Pulmonary artery sarcoma: a rare disease

Pulmonary artery sarcomas (PAS) are rare and probably incurable tumours. The clinical manifestations are non-specific and very similar to that of patients with thromboembolic disease, resulting in delay of the correct diagnosis and proper treatment. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with PAS diagnosed by computed tomography guided biopsy. Chemotherapy treatment was initiated but the patient died 11 months after diagnosis.

Obstructive sleep apnea is common among patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting and can be diagnosed by portable monitoring

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among patients with coronary artery disease. However, OSA remains largely under recognized. The lack of clinical suspicion and difficulties to access full polysomnography (PSG) are limiting factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate, among patients referred to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): (i) the prevalence of OSA, (ii) the association of OSA with clinical symptoms, (iii) the performance of overnight unattended portable monitoring (PM) as an alternative method for the diagnosis of OSA. Methods Consecutive patients referred for CABG were evaluated by standard physical evaluation and validated questionnaires (Berlin questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and underwent full PSG and PM (Stardust II). Results We studied 70 consecutive patients (76% men), age 58 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD), BMI [median (interquartile range)] 27.6 kg/m(2) (25.8-31.1). The prevalence of OSA (full PSG) using an apnea-hypopnea index of at least 5 events/h was 87%. Commonly used clinical traits for the screening of OSA such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and neck circumference had low sensitivities to detect OSA. In contrast, the Berlin questionnaire showed a good sensitivity (72%) to detect OSA. PM showed good sensitivity (92%) and specificity (67%) for the diagnosis of OSA. Conclusion OSA is strikingly common among patients referred for CABG. The Berlin questionnaire, but not symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness is a useful tool to screen OSA. PM is useful for the diagnosis of OSA and therefore is an attractive tool for widespread use among patients with coronary artery disease. Coron Artery Dis 23:31-38 (C) 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

PHOTOELASTIC ANALISYS IN THE LOWER REGION OF VERTEBRAL BODY L4

Objective: To analyze the shear forces on the vertebral body L4 when submitted to a compression force by means of transmission photoelasticity. Methods: Twelve photoelastic models were divided into three groups, with four models per group, according to the positioning of the sagittal section vertebrae L4-L5 (sections A, B and C). The simulation was performed using a 15N compression force, and the fringe orders were evaluated in the vertebral body L4 by the Tardy compensation method. Results: Photoelastic analysis showed, in general, a homogeneous distribution in the vertebral bodies. The shear forces were higher in section C than B, and higher in B than A. Conclusion: The posterior area of L4, mainly in section C, showed higher shear concentrations, corresponding to a more susceptible area for bone fracture and spondylolisthesis. Economic and Decision Analyses Development of an Economic or Decision Model. Level I

Previous Percutaneous Coronary Intervention as Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has increased as the initial revascularization strategy in chronic coronary artery disease. Consequently, more patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have history of coronary stent. Objective: Evaluate the impact of previous PCI on in-hospital mortality after CABG in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. Methods: Between May/2007 and June/2009, 1099 consecutive patients underwent CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients with no PCI (n=938, 85.3%) were compared with patients with previous PCI (n=161, 14.6%). Logistic regression models and propensity score matching analysis were used to assess the risk-adjusted impact of previous PCI on in-hospital mortality. Results: Both groups were similar, except for the fact that patients with previous PCI were more likely to have unstable angina (16.1% x 9.9%, p=0.019). In-hospital mortality after CABG was higher in patients with previous PCI (9.3% x 5.1%, p=0.034) and it was comparable with EuroSCORE and 2000 Bernstein-Parsonnet risk score. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, previous PCI emerged as an independent predictor of postoperative in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.02-3.68, p=0.044) as strong as diabetes (odds ratio 1.86, 95% CI 1.07-3.24, p=0.028). After computed propensity score matching based on preoperative risk factors, in-hospital mortality remained higher among patients with previous PCI (odds ratio 3.46, 95% CI 1.10-10.93, p=0.034). Conclusions: Previous PCI in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality after CABG. This fact must be considered when PCI is indicated as initial alternative in patients with more severe coronary artery disease. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012;99(1):586-595)

Predicting pH at birth in pregnancies with abnormal pulsatility index and positive end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery

