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At least 1,693 records · Page 94Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Kangaroo versus porcine aortic valve tissue--valve geometry morphology, tensile strength and calcification potential.

OBJECTIVE: Valve related factors and patient related factors are responsible for calcification of valvular bioprostheses. Recent studies showed different donor and recipient species have different influences on the total calcification rate of bioprostheses. This study was performed to evaluate and compare Kangaroo aortic valve leaflets with porcine aortic valve leaflets. Experimental design. Prospective study. Setting. Cardio-thoracic experimental research of a university department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glutaraldehyde-fixed Kangaroo and porcine valve leaflets were evaluated in vitro according to valve geometry (internal diameter and leaflet thickness), morphology (light and electron microscopy) and tensile strength. In vivo evaluation consisted of implantation in a rat model for 8 weeks, Von Kossa stain for calcium and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for total extractable calcium content. RESULTS: Kangaroo valves indicated a smaller internal valve diameter as well as a thinner valve leaflet (p<0.01, ANOVA) at corresponding body weight, less proteoglycan spicules in the fibrosa, increased elasticity (p<0.05) and low calcification potential (p<0.01, confidence interval 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Kangaroo aortic valve leaflets have different valvular qualities compared to porcine valve tissue. Kangaroo valve leaflets are significantly superior to porcine valve leaflets as far as calcification is concerned. These results are encouraging and suggest further in vivo evaluation in a larger animal model before clinical application can be considered.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of calcinosis in juvenile dermatomyositis with probenecid: the role of phosphorus metabolism in the development of calcifications.

OBJECTIVE: To report the efficacy of probenecid for calcinosis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and assess the changes in phosphorus metabolism during treatment. METHODS: Biochemical studies of calcium and phosphorus metabolism were performed in a 9-year-old girl with JDM and extensive calcifications before and during probenecid treatment. RESULTS: The calcifications resolved over 18 months of treatment. Probenecid was found to be effective in reducing calcifications by increasing renal phosphate clearance. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency for calcifications in some patients with JDM might be related to an increase in renal phosphate reclamation, and therefore, probenecid treatment may be effective in these patients.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2001

Electron beam computed tomography for the quantification of aortic valvular calcification.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Calcific aortic stenosis is common in the elderly; indeed, 30-60% of patients with mild 'senile' aortic stenosis will progress to severe obstruction. Nonetheless, predictors of progression are incompletely defined, and non-invasive technologies capable of quantifying aortic valve calcium are needed. The reliability of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) was evaluated for quantification of aortic valve calcium content. METHODS: Nineteen patients with and without restrictive valve calcification underwent EBCT scanning. Separate calcium scores, 30 s apart, were obtained in all patients, and the Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated between measurements. The relationship between dichotomized mean calcium score and aortic valve area was also investigated. RESULTS: There was excellent correlation between calcium scores (R = 0.99, p = 0.0001), as well as a significant inverse relationship between calcium scores in the upper and lower ranges and aortic valve area (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: EBCT can be used for reproducible quantitation of aortic valve calcification. While at their extremes, calcium scores are inversely related to aortic valve area, further evaluation is needed to define the precise nature of this relationship throughout the spectrum of stenosis severity. EBCT holds promise in the longitudinal assessment of valvular calcification progression and its response to potential medical therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Bladder wall calcification after intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C--a case report.

Bladder wall calcification has relatively few etiologies. We present such a case and review the literature to discuss it and the method for management. This case suffered from bladder wall calcification about 3 years after intravesical chemotherapy of mitomycin C. It was found accidentally during the transurethral resection of recurrent bladder tumor. The pathology confirmed the recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma combined with marked calcification. A repeat cystoscopy was done 3 months later. Massive calcified deposits in bladder wall especially in lesion of previous transurethral resection were still noted. Randomized biopsy showed dystrophic calcification without evidence of malignancy. We suggest that biopsy and/or resection (if possible) is a reasonable approach to eliminate the possibility of invasive bladder cancer.

Administration, Intravesical↗
PubMed2000

Widespread tuberculous calcification.

