Endothelin-Converting Enzyme 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as Potential Biomarkers during Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion with Prolonged Hypothermic Lung-Sparing.

Lung transplantation requires optimization of donor's organ use through ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) to avoid primary graft dysfunction. Biomarkers can aid in organ selection by providing early evidence of suboptimal lungs during EVLP and thus avoid high-risk transplantations. However, predictive biomarkers of pulmonary graft function such as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have not been described under EVLP with standard prolonged hypothermic preservation, which are relevant in situations where lung procurement is difficult or far from the transplantation site. Therefore, this study is aimed at quantifying ECE-1 and VEGF, as well as determining their association with hemodynamic, gasometric, and mechanical ventilatory parameters in a swine model of EVLP with standard prolonged hypothermic preservation. Using a protocol with either immediate (I-) or delayed (D-) initiation of EVLP, ECE-1 levels over time were found to remain constant in both study groups (p > 0.05 RM-ANOVA), while the VEGF protein was higher after prolonged preservation, but it decreased throughout EVLP (p > 0.05 RM-ANOVA). Likewise, hemodynamic, gasometric, mechanical ventilatory, and histological parameters had a tendency to better results after 12 hours of hypothermic preservation in the delayed infusion group.

Treatment with Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Improves Extracellular Matrix Assembly for Scarring after Tracheal Resection.

Treatment of tracheal stenosis is occasionally performed in combination with wound healing modulators to manipulate new extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and prevent fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (collagen-PVP) decrease fibrosis in experimental tracheal healing. However, they have not been used clinically as their effect on ECM components, which modify tracheal scarring, has not been described. Objective. To evaluate the effect of the application of HA, collagen-PVP, a mixture of HA and collagen-PVP (HA+collagen-PVP), and mitomycin C on the expression of decorin, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), and MMP9, as well as the type of collagen and deposits formed in the scar after resection and end-to-end anastomosis (REEA) of the cervical trachea using an experimental model. Materials and Methods. Thirty dogs underwent REEA of the cervical trachea and were treated with different wound healing modulators: group I (n = 6), control; group II (n = 6), HA; group III (n = 6), collagen-PVP; group IV (n = 6), HA+collagen-PVP; and group V (n = 6), mitomycin C. The dogs were evaluated clinically and endoscopically for 4 weeks. Subsequently, macroscopic and microscopic changes, expression of ECM proteins, and collagen deposition in tracheal scars were analysed. Results. Groups II, III, and IV showed reduced endoscopic, macroscopic, and microscopic inflammation, improved neovascularization, high decorin expression (p < 0.01, analysis of variance (ANOVA)), and moderate expression of MMP1 (p < 0.003, ANOVA) and type I and III collagen (p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis). Groups IV and V developed fewer collagen deposits (p < 0.001, ANOVA). Conclusion. Treatment with HA and collagen-PVP improved post-REEA healing by increasing neovascularization, stimulating the expression of decorin, and regulating the expression of MMP1, as well as type I and III collagen and their deposition.

Primary Cardiac Epithelioid Angiosarcoma in a Latin American Patient: Case Report and Literature Review.

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and clinically challenging pathology. It is a high-grade primary malignant tumor of the heart tissue that has many variants, of which the epithelioid variant is rarely present in the heart or the great vessels. As with many other cardiac tumors, it is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion and the initial diagnostic test is an echocardiogram followed by a biopsy with immunohistochemistry analysis to ascertain the type of tumor. The differential diagnosis of cardiac tumors is challenging due to the overlapping clinical manifestations with different cardiac tumors and systemic diseases. Cardiac angiosarcomas are often aggressive with a poor prognosis even with treatment. Herein, we present a case of the epithelioid variant of a cardiac angiosarcoma in addition to a thorough review of the recent literature on the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of this type of tumors.

Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Primary Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Latin American Patient.

Primary cardiac malignancies are rare entities. Although sarcomas enclosed the main group of malignant heart neoplasms, primary cardiac leiomyosarcomas are extremely rare and constitutes less than 8% of cardiac tumors. Leiomyosarcoma usually originates from the pulmonary veins and have a worm-like shaped structure. In this article, we present a case of a 40-year-old Hispanic man diagnosed with a cardiac tumor who underwent surgical resection, during pathological examination the tissue samples were consistent with a malignancy of mesenchymal origin that contained irregular bundles of spindle cells. Subsequent immunohistochemical study categorized the mass as a primary heart leiomyosarcoma with positive smooth muscle actin and muscle specific actin. As usual in this type of malignancy, patient's clinical status declined overtime, recurrence was diagnosed two months after surgery, and four months after the procedure the patient was discharge for palliative care.

Quadricuspid aortic valve: an unexpected echocardiographic finding.

