Disseminated Scedosporium apiospermum infection in renal transplant recipient: long-term successful treatment with voriconazole: a case report.

Scedosporium apiospermum, the asexual form of Pseudallescheria boydii, is a ubiquitous fungus that represents an unfrequent complication of immune suppression. It accounts for 20% of all non-Aspergillus mold infections in organ transplant recipients. The infection can be localized or disseminated in multiple organs, including lungs, brain, joints, tendons, and skin, and is difficult to treat, due to resistance of S apiospermum to amphotericin B and other antifungal agents. The mortality rate is about 50%. To our knowledge, there are no prospective studies or registries of transplant recipients to guide diagnosis and there are no evidence-based recommendations for the optimal management of this infection. We report a case of S apiospermum infection in a woman with renal transplantation. The first occurrence of infection was a solitary nodule on the forearm, which was surgically excised. Two following relapses were disseminated to the knee, the Achilles tendon, and the skin of the left leg. The infection was successfully treated with voriconazole, but due to the severe iatrogenic immune suppression, a strong reduction in immunosuppressant drugs was needed.

Left ventricular stroke work reserve as prognostic marker in severe heart failure.

AIM: We sought to determine whether an invasive approach based on Swan-Ganz catheterization, coupled with a pharmacologic stressor, might help stratify prognosis in patients with severe heart failure and uniformly depressed indices of cardiac function. METHODS: We studied 31 unselected consecutive patients with scalar doses of dobutamine (2.5-10 microg/kg/min) after baseline hemodynamic evaluation. Changes in stroke work index (SWI) from baseline to peak effect (stroke work reserve, SWR) were recorded, and patients classified as responders (SWR above the median) or non-responders to dobutamine (SWR below the median). One-year follow-up data were recorded. RESULTS: All patients completed the dobutamine challenge test without complications. Dobuta-mine increased SWI from 17+/-9 to 26+/-13 mg/ beat/m2 (P<0.0001 vs baseline), with a median increase of 6.4 g/beat/m2. Basal SWI was not related to stroke work reserve. The only predictor of response to dobutamine was a smaller left ventricular end-diastolic volume (135+/-28 vs 205+/-90 mL/m2; P=0.007). After 1 year, only 7 patients were alive, while 10 had successful transplantation. Transplant-free survival was 47% in responders vs 0% in non responders (P=0.007). At multivariate analysis, none of baseline hemodynamic parameters was predictive of survival. Only age and a SWR above the median were significant independent predictors of survival in this model. CONCLUSIONS: This study allows us to draw the following conclusions: 1) 1-year mortality in severe heart failure remains extremely high; 2) baseline hemodynamics dos not predict survival; 3) a positive response to dobutamine identifies a subgroup with significant lower mortality at 1 year; 4) this response is an independent predictor of survival and is more likely to occur in the presence of a less dilated left ventricle.

Stent implantation versus balloon angioplasty in chronic coronary occlusions: results from the GISSOC trial. Gruppo Italiano di Studio sullo Stent nelle Occlusioni Coronariche.

OBJECTIVES: In this multicenter, randomized trial we evaluated whether stent implantation after successful recanalization of a chronic coronary occlusion reduced the incidence of restenosis. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in chronic total occlusions is associated with a higher rate of angiographic restenosis and reocclusion than PTCA in subtotal stenoses. Preliminary reports have suggested a decreased restenosis rate after stent implantation in coronary total occlusions. METHODS: We randomly assigned 110 patients with recanalized total occlusion to Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation, followed by 1 month of anticoagulant therapy versus no other treatment. The primary end point was the minimal lumen diameter (MLD) of the treated segment at follow-up, as determined by quantitative angiography at a core laboratory. RESULTS: Repeat coronary angiography was performed 9 months after the procedure in 88% of patients. The MLD (mean +/- SD) at follow-up was 1.74 +/- 0.88 mm in patients assigned to stent implantation and 0.85 +/- .75 mm in patients assigned to PTCA (p < 0.001). Stent implantation was associated with a lower incidence of restenosis (defined as diameter stenosis > or =50% at follow-up) (32% vs. 68%, p < 0.001) and reocclusion (8% vs. 34%, p = 0.003) than balloon PTCA. Likewise, stent-treated patients had less recurrent ischemia (14% vs. 46%, p = 0.002) and target lesion revascularization (5.3% vs. 22%, p = 0.038), but experienced a longer hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation after successful balloon PTCA of chronic total occlusions improves the midterm angiographic and clinical outcome and could be the preferred treatment option in selected patients with occluded vessels.

