SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

Since it would appear that diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus can be made accurately in a high percentage of cases, and as the surgical treatment of this lesion is highly successful with a low mortality and morbidity rate, operation is advisable for all patients with this lesion except those who are 35 years of age or older and who have no progressive cardiac hypertrophy and no incapacitation due to the fistula. The optimum age for operation is three years. The vast majority of the patients have a ductus that can be divided, and division has advantages over ligation.In cases in which patent ductus arteriosus is complicated by subacute bacterial endocarditis, operation should be done following intensive penicillin therapy.     

AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT OF SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX

In analysis of the results of treatment of 48 episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax, aggressive treatment by means of closed intercostal drainage with constant suction was found to achieve the aims of therapy more effectively than conservative measures of bed rest with or without needle aspiration.In general, full expansion of the lung was more quickly restored, recurrence was of lesser incidence, the period in hospital was shorter and the time away from work was reduced.     

SIGNIFICANCE OF ANGIOGRAPHIC ABSENCE OF LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY IN A LEFT VENTRICLE WITH INTACT ANTERIOR WALL

Fifteen patients having total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery were studied. All fifteen had normal left ventricular anterior walls. The electrocardiogram was normal in eight patients; old inferior wall infarction was evident in one; anterior ischemia in five; and left anterior hemiblock in one. Collateral circulation was found in twelve patients (80%). These findings suggest that an angiographically non-visualized left anterior descending (LAD) vessel is patent and bypassable in patients where the anterior ventricular wall is intact, thus representing an additional criterion for aortocoronary bypass surgery.     

THE ETCHING OF MARBLE BY ROOTS IN THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF BACTERIA

In a study of the effect of soil bacteria upon the etching power of the roots of Canada field peas upon polished marble, it has been shown that the presence of the bacteria increases the etching power of the roots.