The anaplastic variant of centrocytic lymphoma is marked by frequent rearrangements of the bcl-1 gene and high proliferation indices

Ten cases of classic centrocytic lymphoma as defined in the Kiel classification system were investigated for their immunophenotype, their proliferation activity and by means of molecular diagnostics. The findings were compared to those obtained from a group of nine cases of anaplastic centrocytic lymphoma. Both groups showed virtually identical immunohistochemical characteristics with positivity for CD5 and negativity for CD10 and CD23. In the group of anaplastic centrocytic lymphoma, there were considerably higher proliferation indices as documented by staining for the Ki-67 antigen, up to 80% of the tumour cells being positive. Moreover, the cases of anaplastic centrocytic lymphoma had bcl-1 gene rearrangements in eight out of nine cases compared with three out of 10 cases of classic centrocytic lymphoma. DNA analysis was not able to detect bcl-2 gene rearrangement in any case, pointing to a difference compared with lymphomas of germinal centre origin. The coincidence of anaplastic and sometimes blast-like morphology of the tumour cells, high proliferation index and a rearranged bcl-1 gene in nearly all cases of anaplastic centrocytic lymphoma support their classification as high-grade malignant variants of centrocytic lymphoma and suggest a possible role for the bcl-1 locus not only in the origin but also in the progression of centrocytic lymphomas.     

Release of chemoattractants and neutrophil activation in acute myocardial infarction immediately after successful recanalization of the infarct-related vessel by angioplasty

The study investigated inflamatory responses in evolving myocardialinfarction. Fifteen patients with acute myocardial infarction,who had undergone balloon recanalization of the infarct-relatedcoronary artery within 4 h after onset of symptoms, were examined.Blood samples were obtained through the guiding catheter andfrom the pulmonary artery before and immediately after successfulrecanalization. After recanalization, plas from the pulmonaryartery was 47% (quartiles: l9%, 78; P =0·001) more chemotacticto neutrophils from normal donors than before recanalization.Furthermore, significant changes in neutrophil function werefound in the pulmonary artery. Compared to the values beforerecanalization, the nitroblue tetrazolium score rose by 31%(quartiles: 4%, 37% P=0·003), FMLP-stimulated superoxideanion production by 10% (quartiles: 0%, 39% P=0·020),and chemotaxis by 46% (quartiles: 0%, 81%, P=0·011),while neutrophil filterability decreased by 28% (quartiles:15%, 47%; P=0·010). No significant changes in neutrophilparameters were found in the arterial blood The study indicatesthat chemoattractants are released in the early reperfusionperiod of evolving myocardial infarction. These chemoattractantsmay act as inflammatory mediators causing neutrophil activation.     

Diagnostic Value of Synchronized Transesophageal Atrial Pacing

Synchronized transesophageal atrial pacing (single and double extrastimuli) was used in 137 patients with various tachycardias inducible by atrial pacing during transesophageal electrophysiological study (EPS). This pacing mode in five patients initiated atrioventricular tachycardias with ipsilateral bundle branch block not seen when using other pacing modes. During the tachycardia, single or double extrastimuli caused ipsilateral bundle branch block disappearance in two patients with atrioventricular tachycardia, and changed AV activation ratio in one patient with atrioventricular junctional reentrant tachycardia. This pacing mode causes very little discomfort, what is important in children, and enhances diagnostic abilities of transesophageal EPS. So, this pacing mode should be used routinely as one of the steps of transesophageal EPS.     

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Cardiac Transplant Recipient: Treatment with Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy. Introduction: Two years after orthotopic cardiac transplantation, a 60-year-old man presented with unexplained congestive heart failure and an incessant atrial tachycardia.
Methods and Results: Electrophysiologic evaluation identified the underlying arrhythmia as automatic atrial tachycardia with site of origin at the high anterior lateral right atrial wall. Radiofrequency catheter ablation successfully eliminated the tachycardia, which resulted in prompt improvement of this patient's congestive heart failure.
Conclusion: This is the first reported case of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a cardiac transplant patient. Radiofrequency catheter ablation can he used successfully in this patient population.