Mucinous adenocarcinoma derived from villous adenoma of the kidney with muconephrosis

Upper respiratory tract villous adenoma (VA) with muconephrosis is rare and should be included in the differential diagnosis when pelvic dilatation with a solid component is detected. VA may transform into malignant mucinous adenocarcinoma, which should be suspected if contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and restricted diffusion on MRI are observed.

En Bloc Resection Versus Conventional TURBT for T1HG Bladder Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the clinical, oncological, and pathological impact of en bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) compared with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumors (cTURBT) for pT1 high-grade (HG) bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the record of 326 patients (cTURBT: n = 216, ERBT: n = 110) diagnosed with pT1 HG bladder cancer at multiple institutions. The cohorts were matched by one-to-one propensity scores based on patient and tumor demographics. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and perioperative and pathologic outcomes were compared. The prognosticators of RFS and PFS were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

After matching, 202 patients (cTURBT: n = 101, ERBT: n = 101) were retained. There were no differences in perioperative outcomes between the two procedures. The 3-year RFS, PFS, and CSS were not different between the two procedures (p = 0.7, 1, and 0.7, respectively). Among patients who underwent repeat transurethral resection (reTUR), the rate of any residue on reTUR was significantly lower in the ERBT group (cTURBT: 36% versus ERBT: 15%, p = 0.029). Adequate sampling of muscularis propria (83% versus 93%, p = 0.029) and diagnostic rates of pT1a/b substaging (90% versus 100%, p < 0.001) were significantly better in ERBT specimen compared with cTURBT specimen. On multivariable analyses, pT1a/b substaging was a prognosticator of disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with pT1HG bladder cancer, ERBT had similar perioperative and mid-term oncologic outcomes compared with cTURBT. However, ERBT improves the quality of resection and specimen, yielding less residue on reTUR and yielding superior histopathologic information such as substaging.

Feasibility and accuracy of pathological diagnosis in en-bloc transurethral resection specimens versus conventional transurethral resection specimens of bladder tumour: evaluation with pT1 substaging by 10 pathologists

AIMS

En-bloc transurethral resection (TUR) of bladder tumour (ERBT) is designed to provide more accurate pathological diagnosis of specimens than conventional TUR of bladder tumour (cTURBT). Some studies have reported that T1 bladder cancer substage could be a prognostic factor in assessing tumour progression, but such substaging has not been widely adopted because of problems with pathological diagnosis using cTURBT specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible advantages of en-bloc TUR specimens in T1 substaging following assessment by a panel of 10 pathologists.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We assessed the substages in 123 patients (cTURBT, n = 91; ERBT, n = 32) who were diagnosed with pT1 bladder cancer. We randomly selected 10 ERBT specimens and 10 cTURBT specimens with cancer invasion areas equivalent to those of their corresponding ERBT specimens. Ten pathologists performed pT1 substaging for pT1a/b/c and pT1m/e in 20 patients (cTURBT, n = 10; ERBT, n = 10). We evaluated diagnostic times and rates of diagnostic concordance among these pathologists, comparing cTURBT and ERBT. The median diagnostic times per slide were 87.7 s [interquartile range (IQR) 71.9-109.2 s) for cTURBT and 54.7 s (IQR 46.0-59.6 s) for ERBT (P = 0.009). The rate of diagnostic concordance was significantly better for ERBT specimens. For pT1a/b/c, the median concordance rates were 50% for cTURBT and 80% for ERBT (P = 0.02); for pT1m/e, the median concordance rates were 70% for cTURBT and 90% for ERBT (P = 0.05). For pT1a/b/c, the average κ-values between the pathologist and the standard diagnosis were 0.04 for cTURBT and 0.47 for ERBT.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ERBT specimens shortened the diagnostic time and minimised interobserver variability for T1 substaging compared with the use of cTURBT specimens.

