Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

Risk of basal cell carcinoma in a randomized clinical trial of aspirin and folic acid for the prevention of colorectal adenomas

BACKGROUND

Aspirin may reduce the risk of several types of cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate if folic acid is associated with risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

METHODS

BCC incidence was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of aspirin (81 mg daily or 325 mg daily for ~3 years) and/or folic acid (1 mg daily for ~6 years) for the prevention of colorectal adenomas among 1121 participants with a previous adenoma. BCC was confirmed by blinded review of pathology reports.

RESULTS

One hundred and four of 958 non-Hispanic white participants were diagnosed with BCC over a median follow-up of 13·5 years. Cumulative incidence of BCC was 12% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7-17] for placebo, 16% (95% CI 11-21) for 81 mg aspirin daily and 15% (95% CI 10-20) for 325 mg aspirin daily [hazard ratio (HR) for any aspirin 1·45 (95% CI 0·93-2·26); HR for 81 mg daily 1·57 (95% CI 0·96-2·56); HR for 325 mg daily 1·33 (95% CI 0·80-2·20)]. BCC risk was higher with aspirin use in those without previous skin cancer but lower with aspirin use in those with previous skin cancer (P_interaction = 0·02 for 81 mg aspirin daily; P_interaction = 0·03 for 325 mg aspirin daily). Folic acid supplementation was unrelated to BCC incidence (HR 0·85; 95% CI 0·57-1·27).

CONCLUSIONS

Neither aspirin nor folic acid treatment had a statistically significant effect on risk of BCC. Subgroup analysis suggested that chemopreventive effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be specific to those at high risk for BCC.

Psychological Factors Influence the Success of Coronary Artery Surgery

Thirty-six patients with angina were investigated by treadmill exercise testing and coronary angiography prior to coronary artery surgery. Severity of angina was judged by interview and self-assessment visual analogue scale and all patients were psychiatrically assessed. Further physical and psychiatric assessments were made at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Eleven patients (31%) had significant psychiatric morbidity preoperatively and these had worse symptom scores and exercise tolerance compared with non-psychiatric cases, despite equivalent coronary angiographic findings and left ventricular function. Postoperatively, exercise tolerance improved equally in both groups but psychiatric cases remained significantly more symptomatic. Psychiatric morbidity remained unchanged throughout the study.

We conclude that almost one third of patients with severe angina have psychiatric morbidity which is associated with a poor symptomatic response to coronary artery surgery, despite objective improvement in exercise tolerance. Ways of improving the symptomatic response to surgery in patients with coexisting psychiatric morbidity should be studied.

Abstract P6-08-18: Prognostic multigene testing in breast cancer: Patterns, disparities, and opportunities for advancing standardized patient care

Background: The decision to give adjuvant chemotherapy to patients with hormone receptor positive early stage breast cancer is controversial given the overall good prognosis with local therapy (surgery and radiation) plus hormonal therapy alone. In 2004, the 21-gene RT-PCR assay recurrence score (Oncotype) was developed to stratify early stage patients into categories of high, low, and intermediate recurrence rates considering treatment with local and hormonal therapy alone. This was incorporated into the NCCN guidelines in 2008. We sought to compare NCCN guidelines to actual practice patterns.

Methods: By retrospective review, data were examined from eight state registries participating in the National Program of Cancer Registries' Comparative Effectiveness Research program: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. These were then compared to NCCN guidelines for prognostic multigene testing.

Results: Of the 28,372 cases examined, 18.6% were classified as carcinoma in situ, 39.6% were stage I, 24.3% were stage II, 9.1% were stage III, 4.9% were stage IV, and 3.6% were unknown stage. The overwhelming majority of cases, 75.5%, were estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) positive, while 15.7% were ER and PR negative, and 8.8% were hormone receptor unknown. Approximately 40% of cases were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive, and the remaining 60% were HER2 negative or unknown. Approximately 72% of patients were node negative or had unknown nodal involvement, while the remaining 28% had at least micro-metastatic nodal disease. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histology accounting for 71.4% of cases examined. Median age was 62. Data analysis for the use of prognostic multigene testing in relation to NCCN guidelines, race, age, and the above clinical factors is on-going and will be presented at SABCS 2017.

