Oxidative stress of myosin contributes to skeletal muscle dysfunction in rats with chronic heart failure.

Intrinsic muscle abnormalities affecting skeletal muscle are often reported during chronic heart failure (CHF). Because myosin is the molecular motor of force generation, we sought to determine whether its dysfunction contributes to skeletal muscle weakness in CHF and, if so, to identify the underlying causative factors. Severe CHF was induced in rats by aortic stenosis.

Transthoracic ultrasound approach of thoracic aorta in critically ill patients with lung consolidation.

Purpose: Normally, the aortic arch and the descending aorta are not visible using transthoracic ultrasonography. We hypothesize that lung consolidation of upper and lower lobes, by opening an acoustic window, may allow the ultrasound examination of the thoracic aorta.

Methods: During a 2-month period, 18 consecutive patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit with consolidation of upper and/or lower lobes diagnosed by lung ultrasound were studied.