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Treatment with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide is one of the approved approaches in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in the post-docetaxel setting. However, a significant fraction of patients do not respond to treatment, and we aimed to determine their characteristics. From April 2015 to May 2019, 71 patients with mCRPC were treated with abiraterone acetate (N = 34) or enzalutamide (N = 37) at our institution. Resistance to treatment was defined as radiological or scintigraphic progression within 3 months, as documented at the first control. After a median follow-up of 14.9 months, resistance was detected in 22 patients (31%). Many of the baseline characteristics differed between responders and nonresponders but did not serve as predictors with clinically acceptable certainty. To overcome this, the resistance score was defined as the number of positive out of the following six predictors: (1) not only prostate specific antigen (PSA) progression after docetaxel (2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status >1 (3) duration of metastatic disease 52 ng/mL (5) serum alkaline phosphatase >119 g/L (6) serum hemoglobin (Hb) concentration 3 positive predictors. Therefore, by using a cutoff of four positive predictors, the resistance score showed both a high sensitivity of 82% [57–96% ; 95% confidence interval (CI)] and a specificity of 88% (74–96% ; 95% CI). The proposed resistance score integrates the diagnostic performances of multiple predictors and may serve to decide which patients with mCRPC should be offered treatments other than hormonal therapy.

Učinak sakubitril/valsartana na funkciju lijeve klijetke nakon 3 mjeseca liječenja u pacijenata s akutnim dekompenziranim srčanim zatajivanjem Podaci o učinku sakubitril/valsartana na ehokardiografske parametre u pacijenata s akutnim dekompenziranim srčanim zatajivanjem (ADHF) su još uvijek manjkavi u dostupnoj literaturi. Prospektivno smo uključili 68 uzastopnih pacijenata hospitaliziranih zbog ADHF-a, koji su liječeni sakubitril/valsartanom (N=34, S/V grupa) ili terapijom baziranoj na inhibiciji angiotenzina (N=34, ACEi/ARB grupa). Dvodimenzionalna speckle- tracking ehokardiografska (2D-STE) analiza je urađena pri uključivanju u istraživanje i nakon 3 mjeseca liječenja. Promjene u parametrima 2D-STE, uključujući globalnu uzdužnu longitudinalnu deformaciju lijeve klijetke (LVGLS), su uspoređivane među grupama t-testom i ANCOVA-om. Nije bilo značajnih razlika u bazalnim demografskim, kliničkim i ehokardiografskim osobitostima među grupama. Nakon 3 mjeseca liječenja zabilježeno je značajno poboljšanje LVEF-a i LVGLS-a u S/V grupi (prosječni porast LVEF od 27 % na 34.5 % i LVGLS od -6.6 % na -9.4 %), ali ne i u ACEi/ARB grupi. Navedeno poboljšanje LVEF-a i LVGLS-a je bilo izraženije u onih s neishemijskom etiologijom srčanog zatajivanja.

In 2011, we demonstrated that bevacizumab in combination with capecitabine as first-line treatment is effective in elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We present the final results of the study with data on tumor molecular biology, sidedness and postprogression therapy. Forty patients with mCRC aged ≥70 years, initially treated with bevacizumab and capecitabine, were followed from the start of the treatment of metastatic disease to death. Tumor tissue samples were retrospectively analyzed for RAS, BRAF and microsatellite status. After a median follow-up time of 20.5 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9.8 and 20.5 months, respectively and the objective response rate (ORR) was 65%. Twelve patients had mutation in RAS and four patients in BRAF gene, which coexisted with MSI in two cases. Patients with the right-sided tumor had apparently, but not statistically significantly lower PFS (8.6 vs. 13 months, P = 0.14) and statistically significantly lower OS (13 vs. 23.1 months, P = 0.046). Twelve patients with one or more postprogression therapy lines had significantly better ORR (12/12 = 100% vs. 14/28 = 50%, P = 0.003), median PFS (17.2 vs. 8.5 months, P < 0.001) and median OS (42 vs. 13 months, P < 0.001) than patients who received just first-line study treatment. Elderly patients with mCRC responded favorably to bevacizumab and capecitabine, especially the subgroup with the left-sided primary tumor. In the further subset of this group, characterized by RAS/BRAF wild-type and MSS tumors, the application of postprogression therapies was feasible and resulted in significant prolongation of survival.