We are reporting an unusual case of widespread abdominal calcifications, in the peri-colic mesentery, liver and spleen. The diagnostic laparoscopy showed multiple encapsulated calcified hard rounded masses of varying size and shape, with marked adhesions in and around the bowel and mesentery. Histopathology identified them as calcified lymph nodes, but was unable to highlight the pathogenesis of these calcifications. The diagnosis of post tuberculous calcification of lymph nodes is made on the basis of exclusion. The subject was reviewed, to the best of our knowledge, there is no similar case, with such an extent of abdominal calcifications reported in the literature.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2002

[Calcification of the tunica vaginalis testis].

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of calcification of the tunica vaginalis testis. METHODS: A 66-year-old patient with right hydrocele and superficial carcinoma of the bladder who underwent TUR and was treated with mitomycin prophylactic instillations, is described. The patient presented a bulbar urethral stricture. A retrograde urethrogram demonstrated calcification of the tunica vaginalis testis. An ultrasound scan confirmed the diagnosis. RESULTS: The surgical and histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocele with calcification of the tunica vaginalis. CONCLUSIONS: Calcification of the tunica vaginalis testis is uncommon. It is therefore difficult to make the preoperative diagnosis, although radiological and ultrasound evaluation can be useful. The histopathological analysis confirmed the nature of the lesion in the case described herein.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Pathogenetic role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in calcific aortic stenosis: immunohistochemistry study and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Non-rheumatic, calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent heart valve disease in the elderly. It is based on a chronic inflammatory process with infiltration and activation of leukocytes, and a rise in systemic inflammatory markers. An association with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been discussed, but previous studies have yielded divergent results. METHODS: Tricuspid aortic valves with calcific AS were obtained from patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. Control valves from patients matched for age and cardiovascular risk factors were obtained at autopsy. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies directed against C. pneumoniae and against leukocyte common antigen. Cultured HEp-2 cells infected with C. pneumoniae were used as positive controls. RESULTS: Positive immunostaining for C. pneumoniae was demonstrated in 12 of 14 (86%) stenotic valves and in six of nine (67%) control valves. Immunostained cells were located mainly in cell- and leukocyte-rich areas. Although stenotic valves showed a higher staining intensity as assessed by semiquantitative scoring (1.8 +/- 0.4 versus 0.8 +/- 0.2 units, p < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference between stenotic and control valves regarding the presence of C. pneumoniae (p = 0.90). CONCLUSION: Positive immunostaining for C. pneumoniae was not associated with the presence of calcific AS. As in previous serologic and molecular biology studies, a high prevalence of C. pneumoniae in the adult population was demonstrated, irrespective of heart valve disease. Thus, C. pneumoniae is most likely not involved in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic stenosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Influence of blood contact on the calcification of glutaraldehyde-pretreated porcine aortic valves.

BACKGROUND: The rat subcutaneous model reproduces clinically observed mineralization of bioprosthetic tissues. However, the effectiveness of antimineralization treatment can be overestimated in subcutaneous implants, since specimens using this model are not subjected to mechanical and dynamic stress or blood-surface contact. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of blood contact on the calcification of bioprosthetic valves. METHODS: Glutaraldehyde-pretreated porcine aortic valves were prepared. Aortic wall and cusp discs were implanted subcutaneously in six rats for 8 weeks and were implanted within the jugular vein wall in six sheep for 3 and 6 months (blood contact model). Tissue discs were analyzed by gross inspection, radiography and light microscopy. Calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: X-ray and light microscopic examination showed calcification in the cusps to be higher than that in the aortic wall in the rat subcutaneous model. On the other hand, in the blood contact model, the cusps were slightly calcified and calcification in the aortic wall was more pronounced. Calcium analysis in rats revealed more calcium in the cusp than in the aortic wall (71.5+/-9.7 g/mg dry tissue vs. 53.7+/-2.6, p=0.09). Tests for calcium content of the jugular vein samples in sheep showed significantly more calcium in the aortic wall than in the cusp (3 months, 7.9+/-1.5 vs. 0.3+/-0.1, p<0.0001; 6 months, 77.2+/-6.1 vs. 27.2+/-10.2, p=0.0002). In addition, aortic wall and cusp calcification significantly increased with time. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the results from the rat subcutaneous model were completely opposite to those for the blood contact model. This study confirms the need to include blood contact as a factor in in vivo pre-clinical valve testing.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Acute calcific periarthritis in scleroderma.