Conclusion: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors associated with the use of prognostic multigene testing according to the NCCN guidelines, including personal and clinical factors. By identifying practice patterns we can then address disparities and opportunities for advancing standardized quality patient care.

Citation Format: Bernhardt EB, Caffrey AG, Celaya MO, Celaya V, Chamberlin MD, Rees JR. Prognostic multigene testing in breast cancer: Patterns, disparities, and opportunities for advancing standardized patient care [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-18.

Patient-reported outcomes in long-term survivors of metastatic colorectal cancer needing liver resection

Background

Five-year survival after hepatic resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases is good, but data on patient-reported outcomes are lacking. This study describes the long-term impact of liver surgery for CRC metastases on patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

The study used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) C30 and the disease-specific module, EORTC QLQ-LMC21. For functional scales, mean scores out of 100 with 95 per cent c.i. were calculated; differences of 10 points or more were considered clinically significant. Responses to symptom scales and items were categorized as ‘minimal’ or ‘severe’. Proportions and 95 per cent c.i. for symptoms were calculated.

Results

A total of 241 patients were recruited; nine (3·7 per cent) had unresectable disease and were excluded. Some 68 (42 men) of 80 long-term survivors participated; their mean age was 69·5 years and median follow-up was 8·0 (range 6·9–9·2) years. Values for baseline and 1-year patient-reported outcome data were similar. Scores for functional scales were excellent (emotional function: 92, 95 per cent c.i. 87 to 96; social function: 94, 89 to 99; role function: 94, 90 to 98), reflecting clinically significant improvements from baseline values of 17 (10 to 24), 12 (3 to 21) and 12 (3 to 20) respectively. Severe symptoms were uncommon (affected less than 5 per cent of patients) for most patient-reported outcome scales or items, but persistent severe symptoms were noted for sexual function (2 per cent increase from baseline), peripheral neuropathy (2 per cent increase), constipation (10 per cent increase) and diarrhoea (5 per cent increase).

Conclusion

Long-term survivors of metastatic colorectal cancer who have undergone liver surgery have excellent global quality of life, high levels of function and few symptoms.

Hepatobiliary cystadenomas

INTRODUCTION

Hepatobiliary cystadenomas are rare cystic tumours that can arise from any portion of the biliary tract but most commonly develop intrahepatically. They typically cause non-specific symptoms and are often detected incidentally. Cystadenomas can be mistaken for simple hepatic cysts on radiological imaging, which leads to inadequate treatment. Hepatobiliary cystadenomas have a malignant predisposition and a high recurrence rate. Complete excision including hepatic resection is therefore generally recommended.

METHODS

Three cases of hepatobiliary cystadenoma were identified at one unit over a six-month period. Their clinical details and management are reported.

RESULTS

Three female patients are described aged 25, 37 and 73 years. One patient presented because of recurrent infection, one presented because of pressure related symptoms and one lesion was identified incidentally. All patients were investigated by ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT), two additionally had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and one had a liver biopsy. The tumours were 4-16cm in size and all lesions were excised by non-anatomical, parenchyma sparing resections. Histology revealed mixed epithelium with underlying ovarian-like stroma.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of hepatic cystadenomas as well as operative and pathological findings are discussed. Preoperative ultrasonography, CT and MRI is recommended, and early referral for specialist hepatobiliary review is advised. Operative resection is also recommended and complete excision was achieved in these cases. This strategy is supported by the current literature and recurrence has been shown to be unlikely.