Signal-averaged electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiographic study in predicting acute rejection in heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In a prospective protocol for noninvasive diagnosis of acute cardiac rejection, 83 routine endomyocardial biopsies, followed each time by the analysis of signal-averaged electrocardiography and by a cardiac Doppler echocardiographic study, were performed in 18 heart transplant recipients. The follow-up time was 5 +/- 3.6 months. To detect noninvasively acute cardiac rejection, we compared biopsy findings with the presence of late potentials at signal-averaged electrocardiography and with two diastolic indexes, pressure half-time, and isovolumic relaxation time obtained from Doppler echocardiographic study. RESULTS: Thirteen acute rejection crises requiring modification of immunosuppression were diagnosed by means of endomyocardial biopsy. This clinically relevant acute cardiac rejection was associated with the presence of late potentials in 69% of cases and with the presence of pressure half-time < or = 55 msec and isovolumic relaxation time < or = 60 msec in 69% and 62% of cases, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were as follows: for late potentials, 69% and 71%; for pressure half-time < or = 55 msec, 69% and 76%; for isovolumic relaxation time < or = 60 msec, 62% and 83%, respectively. The presence in a single patient of at least one abnormal parameter showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 60% in detecting important rejection. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the use of combined signal-averaged electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiographic study of the left ventricular diastolic function in the screening of acute cardiac rejection. Such results can suggest when endomyocardial biopsy should be performed, with the reliance that a normal noninvasive study highly excludes the presence of acute cardiac rejection requiring intensified immunosuppression.

Predictors of mortality at 30 days in high-risk patients treated with direct or rescue stenting for acute myocardial infarction: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Coronary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with a very low adverse event rate when performed at selected centers in clinical trials. However, because of exclusion criteria, a low-risk population is usually selected, while potential benefits of stenting should be investigated in an unselected population, including a larger proportion of high-risk patients. METHODS: We analyzed results obtained in 120 consecutive high-risk patients (mean age, 64 years; range, 38-95 years; 76% male), so defined according to the presence of 1 of the following: age > 75 years; Killip class 3; cardiogenic shock; 3-vessel or left main disease; ejection fraction < 45%; anterior AMI; previous bypass surgery; and/or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A primary procedure was performed in 63 patients and a rescue procedure in 57 patients. Stenting was attempted in all patients in which coronary occlusion could be crossed with the guidewire (117/120) and was successful in 115/117 (98%). RESULTS: Procedural success (TIMI 3 flow and residual stenosis < 20%) was obtained in 105 patients (88%), while a suboptimal result (TIMI 2 flow) was achieved in 9 patients (8%). At 30 days, twenty patients had died (17% mortality). For patients non in cardiogenic shock, 30-day mortality was 3.2%. At multivariate analysis, cardiogenic shock (p < 0.0001), peak CK-MB mass (p = 0.01), and suboptimal result (p = 0.018) were significant independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Rescue procedures were associated with a significant protective effect with respect to mortality (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: In our series, high-risk patients treated with percutaneous intervention for AMI had a very high mortality rate in the presence of cardiogenic shock, despite the use of stents, intra-aortic balloon pumping and abciximab. In the remaining patients, acceptable results were obtained even in the presence of 1 or more risk factors. Rescue stenting does not seem to be associated with increased risk compared to primary stenting.