Objectives: To identify potential associations between fetal surveillance tests and acidosis at birth in pregnancies with abnormal but positive end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery. Methods: A prospective case-control study [group 1: pH < 7.2; group 2: pH >= 7.2] including 46 fetuses with abnormal but positive end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery was conducted between February 2007 and March 2009. Outcome variables were evaluated by univariate analysis and compared between the two groups. Clinically relevant and statistically significant variables were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Abnormal nonstress test, presence of deceleration, and absent fetal breathing movements were statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis revealed that fetal heart rate (FHR) deceleration in the nonstress test is the only predictor of fetal acidosis at birth (p = 0.024; OR = 8.2; 95% CI: 1.2-52). Conclusions: In fetuses with positive end-diastolic flow velocity, acute variables of the antenatal surveillance tests are correlated with acidosis at birth and FHR deceleration in the nonstress test is the only predictor of fetal acidosis.

Delineation of vertebral area on the coronal plane using three-dimensional ultrasonography advanced volume contrast imaging (VCI) Omni view: intrarater reliability and agreement using standard mouse, high definition mouse, and pen-tablet

Objective: To assess the fetal lumbosacral spine by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography using volume contrast imaging (VCI) omni view method and compare reproducibility and agreement between three different measurement techniques: standard mouse, high definition mouse and pen-tablet. Methods: A comparative and prospective study with 40 pregnant women between 20 and 34+6 weeks was realized. 3D volume datasets of the fetal spine were acquired using a convex transabdominal transducer. Starting scan plane was the coronal section of fetal lumbosacral spine by VCI-C function. Omni view manual trace was selected and a parallel plane of fetal spine was drawn including interest region. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for reproducibility analysis. The relative difference between three used techniques was compared by chi-square test and Fischer test. Results: Pen-tablet showed better reliability (ICC = 0.987). In the relative proportion of differences, this was significantly higher for the pen-tablet (82.14%; p < 0.01). In paired comparison, the relative difference was significantly greater for the pen-tablet (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The pen-tablet showed to be the most reproductive and concordant method in the measurement of body vertebral area of fetal lumbosacral spine by 3D ultrasonography using the VCI.

Endothelial dysfunction in the pulmonary artery induced by concentrated fine particulate matter exposure is associated with local but not systemic inflammation

Clinical evidence has identified the pulmonary circulation as an important target of air pollution. It was previously demonstrated that in vitro exposure to fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter <= 2.5 mu m, PM2.5) induces endothelial dysfunction in isolated pulmonary arteries. We aimed to investigate the effects of in vivo exposure to urban concentrated PM2.5 on rat pulmonary artery reactivity and the mechanisms involved. For this, adult Wistar rats were exposed to 2 weeks of concentrated Sao Paulo city air PM2.5 at an accumulated daily dose of approximately 600 mu g/m(3). Pulmonary arteries isolated from PM2.5-exposed animals exhibited impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine without significant changes in nitric oxide donor response compared to control rats. PM2.5 caused vascular oxidative stress and enhanced protein expression of Cu/Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase in the pulmonary artery. Protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was reduced, while tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was enhanced by PM2.5 inhalation in pulmonary artery. There was a significant positive correlation between eNOS expression and maximal relaxation response (E-max) to acetylcholine. A negative correlation was found between vascular TNF-alpha expression and E-max to acetylcholine. Plasma cytokine levels, blood cells count and coagulation parameters were similar between control and PM2.5-exposed rats. The present findings showed that in vivo daily exposure to concentrated urban PM2.5 could decrease endothelium-dependent relaxation and eNOS expression on pulmonary arteries associated with local high TNF-alpha level but not systemic pro-inflammatory factors. Taken together, the present results elucidate the mechanisms underlying the trigger of cardiopulmonary diseases induced by urban ambient levels of PM2.5. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phenylephrine-induced hypertension during transient middle cerebral artery occlusion alleviates ischemic brain injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. However, the management of preexisting hypertension is still controversial in the treatment of acute stroke in hypertensive patients. The present study evaluates the influence of preserving hypertension during focal cerebral ischemia on stroke outcome in a rat model of chronic hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient (1 h) occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, during which mean arterial blood pressure was maintained at normotension (110-120 mm Hg, group 1, n=6) or hypertension (160-170 mm Hg, group 2, n=6) using phenylephrine. T2-, diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI were performed serially at five different time points: before and during ischemia, and at 1, 4 and 7 days after ischemia. Lesion volume and brain edema were estimated from apparent diffusion coefficient maps and T2-weighted images. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured within and outside the perfusion deficient lesion and in the corresponding regions of the contralesional hemisphere. Neurological deficits were evaluated after reperfusion. Infarct volume, edema, and neurological deficits were significantly reduced in group 2 vs. group 1. In addition, higher values and rapid restoration of rCBF were observed in group 2, while rCBF in both hemispheres was significantly decreased in group 1. Maintaining preexisting hypertension alleviates ischemic brain injury in SHR by increasing collateral circulation to the ischemic region and allowing rapid restoration of rCBF. The data suggest that maintaining preexisting hypertension is a valuable approach to managing hypertensive patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Microendoscopic stereotactic-guided percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal nucleotractotomy