HER2 Status in Molecular Subtypes of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis and Ureter

INTRODUCTION

Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2, also known as HER2) gene amplification or protein overexpression occurs in certain types of urothelial carcinomas. Molecular pathologic classification of urinary bladder cancer using immunohistochemistry has identified basal and luminal subtypes with differing prognoses, but the HER2 status of these subtypes has not been investigated. In addition, research on urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter (UCRPU) has not progressed because of its rarity, though its prognosis is worse than that of bladder cancer. In this study, we evaluated the clinical significance of HER2 status in molecular subtypes of UCRPU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HER2 status (protein overexpression and/or gene amplification) and molecular subtyping were determined for 148 cases of UCRPU (83 and 65 cases in the renal pelvis and ureter, respectively), using immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization, and compared with clinicopathologic factors.

RESULTS

Subtype analysis revealed that the cases were 46% basal and 54% luminal. HER2 protein overexpression and/or gene amplification was observed in 14% of UCRPU cases and was significantly more frequent in the luminal subtype than in the basal (22% vs. 4%; P = .0030). Univariate analysis showed that the overall survival of patients with HER2-positive UCRPU was significantly shorter than those with HER2-negative tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

HER2 protein overexpression and gene amplification were specifically observed in the luminal subtype of UCRPU, suggesting that these cases may respond to HER2-targeted therapies like trastuzumab.

Differential expression of androgen receptor variants in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer xenografts, castration-resistant sublines, and patient specimens according to the treatment sequence

BACKGROUND

Androgen receptor variants (AR-vs), especially AR-v7 and AR-v 5, 6, and 7 exon-skipped (AR-v567es), are reportedly key players in the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We previously established a mouse xenograft model (JDCaP) from a metastatic skin lesion from a Japanese patient with CRPC and that was revealed to exhibit androgen sensitivity. In the present study, we established multiple castration-resistant xenograft models from JDCaP mice to investigate the biological features of CRPC.

METHODS

Tissue from JDCaP mice was transplanted into male and female nude mice, and after serial passaging, castration-resistant sublines (JDCaP-CR2M and JDCaP-CR4M in male mice, JDCaP-CR2F and JDCaP-CR4F in female mice) were established. We investigated anti-androgen and testosterone sensitivity and the messenger RNA expression pattern of full-length AR and AR-vs. In addition, we compared AR protein levels of patient specimens among primary, local-recurrent, and two skin-metastatic tumors.

RESULTS

All JDCaP-CR sublines showed continuous growth following the administration of bicalutamide, although the effects of testosterone varied among sublines. Parental JDCaP and JDCaP-CR2M, JDCaP-CR4M, and JDCaP-CR4F sublines expressed AR-v7, whereas JDCaP-CR2F exhibited elevated AR-v567es expression resulting from genomic deletion, which was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Moreover, we confirmed AR-v7 expression in the tumor of the original patient after androgen-deprivation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Each JDCaP-CR subline showed different AR-v-expression patterns, with JDCaP-CR2F expressing AR-v567es due to genomic deletion. Our results indicated that AR-vs emerged after androgen-deprivation therapy and appeared essential for acquisition of castration resistance.

Comparison of ERG and SPINK1 expression among incidental and metastatic prostate cancer in Japanese men

BACKGROUND

TMPRSS2:ERG fusion is the most common genetic event in prostate cancer (PCa). However, its association with prognosis is controversial. Overexpression of serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1) was almost exclusively defined in ERG-negative PCa in most studies. This study aimed to determine the association between ERG and SPINK1 expression and the biological aggressiveness of PCa by analyzing their expression in incidental and metastatic cohorts.

METHODS

A total of 143 cystoprostatectomy specimens of invasive bladder cancer and 98 biopsy specimens from de novo metastatic PCa were analyzed. The prostate gland of cystoprostatectomy specimens was fixed and sliced in step sections. Immunohistochemistry of ERG and SPINK1 was conducted, and the results were correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of incidental cancer was 32.2% (46/143). The frequencies of both ERG and SPINK1 expression were not significantly different between incidental and metastatic cohorts (15.2% and 14.3%; P = 1.00, and 6.5% and 12.2%; P = 0.38, respectively). In the metastatic cohort, any pre-treatment factors were not significantly associated with the frequencies of ERG and SPINK1 expression. However, SPINK1 expression was significantly associated with a shorter time to castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) (P = 0.048). Meanwhile, overall survival was not significantly associated with the expression status of ERG and SPINK1 (P = 0.71).

