Renal hypertensive hypertrophy in the rat: a substrate for arrhythmogenicity.

We investigated the ability of ouabain to produce lethal arrhythmias in rats with myocardial hypertrophy resulting from chronic renal hypertension. A gradual pressure overload was produced in female Wistar rats by left renal artery stenosis (two kidney, one clip, Goldblatt hypertension). Hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than 150 mm Hg) developed within three weeks after clipping of the left renal artery and blood pressure continued to increase for the next five weeks. At ten weeks after the onset of hypertension animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (40 mg/kg) and artificially ventilated with room air while ECG was continually monitored and recorded. Continuous infusion of ouabain was maintained (0.7 mg/kg/min) through the inferior vena cava. Body weight and heart rate of control animals (C) was not significantly different from hypertensive (H) values, while systolic blood pressure in animals hypertensive for ten weeks was considerably greater (187 +/- 8.4 mm Hg) than their age-matched normotensive counterparts (123 +/- 6.0 mm Hg). Heart weight in hypertensive animals was elevated by 69% +/- 2.5 by time of study. Serological evaluation of both groups of animals revealed no significant differences in electrolytes and blood gases while significant differences were noted in glucose, BUN and creatinine. The average time to the first premature ventricular contraction was significantly shorter in H animals (3.5 +/- 0.2 min) when compared to C rats (6.0 +/- 0.2 min). The average time to ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and death were also significantly shorter in H rats when compared to C animals (7.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 13.5 +/- 0.3; 13.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 21.0 +/- 0.5; 15.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 24.0 +/- 0.6 min). Thus, the hypertensive hypertrophied myocardium displays an increased propensity for lethal cardiac arrhythmias due to ouabain.

Elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels in the 45,x (Turner syndrome) fetus with cystic hygroma. Case reports.

A 45,X fetus with cystic hygroma, associated with an elevated amniotic alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (greater than 80 microgram/ml). Is described, as are macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this fetus and two other female fetuses with cystic hygroma. The ultrasonographic diagnosis of fetal cystic hygroma is discussed. The association of a high amniotic AFP level with cystic hygroma is considered. The relationship between cystic hygroma and pterygium colli in liveborn infants with Turner syndrome, and the evolution of neck webbing, as seen in the adult with turner syndrome, is also discussed.

Suturas colonicas mecanicas EEA y manuales en cirugia experimental. / Colonic mechanical EEA and manual sutures in experimental surgery

Se analizan los resultados anatomopatologicos obtenidos en una serie de 28 perros, a los que se les efectuo suturas colonicas EEA y manuales. Con el objeto de obtener cifras estadisticamente significativas, se tomaron 18 perros sacrificados en 3 lotes de 6 cada uno a los 5, 15, y 30 dias. Las suturas mecanicas evidenciaron mayor lisura, conservacion de la mucosa, continuidad de la pared muscular, mayor diametro interno, menor necrosis y reparacion angioblastica, como asi tambien ausencia de granulomas por cuerpo extrano. El numero de dehiscencias producido a nivel de sutura manual fue 4 veces mayor que las de la sutura automatica

Suturas colonicas mecanicas EEA y manuales en cirugia experimental. / Colonic mechanical EEA and manual sutures in experimental surgery

Se analizan los resultados anatomopatologicos obtenidos en una serie de 28 perros, a los que se les efectuo suturas colonicas EEA y manuales. Con el objeto de obtener cifras estadisticamente significativas, se tomaron 18 perros sacrificados en 3 lotes de 6 cada uno a los 5, 15, y 30 dias. Las suturas mecanicas evidenciaron mayor lisura, conservacion de la mucosa, continuidad de la pared muscular, mayor diametro interno, menor necrosis y reparacion angioblastica, como asi tambien ausencia de granulomas por cuerpo extrano. El numero de dehiscencias producido a nivel de sutura manual fue 4 veces mayor que las de la sutura automatica

Ultrasonography in obstetric and gynaecological private practice.

A resume of the main uses of echography in obstetrics and gynaecology in a private practice is presented. The procedure is a simple, atraumatic one, without danger of X-radiation to the fetus or the hazard of angiography to the patient, and can be repeated without risk. It has a high degree of accuracy, as well as being a very useful aid, to gynaecologists and general practitioners alike, whenever there is doubt in the clinical assessment, or for confirmation of any underlying complication.