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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Predictive value of technetium Tc 99m-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy for positive angiogram in massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate whether the time interval from injection of technetium Tc 99m (99mTc)-labeled red blood cells to the time of a radionuclide "blush" (positive scan) can be used to improve the efficacy in predicting a positive angiogram. METHOD: A retrospective review revealed 160 patients who received 99mTc-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy for evaluation of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage between 1989 and 1994. Patients were included who demonstrated signs of shock on admission, had an initial decrease in hematocrit of > or = 6 percent, or required a minimum transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells. Scanning duration was 90 minutes, with imaging every 2 minutes. Time interval from injection to a positive scan was analyzed to determine predictability of a positive angiography. RESULTS: Of 160 patients, 86 demonstrated positive scans, of whom 47 underwent angiography. These 47 patients were divided into two groups according to scan results. Group 1 (n = 33) had immediate appearance of blush; Group 2 (n = 14) had blush after two minutes. In Group 1, 20 of 33 patients had a positive angiogram, yielding a positive predictive value of 60 percent (P = 0.033). Of the 14 patients with negative angiograms (13 from Group 1, and 1 with a negative scan), 6 had radiographic occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery and 1 had spasm of the right colic artery, with scans that blushed in the respective distributions. Excluding these seven patients yielded a positive predictive value of 75 percent (P = 0.0072) for angiography. In patients with a delayed blush (Group 2), 13 of 14 had negative angiograms, yielding a negative predictive value of 93 percent (92 percent excluding those with nonvisualization of the inferior mesenteric artery). Twenty of 21 (95 percent) positive angiograms occurred in Group 1 patients. Of the 27 patients with negative angiograms, 13 were Group 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with immediate blush on 99mTc-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy required urgent angiography. Patients with delayed blush have low angiographic yields. These data suggest that patients with delayed blush or negative scans may be observed and evaluated with colonoscopy.

Adolescent↗

Reliability of resolution of ST-segment elevation after coronary reperfusion in predicting myocardial salvage in anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

Resolution of ST-segment elevation (ST resolution) after reperfusion therapy has been shown to correlate with improved left ventricular (LV) function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, not all patients with ST resolution have preserved LV function. We evaluated the clinical significance of ST resolution in 129 patients with anterior wall AMI who underwent successful coronary recanalization within 6 hours after symptom onset by studying the relation to myocardial blush grade, another angiographic marker of myocardial reperfusion. A reduction of > or =50% in ST-segment elevation after recanalization was defined as ST resolution. Ninety-eight patients had ST resolution and 31 patients did not. Patients with ST resolution were subdivided into 2 groups according to myocardial blush grade after recanalization: 67 patients with blush grade 2 or 3, and 31 with blush grade 0 or 1. The QRS score after recanalization was higher (5.9 +/- 1.9 vs 3.4 +/- 2.0, p <0.01) and predischarge LV ejection fraction was lower (39 +/- 8% vs 57 +/- 9%, p <0.01) in patients with blush grade 0 or 1 than in those with blush grade 2 or 3. However, the QRS score after recanalization and the predischarge LV ejection fraction were similar in patients who had ST resolution with blush grade 0 or 1 and in those without ST resolution. Our findings suggest that ST resolution after recanalization does not consistently predict myocardial salvage in patients with anterior AMI.

Adult↗

Relationship of TIMI myocardial perfusion grade to mortality after administration of thrombolytic drugs.

