Ventilatory pattern following diazepam and lorazepam

The effect of intravenous diazepam (10 mg) or lorazepam (2 mg) on the ventilatory pattern has been studied in two groups of ten patients prior to elective surgery. Injection of lorazepam was followed by a periodic pattern of ventilation in nine patients.     

Alcohol as a Stimulus to Hepatic Fibrogenesis

Examination of mouse liver using biochemical and autoradiographictechniques has demonstrated a very transient rise in the synthesisof collagen and sulphated mucopolysaccharide in the sinusoidalwalls following a single large dose of alcohol. Mice fed a diet with alcohol providing about one-third of thetotal energy intake often showed microscopic evidence of anincrease in hepatic connective tissue. In no case did this progressto established liver cirrhosis. Similar techniques have been used to study human hepatic biopsymaterial in vitro. In chronic active liver disease includingthat occuring in alcoholics there is a notable increase in sulphatedmucopolysaccharide synthesis while the collagen proline hydroxylasecontent of this tissue is also elevated.     

Prolonged Thrombolysis Followed by Double Balloon Angioplasty for an Abdominal Aortic Occlusion

A 69-year-old woman was admitted with clinical symptoms of an acute abdominal aortic occlusion. Femoral and distal pulses were absent with lower extremity paralysis and loss of sensation. Digital subtraction angiogram confirmed the infrarenal abdominal aortic occlusion. A selective urokinase infusion was initiated from a left brachial approach and continued in conjunction with heparin therapy for 48 hours. Clinical improvement was noted in 24 hours. By 48 hours there was complete abdominal aorta thrombolysis with angiograms revealing bilateral common iliac stenosis. The percutaneous intervention was completed from a brachial approach utilizing conventional (5 French) balloon angioplasty catheters using a double wire "kissing" balloon technique. Following angioplasty, distal pulses were present; the angiograms confirmed patent vessels with excellent distal flow . (J Interven Cardiol 1991; 5:25–27)     

A model for the evaluation of mandibular bone response to implant materials

SUMMARY An in vivo animal (goat) mandibular bone model has been evaluated for the cortical and trabecular bone response to biomaterials with different elastic modulus and/or different surfaces. The effect of the elastic modulus on the bone formation was also studied. The difficulties encountered in orientation of the implants probably could have been surmounted if pre-operative radiographs has been available. It was also established that there is a large variance in the amount of trabecular and cortical bone in the mandible of the goat'one model'.     

The Relationship Between Intimal Tears During Coronary Angioplasty and Fibrinopeptide A

Arterial injury during routine percutaneous trans-luminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may stimulate clotting mechanisms. Excessive (i.e., angiographically visible) arterial trauma might accordingly predispose to a greater tendency for thrombosis. This study evaluates whether arterial trauma (i.e., angiographically visible intimal tears and arterial dissections) is related to evidence of active thrombosis. Fibrinopeptide A (FPA), a sensitive marker of thrombin activity, was measured in 79 patients undergoing elective PTCA immediately following angioplasty, as well as prior to hospital discharge (mean 2 days post-PTCA). Levels > 2.0 ng/mL were considered elevated. Intimal tears were visualized in 41 patients. Of these 41, 31 had elevated FPA levels (sensitivity = 0.76). This association between FPA elevation and intimal tears was significant (P = 0.033). Of the remaining 38 patients without intimal tears, 20 had elevated FPA levels (specificity = 0.47). Concomitant arterial dissection, as well as an intimal tear, was found in four patients with elevated FPA and in one patient with normal FPA. Conclusion. Arterial trauma during PTCA is accompanied by a greater degree of ongoing thrombosis. Although FPA elevation was not specific for intimal tears, a highly significant association with intimal tears was observed. Further study may yield even more specific hematologic parameters on ongoing early thrombosis following PTCA, particularly in patients with intimal tears. (J Interven Cardiol 1989:2:3)