Effectiveness of Human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Supplementation in Pulmonary Edema Patients Using the Pulse Contour Cardiac Output System

PURPOSE: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has a variety of pharmacologic effects, including natriuresis, diuresis, vasodilatation, and suppression of the renin-angiotensin system. A recent study showed that ANP infusion improved hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension in a lung injury model. On the other hand, the pulse contour cardiac output (PiCCO(TM)) system (Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany) allows monitoring of the intravascular volume status and may be used to guide volume therapy in severe sepsis and critically ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 10 pulmonary edema patients without heart disease with human ANP (HANP). The patients were divided into two groups: a group with normal Intrathoracic Blood Volume (ITBV) (900-1100 mL/m2) (n = 6), and a group with abnormal ITBV (n = 4), as measured by the PiCCOtrade mark device; the extravascular lung water (EVLW) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI) in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The average patient age was 63.9 +/- 14.4 years. The normal ITBV group showed significant improvement of the EVLW (before, 16.7 +/- 2.7 mL/kg; after, 10.5 +/- 3.6 mL/kg; p = 0.0020) and PVPI (before, 3.2 +/- 0.3; after, 2.1 +/- 0.7; p = 0.0214) after the treatment. The abnormal ITBV group showed no significant improvement of either the EVLW (before, 16.3 +/- 8.9 mL/kg; after, 18.8 +/- 9.6 mL/kg; p = 0.8387) or PVPI (before, 2.3 +/- 0.8; after, 2.7 +/- 1.3; p = 0.2782) after the treatment. In both groups, the EVLW and PVPI were strongly correlated with the chest X-ray findings. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HANP supplementation may improve the EVLW and PVPI in pulmonary edema patients without heart disease with a normal ITBV. The PiCCO(TM) system seems to be a useful device for the management of pulmonary edema.

A Case of Jaundiced Constrictive Pericarditis / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

We treated a constrictive pericarditis patients that developed jaundice. The 28-year-old male complained chiefly of dyspnea on exertion. In addition to hyperbilirubinemia, his chest X-ray showed calcification of the pericardium. Cardiac catheterization found increased central venous pressure (24mmHg), a dip and plateau of the right and left ventricular pressure, and a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Surgery to excise the pericardium and close the PFO was performed under extracorporeal circulation. Hypertrophic pericardium had expanded throughout the right atrium to the free wall of the right ventricle and was partially calcified. Surgery restored the patient's cardiac and liver functions and allowed him to resume normal social activity.

Cabrol, Technique Performed on a Patient with Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries, Complicated by Annuloaortic Ectasia and Aortic Regurgitation / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Cabrol's technique was performed on a patient with corrected transposition of the great arteries (SLL), complicated by annuloaortic ectasia (AAE) and aortic regurgitation (AR). The patient, a 52-year-old male, complained mainly of dyspnea on physical exertion. In 1983, he underwent implantation of a pacemaker to treat advanced atrioventricular block. In 1994, his cardiac function deteriorated to NYHA III. Cardiac catheter examinations exhibited 2nd degree Seller's aortic valve insufficiency and 2nd degree insufficient closure of the left atrioventricular valve. The patient was Cardell classification B3, with a Shaher Type 4 coronary artery. A composite graft was made using a 27mm St. Jude Medical valve and a 30mm woven Dacron graft. The left atrioventricular valve had three leaflets, accessible from the right atrium using the septal approach. Kay's method was used to suture the posterior leaflet and reduce regurgitation. The patient has made favorable progress during the two-year follow-up period.