Pulmonary arteries in coelacanths shed light on the vasculature evolution of air-breathing organs in vertebrates.

To date, the presence of pulmonary organs in the fossil record is extremely rare. Among extant vertebrates, lungs are described in actinopterygian polypterids and in all sarcopterygians, including coelacanths and lungfish. However, vasculature of pulmonary arteries has never been accurately identified neither in fossil nor extant coelacanths due to the paucity of fossil preservation of pulmonary organs and limitations of invasive studies in extant specimens. Here we present the first description of the pulmonary vasculature in both fossil and extant actinistian, a non-tetrapod sarcopterygian clade, contributing to a more in-depth discussion on the morphology of these structures and on the possible homology between vertebrate air-filled organs (lungs of sarcopterygians, lungs of actinopterygians, and gas bladders of actinopterygians).

Variantes anatómicas de las ramas segmentarias de la arteria pulmonar derecha / Anatomical variations in the segmental branches of the right pulmonary artery

Fundamento: el cáncer de pulmón se considera la más letal de las neoplasias, es la enfermedad de mayor mortalidad por neoplasias malignas, que requiere de tratamiento quirúrgico en etapas tempranas, por lo que el conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas de las arterias pulmonares es de vital importancia para el éxito de la cirugía.Objetivo: describir las variantes anatómicas de las ramas segmentarias de la arteria pulmonar derecha al tener en cuenta número y origen.Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo en el Departamento de Anatomía Humana Normal de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey desde noviembre 2014 hasta mayo 2016. El universo estuvo constituido por 50 bloques anatómicos de pulmones humanos. Las piezas fueron lavadas y perfundidas con agua común y fijada en una solución de formalina al 5 porciento durante un período de más de tres meses. Se realizó la disección macroscópica de los pulmones. Las variables estudiadas fueron: número y origen de los ramos segmentarios. Se diseñó un formulario para la recolección de datos, con la información obtenida se aplicó estadística descriptiva y distribución de frecuencias.Resultados: la variante más observada fue la de número. La variante de origen fue menos frecuente, encontrada sólo en seis de las preparaciones.Conclusiones: las variaciones anatómicas según origen, fueron poco frecuentes, con predominio de la modalidad tronco no correspondiente. En cuanto al número predominaron las variantes en el lóbulo superior y la variedad correspondió a las arterias segmentarias dobles, la arteria segmentaria anterior y la segmentaria del lóbulo medio(AU)

Background: lung cancer is considered the most lethal of all malignant tumors. It is the disease with the highest mortality for malignant neoplasias. It requires surgery in early stages; therefore the knowledge of the anatomical variations of lung arteries is of utmost importance for surgery success.Objectives: to describe the varying patterns in the branches of the right pulmonary artery taking into account origin and number.Methods: an observational and descriptive study in the Human Anatomy Department of the School of Medicine in Camagüey was conducted from November 2014 to May 2016. The universe was formed by 50 anatomical preparations of human lungs. The specimens were rinsed with pipe water and immersed in a formalin 5 percent solution during a period of more than three months. A macroscopic dissection of the lungs was performed. The study variables were: number and origin of the segmental branches. A form was designed for collecting data and with the information obtained descriptive statistics and distribution of frequencies were used.Results: the most observed variable was number. The variation of origin was less frequent. It was only found in six preparations.Conclusions: anatomical variations of origin were less frequent, with a prevalence of non-correspondent trunk modality. Regarding number, variants in the upper lung lobe prevailed and variety corresponded to double segmental arteries, anterior segmental artery and segmental of middle lobe(AU)

Cor triatriatum sinister e hipertensão arterial pulmonar secundária em cão / Cor triatriatum sinister and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension in a dog

This paper describes the occurrence of cor triatriatum sinister, a rare cardiac malformation in dogs, associated with pulmonary edema and pulmonary hypertension in a 5-year-old Poodle female with history of acute dyspnea and cyanosis. The animal presented acute respiratory failure, heart failure with low cardiac output, progressing to acute tubular necrosis and death. The diagnosis was made posmortem due to the clinical instability of the dog. This malformation was diagnosed by the subdivision of the left atrium into two compartments separated by an abnormal fibromuscular membrane, absence of structural abnormalities of the mitral valve and thickening of pulmonary artery tunica media associated with renal tubular degeneration. The occurrence of cor triatriatum in dogs is most common in the right atrium, defined as cor triatriatum dexter. Additionally, pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with this malformation is described only in humans with this heart defect.

