Disaccharide analysis of glycosaminoglycans synthesized by cardiac myxoma cells in tumor tissues and in cell culture

We analyzed the main disaccharide units of glycosaminoglycans synthesized by cardiac myxoma cells in vivo and in cell culture using high-performance liquid chromatography after 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrasolone labeling. Cardiac myxoma tissues contained large amounts of chondroitin-6-sulfate (46%) and hyaluronic acid (32%), along with some chondroitin-4-sulfate (13%), chondroitin (6%), and much less dermatan sulfate (3%). Cultured cardiac myxoma cells synthesized mainly chondroitin-6-sulfate. The abundant glycosaminoglycans in myxoma tissues may make up the characteristic friable gelatinous matrix which is favorable for embolism and tumor cell growth.     

Intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of unsuspected cardiac myxoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Atrial myxoma is the most common primary intracardiac tumor. The diagnosis is generally primary intracardiac tumor, based on classical clinical findings coupled with echocardiographic or magnetic resonance image findings demonstrating a cardiac mass. CASE: Unsuspected atrial myxoma was found in a woman who had been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. The echocardiographic findings in the presence of fever favored a clinical working diagnosis of infective endocarditis complicating a suspected cardiac metastasis. While intraoperative frozen section examination could not rule out metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma, cytologic touch imprint findings were diagnostic of myxoma. This appears to be the first report of concurrent breast carcinoma and atrial myxoma. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of intraoperative cytologic diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. CONCLUSION: In myxoma cases with a complicated clinical setting in which frozen section examination may be equivocal, intraoperative cytologic examination may be a useful diagnostic tool.     

Therapy of pulmonary embolism

The therapeutic regimen in acute pulmonary embolism of different severity is discussed. Heparin is indicated in patients with only small and submassive embolism without impairment of the circulation. Fibrinolysis is the therapy of choice in submassive pulmonary embolism with circulatory insufficiency and massive embolism. In fulminant embolism with circulatory shock or cardiac arrest embolectomy should be performed. If the course of lung embolism is subacute, fibrinolysis may improve the late prognosis in respect to chronic pulmonary hypertension.     

Venous air embolism during a craniofacial procedure

The possibility of venous air embolism exists whenever the craniofacial operative field is above the level of the heart. Craniotomy with the high-torque craniotome is hypothesized to have produced venous air embolism in the patient described in this report. The diagnosis of venous air embolism is determined by transesophageal Doppler probe, transesophageal echocardiogram or external echocardiogram, and end-tidal N2 and CO2 determinations. Treatment includes control of the air entry sites, aspiration of air from the right atrium via a catheter placed prior to operation, and discontinuing nitrous oxide. If these measures are unsuccessful, the operative field should be transposed below heart level and the procedure terminated. In the event of significant hemodynamic compromise, closed cardiac massage should be tried; if that fails, open cardiac massage and direct aspiration are necessary. The true incidence of venous air embolism in craniofacial operations may be much higher than previously suspected. We therefore recommend placement of appropriate monitoring equipment to detect intracardiac air in those major craniofacial procedures in which there is a potential for intravascular air ingress.     

Two-dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of unusual left atrial myxomas

In two patients with atypical myxomas of the left atrium, two-dimensional echocardiography furnished valuable diagnostic information. In one patient, who had previously developed an embolism at the right brachial artery, M-mode echocardiography revealed an abnormal band of echoes within the left atrium. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a globular cluster of echoes that remained within the left atrial cavity throughout the cardiac cycle; left ventricular angiography confirmed the ultrasonic findings of an intraatrial mass. At surgery, a calcified, nonprolapsing myxoma was excised from the interatrial septum. The second patient had clinical as well as M-mode echographic features of mitral stenosis. Cardiac catheterization showed a significant gradient across the mitral valve, but the left ventriculogram was normal except for an unusual pattern of mitral regurgitation. Subsequent two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a mass of echoes that prolapsed through the mitral valve during diastole. At surgery, a left atrial myxoma was found attached to the posterior mitral annulus. Our experience indicates that two-dimensional ultrasound is superior to conventional echocardiography for detecting unusual cardiac masses.     

