Mechanisms involved in the water intake-related pressor response in the rat

OBJECTIVE : In this study we aimed to characterize and clarify the mechanisms involved in the acute blood pressure increase observed concomitantly with water intake in moderately dehydrated rats. DESIGN : Short-term water deprivation was employed as a model to induce controlled water intake to study concomitant cardiovascular responses in the rat. METHODS : Male Wistar rats were deprived of water for 18-24 h before the experiments and were allowed to drink for 20 s periods during the experimental session. During these periods water intake was accompanied by steady arterial pressure increases. This pressor response was unaffected by topical anesthesia of the oral cavity. Direct administration of water into the stomach did not cause pressor responses. The pressor response was not affected by bilateral adrenal demedullation or by pretreatment with diazepam, homatropine methyl bromide, d(CH2)5 Tyr(Me)AVP, losartan or RX821002. The pressor response was significantly reduced by ganglionic blockade with mecamylamine or pretreatment with the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin. CONCLUSIONS : Our results show that: (1) short-term dehydration can be used as a model to study cardiovascular responses associated with water intake in rats; and (2) the sympathetic nervous system and vascular smooth muscle alpha1-adrenoceptors are involved in the pressor response to water intake by dehydrated rats.     

Indications for catheter ablation and results in Andalusia,Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We report the results of the first Catheter Ablation Registry of the Arrhythmia Working Group of the Andalusian Society of Cardiology (AWGASC) for 2000. METHODS: The register includes information about the ablation procedures performed in 2000, which was collected retrospectively and submitted voluntarily by four out of six cardiac electrophysiology laboratories of the AWGASC. A total of 424 patients (mean age 45 18 years; 50% men) were included. Twelve patients underwent two different ablation procedures, bringing the total number of procedures to 436. The overall success rate (based on current criteria), success rate by procedure, in-hospital mortality, and major complications are reported. RESULTS: The type and distribution of the ablation procedures were atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia ablation, 34%; accessory pathway ablation, 39%; ventricular tachycardia ablation, 8%; atrial tachycardia ablation, 3%; atrioventricular junctional ablation, 9%, and cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation, 9%. The overall success rate was 94% (range 97.8% to 87.4% in different laboratories), rate of major complications 1.1% (range 0% to 3.7%), and overall mortality 0.23% (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS: These findings summarize the indications and results of catheter ablation procedures performed in 2000 at four cardiac electrophysiology laboratories in Andalusia. This is the first multicenter registry in Spain.     

Safety and usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the acute phase of myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The usefulness and safety of transesophageal echocardiography have been assessed in other studies but there is no report in which these factors have been evaluated in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.Patients and method. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed 56 times in 55 patients in the first week after a myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The study was completed in 54 of 56 patients. The indications were a transthoracic acoustic window that did not provide an accurate diagnosis in 13 (23.2%), diagnosis of mechanical complications and severity assessment of mitral regurgitation in 35 (62.5%), exclusion of aortic dissection in 4 (7.1%), assessment of the severity of aortic stenosis in 1 (1.8%), exclusion of the presence of atrial thrombus in 1 (1.8%), evaluation of the left ventricular outflow tract gradient in 1 (1.8%), and evaluation of the presence of a left ventricular thrombus in 1 patient (1.8%). Two patients (3.6%) died while the study was being made, the first one 10 minutes after finishing the echocardiogram due to progression of a partial rupture of the papillary muscle and the second due to left ventricle free wall rupture. In both patients, the indication for transesophageal echography was the need for proper evaluation of a post-Acute Myocardial Infarction mechanical complication. CONCLUSIONS: Transesophageal echocardiography is a very useful technique for evaluating patients during the acute phase of myocardial infarction but further studies are needed to establish its safety in these patients.     

Bronchobiliary fistulae between a liver hydatid cyst and the middle lobe of the right lung

We report a case of bronchobiliary fistula between a liver hydatid cyst and the middle lobe of the right lung. It is also reviewed the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of bronchobiliary fistulas.