Cor triatriatum sinister e hipertensão arterial pulmonar secundária em cão / Cor triatriatum sinister and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension in a dog

This paper describes the occurrence of cor triatriatum sinister, a rare cardiac malformation in dogs, associated with pulmonary edema and pulmonary hypertension in a 5-year-old Poodle female with history of acute dyspnea and cyanosis. The animal presented acute respiratory failure, heart failure with low cardiac output, progressing to acute tubular necrosis and death. The diagnosis was made posmortem due to the clinical instability of the dog. This malformation was diagnosed by the subdivision of the left atrium into two compartments separated by an abnormal fibromuscular membrane, absence of structural abnormalities of the mitral valve and thickening of pulmonary artery tunica media associated with renal tubular degeneration. The occurrence of cor triatriatum in dogs is most common in the right atrium, defined as cor triatriatum dexter. Additionally, pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with this malformation is described only in humans with this heart defect.(AU)

Caracterizacion de las ramas del arco aórtico en una muestra de poblacion colombiana: un estudio con material de autopsia / Characterization of aortic arch branches in a colombian population sample. A study with autopsy material

La variabilidad del arco aórtico y sus ramas emergentes presentan implicaciones en los abordajes quirúrgicos de tórax y cuello, y posiblemente en el desarrollo de procesos ateromatosos ubicados a ese nivel y accidentes cerebrovasculares. Se evaluaron 122 arcos aórticos de individuos adultos de ambos sexos obtenidos como material de autopsia. Se identificó la configuración general de la emergencia de las ramas colaterales de los arcos y se determinó la morfometría de sus componentes con medición electrónica. Se observó la presencia de la configuración usual (tipo A) en 87 arcos (71,3 por ciento); un tronco braqui-bicarotideo (tipo B) en 21 piezas anatómicas (17,2 por ciento) y en 10 casos (8,2 por ciento) la arteria vertebral izquierda se originó directamente del arco aórtico (tipo C); en 4 especímenes (3,3 por ciento) se presentó emergencia atípica de las ramas. El calibre de la aorta en el punto previo a la emergencia de sus ramas y justo después de emitir su última colateral fue de 20,1mm (DE 3,19) y 17,2mm (DE 2,57) respectivamente, con una disminución del 14,5 por ciento. El calibre de las arterias sublavias (7,7mm, DE 1,10) fue significativamente mayor (P=0,0001) que el de las arterias carótidas (6,4mm, DE 0,78). El diámetro de las arterias carótidas derecha e izquierda fue de 6,5mm (DE 0,81) y 6,3mm (DE 0,75) respectivamente. La arteria subclavia derecha presentó mayor calibre que la izquierda (7,9mm, DE 1,09; 7,6mm, DE 1,12) sin diferencia estadisticamente significativa (P=0,0801). La distancia entre el origen del tronco braquiocefálico y el de la subclavia izquierda fue de 32,8mm (DE 6,16) y la longitud del tronco braquiocefálico fue 30,2mm+/-5,27. Se destaca la alta frecuencia de arcos con emergencia de dos y cuatro ramas. Los calibres de las ramas son menores a lo reportado en la literatura.

