Von wilebrand factor in acute myocardial infarction

To determine the sensitivity of von Willebrand factor [vWF] and fibrinogen as diagnostic predictors of vascular injury in acute myocardial infarction [MI], the changes in plasma level of vWF and fibrinogen were assessed in 15 patients with acute MI, 15 patients with unstable angina and 10 control subjects with no subjective or objective evidence of ischemia. The samples were obtained immediately on admission from all groups. In patients with acute MI, the samples were drawn at 24 hours and 5 days later. The samples were analyzed for serum cardiac enzymes, vWF and fibrinogen. Plasma concentrations of vWF antigen were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method and by coagulation method for fibrinogen level. Compared with the control subjects, patients with acute MI and unstable angina had significantly higher levels of plasma vWF on admission. Twenty four hours and 5 days later, the plasma levels of vWF increased significantly from 203.6 +/- 17.7 and 252.6 +/- 2.6, respectively, compared with that on admission [104.1 +/- 23.8]. On the other hand, fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina compared with the control subjects, but insignificantly higher than that in patients with acute MI

Reconstruction of bone defects following tumour resection from the lower limb by vascularized fibular graft

Eight patients with malignant primary bone tumours affecting their lower limbs were treated with radical resection and reconstruction with a vascularised fibular graft. Patients were followed up for an average period of 30 months. All patients showed union of the graft at both ends within an average period of nine months. Six cases started to show hypertrophy of the graft within an average period of one year. One patient had a fracture of both the graft and the nail used for fixation three years postoperatively which united six months later after plating and grafting. Another patient with primary intramedullary osteosarcoma had recurrence of the tumour one year after the resection. Amputation was done but the patient died from distant spread

Post poliomyelitic fixed abduction contracture of one hip: Natural history of the unaffected side Report of four cases

One hip following poliomyelitis presented in early adult life with progressive subluxation of the other hip and degenerative arthritis

Cast brace treatment of fractures of the lower third of the humerus

Thirty eight patients with recent fracture of the lower third of the humerus were treated with a functional brace. Radial nerve palsy was associated in 6 patients [15.8%]. Union was achieved in 32 patients [84.2%] after an average period of 63.6 days of brace application. At the time of brace removal, all patients had a full range of elbow motion even those who developed nonunion. Six patients [15.8%] passed to nonunion. Eighteen patients healed with a varus deformity averaging 15.6. Four patients healed with anterior angulation averaging 4 and two patients healed with posterior angulation averaging 15

Metacarpo-phalageal joint release in the management of post-burn stiff hand

The present work presents the use of metcarpophalangeal [M.P.] joint release in the management of 20 cases with post-burn stiff hand. The paper presents a new modification of the technique of M.P. capsulectomy. The results showed that capsulotomy and release of the M.P. joints in cases of post-burn stiff hand are strongly recommended as evidenced by the good postoperative hand functions in the included cases