In-vacuum sensors for the beamline components of the ITER neutral beam test facility.

Embedded sensors have been designed for installation on the components of the MITICA beamline, the prototype ITER neutral beam injector (Megavolt ITER Injector and Concept Advancement), to derive characteristics of the particle beam and to monitor the component conditions during operation for protection and thermal control. Along the beamline, the components interacting with the particle beam are the neutralizer, the residual ion dump, and the calorimeter. The design and the positioning of sensors on each component have been developed considering the expected beam-surface interaction including non-ideal and off-normal conditions. The arrangement of the following instrumentation is presented: thermal sensors, strain gages, electrostatic probes including secondary emission detectors, grounding shunt for electrical currents, and accelerometers.

Preliminary design of electrostatic sensors for MITICA beam line components.

Megavolt ITER Injector and Concept Advancement, the full-scale prototype of ITER neutral beam injector, is under construction in Italy. The device will generate deuterium negative ions, then accelerated and neutralized. The emerging beam, after removal of residual ions, will be dumped onto a calorimeter. The presence of plasma and its parameters will be monitored in the components of the beam-line, by means of specific electrostatic probes. Double probes, with the possibility to be configured as Langmuir probes and provide local ion density and electron temperature measurements, will be employed in the neutralizer and in the residual ion dump. Biased electrodes collecting secondary emission electrons will be installed in the calorimeter with the aim to provide a horizontal profile of the beam.

Estudio de la prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas referidas por dos grupos poblacionales de la ciudad de Bahía Blanca / Study of the prevalence of allergic diseases refered by two groups of population in the City of Bahia Blanca

Fundamento. La polución biológica natural puede causar o agravar procesos alérgicos. En la ciudad de Bahía Blanca se realizan monitoreos continuos de granos de polen desde 1994. Sin embargo, al no contar con información sistematizada sobre las enfermedades alérgicas, se desconoce si existe relación entre los efectos de la polución y la prevalencia de éstas en la población local. Objetivo. Conocer la prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas y síntomas asociados en dos grupos poblacionales de la ciudad de Bahía Blanca. Lugar. Municipalidad de Bahía Blanca y Universidad Nacional del Sur. Diseño. Estudio de corte transversal con modalidad de encuesta, tomando una muestra representativa de cada población. Población. Empleados municipales y población universitaria. Método. Fue elaborado un cuestionario ad hoc, incluyendo preguntas del cuestionario ISAAC. Para todos los análisis se utilizó el software R, con el objetivo de realizar una regresión logística para el análisis de los resultados obtenidos. Para analizar el riesgo de padecimiento se utilizaron odds ratio y su correspondiente valor p (IC95% y un error del 2%). Resultados. El 22,72% de los encuestados refirió padecer alguna enfermedad alérgica diagnosticada. El 53,13% de quienes manifestaron síntomas no declararon padecer enfermedad. Se observó asociación estadísticamente significativa entre conjuntivitis y poseer mascotas (OR=2,5; p=0,02); y entre SIR y presencia de humedad en las paredes (OR=1,8; p<0,05). La regresión logística mostró asociación entre padecer enfermedad alérgica y antecedentes familiares de las mismas (p=3,97e­16) y entre padecer asma o SIA y el hábito de fumar (p=0,0002). Conclusiones. Las prevalencias encontradas para cada enfermedad alérgica indagada y sus síntomas coinciden con las halladas en estudios previos en la ciudad. Existe un alto subdiagnóstico manifestado en la referencia de síntomas asociados.(AU)

Background. The natural biological pollution can cause or exacerbate allergies. A continuous monitoring of pollen grains is performed in Bahía Blanca city since 1994. However, due to the lack of systematic information of these allergic diseases it is unknown whether there is or not a relationship between pollution effects and disease prevalence in the local population. Objective. Determine the prevalence of allergic diseases and its associated symptoms in two groups of people in Bahía Blanca's city. Location. Bahía Blanca's city hall and National University of the South. Design. Cross-sectional study, implementing a survey and taking a representative sample of each group. Population. Municipal employees and university population. Method. It was elaborated an ad hoc survey, including questions from the ISAAC questionnaire. The R software was used for all the analysis, in order to perform a logistic regression analysis. The odds ratio and its corresponding p value (CI95% and 2% error) were used in order to analyze the diseases index. Results. The 22.72% of the interviewed mentioned to suffer some diagnosed allergic disease. The 53.13% of those who showed symptoms denied suffering from any disease. Statistically significant association was observed between conjunctivitis and own pets (OR=2.5; p=0.02); and between SIR and the presence of damp walls (OR=1.8; p<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed an association between allergic disease and family history of the same disease (p=3.97 e­16) and between asthma or SIA and smoking habits (p=0.0002). Conclusions. The prevalence found for each allergic disease and its investigated symptoms agreed with those previously found in other local studies. There was a high sub-diagnosis manifested in reference to associated symptoms.(AU)

