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Gas chromatographic profiles of neutral lipids in amniotic fluid pellets were analysed for 51 specimens collected from patients in the last two months of pregnancy. The most noticeable change was a large increase in squalene relative to other components in samples at term. By expressing data as a ratio of squalene to cholesterol (S/C), it was possible to accurately predict which amniotic fluid specimens came from patients whose pregnancies were of a gestation of 40 weeks or later. Highest values for S/C and for squalene were obtained for pregnancies which were several weeks overdue.

The manifestations of carcinoid heart disease are usually right heart failure due to pulmonary and tricuspid valve disease and sometimes high output failure due to peripheral vasodilation. Recently there has been one case report of progressive central cyanosis due to right to left shunting through a patent foramen ovale. We present a similar case where such a shunt developed and was also complicated by significant valvular disease affecting the left side of the heart.

We report a case of cardiac arrest occurring during an infusion of 5-fluorouracil where electrocardiograms suggested coronary artery spasm as the underlying event. Treatment with vasodilators and diltiazem, proved effective. This clinical presentation of 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity has not previously been described.