Standard PAH therapy improves long term survival in CTEPH patients.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), subsequent to pulmonary embolism is a relatively frequent cause of pulmonary hypertension. Similar to patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), CTEPH carries a poor prognosis. There is no hard evidence for any other therapy except pulmonary endarterectomy and none for those patients that are not eligible for this procedure.

Free reactive oxygen species and nephrotoxicity of contrast agents.

Background: The nephrotoxicity induced by contrast media remains a serious clinical problem, and the underlying mechanism has not been completely understood. Experimental and clinical investigations suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical determinants of radiocontrast nephropathy (RCN), and that antioxidants can prevent this damage.

Methods: Cultured human proximal renal tubule cells (HK-2) were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at different concentrations.

Regional heterogeneity of cerebral blood flow response to graded pressure-controlled hemorrhage.

Background: Little is known about the regional distribution of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in nonanesthetized animals during periods of lowered blood pressure. The present investigation addresses the specific reaction patterns of local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) in comparison with mean CBF during graded pressure-controlled hemorrhagic shock in conscious rats.

Methods: Conscious rats were subjected to graded pressure-controlled hemorrhage (to 85, 70, 55, or 40 mm Hg) by arterial blood withdrawal.