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Adult patient doses in interventional neuroradiology.

We investigated radiation doses to 149 adult patients who underwent interventional neuroradiologic procedures, consisting of 132 patients who had diagnostic imaging examinations and 17 patients who had therapeutic procedures. The interventional procedures were carried out on a biplane system capable of performing fluoroscopy and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The x-ray imaging system was interfaced to a patient dosimetry system, which computed surface (skin) doses based on the selected radiographic technique factors in each of the radiographic and fluoroscopic imaging modes. For each patient, an assessment was made of the maximum surface dose received during the procedure, which predicts the possibility of inducing deterministic effects. Knowledge of the surface doses, beam quality and x-ray cross sectional area permitted the computation of the total energy imparted to each patient. Energy imparted values were converted to effective dose, which provides an estimate of the stochastic radiation risk to the patient. The median surface dose for the frontal plane during diagnostic imaging examinations was 1.3 Gy, with a maximum surface dose of 5.1 Gy. The median surface dose for the frontal plane during therapeutic procedures was 2.8 Gy with a maximum surface dose of 5.0 Gy. Ratios of the lateral to frontal median surface doses were 0.47 for diagnostic examinations and 0.68 for interventional procedures. The median energy imparted was 1.8 J during fluoroscopy, and 4.3 J during radiography, showing that on average, 66% of the patient exposure comes from radiographic imaging (DSA). For diagnostic examinations, the median patient effective dose was 33 mSv, with a maximum of 152 mSv. For therapeutic procedures, the median patient effective dose was 74 mSv, with a maximum of 156 mSv. In interventional neuroradiology, surface doses could induce deterministic effects, and the corresponding effective doses are noticeably higher than those normally encountered in diagnostic radiology.

Adult↗

Rehabilitation of olfaction after laryngectomy by means of a nasal airflow-inducing maneuver: the "polite yawning" technique.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a nasal airflow-inducing maneuver and apply it in the olfactory rehabilitation of patients who have undergone laryngectomy. DESIGN: Intervention study; before-and-after trial. SETTING: National cancer center. PATIENTS: Forty-four patients who underwent laryngectomy; 34 men and 10 women; mean age, 64 years (range, 42-80 years); mean time since surgery, 6 years (range, 8 months to 18 years). INTERVENTION: In a prospective clinical intervention study, we assessed the effectiveness of a nasal airflow-inducing maneuver ("polite yawning," ie, yawning with closed lips). Speech therapists trained the patients in the maneuver, and its effectiveness in inducing nasal airflow was checked with digital and water manometers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Olfactory acuity was assessed before and after the intervention by means of an odor detection test and a structured questionnaire concerning olfaction, taste, and appetite. Patients were categorized as "smellers" and "nonsmellers" on the basis of the results of the odor detection test and the present odor perception scale derived from the questionnaire. RESULTS: The nasal airflow-inducing maneuver could be taught to all patients, mostly in only one 30-minute therapy session. Fifteen of the 33 patients in the pretreatment nonsmeller category converted to smellers, for a success rate of 46% (P<.001). CONCLUSION: The nasal airflow-inducing maneuver (the "polite yawning" technique) allowed almost half of the patients to recover their sense of smell.

Adult↗

[Detection of prostatic cancer in the PSA range between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml].

OBJECTIVE: In our study, we analyze the benefit of lowering the PSA cutoff point for which a prostate biopsy is indicated from 4 to 3 ng/ml. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have considered 4.278 individuals coming from a prostate cancer screening program. We studied 1.217 interventions in which PSA was determined, indicating the prostate biopsy with PSA > or = 3 ng/ml. Digital rectal examination was never the indication for the biopsy. All biopsies were sextant and assisted by transrectal ultrasound. We compared the performance of the biopsy using 4 and 3 ng/ml as cut points. RESULTS: Of the 1.217 interventions performed, 947 had PSA values lower than 3 ng/ml, 80 between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml and 190 over 4 ng/ml. A total of 189 patients (70% of these two last groups) underwent a prostate biopsy. With 4 ng/ml as the cut point, 134 biopsies were indicated, detecting 28 cancers (positive predictive value 20.9%). However 189 biopsies were indicated and 34 cancers detected by lowering the cut point to 3 ng/ml (positive predictive value 17.9%). The reduction in the biopsy performance was not statistically significant (OR = 0.89). None of the 6 additional cancers detected was palpable or ecographically visible (T1c), all of them had a Gleason score under 7 and half of them could be considered clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Lowering PSA cutoff point from 4 to 3 ng/ml improved the detection rate in 21.4% not jeopardizing the biopsy performance. Therefore we think that the group of patients with PSA between 3 and 3.9 ng/ml as candidates for prostate biopsy, should be included in screening programs.