[Frequency and antibiotic susceptibility of urinary pathogens isolated in the microbiology and virology laboratory of the Careggi General Hospital in the period July-December 1996]. / Frequenza e sensibilità agli antibiotici di patogeni urinari isolati nel laboratorio di microbiologia e virologia dell'Azienda Ospedaliera di Careggi nel periodo luglio-dicembre 1996.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the isolation frequency and antibiotic susceptibility of pathogens isolated form urinocoltures. METHODS: 2192 bacterial strains obtained from urine cultures with bacterial count > 100,000 UFC/ml were examined in our Laboratory from July through December 1996. Inpatients as well as outpatients were considered. Five different ward typologies were taken into account (Surgery, Medicine, Obstetrics, Spinal Unit and High Risk Wards). Isolation frequencies were evaluated for each ward, but in order to get an adequate statistical sample they were divided into in two categories, e.g. strains isolated from inpatients and from outpatients. Antibiotic susceptibility was also evaluated dividing the data into the same two categories. For strains isolated with lower frequencies that was not possible, and data from inpatients were grouped with data from outpatients. RESULTS: The results obtained show that bacterial species most frequently isolated among inpatients are Escherichia coli (45.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (16.8%), Proteus mirabilis (9.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.4%). Those most frequently isolated among outpatients are Escherichia coli (58.1%), Enterococcus faecalis (12.3%), Proteus mirabilis (9.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.4%) and Coagulase negative staphylococci (4.0%). As far as antibiotic susceptibility is concerned, whenever a statistically significant difference in sensitivity could be observed between strains isolated from inpatients and strains isolated from outpatients, sensitivity was always higher for outpatients strains. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation frequency and antibiotic susceptibility are different depending on the place of origin of the patients (inpatients/outpatients). This implies a different approach to the empiric therapy in urinary tract infections.

[Defibrotide vs. calcium heparin in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in gynecologic oncologic surgery]. / Defibrotide versus eparina calcica nella profilassi delle TVP in chirurgia ginecologica oncologica.

Eighty-one patients were submitted to gynaecological malignancy surgery in a randomized study aimed at the evaluation of the efficacy of defibrotide (40 patients) and calcium heparin (41 patients) in perioperative prophylaxis. They were randomly allocated to defibrotide group (400 mg bid im starting one day before surgery and continuing until the 7th postoperative day) or calcium heparin group (5000 IU bid sc starting two hours before surgery and continuing likewise for 7 days). No cases of DVT diagnosed by means of a Doppler CW were observed in either treatment group. Laboratory parameters have shown similar modifications in the two treatment groups. Three cases of bleeding were observed in the calcium heparin group while no cases of bleeding were detected in the defibrotide group. The results obtained suggest that defibrotide is at least as effective as calcium heparin in perioperative DVT prevention and that the former drug has a possibly better tolerability profile, due to a decisively lower tendency to bleeding.

[Identification of patients at risk of post-infarction heart rupture. Clinical and therapeutic characteristics of 121 consecutive cases and review of the literature]. / Identificazione del paziente a rischio di rottura di cuore postinfartuale. Caratteristiche clinico-strumentali di 121 casi consecutivi e revisione della letteratura.

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) since a decrease of deaths due to arrhythmia control and pump failure, rupture of the left ventricle free wall (RPL) has gained increasing importance as a cause of death. Of 4987 patients hospitalised for AMI from January 1969 to December 1993, RPL occurred in 121 patients (2.4%) and 17.6% of total deaths from AMI are the result of this complication. RPL was found more often in women > 75 years old, with a history of hypertension and sustaining a first coronary event. Cardiac rupture occurred after transmural myocardial necrosis, usually (60%) following an anterior AMI. RPL was an early phenomenon (in 40% it occurred within the first 24 hours and in more than 80% within 5 days from symptoms onset). Although RPL is widely considered catastrophic and unexpected, in the greater number of patients it is possible to recognise symptomatic markers (pain, emesis and agitation) indicative of impending rupture. A prompt diagnosis and the consideration that rupture is usually a stuttering process must point out an aggressive approach, which can allow a surgical treatment of RPL with a likely prognosis.