BACKGROUND: Although improved epicardial blood flow (as assessed with either TIMI flow grades or TIMI frame count) has been related to reduced mortality after administration of thrombolytic drugs, the relationship of myocardial perfusion (as assessed on the coronary arteriogram) to mortality has not been examined. METHODS AND RESULTS: A new, simple angiographic method, the TIMI myocardial perfusion (TMP) grade, was used to assess the filling and clearance of contrast in the myocardium in 762 patients in the TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) 10B trial, and its relationship to mortality was examined. TMP grade 0 was defined as no apparent tissue-level perfusion (no ground-glass appearance of blush or opacification of the myocardium) in the distribution of the culprit artery; TMP grade 1 indicates presence of myocardial blush but no clearance from the microvasculature (blush or a stain was present on the next injection); TMP grade 2 blush clears slowly (blush is strongly persistent and diminishes minimally or not at all during 3 cardiac cycles of the washout phase); and TMP grade 3 indicates that blush begins to clear during washout (blush is minimally persistent after 3 cardiac cycles of washout). There was a mortality gradient across the TMP grades, with mortality lowest in those patients with TMP grade 3 (2.0%), intermediate in TMP grade 2 (4.4%), and highest in TMP grades 0 and 1 (6.0%; 3-way P=0.05). Even among patients with TIMI grade 3 flow in the epicardial artery, the TMP grades allowed further risk stratification of 30-day mortality: 0.73% for TMP grade 3; 2.9% for TMP grade 2; 5.0% for TMP grade 0 or 1 (P=0.03 for TMP grade 3 versus grades 0, 1, and 2; 3-way P=0.066). TMP grade 3 flow was a multivariate correlate of 30-day mortality (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.02, P=0.054) in a multivariate model that adjusted for the presence of TIMI 3 flow (P=NS), the corrected TIMI frame count (OR 1.02, P=0.06), the presence of an anterior myocardial infarction (OR 2.3, P=0.03), pulse rate on admission (P=NS), female sex (P=NS), and age (OR 1.1, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired perfusion of the myocardium on coronary arteriography by use of the TMP grade is related to a higher risk of mortality after administration of thrombolytic drugs that is independent of flow in the epicardial artery. Patients with both normal epicardial flow (TIMI grade 3 flow) and normal tissue level perfusion (TMP grade 3) have an extremely low risk of mortality.

Aged↗

Impact of normalized myocardial perfusion after successful angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate and validate the ability of the angiographic myocardial blush grade to risk stratify patients after successful angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Although epicardial Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-3 flow is restored in >90% of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), normal myocardial perfusion may be present less frequently and may detrimentally impact survival. METHODS: A cohort of 173 consecutive patients undergoing intervention within 24 h of AMI onset were studied. High-risk features of this population included failed thrombolysis in 39%, cardiogenic shock in 17% and saphenous vein graft culprit in 11% of patients. RESULTS: Despite the restoration of TIMI-3 flow in 163 (94.2%) patients, myocardial perfusion, as evidenced by normal contrast opacification of the myocardial bed subtended by the infarct artery (myocardial blush), was normal in only 29.4% of patients with TIMI-3 flow following PCI, and in no patient with TIMI 0 to 2 flow. In patients in whom TIMI-3 flow was restored, survival was strongly dependent on the myocardial perfusion grade; one-year cumulative mortality was 6.8% with normal myocardial blush, 13.2% with reduced myocardial blush and 18.3% in patients with absent myocardial blush (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal myocardial perfusion is present in most patients following primary or rescue PCI in AMI, despite restoration of brisk epicardial coronary flow. In high risk patients achieving TIMI-3 flow after intervention, the myocardial blush score may be used to stratify prognosis into excellent, intermediate and poor survival. Further study is warranted to examine whether adjunctive mechanical or pharmacologic strategies can further improve myocardial perfusion and survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing intervention.

Aged↗

Lin-Telaranta classification: the importance of different procedures for different indications in sympathetic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The second sympathetic thoracic ganglion has long been regarded as the most important structure in all sympathetic procedures for any indication, be it hand sweating, blushing, or social phobia. Earlier, we had found an interesting new basis for the selection of more specific methods in individual disorders. The aim of the present study was to either confirm the old theory or to bring forward a more appropriate theory for sympathetic surgery to be used as a classified method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Altogether 193 patients were treated in Taiwan and 55 in Finland according to the new selective principle. Endoscopic sympathetic block of the second thoracic ganglion (ESB 2) was used as a method for conflicted type of social phobia or blushing for 25 patients. ESB 3 was used for facial sweating and blushing for 55 patients. ESB 4 was used for hand and axillary sweating for 168 patients. Reflex sweating was taken as the most important sign of unsuccessful surgery. RESULTS: All patients benefited of the procedure in their presenting symptoms. Four of 25 cases in ESB 2 -group and three of 55 cases in ESB 3 -group had unacceptable reflex sweating. No patient with reflex sweating was found in ESB 4 -group. These results confirm our previous findings, that sympathetic nerves innervate the human body in similar dermatome fashion as the peripheral nervous system. According to this, we organized the various sympathetic disorders into three main categories: those restricted within the head, like conflicted type social phobia and conflicted type blushing, to Group 1; those on the head and face, like sweating with or without blushing, to Group 2; and those in the hands and underarms to Group 3. The principle of different surgical procedures for different disorders of the sympathetic system are proposed: ESB 2 for Group 1, ESB 3 for Group 2, and ESB 4 for Group 3 disorders. CONCLUSIONS: We call this new classification "Lin-Telaranta classification". Not only the incidence of complication rates is lowered but also the side effects can be predicted by the Lin-Telaranta classification in sympathetic surgery.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

