complex arrhythmias (couplets or salvos) between survivors and sudden death patients in Groups I, II and III, whereas in Recording 2 the mean incidence of premature ventricular beats and complex arrhythmias was significantly higher in survivors in Group II than in Group I or Group III (p < 0.05). In addition, in survivors in Group II, incidence of premature ventricular beats and complex arrhythmias was significantly higher in Recording 2 than in Recording 1 (p < 0.05). Our data show that the risk of sudden death is high in patients with cardiac arrest 4–12 weeks after myocardial infarction. Repeated studies using ambulatory monitoring are helpful in estimating the risk of sudden death in patients with myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.