Alteration of right ventricular-pulmonary vascular coupling in a porcine model of progressive pressure overloading.

In acute pulmonary embolism, right ventricular (RV) failure may result from exceeding myocardial contractile resources with respect to the state of vascular afterload. We investigated the adaptation of RV performance in a porcine model of progressive pulmonary embolism. Twelve anesthetized pigs were randomly divided into two groups: gradual pulmonary arterial pressure increases by three injections of autologous blood clot (n=6) or sham-operated controls (n=6).

[Coronary dissection and non-penetrating chest trauma].

The occurrence of an acute myocardial infarction after non-penetrating chest trauma is an extremely rare complication. We report a case of dissection of the left anterior descending artery in a 43 year old man after being punched in the chest. Using data from a literature search relish revealed 76 cases; we review the characteristics of the pathology and its incidence.

[Treatment of exacerbated asthma].

Asthma exacerbations constitute a common medical emergency, which in the past has been shown to be poorly managed. Although its management has recently improved, it remains suboptimal. For instance, acute life-threatening asthma is still responsible for 2000 death each year in France.

[Clinical case of the month. Pulmonary toxicity due to gemcitabine for NSCLC with brain metastasis].

Gemcitabine pulmonary toxicity is rare and represents a difficult diagnosis. A 61 year old female treated with gemcitabine for a metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) developed during the fifth chemotherapy cycle an acute respiratory distress syndrome with fever, tachypnea, marked hypoxemia and a diffuse interstitial-alveolar infiltrate on chest radiograph. No infectious or opportunistic etiology or cardiovascular disease was demonstrated.