The variability of the aortic arch and its emergent branches have implications in the surgical approaches of the thorax and neck, and possibly in the development of the atheromatous processes located at that level and the cerebrovascular accidents. We evaluated 122 aortic arches from adult individuals of both sexes obtained as autopsy material. We identified the general configuration of the emergence of the collateral branches of the arcs and determined the morphometry of its components with electronic measurement. We observed the usual configuration (type A) in 87 arches (71.3 percent); a brachio-bicarotid trunk (type B) in 21 anatomical specimens (17.2 percent) and in 10 cases (8.2 percent) the left vertebral artery originated directly from the aortic arch (type C); 4 specimens (3.3 percent) presented atypical emergency in the branches. The caliber of the aorta at the point prior to the emergence of its branches and just after casting his last side was 20.1mm (DS 3.19) and 17.2mm (DS 2.57) respectively, with a decrease of 14.5 percent. The caliber of the subclavian arteries (7.7mm, SD 1.1) was significantly higher (P=0.0001) than of the carotid arteries (64mm, SD 0.78). The diameter of the carotid arteries both right and left were 6.5mm (DS 0.81) and 6.3mm (DS 0.75) respectively. The right subclavian artery presented higher caliber than the left (7.9mm, DS 1.09; 7.6mm, DS 1.12) without significant statistical difference (P=0.0801). The difference between the origin of the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery was 32.8 (DS 6.16); the brachiocephalic trunk length was 30.2mm +/- 5.27. It highlights the high frequency of arches with emergency of two and four branches. The calibers of the branches are smaller than those reported in the literature.

Anatomy of the supraventricular crest in human hearts.

The supraventricular crest is a fleshy trabecula of the right ventricle that has an important function in guiding the blood flow. However, controversy persists regarding its anatomical constitution. In this study, we aimed to investigate its frequency, formation, termination, morphometry, and relationships with the septomarginal trabecula, septal papillary muscle, right atrioventricular ring, and left posterior semilunar valve of the pulmonary trunk valve. Our material consisted of 50 hearts from adult individuals of both sexes that had been preserved in 10% formalin. They were opened along the arterial cone by means of an incision starting at the pulmonary trunk and ending at the right margin. The supraventricular crest was always present. The marginal (right) extremity was formed by two to six muscle bundles that joined together (88%). On the septal (left) side, the single muscle bundle penetrated the interventricular septum directly (88%) or by means of two or three divisions (12%). It could form a septal band (52%) and could pass over the septal papillary muscle (43.5%) or just below it (34.8%). There was a relationship of muscle fibres between these two structures in 64% of cases. Dissection of the septal band demonstrated continuity with the septomarginal trabecula (46%). In 80% of cases, the crest was connected to the right atrioventricular ring and it participated in its outline directly (64%) or by means of muscle expansions (16%). Its muscle fibres bordered the left semilunar valve of the pulmonary valve in 50% of cases. Regarding morphometry, we observed that the length varied little with increasing weight of the heart (22.6%), but the height and width increased markedly with increasing weight of the heart.

Medial hypertrophy in patients with pulmonary embolism: anatomopathological study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the arterial response of cases of acute and chronic embolism, seeking to associate ischemic pulmonary remodeling with progression to chronicity. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 61 necropsies of patients who died in the Instituto do Coração (31 cases of pulmonary embolism and 30 cases of acute myocardial infarction). Slides of pulmonary tissue were obtained from all cases and analyzed qualitative and quantitatively (medial thickness measurement). RESULTS: Qualitative analysis enabled the differentiation between cases of embolism and the control group, thus characterizing the two groups and defining the adequate choice of the control group. The alterations predominated in patients with embolism (alveolar inflammation and edema, infarction, vasoconstriction, concentric intimal proliferation, presence of thrombus). Quantitative analysis demonstrated higher percent medial thickness in the cases of embolism than in the control group; among the cases of embolism, no differences in intra (acute--19.74 and chronic--20.04) and pre-acinar (acute--18.85 and chronic--18.68) arteries were observed. CONCLUSION: The lack of difference among the groups with embolism and the higher values of percent medial thickness in the peripheral arteries allow the conclusion that the vascular response is more intense and starts in these arteries.

