Reversal of cardiomyopathy in patients with congestive heart failure secondary to tachycardia.

OBJECTIVES: Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a reversible cause of heart failure. Little is known of the characteristics of tachycardia associated with the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and the reversal of cardiomyopathy after cure of tachycardia. This study aimed to examine the reversal of cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing ablation with congestive heart failure secondary to tachycardia. METHODS: A total of 625 patients underwent radiofrequency ablation for tachycardiarrhymias between January 2009 and July 2011. Echocardiography analysis was performed to identify patients with depressed LV function, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction <50 %. Patients with preexisting structural heart disease (n = 10) were excluded. NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assessment was performed before ablation in patients considered to have TCM (n = 17). Repeated echocardiography study and NT-proBNP assessment were measured after a mean follow-up of 3 months. Levels of NT-proBNP before and after ablation were compared. Reversal of cardiomyopathy was also assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of TCM was 2.7 % (12 males; age, 35.8 ± 17.1 years). Successful ablation was performed in 16 of 17 patients (94.1 %). There was a significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (36.7 ± 7.5 vs. 59.4 ± 9.7 %; P < 0.001). The mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter before treatment was 59.5 ± 8.3 mm (range, 43 to 70), compared with 51.9 ± 7.4 mm (range, 40 to 67) (P = 0.009) after 3 months follow-up. The levels of NT-proBNP decreased after ablation procedure, from 4,092.6 ± 3,916.6 to 478.9 ± 881.9 pg/ml (P < 0.001). After successful ablation, ventricular function normalized in 15 of 17 (88.2 %) patients at a mean of 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of LV function and reversal of LV remodeling can be achieved with successful elimination of tachycardia in the majority of patients. NT-proBNP level elevates in subjects with TCM and decreases sharply after ablation.

Human breast carcinoma xenografts in nude mice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate spontaneous metastasis, micrometastasis and genetic stability in human breast carcinoma xenografts in nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intact tissue from surgical specimens from breast carcinoma patients was xenografted into nude mice and transplanted from generation to generation. Cells from the xenografts were cultured in vitro and retransplanted into nude mice. Microsatellite DNA in the genome of human breast carcinomas, xenotransplanted tumors and metastases in nude mice were analyzed at three microsatellite loci.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumorigenicity of orthotopic xenotransplantation was 88.6% (31/35), with a metastatic rate of 41.9% (13/31). Cells from xenotransplants were successfully cultured in vitro. The taking rate of retransplantation into nude mice and the spontaneous lung metastasis rate were both 100% (10/10). Microsatellite DNA sequences in the genome of xenotransplanted tumors and metastases in nude mice were identical with that of the original human breast carcinoma at three microsatellite loci.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tumorigenicity and metastatic potential can be improved in human breast carcinoma xenografts using intact fresh tumor tissue and orthotopic grafts. Xenotransplanted tumors and tumors after serial passage maintained the genetic stability. The detection of microsatellite DNA may identify micrometastases in a nude mouse model.</p>

Clinical analysis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of multiple primary colorectal carcinoma (MPCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was made on 37 patients with MPCC admitted from 1974 to 1998. ResultsThe incidence of MPCC was 2 74%(37/1 348) with 15 cases being synchronous carcinoma (SC) and 22 cases diagnosed as metachronous carcinomas (MC). Most tumors were located in right colon and rectum. Twelve out of twenty-two (55%) of MC were diagnosed within 3 years from the primary operation and 41% (9/22) of MC occurred after 8 years. JP2Radical resections were performed in all patients except for 1 case. The 5 year survival rate of SC was 5/9 and that of MC after the first cancer or second cancer were 15/21 and 7/18, respectively. Conclusions The results indicated the importance of complete preoperative examination, careful intraoperative exploration and periodic postoperative surveillance. Early diagnosis and active radical resection can increase survival rate of MPCC.