Three patients with limited cutaneous scleroderma (CREST syndrome) and acute calcific periarthritis are presented. "Chalky" bursal effusion in one patient demonstrated masses of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. In contrast to idiopathic acute calcific periarthritis, resorption of periarticular calcifications after resolution of acute attacks occurs both less frequently and incompletely in scleroderma associated acute calcific periarthritis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calcification of the olfactory bulbs in three patients with hyposmia.

An estimated two million Americans suffer from chemosensory disorders. We present the clinical and imaging findings in three hyposmic patients with bilateral olfactory bulb calcification detected by CT. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of olfactory bulb calcification reported in the literature. A review of the literature concerning calcification of cranial nerves, olfactory neuritis, and the potential etiology and clinical significance of olfactory bulb calcification in our patients is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Experimental calcification in rat submandibular gland.

The present study describes the phenomenon of calciphylaxis, rapid calcification due to treatment with sensitizer dihydrotachysterol (DHT) and challenging agent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the rat submandibular gland (SMG) in terms of light and electron microscopy, and histochemistry. For biophysical analysis of the calcified bodies, X-ray microanalysis (XMA) and X-ray powdered diffraction methods were used. The calcified lesions in the salivary glands were histologically divided into 3 types: type 1, calcification of basal membranes in duct-like structures; type 2, granular calcified materials with remarkable necrotic changes in cell, containing 3 kinds of small vesicular structures observed in electron microscopy; and type 3, von Kossa's positive structures containing needle-like crystalline and electron-dense amorphous materials. Con A and UEA-1 lectin staining reactions were strong in the type 1 and 2 lesions. These findings suggest that the calcification matrix may contain mannose, fucose and glucose. The X-ray microanalysis of calcified materials revealed the magnesium whitelockite pattern, the type 3 displayed high quantities of Ca, P, and Mg ions comparing with the type 1 and 2, and the X-ray diffraction showed the hydroxyapatite pattern. We suggest that the above changes may be categorized as dystrophic calcification due to necrotic alterations brought about by the hypercalcaemic condition.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Intracranial calcifications of infectious origin].

Deposition of calcium salts in intracranial parasitic structures, inflamed or necrotic tissue forms calcifications. They are manifestations of various diseases of the central nervous system. Apart from tumors, pathologic calcifications occur in the course of infectious and non-infectious diseases. In the paper there were presented intracranial calcifications of infectious origin on the basis of literature review and own observations. Variety of forms, shapes, number and localisations of intracranial calcifications allows for their differentiation only in some cases.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed2004

Long-term warfarin treatment may induce arterial calcification in humans: case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of arterial calcification in a person who has had long-term treatment with warfarin. Although the anticoagulant has been shown to induce arterial calcification in laboratory animals, there have been no previous reports implicating warfarin as a clinical factor. CLINICAL FEATURES: On routine annual examination, the coronary arteries of a healthy man with no symptoms who has had long-term warfarin treatment were found to be highly calcified. CONCLUSION: It would be prudent to further evaluate experimentally the relationship of warfarin and arterial calcification. We suggest that physicians prescribing long-term warfarin treatment consider arterial calcification as one of its potential consequences.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1992

Plaque-type intertriginous cutaneous calcification.

