Wavelet transform analysis to assess oscillations in pial artery pulsation at the human cardiac frequency.

Pial artery adjustments to changes in blood pressure (BP) may last only seconds in humans. Using a novel method called near-infrared transillumination backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS) that allows for the non-invasive measurement of pial artery pulsation (cc-TQ) in humans, we aimed to assess the relationship between spontaneous oscillations in BP and cc-TQ at frequencies between 0.5 Hz and 5 Hz. We hypothesized that analysis of very short data segments would enable the estimation of changes in the cardiac contribution to the BP vs. cc-TQ relationship during very rapid pial artery adjustments to external stimuli. BP and pial artery oscillations during baseline (70s and 10s signals) and the response to maximal breath-hold apnea were studied in eighteen healthy subjects. The cc-TQ was measured using NIR-T/BSS; cerebral blood flow velocity, the pulsatility index and the resistive index were measured using Doppler ultrasound of the left internal carotid artery; heart rate and beat-to-beat systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded using a Finometer; end-tidal CO2 was measured using a medical gas analyzer. Wavelet transform analysis was used to assess the relationship between BP and cc-TQ oscillations. The recordings lasting 10s and representing 10 cycles with a frequency of ~1 Hz provided sufficient accuracy with respect to wavelet coherence and wavelet phase coherence values and yielded similar results to those obtained from approximately 70cycles (70s). A slight but significant decrease in wavelet coherence between augmented BP and cc-TQ oscillations was observed by the end of apnea. Wavelet transform analysis can be used to assess the relationship between BP and cc-TQ oscillations at cardiac frequency using signals intervals as short as 10s. Apnea slightly decreases the contribution of cardiac activity to BP and cc-TQ oscillations.

[The dural arteriovenous fistula treatment by embolization]. / Przypadek oponowej przetoki tetniczo-zylnej leczonej embolizacja.

The transverse sinus is one of the most common locations for dural fistulas. A 43-year-old man with pulsatile tinnitus had arteriography that showed a left transverse dural arteriovenous fistula. We report on the treatment of the fistula with embolization of the supplying arteries. Primary transarterial embolization failed to completely obliterate the fistula and the recurrent symptoms were observed. Subsequent embolization was tried by using PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), spongostan and mechanical detachable coils and resulted in the improvement of the patient's tinnitus. The additional arteriographical finding was microangioma located on the branch supplying the fistula arising from the left vertebral artery.

[Hyperthyroidism and pregnancy]. / Nadczynnosc tarczycy a ciaza.

DESIGN: The aim of our study was to describe a course of pregnancy, delivery and puerperal time in women hospitalized in our Clinic during their pregnancies because of hyperthyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen case reports (thirteen pregnant women) were retrospectively analysed. Our study embrace data from the recent ten years. RESULTS: In all cases pregnancies, deliveries and puerperal time proceeded without any serious complications. Infants were delivered in good condition and no congenital defects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A proper treatment of hyperthyroidism in a pregnant woman determines the correct course of pregnancy, delivery and puerperal time. 2. We have not found any congenital defects, hypotrophy cases and infants' death reports in our material. 3. Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy does not determine cesarean section as a way of delivery.