[Pulmonary nocardiosis as a cause of radiographic imaging of multiple pulmonary nodules]. / Nocardiosis pulmonar como causa de imagen radiológica en "suelta de globos"

Lung nocardiosis is a rare disease affecting patients with lymphoreticular neoplasm, immunodeficiency or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; it can also affect patients who have received transplants. We report a case of lung nocardiosis in which radiographic presentation was acute, with a pattern of multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules ("cannonballs"), requiring us to rule out metastatic disease to arrive at a diagnosis. The patient responded slowly to antibiotic treatment until full resolution.

[Frequency and risk of bronchopulmonary neoplasia related to asbestos]. / Frecuencia y riesgo de neoplasia broncopulmonar relacionada con asbesto.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of asbestos-related lung cancer and the importance of the occupational exposure to this inorganic fibre as a risk factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 82 patients with lung cancer (mean age 62 SD 9 years) and 53 patients without pleuropulmonary disease (63 SD 13 years). The occupational exposure to asbestos was determined by a questionnaire. We determined the concentration of asbestos bodies (AB) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (93 patients) or lung tissue (42 patients) after chemical digestion, with the results being expressed as AB/mL BAL or AB/g dry lung, respectively. A concentration higher than 1 AB/mL or 1,000 AB/g was considered as marker of high asbestos burden in lung tissue, which could be potentially responsible for pleuropulmonary disease. The importance of asbestos occupational exposure as a risk factor for lung cancer was determined using logistic regression models. RESULTS: 25 patients with lung cancer reported occupational exposure to asbestos (30%) and in 13 out of them AB were detected in BAL or lung tissue (24%), at high concentrations in 3 cases (4%). Six patients from the group without pleuropulmonary disease reported occupational exposure to asbestos (11%) and in 13 out of them AB were found in some samples (24%), with no case having high concentrations. In the univariate logistic regression analysis, diagnosis of bronchial neoplasia was associated with both smoking (OR 10.10, 95% CI 3.50-29.13) and occupational exposure to asbestos (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.39-9.77). The association between asbestos exposure and lung cancer persisted statistically significant after adjustment for smoking (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.00-7.84). CONCLUSION: In Spain, lung cancer was related to occupational exposure to asbestos in 4% of cases, and it appeared to exist a synergistic effect of smoking. Occupational exposure to this inorganic fibre doubles the risk of suffering from lung cancer.

The hemostatic effects of warfarin titration in post CABG patients in comparison to placebo treatment.

BACKGROUND: Since coronary artery bypass graft patients remain at risk of coronary artery and bypass graft occlusion after successful surgery, adjunct treatment regimens are under investigation. In a study of the patients of the multicenter Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (Post CABG) Trial, 1 mg warfarin was found to have no important effect on coagulation parameters. STUDY DESIGN: The effects of 1, 2 and 3 mg warfarin were evaluated at six-week intervals in 20 Post CABG Trial patients receiving titrated dose increases in comparison to 20 patients of similar age, gender and time from CABG treated with placebo. RESULTS: International normalized ratio (INR) values increased with warfarin dose increments for 1, 2, and 3 mg, respectively (0.95+/-0.16, 1.08+/-0.19, and 1.34+/-0.39) and in comparison to placebo treated patients (dosextreatment p<0.001). Factor VII coagulant activity decreased with warfarin titration (1 mg, 119.0+/-18.3 %; 2 mg, 100.6+/-32.8 %; 3 mg, 95.0+/-27.8 %) and in comparison to placebo (dosextreatment p=0.008). Levels of prothrombin fragment F1.2, tissue plasminogen activator, fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor were unchanged with warfarin dose increments and in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: At doses up to 3 mg, warfarin acts on the INR through a reduction of factor VII with no effect on the fibrinolytic system, fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor. At these doses F1.2 did not document reduced coagulation activity. The observations of this study were consistent with the decision in the Post CABG Trial to increase the warfarin dose above 1 mg to achieve a distinct effect of warfarin that was less than full anticoagulation.

Hemostatic effects of 1 mg daily warfarin on post CABG patients. Post CABG Studies Investigators.

Although coronary bypass graft surgery has increased the survival and quality of life of many individuals, patients remain at risk of restenosis and thrombotic occlusion of the coronary arteries and bypass grafts. In the screening period for participation in the multicenter Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (Post CABG) trial, the effects of 1 mg daily warfarin were evaluated using paired patient samples collected prior to and after at least 21 days of treatment. In stable patients (n = 40; 39 males 1 female; 51-74 years old) who previously had undergone coronary artery revascularization (1-10 years), no alterations in prothrombin time, international normalized ratio (INR), prothrombin fragment 1.2, or the hemostatic risk factors factor VII antigen and coagulant activity, von Willebrand's factor, fibrinogen, tPA, or PAI-1 were associated with the 1 mg daily warfarin treatment. The observations reported here supported the Post CABG Studies Steering Committee decision to treat patients with 1-4 mg warfarin daily adjusted to achieve INRs not to exceed 2. 0 consistent with low-intensity therapy.

