Subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin versus subcutaneous unfractionated heparin in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis: a Polish multicenter trial.

In a prospective multicenter trial, 149 consecutive patients with phlebographically proven proximal and/or distal deep vein thrombosis of the leg were randomly allocated to receive subcutaneously for 10 days either low molecular weight heparin CY 216 (Fraxiparine) in a fixed dose or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in doses adjusted according to the activated partial thromboplastin time. Pre- and post-treatment phlebograms were assessed blindly using the Arnesen's score system in 134 patients available for analysis of the treatment efficacy. The mean phlebographic score after 10 days of treatment was significantly decreased in both groups (p less than 0.001) in comparison with the baseline score but the difference in score changes between the two groups was not statistically significant. There was an improvement in 45/68 patients (66%) in the Fraxiparine group and in 32/66 patients (48%) in the UFH group, and an increase in the thrombus size in 10/68 (15%) and 12/66 (18%), respectively. One symptomatic non-fatal pulmonary embolism and one major bleeding episode were observed in the UFH group. During a follow-up period of 3 months, two rethromboses had occurred in the UFH group and none in the Fraxiparine group. It is concluded that subcutaneous fixed dose Fraxiparine is safe and at least as effective as subcutaneous adjusted UFH in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.

NMR relaxation time studies of large bowel neoplasms.

The purpose of the study was to determine if measurements of the NMR relaxation times could be useful in distinguishing healthy from neoplasmatic tissue in in vitro study of the slices from the large bowel obtained during surgery before histological examination. Tissue samples taken from the center of the tumor and from the distal part of the excised large bowel segment were stored at 4 degrees C in closed tubes not longer than 24 hours. The measurements were performed at 37 degrees C using a pulse spectrometer operating at 27 MHz. After NMR investigation all the tissue samples were preserved and carefully examined by conventional histopathological techniques. Both for the T1 and the T2 the mean values of the relaxation time for the respective neoplasmatically changed group and normal, non-changed group, were statistically different. However, the differences in measured relaxation times are too small to use the NMR method alone for diagnosis. The NMR method can be useful only for an initial selection of tissue samples with possible cancer changes but histopathological examination is required to verify that cancer is present in the tissue.

[Results of intraoperative bacteriological studies of bile from patients operated on for cholelithiasis]. / Wyniki sródoperacyjnych badan bakteriologicznych zólci u operowanych chorych z powodu kamicy dróg zólciowych.

Complete bacteriological examination of bile was carried out in 123 patients operated on for cholecystolithiasis. The most frequently found Gram-negative bacteria were E. coli and Klebsiella species. The Gram-positive organisms were most frequently Staphylococcus epidermidis, Str. viridans and Str. faecalis. Anaerobes were rarely found. The effectiveness of the antibiotics used was studied.