External fixation or arteriogram in bleeding pelvic fracture: initial therapy guided by markers of arterial hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding pelvic fractures (BPF) carry mortality as high as 60%, yet controversy remains over optimal initial management. Some base initial intervention on fracture pattern, with immediate external fixation (EX FIX) in amenable fractures aimed at controlling venous bleeding. Others feel ongoing hemodynamic instability indicates arterial bleeding, and prefer early angiography (ANGIO) before EX-FIX. Our aim was to evaluate markers of arterial bleeding in patients with BPF, thus identifying patients requiring early ANGIO regardless of fracture pattern. METHODS: Patients with pelvis fracture were identified from a Level I trauma center registry over a 7-year period and records reviewed. From this group, two subsets were analyzed: those with initial hypotension related to pelvic fracture, and those without hypotension who underwent pelvic ANGIO. Data included hemodynamics, response to resuscitation, presence of contrast blush on CT, fracture treatment and outcome. Adequate response to initial resuscitation (R) was defined as a sustained (>2 hours) improvement of systolic blood pressure to >90 mm Hg systolic after the administration of < or = 2 units packed red blood cells. Those with repeated episodes of hypotension despite resuscitation were classified as non-responders (NR) RESULTS: From 1/94-1/01, 1171 patients were admitted with pelvic ring fracture. Thirty-five (0.3%) had hypotension attributable to pelvis fracture. 28 fell into the NR group, and 26 of these underwent ANGIO. Nineteen (73%) showed arterial bleeding while 3 resuscitation response patients underwent ANGIO with none demonstrating bleeding (p = 0.03). Sensitivity and specificity of inadequate response to initial resuscitation for predicting the presence of arterial bleeding on ANGIO were 100% and 30% respectively while negative and positive predictive value were 100% and 73%. In patients with fractures amenable to external fixation (n = 16), 44% had arterial bleeding on ANGIO, and all were in the NR group. An additional 17 patients without hypotension also underwent ANGIO. Contrast blush on admission CT was seen in 4, 3 of which had arterial bleeding seen on ANGIO (75%). Sensitivity and specificity for contrast blush in predicting bleeding on ANGIO were 60% and 92% with positive and negative predictive value being 75% and 85%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hypotension and pelvic fracture, therapy selection based on initial response to resuscitation in BPF yields a 73% positive ANGIO rate in NR patients. Delay in ANGIO for EX FIX in patients with amenable fractures would have delayed embolization in the face of ongoing arterial bleeding in 44% of patients. In stable patients with pelvic fracture, contrast blush also indicates a high likelihood of arterial injury and ANGIO is indicated. Optimal therapy in the face of BPF requires early determination of the presence of arterial bleeding so that ANGIO can be rapidly obtained, and response to initial resuscitation as well as the presence of contrast blush aid in this decision.

Adult↗

Relationship between collateral blood flow and microvascular perfusion after reperfused acute myocardial infarction.

During acute occlusion of an epicardial vessel collaterals preserve the microvascular perfusion and limit the extent of myocardial damage. Pressure-derived collateral flow index (CFIp) assessed by intracoronary pressure measurement allow us to quantify collateral vessel development. The angiographic myocardial blush (MB) scores, based on the contrast dye density and washout in the infarcted myocardium, provide important information about microvascular perfusion after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study we assessed the microvascular perfusion with MB and studied the relation between CFIp in patients with AMI who treated with thrombolytic therapy and TIMI grade III flow restored in the infarct related artery (IRA). Forty-one patients with AMI who were treated with thrombolytic therapy and underwent stent implantation (mean of 3 days after AMI) to the IRA were included in this study. After angiography, CFIp was calculated as the ratio of simultaneously measured coronary wedge pressure--central venous pressure (Pv) to mean aortic pressure--Pv. Myocardial blush was graded densitometrically based on visual assessment of the relative contrast opacification of the myocardial territory subtended by the infarct vessel. There was a statistically significant correlation between CFIp and post-stent myocardial blush grades (P < 0.01, r = 0.70). There was a significant difference in mean CFIp among myocardial blush grades implying that higher CFIp is associated with better MB (0.39 +/- 0.11 in grade 3, 0.32 +/- 0.10 in grade 2, 0.24 +/- 0.09 in grade 1, and 0.16 +/- 0.08 in grade 0, P < 0.01). Well developed collaterals can limit microvascular damage by preserving microvascular perfusion. A higher pressure-derived collateral flow index is associated with better tissue level perfusion as evidenced by the higher myocardial blush score.