CONCLUSIONS

ERG and SPINK1 expression may not have significant influence on the metastatic behavior of PCa. SPINK1 expression was significantly associated with a shorter time to CRPC in metastatic PCa. The expression profile of ERG and SPINK1 may be a useful predictor for effect of androgen deprivation therapy in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive PCa.

Anatomical localization and clinical impact of sentinel lymph nodes based on patterns of pelvic lymphatic drainage in clinically localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Although sentinel lymph node in prostate has been generating renewed interest, its significance remains controversial due to inadequate evidence.

METHODS

We reviewed a prospective cohort of 50 consecutive patients with intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer who had undergone laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy by fluorescence detection using intraoperative imaging with indocyanine green and backup extended pelvic lymph node dissection were conducted prior to prostatectomy. Intraoperative and pathological findings were elaborated and compared for confirmation.

RESULTS

Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified in 47 patients (94%). A median of four sentinel lymph nodes was detected per patient. Lymph node metastasis was confirmed in six patients (12%), all of whom had positive sentinel lymph nodes. Three typical pathways of lymphatic drainage related to sentinel lymph nodes from the prostate were recognized. Ninety-one percent of the positive sentinel lymph nodes (10/11) were located at two predominant sites along these characteristic lymphatic pathways. One site was the junctional nodes, located at the junction between internal and external iliac vessels. The other was the distal internal iliac nodes, located along the inferior vesical artery.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 90% of positive sentinel lymph nodes were identified at two predominant sites. Priority should be given to the removal of these sentinel lymph nodes, which are located closer to the prostate, in pelvic lymph node dissection. Particular attention should be paid to identifying these nodes to reduce the possibility of overlooking lymph node metastasis.

Polypoid endometriosis of the ovary and müllerianosis of pelvic lymph nodes mimicking an ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastasis

Polypoid endometriosis is a distinctive variant of endometriosis with histological features simulating those of endometrial polyps. Müllerianosis is characterized by the presence of lesions at any site containing admixtures of endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, and endocervicosis. Here, we report a rare case of polypoid endometriosis of the ovary with müllerianosis of the pelvic lymph nodes in a 44-year-old woman without a past history of pelvic surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ovarian tumor containing papillary nodules up to 3.0 cm in diameter and left pelvic lymph node enlargement. Nodules in ovarian tumor showed heterogeneous high intensity on T2-weighted image and high intensity on diffusion-weighted image and were mildly enhanced by gadolinium contrast material. Enlarged lymph node was markedly enhanced by gadolinium. We considered polypoid endometriosis in the differential diagnosis according to the results of the magnetic resonance imaging, and polypoid endometriosis was included in intraoperative consultation, however, ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastasis could not be denied. According to histological examination, the final diagnosis was determined as polypoid endometriosis with glandular hyperplasia of the left ovary and müllerianosis in the obturator lymph nodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of polypoid endometriosis and müllerianosis of the pelvic lymph node.

Epidural anesthesia during upper abdominal surgery provides better postoperative analgesia

Since repeated noxious stimuli may sensitize neuropathic pain receptors of the spinal cord, we tested the hypothesis that the appropriate blockade of surgical stimuli with epidural anesthesia during upper abdominal surgery would be beneficial for postoperative analgesia. Thirty-six adult patients undergoing either elective gastrectomy or open cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to receive either inhalational general anesthesia alone (group G) or epidural anesthesia along with light general anesthesia (group E) throughout the surgery. Postoperative pain management consisted of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with bupivacaine accompanied by the continuous infusion of buprenorphine. To assess postoperative pain, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was employed at 2, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. While there was no significant difference in the bupivacaine dose, more patients undergoing gastrectomy in group G required supplemental analgesics than those in group E, and the VAS scores in group E demonstrated significantly better postoperative analgesia compared to group G after both types of surgery. Thus, an appropriate epidural blockade during upper abdominal surgery likely provides better postoperative pain relief.