Humans↗

Percutaneous placement of a self-expandable stent for treatment of a malignant pulmonary artery stenosis.

Venous stent placement is widely accepted as the treatment of stenoses caused by external tumour compression to reduced clinical sequelae. We report percutaneous stent placement into a severely obstructed right pulmonary artery in a 73-year-old female patient. The underlying disease was a medistinal tumour mass of unknown aetiology. Pulmonary perfusion was successfully but temporarily restored by the intervention.

Aged↗

User-friendly and low-cost computer system for immediate review, analysis, and reconstruction of intracoronary ultrasound images.

Rapid review, digital recording, on-line quantification, and three-dimensional reconstruction are all essential in the evaluation of intracoronary ultrasound images during coronary interventions. We describe a low-cost method that offers all these necessary features. The proposed method uses the QuickTime compatible video digitizers of standard multimedia Apple Macintosh or PowerPC desktop computers and the freeware software Object Image 1.60.

Computer Systems↗

Trends in cardiac catheterization laboratories in the United States.

The Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions has periodically published a Directory of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories in the United States. All known catheterization laboratories are surveyed and certain operational characteristics are queried. These surveys, in 1983, 1987, 1993, 1995 and 1998, have demonstrated a 2.5 fold increase in cardiac catheterization laboratories since 1983, corresponding increases in numbers of physicians that perform procedures, and in the numbers of procedures performed, reflecting advances in cardiovascular medicine and technology. These surveys have also documented the evolution of interventional techniques, and a shift away from film based imaging, to digitally based methods. These data provide a substrate for consideration of national cardiovascular objectives and planning of future resource allocation by cardiovascular physicians and their colleagues.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

[Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of abdominal vessels using a 1.0 T system].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of breath-hold, three-dimensional, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with a 1.0 T system for imaging the abdominal vessels in comparison to conventional arteriography (CA). METHODS: The abdominal aorta and visceral arteries were studied in 54 patients (60 examinations) on a 1.0 T scanner using an ultrafast gadolinium-enhanced gradient-echo sequence with the following parameters: TR/TE = 3.8/1.4 ms, flip angel 25 degrees, matrix 198 x 256, field 380-420 mm, pixel size 1.9 x 1.48 mm2, slice thickness 1.5-2.5 mm, acquisition time 22-26 sec. Individual circulation times were determined by a test bolus before each MR angiography. Conventional arteriography was performed in 23 of the 60 cases. RESULTS: 172 vessel segments of 23 MR angiographies were compared with CA, sensitivity and specificity were 96.4% and 97.2%. Over-estimations of stenoses or occlusions (n = 4) were caused by the limited resolution of small vessel branches and one stent artifact. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the abdominal vessels may replace invasive digital subtraction angiography in certain cases like perioperative or peri-interventional diagnostics. Imaging of small peripheral vessels remains a problem and limits use of the method.

Abdomen↗

The effects of strength training on memory in older adults.

The authors examined whether resistance training has an effect on working memory span. Participants included 210 community-residing older adults with at least one disability from the Strong for Life program, a randomized controlled trial that examined the effects of home-based resistance exercise. Memory was assessed with the WAIS backward digit span at baseline and 3 and 6 months into the intervention. Although there were no differences between the experimental treatment and control groups in average levels of memory change, within the treatment group change in resistance level during the intervention was a significant predictor of memory change, controlling for age, education, sex, and disability level. The results suggest that strength training can benefit memory among older adults, especially when using higher resistance levels.

