Giant cell arteritis presenting with aortic dissection: two cases and review of the literature

Aortitis is the most serious location of the disease giant cell (temporal) arteritis (GCA). Aortic dissection or the rupture of an aortic aneurysm can be responsible for sudden death among patients with GCA. This report discusses two cases of GCA presenting with aortic dissection. One case had histologically proven giant cell aortitis. The second case was a fatal aortic dissection preceded by a stroke. We describe the main features of aortic dissection and aortitis during GCA, reviewing the existing literature on this subject, and focusing on the requirement of prospective aortic imaging studies to screen patients with this kind of location.

Delay in admission for elective coronary-artery bypass grafting is associated with increased in-hospital mortality

BACKGROUND

Many health care systems now use priority wait lists for scheduling elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, but there have not yet been any direct estimates of reductions in in-hospital mortality rate afforded by ensuring that the operation is performed within recommended time periods.

METHODS

We used a population-based registry to identify patients with established coronary artery disease who underwent isolated CABG in British Columbia, Canada. We studied whether postoperative survival during hospital admission for CABG differed significantly among patients who waited for surgery longer than the recommended time, 6 weeks for patients needing semi-urgent surgery and 12 weeks for those needing non-urgent surgery.

RESULTS

Among 7316 patients who underwent CABG, 97 died during the same hospital admission, for a province-wide death rate at discharge of 1.3%. The observed proportion of patients who died during the same admission was 1.0% (27 deaths among 2675 patients) for patients treated within the recommended time and 1.5% (70 among 4641) for whom CABG was delayed. After adjustment for age, sex, anatomy, comorbidity, calendar period, hospital, and mode of admission, patients with early CABG were only 2/3 as likely as those for whom CABG was delayed to experience in-hospital death (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39 to 0.96). There was a linear trend of 5% increase in the odds of in-hospital death for every additional month of delay before surgery, adjusted OR = 1.05 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.11).

CONCLUSION

We found a significant survival benefit from performing surgical revascularization within the time deemed acceptable to consultant surgeons for patients requiring the treatment on a semi-urgent or non-urgent basis.

Survival benefit of coronary-artery bypass grafting accounted for deaths in those who remained untreated

Background

Currently there are no direct estimates of mortality reduction afforded by coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) that take into account the deaths among patients for whom coronary revascularization was indicated but who did not undergo the treatment. The objective of this analysis was to compare survival after the treatment decision between patients who underwent CABG and those who remained untreated.

Methods

We used a population-based registry to identify patients with established coronary artery disease who were to undergo first-time isolated CABG. We measured the effect of surgical revascularization on survival after the treatment decision in two cohorts of patients categorized by symptoms, coronary anatomy, and left ventricular function.

Results

One in 10 patients died during the five years after treatment decision. The hazard of death among patients who underwent CABG was 51 percent of that for the untreated group, the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.51 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.43 to 0.61). The effect was stronger when CABG was performed within the recommended time: adjusted hazard ratios were 0.43 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.35 to 0.53) and 0.58 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.70) for early and late intervention, respectively; chi-square for the difference between hazard ratios was 12.2 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Estimates that account for patients who died before they could undergo a required CABG indicate a significant survival benefit of performing early surgical revascularization even for patients registered to undergo the operation on the non-urgent basis.

Interpretation of Transbronchial Lung Biopsies from Lung Transplant Recipients:Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement

BACKGROUND: Transbronchial lung biopsy results are crucial for the management of lung transplant recipients. Little information is available regarding the reliability and reproducibility of the interpretation of transbronchial lung biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the inter-reader variability between two lung pathologists with expertise in lung transplantation.