Avaliação da hipertrofia da camada média nos pacientes com embolia pulmonar: estudo anatomopatológico / Medial hypertrophy in patients with pulmonary embolism: anatomopathological study

OBJETIVO: Comparar a resposta arterial dos casos de embolia aguda e crônica, procurando associar o remodelamento isquêmico pulmonar à evolução para cronificação. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 61 casos de necropsia de pacientes que evoluíram a óbito no Instituto do Coração (31 casos de embolia pulmonar e 30 casos de infarto agudo do miocárdio). Foram obtidas lâminas de tecido pulmonar de todos os casos e análise qualitativa e quantitativa (mensuração da espessura da camada média das artérias). RESULTADOS: A análise qualitativa permitiu diferenciar os casos de embolia do grupo controle, caracterizando os dois grupos e definindo a escolha adequada do grupo controle. Houve predomínio das alterações nos pacientes com embolia (edema e inflamação alveolar, infarto, vasoconstrição, proliferação intimal concêntrica, presença de trombo). A análise quantitativa demonstrou porcentagem de espessura da camada média mais elevados nos casos de embolia do que no grupo controle; dentre os casos de embolia não houve diferença nas artérias intra (agudo - 19,74 e crônico - 20,04) e pré-acinares (agudo - 18,85 e crônico - 18,68). CONCLUSÃO: A ausência de diferença entre os grupos com embolia e os valores mais elevados de porcentual de espessura nas artérias da periferia permite concluir que a resposta vascular é mais intensa e se inicia nessas artérias.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the arterial response of cases of acute and chronic embolism, seeking to associate ischemic pulmonary remodeling with progression to chronicity. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 61 necropsies of patients who died in the Instituto do Coração (31 cases of pulmonary embolism and 30 cases of acute myocardial infarction). Slides of pulmonary tissue were obtained from all cases and analyzed qualitative and quantitatively (medial thickness measurement). RESULTS: Qualitative analysis enabled the differentiation between cases of embolism and the control group, thus characterizing the two groups and defining the adequate choice of the control group. The alterations predominated in patients with embolism (alveolar inflammation and edema, infarction, vasoconstriction, concentric intimal proliferation, presence of thrombus). Quantitative analysis demonstrated higher percent medial thickness in the cases of embolism than in the control group; among the cases of embolism, no differences in intra (acute - 19.74 and chronic - 20.04) and pre-acinar (acute - 18.85 and chronic - 18.68) arteries were observed. CONCLUSION: The lack of difference among the groups with embolism and the higher values of percent medial thickness in the peripheral arteries allow the conclusion that the vascular response is more intense and starts in these arteries.

Ramos da artéria pulmonar direita que fazem a perfusão do lobo pulmonar médio / Branches of the right lung artery that supply the medium lung lobe

Os ramos da artéria pulmonar direita que se distribuem para o lobo médio do pulmão apresentam controvérsias na sua descrição anatômica e cirúrgica, embora muitas vezes sejam citados dois ramos, um para o segmento medial e outro para o segmento lateral. Essa descrição pode não corresponder à realidade observada quando se disseca as artérias pulmonares ou durante procedimentos cirúrgicos que envolvam o lobo médio. Os autores dissecaram as artérias de 84 pulmões direitos e verificaram que a disposição clássica referida não é constante, podendo-se encontrar mais freqüentemente para o lobo um ou dois ramos e em menor número de casos três ramos arteriais.

There are controversies in the anatomical and surgical description of the branches of the right lung artery that are distributed to the medium lung lobe, although most usually two branches are mentioned, one for the medial and othersegment for the lateral segment. That description may not correspond to the observed reality when lung arteries aredissected or during surgical procedures involving the medium lobe. The authors dissected the arteries of 84 right lungs and verified that the classic referred disposition is not constant, most frequently finding one or two arterial branches for the lobe and in smaller number of cases, three branches.

The right-sided window ductus: a rare anatomical entity.

A rare type of patent ductus arteriosus called window ductus was identified in association with a right aortic arch in a 1-year-old child who was referred for closure of a membranous ventricular septal defect.

