[Interest of echocardiography in the diagnosis and monitoring of a pulmonary embolism complicating a free-floating thrombus in right heart cavities]. / Intérêt de l'échocardiographie dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge d'une embolie pulmonaire grave associée à un thrombus mobile des cavités cardiaques droites.

We report the case of a 50-year-old patient admitted in ICU for a pulmonary embolism associated with a large thrombus in right heart cavities discovered during an assessment of faintness. Despite an excellent haemodynamic tolerance, there was a systolic and diastolic right ventricular failure and immediate threat to life. The treatment mainly relies on intravenous thrombolysis with excellent results both on thrombus lysis and on the right heart performance. Echocardiography proved to be an essential tool during the management of this patient to ensure the effectiveness and to monitor the whole procedure of thrombolysis.

Increased plasma levels of pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with cardiovascular complications following off-pump coronary artery surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), procalcitonin (PCT), and troponin I (Tn I) concentrations during and after coronary artery surgery in patients with or without cardiovascular complications. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, comparative study of 12 months in the cardiovascular intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 60 adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with the off-pump technique. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Plasma NT-pro-BNP, PCT, and Tn I levels were measured before and immediately after the end of operation and on PODs 1, and 2 and 3. We defined complicated postoperative course as myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and death occurring after the fourth postoperative hour. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve cutoff values were used to assess the ability of the three markers to predict future cardiac events. The area under ROC curve (AUC) using NT-pro-BNP to detect a cardiovascular complicated course was 0.780 at the preoperative time and 0.850 at the end of surgery. A preoperative NT-pro-BNP value of 397 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 76%, specificity of 67%, and accuracy of 74% for predicting a subsequent cardiovascular complication. An immediate postoperative NT-pro-BNP value of 430 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 77%, and accuracy of 76%. Patients with preoperative NT-pro-BNP levels less than 275 pg/ml had an excellent postoperative prognosis. Other two markers were less appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: NT-pro-BNP levels measured before and immediately after off-pump coronary artery bypass seem to be predictive of postoperative cardiac events.

The effect of hypertonic saline dextran solutions on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in anaesthetised piglets.

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a regulatory mechanism by which blood is diverted from poorly ventilated to better ventilated areas of the lung. The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which hypertonic saline dextran and dextran solutions modify the magnitude of HPV during isovolumic haemodilution in intact acutely instrumented piglets. Eighteen large white piglets were anesthetised and assigned to two groups. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and cardiac output (Q), systemic arterial pressure and left arterial pressure (LAP) were measured. A decrease in Q was obtained by reducing venous return. This enabled measurement of transpulmonary pressures (mean PAP minus LAP) at four levels of Q in hyperoxia (inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2)=0.4) then in hypoxia (Fi,O2=0.1) in the two groups before blood soustraction (10 mL x kg(-1)) and after loading with sodium chloride (NaCl) 7.5% and dextran 6% or with dextran 6% alone. Dextran alone led to a decrease in mean PAP-LAP/Q values, and NaCl with dextran was associated with a significant shift of mean PAP-LAP/Q plots to higher pressures in hypoxia. Hypertonic saline dextran solution, as replacement fluid in isovolaemic haemodilution increased the magnitude of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, whereas dextran solution reduced it.

Sub-MAC concentrations of desflurane do not inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in anesthetized piglets.

PURPOSE: In vitro, halogenated agents reduce the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to alveolar hypoxia in isolated perfused lungs. However, studies in intact animals have been less convincing. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of sub-MAC concentrations of desflurane on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in anesthetized piglets using the pressure/cardiac output relationship (P/Q). METHODS: Eleven large white piglets were anesthetized and ventilated mechanically, alternatively in hyperoxia (FIO2=0.4) and in hypoxia (FIO2=0.12). Multipoint plots of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), or differences between PAP and left atrial pressure (LAP) against Q were generated by gradual inflation of a balloon advanced into the inferior vena cava. P/Q relationships were established in hyperoxia and in hypoxia at baseline, and then with gradual concentrations of desflurane. RESULTS: In hypoxia, pressure gradients (PAP-LAP) increased significantly at every level of Q, demonstrating active pulmonary vasoconstriction. Desflurane did not affect these P/Q relationships either in hyperoxia, or in hypoxia, when compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Desflurane at a clinically relevant dose has no significant effect on HPV in anesthetized piglets.

Effects of sevoflurane on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in anaesthetized piglets.

In vitro, halogenated agents reduce the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to alveolar hypoxia in isolated perfused lungs. However, studies in intact animals have been less convincing. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of sevoflurane on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in anaesthetized piglets using the pressure/cardiac index relationship (P/Q). Ten large white piglets were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated, alternately in hyperoxia (FIO2 = 0.4) and hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.12). Multipoint plots of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) or differences between PAP and left atrial pressure (LAP) against Q were generated by gradual inflation of a balloon introduced into the inferior vena cava. P/Q relationships were established in hyperoxia and hypoxia at baseline, and then with sevoflurane. In hypoxia, pressure gradients (PAP-LAP) increased at every level of Q, thus demonstrating active pulmonary vasoconstriction. Sevoflurane at 1 MAC did not affect these P/Q relationships in hyperoxia or hypoxia as compared with baseline. Sevoflurane at a clinically relevant concentration (1 MAC) has no significant effect on HPV in anaesthetized piglets.

[The intravascular transfer of glycine during percutaneous kidney surgery]. / Passage intravasculaire du glycocolle lors de la chirurgie rénale percutanée.

Transurethral prostatic resection using a 1.5% glycine solution causes a well known clinical and metabolic syndrome called TURP-syndrome. Recent development of percutaneous renal surgery is responsible of several similar accidents. In a prospective study of 150 patients (mean age: 35 +/- 10) subjected to a percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the natremia and the amino acid content of the plasma were measured preoperatively and immediately postoperatively by chromatography. The study shows that there is a post-nephrolithotomy syndrome in two per cent. This syndrome contains a hemodilution with hyponatremia and reabsorption of irrigation fluid. Glycolemia, serinemia and threoninemia increase significantly. These modifications have a good correlation between them except for the natremia. Variability of results in this study and in the literature is explained by difficulty and duration of surgery, volume of glycol used, increasing intrarenal pressures and sudden opening of vessels peroperatively. The gravity of post-nephrolithotomy syndrome requires to change the irrigate solute and use normal saline solution when it is possible.

[Comparative study of the surface microhardness of two photopolymerizible RBCs]. / Indagine comparativa sulla microdurezza superficiale di due RBC fotopolimerizzabili.

Knoop microhardness of the RBC P50 was compared with that of the P30 previously examined. Both materials seem to have similar properties, but P50 proved superior in both mean and maximum figures.

[Ectopic eruption of permanent molars. 1. Report of 9 clinical cases]. / Eruzione ectopica dei molari permanenti. Parte I. Presentazione di nove casi clinici.

The etiopathogenetic causes of the ectopic eruption of permanent molars are described and nine clinical reports are presented using models and roentgenogram in the first part of the article.

[Retention of deciduous teeth in the dental arch and eruption of permanent teeth. Nine clinical cases]. / Persistenza dei denti decidui sulle arcate dentarie ed erezione dei denti permanenti.

The paper describes the aetiopathogenetic causes of the persistence of deciduous teeth in the arch with a report on nine clinical cases of ankylosis. It is important to evaluate the overall problem because malocclusion damage may require lengthy orthodontic treatment.