Impaired fibrinolysis determines the outcome of percutaneus transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery stenosis lesions dilated by percutaneus transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) show a disappointingly frequent recurrence of stenosis. We have investigated the possible role of fibrinolysis and various platelet-release factors - specifically in the locality of the affected vessel - by following 19 patients for 6 months after PTCA. METHODS: PTCA was performed on 19 patients with a significant primary coronary stenosis, proven by quantitative CAAS analysis. Blood for measurement of local fibrinolysis and platelet activity was drawn from the aortic root and the coronary sinus, at three times: just before PTCA, 10 min after it, and 6 months later. RESULTS: The incidence of restenosis at the 6 months follow-up was 37%. PTCA almost doubled the platelet-derived growth factor level (PDGF) in coronary sinus blood in all patients. The seven restenosis patients had a substantially higher tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen (PAI-1ag) level in the aortic root before PTCA than the 12 who remained stenosis-free (mean 62.4 +/- 31.6 ng mL -1 compared with 33.1 + 25.3; P < 0.04) and a lower tissue plasminogen activator activity (t-PAac) level (mean 0.32 +/- 0.19 IU mL-1 compared with 0.68 +/- 0.34; P < 0.03). This was corroborated by the levels of tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI-1ac). At reassessment after 6 months, the restenosis patients had developed, in coronary sinus blood, a large rise of PAI-1ac (7.7 +/- 4.8 IU mL-1 rising to 15.7 +/- 13.9, P < 0.04) and a large rise of of PAI-1ag (48.8 +/- 31.3 ng mL-1 vs. 72.4 +/- 47.2; P < 0.03). But no such increase occurred in the patients who remained stenosis-free. Conclusion Our results indicate that the minor balloon injury, which is inseparable from PCTA, stimulates the local release of PDGF. We suggest that, in those patients whose fibrinolytic activity is inherently low, this rise of PDGF could be a major causative factor in restenosis. We also discuss the possibility that the preoperative level of PAI-1ac could provide a limited but useful prediction of the outcome of PTCA.

Heterotopic ossification after hip arthroplasty: a randomized double-blind multicenter study tenoxicam in 147 hips.

147 patients due to have a cemented total hip arthroplasty were randomized to 4 groups. They received either tenoxicam 20 mg or 40 mg, or placebo, for 5 days or morphine on the day of operation and placebo for 4 days. During the first 5 days 14 patients were excluded. The patients were followed for 1 year, during which another 10 patients were excluded. At follow-up, significantly fewer patients had heterotopic ossifications in the tenoxicam groups than in the placebo and morphine groups. There was no significant difference between the 2 tenoxicam-treated groups, and we therefore conclude that tenoxicam 20 mg for 5 days postoperatively can reduce heterotopic ossification after cemented total hip arthroplasty.

A comparative study of various electrodes in electromyography of the striated urethral and anal sphincter in children.

The series comprised 41 children aged 6 to 14 years consecutively referred with recurrent urinary tract infection and/or enuresis. Carbon dioxide cystometry was carried out in the supine and the erect position and combined with simultaneous electromyography (EMG). The external urethral sphincter was examined with a ring electrode mounted on a urethral catheter, while recordings from the striated anal sphincter were based on an anal plug electrode and perianal electrocardiographic (ECG) skin electrodes: 211 EMG and cystometric examinations were performed and all three methods gave satisfactory results. Correlation between them was good, as was reproducibility. Perianal surface ECG electrodes are recommended for the evaluation of functional disturbances of the external sphincter. They are painless, easy to use, and are well tolerated by the patient.