Changes in myocardial oxygen demand and instantaneous ventricular vascular volume during prolonged cross-clamping and reperfusion of the abdominal aorta

In 47 animals (rats, rabbits) the cardiac side effects of prolonged (3 to 6 hours) abdominal aortic cross-clamping and unclamping (3 to 6 hours) were investigated. The relative instantaneous ventricular vascular volume (IVVV), a factor reflecting myocardial blood supply and the rate pressure product (RPP) representing myocardial oxygen demand were used as parameters. Following cross-clamping the IVVV showed an initial decrease while the myocardial oxygen demand revealed a sudden increase. After unclamping, the myocardial oxygen demand decreased and IVVV improved. Minimal levels of both IVVV and RPP occurred at 6 hours following unclamping. This may be an effect of a myocardial inhibiting substance, released by ischemia and necrosis of the lower extremity.

Congenital heart disease and ocular hypertelorism--a new case and a summary of the literature

A case of patent ductus arteriosus coinciding with ocular hypertelorism (Greig's syndrome) is reported for the first time. The literature regarding association of congenital cardiac malformations and ocular hypertelorism is reviewed.

Diabetes insipidus caused by epidural hematoma as a complication of extracorporeal circulation

We report the case of a 6-year-old boy who developed diabetes insipidus caused by an epidural hematoma as a complication of extracorporeal circulation.

The results of radiation therapy in advanced carcinoma of the lung in the Beijing region of China

From 1958 to 1973, 682 patients with lung cancer were treated by radiation therapy in the Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. The clinical presentation, sex, age, histology and stage and palliative effects of radiation therapy were reported. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 40.62, 8.94 and 3.81%, respectively. The prognostic factors such as staging, histology, combination with chemotherapy and response of tumours are discussed. The causes of failure are also analysed. It is suggested that improving the local control rate of squamous cell carcinoma would increase the survival rate.