Hemodynamic physiology and thermoregulation in liposuction

Little is known about the physiology of large-volume liposuction. Patients are exposed to prolonged procedures, general anesthesia, fluid shifts, and infusion of high doses of epinephrine and lidocaine. Consequently, the authors examined the thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses to liposuction by assessing multiple physiologic factors. The aims of their study were to serially determine hemodynamic parameters perioperatively, to quantify perioperative and postoperative plasma epinephrine levels, and to chronologically document fluctuations in core body temperature. Five female volunteers with American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status I and II underwent moderate- to large-volume liposuction. Heart rate, blood pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac index, and central venous pressure were monitored. Serum epinephrine levels and core body temperature were assessed perioperatively. The hemodynamic responses to liposuction were characterized by an increase in cardiac index (57 percent), heart rate (47 percent), and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (44 percent) (p < 0.05). Central venous pressure was not significantly altered. Maximum epinephrine levels were observed 5 to 6 hours after induction. Significant correlations between cardiac index and epinephrine concentrations were shown intraoperatively (r = 0.75). All patients developed intraoperative low body temperatures (mean 35.5 degrees C). An overall enhanced cardiac function was observed in patients subsequent to large-volume liposuction. The etiology of the altered cardiac parameters was multifactorial but may have been attributable in part to the administration of epinephrine, which counters the effects of general anesthesia and operative hypothermia. Additional explanations for raised cardiac output may be hemodilution or emergence from general anesthesia. Elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure may be a result of subclinical fat embolism demonstrated in previous porcine studies, although fat was not observed in urine. The unchanged central venous pressure levels indicate that young healthy patients with compliant right ventricles can accommodate the fluid loads of large-volume liposuction. Overall hemodynamic parameters remained within safe limits. Within these surgical parameters, patients should be clinically screened for cardiovascular and blood pressure disorders before liposuction is undertaken, and preventative measures should be taken to limit intraoperative hypothermia.     

Management and outcome of cardiac and endovascular cystic echinococcosis

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) can affect the heart and the vena cava but few cases are reported.

Methods

A retrospective case series of 11 patients with cardiac and/or endovascular CE, followed-up over a period of 15 years (1995–2009) is reported.

Results

Main clinical manifestations included thoracic pain or dyspnea, although 2 patients were asymptomatic. Cysts were located mostly in the right atrium and inferior vena cava. Nine patients were previously diagnosed with disseminated CE. Echocardiography was the diagnostic method of choice, although serology, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging and histology aided with diagnosis and follow-up. Nine patients underwent cardiac surgery and nine received long-term antiparasitic treatment for a median duration of 25 months (range 4–93 months). One patient died intra-operatively due to cyst rupture and endovascular dissemination. Two patients died 10 and 14 years after diagnosis, due to pulmonary embolism (PE) and cardiac failure, respectively. One patient was lost to follow-up. Patients who had cardiac involvement exclusively did not have complications after surgery and were considered cured. There was only one recurrence requiring a second operation. Patients with vena cava involvement developed PEs and presented multiple complications.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular CE is associated with a high risk of potentially lethal complications. Clinical manifestations and complications vary according to cyst location. Isolated cardiac CE may be cured after surgery, while endovascular extracardiac involvement is associated with severe chronic complications. CE should be included in the differential diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in patients from endemic areas.     

Acute occlusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated by bilateral lower extremity venous thrombosis: A case report

Acute occlusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a rare phenomenon. Its possible complications include distal spasm followed by arterial thrombosis, ischemia of the distal limbs, distal embolization, acidosis, hyperkalemia, and the development of venous thrombosis of the lower limbs. Surgical correction is often complicated by cardiac decompensation, renal failure, fatal pulmonary embolism, and metabolic derangements related to toxins released from the revascularized limb. Unless contraindicated, immediate systemic heparinization must be undertaken when the diagnosis is first suspected. We present a case of sudden occlusion of an abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated by venous thrombosis involving both lower extremities. After undergoing surgical revascularization, the patient sustained massive fatal pulmonary emboli. Prophylactic interruption of the inferior vena cava may be indicated in patients who present with this complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm.     

急性右下肢深静脉血栓的临床治疗分析

目的:探讨右下肢深静脉血栓的临床治疗方法。方法:对我院2015年6月-2017年6月收治的63例右下肢深静脉血栓形成患者进行回顾性分析,从小腿周径差、彩超检查及造影3方面对疗效进行评价,并统计导管接触溶栓后患者复查肺部增强CT情况。结果:63例患者中,57例进行导管接触溶栓+下腔静脉滤器,6例进行导管接触溶栓+下腔静脉滤器+肺动脉碎栓、溶栓。治疗后,患者小腿周径差较治疗前明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。患者显效26例,有效28例,好转8例,无效1例,临床治愈率为85.7%。63例下腔静脉滤器,取出60例,3例留置为永久性滤器。新增肺栓塞12例,无致死性肺栓塞发生。结论:导管接触溶栓对右下肢深静脉血栓的治疗效果较好,但导管接溶栓时有较高肺栓塞发生率,应积极放置下腔静脉滤器。     

