Randomized comparison of long-term carvedilol and propranolol administration in the treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

Short-term carvedilol administration is more powerful than propranolol in decreasing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in cirrhotic patients, but induces arterial hypotension that may prevent its long-term use in portal hypertensive patients. This study compared the HVPG reduction and safety of long-term carvedilol and propranolol. Fifty-one cirrhotic patients were randomly assigned to receive carvedilol (n = 26) and propranolol (n = 25).

[Results of myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-tetrofosmin and dipyridamole administration in patients diagnosed of microvascular angina].

The objective of the study was to evaluate the results of the myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-tetrofosmin (Tc-Tf) and pharmacological stimulation with dipyridamole in patients diagnosed of microvascular angina. The study population is made up of 50 patients discharged with the diagnosis of microvascular angina who had undergone Tc-Tf-dipyridamole. Clinical and electrical positivity appeared in 40% and 12% of the patients, respectively.

[Usefulness of spect with 99mTc-tetrofosmin and stimulus with dipyridamole in patients with left bundle branch block of His].

Background: In patients with left bundle branch block, the 201Tl scintigraphic studies show high sensitivity, but with low specificity, in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Objective: [corrected] To assess the value of 99mTc-tetrofosmin Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and dipyridamole administration in patients with left bundle branch block.

Methods: 22 patients with angina and left bundle branch block were retrospectively studied by cardiac catheterization and Tc-Tf after dipyridamole administration (0,142 mg/kg/min.

[Scintigraphy diagnosis of renovascular hypertension in renal transplanted patients].

Unlabelled: Captopril renography (CR) has been shown to be a useful technique in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension (RVH). This disease is a significant complication of the kidney transplanted patient so that early diagnosis would be extremely useful to preserve renal function and prevent graft loss. This work evaluates the role of CR, together with arteriography and doppler-ultrasound, in the diagnosis of RVH.

PET evaluation of therapeutic limb perfusion in Merkel's cell carcinoma.

An 87-yr-old woman diagnosed with recurrent Merkel's cell carcinoma was treated with therapeutic limb perfusion and underwent PET scanning with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). PET studies were obtained before and after treatment to determine the response to the intervention. A baseline whole-body study was obtained to assess the extent and degree of disease activity.