[Identifying asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid]. / Identificación de cuerpos de asbesto en el lavado broncoalveolar.

UNLABELLED: Asbestos bodies (AB) in respiratory secretions in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) identify subjects with lower airway AB content is a potential cause of pleural or pulmonary disease. The precision of this qualitative measure, however, has not been adequately analyzed. OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of finding AB in BAL fluid by conventional qualitative cytology in comparison with the quantification of AB in BAL fluid. METHOD: BAL samples from 40 subjects exposed to asbestos (mean age 59.2 years; men/women 36/4) were processed in the following ways: 1) qualitative cytology and 2) quantification of AB in BAL fluid expressed as AB/ml. The concentration of AB in BAL fluid was considered the gold standard (upper limit of normal 1 AB/ml) for determining the precision of qualitative cytology. RESULTS: In 9 of the 40 cases (22.5%) AB was found in BAL liquid cytology, but in only five of them were AB counts greater than 1 AB/ml. AB counts also showed concentrations greater than 1 AB/ml for four patients whose qualitative results were negative. The sensitivity of a qualitative AB-positive finding for identifying subjects with potentially disease-causing AB concentrations was 0.55, while specificity was 0.87. We conclude that a qualitative finding of AB in BAL fluid is adequately specific, but that sensitivity is very low, an indication that AB concentration in BAL should be determined to adequately screen for patients at high risk of developing disease.

[Benign metastasizing pulmonary leiomyomatosis. A report of 3 cases]. / Leiomiomatosis pulmonar benigna metastatizante. A propósito de tres casos.

The benign metastasizing leiomyoma is an uncommon variety of leiomyoma, tumor derived from smooth muscular tissue. The benign metastasizing leiomyoma affects a middle age women, with antecedents of uterine leiomyoma, the pulmonary lesions appeared as a multiple nodules, without systemic affectation. We present three cases of benign metastasizing leiomyoma that de diagnosis was made for biopsy by thoracotomy; and in one case the markers from estrogens' receivers were positive.

[Shock and cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to massive pleural effusion]. / Shock y paro cardiorrespiratorio secundario a derrame pleural masivo.

Shock is a rare complication of massive pleural effusion and few cases have been described in the literature. Massive pleural effusion can cause right ventricular collapse due to transfer of pressure from the pleura to the pericardial space, creating a medical emergency requiring thoracocentesis for evacuation. We describe the case of a man with submassive right pleural effusion seen in the pneumology unit of our hospital. During the admission process, he suffered arterial hypotension and cardiorespiratory arrest requiring orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Massive pleural effusion with mediastinal displacement could be seen on a chest film. Symptoms resolved after thoracocentesis to evacuate the space and tubes were removed 24 hours after the event.

Efficacy of aprotinin with various anticoagulant agents in cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin has recently been approved for clinical use in cardiopulmonary bypass. Although unfractionated heparin has been the only anticoagulant widely used for cardiopulmonary bypass, disadvantages involving heparin have led to ongoing investigations of alternative anticoagulant agents. METHODS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aprotinin in combination with other anticoagulant agents, specifically low molecular weight heparin and recombinant hirudin, using a dog model of cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: The blood conservation resulting from the use of aprotinin was observed only with unfractionated heparin. Efficacy of anticoagulation as measured by protein deposits in the bypass circuit filter revealed an unexpected reduction in the quantity of deposits when aprotinin was used in combination with low molecular weight heparin. CONCLUSIONS: As alternative anticoagulant agents are sought, the potential benefits of aprotinin in the reduction of operative blood loss must be evaluated independently for each anticoagulant agent.

