Urine L-carnitine excretion in hypertensive adolescents.

AIM: This study was performed to test the hypothesis that urinary levels of L-carnitine and its derivatives are enhanced in children and adolescents with hypertension and also check if analyzed parameters may serve as early markers of subclinical renal damage. METHODS: The study included 112 children and adolescents (67 males and 45 females) aged median 10-18 years. Participants were divided into two groups: HT-64 subjects with confirmed primary hypertension and R-reference group-48 subjects with white-coat hypertension. Urinary Free and Total L-carnitine were determined by the enzymatic method of Cederblad. The L-carnitine levels were expressed as urinary ratio in micromole per gram creatinine (µmol/g). RESULTS: The urinary excretion of Total and Free L-carnitine was significantly higher in hypertensive adolescents in comparison to reference group-white coat hypertension. Other important findings were positive correlations between Free L-carnitine/cr., Total L-carnitine/cr. ratio and serum uric acid level, serum cholesterol level and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The results of this study do not explain the increased urine levels of L-carnitine. The most likely reason for excessive urinary loss was disturbed renal tubular reabsorption. It is possible to hypothesize that in hypertensive adolescents subclinical kidney dysfunction occurs. It is proposed that studies examining the concurrent plasma and urine concentration of L-carnitine and correlation with acknowledged proximal tubular markers are needed.

[Brain natriuretic peptide for postoperative monitoring of the fluid balance in a cardiac surgery patient]. / Brain-natriuretisches Peptid für die postoperative Uberwachung der Flüssigkeitsbelastung bei einem herzchirurgischen Patienten.

Brain natriuretic peptide is a neurohormone used for estimation of left ventricular wall tension and volume overload. We describe the use of this parameter in a postoperative cardiac surgery patient for detection and monitoring of left ventricular failure in a postoperative intensive care unit at a tertiary care center. Left ventricular failure was detected by brain natriuretic peptide levels, while x-ray and values obtained by the pulmonary artery catheter were inconclusive.

Repositioning accuracy with the Laitinen frame for fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy in adult and pediatric brain tumors: preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To determine the repositioning accuracy, patient tolerance, and clinical efficacy of stereotactic radiation therapy for brain tumors in children and adults performed with the Laitinen stereotactic localizer and head holder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, stereotactic frame tolerance was assessed by recording patient discomfort or pain in the ear and nose during each treatment in 34 patients, including 21 children and 13 adults with 37 lesions treated with fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy. Radiation doses ranged from 10-60 Gy at 1.0-4.0 Gy per fraction. Repositioning accuracy was assessed by comparing portal radiographs with setup fields on computed tomographic (CT) scout images. Clinical efficacy was assessed by analyzing posttreatment CT and magnetic resonance images. RESULTS: The stereotactic localizer was well tolerated. The mean isocenter shifts observed after studying 305 portal radiographs were x-coordinate shift of 1.0 mm +/- 0.7 (SD), y-coordinate shift of 0.8 mm +/- 0.8, and z-coordinate shift of 1.7 mm +/- 1.0. At a median follow-up of 16 months, local control was achieved in 18 of 22 primary and in one of eight of recurrent tumors. CONCLUSION: The Laitinen stereotactic localizer is well tolerated with accurate reproducibility during stereotactic radiation therapy. Preliminary local control rates are consistent with those in other reports.

Tissue/dose compensation to reduce toxicity from combined radiation and chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancers.

This study was undertaken to quantify the reduction in normal tissue complications resulting from the aggressive management of advanced head and neck cancers (AHNCs) utilizing tissue/dose compensation (TDC). Thirty-nine patients with AHNC were treated on an intensive chemotherapy + radiation regimen. Eighteen of 39 patients were treated using TDC; the remaining 21 patients were radiated without TDC (NTDC). Acute and chronic toxicities, swallowing, speech function, and quality of life were assessed. The TDC group had a smaller radiation dose gradient across the entire treatment volume. Unscheduled treatment breaks were required in 11% of TDC patients as compared with 43% of the NTDC group (P = 0.04). The TDC group had fewer Grade 3 or 4 acute and chronic toxicities and lower SOMA scores. At 3 months posttreatment, patients in the TDC group had better oral intake, lower pharyngeal residue, and better oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency and were able to swallow more bolus types. Patients in the TDC group also had better articulation. Use of TDC resulted in reduced treatment-related interruptions, decreased acute and chronic toxicities, and better speech and swallowing functions. Techniques to improve radiation dose conformality around the target tissues while decreasing the radiation dose to the normal tissues should be an integral part of aggressive combined modality therapy.

Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for pediatric brain tumors: the Chicago children's experience.

