Hepatic Amebiasis—Analysis of 56 Cases

Laboratory and chest x-ray findings in 56 cases of hepatic amebiasis previously reported are described.
Anemia and an elevated E.S.R., frequently without an elevated leucocyte count, were the most frequent hematologic findings.
Abnormalities of liver function tests were mild and nonspecific. The most frequent abnormalities seen in chest x-ray were an elevated right hemidiaphragm whose motility on fluoroscopy was reduced or abolished.
These abnormalities may be of great help in diagnosis in endemic areas where more sophisticated facilities may not be available.     

Coronary Artery Stenting in Vessels with Reference Diameter < 3 MM

The study included 220 consecutive patients with coronary artery stenting. In 128 patients (60.8 ± 10.2 years, 68% men), a total of 184 stents were placed in coronary vessels with a reference diameter < 3 mm (group S). One hundred thirty-four stents were implanted in 92 patients (62.9 ± 9.8 years, 82.6% men) in vessels > 3 mm (group L). There was no significant difference according to clinical baseline characteristics. The primary end point of this retrospective study was the rate of periinterventional complications (death, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, urgent angioplasty, or surgical revascularization). The, secondary end point was the clinical and angiographic follow-ups (restenosis, recurrent angina, further revascularization) after 3 months. Cardiac complications occurred in group S in two (1.6%) patients, two stent thromboses with urgent angioplasty, one Q-wave and one non-Q-wave infarction. There was one (1.1%) event in group L, a stent thrombosis with Q-wave infarction and urgent angioplasty. Angiography at 3-month follow-up was performed in 148 patients. Restenosis occurred in group S in 31.8% and in group L in 21.7% (NS). Data according recurrent angina and recommended surgical revascularization did not differ between both groups. In group S, significantly more angioplasties of the stented lesion were performed (23/60 patients) compared to group L (6/88) (P = 0,015). Coronary artery stenting in vessels with a reference diameter < 3 mm can be performed without a high rate of periinterventional complications. Restenosis tends to be more frequent in the small vessel group, a higher rate of reangioplasties have to be expected. The clinical follow-up is comparable to a control group.