Background In radioiodine thyroid dosimetry, the serial uptake measurements are variously analyzed, but an underlying model, derived from plausible assumptions, is lacking. Methods We derived that, upon oral administration, the intrathyroid iodine activity is the sum of two monoexponential functions, defined by iodine activity given, its volume of distribution, and thyroid and whole-body clearances, as well as the decay constants of the particular isotope. Applications The individual parameters of the model function are fitted to the patient's uptake data, allowing direct calculation of the cumulated thyroid activity and assessment of thyroid parameters which, unlike thyroid uptake, are not confounded by renal function. The approximate method, based on Marinelli's formula, underestimates the I thyroid absorbed dose from 1 to 8%, the more the faster thyroid iodine elimination. Conclusion The derived parametric function of radioiodine intrathyroid kinetics facilitates the dosimetry, providing the reference standard to assess the simpler, more approximate methods; is applicable to any iodine radioisotope; and set-ups the method for assessment of thyroid and whole-body iodine clearances.

1. The spleen contains approximately one-third of all the body's platelets. These platelets are relatively larger and haemostatically more active than platelets in the systemic circulation and can be released into the systemic circulation by stimulation of alpha-adrenoceptors or inhibition of beta-adrenoceptors. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of selective (bisoprol) and non-selective (carvedilol) beta-blockers agents on mean platelet volume (MPV) and spleen size in hypertensive patients at rest and after exercise. 2. Blood pressure, heart rate, platelet count, MPV and spleen volume were measured in 18 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, as well as in nine healthy control subjects, subjected to treadmill exercise test at their first visit and, for the hypertensive group, after 15 and 30 days of treatment with the selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist bisoprolol 5 mg/day (n = 9) or the non-selective alpha(1)-, beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol 25 mg/day (n = 9). 3. Increases in resting MPV values with concomitant decreases in spleen volume were found after 15 and 30 days treatment with either bisoprolol or carvedilol. The pronounced decrease in splenic volume after exercise and the increased MPV and platelet counts seen at first visit were halved after 15 and 30 days of treatment with either drug. 4. We conclude that in hypertensive patients treated with either selective or non-selective beta-blockers, the spleen contracts and MPV increases, which may increase the risk of atherothrombosis.

We evaluated the effects on the absorbed dose to thyroid follicular cells of self-absorption of 131I radiation (specifically, β-rays) in the follicular colloid. Methods: Thyroid follicles were modeled as colloid-filled spheres, containing a uniform concentration of 131I and surrounded by a concentric monolayer of cells. Assuming close packing of identical follicles, we used Monte Carlo simulation to assess the absorbed dose to follicular cells. Results: Because of β-ray self-absorption in colloidal spheres with radii larger than 50 μm, the absorbed dose to follicular cells is less than the average thyroid absorbed dose. Conclusion: For the same thyroid mass, radioiodine thyroid uptake, and effective half-life, patients with follicles with colloidal sphere radii of 100, 200, 300, and 400 μm should be administered 9%, 15%, 21%, and 30% more 131I, respectively, than patients with colloidal sphere radii of less than 50 μm, to yield the same absorbed dose to follicular cells.

Involuntary breathing movements (IBM) that occur in the struggle phase of maximal apneas produce waves of negative intrathoracic pressure. This could augment the venous return, increasing thereby the cardiac output and gas exchange, and release the fresh blood from venous pools of spleen and liver. To test these hypotheses we used photoplethysmography and ultrasound for assessment of hemodynamics and spleen size before, during and after maximal dry apneas at large lung volume in 7 trained divers. During the easy-going phase cardiac output was reduced about 40%, due to reduction in stroke volume and in presence of reduced inferior vena cava venous return, while the spleen contracted for about 60 ml. Towards the end of the struggle phase, in presence of intense IBM, the spleen volume further decreased for about 70 ml, while cardiac output and caval flow almost renormalized. In conclusion, IBM coincide with splenic volume reduction and restoration of hemodynamics, likely facilitating the use of the last oxygen reserves before apnea cessation.

Context: Despite accounting for variations in gland size and iodine kinetics, the success of radioiodine therapy in patients with Graves’ disease remains moderately common and unpredictable. Objectives: We hypothesized that hypoechogenic glands, with large, densely packed cells, are more radiosensitive than normoechogenic glands, in which much radiation is wasted on more abundant colloid. We evaluated this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with Graves’ disease. Design: This was a prospective trial of patients recruited during 4 yr and followed up 1 yr after radioiodine therapy. Setting: This trial was held in a university hospital-outpatient clinic. Patients: A total of 177 consecutive patients with first presentation of Graves’ disease (28 males), 23–76 yr old, who relapsed after antithyroid therapy were included in the study. Intervention: The patients were assigned to an ablative target-absorbed dose of 200 Gy (n = 78) or randomly to 100 or 120 Gy of nonablative dose (n = 99). Main Outcome Measures: The measures were incidences of hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, and hypothyroidism at 12-month follow-up. Results: At follow-up there were 25 hyperthyroid, 44 euthyroid, and 108 hypothyroid patients. Compared with 96 patients with a hypoechogenic gland, in 81 patients with a normoechogenic gland, there were more hyperthyroid (22 vs. 7%) and euthyroid (41 vs. 11%), but less hypothyroid outcomes (37 vs. 81%; P < 0.0001). The other independent predictor of increased radioresistance was the large gland volume. Conclusion: In patients with Graves’ disease, normoechogenic and large glands are associated with increased radioresistance.