Thirty-three children with a total of 35 benign/malignant brain and eye neoplasms were treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. In the first 11 children immobilization for treatment was achieved with plaster of Paris casts or aquaplast masks. In the remaining 22 children the Laitinen stereoadapter was used. Radiation was delivered with noncoplanar static or rotational beams. The dose fractionation used was 50.4-60 Gy in 28-30 fractions in patients receiving treatment with curative intent, and 10-32 Gy at 2-4 Gy/fraction for reirradiation. The accuracy of daily treatment was < 2 mm. After a median follow-up of 27 months, 22 of the 25 children treated with curative intent achieved local control. One child had progressive brain necrosis following 54 Gy in 30 fractions for a pontine astrocytoma. The exact etiology of this complication is unknown. This series demonstrates that in children fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy using the Laitinen stereoadapter is well tolerated and accurate and results in good local control.

[Ventricular arrhythmia in patients with chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis]. / Komorowe zaburzenia rytmu serca u pacjentów z przewlekla niewydolnoscia nerek leczonych hemodializami.

From the group of 66 patients (pts) treated with in-hospital haemodialysis (HD), 30 pts were selected for 48 hrs monitoring of heart rhythm to register arrhythmias using Holter method. Cardiovascular complications were observed in 24 pts (80%) of the studied group; ischemic heart disease in 10 pts (33%), chronic cardiac failure in 8 pts (27%), left ventricular hypertrophy in 16 pts (53%) and hypertension in 24 pts. During 48 hrs of heart rhythm monitoring ventricular heart arrhythmias (VHA) were registered in 23 pts. 8 pts of this group had more then 100 additional ventricular beats for 24 hrs. VHA were registered before HD in 14 pts, during HD in 15 pts and after in 15 pts. The frequency of VHA pt/one hour of monitoring increased during and immediately after HD. There were no statistically significant differences between 23 pts with VHA and 7 pts without VHA with respect to the following parameters measured before HD: blood pressure, urea, calcium, kalium and magnesium blood concentrations. We found statistically significant difference between both groups of pts for creatinine values (p < 0.02); respectively 899.7 mmol/l SD 152 mmol/l versus 767 mmol/l SD 95.3 mmol/l and for interdialytic body weight increase (p < 0.012); respectively 2.65 kg SD 0.8 kg versus 2.04 kg SD 0.46 kg. Our initial results indicate that VHA appears in the majority of hemodialysed pts and that HD intensifies arrhythmogenic influence of irreversible renal failure on heart. It is also possible that non-adequate HD might be responsible for induction of ventricular heart arrhythmias during and after dialysis.

Transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of right heart hemodynamics during high-frequency jet ventilation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate right ventricular dimensions and function by echocardiography in anesthetized patients during superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University hospital operating room. PATIENTS: 20 ASA physical status I patients undergoing elective minor otorhinolaryngological surgery, and undergoing conventional mechanical ventilation with subsequent superimposed HFJV. INTERVENTIONS: Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography with a 5-MHz multiplane transducer to determine right ventricular dimensions and function from a mid-esophageal view. Insertion of a radial artery catheter for monitoring blood pressure and blood gases. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes determined by echocardiography, stroke volume, and ejection fraction. Measurements were performed after 10 minutes of conventional positive pressure ventilation (control) and after 10 minutes of subsequent superimposed HFJV at similar peak and positive end-expiratory airway pressures. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes, stroke volume, and ejection fraction did not reveal statistical significant differences after transition to HFJV. Interventricular septum did not show any abnormalities in motion. In contrast, interatrial septum demonstrated momentary mid-systolic bows toward the left atrium in 9 of 17 patients (53%) during conventional ventilation, but in 15 of 17 patients (88%) during jet ventilation. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure remained unchanged, but arterial oxygen tension values were higher and arterial carbon dioxide tension values lower during HFJV. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of right heart hemodynamics did not show any significant difference after transition of ventilation to superimposed HFJV applying similar airway pressures. Furthermore, superimposed HFJV was safe and effective, it improved oxygenation, and it facilitated carbon dioxide elimination.

A new prototype of an electronic jet-ventilator and its humidification system.

BACKGROUND: Adequate humidification in long-term jet ventilation is a critical aspect in terms of clinical safety. AIM: To assess a prototype of an electronic jet-ventilator and its humidification system. METHODS: Forty patients with respiratory insufficiency were randomly allocated to one of four groups. The criterion for inclusion in this study was respiratory insufficiency exhibiting a Murray score above 2. The four groups of patients were ventilated with three different respirators and four different humidification systems. Patients in groups A and B received superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (SHFJV) by an electronic jet-ventilator either with (group A) or without (group B) an additional humidification system. Patients in group C received high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) by a pneumatic high-frequency respirator, using a hot water humidifier for warming and moistening the inspiration gas. Patients in group D received conventional mechanical ventilation using a standard intensive care unit respirator with a standard humidification system. SHFJV and HFPV were used for a period of 100 h (4days). RESULTS: A significantly low inspiration gas temperature was noted in patients in group B, initially (27.2 +/- 2.5 degrees C) and after 2 days (28.0 +/- 1.6 degrees C) (P < 0.05). The percentage of relative humidity of the inspiration gas in patients in group B was also initially significantly low (69.8 +/- 4.1%; P < 0.05) but rose to an average of 98 +/- 2.8% after 2 h. The average percentage across all four groups amounted to 98 +/- 0.4% after 2 h. Inflammation of the tracheal mucosa was found in patients in group B and the mucosal injury score (MIS) was significantly higher than in all the other groups. Patients in groups A, C and D showed no severe evidence of airway damage, exhibiting adequate values of relative humidity and temperature of the inspired gas. CONCLUSION: The problems of humidification associated with jet ventilation can be fully prevented by using this new jet-ventilator. These data were sustained by nondeteriorating MIS values at the end of the 4-day study period in groups A, C and D.

