The role of still-frame parametric imaging in magnetic resonance assessment of left ventricular wall motion by non-cardiologists.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images are often reviewed by non-cardiologists who are not trained in the interpretation of regional left ventricular (LV) function. We hypothesized that the use of still-frame parametric MR images of wall motion could aid in the assessment of regional LV function. METHODS: Dynamic, electrocardiogram-gated, steady-state free precession (FIESTA) short-axis images were obtained in 6 to 10 slices in 18 consecutive patients. Each loop was used to automatically generate a still-frame image, in which each pixel is assigned a value equal to the amplitude of cyclic variation in local intensity, resulting in higher intensity in pixels that change between blood and tissue during the cardiac cycle. The dynamic images were reviewed by an expert cardiologist who provided gold standard grades for regional wall motion and by four radiologists. Then the radiologists reviewed and graded the same MR images in combination with parametric images. Grades assigned to each segment in the two sessions were compared with the gold standard. RESULTS: According to expert interpretation, 6 patients had normal wall motion, and 12 had wall motion abnormalities. Parametric images showed a bright band in the area spanned by endocardial motion, with reduced brightness and thickness in areas of hypokinesis. The agreement between the radiologists' grades and the gold standard significantly improved by adding parametric images (from 77% to 81%), which also resulted in reduced interobserver variability (from 52% to 33%). CONCLUSIONS: Still-frame parametric images aid in the assessment of regional wall motion by non-cardiologists who are required to interpret cardiac images.     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术前后血小板活化及血管内皮功能的变化

目的观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入治疗后血小板活化指标CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物及内皮功能的改变。方法60例急性冠状动脉综合征患者在冠状动脉介入术前和术后即刻以及次日采用流式细胞仪检测血小板活化指标CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物;双抗体夹心固相酶联免疫吸附试验测定血浆假血友病因子的表达水平;放射免疫测定法测定血浆内皮素1表达水平;酶法测定血浆一氧化氮的含量;彩色多谱勒超声诊断仪测量内皮依赖性血管舒张功能。选择健康体检者和稳定型心绞痛患者各30例作对照,观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者冠状动脉介入前后指标的变化并与对照组比较。结果与健康对照组和稳定型心绞痛组比,急性冠状动脉综合征组CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物明显增高(P<0.05或0.01);急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术后即刻CD62p、CD63和糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物与术前相比明显增高(P<0.01),但术后24h较术前无明显变化(P>0.05)。与健康对照组和稳定型心绞痛组比,急性冠状动脉综合征组假血友病因子、内皮素1的表达水平明显增高(P<0.01),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能和一氧化氮降低(P<0.05或<0.01);急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术后即刻血浆假血友病因子和内皮素1水平升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能和一氧化氮水平降低(P<0.05),且介入术后24h假血友病因子水平也较术前升高(P<0.05),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能降低(P<0.05),但内皮素1和一氧化氮水平与术前差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论血小板活化和内皮功能的损伤在急性冠状动脉综合征发生和发展过程中起重要的作用,冠状动脉介入术后血管内皮受到一定损伤,血小板有一定程度的激活。     

Endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute traumatic lesions of the descending thoracic aorta--7 years' experience.

OBJECTIVES: To present a single centers' 7-year experience in the endovascular treatment of acute traumatic lesions of the descending thoracic aorta (ATL of the DTA). MATERIALS & METHODS: Between March 1999 and December 2006, 34 consecutive acute traumatic lesions of the descending aorta (23 men, mean age 44 years) were treated endovascularly. Stentgrafts used were TAG Excluder, Zenith TX2 and Talent. In 23 patients the Left Subclavian Artery (LSA) was covered. Mean procedural duration was 20 to 75 minutes. RESULTS: Exclusion of the rupture site was achieved in all cases with no conversion to open surgery. Overall 30-day mortality was 8.8%. Two patients died on post operative day (pod) 1 and one on pod 22 from cranial injuries. No death or neurological deficit related to the endovascular treatment was reported. Four type I endoleaks required treatment either by balloon reexpansion (n=2) or by additional stentgraft implantation (n=2). In two patients the stentgraft collapsed totally several days postoperatively. Two patients required secondary surgical procedures (iliac access complication and revascularisation of the left subclavian artery n=1). The average follow-up was 43.8 months (1-93 months). No stentgraft related abnormality has been subsequently documented. CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular treatment of ATL of the DTA may offer the best means of therapy in a polytrauma patient.     

