History of diabetes mellitus as a neurologic predictor in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest of cardiac origin treated with mild hypothermia

AimTo investigate the impact of a history of diabetes mellitus on the neurologic outcome in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest of cardiac origin treated with mild hypothermia.MethodsA prospective observational study was performed between September 2003 and July 2008. Eighty comatose survivors of cardiac arrest of cardiac origin were treated with mild hypothermia. Neurologic outcome at the time of hospital discharge, 30-day survival, and complications were assessed.ResultsTwenty-four of the 80 patients (30%) had a history of diabetes. The rate of favorable neurologic outcome was significantly lower in diabetic (17%) than in nondiabetic patients (46%) (p = 0.01). The rate of 30-day survival was lower in diabetic (33%) than in nondiabetic patients (54%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.10). Multivariate analysis suggested that a history of diabetes was an independent predictor of unfavorable neurologic outcome (odds ratio 7.00, 95% confidence interval 1.42–46.19, p = 0.03), but not for 30-day survival. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of complications.ConclusionA history of diabetes is associated with poor neurologic outcome in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest treated with mild hypothermia.     

High-Resolution Fluorescent Particle-Tracking Flow Visualization within an Intraventricular Axial Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

Abstract Flow visualization is typically applied in blood pump development to both confirm the design expectations and identify regions that may be predisposed to blood element deposition and trauma. Rotary pumps, in particular, place high demands on the technique chosen to visualize the flow given the limited visual accessibility of the flow path and the high impeller speeds. Fluorescent image-tracking velocimetry currently is used at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to visualize flow accurately inside of these pumps both qualitatively and quantitatively. Flow patterns under steady conditions within an intraventricular axial flow, left ventricular assist pump (prototype No. 7, SUN Medical Technology Research Corporation, Nagano, Japan) were investigated using this technique. The flow fields at the impeller-stator interface and at the pump outlet were given specific attention. This allowed the assessment of the fluid dynamics throughout the hydrodynamic design limits of the pump.     

Role of hypoxia on increased blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND--Cyclical changes in systemic blood pressure occur during apnoeic episodes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Although several factors including arterial hypoxaemia, intrathoracic pressure changes, and disruption of sleep architecture have been reported to be responsible for these changes in blood pressure, the relative importance of each factor remains unclear. This study assessed the role of hypoxaemia on the increase in blood pressure during apnoeic episodes. METHODS--The blood pressure in apnoeic episodes during sleep and the blood pressure response to isocapnic intermittent hypoxia whilst awake were measured in 10 men with OSA. While asleep the blood pressure was measured non-invasively using a Finapres blood pressure monitor with polysomnography. The response of the blood pressure to hypoxia whilst awake was also measured while the subjects intermittently breathed a hypoxic (5% or 7% oxygen) gas mixture. Each hypoxic gas exposure was continued until a nadir arterial oxygen saturation (nSaO2) of less than 75% was reached, or for a period of 100 seconds. The exposure was repeated five times in succession with five interposed breaths of room air in each run. RESULTS--The mean (SD) increase in blood pressure (delta MBP) during apnoeic episodes was 42.1 (17.3) mm Hg during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and 31.9 (12.5) mm Hg during non-REM sleep. The delta MBP during apnoeic episodes showed a correlation with the decrease of nSaO2 (delta SaO2) (r2 = 0.30). The change in blood pressure in response to intermittent hypoxia whilst awake was cyclical and qualitatively similar to that during apnoeic episodes. Averaged delta MBP at an SaO2 of 7% and 5% oxygen was 12.6 (5.7) and 13.4 (3.6) mm Hg, respectively, whereas the averaged delta MBP at the same delta SaO2 during apnoeic episodes was 38.4 (15.5) and 45.2 (20.5) mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS--The blood pressure response to desaturation whilst awake was about one third of that during apnoeic episodes. These results suggest that factors other than hypoxia may play an important part in raising the blood pressure during obstructive sleep apnoea.     