Arterial impedance in patients during intraaortic balloon counterpulsation.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic improvement of a patient's hemodynamic condition during intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) is considered to result largely from a reduction in afterload. Afterload can be accurately quantified by arterial input impedance measurements. Here we report the effect of IABC on arterial impedance in humans. METHODS: To characterize the effects of IABC on arterial input impedance, impedance measurements were obtained using aortic annulus Doppler flow and pressure from the aortic balloon catheter. Impedance spectra were compared between the cardiac cycles preceding and following the cycle with IABC in 25 patients. RESULTS: Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation increased stroke volume (23%; p = 0.001), reduced myocardial oxygen demand (11%; p = 0.02), and decreased the aortic pressure at the onset of systole (16%; p = 0.001). There was also a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (24%; p = 0.001), characteristic arterial impedance (21%; p = 0.002), and pulse wave reflection (20%; p = 0.006). Linear regression analysis showed that an increase in stroke volume was predicted only by the decrease in systemic vascular resistance (r = -0.81; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in systemic vascular resistance appeared to be the major mechanism by which IABC improved cardiac pumping efficiency. This effect may result from the passive distention of the peripheral vascular bed due to the propagation of the balloon-augmented diastolic pressure through the arterial system.

Natural history of allograft coronary arteriopathy: a retrospective study of 54 patients over a 8 1/2-year period.

A total of 288 patients underwent heart transplantation at Loyola University Medical Center over a 8 1/2-year period starting in March, 1984. Of these patients, 54 were identified as having allograft coronary arteriopathy. Diagnosis was made on the basis of abnormal findings on coronary angiography in 44 patients; either an autopsy or explanted heart revealed the diagnosis in the remainder. A total of 279 abnormal lesions were identified by coronary angiography, and over 70% of these stenoses were discrete and located in large epicardial vessels. The left ventricular ed-diastolic pressure demonstrated a steady rise over time (2.5 mmHg/year), and also correlated with the degree of allograft coronary arteriopathy stenosis. The rate of stenosis progression was 33% per year from the time of initial allograft coronary arteriopathy development. Actuarial survival rate was lower than that of patients with arteriopathy. In conclusion, first, the majority of allograft coronary arteriopathy stenoses detected on coronary angiography are discrete, involve large epicardial vessels, and progress rapidly over time. Second, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure seems to reflect the degree of allograft coronary arteriopathy stenosis, and may prove to be a useful indicator of left ventricular dysfunction related to allograft coronary arteriopathy. Third, patients with allograft coronary arteriopathy show a decreased actuarial survival rate.

Effect of HeartMate left ventricular assist device on cardiac autonomic nervous activity.

BACKGROUND: Clinical performance of a left ventricular assist device is assessed via hemodynamic parameters and end-organ function. This study examined effect of a left ventricular assist device on human neurophysiology. METHODS: This study evaluated the time course change of cardiac autonomic activity of 3 patients during support with a left ventricular assist device before cardiac transplantation. Cardiac autonomic activity was determined by power spectral analysis of short-term heart rate variability. The heart rate variability before cardiac transplantation was compared with that on the day before left ventricular assist device implantation. RESULTS: The standard deviation of the mean of the R-R intervals of the electrocardiogram, an index of vagal activity, increased to 27 +/- 7 ms from 8 +/- 0.6 ms. The modulus of power spectral components increased. Low frequency (sympathetic activity) and high frequency power (vagal activity) increased by a mean of 9 and 22 times of each baseline value (low frequency power, 5.2 +/- 3.0 ms2; high frequency power, 2.1 +/- 0.7 ms2). The low over high frequency power ratio decreased substantially, indicating an improvement of cardiac sympatho-vagal balance. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that left ventricular assist device support before cardiac transplantation may exert a favorable effect on cardiac autonomic control in patients with severe heart failure.

A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aprotinin for reducing blood loss and the requirement for donor-blood transfusion in patients undergoing repeat coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor that reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements when administered prophylactically to cardiac surgical patients. To examine the safety and dose-related efficacy of aprotinin, a prospective, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients undergoing repeat coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-seven patients were randomly assigned to receive either high-dose aprotinin, low-dose aprotinin, pump-prime-only aprotinin, or placebo. Drug efficacy was determined by the reduction in donor-blood transfusion up to postoperative day 12 and in postoperative thoracic-drainage volume. The percentage of patients requiring donor-red-blood-cell (RBC) transfusions in the high- and low-dose aprotinin groups was reduced compared with the pump-prime-only and placebo groups (high-dose aprotinin, 54%; low-dose aprotinin, 46%; pump-prime only, 72%; and placebo, 75%; overall P = .001). The number of units of donor RBCs transfused was significantly lower in the aprotinin-treated patients compared with placebo (high-dose aprotinin, 1.6 +/- 0.2 U; low-dose aprotinin, 1.6 +/- 0.3 U; pump-prime-only, 2.5 +/- 0.3 U; and placebo, 3.4 +/- 0.5 U; P = .0001). There was also a significant difference in total blood-product exposures among treatment groups (high-dose aprotinin, 2.2 +/- 0.4 U; low-dose aprotinin, 3.4 +/- 0.9 U; pump-prime-only, 5.1 +/- 0.9 U; placebo, 10.3 +/- 1.4 U). There were no differences among treatment groups for the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that high- and low-dose aprotinin significantly reduces the requirement for donor-blood transfusion in repeat CABG patients without increasing the risk for perioperative MI.

