NOGA-guided analysis of regional myocardial perfusion abnormalities treated with intramyocardial injections of plasmid encoding vascular endothelial growth factor A-165 in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia: subanalysis of the EUROINJECT-ONE multicenter double-blind randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this substudy of the EUROINJECT-ONE double-blind randomized trial was to analyze changes in myocardial perfusion in NOGA-defined regions with intramyocardial injections of plasmid encoding plasmid human (ph)VEGF-A(165) using an elaborated transformation algorithm. METHODS AND RESULTS: After randomization, 80 no-option patients received either active, phVEGF-A165 (n=40), or placebo plasmid (n=40) percutaneously via NOGA-Myostar injections. The injected area (region of interest, ROI) was delineated as a best polygon by connecting of the injection points marked on NOGA polar maps. The ROI was projected onto the baseline and follow-up rest and stress polar maps of the 99m-Tc-sestamibi/tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography scintigraphy calculating the extent and severity (expressed as the mean normalized tracer uptake) of the ROI automatically. The extents of the ROI were similar in the VEGF and placebo groups (19.4+/-4.2% versus 21.5+/-5.4% of entire myocardium). No differences were found between VEGF and placebo groups at baseline with regard to the perfusion defect severity (rest: 69+/-11.7% versus 68.7+/-13.3%; stress: 63+/-13.3% versus 62.6+/-13.6%; and reversibility: 6.0+/-7.7% versus 6.7+/-9.0%). At follow-up, a trend toward improvement in perfusion defect severity at stress was observed in VEGF group as compared with placebo (68.5+/-11.9% versus 62.5+/-13.5%, P=0.072) without reaching normal values. The reversibility of the ROI decreased significantly at follow-up in VEGF group as compared with the placebo group (1.2+/-9.0% versus 7.1+/-9.0%, P=0.016). Twenty-one patients in VEGF and 8 patients in placebo group (P<0.01) exhibited an improvement in tracer uptake during stress, defined as a >or =5% increase in the normalized tracer uptake of the ROI. CONCLUSIONS: Projection of the NOGA-guided injection area onto the single-photon emission computed tomography polar maps permits quantitative evaluation of myocardial perfusion in regions treated with angiogenic substances. Injections of phVEGF A165 plasmid improve, but do not normalize, the stress-induced perfusion abnormalities.

(99m)Tc-HmPAO single photon emission tomography, magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy and neuropsychological testing in evaluation of carbon monoxide neurotoxicity.

There were 10 acutely CO poisoned study patients without CNS history (head traumas, epilepsy, dementia, migraine or alcoholic diseases) in whom (99m)Tc-HmPAO SPET, HMRS and neuropsychological testing were performed. 99mTc-HmPAO SPET and neuropsychological testing were performed twice: in acute phase and at six months post CO exposure. HMRS was carried out at 8 months post CO exposure. A multidimensional analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to statistical analysis. Regional CBF disturbances in acute phase of CO poisoning were observed in frontal cortex, basal ganglia and parietal cortex respectively. The most reversible, as seen in control (99m)Tc-HmPAO SPET examination, were the changes observed in parietal cortex. Diffuse generalized cortex hypoperfusion, both in acute phase and at 6 months post exposure, was seen only in one the patient. In all of the examined patients different elevation in mobile lipid or/and lactate concentration in frontal lobe or/and basal ganglia was revealed by HMRS evaluation at eight months post acute CO exposure. Results of neuropsychological testing at baseline and at 6 months partially correlated with neuro-imagine techniques applied.

Evaluation of gastric emptying in patients with chronic renal failure on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis using 99mTc-solid meal.