[Ventricular pre-excitation: electrophysiopathology, criteria for interpretation and clinical diagnosis. References for geriatrics]. / La pre-eccitazione ventricolare: elettrofisiopatologia, criteri interpretativi e inquadramento clinico. Riferimenti di Geriatria.

The authors review the state-of-the-art on ventricular pre-excitation in medical and arrhythmological literature in order to facilitate the recognition of the various clinical forms, like classic and occult Wolff Parkinson withe syndrome and Lown Ganong Levine syndrome. A historical introduction reviews our electrophysiopathological knowledge of the electrical activation and conduction of ventricular pre-excitation compared to normal, starting from the anatomic discovery of conduction pathways to the possible use of transesophageal electrostimulation and endocavity mapping to study electric potentials. Avantgarde technologies have also been developed to eliminate anomalous pathways firstly by using a direct current dirscharge and secondly radiofrequency. Atrioventricular electric activation has been widely illustrated in normal subjects in order to create a model for comparison with pathological ventricular pre-excitation: the upper left portion of the septum is no longer the first zone to trigger the kinetic mechanism compared to the early fascicular fraying of the homonymous branch. Instead the upper right part of the septum is activated earlier owing to the anomalous fascia connected on this side to the right branch through their septal arborisations. As a result, this new conduction pathway activates the ventricular masses earlier through an anomalous route, given that there is no further contact with the atrioventricular nodes which act as a control. A similar situation is found in the left branch block where the ventriculogram is late with a normal PR, unlike pre-excitation when an early delta wave is present with a short PR. Electric conduction is also illustrated based on new knowledge of the circuit structures and the rings theory. Orthodromic tachycardia is distinguished from the antidromic form, double accessory pathway tachycardia, ectopic reciprocant atrial fibrillation tachycardia and occult bundle tachycardia which is studied using transesophageal stimulation with a time threshold of 70 ms for ventricular-atrial retrograde activation. The stimulation techniques using single or repeated extrastimulus are explained for this purpose, as well as those with serial extrastimulation and the physical characteristics of the circuit based on the ratio between voltage and resistance. The authors also report the practical aims of electrostimulation for determining the electric threshold of the anomalous circuit in terms of refractoriness, electric atrial stability, reciprocity and the occurrence of the macro re-entry. Lastly, the authors describe electric conduction by anomalous pathways based on the criterion of conduction and activation, both of which are analysed and compared on the basis of the intrinsicoid deflection morphology on the surface ECG: the aberrant qRs usually suggests an antidromic ventricular activation and retrograde conduction between atrium and ventricle, while normal intrinsicoid deflection demonstrates that the activation is orthodromic and the conduction anterograde, namely ventricle-atrial. Having been reproduced in a synoptic synthesis, these manifestations show a regular electrophysiological pattern because they are dissimilar from the behaviour of the monophasic bioelectric potential of the cardiac cells specialised in the conduction of the stimulus, whether they represent a normal or pathological electric pathway. The study is rounded off by the analysis of the reciprocant tachycardias and their re-entry varieties related to the type of the anomalous bundles. A number of types of re-entry can be identified: sinusal re-entry (micro re-entry), atrial re-entry, re-entry in the atrio-ventricular node, re-entry tachycardia and the so-called triggered type. The discussion of the electrophysiopathological aspects of pre-excitation is followed by the clinical forms of ventricular pre-excitation that can be divided into 3 main types. The different ECG clinical pictures are set out in the summary table, together with the type of shunt and activation and possible variants, following Rosenbaum s classic paint: the common type B, the rare type A and a last variant, the C type. This section also describes the positional peculiarities of the Kent-Paladino bundle, the left ventricular, septal (anterior and posterior) and the multiple-bundle ones. The authors also illustrate the criterion and meaning of endocavity mapping in the search for anomalous bioelectric potentials that identify the pathway or the location of the endocardiac bundle and/or foci to be eliminated. A new echocardiographic technique is described with a conventional M mode, digitalised 2D and tissular Doppler which has a comparable ability to identify the anomalous pathways of electric conduction using a non-invasive method. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Ventricular pre-excitation in Wolff Parkinson White syndrome in the aged]. / La pre-eccitazione ventricolare da sindrome di Wolff Parkinson white nell'anziano.

