A Novel Approach to Detecting Postpartum Hemorrhage Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in detecting postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean section. This is the first study of CEUS in obstetric hemorrhage. A total of 37 patients, operated at Nagoya University Hospital, underwent CEUS. We evaluated the findings of CEUS, which were qualitatively defined as positive when pooling or leakage of contrast agent was observed in the uterine cavity, by measuring the amount of bleeding during the first 4 h after cesarean section. The time–intensity curve patterns of leaked contrast agents were also analyzed for quantitative prediction of the amount of blood loss. Significant differences between the excessive hemorrhage (N = 7) and non-excessive hemorrhage groups (N = 30) were noted in the occurrence of positive CEUS (p = 0.011). Additionally, mean postpartum blood loss markedly increased in patients with a positive CEUS (p = 0.002). From a quantitative perspective, the time until leakage of contrast agents was detected correlated with the amount of bleeding, but the other characteristics of the time–intensity curve pattern did not provide valuable information. In conclusion, CEUS, which enables bedside assessment and rapid diagnosis, is a promising strategy for the detection of PPH.     

Adenosine triphosphate maintenance by branched chain amino acids as a novel neuroprotective strategy for retinal neurodegenerative diseases

<正>Retinal neuronal cell death is caused in many incurable eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa(RP)and glaucoma,which are leading causes of adult blindness.In RP,progressive loss of photoreceptor cells leads to visual disturbance.No established treatments are available to date for this condition,although potential treatments,including regenerative medicine,gene therapy,and neurotropic factor therapy are being investigated.In glaucoma,retinal     

Acute myocardial infarction due to simultaneous spasm of 3 coronary arteries that worsened over time

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) rarely worsens from single-vessel to simultaneous multivessel CAS naturally, and simultaneous multivessel CAS leads to serious conditions such as cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). A 77-year-old Japanese man who took medications for CAS was transferred to our hospital due to persistent chest pain. On arrival, his vital signs were stable, but his electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III and aVF. Ventricular fibrillation developed suddenly. Although routine cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) including intravenous administration of epinephrine was performed immediately, he could not be resuscitated. After initiation of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS), there was a return of spontaneous circulation. His ECG showed exacerbation of myocardial ischemia with ST-segment elevation in leads I, II, III, aVL, aVF and V3–V6. Emergency coronary angiography revealed severe CAS of the right and left coronary arteries, which was relieved completely by intracoronary administration of nitrates. He was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction due to simultaneous 3-vessel CAS that progressed over time. About 6 h after arrival, he developed hemodynamic instability and died. CAS worsened from single-vessel to simultaneous 3-vessel spasm, and intracoronary administration of nitrates was effective in relieving CAS, which was documented by the ECG and coronary angiogram. Since CAS can progress over time, nitrates must be administered immediately. When CAS leads to CPA, epinephrine may be ineffective in CPR because of its vasoconstrictive effect on coronary arteries; therefore, PCPS should be initiated, and intracoronary nitrates should be administered.