In-vivo measurements of coronary blood flow using 16-slice multidetector spiral computed tomography (MDCT) in a porcine model.

PURPOSE: To determine whether CTCA supplemented with CT flow measurements can be used to demonstrate and semiquantitatively evaluate poststenotic coronary blood flow in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 thoracotomized pigs, transit time flow meter probes were attached to the aorta and left anterior descending artery (LAD) for real-time blood flow volumetry. A vascular silicone occluder was deployed around the LAD proximal to the probe to create medium-grade (MGS) and high-grade stenoses (HGS). The blood flow was measured by CT without vessel occlusion and distal to the stenoses. Time-density curves were generated from CT data. The curves were evaluated by calculating and cross-plotting the variables "slope of the density increase", "peak density" and "slope of the post-peak density decrease" from the LAD and aortic CT data. RESULTS: The flow in the LAD dropped to 41 % +/- 9 % (mean +/- SD) for MGS and 12 % +/- 6 % for HGS of the baseline. Coronary time-density curves plateaued proportional to luminal narrowing. Unimpaired flow could be differentiated statistically significant from poststenotic flow adjacent to MGS and HGS (p < 0.000 and p < 0.002, respectively). Flow adjacent to MGS and HGS was successfully differentiated for "slope of the density increase" and "slope of the post-peak density decrease" (p < 0.003 and p < 0.030, respectively). CONCLUSION: CT measurements allow semiquantitative evaluation of poststenotic coronary blood flow.

Breast cancer patients' expectations in respect of the physician-patient relationship and treatment management results of a survey of 617 patients.

BACKGROUND: The following study was conducted to explore patients' information needs and preferences with a special focus on doctor-patient communication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 62-item questionnaire developed by a multidisciplinary team and validated in a phase-I study was given to breast cancer patients via the Internet (homepage) or in a hard copy version. RESULTS: A total of 617 patients responded, 552 on line and 65 via the hard copy questionnaire. The median age of the on-line group was 47 (21-85) and 55 (40-92) in the hard copy group. Sixty-five per cent of the patients were treated with the intention of achieving a cure and 35% of the patients had metastatic disease. The median length of the consultation communicating the information 'You have breast cancer' was 15 min (0-300). The most effective and patient-relevant source of information about the disease and the treatment options was consultation with the physician (84%). When asked to suggest areas for improvement, patients' most common answers were: more complementary therapies should be offered by the physician (54%); physicians should take more time to explain things (51%); and cooperation between the physicians involved in the patient's care should be improved (39%). The questions most relevant to patients were: 'Am I getting the right therapy?' (89%); 'How many patients with my condition does my doctor treat?' (46%) and 'Can I be enrolled into a trial?' (46%). An independent second opinion centre was desired by 94% of the respondents but only 20% knew of any such resource. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the need to give patients with breast cancer the full details on treatment options and cancer management. The results provide a suitable basis for a broader interdisciplinary discussion of the patient-physician relationship and should be useful in generating hypotheses for subsequent prospective studies.

[Immunomodulating therapy of psoriasis vulgaris]. / Immunmodulierende Therapie bei Psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Newest studies have shown that psoriasis is not primarily a skin disorder but an immunological disturbance under the skin. The skin manifestations are a result of overstimulation of superficial skin cells (Langerhans cells) due to increased production of interleukin 2, 6 and 8 as well as transforming growth-factor-alpha. Interleucin-10 production is diminished. In a recent study (11 German University Skin Clinics) fumaric acid was shown to improve the skin leasons in 80% of treated patients. OWN EXPERIENCES: Our own studies on 54 patients which where treated in addition with intravenous thymus extract (Thymoject) and selenium (Selenase) showed a faster healing rate with fumaric acid alone. From these results one can postulate that the above treatments (fumaric acid, thymus and selenium) have a synergystic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Internal immunmodulating treatments should therefore have preference over external symptomatic treatments like UV-light, ointments, salt water bath, etc.