Purpose: A similar postexercise hypotension (PEH) has been reported in sedentary and mildly endurance-trained individuals of both sexes after a single dynamic submaximal exercise. In endurance-trained men, the hypotension was associated with a reduction of cardiac output, whereas the peripheral vasodilatation was the main mechanism of this fall in other groups. The present study investigated the occurrence and mechanisms of PEH after a short maximal exercise in professional soccer players with greater endurance capacity than previously reported in PEH studies. Methods: Arterial blood pressure, cardiac output (Q), heart rate (HR), and diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) before and 30 and 60 min after short maximal field exercise were studied in 20 professional soccer players. Results: Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), Q, stroke volume, and DLCO decreased, whereas HR increased at both times after exercise. Decreases in DBP were greater in subjects with lesser [latin capital V with dot above]O2max (r = -0.73, P = 0.0001), whereas SBP was more decreased the higher it was at baseline (r = 0.51, P = 0.023). Total peripheral resistance (TPR) did not change significantly after exercise. Conclusion: These findings indicate that, in moderately trained athletes, postexercise hypotension is associated primarily with reduced cardiac output because of reduced stroke volume, suggesting venous pooling. In addition, the occurrence of hypotension is more frequent in trained subjects with lower cardiopulmonary fitness level or higher resting SBP

Background: Although it is well known that the acute myocardial infarction can be triggered by events such as physical activity, emotional stress, sexual activity or eating, the observed frequencies of these events preceding the onset of myocardial infarction vary between published reports. Methods: A meta-analysis of 17 seldom population-based studies that included data on frequency of external triggers or onsets during sleep was performed. In each analysis, the data were combined only from the studies reporting on a particular trigger. Results: Of the 10519 patients, heavy physical activity was recorded before the onset of myocardial infarction in 6.1%, whereas mild-to-moderate physical activity was recorded in 28.6% of 7517 patients. Eating preceded the onset in 8.2% of 4785 patients, various kinds of emotional stress in 6.8% of 2565 (particularly anger in 2.1% of 2283), meteorologic stress in 3.7% of 337 1, and sexual activity in 1.1% of 3406 patients. Out of 11778 patients, 20.7% had infarction onset during sleep. Triggers in general (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.21 - 1.76 ; p < 0.0001), heavy physical activity (OR = 6.21, 95%CI = 3.77 - 10.23 ; p < 0.0001) and eating (OR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.14 - 2.53 ; p = 0.0008) were more likely to precede the infarction onset in men while women were more likely to report emotional stress (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.50 - 0.86 ; p = 0.002). Conclusions: The present meta-analysis defines the occurrence of possible external triggers before the onset of myocardial infarction in general population, but their actual contribution to the very onset is somewhat less frequent. Future investigation should identify other eventual triggers unrecognized as yet, asses the risk of triggering myocardial infarction among patients with defined levels of ischemic heart disease or plaque vulnerability, and further elucidate the pathophysiologic mechanisms of gender differences and beneficial effect of habitual physical activity.

Our aim was to evaluate the hypothesis that relief of renal obstruction lowers the arterial blood pressure if the procedure of stone removal does not injure the kidney itself. Sixty patients with unilateral renal stone were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after electrical shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL, n=30) or Gil-Vernet intrasinus pyelolithotomy (n=30). Blood pressures were measured noninvasively and renal vascular resistances were obtained from radionuclide measurements of renal blood flow. At baseline, the renal vascular resistance of the obstructed kidney was 2 and 2.5 times greater than of the unobstructed kidney in the ESWL and pyelolithotomy groups, respectively. After 3 months in operated patients, the blood pressure decreased (from 87 to 81 mm Hg, P=0.002, in case of diastolic, and from 140 to 132 mm Hg, P