Construction of a laccase chimerical gene: recombinant protein characterization and gene expression via yeast surface display.

The ERY4 laccase gene from Pleurotus eryngii was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the recombinant laccase resulted to be not biologically active. This gene was thus modified to obtain chimerical enzymes derived from the substitution of N-, C- and both N- and C-terminal regions with the corresponding regions of Ery3 laccase, another laccase isoform of P. eryngii. The chimerical isoform named 4NC3, derived from the substitution of both N- and C-terminal regions, showed the best performances in terms of enzymatic activities, affinities for different substrates and stability at a broad range of temperatures and pHs. The chimerical 4NC3 laccase isoform was displayed on the cell surface of S. cerevisiae using the N-terminal fusion with either the Pir2 or the Flo1 S. cerevisiae proteins as anchor attachment sequence. Immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot analyses confirmed the localization of 4NC3 on the yeast cell surface. The enzyme activity on specific laccase substrates revealed that 4NC3 laccase was immobilized in active form on the cell surface. To our knowledge, this is the first example of expression of a chimerical fungal laccase by yeast cell display.

A case of spontaneous gastric rupture in a 5 years girl.

We describe a case of spontaneous gastric rupture in a child of 5 years old. The patient reached us in a serious condition; the anamnesis was negative for traumatic events or gastrointestinal disorders. An abdominal X-ray and CT scan revealed free air and fluid in the abdominal cavity, leading to the diagnosis of gastro-intestinal perforation. Submitted to urgent surgery, a rupture of the posterior wall of the stomach was found that was treated with gastrectomy "à la demande". The surgery follow-up was regular. Morphological and immunohistochemical study showed some muscular abnormalities of the muscular gastric wall.

Experimental observation of microtearing modes in a toroidal fusion plasma.

Experimental evidences of short wavelength electromagnetic modes are found in the reversed-field-pinch configuration device RFX-mod by means of in-vessel magnetic probes. The modes are revealed during the helical states of the plasma. Their amplitude is well correlated to the electron temperature gradient strength in the core. On the basis of linear gyrokinetic calculations we interpret these instabilities as microtearing modes.

Prevalencia de asma y su impacto en la calidad de vida de los adolescentes escolarizados de la ciudad / Asthma prevalence and its impact on the quality of life of school adolescents in the city

Antecedentes. La presencia de asma o su combinación con otros factores afectaría la calidad de vida de los adolescentes. No habría estudios que contemplen estas asociaciones en la ciudad. Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de asma, factores asociados y su impacto en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) en adolescentes de 13 a 18 años de la ciudad. Material y métodos. Encuesta a adolescentes de escuelas públicas y privadas durante el año 2008, que empleó un muestreo por conglomerados en 2 etapas y un cuestionario autoadministrado. La prevalencia de asma se midió con la metodología ISAAC, y la CVRS por medio de la versión argentina KIDSCREEN-52. Se analizaron los factores asociados a asma por medio de la prueba del χ2 y regresión logística múltiple. Se estratificó el análisis de la CVRS en presencia y ausencia de asma, controlando por género y presencia de adicciones. Resultados. Se encuestó a 2.566 adolescentes. La prevalencia de asma fue 15% (379/2.566): 9% (221/2.566) con síntomas indicadores de asma (SIA) y 6% (158/2.566) con asma declarada. El 10% presentó condiciones con elevada sospecha de asma. Las puntuaciones medias en asmáticos fueron más bajas que en los no asmáticos en todas las dimensiones de la CVRS, aunque las diferencias no fueron significativas. Los adolescentes con asma y adicciones presentaron las puntuaciones más bajas, particularmente en la percepción sobre bienestar físico y el estado de ánimo. Asma se relacionó con baja percepción del estado de ánimo, aún controlando por otras variables. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de asma en adolescentes de la ciudad puede considerarse como intermedia a nivel global, regional y nacional, aunque existiría una proporción elevada de casos con subdiagnóstico. El asma se relacionó con una baja percepción del estado de ánimo.(AU)

