Liposomes laden with radio-opaque agents (ROA) were prepared by the reverse phase evaporation method. The liposome solutions--containing 1.7-2.5 mg iodine per mg lipid--were injected into Wistar rats. 60 min post injection the rats were scanned in a Siemens CT scanner. Following the injection of 260 mg encapsulated iodine per kg bodyweight--less than half the iodine of the normal ROA bolus injection--there was a long lasting arise in liver enhancement of 40 Hounsfield units (HU). In animals with liver tumours induced by nitrosamine lesions of 2-3 mm in diameter could be detected.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of two blood conservation techniques (cardiotomy reservoir versus cell-saver) on biocompatibility of the heparin coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuit during coronary revascularization surgery.

Blood conservation during cardiac surgery is critically important because of the inherent risks in homologous blood transfusions. Two techniques for the intraoperative conservation of blood--retransfusion of the red cells using a cell-saver (CS), or retransfusion of the blood using a cardiotomy suction (CTR) system--were compared using biocompatibility markers, granulocyte activation, and production of oxygen-free radicals (OFR). In the CTR group, heparin coated circuits with an uncoated cardiotomy reservoir were used. For the CS group, identical heparin coated cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) sets, without a cardiotomy reservoir but with a CS, were used. In each group, eight patients had coronary artery bypass grafting performed. The capacity of the whole blood and the granulocytes to produce OFR was estimated by a chemiluminescence, and granulocyte activation was measured as release of the granulocyte granule proteins myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lactoferrin. A significantly reduced capacity to produce OFR by the whole blood was noted at 45 minutes of CPB in the CTR group (68% +/- 17% vs 94% +/- 16% in the CS group). MPO release was higher after 3 hours (p = 0.05) and 20 hours (p < 0.05), postoperatively, in the CTR group (417 +/- 77 micrograms/L and 257 +/- 31 micrograms/L vs 246 +/- 25 micrograms/L and 164 +/- 12 micrograms/L, respectively, in the CS group). We conclude that the heparin coated CPB circuit with the uncoated cardiotomy reservoir may be less biocompatible than the identical CPB set used together with the CS.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of neonatal endocarditis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Endocarditis, Bacterial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Five years experience with the Björk-Shiley tilting disc valve in isolated aortic valvular disease.

The non-overlapping tilting disc of the Björk-Shiley prosthesis has proved its efficiency in two respects: It provides an optimal orifice to tissue diameter ratio with a favourable rheology both at rest and during exercise even in the smaller valve sizes used for insertion in narrow aortic roots. It accounts for a minimal haemolysis because mechanical crushing of the red cells is minimized by such a non-overlapping closing mechanism. Regurgitation is negligible. The excellent durability of the prosthesis has been clinically testified. Thrombo-embolism has not so far occurred with effective Dicumarol treatment. Aortic valve replacement with the Björk-Shiley tilting disc valve is regarded as an elimination of the volume load of the left ventricle in AI and the pressure load in AS, thereby creating a pre-requisite for a normalization of the pump function of the heart.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography for the assessment of coarctation of the aorta.

Fifteen patients ranging in age from 9 to 25 years (median age 10 years), with coarctation of the aorta, were investigated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging pre- and postoperatively. Three patients were examined because of suggested re-stenosis. Both MR examination and cineangiography were performed in 11 patients. The two techniques were comparable concerning the evaluation of both the site and the severity of coarctation as well as of the occurrence of collateral vessels. MR was considered suitable to replace angiography in the pre- and postoperative assessment of coarctation. The patients were preferably examined with a surface spine coil with ECG-gated sagittal, transverse and parafrontal images. The parafrontal images were necessary in order to minimize mistakes due to partial volume effects at the coarctation site. A surface coil placed over the sternum considerably improved the visualization of the internal mammary arteries.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term results with the Björk-Shiley tilting disk valve in aortic valvular disease.

The construction of the Björk-Shiley prosthesis, with its nonoverlapping tilting disk, provides an optimal orifice area in relation to tissue diameter. The transprosthetic forward flow is central and mainly laminar. The resistance to blood flow remains low with increasing cardiac output during exercise, even when the smaller sizes of the prosthesis are used for implantation in narrow aortic roots. Mechanical crushing of erythrocytes is minimized by the nonoverlapping closing mechanism, and the resulting regurgitation is negligible. The in vivo durability of the prosthesis is excellent and thromboembolism does not occur as long as dicoumarol treatment is effective. In aortic valvular disease, an effective unloading of the left ventricle was obtained at rest and during exercise after aortic valve replacement. The resulting hemodynamic improvement correlated with a reduction in cardiomegaly, increase in physical working capacity and relief of distressing symptoms. Clinical improvement was maintained for up to five years.

Adult↗