128层螺旋CT肺动脉造影对急性肺栓塞患者栓塞程度和右心功能的评估价值研究

目的:探讨128层螺旋CT肺动脉造影(CTPA)对急性肺栓塞(APE)患者栓塞程度和右心功能的评估价值。方法:选取2016年7月到2018年6月期间在我院行CTPA检查确诊并接受治疗的APE患者100例记为观察组,根据观察组患者的病情将其分为高危组(57例)和非高危组(43例),同时根据观察组患者肺栓塞部位及预后将患者分为中心肺栓塞死亡组(8例)、中心肺栓塞存活组(38例)、周围肺栓塞组(54例)。另选择同期于我院进行CTPA检查的无肺栓塞患者50例记为对照组。记录所有患者的右心功能参数[右心室短轴最大径(RVMSA)、左心室短轴最大径(LVMSA)以及二者的比值(RV:LV)],计算APE患者的CT肺动脉阻塞指数,并分析APE患者CT肺动脉阻塞指数与右心功能指标的相关性。结果:观察组的RVMSA、RV:LV均明显高于对照组(P0.05),高危组的CT肺动脉阻塞指数、RVMSA、RV:LV均明显高于非高危组(P0.05)。中心肺栓塞死亡组的CT肺动脉阻塞指数、RVMSA、RV:LV均明显高于中心肺栓塞存活组和周围肺栓塞组,中心肺栓塞存活组的CT肺动脉阻塞指数、RVMSA、RV:LV均明显高于周围肺栓塞组(P0.05)。经Pearson相关分析显示,APE患者CT肺动脉阻塞指数与RVMSA、RV:LV均呈正相关(P0.05),与LVMSA无明显的相关性(P0.05)。结论:CTPA检查可有效评估APE患者的栓塞程度和右心功能,且栓塞程度与右心功能存在相关性,CTPA检查有助于APE患者的诊断和病情评估。     

43例术后疑似急性肺栓塞分析

目的:探讨影响术后急性肺栓塞(Acute Pulmonary Embolism,APE)的发生和预后的相关因素,以提高对术后肺栓塞的认识和诊疗水平。方法:收集2009.01-2014.12期间南方医院术后疑似急性肺栓塞患者的临床资料,总结其临床特征,分析其诱发因素、临床表现、治疗和预后,探讨其发病的高危因素。结果:共收集术后疑似肺栓塞43例,平均年龄56.09±14.08岁(17~80岁),明确诊断为肺栓塞15例(34.9%),共死亡20例(死亡率46.5%)。其临床表现和体征均具有非特异性,呼吸困难、心悸和晕厥是主要的临床表现。不仅可以发生于下肢、胸腹部(包括妇产科)、颅内等大手术后,也可能发生在介入栓塞术后。相关危险因素很多,包括性别、年龄、恶性肿瘤、全身麻醉、手术时间长等。具有高危因素的患者并具有可疑肺栓塞的临床表现时,结合D-二聚体、动脉血气分析、心电图、胸部X线、超声心动图、下肢彩超可检查协助APE的诊断,而胸部增强CT作为检查手段有利于明确诊断。结论:肺栓塞是手术后致命的并发症之一,早期诊断、早期治疗,能降低术后肺栓塞患者的死亡率。     

Right atrial tumor: a contraindication to minimally invasive surgery?

Cardiac tumors are rarely observed. The incidence of primary cardiac tumors in autopsy series ranges from 0.0017% to 0.19%. Surgical resection is the main therapy for the majority of the cardiac tumors. Surgical treatment of these tumors carries an operative mortality rate of 3% or less. In this article, we present our experience with a female patient, who had a right sided atrial tumor mimicking a myxoma. Port access surgery was performed through a small right sided "key-hole" working port in the fourth intercostal space. Extracorporeal circulation was conducted by femoro-femoral bypass and a kinetic assisted venous drainage system. Although, the safety and efficacy of port access approach have been well documented for resection of left atrial tumors in some series, use of this technique for right atrial tumor resection can be detrimental.     