Normal inflammatory markers in appendicitis: evidence from two independent cohort studies

OBJECTIVES

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition which can lead to severe complications. Recent work suggested that patients experiencing right lower abdominal pain, with normal white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are unlikely to have acute appendicitis and can be discharged. We present two independent data-sets that suggest that this strategy may not be risk-free.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients from two district general hospitals. Sensitivity and specificity of CRP, WCC and neutrophil count (NC) in predicting appendicitis were calculated. Markers were analysed using Fisher's exact test and Kruskul-Wallace test.

SETTING

Two district general hospitals in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Inflammatory markers and appendix histology.

RESULTS

A total of 297 patients were included. Appendicitis occurred in four patients with normal CRP, WCC and NC in centre A and 13 patients in centre B. The sensitivity of all three markers combined was 94% (centre A) and 92% (centre B). The specificity was 60% (centre A) and 64% (centre B). No single marker could differentiate uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis, but a raised NC or a CRP >35.5 mg/l predicted complicated appendicitis. CRP, WCC and NC combined differentiated between patients with a normal appendix, uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Appendicitis in the presence of normal inflammatory markers is not uncommon. We disagree with the view of Sengupta et al. who suggest that patients with normal WCC and CRP are unlikely to have appendicitis, and recommend that clinicians be wary of normal inflammatory markers in patients with a high clinical suspicion of appendicitis.

Primary anastomosis without colonic lavage for the obstructed left colon

INTRODUCTION

Resection, on-table lavage (OTL) and primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice for the obstructed left colon. OTL is time-consuming, requires considerable mobilisation/bowel handling, an enterotomy and potentially exposes the patient to mesenteric vascular injury, faecal contamination and a prolonged ileus. We have assessed outcome following primary resection and anastomosis without prior lavage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four consecutive, obstructed patients underwent splenic flexure mobilisation and high anterior resection (concomitant small bowel resection in 2) with primary side-to-side colorectal anastomosis without either prior lavage or covering stoma. Outcome was audited.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients, 17 female aged 48-92 years (median. 76 years) presented with left-sided obstruction due to carcinoma (Dukes' B [3], C [6], D [1]) or chronic diverticulitis (14). Median operative time was 85 min (range, 40-105 min). Colonic ileus resolved on day 2 (29%) and day 3 (58%). Median hospital stay was 7 days (range, 6-72 days); 92% discharged by day 10. There were no deaths or re-admissions. A return to theatre followed a reactionary haemorrhage in one. This latter patient's anastomosis leaked on day 4 (no faecal contamination) and was converted to an end stoma. Urinary and wound infections were seen in two. Late complications comprised two anastomotic strictures; both responded to balloon dilatation at 5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Resection and primary anastomosis without on-table lavage is an easy, practical, predictable and safe treatment option for left-sided colonic obstruction with minimal complications.

The epidemiological features of invasive mycotic infections in the San Francisco Bay area, 1992-1993: results of population-based laboratory active surveillance

Population-based active laboratory surveillance for invasive mycotic infections was conducted during 1992 and 1993 in three California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco (population, 2.94 million). The cumulative incidence of invasive mycotic infections was 178.3 per million per year. Invasive mycoses were most commonly caused by Candida (72.8 per million per year), Cryptococcus (65.5), Coccidioides (15.3), Aspergillus (12.4), and Histoplasma (7.1). The clinical significance of other, less common fungi was determined by detailed chart review. The cumulative incidence was determined for zygomycosis (1.7 per million per year), hyalohyphomycosis (1.2), and phaeohyphomycosis (1.0). The most common underlying conditions were human immunodeficiency virus infection (47.4%), nonhematologic malignancy (14.7%), diabetes mellitus (9.9%), and chronic lung disease (9.3%). This represents the first population-based epidemiological assessment of invasive mycoses in the United States.