Impact of immunoreactive substances contained in apheresis platelet concentrate on postoperative respiratory function in surgical patients receiving platelet transfusion: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To construct an alternative policy for the donor selection of platelet concentrate (PC), a clinical study exploring the features of lung injury following PC administration is needed.

BACKGROUND

Although a male-donor-only policy for plasma products appears to have efficiently reduced transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), this policy may not be applied to PC because of supply shortages.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We prospectively examined pulmonary function after the transfusion of PC in informed surgical patients treated at a tertiary university hospital in Japan. The contributions of immunoreactive substances contained in the PC to respiratory function after PC transfusion was then statistically examined.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients (56 men, 30 women) were enrolled in the analysis. Fifty-four cases experienced respiratory failure (PaO2 /FiO2 <300 mmHg) after transfusion. Five cases were diagnosed as possible TRALI based on permeability pulmonary oedema, while 23 cases were diagnosed as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) based on chest radiograph findings. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the presence of anti-granulocyte antibody as a significant predictor of possible TRALI [P = 0.023; odds ratio (OR), 13.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-118.3]. Meanwhile, anti-leukocyte antibody class II was identified as a significant independent predictor of TACO (P = 0.010; OR, 18.4; 95% CI, 2.0-170.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that antibodies contained in PC may contribute to the deterioration of respiratory function after PC transfusion, although the diagnoses of TACO and TRALI may have overlapped among the patients with pulmonary distress in this cohort.

[Recurrent angina due to high grade re-stenosis of the left subclavian artery after coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure: report of a case]

A 49-year-old woman on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure was admitted to our hospital with chest pain. She had undergone quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) including a left internal thoracic to left anterior descending coronary artery anastomosis 9 months earlier. The blood flow through the left internal thoracic artery had decreased due to high grade stenosis at the proximal portion of the left subclavian artery, and recurrent angina had developed. She was treated by the placement of Palmaz biliary stents in the left subclavian artery, but re-stenosis occurred after 9 months, causing recurrent angina again. There fore, an operation was proposed and bypass grafting from the descending aorta to the left subclavian artery was successfully performed, resulting in complete resolution of her recurrent angina. This case serves to reinforce that patients on dialysis must be carefully followed up after CABG.

[Pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy via the laryngeal mask airway]

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed on 11 children aged from 6 months to 3 years and weighing between 2.1 and 12.5 kg using the laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The LMA allows observation of subglottic stenosis which can not be seen under tracheal intubation. The smaller prototype of the fiberoptic bronchoscope whose diameter is 1.8mm has no provision for angulation at the tip. However, using the LMA as a guide it was easy to reach the subglottic stenosis even using this smaller bronchoscope.

Nasal intubation with Bullard laryngoscope: a useful approach for difficult airways

Since the original technique using the Bullard laryngoscope requires considerable practice to be reliable, we have developed an easier method with a directional-tip endotracheal tube through the nostril. We first examined the feasibility of our method in patients with or without difficult airways. All 26 patients with difficult airways were successfully tracheally intubated with our method, and times for visualization and intubation were not different from those in 10 patients with normal airways. We further examined the direction of the tips of endotracheal tubes through the nostril in 128 patients with normal airways using four combinations of two kinds of both laryngoscopes (Bullard and Macintosh) and endotracheal tubes (directional-tip tube: Endotrol, Mallinckrodt Laboratories, Athlone, Ireland; or straight distal-end tube: Blue Line, Portex Ltd., Hythe Kent, United Kingdom). We found that a combination of the Bullard laryngoscope and the Endotrol tube had a higher probability of accessing the center of the glottis than the others. In conclusion, nasal insertion of a directional-tip tube assisted by the Bullard laryngoscope is an assured and prompt procedure for intubating the tracheas of patients with difficult airways.

[Effects of sevoflurane on hemodynamics during the induction of anesthesia compared with those of isoflurane, enflurane and halothane]

The effects of sevoflurane (S), isoflurane (I), enflurane (E) and halothane (H) on hemodynamics were studied in 50 patients during the inhalation of 1.5 MAC of each anesthetic before the surgery. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and stroke volume index (SVI) were measured noninvasively using the automatic blood pressure manometer and the ultrasonic Doppler method (Accucom). There were significant differences between E and H in MAP, CI, SVRI and SVI. The values of CI, SVRI, SVI with S, as well as with I, were between those of E and H. These results indicate that sevoflurane causes the depression of blood pressure mostly by decreasing afterload during the induction of anesthesia, although the decrement with sevoflurane, as well as that with isoflurane, is less than that with enflurane.