METHODS: Fifty-nine transbronchial lung biopsy specimens were randomly selected. Active infection had been excluded in all cases. The original interpretations (as per the Lung Rejection Study Group) for acute rejection grade included 19 biopsies scored as A0 (none), 14 scored as A1 (minimal), 12 as A2 (mild), 11 as A3 (moderate) and three as A4 (severe). The pathologists worked independently without clinical information or knowledge of the original interpretation. The specimens were graded using the Lung Rejection Study Group criteria for acute rejection (grades A0 to A4), airway inflammation (grades B0 to B4) and bronchiolitis obliterans (C0 absent and C1 present). Between-reader agreement for each category was analyzed using a Kappa statistic.

RESULTS: Because many transplant specialists initiate augmented immunosuppression with biopsy grades of A2 or higher, results for each reader were dichotomized as A0/A1 versus A2/A3/A4. Using this dichotomy, there was only moderate agreement (kappa 0.470, P<0.001) between readers. For categories B and C, the results were dichotomized for the absence or presence of airway inflammation and bronchiolitis obliterans, respectively. The level of agreement between readers was fair for category B (kappa 0.333, P=0.014) and poor for category C (kappa 0.166, P=0.108). The intrareader agreement for acute rejection was substantial (kappa 0.795, P=0.0001; kappa 0.676, P=0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Because the agreement between expert pathologists is only modest, optimum clinical decision-making requires that transbronchial lung biopsy results be used in an integrated clinical context.

The mosaic valve clinical performance at seven years: results from a multicenter prospective clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

The Mosaic valve is a third-generation stented porcine bioprosthesis built upon the historical durability of the Hancock II valve in an attempt to improve hemodynamic performance and durability.

METHODS

This multicenter trial was prospective and non-randomized in design. Between February 1994 and October 1999, six centers following a common study protocol enrolled 797 patients (mean age 70 years: range: 21-88 years) who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR), and 232 patients (mean age 68 years; range: 17-84 years) who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR). The cumulative follow up was 3,442 patient-years (pt-yr) for AVR (mean 4.3 years; maximum 8 years), and 870 pt-yr for MVR (mean 3.7 years; maximum 7 years). Follow up was complete for 95% of AVR patients, and for 97% of MVR patients.

RESULTS

The mean gradient and calculated effective orifice area average across all valve sizes remained stable at one, four and six years. Freedom from valve-related adverse events (mean +/- SE) at one, four and seven years after AVR were, respectively: Antithromboembolic-related hemorrhage (ARH) 97.0 +/- 0.6, 95.6 +/- 0.9, and 94.6 +/- 5.1%; primary hemolysis 100, 100, and 100%; and structural valve deterioration (SVD) 100, 100 and 100%. Freedom at one, four and seven years after MVR were: ARH 96.9 +/- 1.2, 95.6 +/- 2.0, and 95.6 +/- 7.6%; primary hemolysis 100, 100, and 100%; and SVD 100, 100, and 100%.

CONCLUSION

These mid-term results demonstrate the clinical safety and excellent performance of the Mosaic valve. Continued follow up will determine if this new-design, third-generation bioprosthesis will provide increased durability.

Outcome of mitral valve repair or replacement: a comparison by propensity score analysis

BACKGROUND

There are no randomized trials comparing outcomes after mitral valve (MV) repair and replacement. Propensity scoring is a powerful tool that has the potential to reduce selection bias in nonrandomized studies.

METHODS

From the BC Cardiac Registries, 2,060 patients presented for MV surgery, with or without CABG between 1991 and 2000. We then identified 322 MV repairs who were then matched by propensity score to an equal number of MV replacement patients. We compared survival and freedom from re-operation outcomes using Cox proportional hazards model analysis. Multivariable analysis was then used to compare outcomes in 358 MV repair patients with 352 MV replacement patients who had undergone chordal sparing surgery.