Aged↗

Preservation of myocardial microcirculation during mechanical reperfusion for myocardial ischemia with either abciximab or eptifibatide.

Myocardial Blush Grade (MBG) is an angiographic method of assessing myocardial microcirculation and provides independent risk stratification among patients with normal TIMI 3 flow. Although the beneficial effect of abciximab on microvascular perfusion is well established, the efficacy of eptifibatide in the prevention of platelet aggregation and distal microembolization is less proven. After a pharmacologic shift by our institution towards the use of eptifibatide in patients with unstable angina presenting for PCI, we sought to evaluate our experience by retrospectively comparing the effect on myocardial perfusion between abciximab and eptifibatide following PCI in stable angina or acute coronary syndrome. Microcirculatory perfusion was reviewed in 101 consecutive patients (23 stable angina, 61 unstable angina, 17 non-q MI) undergoing PTCA/stenting. This comparison was between the last group of 51 patients who routinely received standard bolus and infusion of abciximab and the first group of 50 patients who began receiving standard bolus and infusion of eptifibatide. Baseline characteristics between the two groups were balanced, except for more patients with previous CABG in the eptifibatide group. Angiograms were evaluated by 2 blinded independent reviewers for MBG as follows: 0, no blush; 1, minimal blush; 2, moderate blush; and 3, normal blush. TIMI 3 flow was seen in 98 patients. MBG scores were not significantly different in the abciximab group (67% MBG 3; 31% MBG 2; 2.0% MBG 0 1) than in the eptifibatide group (58% MBG 3; 36% MBG 2; 6.0% MBG 0 1); p = 0.34. Patients with prior PTCA/stenting had lower MBG scores (0 2) compared to patients without prior PTCA (58% vs 31%; p = 0.03). There were significantly lower MBG scores in all patients with prior PTCA or CABG compared to patients without (55% vs 30%; p = 0.03). MBG scores significantly and inversely correlated with peak troponin I levels (r = -0.18, one-tailed p = 0.04). The similarity in myocardial perfusion between abciximab and eptifibatide suggests that both compounds are equally effective in reducing platelet aggregation and microembolization during mechanical reperfusion. Lower MBG scores in patients with prior PTCA or revascularization may be explained by irreversible microvascular dysfunction resulting from distal microembolization during the previous procedure. Lower MBG scores in patients with higher troponin I levels may reflect more frequent microemboli and microinfarcts during an ischemic event. Larger prospective studies need to be performed to validate these findings.

Abciximab↗

Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy by clamping in the treatment of social phobia: the Monza experience.

AIM: Facial blushing represents the peculiar symptom in social phobia and is defined as the ''hallmark of embarrassment''. At present, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the technique only able to guarantee long-term results in the treatment of sympathetic disorders. The aim of our study was to evaluate results, complications and the true value of 52 ETSs by two-port approach with the use of endoclips in patients with isolated facial blushing or in association with hyperhidrosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 52 subjects who underwent standard ETS by clamping between September 2002 and April 2005 was carried out. This surgical practice was performed in 26 cases (50%) for isolated facial blushing only and in other 26 cases (50%) for facial blushing associated to hyperhidrosis with changeable localizations. Under endoscopic guidance we operated an endoscopic sympathetic block (ESB) with interruption of the inter-ganglion trunk at the level of T2-T3 in 51 patients (98.07%). In 1 patient (1.92%) we performed a sympathetic block with the complete exclusion of T3 thoracic ganglion. RESULTS: There were no intra and postoperative deaths. The effect rate was excellent in all patients with early complications in one patient (1.92%) only. CONCLUSIONS: ETS by clamping is safe and effective. Patients referred an high satisfaction in terms of complications and quality of life; specific early and late diseases are negligible.

