With a focus directed on the potential diagnostic yield of tissue biopsy in suspected myocardial disease, transvascular endomyocardial biopsies were carried out prospectively in 130 patients. In 149 out of 153 consecutive procedures, where the number of associated major complications was less than 1%, King's bioptome and a specially designed radiopaque long introducer catheter were used. The rather thickwalled sheath had a conical tip which facilitated percutaneous entry and a preshaped distal bending which was particularly useful in the right ventricle for obtaining a steady and safe position in the direction of the interventricular septum. With respect to the histopathological information from an average of 4.2 biopsies per patient, a high clinical yield was gained in 28% of the patients, in the form of specific diagnoses and/or findings influencing subsequent therapy, and useful diagnostic information was gleaned from a further 53%. Thus, the procedure appears safe as a part of routine cardiac catheterization, and biopsy may contribute to a more accurate and clinically relevant classification of a substantial number of patients with suspected myocardial disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased NADPH-diaphorase activity in canine myxomatous mitral valve leaflets.

Comparable pathological changes in the mitral valve have been described in dogs, pigs and human patients with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), i.e., primary mitral valve prolapse. The progressive myxomatous changes are probably a response to repeated impact on the leaflets, and endothelial stress or damage probably plays a central role in the pathogenesis. Little, however, is known about the vasoactive substances that mediate the subendothelial changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in canine mitral valve leaflets and to relate the findings to MMVD changes. The mitral valve was taken post mortem from 12 dogs (six males and six females) and a whole valve NADPH (the reduced form of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate) diaphorase (NADPH-d) reaction was performed. Macroscopical (semiquantitative) and microscopical (computer image analysis) evaluations of the staining due to NADPH-d activity were performed at four specific areas of the valve and related to microscopical signs of MMVD and gross signs of thickening or prolapse, or both. Macroscopically, the NADPH-d colour grade was correlated with the degree of MMVD (P=0.01). In addition, endothelial NADPH-d staining intensity was correlated with macroscopical signs of disease (P=0.004) as well as with collagen degeneration (P=0.008) and deposition of mucopolysaccharides (P=0.02). Age, gender and specific area of the valve did not seem to influence the NADPH-d activity. In conclusion, increased NADPH-d activity, suggesting increased NOS expression, was found in areas of the mitral valve with myxomatous changes. This indicates that nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in the pathogenesis of MMVD in dogs.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sampling, sampling errors and specimen preparation.

To obtain an adequate cervical smear for making a correct cytologic diagnosis, smear taking, laboratory handling and interpretation must be optimal. Many people are involved, and only by a combined effort of all links can this target be seriously approached: the smear takers will have to be open minded about technical improvements and read the morphologic descriptions cautiously; in the laboratory, cytotechnicians and physicians will have to challenge themselves and each other. It is mandatory to discard specimens that do not meet general standards of adequacy. At present a host of new techniques are being implemented. It is not feasible for all laboratories to be engaged in testing these new methods, but we are all requested to follow the development the best we can and switch to new ways when justified. Our working conditions are very different; therefore, it is our professional responsibility and plight to respond at the right time. So far the conclusion is that the conventional Pap smear is the international standard of care for the diagnosis of cervical cancer precursers in cancer screening programs. Certainly, this may change within a very short time. Liquid-based techniques, and in particular HPV technologies, are just around the corner.

Cell Biology↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The clinical significance of Actinomyces colonization as seen in cervical smears.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Actinomyces↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The diagnostic value of pericardial cytology. An analysis of 95 cases.

Cytologic specimens of 105 pericardial fluids collected from 95 cases during a seven-year period were reviewed. Clinical reports and descriptions of the histologic antemortem and postmortem specimens were correlated with the cytologic diagnoses, and the interobserver variation was estimated. Of the collected material, 48.4% was from patients suspected of having nonmalignant disorders, 40.0% was from patients with previously diagnosed carcinomas and 11.6% was from cases in which the etiology was unknown at the time of pericardiocentesis. Cytologic examination of the pericardial fluids revealed tumor cells in a sample from one patient suspected of having a heart disorder and in a sample from another patient with an obscure disease. Of the pericardial fluids from the cancer patients, 66.7% contained malignant cells; the most frequent primary site in these cases was the lung. Correlated with the histologic diagnosis, the specificity of cytology was 100%. The results prove that, in experienced hands, pericardial cytology is a valuable diagnostic tool.

Carcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reproducibility of the acute rejection diagnosis in human cardiac allografts. The Stanford Classification and the International Grading System.

Transplantation has become an accepted treatment of many cardiac end-stage diseases. Acute cellular rejection accounts for 15% to 20% of all graft failures. The first grading system of acute cellular rejection, the Stanford Classification, was introduced in 1979, and since then many other grading systems have evolved. Most recently, the International Grading System was introduced in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. In this study the interobserver reproducibility of both the Stanford Classification and the International Grading System is evaluated using Kappa statistics. Three observers evaluated 168 endomyocardial biopsy specimens according to the Stanford Classification and 100 endomyocardial biopsy specimens according to the International Grading System. The evaluation was carried out blindly. Kappa values of 54.1% and 51.5%, respectively, were obtained, both significantly above zero but not optimal. In addition to the interobserver reproducibility analysis of the two grading systems, the International Grading System is discussed. In the original description of the grading system terms such as focal, multifocal, and aggressive infiltrates and myocyte damage and myocyte necrosis are used. These terms create some difficulties in understanding or interpreting the various grades. The main problem is to distinguish between grade 1A and grade 3A. Despite the difficulties, the grading system is easy to use, but a revision is needed.

Biopsy↗