Self-conversion of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia by radio-frequency-triggered pacemaker.

The case of a 73-year-old woman with frequent disabling attacks of supraventricular tachycardia refractory to pharmacological therapy is presented. Successful management was achieved with a radio-frequency-activated pacemaker.

Potential role of velocity and wall tension in vein graft failure.

The factors contributing to early thrombosis or late intimal proliferation in arterialized vein grafts were studied in seven dogs. Autologous jugular veins replaced a segment of the cervical carotid artery bilaterally. Thirty minutes after graft installation and six months later, graft and proximal artery diameter, arterial pressure and blood flow were measured and wall tension, vascular resistance, flow velocity and energy loss between proximal artery and graft were computed.

Nonpenetrating trauma to the thoracic aorta.

Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical repair for nonpenetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta. Emergency operation was performed in 19 patients with acute aortic injury and there were 12 survivors. Left heart bypass (LHB), external shunts, and simple aortic cross-clamping were methods employed during repair.

Primary intimal sarcoma of pulmonary valve and trunk with osteogenic sarcomatous elements. Report of a case considered to be pulmonary embolus.

A 49-year-old woman had a six-week history of increasing shortness of breath and fatigue. X-ray films and pulmonary scans showed multiple areas of emboli, especially in the right lung. Treatment with heparin was unsuccessful, and although a repeat scan showed only slight changes, the patient's condition deteriorated.

Selective sputum cultures. A bronchial culture technique using a modified nasotracheal suction catheter with a sterile, inner telescoping cannula.

The contamination of expectorated or catheter-aspirated sputum specimens by pathogenic microorganisms which have colonized the nose and oropharynx remains a formidable obstacle to the accurate interpretation of sputum cultures. This problem is encountered in all forms of acute and chronic bronchopulmonary infection. A standard suctioning technique via a nasotracheal catheter has been modified with a telescoping sterile inner cannula to obtain uncontaminated bronchopulmonary secretions for culture.