Beta-adrenoceptor blockers in atrial fibrillation: the importance of partial agonist activity

1. The ideal drug treatment for atrial fibrillation will control resting heart rate, blunt exercise induced tachycardia whilst not exacerbating nocturnal bradycardia. Monotherapy with digoxin may not be ideal. We have compared the effect of combining digoxin (0.25 mg daily) with atenolol 50 mg and 100 mg or pindolol 5 mg twice daily and 15 mg twice daily in a cross-over randomised single-blind trial in eight symptomatic patients (six male; mean age 62 years) with poorly controlled atrial fibrillation. 2. Heart rate control was measured by 24 h ECG at baseline on digoxin therapy and after 2 weeks with each treatment. Symptom scores for breathlessness and palpitation were measured using visual analogue scales. 3. The addition of both beta-adrenoceptor blockers significantly reduced mean diurnal maximum heart rate from baseline (all P < 0.001 ANOVA). Atenolol at both doses caused a greater reduction than either dose of pindolol (P < 0.001 ANOVA). Nocturnal maximum heart rate was not significantly reduced from baseline by either beta-adrenoceptor blocker, but both doses of pindolol caused increases in nocturnal maximum heart rate compared with atenolol (P < 0.001 ANOVA). 4. Atenolol caused a reduction in diurnal minimum heart rate compared with baseline and caused a reduction in nocturnal minimum heart rate whereas pindolol caused an increase (P < 0.001 ANOVA). 5. Atenolol 100 mg caused longer nocturnal pauses compared with baseline but pindolol 15 mg twice daily reduced the number of nocturnal pauses > 1.5 s (P = 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transient cortical blindness after coronary angiography

Transient visual loss lasting three days developed after transfemoral coronary angiography in a 62 year old man. Computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral leakage of contrast medium into the occipital cortex. A repeat CT scan after his sight recovered showed clearance of contrast with no underlying infarction. A breakdown of the blood-brain barrier with direct neurotoxicity of the contrast media seemed to be the cause of these neurological changes after coronary angiography which apparently have not been reported before.

Myocardial bridging of the coronary arteries

Of 1102 consecutive coronary angiograms 16 (1.4%) were found to have systolic narrowing typical of myocardial bridging on the left anterior coronary artery or its branches. Four cases of bridging had otherwise normal coronary arteriograms, four were associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (three in cases of aortic valve disease and one case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and eight were found in association with fixed coronary artery stenoses. Bridging was seen more commonly than expected on normal angiograms. When bridging was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy it affected a longer segment and caused more severe compression. When bridging was found in patients with coronary artery disease, it was not associated with atheroma at its site. Evidence for a pathogenic role of myocardial bridging in ischaemic heart disease is discussed.

The relationship of symptoms to performance in paced patients with breathlessness

Eighteen adult patients presenting with breathlessness associated with bradycardia, and whose breathlessness was diminished or abolished by permanent pacing, were studied at least one month after this procedure in order to examine the relationship between symptoms and exercise performance. All were pacing-dependent at rest and were studied over successive two-weekly periods at set rates of 50, 70 and 90 beats min-1 in a double-blind, balanced and randomized trial. The degree of breathlessness was closely related to exercise capacity judged by 6-min walk testing, effort scores and weekly pedometer distance. Overall results were worse at 50 beats min-1 than the two faster rates. For a given individual, changing of ventricular rate caused parallel alterations in symptoms and performance. The 6-min walking test was a useful guide to disability in these patients, tightly linked to the symptoms of effort and breathlessness, and may be of clinical value in assessing mild heart failure. The pedometer readings were influenced more by the patients' walking habits than by fitness.

Improved control of atrial fibrillation with combined pindolol and digoxin therapy

This study has compared the effect on heart rate control of the addition of pindolol 15 mg bd or verapamil 40 mg tds to maintenance digoxin therapy in 12 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. The study was performed in a randomized cross-over fashion. Treatment effects were assessed by 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography and symptomatic improvement by symptom scores. The results show that the combination of pindolol and digoxin provides better control of atrial fibrillation. With an attenuation of daytime tachycardia, prevention of nocturnal bradycardia and reduction in the length of nocturnal pauses in rhythm. Overall heart rate variability was significantly less with digoxin and pindolol (523 beats min-1 h-1) than with digoxin and verapamil (745 beats min-1 h-1). We conclude that, in the dosages employed, combined digoxin and pindolol therapy is superior to either digoxin and verapamil in combination or digoxin alone for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Aneurysm of the interatrial septum and mitral valve prolapse--an aetiological association?

