Relationship between oxidative stress and systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction sometimes occurs. However, the mechanism is not known. We examined whether oxidative stress was elevated in myocardia of HCM patients and whether the levels were correlated with left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endomyocardial biopsy samples obtained from the right ventricular side of the septum of 31 patients with HCM, and 10 control subjects were studied immunohistochemically for the expression of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein, which is a major lipid peroxidation product. Expression of HNE-modified protein was found in all myocardial biopsy samples from patients with HCM. Expression was distinct in the cytosol of cardiomyocytes. The expression levels in patients with HCM were significantly increased compared with those in control subjects (P = .0005). The expression levels in patients with HCM were correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (r = 0.483, P = .0053) and end-systolic diameter (r = 0.500, P = .0037) determined by echocardiography. The expression levels were inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction determined by left ventriculography (r = -0.640, P = .0001). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress was elevated in myocardia of HCM patients and the levels were correlated with left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure in patients with HCM.     

Effects of allogeneic stimulations on the proliferation and differentiation of the hemopoietic stem cell.

The effects of allogeneic stimulatins on the hemopoietic system were investigated. Spleen cells of mice activated in vivo with alloantigens were able to produce highly active colony-stimulating factor in the culture medium without any stimulation. But spleen cells of these mice could not release colony-stimulating factor after treatment in vitro with anti-theta serum and complement. The number of granulopoietic progenitor cells (colony-forming unit-culture) in both bone marrow and spleen cells of mice treated with such procedures was significantly greater than that of the control, and the number of pluripotent stem cells (colony-forming unit-spleen) of these mice was markedly increased compared with that of the control, especially in spleen cells. These experiments suggest that T lymphocytes activated in vivo with alloantigens may release active substances in the differentiation and proliferation of hemopoietic stem cells.     

Pathological study of bronchospasms/tracheomalasia in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities

This report concerns two autopsy cases of severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) who died of bronchospasms or tracheomalasia. One case had no anatomical change in the tracheal wall except for an endotracheal granuloma, while the other showed softening of the tracheal wall. Since patients with SMID have risk factors for bronchospasms and tracheomalasia, such as gastro-esophageal reflux, aspiration, and thoracic deformities, it is important that we suspect the possibility of these conditions, when we see the respiratory distress in cases of SMID.     

Ruptured infected descending aortic aneurysm successfully treated by omentopexy and a rifampicin-soaked vascular prosthesis; report of a case

A 73-year-old man was admitted for investigation of back pain, blood-stained sputum, and a high fever. Computed tomography (CT) showed a pseudoaneurysm in the descending aorta and intravenous antibiotic therapy was begun immediately after blood had been taken for culture. However, his temperature continued to spike daily, up to 38 degrees C, and his CRP was also elevated. The blood cultures were negative. The aneurysm ruptured and we replaced the descending aorta with a rifampicin (RFP)-soaked vascular prosthesis, and wrapped it with greater omentum. Postoperative antibiotic therapy with vancomycin hydrochloride, RFP, and amikacin sulfate was continued for 8 weeks. The patient recovered uneventfully. Thus, an infected aneurysm was effectively treated with a RFP-soaked vascular prosthesis and omentopexy.     

A coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass with intraaortic balloon pumping in patient with low cardiac function combined with cerebral vascular disease

We reported a 55-year-old man, who had coronary and cerebral vascular disease. Cerebral angiography showed occlusion at left internal carotid artery (ICA) and 50% stenosis at right ICA C4 portion. But acetazolamide reactivity was kept symmetrically. Coronary angiography showed severe three vessel disease, and left ventriculography showed diffuse severe hypokinesis/akinesis, and EF was below 30%. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass with intraaortic balloon pumping to keep intraoperative blood pressure high. After the operation he recovered uneventfully without neurological complication.