外固定支架加自体骨髓多能干细胞治疗桡骨远端骨折

[目的]探讨外固定支架结合骨折端局部注射自体骨髓多能干细胞治疗桡骨远端粉碎性骨折的有效性。[方法]应用外固定支架结合骨折端局部注射自体骨髓多能干细胞治疗桡骨远端粉碎性骨折18例。[结果]随访6～15个月(平均8个月),优10例,良6例,可2例,差0例。优良率为88.9%。没有一例出现针道浅表感染等并发症。[结论]外固定支架结合骨折端局部注射自体骨髓多能干细胞是治疗桡骨远端粉碎性骨折的一种方便、有效的方法,不仅骨折愈合效果满意,而且固定确实可靠,并能早期功能调整和训练。     

Foot Polydactyly and Polysyndactyly: Genetic Implications in Two Families

The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic characteristics of foot polydactyly and identify its inheritance pattern by analyzing familial pedigree. Five cases from 2 Korean families were studied: 1 is a family whose members have been affected for 4 generations and the other for 2 generations. Using peripheral blood samples, we performed chromosomal analysis using the banding technique with Giemsa stain and karyotyping. We investigated the shape and structure of 46 chromosomes, looking for translation, deletion, inversion, ring chromosome, and isochromosome abnormalities. All peripheral blood samples demonstrated no chromosomal abnormalities, though the genetic nature of foot polydactyly and a new genetic locus was identified recently by other studies. Familial pedigree analysis suggested that polydactyly was inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in the first family. The mode of inheritance for the second family could not be determined due to an insufficient number of family members. The result of this study brought us to the conclusion that, while genetic factors play a major role in polydactyly, other factors may contribute to its occurrence.     

Radiation therapy induced modulation of wound healing at experimental vein graft anastomoses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate if radiation therapy (RT) favorably modulates wound healing at vein graft anastomoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Jugular vein grafts were sewn into carotid arteries in 32 rats which were randomly divided into two groups: RT (gamma source, 14 Gray, n=16) and control (C, sham irradiation, n=16). Grafts and adjacent arteries were analyzed at 2 (n=8) and 8 weeks (n=8) by histology, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. RESULTS: Although, RT did not reduce the overall occurrence of intimal hyperplasia, the distribution differed. RT led to a reduction of intimal hyperplasia in arterial segments (median: C: 41.873 microm2; RT: 6.452 microm2, p < 0.0007). In contrast, RT augmented intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts (median: C: 30.287 microm2; RT: 90.455 microm2, p < 0.014). Vein graft diameters after RT were enlarged (median: C: 2.098 microm; RT: 3.381, p < 0.031). Over 80% of the cells were of mesenchymal origin in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: RT reduced intimal hyperplasia in arterial segments. However, RT led to graft dilatation and increased intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts. RT did not favorably modulate the vascular wound healing response in this model.     

Lithium for irritability in Post-Traumatic stress disorder

Irritability is often a problem for patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We describe two cases that illustrate the use of lithium in the treatment of veterans with PTSD who complained of serious problems with irritability or angry outbursts. These cases are discussed in the context of evidence that lithium may be useful in other patients with disorders of impulse control. The evidence linking disorders of anger and impulse control to a dysregulation in neurotransmitter regulation, particularly in serotonergic pathways, supports a psychopharmacologic approach to treatment. These findings should lead to further study of the role of lithium in the treatment of this symptom complex in patients with PTSD.     

Renal and hemodynamic effects of dopamine in infants following cardiac surgery

The renal and hemodynamic effects of dopamine were measured during the immediate postoperative period in six infants following repair of congenital cardiac defects. Dopamine was infused at rates of 5, 10, and 15 micrograms/kg/min. Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly at a dopamine infusion rate of 15 micrograms/kg/min. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine output increased at dopamine infusion rates of 5 and 10 micrograms/kg/min and returned to baseline at 15 micrograms/kg/min. No significant changes occurred in right atrial pressure (RAP), left atrial pressure (LAP), systemic artery pressure, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), or pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Heart rate (HR) increased slightly at a dopamine infusion rate of 15 micrograms/kg/min. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increased significantly in only one patient. These data demonstrate that infants require high doses of dopamine to produce the hemodynamic effects seen in adults and that these higher doses may be used without adverse renal effects.