Changes in Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity During Daytime Naps.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Changes in autonomic cardiac activity during night sleep are well documented. However, there is limited information regarding changes in the autonomic cardiac profile during daytime naps. Heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) are reliable measures of autonomic cardiac activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in HRV and BRS during daytime naps in healthy men. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 25 healthy men. Polysomnographic recording with electrocardiogram monitoring was conducted for all volunteers during a 50-80 min nap between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm. Five-minute segments during pre-nap wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages (N1, N2, and N3), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, and post-nap wakefulness were used to measure changes in the variation in HRV parameters, including inter-beat interval (RR-interval), total spectral power (TP), high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF), and low frequency/high-frequency ratio (LF/HF). BRS was also measured for 10 min during pre- and post-nap wakefulness using finger arterial pressure measurement (Finometer Pro ®). RESULTS: HRV increased significantly during NREM sleep compared with that during pre-nap wakefulness (p < 0.05), as reflected by RR-interval prolongation, higher HF, and increased HFnu (normalized units). Furthermore, there was a parallel reduction in TP, LF, and LF/HF ratio during NREM sleep, indicating parasympathetic predominance over cardiac autonomic activity. HF and HFnu were significantly reduced during REM sleep compared with that during NREM sleep (p < 0.05). BRS did not show significant differences between pre- and post-nap wakefulness. CONCLUSION: We observed a progressive increase in parasympathetic activity during daytime sleep as NREM sleep deepened compared with that during wakefulness and REM sleep. Daytime nap may have a favorable cardiovascular impact.

Colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma with secondary in the breast: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary breast metastasis from the colonic origin is a rare phenomenon in the literature, and an estimation of an increase in the incidence has been reported in the literature to reach approximately 7%. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a 56-year-old male with constipation who underwent extended right hemicolectomy after confirmation of adenocarcinoma of the right colon. The patient was diagnosed with multiple metastases over 5 years and endured numerous resections of the costal margins, ribs, diaphragm, liver wedges, abdominal wall, and the small bowel. Eventually, the patient's right breast mass measured about 2.1 cm on ultrasonography and revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the same colonic origin. The patient started on palliative chemotherapy and was deceased after 11 months. DISCUSSION: Comparing this case to the 56 similar cases, we found our case with an almost average time to metastasize but unfortunately with aggressive metastatic behavior to various organs. Nevertheless, the triple assessment of the breast by physical examination, radiological, and pathological studies assisted in diagnosis and early establishment of the treatment. Currently, there is no definitive guideline for the management of secondary breast metastasis from the colonic origin. We estimated the average survival rate as 6.1 months, and it was reported to reach an average of 8-10 months in the literature. CONCLUSION: During the surveillance program of colorectal cancer, a full-body examination is warranted. Secondary breast cancer metastasis from colorectal origin behaves aggressively and a multidisciplinary approach is essential for the establishment of personalized treatment.

Bilateral uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for managing secondary Raynaud's in CREST syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary Raynaud's is a manifestation that can present in CREST syndrome as a variant of five different diseases: Calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, and Telangiectasia. Secondary Raynaud's presents as a result of an imbalance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation potentially leading to tissue ischemia. The mainstay treatment is medical while surgery treatment preserved as a last resort. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 28-year-old female presented with secondary Raynaud's and was subsequently diagnosed with CREST syndrome. The patient failed to respond to medical treatment, and gangrene of the right fourth distal phalanx developed. Stellate ganglion block was successfully used as a bridge to surgery. Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) sympathectomy was performed via a 2-cm incision, the sympathetic ganglia were identified and transected by cauterization at the level of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal spaces extending for a distance of 5 cm to ensure that the nerve of Kuntz was transected. The postoperative outcome was satisfactory, and the condition of the patient improved in a few months. DISCUSSION: Different management modalities have been used to relieve the symptoms of secondary Raynaud's. The treatment ranges from lifestyle modification, medical treatment, and lastly surgical intervention. Sympathectomy has been suggested for the management of refractive secondary Raynaud's owing to its considerable clinical response. CONCLUSION: The use of uniportal VATS sympathectomy results in favorable cosmetic and clinical outcomes including reduced length of hospital stay and postoperative pain.

Radiologically Guided Management of Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is a serious medical condition that typically occurs in patients with an underlying lung pathology such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Those patients are usually compromised and more amenable to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Moreover, they are poor candidates for general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation due to their poor health condition. We report a case of an 86-year-old male, who presented with a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and was incidentally found to have secondary spontaneous pneumothorax on a routine chest x-ray. The results of his blood work, international normalized ratio and liver function test were abnormal. Therefore, a novel intervention was introduced to control the air-leak by injecting a sealant material (Progel™, Warwick, Rhode Island, USA) through a thoracostomy tube guided by computed tomography fluoroscopy. The procedure was demonstrated to be a successful method of air-leak repair with minimal complications; as the patient was followed for two and a half years without any evidence of recurrence.