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Time-to-treatment significantly affects the extent of ST-segment resolution and myocardial blush in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty.

AIMS: The prognostic role of time-to-treatment in primary angioplasty is still a matter of debate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between time-to-treatment and myocardial perfusion in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated by primary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our study population consisted of 1072 patients with STEMI treated by primary angioplasty from 1997 to 2001. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated by using ST-segment resolution and myocardial blush grade. Time-to-treatment was defined as the time from symptom-onset to the first balloon inflation. Time-to-treatment was significantly associated with the extent of ST-segment resolution, myocardial blush grade, enzymatic infarct size, and 1-year mortality. After adjustment for baseline confounding factors, time-to-treatment was still associated with impaired ST-segment resolution (adjusted OR [95% CI]=1.01 [1.01-1.02], p<0.001) and myocardial blush (adjusted OR [95% CI]=1.01 [1.01-1.02], p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in patients with STEMI treated by primary angioplasty prolonged ischaemic time is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion, larger infarct size, and higher 1-year mortality. Therefore, all efforts should be made to shorten ischaemic time as much as possible to achieve better myocardial perfusion and myocardial salvage in primary angioplasty for STEMI.

Aged↗

Pediatric blunt abdominal trauma: role of computed tomography vascular blush.

Nonoperative management of blunt abdominal trauma is widely accepted in pediatric patients. There are few factors prospectively available to predict reliably which children will not respond to nonoperative treatment. Computed tomography scans demonstrating a vascular contrast blush are associated with arterial bleeding and the failure of nonoperative management of splenic injuries in adults. The authors describe five hemondynamically stable pediatric patients who have intraabdominal injury and a characteristic vascular contrast blush who acutely did not respond to nonoperative treatment. Vascular blush may be an indication for early laparotomy in pediatric trauma patients.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Management of blunt splenic trauma: computed tomographic contrast blush predicts failure of nonoperative management.

Nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma is widely accepted; however, reported failure rates have ranged as high as 40%. There are few factors available to identify failures reliably. To characterize failures of nonoperative management better, we retrospectively reviewed 309 blunt splenic injuries treated at our level I trauma center over a 5-year period. Eighty-nine patients were initially managed nonoperatively (29%), and 12 patients failed this approach (13%). Upon review of the initial computed tomography scans, a hyperdense collection of contrast media in the splenic parenchyma, or "contrast blush," was noted in 8 of 12 (67%) patients who failed and in 5 of 77 (6%) of those who were successfully managed nonoperatively (p < 0.0001). These data suggest that the presence of a contrast blush is an important consideration when deciding the method for management of the splenic injury. If these results are confirmed in a prospective fashion, the failure rate of nonoperative management of blunt splenic trauma could be reduced by identification of the contrast blush.

Adolescent↗

The uterine blush. A potential false-positive in Meckel's scan interpretation.

To determine the presence, prevalence, and clinical importance of Tc-99 pertechnetate uterine uptake, this retrospective analysis of 71 Meckel's scans was undertaken. Specifically, each study was evaluated for the presence of a focal accumulation of radiotracer cephalad to the bladder. Patients received an intravenous dose of 150 microCi/kg of Tc-99 pertechnetate. Each study consisted of 15 one minute anterior serial gamma camera images, and a 15, 30, and 60 minute anterior, right lateral and posterior scintiscan. Menstrual histories were obtained from all patients except two. No males (33/33), nor premenstrual (13/13), menopausal (4/4) or posthysterectomy (2/2) patients revealed a uterine blush. Eleven of 15 patients (73%) with regular menses demonstrated a uterine blush. They were in the menstrual or secretory phases of their cycle. Four demonstrated no uterine uptake, had regular periods, but were in the proliferative phase of their cycle. Two with irregular periods, and one with no recorded menstrual history, manifested the blush. Radiotracer should be expected in the uterus during the menstrual and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. It is a manifestation of a normal physiologic phenomenon, and must be recognized to prevent false-positive Meckel's scan interpretations.

Adolescent↗

[Treatment of facial blushing with endoscopic thoracal sympathicotomy. 85 per cent of patients are satisfied, but there are adverse effects].

Endoscopic transthoracic sympathicotomy, otherwise an established treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis, was used to treat patients troubled by facial blushing, one of the commonest symptoms of social phobia. The results were evaluated by means of a questionnaire answered by 90 per cent (219/244) of the patients, who rated their symptoms on a visual analogue scale (0-10) after a mean follow-up of eight months. According to the ratings, blushing was significantly reduced from a mean (+/- SEM) of 8.7 +/- 0.1 to 2.2 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.0001). Of the series as a whole, 85 per cent declared themselves satisfied with the outcome.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of a "blanch-blush" mechano-response in palmar skin.

