Comparison of high purity factor IX concentrates and a prothrombin complex concentrate in a canine model of thrombogenicity.

A non-stasis canine model of thrombogenicity has been used to evaluate batches of high purity factor IX concentrates from 4 manufacturers and a conventional prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Platelets, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were monitored before and after infusion of concentrate. Changes in FPA were found to be the most sensitive and reproducible indicator of thrombogenicity after infusion of batches of the PCC at doses of between 60 and 180 IU/kg, with a dose related delayed increase in FPA occurring. Total FPA generated after 100-120 IU/kg of 3 batches of PCC over the 3 h time course was 9-12 times that generated after albumin infusion. In contrast the amounts of FPA generated after 200 IU/kg of the 4 high purity factor IX products were in all cases similar to albumin infusion. It was noted that some batches of high purity concentrates had short NAPTTs indicating that current in vitro tests for potential thrombogenicity may be misleading in predicting the effects of these concentrates in vivo.     

Contrasting binge and continuous alcoholic drinkers using demographic and drinking history variables

While it is quite common for researchers and clinicians to categorize alcoholics as binge or continuous drinkers, relatively little is known about the characteristics of these two potentially distinct clinical populations. In the present study, binge and continuous alcoholics were evaluated on a number of demographic and drinking history variables. Binge drinkers were found to be significantly more likely than continuous drinkers to have been treated for liver problems and more likely to have reported parental alcoholism. They also tended to describe a greater number of alcohol-related arrests and hospitalizations. Six of the variables taken together yielded a discriminative function that was only moderately successful in classifying these drinkers. The potential clinical importance of objectively identifying binge versus continuous drinkers is discussed.     

Rate of PSA rise predicts metastatic versus local recurrence after definitive radiotherapy

: A rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) following treatment for adenocarcinoma of the prostate indicates eventual clinical failure, but the rate of rise can be quite different from patient to patient, as can the pattern of clinical failure. We sought to determine whether the rate of PSA rise could differentiate future local versus metastatistic failure.

: Two thousand six hundred sixty-seven PSA values from 400 patients treated with radiotherapy for localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate were analyzed with respect to PSA patterns and clinical outcome. Patients had received no hormonal therapy or prostate surgey and had ?4 PSA values post-treatment PSA rate of rise, determined by the slope of the natural log, was classified as gradual (< 0.69 log (ng/ml)/year, or doubling time (DT) > 1 year), moderate (0.69-1.4 log (ng/ml)/year, or DT 6 months-1 year), or rapid [>1.4 log (ng/ml)/year, or DT < 6 months].

: SIxty-one percent of patients had non-rising PSA following treatment; 25% of patients with rising PSA developed clinical failure, and 93% of patients with clinical failure had rising PSA. The rate of rise discerned different clinical failure patterns. Local failure occurred in 23% of patients with moderate rate of rise versus 7% with gradual rise (p = 0.0001). Metastatic disease developed in 46% of those with rapid versus 8% with moderate rise (p < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, in addition to rate of rise, PSA nadir and rate of decline predicted local failure; those with post-treatment nadir of 1–4 ng/ml were five times more likely to experience local failure than nadir < 1 ng/ml (p = 0.0002). Rapid rate of rise was the most significant independent predictor of metastastic failure.

: The rate of PSA rise following definitive radiotherapy can predict clinical failure patterns, with a rapidly rising PSA indicating metastatic recurrence and moderately rising PSA local recurrence. This information could potentially dirent therapy; if the rise predicts metastatic failure hormonal therapy could be cosidereed, while aggressive salvage therapy may benefit subclinical local recurrence identified by a moderate rate of PSA rise.     

Carney's triad

A 26 year old female presented with partial expression of Carney's triad. This is the first Australian report of the condition. The role of surgery and the need for vigilance to detect the occurrence of the complete triad are stressed.     

Xanthoderma: an unusual presentation of hypothyroidism.

A young woman presented with progressive yellowing of her skin over a period of six months. Liver function tests were requested by her general practitioner and the results prompted the Chemical Pathology Department to instigate further tests to reach the final diagnosis. Hypercarotenaemia had caused her yellow skin, and various other biochemical abnormalities pointed towards primary hypothyroidism as an underlying cause. Thyroxine replacement treatment successfully corrected all the biochemical abnormalities including hypercarotenaemia. As far as is known, yellow skin as a sole presenting feature of hypothyroidism is extremely rare.     

Complications associated with the use of an infusion pump during knee arthroscopy.

This is a report of four complications from the use of an automated arthroscopy pump in 283 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. The first patient had extravasation of fluid into the thigh, requiring discontinuation of the procedure. The second patient developed a compartment syndrome of the leg, necessitating a four-compartment fasciotomy of the leg. The third patient developed severe fluid extravasation into the anterior thigh compartment. A limited fasciotomy of the anterior thigh compartment was performed. The fourth patient developed moderate extravasation into the anterior part of the thigh and groin, necessitating discontinuation of pump irrigation and conversion to gravity irrigation to complete a partial medial meniscectomy. During a 15-month period, a complication rate of 1.4% from fluid extravasation during knee arthroscopy was noted. This review represents our initial experience with the infusion pump. No cases of fluid extravasation have occurred subsequently during a 12-month period.     

Fatal esophageal-arterial fistula 17 years following tetralogy of Fallot repair.

Blalock-Taussig shunts (subclavian to pulmonary anastomoses) have remained the most effective palliation in cyanotic heart disease. Late complications are rare but can be devastating. The case of a 26-year-old female with tetralogy and an original Blalock shunt constructed at age four years is reported. Despite subsequent primary repair of the tetralogy and presumed ligation of the Blalock shunt, the patient succumbed to a fatal hemorrhage due to esophageal-arterial fistula involving the Blalock shunt. The circumstances leading to this dramatic outcome are outlined and discussed. It is important for cardiologists caring for congenital heart disease patients to be aware of the late complications of congenital heart surgery, and carry out the proper follow-up investigations.