BACKGROUND: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is an alternative to the hemodialysis mode of terminal renal failure treatment. Nutritional status impairment is common among patients with end-stage renal disease, and its laboratory surrogates predict increased morbidity and mortality risk in patients on chronic haemodialysis or peritoneal dialyses. The aetiology of malnutrition is multifactorial and delayed gastric emptying is also considered to be a significant factor. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct influence of indwelled dialysate in the peritoneal cavity on gastric emptying in patients treated with CAPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study group included 20 patients (9 males, 11 females) aged 50,1 +/- 11 years (range: 39-75 years) with chronic renal failure treated with CAPD for 18.4 +/- 14.7 months. All patients were non-diabetic and had no other than chronic uraemia co-morbidity known to influence autonomic nervous system function and gastric motility. The control group included 15 healthy volunteers matched by age, sex and body weight. Dialysis adequacy parameters were calculated based on 24-hour urine and dialysate collections. Gastric emptying was estimated with dynamic abdominal scintigraphy. We compared the results of gastric emptying tests performed in dialysed patients with and without dialysate liquid in the peritoneal cavity and related the values to those of the control subjects. RESULTS: In the study group, weekly values of dialysis parameters were within the ranges considered satisfactory in terms of uraemia control. All parameters of gastric emptying were significantly delayed and prolonged in terminal renal failure patients, but the results have shown no significant differences between those with and without indwelling dialysate. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results we conclude that gastric emptying in subjects with chronic renal failure treated with CAPD is markedly delayed compared to healthy subjects. There was no significant effect of indwelling dialysate in the peritoneal cavity on gastric emptying rates found, based on the observation that its removal was not associated with any noticeable improvement of gastric emptying. The data strongly contraindicate the theory of peritoneal dialysate volume being the cause of this reversible disorder and indicate that the role of other possible factors leading to the development of gastropathy in those patients should be investigated.

Screening for acute myocarditis--is scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-Anti-Granulocyte BW 250/183 an answer?

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is most often caused by Coxackie B virus, influenza viruses, and echoviruses. It is usually self-restricting and ending in full recovery, but in some patients the infection leads to congestive cardiomyopathy. It is difficult to identify patients with myocarditis using clinical criteria, laboratory tests, ECG and ultrasonography, and currently a myocardial biopsy is required to establish the diagnosis. The risk of complications, sampling error and costs of this procedure underline the need of non-invasive but sensitive methods of imaging. Several radiopharmaceuticals have been used so far to confirm inflammation: 67Ga, (99m)Tc-nanocolloids and 111In-leucocytes. Scintigraphy with radiolabeled autologous white blood cells (WBCs) is considered a very useful method in identifying sources of inflammation but is difficult to perform and time-consuming. AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate whether scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-Anti-Granulocyte BW 250/183 antibody is a valuable diagnostic method in evaluating focal and diffuse inflammation of the heart and could therefore be suggested for use in screening for acute myocarditis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A two dimensional scintigraphy and SPECT mode of heart imaging with the use of (99m)Tc-Anti-Granulocyte antibody (740 MBq) was performed on 14 subjects (11 males and 3 females) aged 25-60 years with a positive myocardial biopsy confirming an inflammatory process in the myocardium. After i.v. administration of the tracer a 1 minute series of planar scans was performed within the first 60 minutes. Delayed static scans were performed at 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours. RESULTS: The scintigraphic scans revealed the uptake of the tracer in the heart area in 13 patients, confirming active inflammatory process. Follow-up scintigraphy was performed 3-5 months after the first study, when the control myocardial biopsy was negative. The results of the study showed the concordance between myocardial biopsy and scintigraphy results in patients with an inflammatory process in the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Scintigraphy with the use of (99m)Tc-Anti-Granulocyte seems to be a useful diagnostic method in evaluating patients with suspected myocarditis, but further studies are needed to establish its sensitivity and specificity.

Use of Tc99m-nanocolloid for sentinel nodes identification in cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: The initial draining lymph node for a primary tumor is referred to as the "sentinel" node. Firstly adopted in the management of patients with cutaneous melanoma and breast cancer, it is now widely tested in cervical cancer. In patients with cervical cancer, lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor for survival. In patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage I and II pelvic lymph node metastases are expected in 0-16 and 24.5-31% and para-aortic lymph node metastases are expected in 0-22 and 11-19% of patients. The removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes is essential for assessing the biology of the disease. Lymphoscintigraphy enables the visualisation of lymphatic drainage patterns from a great variety of tumour sites prior to surgery. Therefore, the current procedure is to perform the pre-operative mapping of sentinel nodes by static and/or dynamic lymphoscintigraphy, followed by in vivo identification using a gamma detection probe and selective surgical resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2001-2003, 37 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage I-IIa were seemed to be qualified to undergo lymphoscintigraphy. The day before surgery (99m)Tc-nanocolloid (100 MBq; 0.5-1.0 ml in volume) was applied in each quadrant of the cervix or around the tumor. The static scintigraphic scans were performed after 2 hours p.i. using a dual-head large-field-of-view Siemens gamma-camera equipped with high resolution collimators. SNs were identified intra-operatively using a handheld gamma detection probe (Navigator GPS-Tyco) and intra-operative lymphatic mapping with blue dye. After a resection of the SNs, a standard radical hysterectomy with pelvic and low para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed. Tumor characteristics were compared with sentinel node detection and with the histopathological and immunohistochemical results. RESULTS: The scintigraphy showed a focal uptake in 35 of the 37 patients. In all women one or more sentinel lymph nodes were identified intra-operatively. Of them, 24 patients had those located bilaterally. Histologically positive SNs were found in 5 women (13.5%). CONCLUSIONS: A combination pre-operatively administered radioactively labelled albumin with blue dye allows the successful detection of SN in patient with cervical cancer. This technique will result in a real advance in the less aggressive management of patients with early stage cervical cancer. Sentinel lymph node status may be representative of the pelvic lymph nodes status in cervical cancer and thus could provide important information for further treatment.