Palmar finger skin reacts to extension under mechanical load -- blanching over proximal (intercrease skin, ICS) and middle phalanges, while blushing in crease skin (CS), which we have called the Blanch-Blush Reaction (BBR). The idea that the BBR is a result of surface capillary blood flow changes that relate to predictable deformation of aligned collagen matrices under applied uniaxial loads was tested. Nondestructive techniques, digital image analysis (DIA), laser Doppler scanning, and elastic scatter spectroscopy (ESS) were used to measure color and blood flow changes in healthy fingers when at rest and extended. Skin strain increased directly with applied load and DIA identified blanching (loss of redness) in the ICS, reflected by a decrease in hemoglobin (by ESS). Laser Doppler flowmetry identified an increase in blood flow in the CS zone on extension, with a minor increase in blood flow in the ICS zone, apparently due to diversion of flow to deeper vessels, when monitored by this technique. These changes correlated with the BBR, owing to altered capillary flow in the ICS and CS. The histology of orientation of collagen fibers and vessels in the two zones was consistent with this mechanism. This study demonstrates the interdependence between matrix orientation, applied load, and flow. It represents an elegant demonstration of collagenous tissue function through an everyday tissue reaction, which has not been described previously.

Adult↗

[Long-term effects after surgery for hand sweating and facial blushing. Patients are satisfied in spite of troublesome side-effects].

The thoracoscopic technique has simplified surgery on the upper thoracic chain. This comparatively minimally traumatic approach has resulted in a pronounced increase in the number of procedures. The effect of ETS on severe palmar hyperhidrosis and facial blushing is very good. These conditions often cause social, professional and emotional handicaps. Side-effects, especially compensatory sweating (increased sweating on the trunk and legs), can, however, be severe. The procedure should be used only when the hyperhidrosis or facial blushing is severely detrimental to the quality of life. The expected effects, side-effects and risks for complications must be made clear before patients are accepted for ETS.

Adolescent↗

Results of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) on hyperhidrosis, facial blushing, angina pectoris, vascular disorders and pain syndromes of the hand and arm.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) has gained increasing popularity due to its minimally invasive character. Despite the simplicity of the procedure, non-surgical options should always be considered as the first line of treatment. The complication risk of ETS is low but side effects, primarily compensatory sweating (CS) of mainly the trunk, may be severe enough to cause regret of the procedure. The risk/benefit ratio should always be discussed with the patient. Severe palmar hyperhidrosis and facial blushing respond very well to ETS with a high patient satisfaction rate. Facial hyperhidrosis is effectively treated with ETS, but is associated with a high risk for severe CS. Axillary hyperhidrosis is best treated by means other than ETS. The use of ETS for pain syndromes, vascular insufficiency and angina pectoris is not well supported by scientific evidence, making careful patient selection mandatory.

Angina Pectoris↗

Experience with limited endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block for hyperhidrosis and facial blushing.

Endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block (ESB) has recently become a popular modification of sympathetic surgery, as it offers the potential chance of reversibility. In order to reduce side effects such as compensatory sweating limited ESB at the levels of the T2, T3 or T4 ganglia has been recommended (Lin/Telaranta classification). We present our experience and initial results with this technique. From 6/2001 to 2/2003, 184 ESB procedures were performed in 94 patients. ESB4 was carried out in 53 patients for hyperhidrosis (HH) of the upper limb. In 23 patients ESB3 was performed for craniofacial HH and 18 patients suffering from facial blushing were treated by ESB2. Median follow-up was 5.2-7.5 months.Success rates were similar (~100%) in all groups. Compensatory sweating was found in 25% in the ESB3 compared to 12.5 % in the ESB2 and 8.5 % in the ESB4 group (p < 0.05). Gustatory sweating did not differ significantly between the groups (6.3 % in ESB2, 5% in ESB3 and 2.1 % in ESB4 group). Five patients were reoperated in the ESB3 group (3 because of a side-difference of the effect in the face, 1 patient due to incomplete Horner's syndrome and 1 due to massive compensatory sweating). In the ESB4 group all patients were satisfied with the outcome, whereas in the ESB2 group 6.3% and in the ESB3 group 13.9% were partly satisfied. Limited sympathetic surgery offers comparably high success and satisfaction rates along with a low rate of side effects.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Cognitive and behavioural treatments of fear of blushing, sweating or trembling.

