Hemodynamic analysis of descending versus ascending aortomyoplasty, and comparison with intra-aortic balloon pump

Objective: Descending and ascending aortomyoplasty are two surgical procedures intended to induce hemodynamic benefits similar to those of the intra-aortic-balloon-pump (IABP). To date, there have been no studies comparing the two surgical techniques. The objective of this study was to compare coronary blood flow augmentation and afterload reduction as produced by descending and ascending aortomyoplasty counterpulsation Methods: Twenty-two mongrel dogs (18–35 kg) underwent IABP application (n=7), descending (n=8), or ascending (n=7) aortomyoplasty. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery blood flow was measured using a Transonic Doppler flow probe. Left ventricular pressure as well as aortic pressures proximal and distal to either the aortomyoplasty site or the IABP position were monitored continuously. Results: Descending aortomyoplasty induced higher elevation in the LAD blood flow during assisted beats (27% from 10.8±4 to 13.8±6 ml/min, P<0.001) than that induced by either ascending aortomyoplasty (19% from 11.7±5 to 14±5 ml/min, P<0.001) or IABP counterpulsation (18% from 8.6±3 to 10.2±4 ml/min, P<0.001). Conversely, while ascending aortomyoplasty reduced the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by 16% (from 60±18 to 50±22 mmHg, P<0.001), similar to the 16% after load reduction achieved by the IABP counterpulsation, descending aortomyoplasty failed to induce afterload reduction. Conclusions: Descending aortomyoplasty produces higher coronary blood flow augmentation than either ascending aortomyoplasty or IABP. However, afterload reduction comparable to that achieved by IABP was observed only with ascending aortomyoplasty and not with descending aortomyoplasty.     

Postural stability by computerized posturography in minor head trauma

Mild head injuries are very common among young children. Often, these injuries are followed by a variety of subjective complaints termed posttraumatic syndrome. Posturography (balance test) was performed immediately after the trauma in 21 children who had sustained mild head injury. Significant difference in performance was observed in head-injured children in all subparts of the test as compared with a control group. We conclude that posturography may serve as a simple cost-effective method in qualifying the posttraumatic imbalance.     

Balloon Catheter with Extra-amniotic Saline Instillation: a Method of Induction in Pregnancies at 41 or More Gestational Weeks

Summary: One hundred five women with a documented pregnancy of 41 weeks' gestation or more, admitted for induction of labour by balloon catheter with extra-amniotic saline instillation, were retrospectively compared to 196 women admitted in spontaneous labour at the same gestational age, with regard to mode of delivery. The success rate of the induction group was 97.1%. The mode of delivery did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The Caesarean section rates were 11.4% in the induction group versus 9.7% in the spontaneous group. The mode of delivery after induction of labour by balloon catheter with extra-amniotic saline instillation and simultaneously commenced intravenous oxytocin infusion, in pregnancies of 41 weeks or more, is similar to that of spontaneous deliveries at the same gestational age.     

Neurotoxicity after spinal anaesthesia induced by serial intrathecal injections of magnesium sulphate An experimental study in a rat model

We have previously demonstrated in a rat model that the lumbar intrathecal injection of 0.02 ml 6.3% magnesium sulphate, a concentration iso-osmolar with rat plasma, produces a state of spinal anaesthesia and general sedation which reversed completely after 6 h, without evidence of neurotoxicity, immediately or during the week thereafter. Using the same model and five groups of six animals in each, we administered the same volume and concentration of magnesium sulphate and compared its clinical effects with those of 0.02 ml 12.6% magnesium sulphate, 0.02 ml 2% lignocaine and 0.02 ml 0.9% sodium chloride solution, given as a series of 15 injections on alternate days for a period of 1 month. The animals were then killed and their spinal cords and meninges examined histologically. No significant differences were noted in the times of onset, durations of sensory and motor blockade and the times to full recovery throughout the entire period of 1 month's observation in the animals receiving intrathecal 6.3% magnesium sulphate. In the group receiving 12.6% magnesium sulphate, the time of onset of sensory and motor blockade was shorter and the duration of both parameters was significantly longer than in the former group. Full clinical recovery and resumption of normal eating and drinking took place in both groups throughout the entire series of 15 successive intrathecal injections. Identical, mild, uniform histopathological changes in the spinal cord were seen in all the five groups, including the group in which only the intrathecal catheter was implanted. The complete recovery and benign consequences of repeated intrathecal injections of iso-osmolar magnesium sulphate in a rat model indicate a lack of neurotoxicity and provide an impetus for further trials in larger animal species, before initial clinical trials of this substance, given intrathecally, in humans.     

Persistent posttraumatic wrist pain: complex regional pain syndrome? Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be in the differential diagnosis

It is a common algorithm for hand surgeons to diagnose and treat persistent post-traumatic wrist pain as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Although it works for many patients, some conditions that affect the wrist don’t fall in this category and worsen with this treatment practice. We present a single-handed patient who had had a non-displaced distal radius fracture and was treated as CRPS for the next three months. He was eventually diagnosed with late tuberculous tenosynovitis of the wrist and a total wrist arthrodesis was performed. We believe that Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be in the differential diagnosis of persistent post-traumatic joint pain. This is especially important as Mycobacterium infections are becoming more common due to an increase in patients with chronic immunosuppression and definitive diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous tenosynovitis needs a high index of clinical suspicion.     

Apolipoprotein E4 enhances brain inflammation by modulation of the NF-κB signaling cascade

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), the major genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with enhanced brain inflammation. Genome-wide gene expression profiling was employed to study the effects of apoE genotype on hippocampal gene expression in LPS-treated mice, transgenic for either apoE4 or the AD benign allele, apoE3. This revealed that the expression of inflammation-related genes following intracerebroventricular injection of LPS was significantly higher and more prolonged in apoE4 than in apoE3 transgenic mice. Clustering analysis revealed gene clusters which responded differently in apoE4 and apoE3 mice and were significantly enriched in NF-kappaB response elements. Direct measurement of NF-kappaB-regulated genes revealed that their extent of activation was greater in the apoE4 mice. Immunohistochemistry experiments revealed that microglial and NF-kappaB activation were more pronounced in apoE4 than in apoE3 mice. These findings suggest that the increased brain inflammation in apoE4 mice is related to disregulation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway.