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[The clinical application of electron beam tomography in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of electron beam computerized tomography (EBCT) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). METHODS: EBCT was performed before March 2004 in 114 consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary vascular diseases, including 76 patients with PTE, 29 with pulmonary arteritis, 5 with primary pulmonary arterial tumor, and 4 with pulmonary arterial invasion by lung or mediastinal carcinoma. EBCT was performed using Imatron C-150 scanner with enhanced continuum volume scan (CVS). The slice thickness was 3 mm with scanning time of 0.1 s. The total amount of contrast media (Omnipaque-300) used was 50-100 ml, with flow rates of 3.0-4.0 ml/s and a delay time of 14-25 s. RESULTS: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was confirmed in 58 (76.3%) of the 76 patients with PTE (52 men and 24 women), 8 (10.6%) of them without apparent causes. Of the 2 356 pulmonary arterial branches observed in the 76 cases, 1,668 branches (70.8%) showed signs of PTE, with 545 branches (32.7%) of the central pulmonary arteries and 1 123 branches (67.3%) of the peripheral pulmonary arteries. Central type filling defect, such as the "railway sign" or the "drifting sign", was specific for acute thrombosis. Thrombus calcification was a specific sign of chronic PTE. Indirect signs of PTE included mosaic signs, enlargement of the right ventricle and atrium, pulmonary artery enlargement, pulmonary infarction, pericardial and/or pleural effusion, pulmonary atelectasis and pulmonary consolidation. Pulmonary arteritis (including pulmonary arterial involvement in Takayasu arteritis) was diagnosed by EBCT in 27 (93.1%) of the 29 patients, in which the diagnosis was confirmed by pulmonary angiography in 16, and clinically in 13 Patients. Of the 5 patients with primary pulmonary arterial tumor confirmed by pathology, 1 was misdiagnosed by EBCT. Of the 4 patients with pulmonary arterial involvement by lung or mediastinal carcinoma, 3 were confirmed by surgery and 1 by pulmonary angiography. CONCLUSIONS: DVT and PTE are different manifestations of one disease. The diagnostic strategy aims to detect thrombosis in the pulmonary arteries and in the deep veins of the lower limbs at the same time. EBCT is an effective and non-invasive examination in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PTE. By EBCT, acute and chronic thrombi can be initially differentiated, and changes in lung parenchyma, mediastinum, and the pulmonary and systemic arterial walls can be observed, and therefore more valuable radiological information can be collected for clinical decision-making.

Adult↗

Clinical spectrum of septic pulmonary embolism and infarction.

Management of septic pulmonary embolism now suggests a predictability of the clinical course which often allows an early decision regarding the need for definitive thoracotomy. Sixty patients have been treated within the past 5 years. Antibiotics were employed in all patients, administered whenever possible according to cultures. In 12 patients thoracotomy was required. This involved decortication and varying amounts of pulmonary resection from wedge excision to pneumonectomy. Early appreciation of septic pulmonary embolism and prompt thoracotomy can frequently obviate the need for tardy open drainage procedures with consequent prolonged recovery. Sources of emboli must be controlled. Interruption of the inferior vena cava, vein excision, aggressive control of peripheral abscesses, and excision of the tricuspid valve may be required. Reliance on antiocagulants alone to control emboli is dangerous, and proper surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy reduce the need for long-term anticoagulation.

Adult↗

Recognition and successful management in pulmonary aspergillosis in leukemia.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a common fungal infection in the compromised host. The outcome has been generally poor and, until recently, most reports are derived from autopsy series. We report nine patients with leukemia and the characteristic clinical presentation of pulmonary infarction. There is histological evidence that infarction is due to fungal invasion of the pulmonary arterial system with distal hemorrhagic infarction, cavitation, and mycetoma formation. This complete evolution was detected in six patients, none of whom had previous cavitary pulmonary disease. Therapy included amphotericin B (9 patients), aerosolized nystatin (6 patients), and 5-fluorocytosine (5 patients). Complete resolution of the pulmonary lesions occurred in six patients with a subsequent median survival of 13.5 months (range: 5-32+ months). Three patients died with continuing pulmonary infiltrate. Despite the antifungal chemotherapy, resolution seemed to correlate best with recovery of circulating neutrophils.

Adult↗

[The prognostic value of continuously measured pulmonary artery pressure in recent myocardial infarct].

Enddiastolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAEDP) was measured continuously in 100 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction, beginning on admission to the CCU and lasting till the 3rd, 4th or 5th day. The PAEDPs of the first day were averaged and on this basis the patients were divided into three groups. Mortality in Group I (41 patients with PAEDP below 12 mm Hg) was 4.9%, in Group II (43 patients with PAEDP of 12-20 mm Hg) 16.3%, and in Group III (16 patients with PAEDP above 20 mm Hg) 43.8%. Use of additional hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output, cardiac index, and cardiac work index increased prognostic precision for patients in the acute stage. However, they did not improve prognostic precision on fatal outcome in the post-acute stage. Bicycle exercise stress tests carried out several months later with simultaneous evaluation of hemodynamics (PAEDP) showed a good suitability for rehabilitation in Group I and in 58% of the patients in Group II. The other 42% had a significant rise in pulmonary artery pressure, could not undergo stress, and, in our view, are suitable for rehabilitation only in exceptional cases.

Aged↗

Computed tomography of pulmonary thromboembolism.

Twenty-one consecutive cases of clinically suspected pulmonary thromboembolism were investigated by radiographic studies, isotopic lung scans and computed tomography. As early as 1976 in 17 of 21 cases morphological details were found not recognizable on lung radiographs but visualized on CT scans. This included peripheral changes (e.g. wedge-shaped densities with its broad base against a peripheral pleural surface and with its tip pointing to the parahilar area) suggesting pulmonary infarction and central defects consistent with central embolic masses or thrombi in pulmonary arteries of 1st through 3d order. This material is unique since it-to our best knowledge-represents the first indirect and direct visualization of pulmonary thromboembolism and infarction made by CT.

Adult↗

Acute pulmonary embolism.

Prevention of deep venous thrombosis is fundamental in the prevention of pulmonary embolism. Deep venous thrombosis is common after all surgical procedures, but the frequency differs, as does the effectiveness of various methods of prevention. Low-dose heparin, low molecular weight heparin, graduated compression elastic stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, and oral anticoagulants have a role in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis, depending on the risks of deep venous thrombosis and their demonstrated effectiveness (or lack of effectiveness) in the particular circumstance. The optimal method of prophylaxis is specific to the predisposing condition. Heparin continues to be a mainstay of anticoagulant therapy. Major bleeding is rare in patients treated with low doses of heparin to prevent deep venous thrombosis. With therapeutic doses, however, major bleeding occurs in about 5% of patients. The optimal dose of warfarin and the method of evaluating the anticoagulant effect of warfarin have undergone modifications in recent years. It is now recognized that the prothrombin time ratio depends on the activity of the thromboplastin used for measuring the prothrombin time. An International Normalized Ratio, which relates to a standardized thromboplastin, has been developed, thus avoiding differences of the prothrombin time ratio that occur from batch to batch of thromboplastin reagent from the same manufacturer and that occur with different thromboplastin reagents from different animal sources and different manufacturers. The bedside diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is useful in helping a physician determine the extent to which diagnostic tests should be pursued. A sound bedside impression also contributes strongly to the formulation of a noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism form a recognizable constellation of findings that often lead to a correct diagnosis or exclusion of pulmonary embolism. Important clues to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism relate to the initial syndrome. The presentation of pulmonary embolism is most often in the form of the pulmonary hemorrhage-pulmonary infarction syndrome. The next most common presentation is unexplained dyspnea, unaccompanied by pulmonary hemorrhage or infarction. Least common, but most severe, is the syndrome of circulatory collapse. Immobilization, usually caused by surgery, is the most frequent predisposing factor. Most patients with clinically recognizable pulmonary embolism have dyspnea or tachypnea. Dyspnea or tachypnea or pleuritic pain occurs in nearly all patients who have clinically apparent pulmonary embolism (97%). Ordinary tests such as the electrocardiogram and chest radiograph are helpful if the physician is attentive to nonspecific abnormalities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

[Non-surgical management of a perforated left anterior descending coronary artery following cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

UNLABELLED: A 49 year old male developed cardiocirculatory arrest following laparoscopic surgery of an inguinal hernia. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started. The primary ECG showed ventricular fibrillation, after defibrillation a tachyarrhythmia and a newly developed right bundle branch block were documented. In addition, ST-elevations were seen in the left precordial leads. After 20 min of CPR the circulation was reestablished with high doses of catecholamines. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a 7 mm pericardial effusion with mild impression of the right ventricular free wall. The patient underwent urgent heart catheterization for suspected pulmonary embolism (differential diagnosis: acute myocardial infarction). Pulmonary angiography demonstrated floating thrombi in the left main pulmonary artery, which could be fragmented using a pigtail catheter. Pulmonary angiography was followed by coronary angiography, which demonstrated a sharply interrupted left anterior descending artery (LAD), while the coronary arteries in general were found to be regular. The history, the morphology of the LAD-interruption, the concomitant pericardial effusion and the sternal and rib fractures were consistent with a type III coronary perforation in the classification of Sutton and Ellis. As contrast medium penetration into the pericardial space persisted after recanalization of the LAD, a 19 mm stent graft (Jostent) was used for closure. These grafts are constructed using a sandwich technique with an ultrathin layer of expandable polytetrafluorethylene being placed between two stents. After implantation of the stent graft no more contrast medium penetration was documented. CONCLUSION: Coronary perforations following blunt chest trauma is a rare complication, which has been described only once following CPR (2). Stent grafts can be used safely for acute closure of such perforations.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

The use of gallium-67 in pulmonary disorders.

Imaging of the chest cage with gallium-67 (67Ga) citrate is relatively easier to perform and interpret than imaging of the abdomen, because normally pulmonary concentration is low after 48 hr and physiologic accumulation in bones and breast can be recognized by its distribution. Modern scintillation detectors, particularly large field cameras with multiple pulse-height analyzers, give substantially better gallium images than those available in the past. Because of the nonspecific affinity of gallium through neoplastic and inflammatory processes, its value in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary diseases is limited. However, based on the literature and our own observations in over 1100 patients with established diagnosis of a variety of pulmonary diseases, we feel that the judicious use of 67Ga in selected patients is helpful in answering specific questions. These include preoperative evaluation of hilar and mediastinal involvement in pulmonary neoplasms, differential diagnosis of pulmonary infarctions and bacterial pneumonias, evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates regarding infectious etiology, follow-up of sarcoidosis on corticosteroid treatment, assessment of inflammatory activity in interstitial fibrosis and, in selected cases, early detection of neoplastic and inflammatory diseases before radiography becomes abnormal, such as diffuse carcinomatosis and Pneumocystis carinii infection. Potential large-scale application of pulmonary gallium imaging could be found in the screening of subjects exposed occupationally to noxious dust and in long-term serial follow-up of pulmonary tuberculosis patients for treatment response and reactivation. However, it remains to be seen whether gallium imaging statistically provides essential additional information in these indications when compared to cheaper conventional techniques.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Pathologic stages IA and IIA Hodgkin's disease: results of treatment with radiotherapy alone (1968-1980).

Between Jan 1, 1968, and Dec 31, 1980, 108 previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease pathologic stages (PSs) IA (29 patients) and IIA (79 patients) initially received radiotherapy alone. One postoperative death (due to pulmonary embolus) (0.9%) occurred, with one serious complication (0.9%). Between 1968 and 1973, patients were randomized to receive either involved field radiation treatment (RTIF) or extended field radiation treatment (RTEF). Since 1973 all patients have received RTEF, 4,000 cGy in four to five weeks, with a median follow-up of 7.4 years. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 102 patients (94.4%), with no significant difference according to treatment or stage. Of the complete responders, 25 patients relapsed: 5/15 RTIF and 20/87 RTEF (P = .6). Twenty-one of 25 relapsing patients achieved a second CR. Disease free survival rates at five and ten years constituted: PS IA, 78.6% for both; PS IIA, 74.8% and 73.1% (P = .6); RTEF, 76.7% for both; RTIF, 73.3% and 66.7% (P = .7). Eighteen patients have died: eight of recurrent lymphoma, two of pulmonary embolus, one each of myocardial infarction, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) (following salvage chemotherapy), and one of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (DHL). Four patients died in remission of unrelated causes. Actuarial survival rates at five and ten years constituted: PS IA, 95.7% and 72.4%; PS IIA, 89.6% and 81.4% (P = .3); RTIF, 93.7% for both; RTEF, 90.7% and 71.2% (P = .2). Age, sex, number of sites, and mediastinal involvement did not influence the outcome. Acute toxicity was modest and more frequent among those receiving RTEF (P = .08). Chronic toxicity (onset more than 30 days after completion of treatment) was identified in 16 patients: 1/16 RTIF; 15/92 RTEF (P = .5). Three patients developed a second malignancy: one carcinoma of the cervix in situ; one ANLL (following salvage chemotherapy); and one DHL of the stomach. At least 75% of patients with PS IA and IIA Hodgkin's disease were cured by radiation alone, with a risk of secondary malignancy following radiation alone of 0.9%. Since the majority of relapsing patients were successfully salvaged by chemotherapy, radiation alone appears to be the initial treatment of choice in this group of patients.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Exfoliative sputum cytology in pulmonary embolism.

In a prospective, double-blind, randomized study of cytologic changes found in pulmonary infarction, nine roentgenologically proven cases of pulmonary embolism were studied with sputum samples from the 1st to 26th postinfarction days. Maximum atypical cytologic changes were seen during the second and third postinfarction weeks. Specific cytologic features included three-dimensional clusters of glandular cells with enlarged nuclei and macronucleoli: they were malignant-appearing cells except for their inconsistent morphology, fewer numbers, transient appearance and lack of solitary atypical cells. A similar study in a canine model is discussed, and a case of pulmonary embolism with abnormal cytology and corresponding histology is presented.

Adult↗

[A case variant asthma with acetylcholine inhalation challenge test].

A 55-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of exertional dyspnea. He had a daughter suffering with bronchial asthma. He had no pertinent past history. He visited the outpatient clinic of a nearby hospital for evaluation of exertional dyspnea, but routine examination results were normal. He was therefore followed up for only about two weeks without treatment. He was sent to our hospital for further analysis. Physical examination revealed clear lung fields but his respiratory rate was 34 per a minute, PaO2 72.9 mmHg and PaCO2 39.7 mmHg. Respiratory function tests, chest XP, chest CT and ECG findings were unremarkable. Pulmonary infarction was ruled out with a pulmonary perfusion scintigram. However, he was hyperreactive to the acetylcholine inhalation challenge test, the respiratory threshold being 625 micrograms/ml. A variant form of bronchial asthma was thus suspected and a bronchodilator was administered. The medication was very effective. After several weeks, his symptoms had clearly disappeared. Therefore, in a case complaining of exertional dyspnea only, bronchial asthma should be ruled out as a possible cause and the acetylcholine inhalation challenge test might be helpful in making the correct diagnosis. Bronchodilator administration should also be considered.

Acetylcholine↗

Risk factors for pacemaker implantation following aortic valve replacement: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: To identify perioperative clinical predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation following aortic valve replacement. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Prospective cohort study on 276 patients submitted for aortic valve replacement: 267 patients (mean (SD) age, 57.5 (14) years) with no conduction disturbances, and nine patients (67.7 (5) years) with severe conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacing; 65 perioperative variables (38 preoperative, eight intraoperative, and 19 postoperative) were considered. RESULTS: Nine patients (3.2%) had irreversible second or third degree atrioventricular (AV) block requiring permanent pacing. Risk factors for permanent pacing identified by univariate analysis were: preoperative: additional valvar disease, aortic regurgitation, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, anaemia, use of digitalis; intraoperative: cardiac arrest; postoperative: cardiac arrest, conduction disturbances, electrolytic imbalance, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor use. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative aortic regurgitation (p < 0.005; odds ratio (OR) 6.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6 to 12.2), myocardial infarction (p < 0.0005; OR 15.2, 95% CI 6.3 to 19.9), pulmonary hypertension (p < 0.005; OR 12.5, 95% CI 3.2 to 18.3), and postoperative electrolyte imbalance (p < 0.01; OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 6.4). CONCLUSIONS: Irreversible AV block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation is an uncommon condition following aortic valve replacement. Previous aortic regurgitation, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, and postoperative electrolyte imbalance should be considered in order to identify patients at increased risk for advanced AV block.

Aged↗

[Evaluation of non-cerebral complications in light of ischemic stroke severity].

Extracerebral complications which were observed in great number of ischemic stroke patients increased the risk of death and disability. Pneumonia, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolisms and urinary tract infections are most often. We considered the influences of extracerebral complications on anterior circulation territory disturbances. A cohort of 1697 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke within anterior circulation region was evaluated. Patients were divided into three groups: A, B, C according to the heaviness of stroke. We understood the heaviness of stroke as a degree of cerebral disfunction occurring within the first 24 hours of the onset and assessed it using Clinical Groups of the Whole Body Activity (CG WBM). CG WBM is an original classification, a three-degree one, prepared by Department of Neurology University School of Medicine Sciences in Bydgoszcz. The rate of complications was statistically significantly lower in group A with the mild course of ischemic stroke than in group B with moderate or in group C with the severe course of ischemic stroke. Pneumonia, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism were recognized more often in patients with fatal outcome. The amount of extracerebral complications raised with the severity of the ischemic stroke.

Aged↗

[Possibilities and limitations of thrombolysis. Benefits and risk in acute myocardial infarct, lung embolism, pelvic and leg vein thrombosis as well as cerebrovascular accidents].

The indications for thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis and ischemic stroke are reviewed on the basis of a risk-benefit analysis. There is strong evidence that thrombolysis benefits the majority of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, the overall proportion of patients actually receiving this therapy is disappointingly low (10-30%). Efforts are mainly required in minimizing delays in initiating thrombolysis (patient, doctor, in-hospital) and in providing thrombolytic therapy to an extended proportion of qualifying patients. This implies that many traditional but inappropriate exclusion criteria (e.g. age, presentation 6 to 12 hours after onset of symptoms, hypertension, reinfarction, brief cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are unfounded. Depending on duration of symptoms, infarct localization and age, we favor a differentiated thrombolytic regimen with rt-PA or streptokinase. In contrast to acute myocardial infarction, the risk-benefit ratio for the other thrombotic disorders discussed favours thrombolytic therapy only in a minority of carefully selected patients.

Aged↗

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart presenting as unilateral pulmonary thromboembolism and infarct.

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart located at the pulmonic valve and thrombotic occlusion of branches of the left pulmonary artery with pulmonary infarct were found at autopsy in a 77-year-old man. The thrombi contained malignant cells. The patient had undergone left upper lobectomy four years earlier for thromboembolism with infarct, and review of the slides from that procedure revealed similar malignant cells within thrombi. This case is remarkable for the slow growth of the neoplasm and the prolonged survival of the patient, without specific therapy.

Aged↗

Antifungal activity and pharmacokinetics of posaconazole (SCH 56592) in treatment and prevention of experimental invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: correlation with galactomannan antigenemia.

The antifungal efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of posaconazole (SCH 56592) (POC) were investigated in treatment and prophylaxis of primary pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in persistently neutropenic rabbits. Antifungal therapy consisted of POC at 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg of body weight per os; itraconazole (ITC) at 2, 6, and 20 mg/kg per os; or amphotericin B (AMB) at 1 mg/kg intravenously. Rabbits treated with POC showed a significant improvement in survival and significant reductions in pulmonary infarct scores, total lung weights, numbers of pulmonary CFU per gram, numbers of computerized-tomography-monitored pulmonary lesions, and levels of galactomannan antigenemia. AMB and POC had comparable therapeutic efficacies by all parameters. By comparison, animals treated with ITC had no significant changes in outcome variables in comparison to those of untreated controls (UC). Rabbits receiving prophylactic POC at all dosages showed a significant reduction in infarct scores, total lung weights, and organism clearance from lung tissue in comparison to results for UC (P < 0.01). There was dosage-dependent microbiological clearance of A. fumigatus from lung tissue in response to POC. Serum creatinine levels were greater (P < 0.01) in AMB-treated animals than in UC and POC- or ITC-treated rabbits. There was no elevation of serum hepatic transaminase levels in POC- or ITC-treated rabbits. The pharmacokinetics of POC and ITC in plasma demonstrated dose dependency after multiple dosing. The 2-, 6-, and 20-mg/kg dosages of POC maintained plasma drug levels above the MICs for the entire 24-h dosing interval. In summary, POC at > or =6 mg/kg/day per os generated sustained concentrations in plasma of > or =1 microg/ml that were as effective in the treatment and prevention of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis as AMB at 1 mg/kg/day and more effective than cyclodextrin ITC at > or =6 mg/kg/day per os in persistently neutropenic rabbits.

Animals↗

Transcatheter electrocoagulation of the pulmonary artery: an experimental model in dogs for studying pulmonary thrombosis.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) has been shown to produce permanent arterial occlusion. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of using TCEC of the pulmonary artery as an experimental model of pulmonary thromboembolism. Fourteen lobar or first-order pulmonary arteries were occluded in ten dogs in the acute studies. Eight pulmonary arteries were occluded in eight dogs that were sacrificed 25 to 85 days after TCEC. There were permanent occlusions in seven, and all seven evidence of pulmonary infarction. The animals tolerated the procedure well. The technique may have merit as an experimental model for studying pulmonary thrombosis and infarction.

Animals↗