The usefulness of a 10% air-10% blood-80% saline mixture for contrast echocardiography: Doppler measurement of pulmonary artery systolic pressure.

Objectives: We assessed an air-blood-saline mixture for Doppler measurement of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and the mechanism of enhancement of the Doppler signal by this mixture.

Background: Underestimation of PASP by Doppler echocardiography occurs with inadequate continuous wave (CW) signals of tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Methods: We assessed in vitro the diameter and concentration of microbubbles of agitated air-saline mixture, air-blood-saline mixture and 10% air-10% plasma-80% saline mixture immediately, 5, 10 and 20 s after agitation.

Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve sclerosis and aortic root calcification with abnormal myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography in subjects age < or =65 years old.

Objectives: We examined the hypothesis that mitral annulus calcification (MAC), aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and aortic root calcification (ARC) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects age < or =65 years.

Background: Mitral annulus calcification, AVS and ARC frequently coexist and are associated with coronary risk factors and CAD in the elderly.

Methods: We studied 338 subjects age < or =65 years who underwent evaluation of chest pain with myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and a two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram for other indications.

Aortic root dilatation in patients with emphysema.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms have been recognized to occur more frequently in patients with emphysema. However, the prevalence of aortic root dilatation in patients with emphysema and its relationship to risk factors for aortic enlargement have not been previously described.

Methods: We studied 47 patients, past smokers (aged 67 +/- 6 years, 18 women) with severe emphysema diagnosed by a pulmonary function test and an ultrafast computed tomographic scan.

Civilian landmine injuries in Sri Lanka.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the injuries sustained by displaced people returning home after a military conflict when landmines were not removed.

Method: This study describes the landmine injuries to patients at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in northern Sri Lanka over a 20-month period, from May 1, 1996, to December 31, 1997.

Results: There were definite and identifiable landmine injury patterns.

A multi-disciplinary curriculum for 11- to 13-year-olds: immunization, plus!

A sixth grade curriculum entitled "Immunization, Plus!" Was developed to promote adolescent immunization. This targeted immunization curriculum utilized contemporary learning theory and innovative teaching approaches and styles to maximize acceptability among educators. Because instructional time in school was limited, a thematic curriculum was created to embed immunization and communicable disease content within mathematics, science/health, and language arts units.