Hypogastric artery aneurysm - a case report.

Isolated hypogastric artery aneurysm (internal iliac artery aneurysm) is a rare disease, more often associated with the occurrence of aneurysms in other localities. It typically occurs in older men. Rupture as the most serious complication is associated with high mortality, which is many times higher than the mortality in case of elective repair. Nearly half of the patients are asymptomatic and eventual symptoms tend to be very diverse. Therefore, in the diagnostic process, it is necessary to consider this disease even in case of symptoms apparently unrelated to the arterial system. Treatment is surgical or endovascular. The report presents the case of a female patient with an isolated aneurysm of the hypogastric artery treated endovascularly. Key words: aneurysm hypogastric artery - stentgraft diagnosis.

Homogeneity and variation of donor doping in Verneuil-grown SrTiO3:Nb single crystals.

The homogeneity of Verneuil-grown SrTiO3:Nb crystals was investigated. Due to the fast crystal growth process, inhomogeneities in the donor dopant distribution and variation in the dislocation density are expected to occur. In fact, for some crystals optical studies show variations in the density of Ti(3+) states on the microscale and a cluster-like surface conductivity was reported in tip-induced resistive switching studies. However, our investigations by TEM, EDX mapping, and 3D atom probe reveal that the Nb donors are distributed in a statistically random manner, indicating that there is clearly no inhomogeneity on the macro-, micro-, and nanoscale in high quality Verneuil-grown crystals. In consequence, the electronic transport in the bulk of donor-doped crystals is homogeneous and it is not significantly channelled by extended defects such as dislocations which justifies using this material, for example, as electronically conducting substrate for epitaxial oxide film growth.

[Fibroplastic dust and cardio-respiratory functions]. / Fibroplastische Stäube und Atem-Kreislauffunktionen.

Repeated measurements of dust concentrations and work loads were made at the workplaces in iron foundries (interval 10 years) and processing of asbestos (dusts 27 years and work load 8 years). The work load was mild to moderate, rarely heavy (energy output 2.0 to 5.7 MJ in the shift) with a mean heart rate 94-106. The incidence of occupational diseases was stabilized in the foundries, increased in the asset processing plants (mostly lung cancer). Two thirds of the workers were smokers, in spite of that the workers in the foundries had their mean flow-volume curve almost identical with the standards. Their age conditioned diminution was faster especially for FEF50 and 25 and accompanied with a bigger rise of FRC and RV. Exercise testing demonstrated the same fitness as in normal population (2.7 +/- 0.7 l/min). As far as asbestos processing is concerned, a diminution of dust concentrations below the limits was found. Despite of this, an increase in lung cancer incidence was observed probably as a consequence of high dust concentrations in the past and smoking habits (2/3 of workers). The flow-volume curves were obviously smaller than the normals. With the rising of exposure to asbestos and with the advancing age (more close correlation), the deterioration of respiratory parameters (measured during 6-7 years) was two times faster. The correlations were more close for women then for men. In the man group, this deterioration was greater in the last measurements. The results of ergometer testing up to anaerobic threshold were identical with those found in normal population.

Changes in pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics after the administration of various vasodilators in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

The authors investigated the influence of some vasodilatory drugs on pulmonary and systemic haemodynamic parameters in 69 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (with the exception of two patients with diffuse pulmonary fibrosis and one patient with recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism). The investigated vasodilatory drugs were as follows: Dihydralazine Spofa--8 patients, Corinfar--10 patients, Ketanserin--13 patients, Nit-Ret 7 patients, Nitroglycerin Spofa--10 patients, Nitro-Mack--11 patients, Iso-Mack retard--10 patients. The haemodynamic parameters were measured before and at various time intervals after the administration of the vasodilatory agent (Dihydralazine 50 mg perorally--30th and 60th minute, Corinfar--20 mg sublingually--60th minute, and in 7 patients following a 6 months period of 30-60 mg Corinfar daily dose, Ketanserin--10 mg intravenously--10th, 20th and 40th minute, Nit-Ret--2.5 mg perorally--30th and 60th minute, Nitroglycerin Spofa--0.5 mg sublingually--10th and 30th minute, Nitro-Mack--1 mg intravenously--immediately following the end of a slow i. v. infusion for 20 minutes, Iso-Mack retard--20 mg perorally, 60th minute). The blood gases were measured at the same time intervals, too. The results in various groups were as follows: Dihydralazine administration was not followed by any significant change in PAP, CO, PVR, while a significant decrease in AOP and SVR was ascertained. A significant decrease of PaCO2 and no change in PaO2 were measured. Following Corinfar administration, no change in PAP, CO or PVR and a significant decrease of PaCO2 and no change in PaO2 were measured. Following Corinfar administration, no change in PAP, CO or PVR and a significant decrease in AOP were determined. No significant changes in blood gases were measured. Following a 6 month Corinfar treatment period in 7 subjects, no significant changes in pulmonary haemodynamics or blood gases values were found. No clinical benefit of this drug could be estimated. Ketanserin administration was not followed by any changes in pulmonary haemodynamics, whereas a significant decrease in AOP and SVR were found. The administration of Nit-Ret was followed by a significant decrease of CO, whereas no changes in PAP, AOP or PVR and SVR were found. No significant changes in the blood gas tenses values were measured. The administration of Nitroglycerin Spofa was followed by a significant decrease in RAP, PAP, AOP, RVEDP as well as in CO. No significant changes in blood gases were observed. The application of 1 mg Nitro-Mack intravenously was followed by a significant decrease in RAP, PAP, AOP and CO.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Long-term study of disorders of heart rhythm in patients with chronic diseases of the respiratory system]. / Dlouhodobé sledování poruch srdecního rytmu u nemocných s chronickými chorobami dýchacího ústrojí.

The authors investigated the incidence of arrhythmias by the method of continuous recording of ECG tracings according to Holter in 16 patients with chronic respiratory diseases three times in the course of two years. The incidence of arrhythmias was very frequent, more serious disorders (class 3 or a higher class according to Lown's classification) were very rare. The authors provided evidence of a great variability in the incidence of arrhythmias in the same patients during different periods of investigation. They did not reveal a relationship between the incidence of arrhythmias and the degree of functional affection of the lungs, the severity of hypoxaemia and the drop of the maximum aerobic capacity of the lungs. They did not find a relationship between the incidence of arrhythmias and the pressure in the pulmonary artery, or the size of the right or left ventricle or the thickness of their wall. The authors do not consider the finding of arrhythmias in patients with chronic lung disease an unequivocally serious finding, as reported sometimes in the literature.