Doppler echocardiographic criteria in patency assessment of composite grafts from left internal thoracic artery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to establish, with an entirely noninvasive method, transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, criteria for patency of composite left internal thoracic artery grafts when placed on the left anterior descending artery and other branches of the left coronary system. METHODS: The control group comprised 20 patients with single graft and 20 patients with composite graft; all forty having their patency confirmed by coronary angiogram (CA). In this control group, two Doppler echocardiographic variables, diastolic mean velocity-time and integral diastolic peak velocity to systolic peak velocity ratio were recorded. For each variable, established cut-off points were established, using the ROC (Receiver Operator Characteristic) curves, to identify criteria which could differentiate the composite grafts. Only patients with composite grafts were included in the 159-patients study group. The criteria established by the cut-off points in the control group were then applied to detect patency using a diastolic fraction of > 0.5 as the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of these two criteria were determined. RESULTS: In the control group, cut-off points of 0.71 and 0.09 m were established for the diastolic peak velocity/systolic peak velocity ratio and for diastolic mean velocity-time integral, respectively. In the study group phase, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the diastolic peak velocity/systolic peak velocity > 0.71 criterion were 36% and 11%, respectively. Diastolic mean velocity-time integral > 0.09 m criterion, were 40% and 10.48%. The specificities and positive predictive values of each criterion were 100%. CONCLUSION: Values reaching the criteria established for each variable indicate high probability of composite graft patency. Lower values have a large proportion of false negatives and are not conclusive as patency criteria.

Doppler echocardiographic criteria in patency assessment of composite grafts from left internal thoracic artery / Parâmetros Dopplerfluxométricos de perviedade do enxerto composto de artéria torácica interna esquerda

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to establish, with an entirely noninvasive method, transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, criteria for patency of composite left internal thoracic artery grafts when placed on the left anterior descending artery and other branches of the left coronary system. METHODS: The control group comprised 20 patients with single graft and 20 patients with composite graft; all forty having their patency confirmed by coronary angiogram (CA). In this control group, two Doppler echocardiographic variables, diastolic mean velocity-time and integral diastolic peak velocity to systolic peak velocity ratio were recorded. For each variable, established cut-off points were established, using the ROC (Receiver Operator Characteristic) curves, to identify criteria which could differentiate the composite grafts. Only patients with composite grafts were included in the 159-patients study group. The criteria established by the cut-off points in the control group were then applied to detect patency using a diastolic fraction of > 0.5 as the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of these two criteria were determined. RESULTS: In the control group, cut-off points of 0.71 and 0.09m were established for the diastolic peak velocity/systolic peak velocity ratio and for diastolic mean velocity-time integral, respectively. In the study group phase, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the diastolic peak velocity/systolic peak velocity > 0.71 criterion were 36% and 11%, respectively. Diastolic mean velocity-time integral > 0.09m criterion, were 40% and 10.48%. The specificities and positive predictive values of each criterion were 100%. CONCLUSION: Values reaching the criteria established for each variable indicate high probability of composite graft patency. Lower values have a large proportion of false negatives and are not conclusive as patency criteria.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é estabelecer parâmetros preditores de perviedade, avaliados por Dopplerfluxometria, do enxerto composto de artéria torácica interna esquerda, quando revasculariza a artéria interventricular anterior e outro ramo do sistema esquerdo. MÉTODOS: O grupo controle foi formado por 20 pacientes com enxerto simples e 20 pacientes com enxerto, composto cuja perviedade foi confirmada por cineangiocoronariografia. No grupo controle, as variáveis de fluxo relação velocidade pico diastólico/velocidade pico sistólico e integral da velocidade média/tempo na diástole foram registradas. Para cada variável, estabeleceram-se pontos de corte para identificar enxertos compostos, usando-se curvas ROC (receiver operator characteristic). No grupo estudo, foram avaliados 159 pacientes com enxerto composto, determinando-se os dois parâmetros de fluxo. Pontos de cortes estabelecidos no grupo controle foram usados para determinar sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivo e negativo de cada variável relacionada à perviedade dos enxertos, tomando-se como referência a fração diastólica > 0,5. RESULTADOS: No grupo controle, os pontos de corte estabelecidos para as variáveis velocidade pico diastólico/velocidade pico sistólico e integral velocidade média/tempo na diástole foram, respectivamente, 0,71 e 0,09m. No grupo estudo, a sensibilidade para a velocidade pico diastólico/velocidade pico sistólico e integral da velocidade média/tempo na diástole, considerando seus pontos de corte, foi de 36,4% e 40%, respectivamente. Os respectivos valores preditivos negativos foram 11% e 10.48%, enquanto especificidade e valor preditivo positivo foram de 100% para os dois parâmetros. CONCLUSÃO: Valores maiores ou iguais aos estabelecidos para cada variável indicam alta probabilidade de perviedade do enxerto composto. Valores inferiores apresentam grande proporção de falsos negativos, não sendo conclusivos quanto à perviedade.

