Right ventricular longitudinal deformation parameters and exercise capacity : prognosis of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. The six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance is associated with the prognosis of CTEPH patients. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable method for determining ventricular function. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the right ventricular (RV) function of CTEPH patients according to their 6MWT distances. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive CTEPH patients (mean age, 50 ± 16 years; 22 male) who were referred to our center for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) were included in the study. All patients underwent the 6MWT and right heart catheterization (RHC). Standard echocardiography and STE were performed on all patients before PTE. Patients were divided into two groups based on their 6MWT distance being less or more than 300 m. RESULTS: Patients with a shorter 6MWT distance had a significantly larger RV, while they had a significantly lower RV fractional area change and higher myocardial performance index suggesting impaired RV function. Both RV basal-lateral strain and strain rate measures were significantly lower in patients with shorter 6MWT distances than those with longer 6MWT distances. Similarly, they had lower RV basal-septal, mid-lateral, and global strain measures. 6MWT distances were correlated with RV basal-lateral and mid-lateral strain measures (r = 0.349, p = 0.025 and r = 0.415, p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that RV myocardial deformation parameters are associated with 6MWT distances. Determination of RV dysfunction by STE may be helpful in identifying patients with a poor prognosis.

The role of fluoroscopy in the removal of tracheobronchial pin aspiration.

In this study, we investigated the role of fluoroscopy in the bronchoscopic removal of aspirated pins. Of 373 patients who underwent bronchoscopy for presumed tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration, 56 pin aspiration cases were selected and divided into two groups according to whether fluoroscopic guidance was required (group I) or not (group II). The localisation of foreign bodies, mortality and morbidity ratios and the duration of the procedures were investigated. Pin aspiration percentage was 15. Pins were mostly located in peripheral airways in group I, and in central airways in group II (p < 0.05). The mean duration of the procedure was 42 +/- 30 min in group I and 17 +/- 13 min in group II (p < 0.01). There was no mortality. Morbidity percentage was 7 in group I and 12 in group II (p > 0.05). No thoracotomy was required in any cases. Fluoroscopic guidance is safe and carries no additional morbidity and mortality and can be used for pins in the tracheobronchial tree.

Complications and management of long-term central venous access catheters and ports.

PURPOSE: Although prolonged venous access devices (PVADs) are used in case prolonged intravenous therapy is required, implantation and use of these devices is associated with complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative and long-term complications associated with PVADs and the management of these complications. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 225 PVADs implanted in 217 patients from February 1993 to June 2004. This included 144 single-lumen port infusion systems, 49 single-lumen Hickman catheters and 32 double-lumen Groshong catheters. The PVADs were inserted using either the percutaneous Seldinger method (n=183) or cutdown access to the subclavian vein (n=42). Indications for placement were as follows: chemotherapy in 66.2% of patients, drug-infusion treatment in 31.6% of patients and total parenteral nutrition in 2.2% of patients. RESULTS: Perioperative complications occurred in 13 patients (5.7%): catheter malposition in seven patients (3.1%), pneumothorax in three patients (1.3%), hemorrhage in two patients (0.9%) and catheter embolization in one patient (0.4%). Long-term complications appeared in 15 patients (6.6%): infection in five patients (2.2%), thrombosis in three patients (1.3%), extravasation in three patients (1.3%), and catheter fracture in four patients (1.8%). The fractured fragments were removed by the Amplatz snare device. In 10 patients (4.4%) only were PVADs removed prior to completion of the intended therapy. Indications for removal were catheter infection in five patients (2.2%) and catheter fracture in five patients (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: PVAD implantation is associated with some risk of serious perioperative and long-term complications. Care of the catheter and the patient should be maintained with the proper and immediate evaluation of the perioperative and long-term complications.

Thorax high resolution computerized tomography findings in asthmatic children with unusual clinical manifestations.

BACKGROUND: It has been consistently observed in high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scans that asthmatic patients manifest more abnormalities related to airways remodeling than do normal subjects. OBJECTIVE: To find the underlying abnormalities in the lungs of asthmatic children with unusual manifestations. METHOD: Asthmatic children not responding as expected to inhaled steroid therapy with or without localized permanent or temporary recurrent auscultation findings (rales) were evaluated with chest radiographs and HRCT scans. Bronchoscopy was performed on the ones with localized rales. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 16 asthmatic children (6 girls and 10 boys, mean age = 7.75+/-4.43 years). Chest radiograph abnormality rate was 44% and the thorax HRCT scan abnormality rate was 75% (56% fibrotic retractions, 38% atelectasis, 19% bronchiectasis, and 19% bronchial wall thickening). Two patients with localized permanent rales and with right middle lobe (RML) atelectasis in HRCT scan underwent bronchoscopy which revealed RML syndrome due to mucus plugging in one and lymph node pressure in the other. In one patient with localized temporary recurrent rales and major bronchiectasis in HRCT scan, bronchoscopy revealed bronchitis. The patient with RML syndrome due to mucus plugging required lobectomy. CONCLUSION: We conclude with this experience that thorax HRCT scanning may be a helpful adjunct in the evaluation of an asthmatic children with atypical clinical findings.

Isolated primary chylopericardium.

Isolated primary chylopericardum is known to be a rare clinical entity. A 17-year-old girl was diagnosed as isolated primary chylopericardium. She was unresponsive to conservative treatment with pericardial tube drainage and medium chain triglyceride diet. At 2 weeks after the conservative treatment, ligation and resection of the thoracic duct with establishment of a pericardial window through a left thoracotomy was performed. At 6 months, follow-up showed no accumulation of the pericardial fluid. This case also supports that ligation and resection of the thoracic duct with establishment of a pericardial window is the treatment of choice in isolated primary chylopericardium.