Differences of intravenous nitroglycerin responses in left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures and coronary artery diameters during long-term treatment with cutaneous nitroglycerin patches

The differences of intravenous nitroglycerin responses in left ventricular (LV) systolic and end-diastolic pressures and in coronary artery diameters (cross-tolerance) were investigated in patients receiving nitroglycerin patches. During diagnostic cardiac catheterization, graded doses of 50, 100, and 150 mcg of intravenous nitroglycerin were given. Left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures and left coronary arteriograms were obtained during each dose. Twenty patients with coronary artery disease were studied. Before cardiac catheterization, 10 received nitroglycerin patch (patch group), and 10 did not (control group). In the control group, graded intravenous nitroglycerin doses of 50, 100, and 150 mcg caused decrease in LV systolic pressure of 18 +/- 7%, 20 +/- 5%, and 23 +/- 6%, respectively. In the patch group, the same intravenous nitroglycerin doses decreased LV systolic pressure by 12 +/- 6% (p < 0.05), 19 +/- 7% (NS), and 18 +/- 6% (p < 0.05), respectively, (p value: vs. control group). At the same intravenous nitroglycerin doses, LV end-diastolic pressures were decreased by 48 +/- 14%, 52 +/- 17%, and 56 +/- 9%, respectively, in the control group. However, there were no significant differences in LV end-diastolic pressure between the two groups for any of the three intravenous nitroglycerin doses. The same intravenous nitroglycerin doses caused increase in diameter of the left anterior descending coronary artery and circumflex coronary artery in the control group, which was attenuated significantly in the patch group. Tolerance may develop in LV systolic pressure and coronary artery diameters, whereas it may not develop in LV end-diastolic pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of isoflurane, enflurane and halothane on hemodynamics during the induction of anesthesia]

The effects of isoflurane(I), halothane(H) and enflurane(E) on hemodynamics of 36 patients (12, 11 and 13, respectively) were studied during the inhalation of 1.5 MAC of each anesthetics before the surgery. Mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR), cardiac index(CI), systemic vascular resistance index(SVRI), and stroke volume index (SVI) were measured noninvasively using the automatic blood pressure manometer and the ultrasonic Doppler method (Accucom). MAP decreased with I, E and H, but a larger decrement was observed with E than with H. CI and SVI with H were less than with E. SVRI decreased with I and E but a significant difference was observed between E and H. Each value with I was between those with H and E. These results indicate that isoflurane causes the depression of blood pressure mostly by its effect to decrease afterload during the induction of anesthesia, although its depressing effect is less than that of enflurane.

[Anesthetic management of the patient with a permanent pacemaker]

Anesthetic management of two patients with a permanent pacemaker is reported; patient no. 1 had the VVI mode pacemaker and patient no. 2 had the DDD mode pacemaker. In patient no. 1, the hypotensive response of the 'pacemaker syndrome' occurred during general anesthesia. Patient no. 2 had no anesthetic problems but careful attention should be paid to the DDD mode pacemaker, because the newer widely used dual lead systems (DDD) are more susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Anesthetists often encounter patients with pacemakers. Knowledge of pacemakers available of the increasingly wide range is necessary to ensure safe management of these patients, many of whom are frail and elderly.

[Clinical evaluation of the laryngeal mask airway using capnogram]

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was clinically evaluated using capnogram in patients who breathed spontaneously under the combination of general and spinal anesthesia. Using the LMA, the airway was maintained without jaw lift and no remarkable hemodynamic change was observed during its insertion and removal. Capnogram was useful to confirm the intact airway and to monitor the respiration. Respiratory depression was observed after thiopental administration and enflurane inhalation. The respiration recovered promptly following the increase of respiratory rate (RR) and tidal volume at first, and it made a further recovery following increase in RR. The use of the LMA under light inhalation anesthesia is hence a useful combination with regional anesthesia.