Experimental model of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and validate, in our laboratory, the essay of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats by means of analysis of hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress markers and histopathological parameters. METHODS: Thirty young, male, Wistar rats (145 to 230 g) were randomly allocated in two groups: Sham group, which underwent a virtual myocardial infarction induction, and the Infarction group, which underwent a myocardial infarction induction with isoproterenol. The administrations for the infarction induction were performed during two consecutive days and a 24-hour interval between them. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, rats from both groups were anesthetized and sacrificed for blood sample collection to evaluate complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical parameters (SGOT, SGPT, troponin I, urea and creatinin), obtain myocardial fragments for oxidative stress markers analyses (catalase activity and glutathione concentrations) as well as histopathological examinations. RESULTS: There were no death cases in the Sham group, while the mortality rate in the Infarction group was 25%. Myocardial infarction induction with isoproterenol raised leukocytes and neutrophils counts, SGOT, troponin I and urea concentrations, reduced catalase enzyme activity and glutathione concentrations in the myocardium and let to histopathological concentrations as well. It did not exert alterations in terms of hemoglobin, SGPT and creatinin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction essay in rats was adequately reproduced in our laboratory, causing alterations in hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress markers and histopathological parameters.

Infected aneurysm of brachial artery after mitral valve infective endocarditis.

We present a case of brachial artery infected aneurysm in a patient with infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus bovis. A 49-year-old man presented with fever dyspnea and a pansystolic murmur with irradiation to axilla. The echocardiogram revealed vegetation in native mitral valve. After mitral valve replacement with bioprosthesis, it was observed pulsatile mass of five centimeters in diameter at antecubital fossa of right upper limb. It was made the diagnosis of infected aneurysm of the brachial artery, and the surgery was performed successfully. The aim of this case report is to show a rare complication after infective endocarditis.

Modelo experimental de infarto do miocárdio induzido por isoproterenol em ratos / Experimental model of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e validar, em nosso meio, o modelo de infarto do miocárdio induzido por isoproterenol em ratos por meio de análises de parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos, de marcadores do estresse oxidativo e histopatológicos. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos jovens, machos, da linhagem Wistar (145 a 230 g), foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo Simulado, submetido à falsa indução de infarto do miocárdio, e grupo Infarto, submetido à indução do infarto do miocárdio com isoproterenol. As aplicações, para indução do infarto, foram realizadas durante dois dias consecutivos, com intervalo de 24 horas entre elas. Após 24 horas da última aplicação, os ratos de ambos os grupos foram anestesiados e sacrificados para realização de coleta de sangue para hemograma e análise bioquímica (TGO, TGP, troponina I, ureia e creatinina) e coleta de fragmento do miocárdio para avaliação de marcadores do estresse oxidativo (atividade da catalase e concentração de glutationa) e exame histopatológico. RESULTADOS: Não houve mortalidade no grupo Simulado, enquanto a mortalidade no grupo Infarto foi de 25%. A indução do infarto do miocárdio com isoproterenol causou elevação das contagens de leucócitos e neutrófilos, dos níveis de TGO, troponina I e ureia, reduziu a atividade da catalase e os níveis teciduais de glutationa e causou alterações histopatológicas. Não acarretou alterações nas concentrações de hemoglobina, TGP e creatinina. CONCLUSÕES: O modelo de infarto do miocárdio induzido por isoproterenol em ratos foi adequadamente reproduzido em nosso laboratório, acarretando alterações em parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos, de marcadores de estresse oxidativo e histopatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and validate, in our laboratory, the essay of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats by means of analysis of hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress markers and histopathological parameters. METHODS: Thirty young, male, Wistar rats (145 to 230 g) were randomly allocated in two groups: Sham group, which underwent a virtual myocardial infarction induction, and the Infarction group, which underwent a myocardial infarction induction with isoproterenol. The administrations for the infarction induction were performed during two consecutive days and a 24-hour interval between them. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, rats from both groups were anesthetized and sacrificed for blood sample collection to evaluate complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical parameters (SGOT, SGPT, troponin I, urea and creatinin), obtain myocardial fragments for oxidative stress markers analyses (catalase activity and glutathione concentrations) as well as histopathological examinations. RESULTS: There were no death cases in the Sham group, while the mortality rate in the Infarction group was 25%. Myocardial infarction induction with isoproterenol raised leukocytes and neutrophils counts, SGOT, troponin I and urea concentrations, reduced catalase enzyme activity and glutathione concentrations in the myocardium and let to histopathological concentrations as well. It did not exert alterations in terms of hemoglobin, SGPT and creatinin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction essay in rats was adequately reproduced in our laboratory, causing alterations in hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress markers and histopathological parameters.

