Venothromboembolic signs and medical eponyms: Part II.

Eponyms were established to serve the purpose of honoring individuals who have made important observations and discoveries. The use of eponyms remains controversial, and important questions have been raised regarding their appropriateness. Although there have been instances where eponyms were abandoned, the remainder are largely embedded within the established literature making their disappearance unlikely. Physicians used a variety of techniques to describe signs of medical eponyms as a method for diagnosing deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) or venothromboembolism (VTE). These methods (observation, palpation, pressure, or maneuvers), were detected during the physical examination and using bedside sphygmomanometer or radiographic imaging. Reviewed are both common and less frequently encountered VTE eponyms identified during the physical examination and radiologic imaging. Most of these signs have not been further studied and, therefore, there is a lack of information regarding their accuracy and reliability in clinical practice.

Venothromboembolic signs and medical eponyms: Part I.

Eponyms are honorific terms ascribed to individuals who discovered a sign, test, syndrome, technique, or instrument. Despite some contentions, eponyms continue to be widely ingrained and incorporated into the medical literature and contemporary language. Physical signs are considered unreliable methods alone for detecting deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The accuracy of the majority of these signs is unknown. For those signs that have been studied, there are a number of methodological limitations hindering the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about their accuracy and validity in clinical practice. Nevertheless, some findings when present and used in conjunction with other key signs, symptoms, and aspects of the patients history may be useful in further supporting the clinical suspicion and likelihood of DVT and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) or venothromboembolism (VTE). These signs also provide the means to better recognize the relationship between clinical findings and VTE. The acquisition of historical knowledge about these signs is important as it further enhances our understanding and appreciation of the diagnostic acumen that physicians were required to employ and to diagnose VTE prior to the advent of advanced imaging methods. Described in this paper is a brief overview of thrombosis as enumerated by Rudolf Virchow, and eponymous signs described in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

[Sudden death in Versailles: A review of a cardiovascular treatrise by Dionis (1710)]. / Les morts subites à Versailles : une relecture du traité de Dionis (1710).

In 1710, the surgeon Pierre Dionis publishes a Dissertation on sudden death. Echoing and expanding the work of his Roman colleague Jean Marie Lancisi, he describes and analyzes dozens of cases of sudden death observed by him. A large number of cases was followed by autopsies allowing clinicopathological confrontation. Are proposed causes of death (pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, arterial rupture, etc.), pathophysiological mechanisms based on the ancient theory of humors, and preventive actions to avoid these unexpected deaths. In this article, we oppose these old data to those of current literature.

Pulmonary Embolism in 2017: How We Got Here and Where Are We Going?

In the 1970s, both the Urokinase Pulmonary Embolism and Urokinase-Streptokinase Pulmonary Embolism trials began the quest to develop thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of acute massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). The goals of these studies were the immediate reduction in clot burden, restoration of hemodynamic stability, and improved survival. Major bleeding became the major barrier for clinicians to employ these therapies. From 1980s to the present time, a number of studies using recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator for achieving these same above outcomes were completed but major bleeding continued to remain an adoption barrier. Finally, the concept of bringing the thrombolytic agent into the clot has entered the quest for the Holy Grail in the treatment of PE. This article will review all the major trials using peripheral thrombolysis and provide insight into the need for a team approach to pulmonary care (Pulmonary Embolism Response Team), standardization of pulmonary classification, and the need for trials designed for both short- and long-term outcomes using thrombolysis for selected PE populations.

Anticoagulation in Pulmonary Embolism: Update in the Age of Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

The emergence of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) represents a major advancement and paradigm shift in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Currently, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixiban, and edoxoban are approved and used routinely for the prevention and treatment of patients with venous thromboembolism. Because each of the DOACs has different doses and dosing regimens, clinicians need to become familiar with their use. This article focuses on the practical considerations of how and when to use the DOACs. It also aims to explore follow-up monitoring, use in special populations, reversal agents, periprocedural management, and how to handle bleeding complications with the DOACs.

Surgical Treatment of Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is a life-threatening condition. The management of MPE has changed over the course of the last few years. Since the emergence of thrombolytic therapy, only a few patients remain amenable for surgical treatment. Currently, surgical embolectomy is advised only in very specific indications. This chapter will review the background, history, indications, surgical technique and results of surgical pulmonary embolectomy in patients with MPE.

