Transthoracic parametric Doppler for bedside diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: A pilot study.

Transthoracic parametric Doppler (TPD), unlike conventional ultrasonography, measures signals originating from movements of pulmonary blood vessel walls. In this pilot study, we tested TPD in 15 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism on computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Results were mapped to the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the right lung. In the lower third, TPD yielded 100% specificity and positive predictive value for acute pulmonary embolism. If validated in a larger series, this rapid bedside technique might obviate the need for computed tomography in specific cases. This could be advantageous in patients who are unstable, in intensive care, or have allergies to iodinated contrast material.

Coronary balloon-assisted navigation of aspiration catheter for stroke thrombectomy.

In recent years, A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT) has emerged as an effective and safe method of thrombectomy. Large trials have shown noninferiority of ADAPT compared to primary stent retriever approach, while new studies emphasize on its shorter procedural time with potentially fewer complications and costs.1,2. Failure of the A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique (ADAPT) is often due to the inability to successfully navigate the aspiration catheter to the thrombus site. As a solution, several techniques have been considered such as the use of stiffer microcatheters or a wedge device.3 In Video 1, we present our technique of navigating aspiration catheters with the assistance of coronary balloons. This technique has been very successful in our experience of about 30 cases in the past 6 months. Thanks to its safety and efficacy, this technique has dramatically changed our technical management of acute ischemic stroke. It can increase the ADAPT success rate while potentially reducing procedural costs.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) decreases hepatic SR-BI expression and impairs HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) on the expression of the scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in hepatocytes, and its impact on the removal of HDL-cholesteryl ester (CE) in the liver. METHODS AND RESULTS: Huh7 hepatoma cell lines were incubated with increasing concentrations of uPA. uPA dose-dependently decreased SR-BI protein expression, as determined by flow cytometry (FACS) and by Western blot assays, and down-regulated SR-BI gene expression. Functionally, uPA decreased both the cellular binding of HDL to Huh7 hepatocytes, and the selective uptake of CE from HDL, as determined by several methods including BODIPY staining, cellular cholesterol determination and chasing radio-labeled CE transfer from HDL to the cells. These results were further confirmed using primary rat hepatocytes. The effect of uPA on hepatic SR-BI expression was mediated via binding to the uPA receptor (uPAR). In vivo, SR-BI protein and gene expressions were found to be increased in hepatocytes derived from the uPAR-KO mice compared to C57Bl/6 mice, and in parallel HDL-cholesterol levels in plasma derived from uPAR-KO mice were decreased. Moreover, deficiency of uPAR significantly accelerated the plasma decay of injected HDL-[(3)H]CE. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that uPA decreases the removal of HDL-CE in the liver via suppression of the hepatic SR-BI expression. Impaired reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) may result in atherogenic dysfunctional HDL metabolism and may contribute to atherosclerosis development.