Prothrombin Gene Mutation as a Teaching Tool: An Autobiographical Case Report.

The prothrombin G20210A factor II mutation carrier status has been reported to cause complications during pregnancy. This report presents the case of a patient diagnosed with heterozygous prothrombin G20210A factor II mutation at 29 years of age during preconception genetic screening. The patient had two uncomplicated pregnancies. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a complicated postoperative course. The complications included deep vein thrombophlebitis (DVT), portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and pulmonary embolization (PE). The treatment options and contraceptive choices are also discussed in this report. Our report discusses the subsequent risks inherent in a heterozygote following the administration of oral contraceptives, prolonged immobilization related to lower extremity trauma, and extended motor vehicle excursion.

Allopurinol, xanthine oxidase, and cardiac ischemia.

Allopurinol as an effective inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) has been used for several decades for the treatment of patients with gout and hyperuricemia. Because the inhibition of XO limits the formation of radical oxygen species as well as uric acid (UA) production, allopurinol has been used experimentally for the treatment of conditions associated with ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury.Although there have been many ischemic organs treated in the laboratory with allopurinol, the heart has been of particular interest. Therefore, we emphasize our attention to the administration of XO inhibitors such as allopurinol on cardiac I/R as well as cardiac failure. Experimental data also support allopurinol as a possible consideration for biochemical support after acute myocardial infarction. Anker and associates (Circulation. 2003;107:1991-1997) have observed a direct correlation between uric acid levels and mortality in treated heart failure patients. Anker and associates showed a 100% mortality rate in patients with UA levels 800 micromol/L or less over a period of 3 years. Comparing this to a 27% mortality rate in patients with UA levels 400 micromol/L or less over a period of 10 years, it seems that the suppression of XO activity ameliorates myocardial inefficiency, and poor vascular flow may present innovative contributions to the future treatment of I/R heart failure patients. Our review focuses on the role of allopurinol on ischemic hearts as well as those with added chronic heart failure.

Mercury exposure aboard an ore boat.

Two maritime academy interns (X and Y) were exposed to mercury vapor after spilling a bottle of mercury on the floor in an enclosed storeroom while doing inventory aboard an ore boat. During a 3-day period, intern Y suffered transient clinical intoxication that resolved after he was removed from the environment and he showered and discarded all clothing. His initial serum mercury level dropped from 4 ng/mL to < 0.05 ng/mL. Intern X had an initial level of 11 ng/mL, which continued to rise to a maximum of 188.8 ng/mL. He complained of tremulousness, insomnia, and mild agitation and was hospitalized. He had showered and discarded all clothing except his footwear earlier than intern Y. Intern X's continued exposure due to mercury in the contaminated boots during the 2 weeks before hospitalization was presumed to be the cause. Removing his footwear led to resolution of his toxic symptoms and correlated with subsequent lowered serum mercury levels. Chelation was initiated as recommended, despite its uncertain benefit for neurologic intoxication. Mercury is used in the merchant marine industry in ballast monitors called king gauges. New engineering is recommended for ballast monitoring to eliminate this hazard.