Recognition and management of embolism to the superior mesenteric artery

Two cases of superior mesenteric arterial embolism are presented. The diagnosis should be suspected when severe abdominal pain develops suddenly in a patient with a cardiac arrhythmia or a recent history of myocardial infarction. Further support for the diagnosis is given by the finding of a poor peripheral circulation and a paucity of abdominal physical signs. The value of arteriography is questionable except to distinguish between thrombosis and embolism. The importance of early laparotomy as a diagnostic and life-saving measure is emphasized.     

肾病综合征合并肺栓塞的临床研究进展

肾病综合征是一种临床常见疾病,其患者体内常呈高凝状态,极易发生血栓栓塞事件,而其中以肾静脉血栓、肺动脉栓塞和 下肢深静脉血栓最为常见。由于肺动脉栓塞早期缺乏特征性的临床表现,病情隐匿,所以极易误诊或漏诊,发现时患者病情往往 已十分严重,致死率极高。目前,对于肾病综合征合并肺栓塞的发生率国内外报道不一,尚无准确的流行病学资料,而对于其发病 原因、危险因素、早期诊断及是否需要预防性抗凝治疗等均存在争议,本文主要结合文献对肾病综合征合并肺栓塞的流行病学、 病因及发病机制、诊断、高危因素和治疗进行了综述,尤其是对目前争议较大的肾病综合征合并肺栓塞患者是否需要早期抗凝治 疗。     

Détection de l’embolie pulmonaire aiguë : apport du scanner X faible dose à la tomoscintigraphie pulmonaire de ventilation et de perfusion

Ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) lung SPECT, performed according to the new recommendations of European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), is a first-line examination for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism. Since low-dose CT scan acquisitions may be recorded during the same examination on hybrid cameras, the corresponding additional information should be assessed. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic information provided by lung V/Q SPECT, alone and combined with a low-dose CT scan. Each analysis is performed by two readers; one is more experienced (assistant, A) and one less (interne, I).ResultsThe addition of low-dose CT Scan to lung V/Q SPECT: (1) seldom changes the main diagnostic answer in example the presence or absence of pulmonary embolism (2% for A and 6% for I); (2) frequently gives more minor additional informations, 69% for A and 79% for I (localisation of the involved segments, non embolic pleuroparenchymal abnormalities…) and (3) is associated with a concordance of 87% between the two readers with regard to the final diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (84% for SPECT without CT scan). Seventy-nine percent of these discordances were associated with a low quality of ventilation images.ConclusionWhen added to V/Q lung SPECT, low-dose CT scan commonly provides an additional diagnostic information, without affecting interobserver reproducibility, but this information is generally minor without impact on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.     

“I Can't Find Anything Wrong: It Must Be a Pulmonary Embolism”: Diagnosing Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in Primary Care,a Qualitative Study

Background

Before using any prediction rule oriented towards pulmonary embolism (PE), family physicians (FPs) should have some suspicion of this diagnosis. The diagnostic reasoning process leading to the suspicion of PE is not well described in primary care.

Objective

to explore the diagnostic reasoning of FPs when pulmonary embolism is suspected.

Method

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 28 FPs. The regional hospital supplied data of all their cases of pulmonary embolism from June to November 2011. The patient''s FP was identified where he/she had been the physician who had sent the patient to the emergency unit. The first consecutive 14 FPs who agreed to participate made up the first group. A second group was chosen using a purposeful sampling method. The topic guide focused on the circumstances leading to the suspicion of PE. A thematic analysis was performed, by three researchers, using a grounded theory coding paradigm.

Results

In the FPs'' experience, the suspicion of pulmonary embolism arose out of four considerations: the absence of indicative clinical signs for diagnoses other than PE, a sudden change in the condition of the patient, a gut feeling that something was seriously wrong and an earlier failure to diagnose PE. The FPs interviewed did not use rules in their diagnostic process.

Conclusion

This study illustrated the diagnostic role of gut feelings in the specific context of suspected pulmonary embolism in primary care. The FPs used the sense of alarm as a tool to prevent the diagnostic error of missing a PE. The diagnostic accuracy of gut feelings has yet to be evaluated.     