Development of a Centrifugal Pump with Improved Antithrombogenicity and Hemolytic Property for Chronic Circulatory Support

Abstract A centrifugal pump with a unique structure has been developed for chronic support. The pump is driven by a magnetic coupling and has no rotating shaft, no seal around the rotating part, and a balancing hole at the center of the impeller and the thrust bearing. The pump was improved in stepwise fashion to realize good antithrombogenicity and low hemolysis. The first pump, the National Cardiovascular Center (NCVC)-O, had an impeller with 4 rectangular and curved vanes; 6 triangularly shaped curved vanes were employed in the second model, the NCVC-1, to reduce trauma to the blood. In the third design, the NCVC-2, the central hole was enlarged, and the thrust bearing shoulder was rounded so that blood washing was enhanced around the impeller; stream lines also were smoothed for improved antithrombogenicity. The hemolytic property of the device was evaluated in vitro with heparinized fresh goat blood; hemolysis indexes of the NCVC-0, -1, and -2 were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.006 g per 100 L, respectively. Antithrombogenicity of the pumps was examined in animal experiments as a left heart bypass device in goats weighing 52–75 kg. Six NCVC-0 pumps were driven for 14 to 33 (22.0 ± 7.6) days in goats receiving the antiplatelet drug cilostazol orally. Four NCVC-I pumps ran for 1 to 80 (28.5 ± 30.6) days with the same drug regimen in 2 cases and with no anticoagulation therapy in 2 cases. After 3 preliminary 1-week tests of NCVC-2 pumps in animals, the pump was installed in 3 goats; 2 pumps were still running on the 182nd and 58th pumping day. Intracorporeal implantation also was attempted successfully. The results indicate that this pump has promising features for chronic support although longer term and additional evaluations are necessary.     

Results of radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Report 1. Analysis according to the TNM staging system of the general rule for clinical and pathological studies on renal cell carcinoma

One hundred and six patients with renal cell carcinoma were treated with radical nephrectomy at our Department between 1970 to December, 1985. A retrospective analysis was performed with TNM staging system of The General Rule for Clinical and Pathological Studies on Renal Cell Carcinoma, which was established by the Japanese Urological Association in 1983. The 5-year survival rate according to pathological T-stage was 100% for 2 patients in pT1, 67.5% for 58 patients in pT2, 49.5% for 42 patients in pT3, 0% for 4 patients in pT4. Two patients in stage of pT1 had no venous involvement, lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. Twenty two patients had positive venous involvement (21%), 4 (7%) in stage of pT2, 16 (38%) in pT3, 2 (50%) in pT4. Twelve patients had positive lymph nodes (11%), 0 (0%) in stage of pT2, 10 (24%) in pT3, 2 (50%) in pT4. Twenty five patients, (24%) had distant metastasis at the time of nephrectomy, 8 (14%) in stage of pT2, 15 (38%) in pT3, 2 (50%) in pT4. The 5-year survival of 22 patients with venous involvement, 12 patients with lymph nodes metastasis, 25 patients with distant metastasis were 47%, 30%, 39% respectively. No significant difference of 5-year survival between 69% of 48 patients in T1 & 2VoNoMo (Robson-I) and 76% of 12 patients in T3VoNoMo (Robson-II) were considered to need the establishment of new classification for early stage of renal cell carcinoma. TNM staging system was thought to be better than Robson's Classification for analyzing the unique biological potential of renal cell carcinoma.     