Background. The presence of asthma or its combination with other factors, affect the quality of life of adolescents. There wouldn´t be studies that consider these associations in the city. Objective. To describe the prevalence of asthma, associated factors and their impact on quality of life related to health (HRQOL) in adolescents 13 to 18 years in the city. Methods. A survey of adolescents in public and private schools in 2008 that used a cluster sampling in two stages and a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of asthma was measured using the ISAAC methodology and HRQL by Argentina's version KIDSCREEN-52. The factors associated with asthma were analyzed by the χ2 test and multiple logistic regression. Stratified analysis of HRQOL in the presence and absence of asthma, controlling for gender and presence of addictions. Results. 2.566 adolescents were surveyed. Prevalence of asthma: 15% (379/2.566) - 9% (221/2.566) with SIA and 6% (158/2.566) with asthma declared. 10% had conditions with high suspicion of asthma. The mean scores were lower in asthmatics than in non-asthmatics in all dimensions of HRQOL, although the differences were not significant. Adolescents with asthma and addictions had the lowest scores, particularly in the perception of physical and mood. Asthma was associated with low perception of mood, even when controlling for other variables. Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma in adolescents in the city can be regarded as intermediate global, regional and national levels, although there would be a high proportion of cases with subdiagnosis. Asthma was associated with a low perception of mood.(AU)

[Bithalamic infarct: is there an evocative aspect? Radioclinical study]. / Accident vasculaire ischémique bithalamique: existe-t-il un tableau évocateur ? Etude radioclinique.

INTRODUCTION: Bithalamic paramedian infarcts are uncommon. This stroke results in a complex clinical syndrome. CASE REPORT: We report four cases of bithalamic paramedian infarcts with a presumed mechanism of occlusion of a single thalamic paramedian artery. DISCUSSION: This normal anatomic variant corresponds to an asymmetrical common trunk for the two thalamosubthalamic paramedian arteries arising from a P1 segment (type IIb in the G. Percheron classification dating from 1977). A literature analysis (from 1985 to 2006) allowed us to identify the most widely reported clinical signs. Four main clinical findings are described: vertical gaze palsy (65%), memory impairment (58%), confusion (53%) and coma (42%). We also found these symptoms in our patients but rarely associated; however, all four patients had exhibited episodes of drowsiness. In this article, we discuss the anatomy-function correlation responsible for such clinical variability. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of this diagnosis to better understand the imaging results which provide confirmation. Although the literature describes frequently severe consciousness disorders such as coma, this diagnosis must also be considered in patients presenting a simple fluctuation of consciousness, e.g. hypersomnia.

Estudio comparativo de la morbilidad por asma entre la población de distintas zonas de Bahía Blanca y la de toda la ciudad / Comparative study of the morbidity for asthma between the population of different zones of Bahía Blanca and that of the whole city

Antecedentes. En Bahía Blanca se incrementaron las industrias petroquímicas, las empresas cerealeras y el parque automotor. La Municipalidad realiza estudios epidemiológicos con el propósito de conocer la prevalencia de las enfermedades, determinar los factores de riesgo y comprobar diferencias y asociaciones. Se consideraron áreas de mayor riesgo para padecer enfermedad respiratoria a la zona de Ingeniero White (industrial-portuaria) y al centro, por estudios anteriores y por los resultados de mediciones de los contaminates comunes. Objetivo. Comparar las prevalencias de asma, síntomas indicadores de asma (SIA), rinitis, enfermedades de la piel y trastornos del oído en distitnas áreas, con la prevalencia observada en toda la ciudad. Metodolgía. Los estudios a comparar son de corte transversal por encuesta domiciliaria de propósitos múltiples. Se utilizó la estandarización indirecta ajustando por edad, para estimar una razón estandarizada de prevalencia relacionando la proporción de casos esperados en cada barrio, comparando con los casos hallados en la ciudad. Resultados. Las prevalencias de enfermedades respiratorias observadas en Ingeriero White y en el Centro fueron dos y 1,43 veces mayores a las esperadas, respectivamente. La prevalencia de asma fue superior a la esperada en los cuatro barrios, más notoriamente en Ingeniero White. Los SIA resultaron dos veces por encima de lo esperado en Ingeniero White y 1.27 vecen en el Centro. En esta zona los casos de rinitis, enfermedades de la piel e hipoacusias fueron cinco, cuatro y 3,5 veces superiores a los esperados. Conclusiones. Residir en Ingeniero White y en el Centro significa mayor riesgo para padecer asma, rinitis, enfermedades de la piel e hipoacusia. Se debe considerar el impacto de los contaminantes conocidos.

