Transesophageal atrial pacing in anesthetized patients with coronary artery disease. Hemodynamic benefits versus risk of myocardial ischemia.

Background: Transesophageal atrial pacing (TEAP) provides prompt and precise control of heart rate and improves hemodynamics in anesthetized patients with bradycardia and hypotension. The authors' purpose in this study was to examine the hemodynamic benefits of TEAP versus the risk of myocardial ischemia in patients about to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: Hemodynamics, ventricular filling pressures, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and end-diastolic, end-systolic, and fractional area change of the left ventricle, determined by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), were measured after anesthesia induction with 30 micrograms/kg fentanyl and at incremental TEAP rates of 65, 70, 80, and 90 beats/min (bpm) in 40 adult patients.

Sinonasal polyposis: investigation by direct coronal CT.

To demonstrate the typical clinical and CT features of sinonasal polyposis, we reviewed the clinical records and preoperative direct coronal CT scans of 35 patients with surgically proven disease. Symptoms included progressive nasal stuffiness (100%), rhinorrhea (69%), facial pain (60%), headache (43%) and anosmia (17%). We found associations with rhinitis (46%), asthma (29%) and aspirin sensitivity (9%).

Sinonasal polyposis.

The SSCT findings of the SNP pattern are nearly diagnostic for this entity. SNP is characterized by the major findings of nasal polypoid masses and infundibular enlargement. Patients may also show individual sinus involvement with polypoid masses and/or opacification of the paranasal sinuses without visualization of polypoid masses.