VAB-6 chemotherapy causes spurious elevation of alpha-fetoprotein associated with liver dysfunctions.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of elevation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) which we often observed during VAB-6 chemotherapy, we analyzed sequential changes of AFP, liver enzymes and bilirubin in 10 patients with evaluable disseminated testicular cancer who were treated with VAB-6 chemotherapy. None of the patients had previous liver disease or hepatic involvement. During the early phase of each course of chemotherapy, AFP showed a temporary elevation associated with reversible increase in liver enzymes and bilirubin. These changes returned to normal before the next course of chemotherapy. In each patient, marked tumor regression occurred as a result of VAB-6 chemotherapy. Nine of the 10 patients remain free of disease after treatment. We conclude that during VAB-6 chemotherapy, a temporary elevation of AFP is common, associated with reversible liver dysfunctions, and that this spurious elevation of the tumor marker, most likely caused by a heavy dose of cisplatin, should not be interpreted as related treatment failure.     

Experience with MAGPI (meatal advancement and glans plasty incorporated), modified MAGPI and Mathieu's technique of hypospadias repair as the last stage operation

Over a 1-year period, 6 patients with retracted urethral meatus after two-stage hypospadias repair, underwent MAGPI and modified MAGPI technique. Only those cases with subcoronal lesions and without residual chordee were included in this series. Excellent cosmetic and functional results were achieved in all cases without any complication, furthermore, the operative technique is very simple. These are recommended as the operative procedures of choice for the retracted urethral meatus after hypospadias repair.     

Transurethral unroofing of the müllerian duct cyst: a case report

Management of Müllerian duct cyst depends on the size and symptomatology. Here we report a case of recurrent Müllerian duct cyst which was treated successfully by transurethral approach. A 57-year-old man was first admitted because of dysuria in 1981. Under the diagnosis of Müllerian duct cyst, he underwent resection of the cyst by suprapubic retrovesical approach that resulted in incomplete extirpation. In 1982, he was readmitted for recurrence of the cyst. Excision by transsacral approach was unsuccessful because of severe adhesion. He was followed by periodic puncture of the cyst and alcohol instillation. In 1988, he was hospitalized because of persistent urinary symptoms. Since open surgical procedure was thought to be difficult, it was replaced by transurethral management. A cyst bulging into the trigone was found with a cystoscope and the bladder wall over the cyst was resected transurethrally until the cyst was entered. A 2 cm opening between the bladder and the cyst was created with a resectoscope. Follow up CT scan two months later demonstrated sufficient communication between the bladder and the cyst. The patient voided well with no discomfort. We believe that transurethral unroofing of the cyst provides a safe treatment in selected cases.     

Renal function study by 99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy in each treatment of staghorn calculi

From 1976 through 1984, 94 staghorn calculi of 86 patients were treated in this department. Kidney function was assessed by Tc-DMSA renal scintigraphy consisting of renal cortical imaging and DMSA renal uptake rate, in 84 kidneys preoperatively and 43 kidneys pre- and postoperatively. There was an increase in the postoperative DMSA renal uptake in the operated kidney, in 3 out of 14 kidneys in which pyelolithotomy was performed and in one out of 10 kidneys in which nephrolithotomy was done. It was still impossible to answer the question of which mode of operation should be chosen only from consideration of kidney function study. But it was suggested by the statistical investigation that nephrectomy seemed to be selected in the case of severely decreased renal function. It was reasonable that pyelolithotomy was the best method from the point of predicting the postoperative recovery of renal function. But in the near future, advances in endoscopical stone surgery and extracorporeal procedures, might reduce the damage of the renal function caused by conventional stone surgery.     

Renal cell carcinoma, primary lesion which was not easily identified: report of two cases

We report two cases of renal cell carcinoma, primary lesions of which were not diagnosed at an early stage. The first case was a 58-year-old woman, who had nephrectomy due to staghorn calculus of left kidney. Fifteen months later, she died of metastatic cancer whose origin was unknown until the left kidney was re-examined. It was sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. The second case was 43-year-old woman, who had amputation of right index finger due to metastatic tumor. Renal cell carcinoma was highly suspected, but no tumor could be found in her kidneys although various urological examinations were performed. Two years later, abdominal CT scan showed a space-occupying lesion (SOL) of left kidney. She had left nephrectomy, and the origin was finally identified.