Estudio comparativo de la morbilidad por asma entre la población de distintas zonas de Bahía Blanca y la de toda la ciudad / Comparative study of the morbidity for asthma between the population of different zones of Bahía Blanca and that of the whole city

Antecedentes. En Bahía Blanca se incrementaron las industrias petroquímicas, las empresas cerealeras y el parque automotor. La Municipalidad realiza estudios epidemiológicos con el propósito de conocer la prevalencia de las enfermedades, determinar los factores de riesgo y comprobar diferencias y asociaciones. Se consideraron áreas de mayor riesgo para padecer enfermedad respiratoria a la zona de Ingeniero White (industrial-portuaria) y al centro, por estudios anteriores y por los resultados de mediciones de los contaminates comunes. Objetivo. Comparar las prevalencias de asma, síntomas indicadores de asma (SIA), rinitis, enfermedades de la piel y trastornos del oído en distitnas áreas, con la prevalencia observada en toda la ciudad. Metodolgía. Los estudios a comparar son de corte transversal por encuesta domiciliaria de propósitos múltiples. Se utilizó la estandarización indirecta ajustando por edad, para estimar una razón estandarizada de prevalencia relacionando la proporción de casos esperados en cada barrio, comparando con los casos hallados en la ciudad. Resultados. Las prevalencias de enfermedades respiratorias observadas en Ingeriero White y en el Centro fueron dos y 1,43 veces mayores a las esperadas, respectivamente. La prevalencia de asma fue superior a la esperada en los cuatro barrios, más notoriamente en Ingeniero White. Los SIA resultaron dos veces por encima de lo esperado en Ingeniero White y 1.27 vecen en el Centro. En esta zona los casos de rinitis, enfermedades de la piel e hipoacusias fueron cinco, cuatro y 3,5 veces superiores a los esperados. Conclusiones. Residir en Ingeniero White y en el Centro significa mayor riesgo para padecer asma, rinitis, enfermedades de la piel e hipoacusia. Se debe considerar el impacto de los contaminantes conocidos.(AU)

Prevalencia de enfermedad respiratoria en la población de la ciudad de Bahía Blanca / Prevalence of respiratory diseases in the population of the city of Bahia Blanca

Antecedentes. Se encuentran en el partido empresas químicas, petroquímicas y granarias. Están registrados 130.000 vehículos. Se realizaron estudios sobre prevalencia de enfermedades y factores de riesgo en distintas zonas . No se conoce la prevalencia de enfermedades respiratorias en la ciudad. Objetivos. Describir la frecuencia de asma, rinitis y factores de riesgo. Efectuar comparaciones. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal por modalidad de encuesta de propósitos múltiples en hogares. Para la estimación del n se utilizó la prevalencia de asma ( 4 %), encontrada en estudios previos, un error absoluto de 0.8 % (ER=20 %) y un nivel de confianza del 95 %. Se efectuó un muestreo por conglomerados con submuestreo, con probabilidades proporcionales a su tamaño, aplicando el efecto de diseño (deff = 2). Se utilizó el cuestionario usado en otros estudios. Resultados. Se encuestaron 1447 viviendas, n = 4766 personas. El 18% refirió padecer algún tipo de enfermedad respiratoria. Rinitis 12,7% (607/4766), síntomas indicadores de asma (SIA) 3,4% (163/4766) y asma 2,6% (125/4766). El 19,8% padecía SIA con rinitis (OR = 3,57; IC95%: 2,30-5,54) y el 17,8% de los que referían asma padecían rinitis (OR = 3,04; IC95%: 1,83-5,07). La prevalencia de tabaquismo fue de 20%, encontrándose asociación entre inhalar humo y SIA. Se halló asociación entre obesidad y rinitis. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de asma y rinitis fue similar a la hallada en Argentina. La frecuencia de SIA fue notoriamente inferior. La prevalencia de asma en la ciudad sería del 6%. Se ratifica el subdiagnóstico de asma hecho que contribuye a los tratamientos inadecuados referidos. La comparación con los resultados de los estudios anteriores, ratificarán o no la existencia de áreas de mayor riesgo para padecer enfermedad respiratoria(AU)

