Effect of contrast enhancement on measurement of carotid artery intimal medial thickness.

Previous studies have used standard B-mode ultrasound to quantify the aggregate mean intimal medial thickness (IMT) of the near and far wall of the common carotid artery (CCA). Many investigators have had difficulty in accurately evaluating the near wall IMT secondary to difficulty in discerning the vessel lumen and intima. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of contrast enhanced ultrasound on IMT measurement when compared with non-enhanced images. Twenty-six patients who had standard carotid ultrasounds completed over a 6-month period were evaluated, with 24 imaged by the same sonographer. Five to six measurements of the near and far walls were obtained over a 1 cm distance, beginning and ending 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm proximal to the carotid bifurcation. The measurements were made with and without the contrast agent Optison (perflutren protein type-A microspheres), which was given as an i.v. bolus (0.5-0.7 cc). Of those imaged by the same sonographer, 40 carotid arteries were examined and a total of 867 measurements were obtained. A total of 10% of the carotid ultrasounds were restudied approximately 1 month after the initial interpretation to assess observer accuracy. The near wall CCA mean (SD) IMT was 0.075 (0.019) cm for left with contrast versus 0.067 (0.023) cm for left without contrast and 0.089 (0.024) cm for right with versus 0.071 (0.022) cm for right without, p < or = 0.0001 both sides. For the far wall of the CCA, the mean (SD) IMT comparison was 0.075 (0.021) cm for left with versus 0.070 (0.016) cm for left without, p = 0.005, and 0.070 (0.023) cm for right with versus 0.070 (0.016) cm for right without, p = 0.68. In conclusion, contrast-enhanced IMT measurement showed a highly statistically significant difference in near carotid wall thickness determinations versus non-contrast values. The thicker measurement is in agreement with previously reported data showing that non-contrast images underestimated near wall common carotid IMT in histologic samples.

Successful management of pregnancy in a patient with eisenmenger syndrome with epoprostenol.

Pregnancy in the setting of pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger physiology is associated with a substantial maternal and fetal risk. Such patients are advised against pregnancy. We report a case of a woman with an Eisenmenger atrial septal defect diagnosed during the last trimester of pregnancy. On presentation, she was critically ill and there was evidence of fetal distress. She was emergently treated with IV epoprostenol, and her status improved. She underwent cesarean section and delivered a male infant with Apgar scores of 8 and 9. Her dyspnea improved, and she was characterized as World Health Organization functional class II on a subsequent clinical visit. Although pregnancy should be discouraged in women with Eisenmenger syndrome, we have demonstrated that IV epoprostenol successfully treated a woman with Eisenmenger syndrome diagnosed in the third trimester.

Efficacy of over-the-counter nutritional supplements.

More than 100 million people in the United States report using nutritional supplements. Most people are under the impression that nutritional supplements offer health benefits and are closely regulated to ensure safety and efficacy. Unfortunately, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 allows for the promotion of nutritional supplements without review by the United States Food and Drug Administration; therefore, it is important to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these supplements. There is strong scientific evidence supporting the use of plant sterols/stanols, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, folate, vitamin B(6)/B(12), and tree nuts. There is potential evidence for the health benefits of soy protein, tea extracts, policosanol, guggulipids, coenzyme Q10, and L-arginine. There has been a lack of evidence for the health benefits of garlic and antioxidants.