Effect of seasonal variations on the emergence of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity

Objective: We aimed to determine the role of seasonal and meteorological variations in the incidence of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: A total of 296 patients with DVT for the first time were admitted to the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic of the Alsancak State Hospital during the four-year period between January 1999 and December 2002. Of these cases, 151 were women (51%) and the average age was 58.8 years. We investigated the effect of each month and season on the onset of acute symptoms of DVT. Meteorological data were also compared during the onset of disease.

Results: We found that DVT frequency significantly increased during the six-month period between October and March, particularly on the coldest winter days and when atmospheric pressure was low.

Conclusions: Lower extremity DVT significantly correlates with meteorological variables such as cold temperatures and low atmospheric pressure. Further multicentric prospective studies are necessary to determine the extent of these effects.

Nisoldipine Cardioplegia in the Isolated Rabbit Heart

BACKGROUND: The metabolic and hemodynamic effects of nisoldipine supplementation in cardioplegia after ischemic injury were investigated in 13 isolated rabbit hearts. Group 1 consisted of 6 hearts, which received St. Thomas II cardioplegic solution. In group 2, nisoldipine was added to the cardioplegic solution at a concentration of 0.1 mg/kg in 7 hearts. METHODS: The explanted hearts were suspended from Langendorff apparatus and were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Left ventricular pressure, heart rate, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, creatine kinase MB, (CK-MB), aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured before and after 60 minutes of ischemia. Peak generated pressure after ischemia was significantly higher in group 2 versus group 1 while end-diastolic pressure was significantly lower in group 2 after ischemic arrest (P <.05). RESULTS: Malondialdehyde levels were lower in group 2 (P <.05). Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase levels were significantly higher in group 2 (P <.05). The only enzymatic significant difference was observed between the preischemic and postischemic levels of aspartate transaminase in group 2 (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show beneficial effects of nisoldipine cardioplegia, although its use as a cardioplegic additive is not yet possible. We believe, however, the effects of oral nisoldipine before cardiac surgery can be studied in a clinical setting.