Origen del síndrome de la clase turista: John Homans / The origin of «economy class syndrome»: John Homans

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Historical Evolution of Imaging Techniques for the Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism.

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), it seems fitting to look back at the major accomplishments of the radiology community in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Few diseases have so consistently captured the attention of the medical community. Since the first description of pulmonary embolism by Virchow in the 1850s, clinicians have struggled to reach a timely diagnosis of this common condition because of its nonspecific and often confusing clinical picture. As imaging tests started to gain importance in the 1900s, the approach to diagnosing pulmonary embolism also began to change. Rapid improvements in angiography, ventilation-perfusion imaging, and cross-sectional imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging have constantly forced health care professionals to rethink how they diagnose pulmonary embolism. Needless to say, the way pulmonary embolism is diagnosed today is distinctly different from how it was diagnosed in Virchow's era; and imaging, particularly CT, now forms the cornerstone of diagnostic evaluation. Currently, radiology offers a variety of tests that are fast and accurate and can provide anatomic and functional information, thus allowing early diagnosis and triage of cases. This review provides a historical journey into the evolution of these imaging tests and highlights some of the major breakthroughs achieved by the radiology community and RSNA in this process. Also highlighted are areas of ongoing research and development in this field of imaging as radiologists seek to combat some of the newer challenges faced by modern medicine, such as rising health care costs and radiation dose hazards.

[Past and present issues of the pulmonary circulation in the General University Hospital in Prague]. / Minulost a soucasnost problematiky plicní cirkulace ve Vseobecné fakultní nemocnici v Praze.

The development of right heart catheterization is closely connected not only with its pioneer Werner Forssmann but also with the University Hospital in Prague. Shortly after Forssmann´s pioneering performance of catheterization, Dr. Otto Klein measured cardiac output using the Fick´s principle in 11 patients in University Hospital. In the 60s and 70s of last century, there was established an research group represented by Severin Daum, Frantisek Boudik, Vlastimil Jezek, Alois Ourednik and Zdenek Suso at 2nd Internal Clinic of General Cardiopulmonary Hospital. After 1999, the issue of pulmonary hypertension has been re-emerged by Professor Michal Aschermann and this had significant clinical implications. The highly specialized centre for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was found at the clinic and in Cardio Centre of General University Hospital it has been initiated a successful program of pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) since 2004. Surgical treatment is also provided to patients from Slovakia. The number of patients, wide range of therapy and its results, including the excellent results of surgical treatment situates the centre among the most important centres in Europe dealing with pulmonary hypertension.

Phlebitis, pulmonary emboli and presidential politics: Richard M. Nixon's complicated deep vein thrombosis.

In September of 1974, Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency of the United States during an impeachment investigation concerning the Watergate Affair. One month after his resignation, the former President had an exacerbation of his chronic deep vein thrombosis. He also received a Presidential pardon from Gerald Ford on the same day that his recurrent deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed. The political, legal, and medical events that unfolded in the fall of 1974 are the substance of this report. Presidents often receive medical care that stretches the ordinary as a result of their position and the importance of their actions. The events surrounding Richard Nixon's care for deep vein thrombosis and its complications were not unusual for Presidential health care but were closely intertwined with the legal proceedings during the prosecution of the Watergate defendants.

The crucifixion of Jesus: review of hypothesized mechanisms of death and implications of shock and trauma-induced coagulopathy.

The crucifixion of Jesus is arguably the most well-known and controversial execution in history. Christian faithful, dating back to the time of Jesus, have believed that Jesus was executed by crucifixion and later returned physically to life again. Others have questioned whether Jesus actually died by crucifixion, at all. From review of medical literature, physicians have failed to agree on a specific mechanism of Jesus' death. A search of Medline/Pubmed was completed with respect to crucifixion, related topics, and proposed mechanisms of Jesus' death. Several hypotheses for the mechanism of Jesus' death have been presented in medical literature, including 1) Pulmonary embolism 2) Cardiac rupture 3) Suspension trauma 4) Asphyxiation 5) Fatal stab wound, and 6) Shock. Each proposed mechanism of Jesus' death will be reviewed. The events of Jesus' execution are described, as they are pertinent to development of shock. Traumatic shock complicated by trauma-induced coagulopathy is proposed as a contributing factor, and possibly the primary mechanism, of Jesus' death by crucifixion.