AIM: To evaluate any differences in ventricular pre-excitation secondary to Wolff Parkinson White syndrome in the aged compared to young and adult patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: a clinical study was performed using a comparative prospective criterion with retrospective analysis. The duration of follow-up ranged between one and ten years. SETTING: the series was collected from the Cardiology Clinic of the Health District and the Cardiology Division of Gorizia, both forming part of no. 2 Isontina Health Service. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: the series included 17 patients suffering from Wolff Parkinson White syndrome who were divided into two study groups: 9 elderly patients and 8 young patients. The latter were subdivided into a first subgroup of 4 cases with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome with ECG positive for the presence of delta waves, and a second subgroup also with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome secondary to bundle. INTERVENTIONS: some young patients with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome who were symptomatic for tachycardia underwent ablative surgery with radiofrequency of the bundle. PARAMETERS: all patients underwent cardiological screening focused in particular on surface electrocardiogram. Those cases with Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome with occult bundle underwent transesophageal electrostimulation to find the conduction threshold of the anomalous bundle. RESULTS: Adult-elderly patients: six subjects were diagnosed with antero-septal and left ventricular Kent's bundle (type B common) and 3 cases with Mahaim-Wiston bundle (type A rare). Surface ECG revealed the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in 6 cases, left anterior hemiblock and total block of the left branch in 3 cases, as well as myocardial pseudonecrosis correlated to Wolff Parkinson White syndrome. Young patients: four out of this group were affected by Kent's bundle with type B Wolff Parkinson White syndrome and the same number suffered from the same syndrome caused by occult bundle. Patients in the first subgroup showed an antero-septal, transitional and left ventricular orientation of Kent's bundle, with the onset of 2 cases of orthodromic and antidromic reciprocal rhythm respectively and 1 case of atrial fibrillation. The refractory nature of the anomalous pathway was not very high in 2 cases, equal to 60 milliseconds and 240 milliseconds with the proposed ablation of the anomalous bundle.

[Reintervention on valve prosthesis. 13 years' experience]. / Reintervento su protesi valvolare. Tredici anni di esperienza.

1584 valve prosthesis implants [1231 mechanical (MP) and 353 biological (BP)] were carried out personally between March 1974 and December 1986. Over the same period, 72 patients, 36 m and 26 f, average age 48, underwent 75 reintervention (RI) on 80 malfunctioning prostheses 41 MP, 39 BP, 41 in mitral position, 28 aortic, 1 tricuspid). The reasons for RI in the MP were: partial detachment (61%), infectious endocarditis (19.5%), mechanical dysfunction (14.7%), thrombosis (2.4%), wear (2.4%) and in the BP: wear (84.6%), infectious endocarditis (12.8%), partial detachment (2.6%). The malfunction was diagnosed before the onset of subjective symptomatology in 30.7% of patients. Operative mortality (OM) was 17.3% related to the functional class (II = 0%; III = 2.7%; IV = 38.7%) and to whether or not the intervention was an emergency or of choice (90.9% and 4.7% respectively). Mortality was higher in patients operated on for infectious endocarditis (38.4%) and in wearers of MP (28.2% vs. 5.7% BP); however this difference is largely attributable to a difference in NYHA class. It is concluded that reintervention on valvular prosthesis may have a very prognosis provided diagnosis of malfunction is quick enough to avoid excessive functional deterioration.

Outcome of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) performed in a low-volume institution by low-volume operators, evaluated by means of the one-month major adverse cardiac event rate.