Alternatives in biventricular repair of double-outlet left ventricle.

Wide variation in morphology of double-outlet left ventricle allows numerous surgical alternatives that require sorting out to develop a more organized approach. There is a high association between tricuspid abnormalities and right ventricular hypoplasia with double-outlet left ventricle that calls for either Fontan-type procedure or biventricular repair. With pulmonic stenosis, biventricular repair has been accomplished using right-sided conduits. When pulmonic stenosis is mild or absent, repair techniques without conduits depend on the commitment of the ventricular septal defect (VSD). With subaortic VSD and mild pulmonic valvar stenosis, we successfully performed translocation of the main pulmonary artery and valve to the right ventricle on 2 patients (ages 32 and 8 months). Both patients are doing well 2 years and 1 year postoperatively. Others have successfully connected the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery with intraventricular baffle by enlarging a subaortic VSD or when the VSD is either subpulmonic or doubly committed. With subaortic VSD, although it has not been reported, biventricular repair can also be accomplished using a right ventricle-to-aorta baffle combined by either atrial or arterial switch. We believe that a simplified management plan can be formed in double outlet left ventricle based on the size of the right ventricle, presence of pulmonic stenosis, and commitment of the VSD. Whenever possible, translocation of the main pulmonary artery and valve or intraventricular repair should be accomplished in double-outlet right ventricle minimizing the use of right-sided conduits and reoperation.

Use of the native aortic valve as the pulmonary valve in the Ross procedure.

The placement of a foreign valve in the pulmonary position using the Ross procedure requires reoperation. To circumvent this problem, we devised a method of reimplanting the native aortic valve in the pulmonary position, and successfully performed this procedure in a 12-year-old diabetic boy operated on for the treatment of aortic insufficiency. Although diseased, the reimplanted aortic valve functioned well, with trivial stenosis and insufficiency. This modification offers patients with aortic valve disease a potentially curative operation.

Effect of an inelastic aortic synthetic vascular graft on exercise hemodynamics.

This study compared aortic input impedance characteristics between patients with aortic interposition Dacron grafts placed for traumatic aortic injury and normal age-matched control subjects. All subjects were examined at rest and after treadmill exercise. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted to rule out anatomic (stenosis) effects. Exercise increased characteristic impedance (ie, reduced aortic distensibility) by 29% and decreased total systemic arterial compliance by 21% in the patient group, whereas the normal control group showed insignificant change in these variables after exercise. Peripheral pressure wave reflection was reduced substantially with exercise (27%) in the control group, with much less reduction observed in the patient group. These abnormal vascular hemodynamics were associated with significantly high cardiac energetic costs in the patient group. A plausible explanation for the observed differences lies in the exaggerated vascular impedance mismatch between compliant aorta and inelastic graft, when cardiac output increases dramatically.

Safety of patent ductus arteriosus closure in premature infants without tube thoracostomy.

During a 30-month period, 34 premature infants underwent surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus. The mean gestational age at birth was 25 +/- 0.3 weeks and the mean age at the time of operation was 3 +/- 0.3 weeks (mean weight, 829 +/- 54 g). Indomethacin therapy had failed in 32 patients, and 2 had contraindications to its use. The initial 8 patients had parascapular incision and ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus; the last 26 patients had a short transaxillary incision and clipping. The average duration of the operation from the time of incision to skin closure was 36 +/- 2 minutes (range, 15 to 65 minutes). One patient (3%) needed chest tube insertion intraoperatively because of visceral pleura disruption. Two patients (5.8%) had a "small pneumothorax" (< 10% of the lung field) that resolved within 24 hours. There was no morbidity or mortality directly related to the operative procedure, although 3 patients (8.8%) ultimately died from problems related to their severe prematurity. We conclude that surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus without chest tube drainage can be accomplished safely in premature infants. Postoperative nursing care is simplified and the cost is reduced because the need for the chest tube and drainage system is eliminated and the number of chest radiograms needed postoperatively is reduced.

Evaluation of CGP 39393 as the anticoagulant in cardiopulmonary bypass operation in a dog model.

