Comparison of left ventricular ejection fraction values obtained using invasive contrast left ventriculography, two-dimensional echocardiography, and gated single-photon emission computed tomography.

Objectives: Left ventricular ejection fraction can be measured by a variety of invasive and non-invasive cardiac techniques. This study assesses the relation of three diagnostic modalities to each other in the measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction: invasive contrast left ventriculography, two-dimensional echocardiography, and quantitative gated single-photon emission computed tomography.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on 58 patients hospitalized with chest pain, who underwent left ventricular ejection fraction evaluation using each of the aforementioned modalities within a 3-month period not interrupted by myocardial infarction or revascularization.

Myocardial perfusion imaging analysis in patients with regurgitant valvular heart disease.

Background/aim: We noticed that there was decreased correlation of the findings from myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and cardiac catheterization (CATH) in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR) compared to patients without valve disease.

Methods: Through a systematic review of MPI records at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital between 1998 and 2008, we identified 58 patients with at least moderate MR or AR by echocardiogram who underwent cardiac catheterization within 6 months of the MPI study.

Pertinence of myocardial perfusion imaging in octogenarians.

Aim: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population. Atypical presentation, reduced activity levels, and comorbidity often confound the diagnosis. We studied the use of stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in octogenarians.

Outcomes in patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion imaging and normal coronary angiogram.

A subset of subjects undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging has perfusion abnormalities that are subsequently labeled false positive based on coronary angiography. We evaluated the long-term prevalence of cardiovascular events in these patients. We retrospectively identified 48 patients who had reversible perfusion abnormalities with myocardial perfusion imaging and normal coronary angiography.

Acute effect of furosemide on glomerular filtration rate in diastolic dysfunction.

We sought to evaluate the acute effect of furosemide on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in subjects with diastolic dysfunction. An equal number of subjects with documented diastolic dysfunction (DD) and healthy volunteers (controls) were enrolled and underwent a baseline GFR measurement via plasma clearance of technetium-99m-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Within three to seven days of the baseline, study subjects were scheduled for a second GFR study, which was performed immediately after administration of furosemide (20 mg orally and 20 mg intravenously).

Radionuclide imaging of the knee with chronic anterior cruciate ligament tear.

We studied the results of bone scans in 50 consecutive patients with symptomatic, unilateral, chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. All patients had failed conservative therapy and underwent radionuclide imaging of the knee prior to arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. The scintigraphic activity in each of the three knee compartments was quantitatively scaled from 1 (normal scintigraphic activity) to 4 (marked activity).

Teratogenic assessment of four solvents using the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay--Xenopus (FETAX).

The Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay--Xenopus (FETAX) was used to assess the teratogenic potential of four solvents. Embryos of the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, were exposed for 96 h to ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), formamide or glycerol formal. Exposure groups were maintained using a static renewal system in which the exposure media were changed at 24-h intervals.

Accumulation of MDP in hepatic metastases from mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon.

The case of a 66-year-old man with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the rectum with metastases to the liver is presented. Several mechanisms of accumulation of MDP are identified and correlated with CT scan findings.

Transerythrocytic concentrations of urea and creatinine in normals and in azotemic patients.

Preliminary studies in our laboratory suggested alterations in the distribution of urea and creatinine between red cells and plasma in azotemic patients, as compared to normal controls. The present studies compare plasma erythrocyte concentrations of urea and creatinine in azotemic patients and in control subjects. Effects of adding exogenous urea and creatinine to the blood of control subjects were also studied.