RESULTS

The comparison groups generated using propensity scores were well balanced with respect to all collected baseline risk factors. Median follow-up time was 3.4 years. Patients undergoing MV repair had significantly improved survival (RR 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.75) but a trend toward more re-operations (RR 2.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 4.47) compared with patients undergoing replacement. Mitral valve repair patients still had better survival (RR 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32 to 0.85) compared with MV replacement patients who had undergone chordal sparing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

We used propensity score methods to reduce selection bias in a population-based cohort of patients undergoing MV repair/replacement. Repair was associated with better survival, but a trend to increased re-operation.

Noninvasive investigations for the early detection of chronic airways dysfunction following lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of chronic rejection after lung transplantation is limited by the lack of a reliable test to detect airways disease early.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether maximum midexpiratory flow (MMEF), or changes on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) or ventilation/perfusion lung (V/Q) scans are sensitive and specific for early detection of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS; forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] less than 80% post-transplant baseline) by evaluating long term survivors of lung transplantation at two sequential time points.

METHODS

Twenty-two stable lung transplant recipients underwent spirometry, HRCT scanning and V/Q scanning 1.6 +/- 0.9 years and 3.1 +/- 1.1 years post-transplant (time points 1 and 2, respectively; mean +/- SD).

RESULTS

Although HRCT was sensitive for the detection of BOS, it lacked specificity, and hence, there were no significant relationships between the presence of BOS and any of the HRCT parameters evaluated at time 1 or time 2. Of the V/Q parameters studied, the presence of heterogeneous perfusion (P=0.04, sensitivity 100%, specificity 33%) and segmental perfusion defects (P=0.04, sensitivity 60%, specificity 83%) were significantly related to BOS, but only at time 2. MMEF less than or equal to 75% post-transplant baseline was significantly related to the presence BOS at time 1 only (P=0.05, sensitivity 100%, specificity 47%). MMEF less than or equal to 75% post-transplant baseline at time 1 was sensitive for the development of BOS at time 2, but was limited by low specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of lung transplant recipients, HRCT and V/Q scanning, as well as analysis of MMEF, did not add information that was clinically more useful than FEV1 for the early identification of chronic rejection.

Pharmacokinetics and protein binding of mycophenolic acid in stable lung transplant recipients

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use is increasing in solid organ transplantation. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of MMF, is highly protein bound and only free MPA is pharmacologically active. The average MPA free fraction in healthy adult individuals, stable renal transplant recipients, and heart transplant recipients is approximately 2 to 3%. However, no data are currently available on MPA protein binding in stable lung transplant recipients and little is known regarding MPA's pharmacokinetic characteristics after lung transplantation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic profile and protein binding of MPA in this patient population. Seven patients were entered into the study. On administration of a steady-state morning MMF dose, blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 hours post-dose. Total MPA concentrations were measured by a validated HPLC method with UV detection and followed by ultrafiltration of pooled samples for free MPA concentrations. Area under the curve (AUC), peak concentration (Cmax), time to peak concentration (Tmax), trough concentration (Cmin), free fraction (f), and free MPA AUC were calculated by traditional pharmacokinetic methods. Patient characteristics included; 3 males and 4 females, an average of 4.4 years post-lung transplant (range, 0.3-11.5 yr), mean (+/- SD) age of 50 +/- 10 years and weight 69 +/- 20 kg. Mean albumin concentration was 37 +/- 3 g/L and serum creatinine was 142 +/- 49 micromol/L. All patients were on cyclosporine and prednisone. MMF dosage ranged from 1 to 3 g daily (35.5 +/- 14.1 mg/kg/d; range, 15.2-60.0 mg/kg/d). Mean (+/- SD) AUC was 45.78 +/- 18.35 microg.h/mL (range, 16.56-74.22 microg.h/mL), Cmax was 17.37 +/- 7.69 microg/mL (range, 4.92-26.63 microg/mL), Tmax was 1.2 +/- 0.4 hours (range, 1.0-2.0 h), Cmin was 3.12 +/- 1.41 microg/mL (range, 1.47-4.82 microg/mL), f was 2.90 +/- 0.56% (range, 2.00-3.40%), and free MPA AUC was 1.29 +/- 0.50 microg.h/mL (range, 0.54-1.88 microg.h/mL). This is the first study to determine these pharmacokinetic characteristics of MPA in the lung transplant population. Further studies should focus on identification of MMF dosing strategies that optimize immunosuppressive efficacy and minimize toxicity in lung allograft recipients.