[The health status of the long lived elderly in Cracow]. / Stan zdrowia osób dlugowiecznych w krakowie.

UNLABELLED: The main goal of the work was to assess the health status of the long-lived elderly living in the community of a large city. The research was done in the years 2000--2001. In order to make comparisons possible, considered was a randomized sample of Krakow's citizens in the age of 75-80 (258 people) and 90-95 (172 people). The following tools were used in the research: MFAQ (Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire) and commonly accepted scales: Abbreviated Mental Test, Geriatric Depression Scale and Activity of Daily Living Index. RESULTS: No significant differences in number of chronic diseases reported, in the number of drugs taken and in the level of self-reported depression between the long-lived elderly and people between the ages 75-80, were found. Nevertheless the long-lived elderly more often assess their health status as poor, report disability in vision and hearing, cognition disorders and lower ability to perform activities of daily living. The long-lived women have much worse health status than the long-lived men. CONCLUSIONS: The health-related quality of life of the long-lived elderly is much worse than the quality of life of the people 75-80 y.o. The long-lived women have worse health status than men over 90. The much worse self-reported health status of long-lived elderly seems to be not the result of the number of chronic diseases reported, but is mainly related to the lower level of ADL, more frequent vision and hearing disabilities and cognition disorders present at the age over 90.

Evaluation of regional cerebral perfusion using 99mTc-HmPAO single photon emission tomography (SPET) in carbon monoxide acutely poisoned patients.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning continues to be a significant health problem. An early assessment of organs injury due to carbon monoxide poisoning is even more difficult than confirming the diagnosis of CO poisoning. Numerous neuroimaging techniques have been used to evaluate CO intoxication. The aim of this pilot study was to estimate the regional cerebral perfusion in CO acutely poisoned patients using 99mTc-HmPAO SPET. Disturbances in cerebral perfusion mainly in frontal, parietal cortex and basal ganglia were observed in 17 (85%) of 20 examined CO poisoned patients. 99mTc-HmPAO scintigraphy seems be useful in demonstration of early CNS dysfunction and estimation to what extent perfusion abnormalities influence the brain injury. A further study to evaluate the rCBF in relation to poisoning severity scoring are needed.

[Diagnostic problems in case of environmental exposure to tetraethyl lead]. / Problemy diagnostyczne w przypadku srodowiskowego narazenia na czteroetylek olowiu.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was the presentation of the chronic tetraethyl lead poisoning of the 4 person family in the place of settlement. CASE REPORT: 15.5-years-old man was admitted to the regional Pediatric Ward because of changes of behavior, hallucinations, agitation. Nausea, vomiting, metallic taste and diarrhea were observed prior to the admission. In the case history, there were no data suggested of the toxic origin of the disorder . The CSF examination and CT of the brain were normal. Increased activity of CPK, ALT, AST, GTP, LDH in the blood were found. Paranoid syndrome was diagnosed by psychiatric evaluation. The patients' mother presented similar signs in almost the same time. The laboratory tests of the blood taken from the patients' father and older brother revealed the increase activity of the same enzymes (CPK, ALT, AST, LDH). All family was admitted to the Department of Clinical Toxicology in Kraków because of suspicion of the heavy metal poisoning. The toxicological laboratory test showed in all described patients the toxic serum lead concentration accordingly: 440 microg/l--older brother, 490 microg/l--father, 508 microg/l--mother and 635 microg/l--primary described patient. Because of the fact, that were no characteristic for lead poisoning changes in blood picture, the toxicological investigations were continued. As a result of these examinations presence of a diethyl lead in urine was confirmed. In the evaluation of the multiorgan damages connected with tetraethyl lead poisoning, we paid special attention on CSN dysfunctions. The USG and scintigraphy examinations revealed the liver damage. The different kinds of arrhythmias indicated on cardiovascular system damage. Based on clinical presentation and laboratory investigations the chronic tetraethyl lead poisoning was diagnosed.