Adult↗

Skin hyperemia in a habitual blusher.

Blushing, a vascular skin response to emotion is difficult to investigate since subjects are not able to blush on demand in a laboratory setting. Laser Doppler fluxmetry measures blood flux changes noninvasively. In a 28 year old lady distressed by habitual blushing we were able to document changes in skin blood flux during blushing. Forehead skin blood flux increased suddenly from 20 to 45 arbitrary units and returned to baseline values after about 3 minutes. It is the first time that emotionally provoked hyperemia in head skin is documented.

Blushing↗

Pulmonary wedge angiography for prediction of pulmonary vascular disease in Down syndrome.

We performed high resolution pulmonary wedge angiography (PWA) and conventional hemodynamics to predict the reversibility of structural pulmonary vascular disease. Sixty-one pulmonary wedge angiograms were performed on 41 patients with intracardiac shunts and Down syndrome (median age 8 months). Balloon occlusion wedge angiograms were analyzed for (1) monopedial branches from the distal 10 mm of muscular arteries, (2) capillary blush, (3) tapering indices, and (4) tortuosity. Twenty-five patients had open lung biopsy, graded by the Health Edwards classification, and analyzed morphometrically. Pulmonary vascular resistance of > or = 6 units was 100% sensitive and 94% specific for Heath Edwards Grade III-IV. A monopedial count < 3 vessels was 83% sensitive and 100% specific for Heath Edwards Grade III-IV. Abnormal capillary blush was 83% sensitive and 69% specific for Heath Edwards Grade III-IV. Tapering indices and tortuosity showed no significant correlation with lung biopsy. A combination of pulmonary vascular resistance < 6 units, monopedial count > or = 3, and normal capillary blush was 100% sensitive and specific for Heath Edwards Grade 0-II, and a combination of pulmonary vascular resistance > or = 6 units, monopedial count < 3, and abnormal capillary blush was 100% sensitive and specific for Heath Edwards Grade III-IV. Using the 3 criteria, Heath Edwards Grade was accurately predicted in 17 patients. In 4 patients, only 2 criteria were available. Morphometric analysis showed an inverse relationship between the lowest monopedial count and the number of occlusive vessels per cm of tissue, r = -0.74 p < 0.001. Arteries showing intimal and/or medial thickening causing > 90% luminal narrowing were scored as "occlusive." These results show that when the hemodynamic and pulmonary wedge angiography data are concordant, the structural changes of pulmonary vascular disease can be accurately predicted and lung biopsy may be avoided.

Angiography↗

Markers of myocardial reperfusion as predictors of left ventricular function recovery in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial blush grade (MBG), corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), and ST-segment reduction are indices of myocardial reperfusion. HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated their predictive value for left ventricular (LV) function recovery by gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In 40 patients with AMI, gated SPECT was performed at admission and repeated 7 and 30 days after PCI. Left ventricular function recovery was defined as an increase > or = 10 points in SPECT LV ejection fraction from baseline to 1 month. The MBG, cTFC, and ST-segment elevation index 1 h after PCI were determined to evaluate reperfusion. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (Group 1) had LV function recovery and 16 (Group 2) did not. A significant correlation was found between LV function recovery and MBG (r = 0.66; p = 0.0001), and ST-segment elevation index at 1 h (r = -0.55; p = 0.0001), but not with cTFC. Univariate predictors of LV function recovery were MBG (p = 0.0003) and ST-segment elevation index 1 h after intervention (p = 0.0026), but not cTFC. In a multivariate analysis, MBG was the only predictor of LV function recovery. Myocardial blush grade > or = 2 and ST-segment elevation index reduction had the same accuracy (88%) for predicting LV function recovery. Lower accuracy (75%) was shown by fast cTFC (< 23 frames). Myocardial blush grade > or = 2 showed the better negative likelihood ratio, and ST-segment elevation index reduction had the higher positive likelihood ratio in predicting LV function recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial blush grade was the best parameter for prediction of LV function recovery: MBG > or = 2 and ST-segment elevation index reduction showed good accuracy in predicting LV function recovery. The cTFC failed to be a significant predictor.

Aged↗