Lobação, ramificação brônquica e distribuição arterial no pulmão da cutia (Dasyprocta sp., Mammalia Rodentia) / Lobation, bronchial tree and distribution of the pulmonary artery in Agouti (Dasyprocta sp., Mammalia - Rodentia)

Esta pesquisa objetivou estudar as características anatômicas do pulmão da cutia, particularmente os aspectos relativos a lobação, distribuição dos ramos da artéria pulmonar e sua relação com os brônquios. Para tal utilizaram-se dez conjuntos coração-pulmão, dos quais oito tiveram a artéria pulmonar injetada com látex neoprene corado. Os conjuntos foram fixados em solução de formol a 10% e os ramos arteriais no parênquima pulmonar foram dissecados. Em dois pulmões injetou-se vinil corado nas artérias e estes foram submetidos à corrosão no ácido clorídrico a 30%. O pulmão da cutia é dividido externamente por fissuras bastante pronunciadas, separando os lobos pulmonares, tanto à direita quanto à esquerda. O pulmão direito apresenta quatro lobos: cranial, médio, caudal e acessório, e o esquerdo dois lobos: cranial e caudal, sendo o lobo cranial dividido em segmentos cranial e caudal. Do brônquio principal direito derivam os brônquios lobares cranial direito, médio, caudal direito e acessório. O brônquio principal esquerdo origina um pequeno tronco, que emite o brônquio lobar cranial, o qual se bifurca, fornecendo ramos para as porções cranial e caudal do lobo cranial esquerdo, e segue como brônquio lobar caudal esquerdo. A artéria pulmonar direita origina, respectivamente, ramos para os lobos cranial, médio, acessório e caudal, e a esquerda fornece, isoladamente, os ramos ascendente e descendente para os segmentos cranial e caudal do lobo cranial esquerdo, prosseguindo para o lobo caudal. Conclui-se que, no pulmão da cutia, as artérias pulmonares seguem as ramificações bronquiais, caracterizando a segmentação anátomo-cirúrgica broncoarterial.

Lobação, ramificação brônquica e distribuição arterial no pulmão da cutia (Dasyprocta sp., Mammalia Rodentia) / Lobation, bronchial tree and distribution of the pulmonary artery in Agouti (Dasyprocta sp., Mammalia - Rodentia)

Esta pesquisa objetivou estudar as características anatômicas do pulmão da cutia, particularmente os aspectos relativos a lobação, distribuição dos ramos da artéria pulmonar e sua relação com os brônquios. Para tal utilizaram-se dez conjuntos coração-pulmão, dos quais oito tiveram a artéria pulmonar injetada com látex neoprene corado. Os conjuntos foram fixados em solução de formol a 10% e os ramos arteriais no parênquima pulmonar foram dissecados. Em dois pulmões injetou-se vinil corado nas artérias e estes foram submetidos à corrosão no ácido clorídrico a 30%. O pulmão da cutia é dividido externamente por fissuras bastante pronunciadas, separando os lobos pulmonares, tanto à direita quanto à esquerda. O pulmão direito apresenta quatro lobos: cranial, médio, caudal e acessório, e o esquerdo dois lobos: cranial e caudal, sendo o lobo cranial dividido em segmentos cranial e caudal. Do brônquio principal direito derivam os brônquios lobares cranial direito, médio, caudal direito e acessório. O brônquio principal esquerdo origina um pequeno tronco, que emite o brônquio lobar cranial, o qual se bifurca, fornecendo ramos para as porções cranial e caudal do lobo cranial esquerdo, e segue como brônquio lobar caudal esquerdo. A artéria pulmonar direita origina, respectivamente, ramos para os lobos cranial, médio, acessório e caudal, e a esquerda fornece, isoladamente, os ramos ascendente e descendente para os segmentos cranial e caudal do lobo cranial esquerdo, prosseguindo para o lobo caudal. Conclui-se que, no pulmão da cutia, as artérias pulmonares seguem as ramificações bronquiais, caracterizando a segmentação anátomo-cirúrgica broncoarterial.(AU)

