Obstruction of the inferior vena cava following bicaval orthotopic heart transplantation: a case series.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is a rare complication of orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and is unique to bicaval surgical technique. The clinical significance, diagnosis, complications, and management of post-operative IVC anastomotic obstruction have not been adequately described.

Case Summary: Two patients with end-stage heart failure presented for bicaval OHT.

Ecological deficit and use of natural capital in Luxembourg from 1995 to 2009.

Scarcity of natural resources and productive land is a global issue affecting the provision of goods and services at the country scale. This is particularly true for small regions with highly developed economies such as Luxembourg, which usually balance the chronic unavailability of resources (in particular with regard to fossil fuels) with an increasing demand of imported raw materials, energy and manufactured commodities. Based on historical time-series analysis (from 1995 to 2009), this paper determines the state of natural capital (NC) utilization in Luxembourg and estimates its ecological deficit (ED).

The PhaSeal® system: impact of its use on workplace contamination and duration of chemotherapy preparation.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to compare the levels of environmental contamination before and after the introduction of PhaSeal® (closed-system drug transfer device) in two hospital pharmacies. Our secondary objective was to assess the impact of the device on the duration of drug preparation compared to procedures involving the use of needles and syringes.

Methods: The study involved two French hospitals, which prepared antineoplastic chemotherapy using a biological safety cabinet and an isolator.

Adenosine triphosphate attenuates renal sympathetic nerve activity through left ventricular chemosensitive receptors.

We previously reported that ATP, but not adenosine, administered i.v. attenuates the baroreflex-mediated increase in sympathetic nerve activity in response to arterial hypotension by a vagal afferent mechanism.

[Lung metastases--can resection also be justified in synchronous liver metastasis?].

There is general agreement on the preconditions necessary for the resection of lung metastases: the primary tumor has to be resected completely, a local tumor recurrence as well as metastases in other organs have to be excluded. 5-year survival rate of patients operated under these criteria is said to be about 20 to 40% (number of own patients: 72; 5-year survival rate: 30.2%.

[Spasticity treatment with spinal morphine or midazolam. In vitro experiments, animal studies and clinical studies on compatibility and effectiveness].

Recent pharmacological investigations have support the hypothesis that spinal modulation of nociception as well as motor coordination is related to the activity of spinal interneurons and that certain spinal transmitters are involved in the control of both regulatory systems. Opioids and benzodiazepines, i.e.

[Cold struma nodule--enucleation or resection].

During 1969-1984 2,408 patients underwent thyroid surgery at the Dept. of General Surgery, Giessen University. In 72.

Perfluorocarbone (FDA 20) and extracorporeal circuit of isolated extremity perfusion.

The applicability of Fluosol DA 20 as a perfusion fluid was investigated in the isolated limb perfusion of 14 mongrel dogs and its performance compared with that of diluted blood. Control of perfusion parameters permitted a direct comparison of the two perfusion liquids. Muscle tissue, blood and perfusate were analyzed for pH, pO2, pCO2, O2 content, lactate, pyruvate, ATP and creatine phosphate.

[Stroma-free hemoglobin solution and perfusion of isolated extremities].

Pyridoxylated stroma-free hemoglobin solution was compared to hemodiluted blood in extremity perfusion of mongrel dogs. pH-values in tissue and in perfusate as well as oxygen tension showed no significant difference, and oxygen supply to the periphery was sufficient. Measurement of lactate, pyruvate, ATP and CP demonstrated domination of aerobic metabolism.

[Treatment and results in malleolar fractures].

The authors compared the therapy results of 100 conservatively treated malleolar fractures and 100 malleolar fractures operated upon with the therapy results of the malleolar fractures registered at the documentation centre of the A. O. (working association for osteosynthesis) in Bern.

Isolated extremity perfusion with DTIC. An experimental and clinical study.

Dacarbazine (DTIC) was used for isolated perfusion of extremities in dogs and man. In the animal experiment perfusions with DTIC at dosages up to 100 mg per kg of extremity weight were well tolerated. The concentration of DTIC in the perfusate ranged from 70 to 400 micrograms/ml without evidence for formation of metabolites.

Regional perfusion with cis-platinum and dacarbazine.

In 22 patients isolated extremity perfusion with cis-platinum for treatment of malignant melanoma was performed; 18 had local metastastic disease (M. D. Anderson stages II and III A, B, AB) and four were stage I.

Fluorescence-histochemical and electron-microscopical investigations in melanoma patients after isolated cytostatic perfusion.

The effect of isolated cytostatic perfusion was determined in in-transit metastases from malignant melanomas at various times after therapy. Fluorescence-microscopically positive tumor cells (formalin-induced fluorescence) were regarded as viable and possibly capable of dividing. Most of the metastases examined showed fluorescent cells even after perfusion, and these were often found at characteristic sites within the metastases.

[The delayed split-skin coverage--use and advantages].

In 119 patients a "delayed skin flap transplantation" was carried out after excision of malignant melanomas. The skin graft can be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C up to two weeks without damage to the transplant. The transplantation may be accomplished at any time, but is usually due 3 to 4 days postoperatively.

[Somatostatin in the medical treatment of fistula of the pancreas and the small intestine].

Somatostatin is a peptide hormone which inhibits the secretion of the growth hormone and certain gastrointestinal hormones. Its main effect is to reduce the gastric acid output and inhibit the exocrine function of the pancreas. It was therefore used as an adjuvant therapy in the conservative treatment of ten patients presenting with fistulas of the small intestine or pancreas.

[Vertical and excentric stress in case of a defect on the fracture gap].

In order to compare the external fixator of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) to different types of assembly of the Stuhler-Heise fixator (frame fixator, three-dimensional fixator, three-dimensional fixator with two screws of Schanz) with different spans (110, 140 and 190 mm), a vertical and excentric stress was exerted on a defect on the fracture gap. The comparable types of assembly of the AO fixator were lighter by 20% on an average. In two thirds of all assemblies, i.

[New modifications in isolated extremity perfusion ].

Hyperthermic isolated extremity perfusion has been undertaken in 117 patients with advanced melanoma of the extremities from october 1979 to may 1981. Perfusion is indicated in cases above level III and tumor thickness above 1,5 mm. Among the cytostatic agents used were melphalane, melphalane and dactinomycin, nitrogen mustard/dactinomycin, as well as DTIC, cis-platinum and the combination of cis-platinum and dactinomycin.

Levels of Cis-Platinum in hyperthermic isolated perfusion.

The Cis-platinum levels in isolated extremity perfusion were measured in dogs and man. We found that prolonged presence of Cis-platinum in the tissue is attributed to its strong and rapid binding to serum and tissue proteins. Protein binding follows the concentration gradient.

[Investigation about the stability of a fixateur-externe using a new screw nail (author's transl)].

Since former investigations showed that the 4.5 mm Steinmann-nails hitherto were the weakest part of fixateur-externe systems, we developed a screw nail with a shank thickness of 7 mm and a thread identical to that of the cortical screw developed by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthese (Workshop Society for Osteosynthesis). By conducting experiments with a metal alloy (square tube made of aluminium) in cadaver bones, the bending stress of a frame assembly R and of a three-dimensional assembly with 2 Schanz-screws Z2S was examined with 4.