Recombinant desulphatohirudin HV1 (CGP 39393), a specific and potent peptidic inhibitor of thrombin, was evaluated as the sole anticoagulant in a dog model of cardiopulmonary bypass. CGP 39393 was administered as a bolus plus infusion for a 1-hour pump period at doses of 1.0 mg/kg + 0.75 mg.kg-1.h-1, 1.0 mg/kg + 1.50 mg.kg-1.h-1, 1.0 mg/kg + 2.25 mg.kg-1.h-1, or 1.0 mg/kg + 3.0 mg.kg-1.h-1 (n = 5 per group). The lowest dose was ineffective, as a high degree of clot formation (314 +/- 160 mg) occurred as determined by quantitation of protein deposits in the pump line filter. The three higher doses inhibited clot formation (35 to 44 mg) but did not reveal a dose-dependent effect (p = 0.308 between groups). All four doses produced the same amount of postoperative blood loss (6.5 to 10 g/kg over 2 hours; p = 0.215 between groups) and no oozing of blood from cut tissues (sternum, muscle, skin) during or after operation. No adverse hemodynamic or hematologic effects were observed. Animals were physiologically stable coming off pump, requiring minimal fluid replacement or other cardiovascular supportive measures. The chromogenic anti-IIa assay could be used to monitor CGP 39393. Some activated partial thromboplastin time and all activated clotting time values were off scale on pump, but they fell immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass, typically reaching near-normal levels within 30 to 60 minutes. No reversal of CGP 39393 was used, as blood levels declined rapidly after cessation of the infusion. This study in a dog model shows that CGP 39393 administered as a bolus plus infusion (minimum dose, 1.0 mg/kg + 1.50 mg.kg-1.h-1) can be used safely and effectively during cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac operation.

Disruption of sutured pulmonary valve in Fontan operation.

Two patients who had undergone a Fontan operation presented late with considerable disruption of a sutured pulmonary valve. Both patients had increasing ascites, decreased exercise tolerance, atrial arrhythmias, high right atrial pressure, and a large ratio of pulmonary blood flow to systemic blood flow. At operation, the main pulmonary artery was closed either by suturing the anterior and posterior walls together immediately distal to the pulmonary valve or by reinforcing the resutured pulmonary valve with a polytetrafluoroethylene patch. Both patients had an uneventful postoperative course, with disappearance of the symptoms and return of sinus rhythm. Although it is tempting to simply suture the usually thickened pulmonary valve in the Fontan operation, approximation of the pulmonary artery walls or patch reinforcement is necessary to minimize disruption.

Survival and functional outcome after single and bilateral lung transplantation. Loyola Lung Transplant Team.

BACKGROUND: The experience at Loyola University Chicago was retrospectively reviewed to evaluate survival and functional outcome after single lung transplantation (SLT) and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT). METHODS: Ninety patients underwent lung transplantation at Loyola University Chicago between April 1990 and December 1993. Mean age was 45 years (range, 13 to 66 years). Fifty percent were male. Pre-lung transplant pulmonary diseases were as follows: emphysema and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 43 patients, pulmonary fibrosis in 13, cystic fibrosis in 14, pulmonary hypertension in eight, repeated transplantation for obliterative bronchiolitis in four, bronchiectasis in two, bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma in two, sarcoidosis in one, primary obliterative bronchiolitis in one, histiocytosis X in one, and lymphangiomyomatosis in one. Fifty-seven patients underwent SLT, and 33 had BLT. Maintenance immunosuppression medications consisted of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. RESULTS: Perioperative complications were as follows: seven of 33 patients bled after BLT, and two of 57 bled after SLT. Bronchial complications were found in six of 66 (9%) BLT anastomoses and eight of 57 (14%) SLT anastomoses. Nine operative deaths occurred in SLT patients: six from allograft failure, one from infection, one from intrapulmonary hemorrhage, and one from bronchial dehiscence. Only two patients died in the perioperative period after BLT and that was of infection. Three late deaths occurred after BLT, all as a result of infection; 13 recipients died late after SLT: five of infection, four patients from lymphoma, two of pancreatitis, one of tension pneumothorax, and one of pulmonary embolism. For the entire patient population the actuarial 1- and 2-year survival rates were 72% and 68%, respectively. One-year survival rates were significantly better for patients undergoing lung transplantation for obstructive and nonrestrictive lung diseases than those of patients undergoing lung transplantation for vascular or restrictive pulmonary disease. Recipients of BLT had a trend toward better survival than recipients of SLT. Lung function 6 months after transplantation measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second was significantly better in BLT than SLT, 71% of predicted versus 54%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo BLT have significantly better postoperative pulmonary function than those who undergo SLT. On the basis of the study there was a trend toward better survival with BLT.