Object. Over the past few decades, various authors have performed open or stereotactic trigeminal nucleotractotomy for the treatment of neuropathic facial pain resistant to medical treatment. Stereotactic procedures can be performed percutaneously under local anesthesia, allowing intraoperative neurological examination as a method for target refinement. However, blind percutaneous procedures in the region of the atlantooccipital transition carry a considerably high risk of vascular injuries that may bring prohibitive neurological deficit or even death. To avoid such complications, the authors present the first clinical use of microendoscopy to assist percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal nucleotractotomy. The aim of this article is to demonstrate intradural microendoscopic visualization of the medulla oblongata through an atlantooccipital percutaneous approach. Methods. The authors present a case of severe postherpetic facial neuralgia in a patient who underwent the procedure and had satisfactory results. Stereotactic computational image planning for targeting the spinal trigeminal tract and nucleus in the posterolateral medulla was performed, allowing for an accurate percutaneous approach. immediately before radiofrequency electrode insertion, a tine endoscope was introduced to visualize the structures in the cisterna magna. Results. Microendoscopic visualization offered clear identification of the pial surface of the medulla oblongata and its blood vessels, the arachnoid membrane, cranial nerve rootlets and their entry zone, and larger vessels such as the vertebral arteries and the branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Conclusions. The initial application of this technique suggests that percutaneous microendoscopy may be useful for particular manipulation of the medulla oblongata, increasing the safety of the procedure and likely improving its effectiveness. (DOI: 10.3171/2011.8.JNS11618)

Coronary to Bronchial Artery Fistula: Are We Treating it Right?

Fistulas between coronary artery and bronchial artery may be present from birth, with few hemodynamic consequences, and may remain closed due to similarity of the filling pressures at these 2 sites.(1) They can also be secondary to pulmonary artery occlusive disease or chronic pulmonary inflammation.(2,3) These pulmonary changes may cause a dilation of the fistula and make it functional, causing angina pectoris by coronary steal syndrome, which is the most common symptom. The presentation may also be composed of episodes of hemoptysis, heart failure, and infective endocarditis. However, most patients remain asymptomatic. The ones that need treatment may not have a good response to the medical management, requiring an intervention. This can be done using embolization coils, stents grafts, and performing surgical ligation of the fistulas.(2-4) J INVASIVE CARDIOL 2012;24(11):E303-E304

Long-Term Prospective Study of the Influence of Estrone Levels on Events in Postmenopausal Women with or at High Risk for Coronary Artery Disease

Background. The link between endogenous estrogen, coronary artery disease (CAD), and death in postmenopausal women is uncertain. We analyzed the association between death and blood levels of estrone in postmenopausal women with known coronary artery disease (CAD) or with a high-risk factor score for CAD. Methods. 251 postmenopausal women age 50-90 years not on estrogen therapy. Fasting blood for estrone and heart disease risk factors were collected at baseline. Women were grouped according to their estrone levels (<15 and >= 15 pg/mL). Fatal events were recorded after 5.8 perpendicular to 1.4 years of followup. Results. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a significant trend (P = 0.039) of greater all-cause mortality in women with low estrone levels (< 15 pg/mL). Cox multivariate regression analysis model adjusted for body mass index, diabetes, dyslipidemia, family history, and estrone showed estrone (OR = 0.45; P = 0.038) as the only independent variable for all-cause mortality. Multivariate regression model adjusted for age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, family history, and estrone showed that only age (OR = 1.06; P = 0.017) was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Conclusions. Postmenopausal women with known CAD or with a high-risk factor score for CAD and low estrone levels (< 15 pg/mL) had increased all-cause mortality.