Social phobic patients (n = 30) with fear of blushing, sweating or trembling as the predominant complaint were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: (1) exposure in vivo followed by cognitive therapy, (2) cognitive therapy followed by exposure in vivo, or (3) a cognitive-behavioural treatment in which both strategies were integrated from the start. Each treatment condition consisted of 16 sessions, given in two treatment blocks of 4 weeks each, separated by a no-treatment phase of 4 weeks. Self-report assessments were held before and after the treatment blocks and at 3-months follow-up. No significant differences were found between effects of the first treatment block vs those of the 4-weeks waiting-list period. After the second block treatment was significantly more effective than waiting-list. The analyses showed significant time effects after both treatment blocks and at follow-up, indicating improvement for the group as a whole. After two treatment blocks and at follow-up no significant differences among the different treatment packages were found on target problems, avoidance of social situations, cognitions and somatic complaints. After discussion of the results recommendations for further research will be given.

Adult↗

Task concentration training versus applied relaxation, in combination with cognitive therapy, for social phobia patients with fear of blushing, trembling, and sweating.

Social phobia patients with fear of blushing, trembling, sweating and/or freezing as main complaint (N = 65) were randomly assigned to either task concentration training (TCT) or applied relaxation (AR) both followed by cognitive therapy (CT). Measurements took place before and after wait-list, after TCT or AR (within-test), after CT (post-test), at 3-months and at 1-year follow-up. Effects were assessed on fear of showing bodily symptoms (the central outcome variable), social phobia, other psychopathology, social skills, self-consciousness, self-focused attention, and dysfunctional beliefs. No changes occurred during wait-list. Both treatments were highly effective. TCT was superior to AR in reducing fear of bodily symptoms and dysfunctional beliefs at within-test. This difference disappeared after CT, at post-test and at 3-months follow-up. However, at 1-year follow-up the combination TCT-CT was superior to AR-CT in reducing fear of bodily symptoms, and effect sizes for TCT-CT reached 3. Furthermore, at all assessment moments TCT or the combination TCT-CT was superior to AR-CT in reducing self-consciousness and self-focused attention. The superior long-term effect of TCT on fear of showing bodily symptoms is explained by lasting changes in attentional focus.

Adult↗

Neural beta-adrenergic dilatation of the facial vein in man. Possible mechanism in emotional blushing.

Ring preparations of the superficial buccal segment of the human facial vein, taken from extirpated tissue in 12 patients during neck surgery, were studied in vitro. The vein developed a maintained intrinsic myogenic tone in response to passive stretch and was supplied with alpha- as well as beta-adrenoceptors, both of which could be influenced by transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) and noradrenaline. These unusual characteristics for a vein are basically similar to the ones described for the rabbit facial vein by Pegram, Bevan & Bevan (1976). In man there seemed to be an inter-individual difference with regard to the abundance of 'innervated' alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors. Facial vein specimens from some subjects thus responded with prompt and pronounced net dilatation to TNS with maximum at 4 Hz and those from others with net constriction with maximum at 16 Hz. The latter showed a reversal into neural beta-adrenergic dilatation after alpha-adrenergic blockade. The human external jugular vein was devoid of intrinsic tone and beta-adrenoceptors. It is tentatively proposed that a beta-adrenergic neuro-effector mechanism in superficial ramifications of the facial vein in man might be involved in the emotional blushing reaction.

Adult↗

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and Raynaud's phenomenon of the upper limb and excessive facial blushing: a five year experience.

Primary hyperhidrosis of the palms, face, and axillae has a strong negative impact on social and professional life. A retrospective analysis of 40 laparoscopic transaxillary thoracic sympathectomies performed in a district general hospital over a five year period was undertaken in order to determine the effectiveness of this procedure. A postal questionnaire was sent to all patients to assess the benefit from the operation; postoperative pain and time off work were collated. Immediate failure was noted in three patients, of whom two later underwent successful reoperation. Recurrence was noted in three patients (8%). Though immediate complications were minimal, the major long term postoperative morbidity was compensatory hyperhidrosis on the back, chest, and thigh (77%) along with gustatory sweating over the face (22%). Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis, Raynaud's phenomenon of the upper limb, and excessive facial blushing; however, the chance of long term compensatory hyperhidrosis is high.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of fear of blushing, sweating, or trembling. Results at long-term follow-up.

This study investigated the long-term effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatments for patients with a specific type of social phobia: fear of showing bodily symptoms (blushing, sweating, or trembling). Patients were reassessed 18 months after they had finished one of the following treatments: (a) exposure in vivo followed by cognitive therapy, (b) cognitive therapy followed by exposure in vivo, or (c) a cognitive-behavioral treatment in which both strategies were integrated from the start. All patients were individually treated. Self-report assessments were held before and after treatment and at 3-month and 18-month follow-ups. Repeated measures MANOVAs for the patients who completed the 18-month follow-up (n = 26) demonstrated significant time effects from pretest to follow-up, indicating overall improvement. Between the posttest and the 18-month follow-up, no significant change was observed. No differences among the treatment packages were found, although the cognitive-exposure treatment showed a trend to be less effective than both other treatments.

