Circadian blood pressure in patients in a persistent vegetative state

We examined circadian variations in blood pressure, pulse rate, and other physiological variables, including hormone levels, in 16 patients in a persistent vegetative state (mean age -/+ SE; 66.1 -+/ 3.9 yr). Cerebrovascular accident was responsible for brain damage in 12 (75%) of the 16 patients. Blood pressure was measured for 24 h with an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device. We monitored the temperature of the urinary bladder and measured urinary excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, water, and sodium. When data were analyzed by analysis of variance, significant circadian changes were observed in body temperature and urinary excretion of hormones and sodium, but not in blood pressure or pulse rate. Individual analysis of rhythmicity using the cosinor method detected small but significant circadian variations in blood pressure and pulse rate in five of six patients who showed a simple organized response to noxious external stimuli. The disappearance of variation in blood pressure in patients in a vegetative state appeared to be related, in part, to the lack of response to external stimuli. Our findings suggest that the circadian variation in blood pressure may largely depend on external environmental factors.

[Surgical correction for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with intact atrial septum without using extracorporeal circulation]

A 13-year-old boy with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) having an intact atrial septum (IAS) is reported. He had open heart surgery 3 years ago at another hospital, but the cardiac septum was intact and PDA was ligated. After his discharge, cardiomegaly and increased right pulmonary vasculature were seen in chest roentgenograms. Our cardiac catheterization data and pulmonary angiograms showed that he had a PAPVC with IAS. Surgical correction was accomplished by utilizing a polytetrafluoroethylene graft with external ring support and interposing it between the right upper pulmonary vein and the left atrium during thoracotomy without the need for extracorporeal circulation. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 14th postoperative day. At 3 months postoperatively, radionuclide studies demonstrated no evidence of pulmonary congestion or graft obstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of prosthetic replacement of the pulmonary venous pathway with graft patency demonstrated postoperatively.