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy successfully treated with corticosteroids: a case report

Background

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy is a special type of tumor thromboembolism. We report the case of a patient who developed pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy with alveolar hemorrhage. Almost all patients with pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy die within 1 week of the onset of dyspnea; however, the prognosis in this case was better, with 10 weeks of survival from presentation.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital with a 4-week history of dyspnea on exertion and severe pulmonary hypertension. Five years previously, he had undergone distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. He was afebrile, normotensive, and hypoxemic. A physical examination was unremarkable except for purpura on his upper extremities and trunk. Blood tests showed anemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Chest computed tomography revealed diffuse ground-glass opacities with emphysema in his upper lungs, moderate pleural effusions, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and enlargement of the right ventricle and main pulmonary artery. A computed tomography pulmonary angiogram showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism. Lung perfusion scintigraphy showed multiple segmental defects. Although recurrence of gastric cancer was confirmed from the results of bone marrow biopsy, bronchoscopy was not performed due to bleeding diathesis. He was treated with corticosteroids, antibiotics, and platelet transfusion, following which resolution of the abnormal lung shadows and right ventricular pressure overload along with partial alleviation of respiratory failure was observed. Because of his poor performance status, he was eventually transited to palliative care and died 6 weeks after admission. Necropsy of the lung confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy with alveolar hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with cancer who present with severe pulmonary hypertension. In pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy, local inflammation in pulmonary microvasculature may contribute to pulmonary hypertension, and regulation of inflammation using corticosteroids may help improve the prognosis.

     

Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism by consultants in Scotland.

A questionnaire was sent to 508 consultants in Scotland likely to encounter deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to assess their current standard practice in diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. Replies were received from 358 (70.5%). In deep vein thrombosis 47% and in pulmonary embolism 33% of consultants usually depended on clinical observation alone for diagnosis. In deep vein thrombosis 37% used venography to supplement clinical diagnosis and in pulmonary embolism 13% used angiography and 53% used isotopic scanning. Almost all consultants treated deep vein thrombosis (95%) and pulmonary embolism (99%) with anticoagulants. Most consultants (81%) gave heparin by intravenous infusion. Although many consultants gave intravenous heparin for more than three days (49.5% in deep vein thrombosis and 61% in pulmonary embolism), 25% of these consultants did not use any laboratory monitoring of heparin''s effect. Large numbers of consultants gave warfarin for more than three months (20% in deep vein thrombosis and 47% in pulmonary embolism). There was a significant tendency to give heparin (p less than 0.01) and warfarin (p less than 0.001) for longer periods in pulmonary embolism than in deep vein thrombosis. This survey shows a widely varying practice and underlines the need for further controlled studies to provide clear guidance in the management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.     

The report of an Italian family with heterozygous protein C deficiency

A heterozygote protein C deficit was found in 4 members of the same family. The propositus is a 40 year old male with a clear thrombotic tendency. This included repeated thrombophlebitis of the right leg, and one episode of pulmonary embolism. Arterial thrombosis was not noted. The anticoagulant therapy undertaken by the patient appears to be of some benefit in the sense that no recurrence of thrombotic manifestations occurred. One brother and two nephews of the propositus, even though asymptomatic showed reduced levels of Protein C both as activity and antigen. The parallel reduction of Protein C activity and antigen points towards a "true" deficit of Protein C. The normal, although reduced, pattern in the crossed immunoelectrophoresis supplies further confirmation to this interpretation.     

Peripheral blood reticulocytes and their reference range values for percentage, absolute count, and immature fraction in children, measured with flow cytometry

Reticulocyte count by manual method has been the assay traditionally used to evaluate the status of erythropoiesis in hematological disorders with disturbances in erythropoietic activity. However, due to its variability, it is rather a semiquantitative method. Automated reticulocyte counting based on flow cytometry has provided more objective and exact measure of reticulocytes. Besides traditional parameters, such as percentage and absolute number of reticulocytes, automatic reticulocyte counters can detect differences in the amounts of cellular RNA present in immature erythrocytes that reflect their maturational stages and evaluate indices of reticulocyte maturation such as RMI, HFR, IRF. These parameters can be used as the earliest signs of marrow engraftment after autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Currently there is no strict agreement between various automated methods of reticulocyte evaluation. Additionally, lack of standardization and quality control materials for this assay compels determination of own, interlaboratory ranges of reference values for new proposed parameters. A group of 102 children aged from 3 months to 18 years with normal hematological parameters was examined. Samples of blood stained supravitally with thiazole orange were analyzed in a flow cytometer. Results for percentage, absolute number and immature reticulocyte fraction expressed as a mean +/- 2SD were: 2.00 +/- 1.56%, 88.8 +/- 68.94 x 10(3)/microliter, and 0.22 +/- 0.16, respectively. A poor correlation was found between IRF and other parameters, suggesting its independent role as a marker of erythropoietic activity. Automated reticulocyte counting will probably improve the diagnosis and monitoring of many hematological diseases.