A circadian pattern with a morning peak and the triggering role of emotional stress have been suggested for ventricular arrhythmias. After controlling for participant baseline characteristics and medication used, the authors studied the association of emotional upset, physical activity, and meteorologic parameters with occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 457 Croatian participants aged 11-88 years consecutively assigned to undergo continuous 24-hour Holter monitoring. In 2001, multivariate analysis of possible VT precipitators was performed separately for men, women, those aged 64 years. A U-shaped pattern of wind speed (either very weak or very strong), rising relative air moisture, falling atmospheric pressure, and emotional upset were independent predictors of VT episodes in all participant subgroups. Positive association of VT with higher atmospheric temperature or pressure was observed in women and elderly. After adjustment for external triggers, a circadian variation in VT episodes persisted in women (p = 0.01) and those aged

We have previously shown in a rat model that a single bout of high-intensity aerobic exercise 20 h before a simulated dive reduces bubble formation and after the dive protects from lethal decompression sickness. The present study investigated the importance of these findings in man. Twelve healthy male divers were compressed in a hyperbaric chamber to 280 kPa at a rate of 100 kPa min(-1) breathing air and remaining at pressure for 80 min. The ascent rate was 9 m min(-1) with a 7 min stop at 130 kPa. Each diver underwent two randomly assigned simulated dives, with or without preceding exercise. A single interval exercise performed 24h before the dive consisted of treadmill running at 90% of maximum heart rate for 3 min, followed by exercise at 50% of maximum heart rate for 2 min; this was repeated eight times for a total exercise period of 40 min. Venous gas bubbles were monitored with an ultrasonic scanner every 20 min for 80 min after reaching surface pressure. The study demonstrated that a single bout of strenuous exercise 24h before a dive to 18 m of seawater significantly reduced the average number of bubbles in the pulmonary artery from 0.98 to 0.22 bubbles cm(-2)(P= 0.006) compared to dives without preceding exercise. The maximum bubble grade was decreased from 3 to 1.5 (P= 0.002) by pre-dive exercise, thereby increasing safety. This is the first report to indicate that pre-dive exercise may form the basis for a new way of preventing serious decompression sickness.

In summary, timing and circumstances of onset, although indirectly, suggest a difference in the importance of triggering mechanisms for the 2 AMI types, supporting the concept of an association of sustained coronary occlusion with Q-wave infarction, and nonsustained occlusion with non-Q-wave infarction. The extent of myocardial damage and patients' preinfarction characteristics can explain much of the difference in symptom presentation and in-hospital prognosis of patients with Q-wave versus non-Q-wave AMI.

There is growing evidence that the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is related to numerous endogenous and exogenous daily rhythms. AMI may occur at any time of day, but peak incidence occurs during the morning (1-5). The morning increase in adrenergic activity, hormone levels, and coagulability could create a transient risk state, and thus precipitate AMI (6-11). Some daily activities or unusual events produce similar physiologic responses and it is currently accepted that physical exertion, mental stress, and other conditions may trigger AMI (1, 2, 4, 12-17). We have reported that infarctions of anterior and inferior wall may have different typical triggers.1 In this study, we report on the role of gender in triggering AMI.

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) causes acute depression of kidney function, which chronically returns to baseline levels. This sequala could indicate chronic regression of acute lesions or a balance between lesions and relief of obstruction. We compared changes in kidney function 1 week and 3 months after ESWL and pyelolithotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 17 women and 13 men 28 to 71 years old with 0.6 to 3 cm. stones received 1, 800 to 3, 200 shock waves by an electromagnetic lithotriptor. Another group of 21 women and 9 men 35 to 76 years old with 2.5 to 3.8 cm. stones underwent Gil-Vernet intra-sinus pyelolithotomy. Split renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate and mean parenchymal transit times of nonreabsorbable filtrate solutes were measured by dual gamma camera renography, and plasma clearances of 99mtechnetium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and 131orthoiodohippurate acid. RESULTS: ESWL caused acute deterioration and chronic restoration of baseline parameters of the treated kidney, and small but sometimes irreversible damage to plasma flow to the untreated kidney, especially in obese patients. In contrast, pyelolithotomy acutely and chronically improved function of the treated kidney, and normalized parenchymal transit times of radiotracers. CONCLUSIONS: ESWL does not achieve substantial improvements in kidney function, which can be achieved by other methods of stone removal.