Aged↗

Inhibitory effect of losartan, an AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on increased leucocyte entrapment in retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of losartan for the treatment of leucocyte entrapment in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats was evaluated quantitatively. METHODS: After diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ), the rats were divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup (n = 6), received no medications; the second subgroup (n = 6) was given fresh drinking water supplemented with losartan (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Six rats that were not injected with STZ or given medications served as controls. 4 weeks after intervention, leucocyte dynamics in the retina were observed using acridine orange digital fluorography. Leucocyte entrapment in the retina was compared among the three groups. RESULTS: In the untreated diabetic rats, the number of trapped leucocytes (6.1 (SD 1.4) cells/mm(2)) increased significantly compared with control rats (2.8 (1.2) cells/mm(2); p = 0.005) and diabetic rats treated with losartan (3.1 (0.9) cells/mm(2); p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Losartan, an AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, inhibited increased leucocyte entrapment in the diabetic retina. The authors demonstrated that losartan may have therapeutic efficacy in preventing development of diabetic retinopathy. Further clinical studies of the effect of the angiotensin receptor antagonist on preventing development of diabetic retinopathy are needed.

Acridine Orange↗

Neuropsychological outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting: results from the Stent or Surgery (SoS) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has been associated with a range of neurological and neuropsychological complications from stroke to cognitive problems such as memory and problem solving disturbance. However, little is known about the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on neuropsychological outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Stent or Surgery Trial (SoS), 988 patients were randomized in equal proportions between PCI supported by stent implantation and CABG. As a substudy of this trial, we undertook an evaluation of neurological and neuropsychological outcomes after intervention. A clinical examination and neuropsychological assessment consisting of 5 tests (Digit Span Forwards and Backwards, Visual Reproduction, Bourdon, and Block Design) were performed at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the procedure. A total of 145 patients were included in the substudy analysis: 77 in the PCI group and 68 in the CABG group. One patient in the PCI arm had a stroke. There was no significant difference between treatment groups at 6 and 12 months for any of the 5 tests. The mean change from baseline was also similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We were not able to demonstrate an important and significant difference in neuropsychological outcome in patients treated with different revascularization strategies. This important finding needs to be examined in further research.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Self-reported weight, weight goals, and weight control strategies of a midwestern population.

OBJECTIVE: To elicit from individuals in a population their current weight and height, weight goals, and weight control strategies to aid in design of effective interventions to prevent and treat obesity. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: By random digit dial telephone survey, 1224 adult residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, were contacted between February 28 and May 5, 2000. They self-reported weights and weight goals and described physical characteristics associated with their desire to lose weight. RESULTS: Among the 1224 respondents, 65.6% of men and 47.9% of women reported that they were overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI, > or =30.0 kg/m2). Only 0.4% of men and 3.7% of women reported that they were underweight (BMI, <18.5 kg/m2). Of the respondents 72.6% of men and 85.1% of women reported that they were either trying to lose or not gain weight. The average weight loss goal for individuals trying to lose weight was 23.4 pounds for men and 28.0 pounds for women. Only one third of individuals trying to lose weight and one fifth of individuals trying not to gain weight reported using the recommended approach of combining energy restriction with at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population and the underutilization of combining both restricting energy intake and exercising at least 150 minutes per week for weight control is high. Like the majority of people in the United States, the majority of people in Olmsted County desire to control their weight. The community has responded with plans to help residents meet their goals, although efficacy and outcomes remain to be determined.

Adult↗

Patient radiation exposure measurements during interventional procedures: a prospective study.

This is a prospective study with the purpose of assessing patient radiation dose and stochastic risk (risk for fatal cancer) in a patient population undergoing interventional radiological (IR) procedures. Measurements were performed on 36 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA, n=18), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS, n=3), diagnostic angiography (DA, n=6), arterial embolization (AE, n=3), and hepatic neoplasm chemoembolization (HCE, n=6). Kerma area product (KAP) was used as a measure of x-ray exposure to the patient. Mean KAP value per procedure was 79+/-50 Gy cm for PTA, 139+/-55 Gy cm for TIPS, 110+/-44 Gy cm for DA, 325+/-145 Gy cm for AE, and 150+/-76 Gy cm for HCE. Forty-six percent of total KAP value was attributed to fluoroscopy. In conclusion, we showed that a linear correlation between effective dose and KAP was found (r=0.84), which could be used for estimating patient effective dose using KAP measurements. Small changes to the number of digital frames acquired result in substantial change of the total KAP in interventional radiological procedures. Stochastic risk from IR procedures is quite low for the patient. Measuring KAP is a simple and accurate method, which provides the interventional radiologist with a good estimation of the patient's relative risk for stochastic effects.