Effects of sublingual nitroglycerin in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin for coronary artery disease: prevention of cross-tolerance

The systemic hemodynamic and coronary dilative responses to sublingual nitroglycerin were studied in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin. A total of 48 patients with coronary artery disease were divided into 4 groups: 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin without transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 1), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with 12-hour-daily intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 2), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 3), and 12 patients receiving 2 tablets of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 4). Before and during administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, aortic pressure, left ventricular pressure, and coronary artery diameter were examined at diagnostic cardiac catheterization in all patients. During sublingual nitroglycerin, the decreases of aortic systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Dilation of coronary arteries by sublingual nitroglycerin tended to be greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Thus, the effects of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more prominent in patients with intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin than in those with continuous therapy. The increased dose of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more effective in patients with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin.

Characteristics of blood flow velocity patterns of central systemic veins in healthy adults assessed by Doppler echocardiography

To evaluate the differences in shape and phase lag of the flow velocity curves in the superior (SVC) and inferior (IVC) venae cavae and the hepatic vein (HV), Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed in 40 healthy adults (aged 20 to 67 years, mean +/- SD: 39 +/- 12 years). Flow velocity patterns in each vein were characterized by 4 major deflections: S wave, a systolic forward flow; D wave, a diastolic forward flow; A wave, a small backward flow or reduction of diastolic forward flow due to atrial contraction; and O wave, a small backward flow or reduction of forward flow after the second heart sound. Except for a reduced phasic flow in a collapsed IVC, the venous flow velocity recordings in each vein demonstrated very similar pulsatile patterns and small differences in mean time lags of less than 50 msec. In general, the lowest values of peak A/peak S, peak O/peak S and peak D/peak S were observed in HV flow and the highest in IVC flow. Backflows of A and O waves were prominent in HV flow, but small and least frequent in IVC flow. These data suggest that the baseline of the central venous flow recordings might shift downward in HV flow and upward in IVC flow. However, even if both the baseline shift and amplitude of the flow curve were normalized in each venous flow velocity curve, apparent differences in shape of the flow velocity curves would remain. We concluded that the characteristics and differences of each central venous flow velocity pattern should be noted in studies of these areas.

[Effect of enflurane and halothane on hemodynamics during the induction of anesthesia]

The effects of enflurane (E) and halothane (H) on hemodynamics were studied during the inhalation of 2MAC of each anesthetic before the surgery. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVRI) and stroke volume index (SVI) were measured noninvasively using automatic blood pressure manometer and ultrasonic Doppler method (Accucom). MAP decreased with both E and H, but the decrement was bigger with E. CI and SVI decreased with H, although increased with E. SVRI was unchanged with H, but decreased with E. These results indicate that enflurane causes the depression of blood pressure mostly by the decrease of afterload during the induction of anesthesia.

Effects of sublingual nitrate in patients receiving sustained therapy of isosorbide dinitrate for coronary artery disease

To examine the effects of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) in patients receiving sustained ISDN therapy, 24 patients with coronary artery disease were divided into 2 groups. Group C comprised 12 patients without sustained ISDN therapy and group N included 12 patients with sustained ISDN therapy. Before and during administration of sublingual ISDN in both groups, aortic systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and coronary artery diameter were examined at cardiac catheterization. During sublingual ISDN, the aortic systolic pressure decreased by 20 +/- 6% (138 +/- 26 to 112 +/- 27 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) in group C and 10 +/- 6% (127 +/- 26 to 113 +/- 23 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) in group N (p less than 0.01, group C vs group N). The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased by 65 +/- 16% (11 +/- 5 to 4 +/- 3 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) in group C and 43 +/- 14% (12 +/- 5 to 7 +/- 3 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) in group N (p less than 0.01, group C vs group N). During sublingual ISDN, the diameters of the proximal and distal segments of the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries increased more significantly in group C than in group N (p less than 0.01, group C vs group N). Thus, sublingual ISDN produced less reduction of aortic systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and less dilation of coronary artery diameter in patients receiving sustained therapy with ISDN than in those without sustained therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Systolic time intervals by intratracheal pneumocardiogram and the effects of inhalation anesthetics on cardiac function using this technic]