Aneurisma infectado de artéria braquial após endocardite infecciosa de valva mitral / Infected aneurysm of brachial artery after mitral valve infective endocarditis

Apresentamos um caso de aneurisma infectado de artéria braquial em paciente com endocardite infecciosa por Streptococcus bovis. Homem de 49 anos de idade se apresentou com febre, dispnéia e sopro regurgitativo em foco mitral com irradiação para axila. O ecocardiograma demonstrou vegetação em valva mitral nativa. Após troca valvar mitral com implante de prótese biológica, observou-se massa pulsátil de cinco centímetros de diâmetro em fossa antecubital direita. Foi feito o diagnóstico de aneurisma infectado de artéria braquial, e o tratamento cirúrgico foi realizado com sucesso. O objetivo desse relato de caso é apresentar uma complicação pouco comum após endocardite infecciosa.

We present a case of brachial artery infected aneurysm in a patient with infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus bovis. A 49-year-old man presented with fever dyspnea and a pansystolic murmur with irradiation to axilla. The echocardiogram revealed vegetation in native mitral valve. After mitral valve replacement with bioprosthesis, it was observed pulsatile mass of five centimeters in diameter at antecubital fossa of right upper limb. It was made the diagnosis of infected aneurysm of the brachial artery, and the surgery was performed successfully. The aim of this case report is to show a rare complication after infective endocarditis.

Optimization of visibility and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in colonic mucosa in Wistar rats / Otimização da visibilidade e quantificação de focos de criptas aberrantes em mucosa cólica de ratos Wistar

Purpose: Test immersion of microscopy samples in water as an aid to visualizing and quantifying aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rat colon mucosa. Methods: Carcinogenesis was induced with azoxymethane in Wistar rats kept on a conventional diet or a hypercaloric diet containing unsaturated fat. Fifteen weeks after induction, colon samples were retrieved and fixated in a 10 percent formaldehyde solution. The samples were divided into segments (distal, middle, proximal) and stained with 1 percent toluidine blue. The technique tested in the study consisted of immersing microscopy samples in distilled water in order to eliminate the problem of light reflection known from conventional microscopy. Results: When samples were immersed in water during microscopy, significantly more ACF could be visualized in all colon segments than with the conventional method proposed by Bird. Conclusion: Immersing microscopy samples in water aids the visualization and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in rat colon mucosa fixed in formaldehyde.

Objetivo: Otimizar a visibilização de focos de criptas aberrantes (FCA) em mucosa cólica de ratos Wistar. Métodos: Colo de rato Wistar, sob diferentes dietas e submetidos a iniciação de carcinogênese pelo azoximetano há 4 meses, foram previamente lavados, abertos e fixados em solução de formalina a 10 por cento por 24 horas. Após serem corados em azul de toluidina a 1 por cento, foram divididos em segmentos distal, médio e proximal e imersos em água destilada para quantificação de FCA. Resultados: No método de imersão foi visibilizado maior quantidade de focos de criptas aberrantes em todos os segmentos cólicos, com diferença significante, quando comparado com o método de Bird. Conclusão: O método de imersão otimiza a visibilização e quantificação de focos de criptas aberrantes em mucosa cólica (ratos Wistar) fixada em solução de formalina a 10 por cento.

Optimization of visibility and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in colonic mucosa in Wistar rats.

PURPOSE: Test immersion of microscopy samples in water as an aid to visualizing and quantifying aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rat colon mucosa. METHODS: Carcinogenesis was induced with azoxymethane in Wistar rats kept on a conventional diet or a hypercaloric diet containing unsaturated fat. Fifteen weeks after induction, colon samples were retrieved and fixated in a 10% formaldehyde solution. The samples were divided into segments (distal, middle, proximal) and stained with 1% toluidine blue. The technique tested in the study consisted of immersing microscopy samples in distilled water in order to eliminate the problem of light reflection known from conventional microscopy. RESULTS: When samples were immersed in water during microscopy, significantly more ACF could be visualized in all colon segments than with the conventional method proposed by Bird. CONCLUSION: Immersing microscopy samples in water aids the visualization and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in rat colon mucosa fixed in formaldehyde.