Aged↗

The creation of a brain atlas for image guided neurosurgery using serial histological data.

Digital and print brain atlases have been used with success to help in the planning of neurosurgical interventions. In this paper, a technique presented for the creation of a brain atlas of the basal ganglia and the thalamus derived from serial histological data. Photographs of coronal histological sections were digitized and anatomical structures were manually segmented. A slice-to-slice nonlinear registration technique was used to correct for spatial distortions introduced into the histological data set at the time of acquisition. Since the histological data were acquired without any anatomical reference (e.g., block-face imaging, post-mortem MRI), this registration technique was optimized to use an error metric which calculates a nonlinear transformation minimizing the mean distance between the segmented contours between adjacent pairs of slices in the data set. A voxel-by-voxel intensity correction field was also estimated for each slice to correct for lighting and staining inhomogeneity. The reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) histological volume can be viewed in transverse and sagittal directions in addition to the original coronal. Nonlinear transformations used to correct for spatial distortions of the histological data were applied to the segmented structure contours. These contours were then tessellated to create three-dimensional geometric objects representing the different anatomic regions in register with the histological volumes. This yields two alternate representations (one histological and one geometric) of the atlas. To register the atlas to a standard reference MR volume created from the average of 27 T1-weighted MR volumes, a pseudo-MRI was created by setting the intensity of each anatomical region defined in the geometric atlas to match the intensity of the corresponding region of the reference MR volume. This allowed the estimation of a 3D nonlinear transformation using a correlation based registration scheme to fit the atlas to the reference MRI. The result of this procedure is a contiguous 3D histological volume, a set of 3D objects defining the basal ganglia and thalamus, both of which are registered to a standard MRI data set, for use for neurosurgical planning.

Algorithms↗

Gadopentate dimeglumine as an alternative contrast agent for use in interventional procedures.

Renal failure due to iodinated contrast media is a serious complication of peripheral angiography in patients with impaired renal function. Gadolinium based agents which are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging have no adverse renal toxicity at recommended doses. These agents have sufficient radiographic density to be seen using digital subtraction equipment. We describe the use of undiluted gadopentate dimeglumine as the radiographic contrast agent in two patients who underwent complex interventional procedures.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Quantitative morphometric analysis of progressive infundibular obstruction in tetralogy of Fallot. A prospective longitudinal echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The morphological hallmark of tetralogy of Fallot is controversial, with much disagreement as to whether the subpulmonary infundibulum in this lesion is hypoplastic. In addition, few quantitative data are available regarding the morphometry of the subpulmonary infundibulum, what anatomic characteristics are acquired in the postnatal period, and at what rate they progress. We also sought to determine whether echocardiographic morphometric analysis of the infundibulum can predict clinical course in infants with tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one infants with tetralogy of Fallot (median age at initial study, 1.6 months) were prospectively followed with serial echocardiograms until the time of first surgical intervention (median age at surgery, 10 months). Selected video still frames were digitized off-line with a computerized system. Compared with age-matched normal control infants (n = 37), the following indexed infundibular dimensions in patients with tetralogy of Fallot were significantly smaller: length (1.86 +/- 0.54 versus 2.7 +/- 0.56 cm/BSA0.5, P < .0001), cross-sectional area (1.6 +/- 0.49 versus 4.7 +/- 1.3 cm2/BSA, P < .0001), and volume (1.24 +/- 0.62 versus 7.2 +/- 3 mL/BSA1.5, P < .0001). The following measurements were increased in tetralogy patients: infundibular septal thickness (0.83 +/- 0.21 versus 0.54 +/- 0.06 cm/BSA0.5, P = .0002) and infundibular free-wall thickness (0.62 +/- 0.13 versus 0.49 +/- 0.06 cm/BSA0.5, P = .006). The angle between infundibular septum and ventricular septum had a greater degree of anterosuperior deviation in tetralogy patients, resulting in a larger infundibuloventricular septal angle (77 +/- 8.2 degrees versus 31 +/- 6.5 degrees, P < .0001). During follow-up, infundibular volume in tetralogy patients decreased from 1.24 +/- 0.62 to 0.81 +/- 0.47 mL/BSA1.5 (P = .002), correlating with infundibular septal thickness (r = -.63, P < .003). The mean rate of decrease of indexed infundibular volume was 0.1 +/- 0.13 mL.BSA-15.mo-1. Correlation analysis revealed a nonlinear correlation between the degree of infundibular septal malalignment and indexed infundibular volume (r = .93, P < .0001). Tetralogy patients who required early surgical intervention (4.8 +/- 0.9 versus 10.7 +/- 1.7 months, P < .0001) had a smaller infundibulum at presentation (0.92 +/- 0.35 versus 1.41 +/- 0.67 mL/BSA1.5, P = .04) and an accelerated rate of infundibular narrowing (0.17 +/- 0.18 versus 0.06 +/- 0.08 mL.BSA-1.5.mo-1, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with normal infants, the subpulmonary infundibulum in tetralogy of Fallot is characterized by a smaller volume, shorter and thicker infundibular septum, and anterosuperior deviation of the infundibular septum. Infundibular obstruction in tetralogy patients is progressive, with an average rate of decrease in indexed infundibular volume of 0.1 +/- 0.13 mL.BSA-1.5.mo-1. Infants who are likely to require early therapeutic intervention may be identified on their initial echocardiogram as having an infundibular volume of < 0.9 to 1.0 mL/BSA1.5.