Background. In the place there are chemical, petrochemical and granaries companies. There are registrered 130.000 vehicles. Studies were realized on prevalence of diseases and factors of risk in different zones. There is not known the prevalence of respiratory diseases in the city. Proposes. To describe the frequency of asthma, rinitis and factors of risk. To carry out comparisons. Methodology. Study of transverse cut for modality of survey of multiple proposes in homes. For the estimation of n there was in use the prevalence of asthma (4%), found in previous studies, a mean error of 0.8 % (ER = 20%) and a confidence level of 95%. A sampling was effected by conglomerates with subsampling, by proportional probabilities to its size, applying the effect of design (deff=2). The questionnaire applyed was used in other studies. Results. There were polled 1447 housings, n = 4766 persons. The 18% answered to suffer some kind of respiratory disease. Rhinitis: 12.7% (607/4766), Symptoms Indicators of Asthma (SIA): 3.4% (163/4766) and asthma: 2.6% (125/4766). The 19.8% was suffering SIA with rhinitis ­OR = 3.57 (95% CI: 2.30-5.54 )­ and 17.8% of those who were recounting asthma they were suffering rhinitis ­OR = 3.04 (95% CI: 1.83-5.07)­. The prevalence of smoking was 20%, being association between inhaling smoke and SIA. Association was situated among obesity and rhinitis. Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis was similar to found in Argentina. SIA's frequency was glaringly low. The prevalence of asthma in the city would be 6 %. There is corroborated the made subdiagnosis of asthma that its ratified to the inadequate above-mentioned treatments. The comparison with the results of the previous studies, they will corroborated or not the existence of areas of major risk to suffer respiratory disease. (AU)

Aortic valve repair for traumatic aortic insufficiency.

Prolapse of a commissural portion of the aortic valve due to partial intimal tear following a blunt chest trauma is a rare condition. Aortic valve repair is a technically demanding operation and the presence of aortic incompetence due to leaflet prolapse often leads to aortic valve replacement. We report the case of a patient with aortic insufficiency due to commissural disruption following a road traffic accident, and in whom aortic valve repair was performed.

Aortic valve reconstruction associated to ascending aorta tubular graft replacement in aortic incompetence by annuloaortic ectasia.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve incompetence associated with severe aortic ectasia is usually treated by aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement. In cases of isolated aortic ectasia or in Type A aortic dissection the valve is often normal and the incompetence is just due to annular dilatation. Such conditions lead to the application of various valve-sparing surgical techniques, as described by Senning et al., showing the advantages of preservation of the native valve, but the disadvantage of a high technical complexity and a high incidence of recidivation. METHODS: We describe a valve-sparing surgical procedure, which has the advantage of a direct and simple approach together with satisfying mid-term results. After the aortic bulb has been fully transected, the excessive wall tissue is resected by two or three triangular excisions just above the valve commissures. Wall excision was indicated in those patients with an aortic diameter exceeding 65 mm at the sino-tubular junction. Tissue excision should not exert tension on to the coronary ostia or excessively reduce aortic diameter. Three external Teflon strips, overriding each other, are placed around the aortic bulb and are included in the direct suture of the edges of the triangular excisions. They are fixed by a running suture over the free border of the bulb. Aortic valve commissures are resuspended when needed. In this way, the aortic bulb, with a competent valve, is wrapped in a prosthetic and inextensible graft. The aortic continuity is then re-established with the interposition of a tubular dacron graft. RESULTS: From April 1990 to December 1995, 21 patients (mean age 48 years, range 32-70) scheduled for surgery for aortic valve incompetence associated with annuloaortic ectasia were treated with this technique. In one patient the procedure failed to achieve a satisfying valve competence and the valve was replaced. In another case a prolapse of the non-coronary cusp required reoperation with aortic valve replacement, without further complications. At follow-up time (mean 42 months, range 18-78), all patients were well and healthy, with control echoes showing no residual valve incompetence and with invariate bulb diameters at every successive examination. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience shows that this new valve-sparing approach allows safe and persistent correction of aortic valve incompetence and annuloaortic ectasia although longer term follow up is needed.