This research aimed to study the anatomical characteristics of theagoutis lung, particularly the lobation, the distribution of pulmonaryarterys ramus, and its relation with bronchi. Ten heart-lungs blockswere used; in eight of these blocks, colored Neoprene Latex wasinjected in the pulmonary artery. Afterwards, the samples were fixedin aqueous solution of formoaldehyde 10%, and the arterial ramusdissected on the parenchyma of the organ. Into the two remainedlungs colored vinyl acetate was injected and soon after the pieces wassubmitted to corrosion with chloridric acid 30%. It was observe thatthe lung of the agouti is divided outside by pronounced fissures thatseparate the pulmonary lobes, as much on the right side as on the left.The right one, with four lobes: cranial, medial, caudal and accessory,and the left lung with two lobes: cranial and caudal. The cranial lobe isdivided into two segments: cranial e caudal. From the right mainbronchus originates the right cranial, medial, right caudal and accessorylobes bronchi. The left main bronchus originates the cranial lobarbronchus, which bifurcates, giving rise to the to cranial and caudalportion branches of left cranial lobe, continuing to the caudal lobe.The right pulmonary artery originates, respectively, branches to thecranial, medial, accessory and caudal lobes, and the left one originate, separately, ascendant and descendant branches to the cranial and caudalsegments of left cranial lobe, and proceed to the caudal lobe. It can beconcluded that pulmonary arteries follow the bronchi ramificationcharacterizing the bronchoarterial anatomic-surgical segmentation. (AU)

Study of lobation and vascularization of the lungs of wild boar (Sus scrofa).

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy of the lungs of wild boars for comparison with those of domestic swine. It was found that the right lung of the wild boar is divided into four lobes: cranial, median, caudal and accessory, whereas the left lung is divided into two lobes: cranial and caudal. In 93.4% of the cases, right pulmonary artery separates into the ascendant, descendant, median, accessory and caudal branches. In 73.3% of the cases, left pulmonary artery separates most frequently to form three branches to the cranial lobe, whereas the median lobe is generally supplied by only one arterial branch. There is a single pattern of bronchial distribution: in the right lung a tracheal bronchus leads to the cranial lobe, where it separates into the cranial and caudal bronchi and there are also bronchi to the median, caudal and accessory lobes. In the left lung, the large bronchus separates to form two branches, one of which further separates to form two branches to the cranial lobe whereas the other forms a single branch to the caudal lobe.

Estudo anatomotopográfico do canal arterial em fetos natimortos dirigido para sua abordagem por videotoracoscopia / Anatomotopographic study of ductus arteriosus in newborn cadavers directed for its videotoracoscopic approach

Este trabalho objetiva realizar um estudo anatomotopográfico do Canal Arterial em fetos natimortos enfatizando o seu comprimento e seu diâmetro de acordo com o tamanho de cada feto. Além de que, descrevemos as distâncias entre este e pontos de reparo importantes para sua abordagem por videotoracoscopia. Estudamos dezesseis fetos natimortos, sendo que oito eram do sexo masculino. O tamanho do feto e os perímetros torácico e cefálico variaram de 42-57, 26-35 e 29-35,5 cm, respectivamente. A média de comprimento e diâmetro foram 11,06 e 5,56 cm. Distâncias entre o Canal e as seguintes estruturas: clavícula-22,13mm, segunda costela-20,75mm, esterno-33,88mm e a.subclávia esquerda-5,30mm. Acreditamos que as medidas apresentadas podem facilitar a abordagem do canal por videotoracoscopia.

Avaliaçäo histológica e molecular dos grandes vasos de base em portadores de valva aórtica bicúspide / Histologic and molecular evaluation of the great vessels in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease

Esta investigaçäo avaliou, através de microscopia ótica, as alterações histológicas nos grandes vasos da base em portadores de valva aórtica bicúspide (VAB) e valva aórtica pulmonar (AP) de 20 portadores de VAB, 11 portadores de VAT e 21 espécimens de indivíduos sem doença cardíaca. As alterações histológicas foram classificadas de 1 a 3 de acordo com sua intensidade. Na AA, a necrose cística da média (p<0,0001), a fragmentaçäo elástica (p=0,0020) e a alteraçäo na orientaçäo das células musculares lisas (p=0,0017) foram significativamente mais intensas (moderadas a graves) nos portadores VAB. Na AP, essas mesmas alterações histológicas também foram mais intensas no grupo VAB (p<0,0001,p=0,0304 e p=0,0420, respectivamente). Posteriormente, empregou-se imunofluorescência indireta e análise computadorizada das imagens para a quantificaçäo de fibrilina-1 e elastina na camada média dos grandes vasos, expressas como densidade óptica integrada média (DOI). Foram avaliados espécimens de 24 portadores aórticos e 6 de artéria pulmonar provenientes de indivíduos sem doença cardíaca. Os portadores de VAB apresentaram reduçäo significativa de fibrilina-1 na AA (p=0,0017). Näo foi observada diferença significativa na quantidade de elastina na AA (p=0,09597) e AP (p=0,09374), bem como associaçäo entre a reduçäo de fibrilina-1 e a idade dos portadores de VAB (p=0,887). Conclui-se que os portadores de VAB apresentaram alterações hsitológicas mais intensas nos vasos da base que os portadores de VAT, principalmente necrose cística da camada média. Na aorta ascendente, essas alterações histológicas podem estar associadas à reduçäo significativa de fibrilina-1 e näo associadas à idade. A reduçäo de fibrilina-1 ocorreu, provavelmente, na matriz extracelular