Mitral valve prolapse is common but aneurysm of the interatrial septum is rare. We report a case in which these two abnormalities of myocardial structure occurred and postulate a common aetiological mechanism.

Cardiomyopathy in the Kearns-Sayre syndrome

The Kearns-Sayre syndrome is a mitochondrial myopathy characterised by ptosis, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, abnormal retinal pigmentation, and cardiac conduction defects. A unique case is reported in which there was rapid development of progressive congestive cardiac failure that required cardiac transplantation. A review of published reports of mitochondrial myopathy shows that a minority of cases (less than 20%) have cardiac involvement. This had previously been limited to abnormalities of cardiac conduction with progressive heart block. Myocardial biopsy has, however, shown ultrastructural evidence of a generalised mitochondrial disorder which hitherto has not been associated with a functional deficit.

The surgical treatment of complicated peptic esophagitis

Healing of stenosing peptic esophagitis was proved by endoscopy and biopsy in 22 of 27 patients treated by transthoracic Nissen fundoplication and esophageal dilation during a follow-up period extending to 14 years. Four additional patients did not have follow-up endoscopy because three expired from intercurrent disease before endoscopy could be carried out and one refused to have the procedure because of lack of symptoms. Postoperative reflux has not been demonstrated in any patient either endoscopically or by contrast studies. Dysphagia, requiring repeat dilation, occurred in two patients after operation. Transthoracic fundoplication with intraoperative stricture dilation is a reasonable alternative in treating complicated esophagitis.

Failure of a negative exercise test to reassure patients with chest pain

Seventy-two patients with chest pain and negative exercise tests were observed. Twenty-one (29 per cent) became pain free but 51 (71 per cent) continued to complain of chest pain. Patients with persistent pain were significantly more anxious and depressed at presentation and later compared with those who had become pain free. Anxiety and particularly depression, at presentation and later, were significantly associated with severe symptoms. Patients with chest pain associated with neurosis and depression are not reassured by physiological stress testing because their physical symptoms are a feature of underlying psychiatric disease.

Towards improved control of atrial fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation frequently show a wide variation in heart rate with digoxin therapy. We have compared the effect on heart rate variability, of doubling the digoxin dosage or adding verapamil 120 mg daily in a randomized cross-over study in 14 patients. Twenty-four hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings, six minute walking tests and palpitation and breathlessness scores were obtained on each regime. All patients exhibited a diurnal pattern in heart rate variability. Both treatments significantly lowered heart rate but high dose digoxin lowered minimum heart rate significantly more than digoxin and verapamil, causing more night time bradycardia. Overall, digoxin with verapamil produced significantly less heart rate variability than digoxin alone. Day time but not night time pauses were prolonged by digoxin and verapamil but were prolonged more by high dose digoxin. Five (36%) patients had serum digoxin levels in the toxic range when taking high dose digoxin. Palpitations were significantly reduced by both treatments but most improvement occurred with digoxin and verapamil. No significant effect was found on six minute walking distances or breathlessness scores. In conclusion, the addition of verapamil to digoxin was superior to increasing the dose of digoxin alone, producing significantly better control of heart rate variability with less night time bradycardia.

Onset of right-to-left shunting through a foramen ovale in a 70-year-old woman: successful surgical treatment

A 70-year-old woman presented with disabling breathlessness. She was found to have severe arterial hypoxaemia due to isolated right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale. In the absence of pulmonary hypertension or evidence of right ventricular dysfunction this is attributed to reduced right atrial compliance. The phasic nature of the shunt, which occurred only during atrial filling, supports this view. Surgical closure of the foramen abolished the hypoxaemia and her symptoms.

