Mechanisms of ergonovine-induced coronary hyperconstriction were examined in vivo and in vitro in miniature pigs. To provoke coronary hyperconstriction, the endothelium of a segment of a major branch of the left coronary artery was denuded in 19 Göttingen miniature pigs (4 to 6 months of age). In Group I (n = 12), the denuded site of the coronary artery was selectively irradiated with 15Gy of x-ray twice, 3 and 4 months after endothelial denudation. The remaining 7 pigs were not irradiated (Group II). The vasoconstrictive effect of intracoronary administration of ergonovine (1 to 1000 microgram) was examined angiographically 3 months (just before irradiation in group I) and 5 months after denudation in the two groups. After the angiographical study, the vessels were isolated and isometric tensions were measured in an organ chamber. In the in vivo studies, ergonovine-induced vasoconstriction at the denuded and x-ray irradiated site in Group I was significantly greater than that at the control site or that at the denuded site in Group II. Pretreatments with serotonin receptor blockers (ketanserin or methysergide) significantly attenuated ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction, while an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker (prazosin) did not (% inhibition; ketanserin 74 +/- 9%, p < 0.01, methysergide 60 +/- 10%, p < 0.01, prazosin 9 +/- 5%, NS). In the in vitro studies, ergonovine produced significantly greater tension at the denuded and x-ray irradiated site (Group I) than at the control site or at the denuded site (Group II). Ergonovine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was impaired at the denuded site in both groups to a similar extent. These results suggest that ergonovine-induced hyperconstriction at the denuded and x-ray irradiated coronary artery resulted mainly from the hyperreactivity of medial smooth muscle mediated by serotonin receptors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic surgery in infants with intra-abdominal cysts: two case reports.

OBJECTIVES: We report two cases of infants found to have congenital omental cystic lesion with torsion and ovarian cyst treated by laparoscopy-assisted surgery (LAS). METHODS: A laparoscope was inserted by an open method. The intra-abdominal pressure was maintained at 8 mm Hg. We diagnosed the cystic lesions with torsion. At aspirator was used to aspirate the cystic content and remove the cyst. RESULTS: No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered. Oral intake was commenced on postoperative day 2 in both patients. The cosmetic results following LAS were excellent. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that LAS is suitable for the management of omental cystic lesions with torsion and ovarian cyst in nursing infants. An aspirator is useful in preventing spillage of cystic contents in patients with intra-abdominal cystic lesion.

Cysts↗

PubMedDate not supplied

99mTc-HSA lymphoscintigraphy and leg edema following arterial reconstruction.

Twelve patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were evaluated prospectively in an effort to further investigate the etiology of pedal and lower leg edema that occurs following revascularization (e.g., aorto-iliac or femoropopliteal bypass). Serum total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were measured (in addition to peripheral venous pressure), and lymphoscintigraphy of the lower leg was performed. These parameters were assessed just prior to surgery, four weeks postoperatively, and again at follow-up. The serum levels obtained four weeks after surgery and on subsequent follow-ups were significantly higher than the preoperative values. Preoperative peripheral venous pressure was not significantly different from that obtained after surgery. There was no correlation between these pressure measurements and the degree of edema (Grades I to IV correspond to increasing degrees of severity). For both the supine and upright positions, lymphoscintigraphic counts in the inguinal region were significantly higher after surgery. However, the relative increase was dependent upon the severity of edema. The postoperative lymphoscintigraphic count in the upright position was 77 +/- 33 CPS in patients with Grades I and II edema (n = 6) and 20.6 +/- 16.2 CPS in patients with Grades III and IV edema (n = 10) (p less than 0.01). Thus, a lesser degree of postoperative pedal and lower leg edema was associated with higher lymphoscintigraphic counts. We conclude that major contributors to the development of lower extremity edema following arterial reconstruction are failed capillary hydrostatic pressure and interrupted lymphatic drainage.

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