Detection of Cardiotoxicity Using Right Ventricular Free Wall Longitudinal Strain in Low Cardiovascular Risk Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Low-Dose Anthracycline Treatment.

Objective Breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy may develop cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity, particularly if they have pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors. Notably, right ventricle dysfunction may manifest before the left ventricle. Our study aims to compare conventional echocardiography with global longitudinal strain (GLS) in low cardiovascular risk patients on low-dose anthracycline, focusing on early cardiotoxicity detection.

Beneficial effects of humidified, warmed carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Recent data has shown that the use of warmed, humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation during laparoscopic surgery may be associated with better outcomes.

Methods: We performed a randomized, doubleblind, prospective controlled clinical trial of 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). Patients were randomized into 2 groups.

Spaceflight and protein metabolism, with special reference to humans.

Human space missions have shown that human spaceflight is associated with a loss of body protein. Specific changes include a loss of lean body mass, decreased muscle mass in the calves, decreased muscle strength, and changes in plasma proteins and amino acids. The major muscle loss is believed to be associated with the antigravity (postural) muscle.

Simultaneous coronary artery bypass and carotid endarterectomy. Determinants of outcome.

From January of 1988 to May of 1993, simultaneous single-stage coronary revascularization and carotid endarterectomy was performed in 33 patients (mean age, 69 years). Thirty-one patients (94%) were in New York Heart Association class III or IV, 15 (46%) had unstable angina, and 7 (21%) were operated on because of evolving myocardial infarction. One or more previous myocardial infarctions were present in 18 patients (54%).

Improvement in circulatory and oxygenation status by perflubron emulsion (Oxygent HT) in a canine model of surgical hemodilution.

To examine the effect of a low dose of Oxygent HT on hemodynamics and oxygen transport variables in a canine model of profound surgical hemodilution, two groups of adult anesthetized splenectomized beagles were hemodiluted with Ringer's solution to Hb 7 g/dL. The treated group received 1 mL/kg Oxygent HT (90% w/v perflubron emulsion [perfluorooctyl bromide], Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.) and both groups (7 controls and 10 treated) were further hemodiluted using 6% hydroxyethyl starch until cardiorespiratory decompensation occurred.

Effect of sodium nitroprusside on paraplegia during cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta.

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is usually used to control excessive proximal pressure after aortic cross-clamping. To assess the effect of SNP on circulatory dynamics, somatosensory evoked potentials, and neurologic outcome, 10 adult mongrel dogs that underwent 45 minutes of cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg/kg of SNP or no treatment for excessive proximal hypertension. There was a statistically significant difference noted between the SNP-treated animals and the control animals in terms of the proximal mean arterial pressures (112 +/- 13 versus 142.

[Unsolved problems of the surgical treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the ascending aorta (analysis of complications)].

It is shown that various complications occurring after surgical treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the ascending aorta with or without aortic insufficiency depend mainly on the methods of correction applied and the etiology of the disease. As the result of the study the authors conclude that the Bentall-De Bono and Cabroe's operations are radical methods for surgical management of dissecting aneurysms of the ascending aorta irrespective of the etiology of the disease. Wide introduction of these operative methods into the clinical practice led to an essential decrease of hospital mortality and the frequency of complications in the immediate and late-term postoperative period.

[Long-term results of the surgical treatment of aneurysm of the ascending aorta in combination with aortic valve insufficiency].

Four of 28 patients who were operated on died in late-term periods, four from advancing cardiac failure and one died 5 years after an operation from cardiac tamponade. In the group of four patients one underwent Cabrol's operation, three were operated on by the Bentall-De Bono method. The condition of 25 patients considerably improved and they were related to the II and I functional classes.

Surgical treatment of dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta: immediate and late results.

The authors describe experience gained with surgical treatment of dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta in the period from 1978 to 1987. 30 patients were operated on using the techniques proposed by Bentall, De Bono and Carbrol. All patients exhibited the presence of annulo-aortic ectasia.

[Surgical tactics in dissecting aneurysms of the ascending aorta].

The aspects of surgical tactics in management of dissecting aneurysms of the ascending aorta are analysed in relation to the disease etiology, the anatomical pattern of the aortic root, presence of attending aortic insufficiency, and dissection extension. Based on the experience of 32 operations (March 1979--February 1988), it is concluded that the abnormal type must be the best criterion for choosing the surgical technique. In dissecting aneurysms due to aortic wall degeneration, Bentall-De Bono and Cabrol's modifications are preferable.

[Surgical treatment of aneurysm of the ascending aorta in Marfan syndrome].

An experience with 26 operations for aneurysms of the ascending aorta with a concomitant insufficiency of the aorta valve in Marfan syndrome is described. We started using operations after Bentall-De Bono in 1979 and operations after Cabrol in 1983 which were used in cases with low localization of openings of the coronary arteries in relation to the fibrous ring of the aorta valve, as well as in cases with the dissecting aorta wall, especially involving the area of the openings. These operations allowed the intrahospital lethality to be reduced: in the period of 1979-86 it made up 30% (6 patients died out of 20), in 1983-86 it was 15.

[Immediate results of the surgical treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta associated with aortic insufficiency].

Experience with surgical treatment of ascending-artery aneurysms with concomitant aortic insufficiency is summed up. Forty-four patients were operated on, 30 of those having dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta. There were 6 operations where coronary arterial openings were isolated and stitched into a valve-containing conduit and 8 supracoronary resections with prosthetic aortic valve implantation.

[Detection of latent disorders of coronary circulation and heart rhythm in ischemic heart disease patients by using psychoemotional loading].

A relationship between the emergence of ventricular arrhythmias and other signs of myocardial ischemia was assessed in 96 coronary patients on the basis of comparative results of the physical and psychoemotional stressful tests, and the nitroglycerin and aspirin tests. Ventricular rhythm disorders may develop in the course of mental exercise in some coronary patients with low hemodynamic values as the only manifestation of myocardial ischemia. Large-scale use of the mental stressful test is advocated for cardiologic medical institutions.

[Effectiveness of lidocaine use in the initial period of acute myocardial infarct].

The efficiency of variant regimens of lidocaine management of acute myocardial infarction is compared. The need for continuous infusion of the drug throughout the first day of the attack at the rate of 1 mg per minute, and the reduction in the maximum heart rate as well as the incidence, rate and duration of the ventricular tachycardia runs are demonstrated.