The current study tested the hypothesis that modification in central hemodynamics during short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application was accompanied by altered firing patterns of sympathetic nerve activity in CHF patients and healthy subjects.Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were obtained from 8 healthy middle aged subjects and 7 CHF patients. Action potentials (APs) were extracted from MSNA neurograms, quantified as AP frequency and classified into different sized clusters. While on CPAP at 10cm H2O, multi-unit MSNA, AP frequency and mean burst area/min increased in healthy middle aged subjects (p

The adverse effect of shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal stones on blood pressure is currently defined as its post-treatment increase. On the contrary, we hypothesize that even mild, unilateral renal obstruction initiates an increase in blood pressure. Then, in absence of treatment-induced injury, the stone removal should decrease the blood pressure. We derived the formula to assess the expected change in the mean arterial pressure following relief of renal obstruction without affecting the kidney functions. The predictions were well replicated in the cohort of patients with renal stone treated with parenchyma-saving open surgery, with 6.4 mmHg decrease at 3 months. On the contrary, in SWL cohort, instead of the expected 4.7 mmHg decrease, the blood pressure was unchanged. In conclusion, the absence of decrease in blood pressure is a very common adverse effect of SWL, leading to an epidemiologically significant increase in the risk of arterial vascular events.

Dynamic spirometry and the lung transfer factor for CO (TlCO) were determined in 41 non-smoking patients with sarcoidosis before and after steroid treatment. Dynamic spirometry revealed usual stage-dependent restrictive and/or obstructive abnormalities; only maximal expiratory flow rate at 75% FVC (MEF75) was significantly increased after steroid treatment in stage 2 patients. The new finding is that TlCO was increased in stage 1 [on average 21% above the predicted values (p.v.)], but it was decreased in stage 2 (11% below p.v.) and stage 3 (27% below p.v.). The increase in TlCO in stage 1 was predominantly caused by an increase in TlCO membrane component (Dm) (33% above p.v.), while the pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc′) increased less (19% above p.v.). Steroid treatment significantly reduced TlCO, Dm and Vc′ in stage 1 (for 14, 17 and 18% of the respective baseline values), whereas it caused TlCO and Dm increases in stage 2 (for 8 and 10% of the respective baseline values). In conclusion, a TlCO in pulmonary sarcoidosis may not only be decreased in its advanced stages, but also exhibit increased values, which appeared related to the subclinical inflammatory reaction in the stage 1 patients.

A simple algorithm is developed to enhance the resolution of components of multimodal pulmonary radiohistograms. Based on the assessed right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), it deconvolves out the effect of indicator smearing in the right ventricle on the heart rate samples of the pulmonary radiohistogram, c(k). The output is the ideal curve, c(k)'=c(k)/RVEF - (1- RVEF).c(k-1)/RVEF, that would be obtained if RVEF equalled unity. Since the formula is not a recursive one, it does not suffer from error propagation pertinent to numerical deconvolution. Once RVEF is known, implementation of the algorithm is simple. If RVEF is not known accurately it may be replaced with its upper estimate, RVEF(up)>RVEF, yielding a partial deconvolution of the curve. When applied to studies of patients with left-to-right shunt the method improves the accuracy and lessens the interobserver variation of the Maltz-Treves method.

In several conditions associated with adrenergic stimulation, an increase in peripheral count of larger platelets has been observed, but the mechanism remained elusive. Larger platelets have greater prothrombotic potential and increase the risk of acute thrombotic events. The human spleen retains one-third of total body platelets, with mean volume (MPV) about 20% greater than that of circulating platelets. We aimed to answer whether low-dose epinephrine infusion results in spleen contraction and MPV increase. We undertook the continuous ultrasonic measurements of spleen volume, hepatic and central circulation with concurrent blood sampling in response to intravenous infusion of epinephrine (6 min of 0·06 µg kg(-1) per min, followed by 3 min of 0·12 µg kg(-1) per min) in nine healthy young subjects. The spleen volume started to decrease immediately after the onset of infusion, in the presence of substantial decreases in peripheral resistance and mean blood pressure and increases in heart rate and cardiac output. The majority of spleen emptying, approximately 25%, (95% CI 71·3- 299·7) was observed 1 min after infusion onset, the hepatic vein flow peaked at the end of infusion for 28·4% (95% CI 1074·6-407·9), while increases in platelet count for approximately 31% (95% CI 187·8-314·8) and MPV for 4·4% (95% CI 7·3-10·9) lagged until 1 min after infusion cessation. We suggest that spleen is a dynamic reservoir of large platelets, which are mobilized even by low-dose epinephrine infusion in conditions of decreased blood pressure.