Argon laser photocoagulation in the treatment of the palpebral lobe cysts of the lacrimal gland (dacryops).

Dacryops is a closed cyst that develops on the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland, manifesting in the region of the external canthus. Its slow and insidious growth causes mechanical and aesthetic problems that do not regress spontaneously. Treatment involves excision of the cyst while sparing the adjacent glandular tissues. In cases associated with hypolacrimation, marsupialization of the cyst is indicated. To obtain a reduction of the cyst to an aesthetically acceptable level in cases of simple dacryops, the authors suggest argon laser therapy, which avoids the risks related to surgery and general anesthesia and eliminates the need for hospitalization. Two patients with simple dacryops were treated with blue-green argon laser under local anesthesia. At the end of follow-up, the cysts had been clinically reduced in volume and were not visible by external examination. In cases of simple dacryops, laser therapy is suitable for the reduction of the cyst. Photocoagulation treatment is not advisable in cases that are complicated by fistulas or where the clinical presentation is atypical.

Multidisciplinary conservative treatment of difficult bile duct stones: a real alternative to surgery.

56 patients with large CBD or intrahepatic stones underwent endoscopic and/or percutaneous treatment followed by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Percutaneous access to the biliary tract was chosen when an endoscopic approach was not possible (hepaticojejunostomy in 5 patients, 1 juxtapapillary diverticulum and 1 inflammatory bile duct stricture). Visualization of stones was achieved radiologically in 32 patients and by ultrasound in 24. The procedure was successful in 47 of 56 treated patients (83.9%). Clearance of the biliary tract was obtained in 25 cases (53%), whereas in 22 cases (47%) complete clearing of biliary tract was obtained only after endoscopic extraction of fragments (17 cases) or percutaneous (5 cases). The median number of shock waves in each session was 1725 (range 300-3166), which were applied during one (n = 30), two (n = 22) or three sessions (n = 4). The only complications were 1 case of symptomatic hyperamylasemia and 3 cases of macrohematuria. In conclusion, extracorporeal lithotripsy combined with endoscopic and/or percutaneous treatment is a real alternative to surgery for difficult stones.

[General criteria for the organization of an intrahospital emergency plan in Italy]. / Criteri generali per l'organizzazione di un piano intraospedaliero per l'emergenza sul territorio.

The purpose of this work is to provide general criteria to draw up a hospital organization plans for emergencies, in order to efficiently manage the consequences of a massive flow of casualties from a major accident or natural disaster.

The association between rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe 9 cases of rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure (ARF) as a complication of cardiopulmonary bypass. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Retrospective research between June 1992 and March 1994. SETTING: Department of Cardiac Surgery. PATIENTS: 931 consecutive patients undergoing major cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients affected by rhabdomyolytic ARF were treated with pharmacological therapy and/or plasmapheresis/continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. In seven patients indirect cannulation of the femoral artery was used. MEASURES: Incidence, risk factors of syndrome results obtained with pharmacological treatment, CAVH and plasmapheresis were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA, Tukey Kramer test and chi2 test (p<0.05 as significant). RESULTS: The syndrome occurred in 0.96% (9/931 patients) of the total cases; 11.3% (6/53 -p<0.0000) in patients undergoing a direct femoral artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass and 9.5% (2/21, p<0.01) in patients in which the aortic balloon pump was used. Six patients develop acute anuric renal failure and underwent plasma exchange and hemodialysis (1 case) or CAVH (5 cases); 3 patients underwent early medical treatment and developed developed acute renal failure (ARF) with preserved diuresis. Early medical therapy appeared to prevent the evolution towards anuric ARF. The indirect cannulation of the femoral artery does not seem to produce a rhabdomyolytic ARF syndrome. In patients with direct femoral artery cannulation risk factors appear to be: arteriopathy (p<0.001), prolonged extra corporeal circulation (p<0.001), low cardiac output syndrome (p<0.001), continuous i.v. infusion of epinephrine (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure is a severe complication, early identification of patients ¿at risk¿ is most important. The preventive measures and the therapy adopted proved efficient.