Clinical status of carbon-monoxide-poisoned patients and the results of rest 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-Amiscan heart scintigraphy performed in the acute phase of intoxication and stress-rest 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy six month later.

The double tracer (99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-Amiscan) scintigraphy is an useful technique to imagine cardiac injury due to CO intoxication. Accumulation (retention) of 99mTc-MIBI is dependent on blood flow and cellular and mitochondrial electrical potential of myocytes. The lower tracer accumulation is seen not only in necrotic heart tissue regions, but also in ischemic area of worse metabolic rate and perfusion. 99mTc-Amiscan contrary to 99mTc-MIBI, is accumulated only in regions of early necrosis so it can be can distinguished from transitory ischemia. Mechanisms of cardiac injury due to CO toxicity is different than due to coronary occlusion and the process of the heart damage is usually much longer. Results of control stress-rest 99mTcMIBI scintigraphy, performed after 6 months from CO exposure in relation to the clinical state on admission and results of 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-Amiscans scans obtained in acute phase of poisoning are presented in the study. Initial 99mTc-MIBI SPET examination had confirmed transitory myocardial ischemia of different degree in all the examined patients. The mutual dependence between degree of scintigraphic changes and blood lactate level and CK activity was found. 99mTc-Amiscan scintigraphy demonstrated areas of necrosis in myocardium of some patients; they had statistically higher COHb and blood lactate concentration compared to the rest. A control stress-rest 99mTc-MIBI SPET performed 6 months after CO intoxication, confirmed a late consequences of metabolic abnormalities and a necessity of cardiovascular system follow-up controlling.

[Difficulties in diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy in ethanol dependent patients]. / Trudnosci w rozpoznaniu encefalopatii watrobowej u osób uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

As a somatic evaluation by outpatient psychotherapy service for alcoholics is being done very rarely the patients are not informed about health harm related to alcohol having the "false feeling of safety". The aim of the study was to evaluate a functional and morphological liver state of patients served by such a service for minimum 5 years who were sent do the Department of Clinical Toxicology via intervention medicine. The changes in the central nervous system were also considered. The West Haven criteria of altered mental state in hepatic encephalopathy were applied. The Number Connection Test, part A and B, and "100-7" test were used to psychometric evaluation. A significantly higher serum ammonia concentration (p<0.02), AST, ALT and GTP enzymes activity, bilirubin (p<0.02), iron (p=0.005) concentration and significantly lower prothrombin index and albumin concentration were found in the group of ethanol dependent patients as compared to the reference group. A significantly lower RBC and platelets number, lower Ht and significantly elevated MCV compared to the control group were also found. The relationship between West Haven criteria and results of laboratory testing was shown: a worse West Haven criteria a worse metabolic disorders. The pathologic changes in the liver ultrasonography and scintigraphy were significantly higher in the group of ethanol dependent patients. The presented observations indicate on necessity of close co-operation between psychologists, therapeutics and clinical toxicologists in early diagnosing and treatment the organ injury in alcohol addicted patients.

[Late sequelae of tetraethyl lead poisoning]. / Odlegle nastepstwa zatrucia czteroetylkiem olowiu.

In our previous study a tetraethyl lead poisoning due to a rural environmental exposure of four family members was described. A differently intensified OUN dysfunction dominated clinical picture. Cognition status and degree of OUN dysfunction was monitored using generally accepted neurobehavioral test battery. The tests applied were fitted individually to each poisoned family member in accordance to current intensification of symptoms. Basing on the neurobehavioral performance results a consecutive imagine techniques were introduced to full CNS evaluation of intoxicated patients. Results of neuropsychological monitoring in 12 months period were compared to brain CT, SPET 99mTc-ECD used to evaluation of regional brain perfusion disturbances, MRI and MRS and presented in the study.