A new method for quantitative evaluation for high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs was developed by assessment of the distribution of radiological densities within the lung slices. To enable effective reduction of data and improve the sensitivity of detection of abnormalities, the density distributions were analysed by curve fitting through the gamma variate model. The output of two variables proved most representative: the most frequent density (Hoansfield units ; HU) and width of distribution (HU). The method was applied to seven patients with early asbestosis (positive histological finding and International Labour Office (ILO) profusion score up to 0/1), 15 patients with advanced stage of asbestosis (positive histological finding and ILO score above 1/2), and 13 normal controls. All patients with early asbestosis had isolated reduction of diffusing lung capacity to carbon monoxide (DLCO), whereas all patients with advanced asbestosis had reduced DLCO and restrictive disease ; two of them also had an obstruction pattern. The most frequent densities were significantly greater in the advanced asbestosis group (-567 HU) when compared with both the early asbestosis group (-719 HU ; p = 2 x 10(-6)), and controls (-799 HU ; p = 0), and they also discriminated significantly between the early asbestosis group and controls (p = 0.0002). Significantly stronger linear co''elations were established between DLCO and the most frequent densities (r = 0.86) than between DLCO and HRCT score (r = 0.57) or ILO score (r = 0.34). It is concluded that fitting the curve of the density distribution enables a more objective assessment of HRCT pulmonary scans, especially in the early stage of asbestosis

Summary Background Radioiodine therapy is a frequent option in treatment of patients with hyperthyroidism. Despite efforts to plan the thyroid absorbed dose by accounting for the gland size and radioiodine kinetics, the success of radioiodine therapy remains largely unpredictable. The current methods plan the mean thyroid radiation absorbed dose, assuming that it applies to target tissue – the thyroid follicular cells. However, the unique thyroid follicular structure and iodine kinetics may violate this assumption. Upon oral administration and capture by thyroid, the vast majority of time radioiodine spends in organified form in follicular colloidal lumen: the greater the follicle the more radiation is wasted before reaching the target cells. Hypothesis The 131 I radiation absorbed dose to thyroid follicular cells is less than the average thyroid dose, the more the greater the follicles. Thyroid echogenicity can be used to assess the amount of colloid in thyroid tissue, which in turn can be used to assess the follicle size and adjust the planned absorbed dose to patient-specific thyroid micro-architecture. Evaluation Animal data on intrathyroidal iodine kinetics were considered in conjunction with model predictions that relate the size of thyroid follicles with 131 I irradiation of follicular cells. It turned out that the correction factors in the range 5–40% should be applied to oral activities of radioiodine calculated by the standard method. Next, several histology studies documented that normoechogenic thyroids have relatively large follicles, while hypoechogenic thyroids are mostly cellular, with almost empty, small follicles. All these concur with clinical data that Graves' disease patients with normoechogenic thyroids that received 200Gy in thyroid had comparable outcome to Graves' disease patients with hypoechogenic thyroid that received 100–120Gy in thyroid. Conclusion Thyroid echogenicity is a probable clue to a better patient-specific dosimetry in radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroidism; direct evidences and precise estimates of benefits over current practices would be provided by controlled clinical trials.

Preoperative scintigraphic visualization of metastases from well-differentiated thyroid microcarcinoma in patients with Graves disease is extremely rare, as is the scintigraphic visualization of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma as a warm nodule. We present a patient with Graves disease and both of these rare entities. A 47-year-old woman complained of a growing left-side neck mass and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. On clinical examination, the thyroid was palpable without discernible nodularity, while the left side of the neck was occupied by 3 gross, painless nodules. She also had signs of thyrotoxicosis and biochemical parameters of Graves hyperthyroidism. Ultrasound examination showed moderately hypoechogenic thyroid with a small hypoechogenic nodule in the upper pole of the left lobe and 3 gross, almost normoechogenic nodules on the left side of the neck. On Tc-99m-pertechnetate pinhole scintigraphy there was a small, warm nodule in the upper pole of the left lobe and 3 gross metastatic nodules on the left side of the neck. Fine needle aspiration of the neck nodules was consistent with metastases from thyroid papillary carcinoma. After thyrostatic preparation a total thyroidectomy with left modified radical neck dissection was done. Histopathologic examination disclosed 2 carcinomas in the left thyroid lobe. One of them was a tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma in the upper pole of the left lobe that measured 5 mm and corresponded to the small warm nodule, and the second one was a classic form of papillary microcarcinoma that measured 2 mm. Metastases accrued from the classic form of papillary microcarcinoma. Although the patient had 2 thyroid carcinomas, one with metastases and the other of more aggressive form, which is consistent with advanced stage and aggressiveness, she is now disease-free, 4 years after the operation and radioiodine ablation.

