Traumatic or septic aortic regurgitation: diagnosis by oesophageal echocardiography

Severe aortic regurgitation was discovered in a young man 21 days after blunt chest trauma and after a prolonged febrile state with positive blood cultures. Using transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), it was possible to make the differential diagnosis between traumatic rupture and endocarditis as the cause of valvular insufficiency. The use of TEE in the initial evaluation of severe thoracic trauma with an unclear clinical picture is recommended. This method is easy to use at the bedside and gives precise information on the aortic valve and the ascending aorta.     

Familial fixed subaortic stenosis

In this report, we give details of two families in which fixed subaortic stenosis was found in more than one member. It is rare for this entity to show familial incidence.     

腹主动脉瘤动脉壁血管平滑肌细胞增殖及凋亡的研究

目的研究腹主动脉瘤 (abdominalaorticaneurysm ,AAA)在发病不同时期动脉壁平滑肌细胞 (smoothmusclecells,SMC)增殖与凋亡的改变。方法建立大鼠AAA模型 ,分别于术后 3d、1、2、3、4周切取腹主动脉 ,应用原位DNA片段末端标记 (TUNEL)和免疫组织化学方法检测腹主动脉壁中SMC凋亡和相关基因bcl 2、bax蛋白以及增殖细胞核抗原 (PCNA)、α 血管平滑肌肌动蛋白(α actin)的表达。结果TUNEL及PCNA表达高峰时段分别为术后 2～ 3周和 1周 ;术后 3d至 1周凋亡细胞少于PCNA阳性SMC ,2～ 4周多于PCNA阳性SMC且SMC数量明显减少 ;bcl 2与bax蛋白表达分别于术后 1、3周达到峰值 (P <0 0 1)。结论动脉壁SMC增殖和凋亡的失衡与AAA发病密切相关 ;bcl 2与bax基因参与了对AAA动脉壁中SMC凋亡的调控。     

Volume Flow Rate of Common Carotid Artery Measured by Doppler Method and Color Velocity Imaging Quantification (CVI-Q)

BACKGROUND: Common carotid artery (CCA) volume flow rate (VFR) is clinically useful for study of cerebrovascular disease. Color Velocity Imaging Quantification (CVI-Q; Philips Ultrasound International, Irvine, CA), previously reported as accurate and reliable, tracks the flow lumen over the cardiac cycle, as well as mean spatial velocity, which is multiplied by vessel area to obtain VFR. VFR can also be obtained by Doppler sampling for mean velocity, and vessel area based on static B-mode lumen diameter. We compared CCA VFR by CVI-Q and Doppler method (DM), since knowledge of how they compare is crucial when both are used clinically. METHOD: We prospectively studied patients having clinical carotid duplex exams and healthy controls. All had CCA VFR measured by both methods in the same exam session. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were reviewed. CCA VFR by CVI-Q in those without ICA stenosis was 337 +/- 96 mL/m, and by DM 359 +/- 130 mL/m; P = .33. There was no difference between methods for 50-75% or 75-95% ICA stenosis. In 7 patients with ICA occlusion, and 3 with 95-99% stenosis, VFR was higher by DM than by CVI-Q (Occlusion: 125 vs 58 mL/m, P = .007; 95-99%: 152 vs 63 mL/m, P = .038). There was no statistically significant difference between methods for measurement of the ratio of VFR between right and left CCA. CONCLUSION: In patients with 0-95% ICA stenosis, VFR by CVI-Q and DM showed no difference. For 95-100% ICA stenosis the methods differ; with higher VFR by DM. Side-to-side VFR ratios remain constant, irrespective of VFR method, and can still provide clinically useful information.     

体重对腰椎后路开窗减压手术疗效的影响

目的对不同体重老年腰椎管狭窄患者行单纯腰椎后路开窗减压手术,并评价其治疗效果。方法回顾性分析1996年12月～2002年12月间145例因老年腰椎管狭窄而采用单纯腰椎后路开窗减压手术治疗患者的病例资料,结合问卷调查患者对手术的满意程度,比较不同体重患者住院期间及术后症状改善情况,评估手术疗效。结果不同体重患者术后腰腿疼痛明显缓解、日常生活质量改善,患者对手术的满意率达67.59%。而且患者的各种统计数据表明,不同体重组之间差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论体重在一定程度上影响老年腰椎管狭窄患者的手术治疗结果。单纯腰椎后路开窗减压手术,可以达到较为理想的治疗效果。     

NEW METHOD OF STENTING TREATMENT FOR MALIGNANT DUODENAL STENOSIS: USING DOUBLE‐BALLOON ENTEROSCOPY

Recently, a self‐expandable metallic stent has been recognized for treatment of malignant duodenal stenosis. But the complications by stenting are important problems even now. In the present study, we report our new method of duodenal stenting by using of double‐balloon enteroscopy considered safe and effective.     

Comparison of Asymmetry in Cerebral Blood Flow Between Brain Hemispheres Using Digital Subtraction Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, endovascular techniques have gained significant therapeutic potential for both treatment and prevention of stroke. Cerebral angiography, which is an essential component of these procedures, has been used to provide morphological information regarding condition of blood vessels. In this study, we propose to determine the possibility of acquiring information regarding cerebral blood flow (CBF) in addition to morphologic information from data routinely available during angiography. METHODS: Digital subtraction angiography sequences were obtained for eight patients having occlusive disease in internal carotid artery (ICA) territories. Two regions-of-interest (ROIs) corresponding to the two brain hemispheres on AP view were delineated. For each image, the average pixel value within each ROI was calculated and used to generate time-density curves. Indices obtained from each curve were compared with each other and with the results obtained from the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies performed a pre- or postangiography procedure. RESULTS: Comparison between ICA stenosis and cerebral perfusion measurements revealed that cerebral perfusion deficit can be independent of arterial occlusive disease. The indices obtained from the time-density curves exhibit a correlating trend with the results from SPECT studies. However, lack of sufficient sample data prevented any meaningful statistical analysis to be conducted. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a technique for utilizing the angiographic data for the important task of routinely and easily measuring CBF. Availability of CBF measurements during cerebral angiography may favorably impact upon the appropriate use of endovascular procedures and potentially contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with stroke.     

Aortic valve injury 10 years after tetralogy of Fallot repair

Summary Although recognized by pediatric cardiac surgeons, aortic insufficiency as a technical complication after tetralogy of Fallot repair is poorly documented, especially if it occurs late. The case of a boy with aortic insufficiency 10 years after complete tetralogy repair is described. No documentation in the literature other than summary statements in textbooks of this occurence was found.     

MRI visualization of the aortic nipple

The aortic nipple, a small “pseudotumor” adjacent to the aortic arch, is the left superior intercostal vein. In our series of 40 patients it was demonstrated in six; all had a right upper thoracic mass and four had a superior vena caval syndrome. Coronal magnetic resonance, images (MRI) of the thorax were superior to all other imaging methods in demonstrating the nipple. It is concluded that in patients with masses in the right upper chest, coronal MR chest examinations are valuable in demonstrating an aortic nipple, a sign of impending present superior vena caval or innominate, vein obstruction.