Child, Preschool↗

Patterns of teen exposure to a community-based violence prevention project.

This paper describes the implementation of a community-based youth violence prevention project that utilized an educational curriculum and a mass media campaign. The extent of penetration of the intervention into target areas and the degree of contamination of control areas are assessed, and the most frequently contacted forms of educational outreach are identified. Two sources of data, provider interviews and a random digit dialed telephone survey, were used to track the source and extent of teens' exposure to the intervention. Agency provider data revealed that 40% of the 92 contacted agencies actually conducted violence prevention education, reaching 22% of the target area teens. Approximately one-half of the surveyed teens reported some exposure to the program, with 13% of the teens in target areas reporting participation in interactive educational activities associated with the project. The most common source of exposure was the media campaign. Most teens report a single exposure, usually to the media campaign, although 29% report contact with more than one form of violence prevention education. While the project did not achieve community saturation, the data show that the community-based model of intervention for violence prevention is feasible and effective in reaching teenagers. This research highlights some difficulties in evaluating prevention programs, including reconciling community ownership with project identification, the ethics of curtailing services for control purposes, and factors influencing recall of participation.

Adolescent↗

Advances in the treatment of complex cerebrovascular disorders by interventional neurovascular techniques.

Treatment of complex cerebrovascular disorders, including intracranial aneurysms, carotid cavernous sinus fistulas, vertebral fistulas, arteriovenous malformations, atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic vessels, and arterial vasospasm, is being performed in selected cases by interventional neurovascular techniques. Recent advances in microballoon technology, permanent solidifying polymers, newer embolic agents, high-resolution digital subtraction angiography with road-mapping technique, and steerable micro-guide wires and catheters have greatly improved access in the distal intracranial circulation and markedly reduced the morbidity associated with these procedures. Interventional neuroradiology is emerging as an important adjunct to neurosurgery for selected cerebrovascular disorders.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Cardiovascular health among Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders: an examination of health status and intervention approaches.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW. The purpose of this review is to examine the cardiovascular health status of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders by primary risk factor and review current intervention approaches targeting this population. Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in the United States have experienced triple digit percentage increases in population for every decade since 1970. Despite their rapidly increasing numbers, little is known about their cardiovascular health status. SEARCH METHODS USED. This article reviews the literature on the demographics, mortality, and prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors among Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. Selected intervention programs are also described. SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT FINDINGS. Data on cardiovascular disease mortality for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are relatively limited because few states collect ethnically specific mortality statistics. Data on cardiovascular risk factors, particularly smoking and hypertension, for certain Asian American/Pacific Islander groups portend excessive cardiovascular disease burdens. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS. Data specific to ethnic groups comprising Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders need to be called. Also, scientifically valid and linguistically appropriate interventions approved by ethnic community leaders are needed to address Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

Asian↗