Cutaneous calcification is classified into four types: dystrophic, idiopathic, tumoral, and metastatic. We present a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus undergoing hemodialysis who noted large plaque-like cutaneous calcifications in the axillae and groin. Some plaques occurred in association with striae related to prior corticosteroid therapy for the patient's underlying systemic disease. This case is unusual because of the clinical presentation, its demonstration of both dystrophic and metastatic types of calcification, and histologic calcification of elastic fibers simulating pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determinants of coronary vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification (VC) is a recognized process involved in senescence and atherosclerosis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are conditions associated with metabolic disorders related to soft tissue calcification. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature confined to patients with CKD or ESRD with clinical observations of VC. Case reports of calciphylaxis were excluded. We identified 30 studies over 20 years: 11 prospective cohort, 7 cross-sectional, 11 case-control, and 1 retrospective cohort; n = 2918 subjects, mean age 51 years, 59% men and 41% women. Imaging methods used included: x-ray 43%, computed tomography 30%, ultrasound 17%, and other methods 10%. RESULTS: The most consistent determinants of VC were older age and dialysis vintage. Eight analyses determined a relationship between VC and measures of calcium-phosphate balance while 20 analyses specifically did not find such a relationship. Three studies suggested the degree of calcium loading, treatment with phosphate binders, or treatment with vitamin D analogues were related to VC. When taken into consideration, the lipid profile (primarily low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, elevated low-density lipoprotein, and elevated total cholesterol) were predictive factors in four analyses. CONCLUSIONS: VC is a common observation in CKD and ESRD and is mainly related to age, length of time on dialysis therapy, and possibly dyslipidemia. The calcium-phosphorus balance and its related treatments are likely not related to this unique form of vascular calcification. Further research into the determinants and potential treatments for vascular calcification is warranted.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Trends and dynamics of changes in calcification score over the 1-year observation period in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated vascular calcification is an important cause of excess mortality in patients on dialysis therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends in coronary artery calcification (CAC) score (CaSc) during a 1-year period in a group of stable peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and identify factors that may be associated with CaSc changes. METHODS: Sixty-one stable patients (28 women, 33 men) on PD therapy with a mean age of 50.4 +/- 13.6 years were included. Forty-seven patients survived the entire study period on PD therapy and were suitable for the final analysis. CaSc was assessed at baseline and after 12 months by using multislice spiral computed tomography. Proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]), acute-phase proteins (C-reactive protein [CRP], fibrinogen), calcium-phosphate balance, and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Median CaSc was 22.6 Agatston units (range, 0 to 5,502.8 Agatston units) at baseline and increased to 84 Agatston units (range, 0 to 5,001.3 Agatston units) at a 1-year follow-up (P < 0.05). In the entire group of patients, 3 subgroups were identified: patients with progression (n = 21; P = 0.02 for the difference between initial versus follow-up CaSc), patients with regression (n = 12; P = 0.05), and subjects without change in CaSc after 1 year (n = 14). Patients without progression showed no calcifications at baseline and follow-up and were younger, less overweight, and characterized by significantly lower mean TNF-alpha, leptin, and CRP levels during 1 year compared with both progressors and regressors. Mean serum phosphate and calcium x phosphate product (Ca x P) values were gradually increasing from regressors through the no-calcification group to progressors (P < 0.01 for phosphate levels, P < 0.02 for Ca x P product). Significant correlations were found between changes in CaScs and mean values for phosphate (R = 0.44; P < 0.0005) and Ca x P product (R = 0.38; P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Chronic nonspecific inflammation does not directly attribute to progression in CaScs. Calcium-phosphate balance abnormalities appear to be the only important factors promoting CAC, although a permissive or promoting role of inflammation cannot be ruled out.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1992

Idiopathic arterial calcification in a stillborn complicated by pleural hemorrhage and hydrops fetalis.

We report a case of idiopathic arterial calcification in a stillborn. As usually noted in this rare entity, the pregnancy was complicated by a polyhydramnios. The postmortem examination showed generalized arterial calcification, periarticular calcific deposits, and a large pleural hemorrhage. The causes of fetal hydrops in idiopathic infantile calcification are discussed, and, in the present case, the absence of myocardial ischemic lesion suggests that the fetal hydrops and the fetal death could have been caused by the bulky blood clot that was present in the right pleural cavity. The pathogenesis remains undetermined, but a primitive inherent defect of the elastic elements seems to initiate this disorder.

Aorta↗
PubMed2004

[Calcification of heart valves in hemodialized patients and their cardiosurgical correction].

Development of vascular and systemic calcification is one of the more serious and often occurring complications in hemodialyzed patients. The cardiac valves calcifications are of the essential importance. They are result of the very complicated calcification process connected with hyperphosphataemia, hyperparathyroidism, calcium carbonate administering and active vitamin D3 metabolites as well as using dialysis fluids with high concentration of calcium. Elevated P and Ca x P product are both significant predictors of cardiovascular mortality in hemodialized patients. We describe two patients with cardiac failure because of cardiac valves calcification. Both patients underwent artificial valves implantation. The patients showed a marked improvement of the quality of life and haemodynamic status.

Adult↗