BACKGROUND: Since an inverse relationship between percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) case-load and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) exists, we intended to evaluate the performance of low-volume PTCA operators, during the first year of our interventional program, by applying the more accurate index represented by the MACE rate within the first month. METHODS: The data relative to both the PTCA procedure and the control visit 3-4 weeks later, were retrospectively reviewed. Death, myocardial infarction and need for revascularization were the end-points evaluated, both globally and with respect to the individual operators. RESULTS: During 1999, 61 consecutive patients (53M, 8F; mean age: 59.9+/-10.4 years) were treated by two full-trained operators. Stable angina was the indication in 75% of cases. Comorbidities as diabetes and prior revascularization, were present in 16 and 5% of cases, respectively. Multivessel procedures were performed in 33% of cases, with a total number of lesions of 84 (77% A/B1 type). Stents were implanted in 70% of cases, as a bail-out in 12%. Procedural success rate was 93%. Overall one-month MACE rate was 3.3%, accounted for by 1 in-hospital emergency coronary surgery occurred to operator 1 (3.6% one-month MACE rate) and 1 elective coronary operation performed in a stable patient previously treated by operator 2 (3% one-month MACE rate). CONCLUSIONS: PTCA performed in a low-volume center by low-volume operators is not necessarily associated with a poor outcome, provided that adequate selection of low-risk cases is accomplished. Although only 52% of the Italian centers met in 1999 the recommended volume standards, reaching optimal case-load should anyway be pursued. Some time should however be conceded, provided that close monitoring of one-month MACE rate shows adequate performance of both the institution and the operators.

Abciximab in rescue coronary angioplasty after full-dose tissue-type plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND: Rescue angioplasty is a complex procedure because of frequent reocclusions secondary to a paradoxical pro-thrombotic effect brought about by thrombolytic therapy. Administration of abciximab may improve procedural results but its utilization in this setting is limited by the potential hemorrhagic risk. Very few data on this approach are currently available in the medical literature. METHODS: After failed full-dose tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), 30 patients (23 males, 7 females, mean age 64 +/- 13 years) referred for rescue angioplasty received abciximab (0.25 mg/kg bolus + 0.125 mcg/kg/min x 12 hour infusion) (Abc+ group). The procedural results, hemorrhagic complications and in-hospital outcome observed in these patients were compared to those of 35 patients submitted to rescue angioplasty in the same time period (1997-1999) who did not receive abciximab (Abc- group). RESULTS: In the Abc+ group, 11 patients (37%) were in Killip class 3-4, 14 (47%) had multivessel disease, and 4 (13%) had previous bypass surgery. In all Abc+ patients, factors suggestive of procedural failure were present (i.e. saphenous vein graft occlusion, intraluminal thrombus, dissection, reocclusion, slow flow). The periprocedural heparin dose was 5,000 IU in Abc+ and 100 IU/kg in Abc-patients (range 5,000-10,000 IU). The procedure was successful in 29 Abc+ (97%) and in 34 Abc- patients (97%). A hemoglobin drop > 5 g occurred in 3 Abc+ (10%) and in 4 Abc- patients (11%) with a similar incidence of blood transfusion in the two groups. In all these cases, significant bleeding occurred at the vascular access site. There were 2 in-hospital deaths in Abc+ and 1 in Abc- patients. CONCLUSIONS. Selected patients undergoing rescue angioplasty may be treated with abciximab without an undue increase in hemorrhagic complications. Larger studies are needed to confirm the feasibility of this approach and to assess its potential benefits.

Radiation exposure to patients and operators during diagnostic catheterization and coronary angioplasty.

A detailed monitoring, on the basis of single procedures, was undertaken to assess the patient exposure and the occupational doses received by the operators (cardiologist, technician, and nurse) during diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The occupational dose to the staff was measured at the collar level using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) to examine the neck and head exposure. Patient exposure was assessed by the dose-area product (DAP in Gy/cm2) and by the skin dose (mGy) at the level of thyroid. The mean neck dose per procedure for cardiologist was about 0.05 mGy, a reasonable level to comply with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) eye lens recommended limit. No significant differences were detected between CAG (39 procedures) and PTCA (19 procedures). Relatively high radiation doses are given to the lung of the patient with a significant ICRP lifetime risk of about 10(-3). The patients' mean DAP was 55.9 Gy/cm2 for CAG (79 procedures) and 91.8 Gy/cm2 for PTCA (31 procedures) (P < 0.01). About 70% in CAG and 48% in PTCA of the total dose resulted from the cine examination; in PTCA the total mean DAP was about 60% higher than in CAG procedures.

[Percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty in adults: prediction of the immediate result and current indications]. / La valvuloplastica aortica percutanea nell'adulto: predittività del risultato immediato ed attuali indicazioni.

Here we present a series of 45 patients (21 M and 24 F) between the ages of 36 and 91 (average age: 71 +/- 8), who underwent Percutaneous Aortic Valvuloplasty (PAV) between Oct. 1986 and Dec. 1989. We used the traditional retrograde technique with balloon catheters sized 20 or 23 mm, with the exception of the first stage in which the kissing balloon technique was used in 7 cases. The calculated mean increase in aortic valve area (AVA) was 55.6 +/- 38% (from 0.49 +/- 0.11 cm2 to 0.74 +/- 0.07 cm2) and the peak gradient was reduced from 83 +/- 16 to 41 +/- 13 mmHg. We could observe only two relevant complications, i.e., two pulsating femoral artery haematomas at the site of catheter insertion. This artery underwent elective surgical resection two weeks after PAV. The dishomogeneity of the survey, due not only to the complexity of the valvular stenosis functional anatomy, but also to the changes in the PAV indications observed during the three-year period, led us to appraise our results by using a score based on the following features: valvular calcification degree (0-2); commissural fusion extent (0-4); bicuspid of tricuspid valve (0-2); and predilatation valve area less than 0.5 or greater than or equal to 0.5 cm2. In this way we were able to identify two groups of patients, one having a score of less than or equal to 6 (group I, 25 patients) and the other having a score of greater than or equal to 8 (group II, 20 patients). Mean AVA increase was 29% in group I and 84% in group II. At 24 +/- 6 months clinical follow-up, a significant discrepancy was maintained; the two groups showed a 5% and a 37.5% improvement, respectively. The score we suggest seems to single out cases with a high likelihood of success, i.e. the achievement of an AVA higher than 0.9 cm2. This seems to be helpful for a better selection of patients. Using this score as the basis for such an immediate result predictability, we believe that PAV could be advisable in the following cases: a) palliation for elderly patients (greater than 80 years) or patients with contraindications for valve replacement; b) as a bridge to surgical intervention; c) emergency procedures such as bailout valvuloplasty; d) diagnostic clarification in the most complex cases where a severe reduction in ventricular function and cardiac output, together with a low transvalvular gradient are present.

[Measurements of productivity and efficiency of a first level director in a cardiology referral clinic. Their use in the final determination of work load in accordance with DL 29/1993]. / Misure di produttività e di efficienza per i medici dirigenti di I livello in una struttura cardiologica di riferimento. Loro utilizzo ai fini della determinazione dei carichi di lavoro secondo il DL 29/1993.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The law demands that the work-load (WL) in the Public Health Service be defined, and also dictates audit criteria referring to: a) the total activities performed during the previous three years; b) the standard times (STD) required to perform the different activities; c) the degree of demand fulfillment (DDF). Aim of this study is to establish the WL of 19 cardiologists (C) operating in a referral Hospital. METHODS: We examined the years 1993-1995. We calculated all medical procedures (P) carried out by our Institute ("procedure" method), and we determined the theoretical time needed to perform them based on STD. The activities of the Coronary Unit (CCU) and of the Ward (W) have been evaluated based on the duty-time table ("presence" method). The sum of the hours calculated with the two methods is the theoretical duty-time per week (TDT = sigma P x STD Time + CCU hours + W hours). We then measured the actual duty-time (ADT). By comparing TDT and ADT we obtained an efficiency index EI = [(TDT - ADT)/TDT]%. The DDF has been estimated based on the waiting-lists. RESULTS: We noticed an increase in invasive P and related activities, and a stable trend or a small decrease in non-invasive P, except for echography. TDT was always found to be superior to ADT (1993: 731.3 vs 670; 1994: 742.7 vs 670.9; 1995: 734 vs 652.1) with an increasing IE (8.3; 9.6; 11.1 respectively). We found rather high figures for extra hours per week (mean 31.6), C time (mean 34.9) and hours lost for vacation, illness, etc. (mean 137.5/week, equal to duty-time of more than three C). When GCS was considered, the total WL was 770 hours per week, equal to a duty-time of 19.25 C. CONCLUSIONS: WL evaluation allows a better understanding of operating conditions ina ward, it is essential when C are committed to pursue specific objectives, and it represents a basis to monitor efficiency. The reliability of WL largely depends upon STD; this underscores the fundamental role of Scientific Societies to prevent a tool intended for a better utilisation of human resources from becoming a pure instrument of cost-containment.

