ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: Acute chest pain represents a common presentation at emergency department. Aortic dissection in young patients, however, is fortunately rare. METHODS: We report a case of giant ascending aortic aneurysm with Stanford type A aortic dissection in an otherwise well 22-year-old male patient. Operative aortic valve and root replacement was undertaken with favourable outcome. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination of the resected aorta revealed acute on chronic inflammatory change with Langerhans type giant cells consistent with a diagnosis of giant cell aortitis. CONCLUSION: While uncommon, emergencies of the aorta may present in young patients. Predisposing conditions are discussed.
ABSTRACT
@#BACKGROUND: Peripheral venous pressure (PVP) has been shown to correlate with central venous pressure (CVP) in a number of reports. Few studies, however, have explored the relationship between tissue pressure (TP) and PVP/CVP correlation. METHODS: PVP and CVP were simultaneously recorded in a bench-top model of the venous circulation of the upper limb and in a single human volunteer after undergoing graded manipulation of tissue pressure surrounding the intervening venous conduit. Measures of correlation were determined below and above a point wherein absolute CVP exceeded TP. RESULTS: Greater correlation was observed between PVP and CVP when CVP exceeded TP in both models. Linear regression slope was 0.975 (95％ CI: 0.959-0.990); r20.998 above tissue pressure 10 cmH2O vs. 0.393 (95％ CI: 0.360-0.426); and r20.972 below 10 cmH2O at a flow rate of 2000 mL/h in the in vitro model. Linear regression slope was 0.839 (95％ CI: 0.754-0.925); r20.933 above tissue pressure 10 mmHg vs. slope 0.238 (95％ CI: ?0.052-0.528); and r20.276 in the en vivo model. CONCLUSION: PVP more accurately reflects CVP when absolute CVP values exceed tissue pressure.