Amphotericin B disposition after aerosol inhalation in lung transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Bronchopulmonary fungal infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients, and amphotericin B remains the drug of choice for prophylaxis of most fungal infections. Unfortunately, intravenous amphotericin B has numerous serious adverse effects; thus, nebulized amphotericin B could decrease the incidence of adverse effects seen with the intravenous formulation and provide high local concentrations in the lung tissue. We performed a prospective pilot study to characterize the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung tissue, and plasma concentrations of amphotericin B following inhalation administration to lung transplant recipients.

METHODS

Amphotericin B 30 mg was administered by nebulizer prior to a routine bronchoscopy. Amphotericin B concentrations in BAL samples from the upper and lower lobes, transbronchial biopsies, and plasma (obtained by drawing a blood sample 30 min after the amphotericin B inhalation) were analyzed by HPLC.

RESULTS

Eight patients were enrolled in the study (mean age 50.0 +/- 16.1 y; number of years posttransplant 3.0 +/- 1.9; type of transplant 5 double-lung, 3 single-lung). The mean amphotericin B concentration in the upper and lower lobe BAL samples were 0.68 +/- 0.36 and 0.50 +/- 0.31 microgram/mL, respectively. Amphotericin B concentrations, detected in only 2 of 5 biopsy samples, were 0.118 and 0.03 microgram/g. Amphotericin B was detected in the plasma of only 1 patient (0.19 mg/L).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated that detectable concentrations of amphotericin B can be attained in both the upper and lower BAL samples following aerosol administration. However, the frequency of the dose and duration of treatment still need to be determined in a larger study.

Impaired exercise performance after successful liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Recipients of heart, lung, and kidney transplants have impaired peak exercise performance (peak Vo2 40% to 60% predicted, reduced anaerobic threshold [AT]) without evidence of ventilatory or cardiac limitations. The aim of this study was to determine whether similar exercise impairment occurs in liver transplant recipients.

METHODS

We studied eight healthy liver transplant recipients (age 42+/-9 [SD] years, 6 male, 31+/-13 months posttransplant). Immunosuppression included FK506 or cyclosporine, azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. Subjects underwent lung function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer.

RESULTS

Peak exercise oxygen consumption (Vo2) was 22+/-8 ml/min/kg (66+/-20% predicted maximum). No subject demonstrated exercise desaturation or ventilatory limitation (peak minute ventilation 55+/-8% predicted maximum voluntary ventilation). Peak heart rate was 87+/-8% of predicted maximum. Early AT was evident (1.2+/-0.34 L/min, 48+/-11% predicted Vo2max).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver transplant recipients exhibit impaired peak exercise performance similar to that observed after other solid organ transplants, possibly as a result of chronic deconditioning or myopathy related to immunosuppressive medications.

A limited sampling strategy for cyclosporine area under the curve monitoring in lung transplant recipients

We developed a limited sampling strategy (LSS) for predicting cyclosporine (Neoral) area under the curve from concentration-time data obtained specifically from lung transplant recipients. The optimal and most clinically convenient LSS for lung transplant recipients, based on patient wait time, number of blood samples required, percent prediction error, and assessment of predictive performance is one that requires 2 blood samples collected at 1 and 3 hours post-dose: AUC = 1.75 x C(1) + 4.91 x C(3) + 185.62.