Morfologia dos vasos da base do encéfalo do quati (Nasua nasua)

Estudou-se a morfologia do encéfalo de Nasua nasua - quati, buscando comparar estes achados com outras espécies já descritos. Foram utilizados cinco encéfalos de quatis, provenientes do Criatório Científico (Cecrimpas), Unifeob. Os animais foram eutanásiados de acordo com a legislação (Cobea). Canulou-se a artéria carótida comum e a veia jugular externa sentido cranial, injetou-se solução de látex/bário corado de vermelho na artéria carótida, e solução de látex corado de azul na veia jugular. Em seguida os animais fixados em solução de formaldeído a 10%. O encéfalo tem sua nutrição dependente de quatro artérias, as artérias carótidas internas e as artérias vertebrais direitas e esquerdas. Esses vasos compuseram o circuito basilar e carotídeo que se anastomosam através das artérias cerebrais caudais. Correm na base do encéfalo sob a meninge pia mater.

Age influences outcomes in 70-year or older patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Objective: To analyze the results of isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in patients >= 70 years old in comparison to patients <70 years old. Methods: Patients undergoing isolated CABG were selected for the study. The patients were assigned into two groups: G1 (age >= 70 years old) and G2 (age <70 years old). The endpoints were in-hospital mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, re-exploration for bleeding, intraaortic balloon pump for circulatory shock, respiratory complications, acute renal failure, mediastinitis, sepsis, atrial fibrillation, and complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). Results: A total of 1,033 were included in the study: G1 comprised 257 (24.8%) patients G2 776 (75.2%). Patients in G1 were more likely to have in-hospital mortality than in G2 (8.9% vs. 3.6%, respectively; P=0.001), while the incidence of AMI was similar (5.8% vs. 5.5%; P=0.87) in G2. More patients in G1 had re-exploration for bleeding (12.1% vs. 6.1%; P=0.003). Compared to G2, G1 had more incidences of respiratory complications (21.4% vs. 9.1%; P<0.001), mediastinitis (5.1% vs. 1.9%; P=0.013), stroke (3.9% vs. 1.3%; P=0.016), acute renal failure (7.8% vs. 1.3%; P<0.001), sepsis (3.9% vs. 1.9%; P=0.003), atrial fibrillation (15.6% vs. 9.8%; P=0.016), and CAVB (3.5% vs. 1.2%; P=0.023). There was no significant difference in the use of the intraaortic balloon pump. In the forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, age >= 70 years was an independent predictive factor for higher in-hospital mortality (P=0.004), re-exploration for bleeding (P=0.002), sepsis (P=0.002), respiratory complications (P<0.001), mediastinitis (P=0.016), stroke (P=0.029), acute renal failure (P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (P=0.021), and CAVB (P=0.031). Conclusion: This study suggests that patients of age >= 70 years were at increased risk of death and other complications in the CABG's postoperative period in comparison to younger patients.

Influence of Pleural Drain Insertion in Lung Function of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background and objectives: Longitudinal, prospective, randomized, blinded Trial to assess the influence of pleural drain (non-toxic PVC) site of insertion on lung function and postoperative pain of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in the first three days post-surgery and immediately after chest tube removal. Method: Thirty six patients scheduled for elective myocardial revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly allocated into two groups: SX group (subxiphoid) and IC group (intercostal drain). Spirometry, arterial blood gases, and pain tests were recorded. Results: Thirty one patients were selected, 16 in SX group and 15 in IC group. Postoperative (PO) spirometric values were higher in SX than in IC group (p < 0.05), showing less influence of pleural drain location on breathing. PaO2 on the second PO increased significantly in SX group compared with IC group (p < 0.0188). The intensity of pain before and after spirometry was lower in SX group than in IC group (p < 0.005). Spirometric values were significantly increased in both groups after chest tube removal. Conclusion: Drain with insertion in the subxiphoid region causes less change in lung function and discomfort, allowing better recovery of respiratory parameters.