A rebreathing method was developed for measuring diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in a hyperbaric environment. Twenty two professional naval divers with normal lung function were included in the study. Significant correlations were found between rebreathing and single breath measurements for DLCO (r = 0.94; p less than 0.001; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 0.66), alveolar volume (VA) (r = 0.79; p less than 0.005; SEE = 0.51), and DLCO/VA (r = 0.83; p less than 0.001; SEE = 0.11). In 17 divers, rebreathing DLCO (DLCOrb) was also measured at 20 minutes pre-dive, during the first decompression stop of the dive to 45 m for 25 minutes, and at 10 minutes post-dive. Compressed air diving was performed in a dry walk-in chamber and the United States Navy decompression table was followed. The pressure induced decrease in the rate of CO binding to haemoglobin was adjusted to normobaric conditions using a theoretical approach. Also, the presence of venous bubbles post-dive was detected by precordial doppler monitoring. A biphasic change in DLCO was noted: initially, DLCO was increased during the dive (p less than 0.005); this was followed by a post-dive decrease; DLCO/VA changed in a similar manner, as VA was only slightly altered. Only a small post-dive precordial doppler bubble grade was found. In conclusion, rebreathing DLCO measurement is a useful respiratory function test in the hyperbaric environment. It appears that an increase in D(L)CO during the compressed air dive is related predominantly to increased pulmonary capillary blood volume caused by increased negativity of the pleural pressure, hyperoxic pulmonary vasodilatation, and cardiorespiratory centralisation of the blood. The decrease in D(L)CO post-dive was only partially related to the presence of the venous bubbles detectable by doppler.

Asbestos related changes in the single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) were longitudinally analysed in 14 subjects exposed predominantly to chrysotile asbestos in an asbestos cement factory. These subjects were examined annually over the past nine years ; their lung function was initially characterised with increased DLCO as the sole functional abnormality and they had normal chest radiographs. The radiological examination included a chest x ray film and, in the past two years, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). A biphasic DLCO change was found: an initial increase followed by a relative decrease. The increase in DLCO was mainly caused by an increase in the membrane component (Dm). Indomethacin treatment applied after the sixth annual follow up significantly reduced DLCO and Dm. The decrease in DLCO correlated well with the parenchymal abnormalities found on HRCT, whereas the chest x ray film profusion score for small opacities (ILO classification) was unchanged. In conclusion, the data suggested that, as well as the absolute values of pulmonary function tests, the measurement of progression of functional parameters is essential in the assessment of pleural and parenchymal disease of the lung related to exposure to asbestos. High resolution computed tomography is suggested as the radiological method of choice in subjects with an isolated decrease in DLCO. Exposure to asbestos can be associated not only with a reduction in DLCO, but also with a temporary increase in DLCO caused by a subclinical inflammatory reaction.

We studied the epidemiological characteristics of nontraumatic phakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a defined population of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. A total of 278 eyes of 272 patients developed RRD during an 11-year period, 1988–1998, with a population of 465,947. The annual incidence was 5.4 per 100,000 population. The mean age of patients was 58.3 years, and the sex distribution corresponded with that in the general population. There was insignificant preponderance of right eye involvement. Bilaterality was observed in 2.2%. The presence of myopia was diagnosed in 46.9% eyes.

Involuntary apnea episodes in obstructive sleep apnea patients result in selective potentiation of peripheral chemoreceptor regulation of sympathetic vasomotor tone. Breath-hold diving is associated with repeated "voluntary" apnea episodes and massive arterial oxygen desaturation, which could also perturb chemoreflex function. We measured ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac stroke volume, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during isocapnic hypoxia in 11 breath-hold divers and eleven matched control subjects. The study was carried out at least 1 month after intense apnea training. Baseline MSNA frequency was 30 +/- 4 bursts/min in control subjects and 31 +/- 7 bursts/min in divers (ns). During hypoxia MSNA frequency and total activity increased similarly in both groups (30 and 66% in controls and 27 and 60% in divers, respectively). MSNA remained increased after termination of hypoxia and approached baseline measurements after 20 min. Hypoxia-induced stimulation of minute ventilation was similar in both groups, although in divers it was maintained by higher tidal volumes and lower breathing frequency compared with control subjects. In both groups, hypoxia-induced tachycardia drove an increase in cardiac output whereas total peripheral resistance decreased. Blood pressure remained unchanged. We conclude that after the end of intensive training/competition periods, apnea divers show normal peripheral chemoreflex regulation of ventilation and sympathetic vasomotor tone. Although voluntary apnea may not lead to sustained changes in sympathetic nervous system regulation, we cannot exclude the possibility that repeated sympathetic activation elicited by voluntary apnea imposes a burden on the cardiovascular system.