Surgical Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale for Stroke Prevention: Vancouver General Hospital Experience

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Background and Purpose Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is implicated as a potential cause of stroke, particularly in young patients with otherwise cryptogenic events. The natural history, risk of stroke recurrence and optimal secondary stroke prevention remains uncertain. Therapeutic options include long-term antiplatelet therapy, anti-coagulation therapy, and PFO closure by surgery or device. We report the results of 53 patients treated with surgical closure. Methods and Materials We have followed 53 consecutive surgically treated patients (23 men and 30 female). All patients were evaluated by a stroke neurologist, a cardiologist with expertise in adult congenital disease and a cardiovascular surgeon. Patients who met the following criteria were included: 1) embolic TIA or stroke, 2) PFO or PFO and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), 3) investigations included cerebral angiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and hypercoagulable studies, 4) presumptive clinical diagnosis of paradoxical embolism with no other etiology detected. Follow up was obtained by clinic visit and standardized telephone questionnaire. Results Prior to surgery 27 patients had stroke and 26 had TIAs; 12 had multiple cerebrovascular events. The mean age at symptom onset was 41.8 ± 9.3 yrs (range 19 to 59). 22 patients had an isolated PFO and 31 had both a PFO and an ASA. Average PFO size measured at surgery was 8.8 ± 7.7 mm. 40 were treated with primary closure, 13 with suture and patch closure. Average post-surgical hospital stay was 4 days. There was no surgical mortality or major morbidity. Minor perioperative morbidity occurred in 13 patients. Average follow up postsurgery was 22.2 ± 17.4 months (range 0.7 to 90.8 months). There were no recurrent strokes and 1 recurrent TIA. Conclusions Surgical closure of PFO can be safely performed with low morbidity and mortality. In this group of carefully selected patients, there have been no recurrent strokes. Further studies are necessary to define high-risk patients for recurrent stroke who may benefit from surgical closure.

Treatment of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease with rituximab monoclonal antibody after lung transplantation

Three patients with diffuse large B-cell type of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease after lung transplantation were treated with rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Treatment resulted in two complete remissions and one non-response.

Recurrence of intravenous talc granulomatosis following single lung transplantation

Advanced pulmonary disease is an unusual consequence of the intravenous injection of oral medications, usually developing over a period of several years. A number of patients with this condition have undergone lung transplantation for respiratory failure. However, a history of drug abuse is often considered to be a contraindication to transplantation in the context of limited donor resources. A patient with pulmonary talc granulomatosis secondary to intravenous methylphenidate injection who underwent successful lung transplantation and subsequently presented with recurrence of the underlying disease in the transplanted lung 18 months after transplantation is reported.

Surgical management of adenocarcinoma of the cardia

BACKGROUND

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cardia is increasing. The surgical management remains controversial. The present study reviews our experience with surgically resected adenocarcinoma of the cardia.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 153 cases of surgically resected adenocarcinoma of the cardia was performed. Preoperative radiotherapy was used in 31 patients. The surgical approach, morbidity, mortality, impact of preoperative radiotherapy, and survival were determined.

RESULTS

The type of resection performed was a transhiatal esophagogastrectomy in 78%, a transthoracic esophagogastrectomy in 21%, and a transabdominal esophagogastrectomy in 1%. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4%. The frequency of complications was not associated with the use of preoperative radiotherapy or surgical approach. The 1-year (61%), 2-year (38%), 3-year (23%), and 5-year (16%) survival were not affected by the use of preoperative radiotherapy or surgical approach. Survival was significantly associated with stage and the presence of lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenocarcinoma of the cardia is associated with a poor long-term prognosis. The long-term survival does not appear to be affected by the use of preoperative radiotherapy or by surgical approach.