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is an anatomic valvular variant, with a prevalence of 0.008% to 0.033% in the general population, and 1.46% in patients that undergo aortic valve replacement. The QAV can be an isolated valvular abnormality or associated with other congenital heart defects. In this article, we present three of the few reported cases of QAV in the Hispanic population, all of which were asymptomatic and without evidence of hemodynamic alterations or other associated heart defects. Additionally a literature review is provided.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case of Fatal Löffler Endocarditis.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder with unknown global prevalence, barely reported in Hispanic population, and characterized by persistent eosinophilia in association with organ dysfunctions directly attributable to eosinophilic infiltration. Cardiac involvement may be present in 50 to 60% of the patients. This is known as Löffler endocarditis. We present a case of a 36-year-old Hispanic man with signs of heart failure. Laboratory studies showed eosinophilia (23,100/µL). Thoracic computer tomography showed bilateral pleural effusion and a large left ventricular mass. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricle apical obliteration and a restrictive pattern. Pulmonary angiography demonstrated a thrombus in the lingular and middle lobe. Despite treatment, the patient deceased seven days after admission. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Löffler endocarditis.

Hemodynamic changes in a pregnant patient with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare acyanotic heart disease. The evaluation of the hemodynamic alteration, before and after delivery, has been poorly reported. This case report is about a hispanic patient presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with a systolic murmur and a loud second pulmonary sound. Echocardiographic study revealed a CCTGA with dilatation of the morphologically right ventricle (RV), severe regurgitation of the tricuspid valve and secondary pulmonary hypertension without other heart defects. The patient had a full term pregnancy, without any complication before, during or after the childbirth.

Sistema endotelina / Endothelin system

La familia de las endotelinas (ET), está constituida por tres isoformas de 21 aminoácidos: endotelina-1 (ET-1), endotelina-2 (ET-2) y endotelina-3 (ET-3). Las ET son potentes agentes presores endógenos, secretadas por diferentes tejidos y células del organismo. De las tres isoformas, la ET-1 es sintetizada predominantemente por el endotelio vascular. La ET- 1 induce vasoconstricción, es proinflamatoria, profibrosis y tiene acción potencialmente mitógena. Es un importante factor en la regulación del tono vascular y participa en la remodelación vascular. Estos efectos son mediados a través de dos tipos de receptores, ET A y ET B. Los receptores ET A están localizados principalmente en el músculo liso vascular y son responsables de inducir la proliferación celular y vasoconstricción. Los receptores ET B están presentes en las células endoteliales y son mediadores de la relajación vascular por activación de la producción de óxido nítrico y prostaciclina, además, intervienen en la depuración de la ET-1. El sistema endotelina está involucrado esencialmente con la hipertensión arterial sistémica, hipertensión pulmonar, aterosclerosis, reestenosis coronaria, falla cardíaca, cardiomiopatías e insuficiencia renal.

The endothelins (ET S) family consists of three 21 aminoacid isoforms: endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2) and endothelin-3 (ET-3). ET S are very potent endogenous pressor agents, secreted by various cells and tissues in the human body. Of the three, endothelin-1 is the predominant isoform produced by the vascular endothelium. ET-1 induces vasoconstriction, is proinflammatory, profibrosis, and has mitogenic potential; it is also an important factor in the regulation of vascular tone and arterial vascular remodeling. These effects are mediated via two receptor types, ET A and ET B. ET A receptor is located mainly on vascular smooth muscle and is responsible for mediating vasoconstriction and proliferation. The ET B receptor is present predominantly on endothelial cells and mediates vasorelaxation for NO and prostacyclin release and also ET-1 clearance. The ET system is activated in essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary restenosis, heart failure, idiopathic cardiomyopathy and renal failure.

Tratamiento de aa hemoptisis masiva con embolizción de arterias bronquiales: eexperiencia de cinco años i

Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de la embolización de arterias bronquiales en el control de la hemoptisis masiva. Material y métodos: Entre 1997 a 2003 se realizaron 30 procedimientos de embolización bronquial por hemoptisis masiva en 24 pacientes (10 mujeres y 20 hombres), con rango de edad de 2 a 77 años con promedio de 47 años. La mayoría de los casos se debió a tuberculosis pulmonar. La vía de acceso fue a través de la arteria femoral derecha. Los vasos responsables de la hemoptisis se embolizaron usando partículas de alcohol polivinílico o en combinación con coils fibrados. Resultados: Los hallazgos radiológicos observados por angiografía selectiva de arterias bronquiales fueron a través de la hipervascularización bronquial, extravasación de medio de contraste, cortocircuito arteria bronquial-arteria pulmonar y dilatación de arterias bronquiales. El éxito de la embolización bronquial en la primera semana fue de 82.3% y a los 6 meses de seguimiento de 66.6%. Tres casos requirieron embolización múltiple. Seis pacientes fueron sometidos a cirugía para control de la hemorragia bronquial. Conclusiones: La embolización de arterias bronquiales es un tratamiento efectivo para el control de la hemoptisis moderada y masiva. En la mayoría de nuestros casos el padecimiento subyacente fue la tuberculosis pulmonar seguido por los shunt, y arteria bronquial-arteria pulmonar. Se observaron mejores resultados con la combinación de microesferas de alcohol polivinílico y coils fibrados.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of bronchial artery embolization in the control of massive hemoptysis. Material and methods: From January 1997 to December 2003, 30 bronchial artery embolizations were done in 24 patients (10 women and 20 men), ages from 2 years to 77 years old, mean age 47 years. Most cases were due to tuberculosis. The way of access was the right femoral artery and the bronchial arteries were occluded with polyvinyl alcohol microspheres with or without the combination with vascular coils. Results: Bronchial hipervasculature, contrast medium leakage, bronchial-pulmonary artery shortcut and dilatation of bronchial artery embolization were seen in 82.3% of the cases during the first week and 66.6% after 6 months follow-up. Three patients needed multiple embolization and 6 patients needed surgery to control bleeding. Conclusion: Bronchial artery embolization is an effective method for the control of moderate to massive hemoptysis. Most of our cases were due to pulmonary tuberculosis followed by bronchial-pulmonary artery shortcut. Better results are obtained with a combination of polyvinyl alcohol microspheres and vascular coils.

Tromboendarterettomía pulmonar bilateral en un aso de hipertensión arterial puulmonar tromboembólica crónica

El embolismo pulmonar, problema de salud pública mundial, presenta una incidencia anual estimada en 100,000 casos en Francia, 65,000 en Inglaterra y Gales, 630,000 en Estados Unidos y 60,000 nuevos casos por año en Italia. La mortalidad en casos no tratados asciende a 30% y con tratamiento adecuado es del 2-8%. La hipertensión arterial pulmonar tromboembólica crónica acontece en el 0.1 al 0.5% de los pacientes que sobreviven al evento embólico y es el resultado de la obstrucción de las arterias pulmonares principales por la presencia de émbolos pulmonares. La obstrucción del lecho vascular pulmonar contribuye al desarrollo de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar, la cual determina diversos grados de disfunción ventricular derecha y modifica la sobrevida en estos pacientes. La hipertensión arterial pulmonar tromboembólica crónica es potencialmente corregible mediante cirugía: tromboendarterectomía pulmonar con circulación extracorpórea, hipotermia profunda a 16°C, y perfusión cerebral retrógrada. En el presente artículo se reporta un caso de tromboembolia pulmonar crónica con obstrucción de 70% del lecho vascular pulmonar y disfunción ventricular derecha, sometido a cirugía de tromboendarterectomía pulmonar bilateral, observándose cambios ostensibles hacia la mejoría en los parámetros hemodinámicos, respiratorios y estado funcional. Estas variables mejoran la calidad de vida y sobrevida.

Pulmonary embolism is a global public health problem with estimated annual incidence of 100,000 cases ion France, 65,000 in England and Wales, 630,000 in the United States and 60,000 new cases per year in Italy. Mortality of untreated cases can be up to 30% and with adequate treatment of 2-8%. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension occurs in 0.1 to 0.5% of patients who survive to the embolic event, and is the result of main pulmonary artery obstruction due to the presence of pulmonary embolia. Obstruction of the pulmonary vascular bed contributes to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, which determines diverse degrees of right ventricular dysfunction and modifies patient survival expectancy. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension is potentially corrigible by pulmonary thromboendaterectomy with extracorporeal circulation, deep hypothermia at 16°C and retrograde cerebral perfusion. The present article reports a case of chronic pulmonary thromboembolia with 70% obstruction of the pulmonary vascular bed and right ventricle dysfunction, subjected to bilateral pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Visible improvements in hemodynamic, respiratory and functional state parameters were observed. These variables increase life quality and survival expectancy.

Fibrinólisis con microdosis de sptreptoquinasa en embolismo pulmonar. Reporte de tres casos / Fibrinolysis with microdose of streptokinase in pulmonary thromboemolism. Report of three cases

Se presentan los casos de tres pacientes portadores de embolismo pulmonar agudo con extensión de la oclusión igual o mayor al 25 por ciento del lecho vascular pulmonar, hemodinámicamente estables, sometidos a tratamiento anticoagulante más fibrinolítico con estreptoquinasa. La dosis de impregnación fue de 250,000 UI/1h y mantenimiento de 25,000 UI/h por 18 a 24 horas. Se practicó angiografía y registro de parámetros hemodinámicos pre y postrombólisis. Observándose reperfusión prácticamente total de los sitios afectados, y el comportamiento hemo-dinámico por el embolismo pulmonar masivo se catalogó como de mínima repercusión.