Effect on osseointegration of two implant macro-designs:A histomorphometric analysis of bicortically installed implants in different topographic sites of rabbit's tibiae.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of two different implant macro-designs on the sequential osseointegration at bicortically installed implants in the rabbit tibia. A further aim is to compare the osseointegration at different topographic zones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 New Zealand rabbits were implemented. Two implants, one for each macro-design (Ticare Inhex® or Ticare Quattro®, Mozo-Grau, Valladolid, Spain), were randomly implanted in the diaphysis or metaphysis of each tibia. The flaps were sutured to allow a submerged healing. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4 or 8 weeks. Ground sections were prepared and analyzed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups for newly formed bone in contact with the implant surface, being about 16%, 19% and 33% in both groups, after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of healing. Bone apposition was slightly higher in the diaphysis, reaching values of 36.4% in the diaphysis, and 29.3% in the metaphysis at 8 weeks of healing. It was observed that the implant position showed a statistical significance regarding BIC values at 4 and 8 weeks (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis fails to detect statistical significant differences for the interaction between implant designs and topographic site. Ticare Quattro® design had a slight better BIC values at diaphysis sites across healing stages, but without reaching a statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The both implant macro-designs provided similar degrees of osseointegration. Bone morphometry and density may affect bone apposition onto the implant surface. The apposition rates were slightly better in diaphysis compared to metaphysis.

Atrial septal aneurysm: echopolycardiographic study.

Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) with diagnosis during life is a rarely reported anomaly, especially when not associated with other congenital or acquired valvular cardiopathies. Among 4,000 routine echocardiograms, 23 cases of ASA were found (8 men and 14 women, aged 19 to 79 years). Three patients had coronary artery disease, 2 had dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 had systemic hypertension, 11 had mitral valve prolapse and 5 had no other identifiable cardiovascular diseases. Echocardiography revealed various motion patterns of ASA. No phonomechanocardiographic findings were related to the presence of ASA, and no correlation between echographic and phonocardiographic findings was found.

Routine prenatal care in Europe: the comparative experience of nine departments of gynaecology and obstetrics in eight different countries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare routine prenatal care in nine European obstetrics and gynaecology departments. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was performed between October 1992 and November 1993 by means of a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 118 questions covering clinical examinations and investigations systematically performed during the pregnancy. RESULTS: The survey revealed a certain number of differences between the types of prenatal care performed by each department. Thus, one notices differences to do the serological testing (toxoplasmosis, AIDS and hepatitis B) at the first visit and in the practice of vaginal examination, systematic ultrasound examination or cardiotocography. CONCLUSION: The differences observed in the prenatal care furnished are only a reflection of our uncertainties concerning the validity of the various tests used to monitor pregnancies. At a time when financial restrictions impose choices, we consider an evaluation of the efficacy and cost of prenatal care to be essential.

[Routine prenatal care in Europe: comparison of the experience of nine gynecologic-obstetric services in eight different countries]. / La surveillance prénatale de routine en Europe: comparaison de l'expérience de 9 services de gynéco-obstétrique situés dans 8 pays différents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the routine pre-natal surveillance carried out in nine European Gyneco-Obstetric units. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A survey was carried out between October 1992 and November 1993 with the aid of a questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 118 questions covering clinical examinations and explorations undertaken systematically during the first, second and third trimesters and at the end of pregnancy before delivery. To ensure that the replies were accurate, the survey was carried out on the spot in the units concerned with the head of the unit. RESULTS: The survey revealed a certain number of differences in the surveillance carried out in the various units. The units did not all carry out systematic blood tests for toxoplasmosis, AIDS and hepatitis B at the first examination. The same applied to fasting blood glucose and the bacterial culture of the urine. Nor did all the units automatically undertake vaginal examination during the second and third trimesters and the English departments were not all convinced of the need for systematic ultrasound tests. Only five of the nine units undertook routinely cardiotocographic recordings of the fetal heart rate at the end of the pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The differences observed in the various surveillance procedures simply reflect our uncertainty regarding the different tests we use to monitor pregnancies. At a time when financial constraints are forcing us to make choices, there is an urgent need to assess the effectiveness and the cost of the various elements of our prenatal monitoring.

Idiopathic apical left ventricular aneurysm in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Report of 3 cases, and review of the literature.

In a review of 160 cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which underwent hemodynamic studies, 3 cases of apical aneurysm of the left ventricle of unidentifiable etiology were found. Bearing in mind the rarity of apical idiopathic left ventricular aneurysms, the authors believe this association with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is of some interest and point out the possible pathogenetic mechanisms.