Avaliaçäo do tamanho da artéria pulmonar após a operaçäo de derivaçäo cavopulmonar bidirecional / Assessment of size of pulmonary artery after bidirecional cavopulmonary operation

Este trabalho analisou as alteraçoes nos diâmetros da artéria pulmonar (AP) após a derivaçao cavopulmonar bilateral (DCPB). Foram incluídos 18 pacientes submetidos a DCPB, no período de março de 1990 a janeiro de 1997 que possuíam exames cineangiográficos disponíveis no período pré e pós-operatório. As medidas da APD e APE foram realizadas em três locais: na origem, imediatamente antes da bifurcaçao e no início da artéria do lobo inferior. Em seguida, os diâmetros de cada local foram indexados a superficie corpórea ou ao diâmetro da aorta, medido em nível do diafragma. Os dados angiográflcos e oximétricos foram submetidos à análise estatística. Quando analisados os diâmetros absolutos observou-se que a maioria sofreu um aumento nao-significante, no período pós-operatório, ao passo que o diâmetro H da APE apresentou uma diminuiçao. Os índices totais I e UI apresentaram diminuiçao significante, no período pós-operatório, e no índice total 11 a reduçao nao foi significante. A análise da variável seguimento pós-operatório demonstrou uma reduçao significativa dos índices totais nos pacientes com seguimento pós-operatório inferior a 23,6 meses. A presença de fluxo sanguíneo adicional determinou o aumento dos índices APD II e IH, e uma pequena reduçao nos outros índices. As medidas da AP indexadas pelo diâmetro da aorta revelou comportamento semelhante à indexaçao pela superfície corpórea. Na ausência de circulaçao venosa colateral (CVC) observou-se aumento significante da saturaçao de 02, por outro lado, a sua presença determinou um aumento nao-significante, durante o período de observaçao

[Morphological and biochemical comparison among aged rats fed with hyperlipidic and canola oil diet]. / Comparação morfológica e bioquímica entre ratos envelhecidos alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica e com óleo de canola.

PURPOSE: To observe cardiovascular and metabolic changes due to canola oil diet (rich in n-3 fatty acid). METHODS: Forty five rats were followed during 15 months separated in three groups. In group aged (A), they received a regular diet. In group H, animals received a hyperlipidic diet and in group O they received a canola oil diet. The rats were fed for 15 months after weaning. At the end of the experience a blood analysis was performed and heart and aorta were analyzed. The total lipids were extracted and the LDL, VLDL and HDL were determined. RESULTS: Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not different among groups. Differences were found in body and cardiac weight, the thickness of the right and left ventricular wall, aorta and pulmonary diameters, HDL and LDL (p < 0.05). Smallest values of the cardiac weight and thickness of the ventricular walls were found in group O. The aorta and pulmonary internal diameters were smaller in group H. The HDL was 40% greater in group O than in groups A and H while the LDL was more than 80% lower in group O than in groups A and H. Differences in survival curves between groups H x A and between H x O were significant (p < 0.05) but not between groups A x O (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Aged rats fed with canola oil diet (rich in n-3 fatty acid) presented morphological cardiovascular and metabolic changes less important in magnitude than old animals and, mainly, the same age animals under hyperlipidic diet.