Dipyridamole combined with exercise for thallium-201 myocardial imaging

A new stress test for thallium-201 myocardial imaging in which pharmacological coronary vasodilatation with dipyridamole is combined with dynamic exercise is described. In 38 patients with coronary artery disease the sensitivity, total number of defects, degree of redistribution, and visual quality of thallium-201 imaging were greater after dipyridamole with exercise testing than after exercise alone. When the data from these 38 patients were combined with the results of dipyridamole-exercise imaging in 49 patients in whom exercise electrocardiography had been inconclusive then the technique gave a sensitivity for coronary disease of 87% and a specificity of 92%. Dipyridamole also increased the sensitivity of the exercise electrocardiogram, so that no patient with coronary disease had a strictly negative dipyridamole-exercise stress test. Only five of 214 patients who have now undergone this test have had complications requiring reversal of vasodilatation with aminophylline. The combined use of dipyridamole and exercise in this simple technique is a reliable and safe improvement on standard thallium-201 imaging tests.

Anxiety and depression in patients with chest pain referred for exercise testing

Anxiety and depression were measured in 87 consecutive patients (65 males, 22 females) with chest pain before diagnostic exercise treadmill testing. Chest pain was assessed as typical or atypical of angina by an independent observer. Fifty exercise tests were positive; thirty-seven were negative (including nineteen submaximal). Patients with negative tests had significantly higher scores for anxiety and higher depression scores than those with positive tests. 12% of patients with positive tests were women compared with 43% with negative tests. 27 patients (73%) with negative tests had atypical pain compared with 6 (12%) with positive tests. Depressed patients walked for a significantly shorter time. The probability of a negative test in patients without anxiety or depression who had typical pain was 8% in males and 32% in females; the probability of a negative test in patients who were both anxious and depressed and had atypical pain was 97% in males and 99% in females. Diagnostic exercise testing in patients with both affective symptoms and atypical chest pain may be unhelpful, misleading, and uneconomical.

Massive hemoptysis associated with foreign body removal

Exsanguinating hemoptysis accompanied removal of an endobronchial foreign body in a 12-year-old child. Preparations to treat this complication should be made prior to removal of any foreign body of prolonged sojourn in the tracheobronchial tree.

The assessment of an edge detection algorithm in determining left ventricular ejection fraction using radio-nuclide multiple gated acquisition and contrast ventriculography

The application of an edge detection algorithm (EDA) in defining the boundary of the left ventricle (LV) in multiple gated (MG) cardiac studies has been assessed by comparison of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) derived from X-ray contrast ventriculography (CV) in a series of patients. The results demonstrate good correlation between methods irrespective of the projection and LV status when an EDA is used, such that the correlation in anterior and left anterior oblique (45 degrees) views is 0.91 and 0.86 respectively.

Thallium myocardial imaging: recent experience using a coronary vasodilator

Thallium-201 myocardial imaging is an important test in the assessment of patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Techniques differ in detail, reliability and in patient acceptability. Three techniques have been compared. Thirty-two-patients were studied in three groups. In the first group (15 patients) exercise thallium scans were compared with scans following an intravenous vasodilator (dipyridamole). In the second group (12 patients) intravenous dipyridamole and oral dipyridamole thallium scans were compared. In the third group (five patients) combined oral dipyridamole and exercise scans were assessed. There were no major differences in the first two groups but the combined test showed a marked increase in image quality and diagnostic yield. Thallium scanning is simplified considerably by the use of oral dipyridamole, without loss of diagnostic quality of safety. It promises to be the method of choice for stress scanning, and is ideal in patients unable to tolerate maximum exercise. The combined exercise--dipyridamole scan helps to evaluate complex problems, particularly those with less severe coronary insufficiency, and can be done without the use of a treadmill.