[SHFJV. Jet-adapter for application of superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (SHFJV) via a tube in intensive care: a new technique]. / SHFJV. Jet-Adapter zur Durchführung der Superponierten Hochfrequenz Jet-Ventilation (SHFJV) über einen Tubus in der Intensivmedizin: Eine technische Neuerung.

UNLABELLED: Despite advances and technical developments in the area of intensive care medicine it has not been possible to lower the mortality of patients with pulmonary insufficiency. Therefore, alternative ventilation strategies have been developed and applied. One of these ventilation techniques is superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (SHFJV). For optimal application of SHFJV we designed a special jet-adapter. METHODS: This jet-adapter made of plastic consists of a T-piece and four central, small-bore cannulas and can be connected to any commercially available endotracheal tube. Therefore, it does not require reintubation with an endotracheal jet tube when beginning SHFJV. The simultaneous high-frequency and low-frequency jet ventilation is performed over two jet-nozzles that have been designed according to optimal flow dynamic measurements. Two further cannulas are used for continuous airway pressure monitoring and humidification of the applied gases. A pre-warmed and humidified bias flow with exactly defined oxygen concentration is led through the cross-part of the T-piece for gas entrainment. Additionally, the cross-part contains a port that can be opened for endotracheal suctioning or bronchoscopy and makes disconnection of the jet adapter from the endotracheal tube for either purpose unnecessary. CONCLUSION: The jet adapter can be used: (1) to apply SHFJV; (2) to measure airway pressures continuously; (3) to humidify and warm inspired gases; (4) to administer medications or add nitrous oxide by the inspiratory route, enabling combination with new therapeutic possibilities in the management of patients with severe ARDS.

Classical and anaplastic seminoma: difference in survival.

Classical and anaplastic seminoma are traditionally treated with radiation therapy and are said to have the same prognosis. A retrospective study was undertaken of 90 seminoma patients treated with radiation therapy between 1961 and 1985. The classical group consisted of 71 patients of whom 50 had stage I and 21 had stage II disease. The anaplastic group consisted of 19 patients of whom ten had stage I and nine had stage II disease. The median follow-up time was 64 months for the entire group. The 10-year relapse-free survival rate for the classical group was 94% and for the anaplastic group was 70% (P less than .05). For patients with classical stage I disease, the relapse-free actuarial survival rate was 98%; for patients with anaplastic stage I disease, it was 64% (P less than .02). For the classical stage II disease group, the relapse-free actuarial survival rate was 84% and for the anaplastic stage II disease group, 75% (P less than .70). Four patients in the classical group (6%) had relapses; of these, one patient had local recurrence of tumor, and three had distant metastases. In the anaplastic group, four patients (21%) had relapses; two patients had local recurrence of tumor, and two had distant metastases. Therefore the data suggest a difference in survival and relapse rates between classical and anaplastic seminoma.

The generalized geometry of eye plaque therapy.

A calculation is described that enables the rapid assessment of dose rate at various points of interest within the eye (lens, optic nerve, etc.) for the treatment of choroidal melanoma by plaque therapy. 125I seeds are used as the radiation source. The location of the plaque and its associated seeds relative to the eye (in a Cartesian coordinate system) is determined from the description of the tumor, as drawn and dimensioned on a fundus-view diagram by the ophthalmologist. This requires a computer to numerically solve an equation, which is derived in the framework of spherical geometry. Further results of this calculation yield data files that serve as the input to a conventional brachytherapy treatment planning program. This enables the visualization of the dose distribution within a plane that contains the major axis of the tumor in order to assess the adequacy of the treated volume.

A double-junction technique for total central nervous system irradiation with a 4-MV accelerator.

An analysis is presented of a double-junction technique for the treatment of the complete central nervous system using orthogonal brain and spine ports from a 4-MV linear accelerator with a lead flattening filter. Experimental results are compared with calculated results in the junction zone. This study shows that clinically homogeneous doses (+/- 6%) can be delivered to the total central nervous system, provided that the irradiation of the junction zone is terminated about 10% sooner than irradiation of the rest of the brain and cord. The number of reduced fractions to be delivered in this region can be determined from the results of scatter dose calculations.

Uterine contractility data processing system.

A versatile system has been developed for off-line computerized quantitation of uterine contractility. It includes tabulation and display of intensity, frequency, resting tone, uterine activity, cumulative area below the pressure curve, and average intrauterine pressure. Its advantages and drawbacks are compared with the conventional method and with an automated on-line labor surveillance system.