The left atrial (LA) function during coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion using densitometric analysis of digital atrioventriculographic images was evaluated. Eight anesthetized dogs underwent atrioventriculography at baseline, 10 and 60 min after left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) occlusion and 5, 30, 60, and 120 min of reperfusion. Time-density curves were obtained for LA and left ventricle (LV). The ratios of passive atrial video-densitometric change (VC) to total VC (Passive Ratio), and active VC to total VC (Active Ratio) were calculated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak ejection rate (PER), and peak filling rate (PFR) were derived. Active Ratio, an index of atrial contraction, increased to 144%, and Passive Ratio decreased to 75% of baseline at 60 min of LCX occlusion. Two hours after reperfusion, both Active and Passive Ratios returned to control level. While LVEF reduced to 70%, PER to 67%, LV peak positive dP/dt to 88% of baseline at 60 min after occlusion, and remained depressed at 2 h after reperfusion. However, PFR, LV peak negative dP/dt and LV isovolumic pressure decay rate showed recovery at 2 h after reperfusion. There were significant correlations between PFR and Passive Ratio (r = 0.41), and between Active and Passive Ratios (r = 0.55). Thus, time-course of recovery of LV post-ischemic systolic and diastolic function was different. Return of LA function to control level during 2 h after reperfusion may be depend on recovery of LV diastolic function.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of tricuspid annular diastolic velocities by Doppler tissue imaging to assess right ventricular function in patients with congenital heart disease.

We assessed the clinical utility of using diastolic tricuspid annular velocities obtained by Doppler tissue imaging as a noninvasive index of right ventricular function in patients with congenital heart disease. Doppler tissue imaging at the tricuspid annulus and pulsed Doppler echocardiography of the right ventricular inflow were performed in 71 children with congenital heart disease, with and without elevated right ventricular pressure. Cardiac catheterization was performed in all patients with congenital heart disease, and the hemodynamic determinants of the tricuspid annular and inflow velocities were determined. In patients with congenital heart disease, the ratio of the late-to-early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (Aa/Ea) showed a highly significant correlation with right ventricle pressure/left ventricle pressure (r = 0.79, p < 0.0001), right ventricular end diastolic pressure (r = 0.46, p < 0.0001), and the first derivatives of the change in right ventricle pressure during diastole (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). However, the late-to-early diastolic tricuspid inflow velocity (A/E) did not correlate with any invasively measured index of right ventricular function. Aa/Ea, derived from tricuspid annular velocities as measured by Doppler tissue imaging, is a valuable, noninvasive tool for detecting an elevated right ventricular pressure in patients with congenital heart disease.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function in children.

Right ventricular diastolic function was evaluated by flow velocity pattern in the right ventricular inflow tract by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Traditionally used to evaluate this function are peak velocities obtained during early diastole (peak E wave) and during atrial contraction (peak A wave), their ratio (peak E/A ratio), and the deceleration half-time. We conducted pulsed Doppler echocardiographic studies of right ventricular inflow and outflow patterns in 171 children (105 normal children and 66 children who were undergoing total surgical repair of congenital heart defects without sequelae). Results showed that summation flow was present in the right ventricular inflow tract in 43 (25%) of the 171 subjects, which made it difficult to separate the peak E wave from the peak A wave. We noted the presence of antegrade late diastolic flow (DW) in the right ventricular outflow tract of all subjects. DW, measured in 121 subjects in whom both E and A waves were detected in the right ventricular inflow tract, showed a highly significant correlation (p < 0.0001) with A waves in the right ventricular inflow tract. The ratio of DW to right ventricular outflow tract velocities during systole (SW) showed a highly significant (p < 0.0001) correlation with E/A ratio. When evaluating right ventricular diastolic function by pulsed Doppler, especially in children, the analysis of right ventricular outflow tract patterns is helpful in addition to that of inflow tract patterns. The DW and DW/SW ratio may present good alternatives to traditional parameters in children.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chronological SPECT studies of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

We describe here chronological single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) from the early clinical stages. The case, an 8-year-old Japanese girl, was in clinical stage I of the disease on admission. A SPECT study with 99mTc-hexamethylprophyleamine oxime (99mTc-HM PAO) and 123I-IMP revealed hypoperfusion of cerebral blood flow in the bilateral occipital areas and a part of the cerebellum. Initially, no abnormal findings were observed on CT and MRI. Subsequently, however, MRI indicated abnormal signal intensity dominantly in the area of the occipital white matter where hypoperfusion of cerebral blood flow was found by the initial SPECT studies. This abnormal cerebral hypoperfusion appeared to improve after treatment with oral inosiplex and intrathecal interferon-alpha over 6 months of the clinical course. The abnormal signal intensity on the MRI also decreased, but simultaneous cranial CT demonstrated diffuse cortical atrophy and slight ventricular dilatation.

Amphetamines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary intrathoracic extrapulmonary hemangiopericytoma. CT and MR findings.

We report the imaging features of a rare case of primary intrathoracic extrapulmonary hemangiopericytoma. Radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography, were used to evaluate this rapidly growing extrapleural tumor originating from the chest wall. The studies demonstrated smooth margins, hypervascularity, and intermediate signal on T1-weighted images and increased signal on T2-weighted images.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Two cases of malignant lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytosis resembling orbital cellulitis.

Two patients with malignant lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) are reported. Their clinical signs at onset were similar to those of orbital cellulitis. Lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytosis is called lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) and its prognosis is reported to be very poor. As far as we know, this is the first report in the ophthalmological field. In our patients, we suspected that the lesions occurred from the orbit or skin of this area. The first patient was a 22-year-old man and the second patient a 16-year-old girl. The diagnosis was very difficult at the onset of disease. They died within 6 months after the first ophthalmological examination. When orbital cellulitis is suspected and antibiotic therapy is ineffective, we should suspect HPS and should examine serum ferritin, which is a good marker of HPS. Early biopsy and consultation with a hematologist are very important.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cytogenetics of the superhorse.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