Inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm associated with occlusion of the superior mesenteric and celiac arteries.

We report a case of a large aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery that extended from its origin to bifurcation in the left colic and sigmoidal arteries, and was associated with occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in a 64-year-old patient. The diagnosis was made by arteriography. The patient underwent angioplasty and stenting of the superior mesenteric artery before the operation, which consisted of resection of the aneurysm and reimplantation of the left colic and the sigmoidal arteries separately in the aorta. We believe that this is the first reported case managed by angioplasty in combination with surgery, as well as reimplantation of the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery.

[Pseudoaneurysm as a complication of the reconstruction of the ascending aorta using valved graft: periannular dehiscence simulating severe aortic insufficiency]. / Seudoaneurisma como complicación de la reconstrucción de aorta ascendente mediante injerto valvulado: dehiscencia perianular simulando una insuficiencia aórtica severa.

The development of a pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta is a potential complication after composite grafts surgery for combined disorders that simultaneously affect the aortic valve and ascending aorta. Pseudoaneurysm has been reported to range from 7% to 25% of cases, and it is due to dehiscence of the suture line at anastomosis. Clinical spectrum, which depends on the location of this dehiscence varies from the totally asymptomatic patient to one with NYHA class IV heart failure, with the possibility of its clinical status rapidly worsening. We report a case of progressive haemodynamic deterioration as a consequence of a peri-annular dehiscence that led to a significant regurgitant volume from the pseudoaneurysm cavity to the left ventricle mimicking a severe aortic insufficiency. The role of echocardiography is reviewed in the diagnosis and the management of complications, as well as the necessary follow up of patients with composite aortic grafts.

[Effect of somatostatin-14 in simple mechanical obstruction of the small intestine]. / Action de la somastostatine-14 dans l'occlusion mécanique simple de l'intestin grêle.

In order to investigate the properties of somatostatin-14 we studied an experimental model of simple mechanical and closed loop occlusion. Forty-eight New Zealand rabbits were assigned randomly to three groups of 16: group C (controls) was operated and treated with saline solution (4 cc/Kg/h); group A was operated and initially treated with saline solution and an equal dose of somatostatin-14 (3.5 micrograms/Kg/h; and group B was operated and treated in the same manner as group A, but later, 8 hours after the laparotomy. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours later; intestinal secretion was quantified, blood and intestinal fluid chemistries were performed and specimens of the intestine were prepared for histological examination. Descriptive statistical analysis of the results was performed with the ANOVA, a semi-quantitative test and the covariance test. Somatostatin-14 produced an improvement in the volume of intestinal secretion in the treated groups compared with the control group. The results were statistically significant in group B treated after an 8-hour delay: closed loop (ml): 6.40 +/- 1.12, 2.50 +/- 0.94, 1.85 +/- 0.83 and simple mechanical occlusion (ml): 175 +/- 33.05, 89.50 +/- 9.27, 57.18 +/- 21.23, p < 0.01 for groups C, A and B C, A and B respectively. Net secretion of Cl and Na ions was also improved, p < 0.01.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)