Intratracheal pressure change due to cardiogenic oscillation was obtained by a high gain pressure transducer attached to the endotracheal tube while the patient was apneic during the operation. Such pressure change has been called as intratracheal pneumocardiogram (ITCG), which consists of wide waves and some spikes. Systolic time interval (STI) was obtained by measuring the intervals between certain spikes. The STIs measured by ITCG were compared with those by echocardiogram and by the conventional method. Also the effects of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane on cardiac performance were evaluated using the STI by ITCG. The STI measured by ITCG correlated well with that by echocardiogram, which indicated that the STI by ITCG was a useful noninvasive method to monitor the cardiac performance during general anesthesia. The STI by ITCG showed that the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) decreased in halothane and enflurane anesthesia. The pre-ejection period (PEP) and the PEP/LVET ratio increased in all three types of anesthesia. Especially the PEPs during halothane and enflurane at 1.8 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) were greater than that of isoflurane. The results suggest that isoflurane has less cardiac depressive action than halothane and enflurane.

Coronary spasm producing coronary thrombosis in a patient with acute myocardial infarction

A 62-year-old man had an acute myocardial infarction with successful thrombolysis. Coronary spasm was documented in the following angiographic study. This case demonstrated that coronary spasm is implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary thrombosis and subsequent myocardial infarction.

Esophageal echocardiographic left ventricular anterolateral wall motion in normal subjects and patients with coronary artery disease

Esophageal echocardiography was developed for recording left ventricular anterolateral wall (LVAW) echocardiograms and was applied clinically to 14 normal subjects and 21 patients with coronary artery disease. LVAW echocardiograms were obtained satisfactorily in 11 of 14 normal subjects (75%) and 20 of 21 patients (95%) with coronary artery disease. LVAW echocardiograms were obtained by conventional anterior echocardiography in eight of 21 patients (38%) with coronary artery disease. In 11 normal subjects, mm/sec (mean 34.3 +/- 5.2 mm/sec); and diastolic wall thickness ranged from 9-12.5 mm (mean 11.2 +/- 0.7 mm). In 20 patients with coronary artery disease, LVAW motion obtained by esophageal echocardiography was classified into five groups according to the excursion, and the findings were in good agreement (80%) with those obtained by left ventriculography. Classification of LVAW motion by conventional echocardiography agreed with that of left ventriculography in only three of eight patients, although all eight patients had abnormal LVAW motion by the conventional method. In all patients except one, whose LVAW echocardiograms were obtained by conventional echocardiography, excursion was much less than that obtained by esophageal echocardiography. We conclude that the projection of an ultrasonic beam from the intraesophageal transducer is a better approach for accurate measurement of LVAW motion.

Echocardiographic estimation of forward stroke volume and mitral regurgitant volume in patients with or without left ventricular dyssynergy

In order to estimate forward stroke volume (FSV) and mitral regurgitant volume (MRV) by echocardiography, the relationship between FSV or the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) determined by conventional methods and those measured by aortic-left atrial echogram was investigated in 119 subjects, consisting of 88 patients without MR (no-MR group) and 31 patients with MR (MR group). The most adequate echocardiographic measurement for estimating FSV in the no-MR group was the product of posterior aortic wall excursion (Ao-PWE) and left atrial dimension (LAD); i.e., Ao-PWE X LAD. Further sophistication in estimating FSV was achieved by separating the subjects with LAD smaller than or equal to 40 mm from those with LAD > 40 mm. MRV was estimated by subtracting the FSV determined directly by either Fick or thermodilution method from the stroke volume determined by echocardiography. MRV so obtained was compatible with the severity of MR determined by LV cineangiography. The FSV in the no-MR group and the MRV in the MR group could be estimated with reliable accuracy by echocardiography alone (in the former) and by echocardiography plus a simple procedure such as Fick or thermodilution method (in the latter). Furthermore, this method was found to be free of influence from left ventricular dyssynergy or aortic regurgitation.