Upper esophageal sphincter myotomy in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: long-term clinical results

From 1980 to 1995, 53 patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) underwent an upper esophageal sphincter (UES) myotomy for the control of marked dysphagia. From this number, a group of 21 patients had been evaluated for preoperative and postoperative symptoms in 1987. The same clinical assessment was performed in 1995 by an independent evaluator for a total of 37 patients including 12 patients from the first group. As a whole, after a mean follow-up of 6.2 years, surgery succeeded in 18 patients (49%), gave a partial improvement in 12 (32%) and failed in seven (19%). The 12 patients evaluated twice (in 1987 and 1995) have had very good early results, 8-69 months after UES myotomy: dysphagia was totally relieved in eight patients, occurred rarely in three and was moderate in one. Nevertheless, the very long-term follow-up (8 years later) has shown a recurrence of the swallowing and tracheobronchial symptoms in many cases.

Extended lung preservation with platelet-activating factor-antagonist TCV-309 in combination with prostaglandin E1

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the major problems in organ transplantation. The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion injury and the protective effect of a novel phospholipid PAF analog (TCV-309) alone and combined with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is investigated in an extended (20 hours) ex vivo lung preservation.

METHODS

Forty-two swine were divided into three groups. Group A was the control. In groups B and C, the effect of PAF was blocked with TCV-309 administered 1 hour before cross-clamping for donor and recipient. Group C received PGE1 50 micrograms bolus in the donor pulmonary plegia, and the recipients received a 50 micrograms bolus plus 0.003 microgram/kg/min infusion at the time of implantation. Donor lungs were perfused with cold modified Collins solution and maintained in hypothermic storage (4 degrees C) for 20 hours. Hemodynamics, lung mechanics, gas exchange, and biochemistry were assessed before transplantation (donor) and at 30 minutes and 24 hours after reperfusion (recipient). At 24 hours after reperfusion, the histopathologic condition of transplanted lungs was evaluated.

RESULTS

Radioimmunoassay demonstrated a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the production of PAF and TXB2 in transplanted lungs at 24 hours after transplantation for group A only. Hemodynamics, gas-exchange parameters, and lung compliance were significantly (p < 0.05) better after transplantation for groups B and C. Wet lung weight was significantly less (p < 0.05) for group C. Semiquantitative morphometric analysis demonstrated the highest degree of damage for group A compared with groups B and C. A strong correlation (r2 = 70) between lung weight and histologic injury scores was observed among groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that PAF is responsible in part for the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion, that PAF-antagonist TCV-309 protects lungs from extended (20 hours) ischemic injury, and that PGE1 seems to have an additional beneficial effect.

Right outflow tract obstruction by a pedunculated neurofibroma: case report and literature review

Right outflow tract obstruction due to neurofibroma is rare, with only four cases identified in the world literature. Obstruction due to a pedunculated neurofibroma has never been reported. A 36-year-old woman with no known heart disease presenting with dyspnea, palpitations and chest pain was shown on echocardiogram to have a mobile right ventricular mass. Cardiac catheterization revealed normal coronary arteries and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction by a pedunculated mass, which was surgically removed and histologically proven to be a benign neurofibroma. Following surgery the patient's symptoms disappeared, with no recurrence three years postoperatively.

[Iatrogenic drug-induced diseases, requiring hospitalization, in patients over 65 years of age. 1-year retrospective study in an internal medicine department]

Iatrogenic pathology is mainly seen in the elderly. In a one year retrospective study, we showed that drug toxicity was responsible for 87 cases requiring hospitalisation in patients aged 65 years and above (7.7% of hospital admission for patients over 65 years). The major manifestations were: 21 cases of sera electrolyte disturbance, 19 concerning gastro-intestinal tract and liver, 16 cardiological disorders, 13 neurological complications, ten involving the endocrine system, six hematological complications. The most common drugs involved were: antihypertensive agents (36%), of which 20.5% were diuretics, psychotherapeutic drugs (24.8%), anti-inflammatory drugs (17.8%). The average cost per patient was calculated to 20,602 FF per patient. Impossibility for direct return to the original dwelling place was another complication in 29% of hospitalisations related to iatrogenic disorders. The high number of drugs taken daily increases the risk of drug interactions which was responsible for iatrogenic accidents in 12.6% of the patients of this study.