Adolescent↗

[Flushes, blushing or hot flushes].

Apart from physiological flushes represented by emotional or prudish blushing, post-prandial flushes and menopausal hot flushes, various pathologic flushes exist of various etiologies: endocrine, dysmetabolic, histaminic and iatrogenic. Their pathogenicity is based mainly on local metabolites secretion provoking vasodilatation of the intermediary microcirculation rather than of the terminal microcirculation. Treatment is a function of etiology and therefore of the patient's history and results of clinical examination, functional exploration and standard biologic tests.

Blood Vessels↗

Preprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow significantly affects the extent of ST-segment resolution and myocardial blush in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although the benefits of primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been demonstrated, the prognostic role of early recanalization in these patients has yet to be investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of preprocedural Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow on the extent of myocardial reperfusion in patients with anterior STEMI treated with primary angioplasty. METHODS: Our population consisted of 754 consecutive patients with anterior STEMI treated by primary angioplasty from April 1997 to October 2001. All angiographic, clinical, and follow-up data were prospectively collected. RESULTS: Preprocedural TIMI flow was related to postprocedural TIMI 3 flow (P < .0001), ST-segment resolution (P = .009), myocardial blush grade (P < .0001), enzymatic infarct size (P < .0001), and predischarge ejection fraction (P < .0001), even in the analysis restricted to patients with postprocedural TIMI 3 flow. These data explain the observed significant impact of preprocedural TIMI flow on 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in patients with anterior STEMI, poor preprocedural TIMI flow is associated with impaired perfusion, larger infarct size, and 1-year mortality. This study suggests that all efforts should be made to obtain optimal restoration of antegrade flow as early as possible before angioplasty. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of early adjunctive pharmacological therapy on preprocedural TIMI flow and mortality in these high-risk patients.

Angioplasty↗

Combined prognostic utility of ST-segment recovery and myocardial blush after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: ST-segment recovery (SigmaSTR) and myocardial blush (MB) evaluate different elements of microcirculatory integrity after reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We sought to determine whether the combination of SigmaSTR and MB after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in AMI has greater prognostic utility than either measure alone. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 30 days and 1 year clinical outcomes of 456 patients were assessed as a function of SigmaSTR and MB after primary PCI from the CADILLAC trial. SigmaSTR and MB were concordant (> or =70% SigmaSTR and MB grade 2/3 or <70% SigmaSTR and MB grade 0/1) in 60.1% of patients and discordant in 39.9% of patients. The greatest survival was observed among patients with complete SigmaSTR (> or =70%) and MB grade 2/3 in whom the cumulative rates of death at 30 days and 1 year were 0.6 and 1.2%, respectively. Poorest survival was observed among patients with incomplete SigmaSTR (<70%) and reduced MB (grade 0/1), in whom 30 days and 1 year rates of death were 8.3 and 10.1%, respectively. Intermediate outcomes were present in patients with discordant MB and SigmaSTR. By multivariable analysis, however, SigmaSTR was an independent correlate of survival at 30 days and 1 year (P=0.05 and 0.01, respectively), whereas MB was no longer predictive (P=0.38 and 0.72, respectively). CONCLUSION: SigmaSTR and MB are not infrequently discordant after primary PCI. By univariate analysis, both measures of reperfusion success strongly correlate with survival and assessment of both yields incremental prognostic information beyond either measure alone. By multivariable analysis, however, SigmaSTR is the stronger prognostic variable.

Aged↗

Implications of the "contrast blush" finding on computed tomographic scan of the spleen in trauma.

BACKGROUND: The "contrast blush" (CB) computed tomographic (CT) scan finding has often been used clinically as an indicator for therapeutic splenic intervention (SI) (splenectomy, splenorrhaphy, or angiographic embolization). We sought to examine the prognostic significance of this finding. METHODS: The records and CT scans of 324 trauma patients from two Level I trauma centers who had blunt splenic injury and a CT scan of the abdomen within 24 hours of admission were reviewed and screened for CB. RESULTS: CB was identified in 11% of patients, and its incidence was significantly related to the grade of injury: grade I/II, 3.2%; grade III, 11.8%; and grade IV/V, 26.3% (p < 0.001). SI was also related to the grade: grade I/II, 7.7%; grade III, 37.6%; and grade IV/V, 69.7% (p < 0.001). The chance of having SI was greater in those with CB (75.0%) when compared with those without CB (25.0%) (p < 0.001; odds ratio, 9.2). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SI correlated independently with splenic grade, emergency department hypotension, and age, but did not demonstrate a correlation with CB. CONCLUSION: CB is not an absolute indication for an operative or angiographic intervention. Factors such as patient age, grade of injury, and presence of hypotension need to be considered in the clinical management of these patients.

Abdominal Injuries↗