Myocardial ultrastructure and the development of atrioventricular block in Kearns-Sayre syndrome

A right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimen from a 30-year-old male with chromic progressive external ophthalmoplegia, retinal pigmentation and complete atrioventricular block (Kearns-Sayre syndrome) was examined in the electron microscope. There was a proliferation of mitochondria between the myofibrils and beneath the sarcolemma. Many of the mitochondria showed morphologic abnormalities not previously described in this condition. There were associated accumulations of glycogen. A similarly affected female with left anterior hemiblock developed complete atrioventricular block at age 26 years, Despite the ultrastructural changes, clinically detectable myocardial disease is not a feature of Kearns-Sayre syndrome. However, intraventricular conduction defects show an unusually rapid progression to potentially fatal complete atrioventricular block and are an indication for prophylactic cardiac pacing.

Staphylococcal aortic valve endocarditis with aortic root to right atrial fistula

Infective endocarditis can be complicated by the development of intra-cardiac shunts. A case of endocarditis secondary to staphylococcal septicaemia is reported where various conduction defects preceded the development of a fistula from the aortic root to the right atrium. Before emergency surgery there was marked worsening of heart failure with the appearance of a new loud murmur throughout diastole.

99Tcm-Sn pyrophosphate scanning in suspected acute myocardial infarction using a mobile rectilinear scanner

99Tcm stannous pyrophosphate injected intravenously gives a positive image of freshly damaged myocardium but not of normal or scarred myocardium. It is safe, cheap and generally available. One hundred and forty patients admitted to hospital with possible myocardial infarction were scanned with a mobile rectilinear scanner of the type available in most district general hospitals. When the diagnosis of infarction was definite on clinical, electrocardiographic and enzyme criteria the anterior scan was positive in 31 out of 36 patients (86%); and when it was probable, the scan was positive in 28 out of 41 (68%) and when it was doubtful the scan was positive in 23 out of 63 (37%). The optimum time for scanning was between the second and seventh days. Pyrophosphate scanning is a very valuable investigation even though it is not an absolute discriminator of myocardial infarction. It is useful in assessing patients with atypical or doubtful symptoms of infarction where the ECG is already abnormal or where there are other causes of raised enzyme concentrations. False negative scans are not common, but a negative scan does not outweigh strong alternative evidence of infarction. Positive scans occur in some patients with unstable angina without confirmatory evidence of infarction. Positive scans due to extracardiac lesions are distinguished readily.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia with syncope

Thirty-two cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia complicated by syncope, cardiac arrhythmias or convulsions, singly or together, have been reported in the world literature. A further case is described and the clinical features of these thirty-three are reviewed. It is recommended that treatment should be undertaken as a matter of urgency. In the first place, Carbamezapine, with often the addition of Atropine, may prove effective. However, surgical intervention appears to give a better chance of permanent relief. Four alternative methods of surgery are discussed and the cervical or the intracranial approach recommended. Surgery should not be delayed in patients who fail to respond to medical treatment or in whom recurrence of symptoms occurs.

Mitral valve replacement: a comparison of two prostheses

Between November, 1965 and June, 1970, 175 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with the Smeloff-Cutter prosthesis (109 patients) or the toroidal valve (66 patients). The early mortality for patients with a toroidal mitral prosthesis was 18.2 percent (12 patients) and the late mortality 34.8 percent (23 patients). Among patients in whom Smeloff-Cutter mitral valves were inserted, the early mortality was 15.6 percent (17 patients) and the late mortality 23.9 percent (26 patients). During a follow-up period extending at least five years, thromboembolic complications occurred in 25.9 percent (14) of patients with toroidal valves and 7.6 percent (7) of patients with Smeloff-Cutter valves. Reoperation was necessary because of thrombosis of the prosthesis in seven patients with toroidal valves and two patients with Smeloff-Cutter valves. The incidence of endocarditis was the same in both groups. In this study, the Smeloff-Cutter mitral prosthesis proved to be superior to the toroidal valve because of a lower incidence of thromboembolism.