[A case of radiation-induced coronary occlusion treated with elective and emergency PTCA]. / Su di un caso con occlusioni coronariche radioindotte trattate con PTCA elettive e d'emergenza.

We describe the case of a patient (pt) treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 17. Two years later he presented an apical AMI and underwent coronary angiography (CA) for postinfarction angina. A 40% stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) was found in the proximal portion and the vessel was occluded at the middle level. Septal and diagonal branches supplied collaterals to the distal LAD and left ventricular function was only mildly reduced (EF angio-ventriculographic = 52%). We successfully performed a first PTCA, but the pt was re-admitted to our hospital few days later for a new large anterior myocardial infarction with refractory hypotension and low output condition. An intraaortic balloon catheter was inserted and CA demonstrated proximal LAD occlusion; a new PTCA was then performed and the opening of the vessel was obtained after 90' from symptoms' onset. The subsequent course was uneventful and the pt was discharged after 20 days. The ejection fraction was 39%. Thirty days after, a third PTCA with Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation was necessary for unstable angina due to a restenosis of the proximal LAD. After ten months follow-up the pt is asymptomatic with negative exercise test and an angioscintigraphic EF = 47%. CA and intravascular ultrasound demonstrated nor restenosis or progression of the disease, with a good minimal luminal diameter (MLD). A review of the literature on this topic is presented. Moreover we discuss the mechanism of coronary stenosis and occlusion and the reasons for choosing PTCA in the various settings.

[Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction: immediate and short-term results. National experience]. / L'angioplastica coronarica transluminale percutanea primaria nell'infarto miocardico acuto: risultati immediati e a breve termine. Esperienza nazionale.

Direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has till now a relatively limited use, mainly because of logistic problems, in comparison with systemic thrombolysis. The aim of this paper was to discuss the role direct PTCA during AMI, based on the most recent international experience. In brief, the major benefits of direct PTCA are the high percentage of recanalization (90%), optimal recanalization quality, the absence of contraindications in most cases; in patients with cardiogenic shock the mortality is lowered from 80% to 40-45%; absence of haemorrhagic stroke and lower incidence of cardiac ischemic events and urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are seen in short-term follow-up. We also present the whole series of 22 Italian centers, all of which has wide experience of PTCA, but not performing it on a routine bases in AMI. It concerns of 721 patients, 389 with single-vessel disease, 198 with double-vessel disease and 105 with triple-vessel disease. Twenty patients presented left main disease and 147 patients were in cardiogenic shock. Palmaz-Schatz stent was implanted in 31 cases; 3 Simpson atherectomy were performed. In 24 cases the PTCA was carried out as a "bridge" to emergency CABG, in the presence of triple-vessel disease. Among the group without cardiogenic shock 400 procedures were direct, 164 were rescue PTCA (within 12 hours). Angiographic success (residual stenosis < or = 50%) was obtained in 92 e 89% of cases respectively. In 147 patients with cardiogenic shock success was 74%. Mortality was 2.8% in patients without shock and 48% in patients with shock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)