Hemodynamic improvement following a single dose of oral phentolamine. Administration in patients with chronic low output cardiac failure

Hemodynamic studies were made in 15 patients with chronic low output cardiac failure before and following a single dose of oral phentolamine (150 mg). After two hours significant (P less than .05) reduction occurred in mean pulmonary, wedge and right atrial pressures and increases in cardiac index and heart rate. In ten patients studied at four hours, wedge pressure remained significantly reduced (-18 percent) and cardiac index significantly increased (+19 percent) from control values. Oral phentolamine results in significant hemodynamic improvement in patients with severe heart failure. Duration of effect for at least four hours after a single dose suggests that intermittent oral therapy may be useful in the management of such patients.

Radioimmunoassay for the detection and quantitation of 5-fluorodexoyuridine

A sensitive radioimmunoassay for 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate has been developed by using antibody induced in rabbits, [3H]FdUrd, and a separation technique with nitrocellulose filters. Antibody specificity was characterized by using compounds chemically related to FdUrd and comparing their effectiveness for displacing [3H]FdUrd from the antibody-combining site. Drug levels in serum samples from patients receiving FdUrd chemotherapy were easily and rapidly determined, and the serum disappearance of the drug was followed by this method. FdUrd was also detected and quantified in urine samples. According to the antiserum used, as little as 1 to 10 pmol FdUrd were measurable.

[Entry into pulmonary artery in complete transposition of the great arteries (author's transl)]

In 91 children with complete transposition of the great arteries investigated by heart catheterization since 1974 the pulmonary artery was probed at the first investigation in 46% and at the second preoperative investigation in 85%. Considering only the last 2 years the pulmonary artery was entered in 93% during the second catheterization. When an additional catheterization was necessary the pulmonary artery was always entered. This was mostly achieved by a flow-directed balloon-catheter preformed before introduction into the vein by alternating application of hot and cold water or in the left atrium by use of a guide wire.

Partial lipodystrophy, C3 nephritic factor and clinically inapparent mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis

A case of partial lipodystrophy with C3 nephritic factor was found to be associated with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis although all clinical parameters of renal function were normal. Diagnosis of mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis required renal biopsy. Nephriti factor obtained from this patient was immunochemically related to nephritic factor isolated from the serum of patients with typical mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis without partial lipodystrophy.

A rapid and specific radioimmunoassay for methotrexate

A sensitive and precise radioimmunoassay for methotrexate has been developed using antibody induced in rabbits, tritium-labeled methotrexate, and a nitrocellulose membrane separation technique. Antibody specificity was characterized by comparing the effectiveness of various related compounds to displace labeled methotrexate from the antibody-binding site. Assay of serum samples from persons receiving the drug was rapid and easy to perform. In a pharmacokinetic study of methotrexate, corresponding results were obtained when measurements were made by either enzymic assay or by radioimmunoassay. Drug concentrations could also be monitored in the cerebrospinal fluid and urine of patients on high-dose methotrexate therapy followed by citrovorum factor rescue. The system measured a little as 0.1 to 1 pmole of methotrexate, depending upon the antiserum used, and naturally occurring folates did not interfere with these determinations.