We tested the hypotheses that chronic human urinary obstruction impairs the renal regulation of the red blood cell (RBC) production and compared the chronic outcome of relief of obstruction between parenchyma-saving surgery and extracorporeal lithotripsy (SWL). We measured RBC count and serum erythropoietin (Epo) concentration before and 3 months after relief of urinary obstruction in 60 patients treated with pyelolithotomy, ureterolithotomy or ureteroscopy and in 62 patients treated with SWL. Compared with 333 healthy controls, at baseline, patients scheduled for parenchyma-saving surgery had lowered RBC count [9.9% (6.9–13.1); 95% confidence interval] in case of males and 17.7% (14.2–21.4) in case of females; minor depression in RBC count was also observed in female patients scheduled for SWL. Epo serum levels were mildly reduced in SWL patients and halved in parenchyma-saving surgery group. At 3 months following relief of obstruction in 50 operated patients without recurrent or residual stone, Epo levels almost doubled, becoming normal, while RBC count and haemoglobin concentration increased for 6.1% (3.8–8.8) and 8.8% (6.1–10.6). In contrast, in 49 SWL patients only minor, bidirectional responses to treatment were observed. We conclude that obstructive uropathy is associated with clinically relevant effects on erythropoiesis, which is reversed after relief of obstruction by parenchyma-saving surgery that saves the renal parenchyma.

To determine the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on short-term complications of complex war wounds to the upper and lower extremities in patients who were and those who were not treated according to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) emergency war surgery recommendations. We retrospectively analyzed data of 388 male patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for Gustilo type III A, B, and C war wounds to the extremities at the Department of Reconstructive Surgery, Split University Hospital Center, between 1991 and 1995. The occurrence of main wound complications (deep infection, osteomyelitis, skin grafts lyses, and flap necrosis) during hospitalization and time from wounding to granulation formation were analyzed with respect to the use of HBO therapy as a risk factor. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated for the occurrence of wound complications with respect to HBO therapy and adjusted for NATO surgical strategy by logistic regression. Of 388 patients, 310 (80%) were initially treated according to the NATO surgical strategy and 99 (25%) received HBO therapy. Deep soft-tissue infection developed in 196 (68%) patients who did not receive HBO therapy and in 35 (35%) who received it (P

Cilj Odrediti utjecaj liječenja hiperbaričnom oksigenacijom (HBO) na kratkoročne komplikacije složenih ratnih ozljeda gornjih i donjih udova u ranjenika koji su bili i koji nisu bili liječeni u skladu s kirurškom strategijom Organizacije Sjeverno-atlantskog sporazuma (NATO). Postupci Retrospektivno smo analizirali podatke o kohorti 388 muških bolesnika na kojima je izveden rekonstruktivni kirurški zahvat ratnih ozljeda Gustilo tipa III A, B i C na udovima na Odjelu za rekonstruktivnu kirurgiju Sveučilišne bolnice u Splitu u razdoblju između 1991. i 1995. godine. Analizirani su pojava glavnih komplikacija ozljeda (duboka infekcija, osteomijelitis, liza kožnog presadka i nekroza tkivnoga presatka) za vrijeme hopitalizacije, te vrijeme od ranjavanja do stvaranja granulacijskog tkiva s obzirom na korištenje HBO liječenja kao rizičnog čimbenika. Izračunat je omjer izgleda (OR) s 95% rasponom pouzdanosti (CI) za pojavu komplikacija uzimajući u obzir adjuvantno liječenje HBO, a on je potom logističkom regresijom prilagođen s obzirom na kiruršku strategiju NATO-a. Rezultati Od 388 bolesnika, 310 (80%) su liječeni u skladu s kirurškom strategijom NATO-a, a 99 (25%) ih je primilo adjuvantnu HBO. Duboka infekcija mekog tkiva razvila se u 196 (68%) bolesnika koji nisu primili HBO i u 35 (35%) koji su je primili (P, Aim To determine the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on shortterm complications of complex war wounds to the upper and lower extremities in patients who were and those who were not treated according to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) emergency war surgery recommendations. Method We retrospectively analyzed data of 388 male patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for Gustilo type III A, B, and C war wounds to the extremities at the Department of Reconstructive Surgery, Split University Hospital Center, between 1991 and 1995. The occurrence of main wound complications (deep infection, osteomyelitis, skin grafts lyses, and flap necrosis) during hospitalization and time from wounding to granulation formation were analyzed with respect to the use of HBO therapy as a risk factor. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated for the occurrence of wound complications with respect to HBO therapy and adjusted for NATO surgical strategy by logistic regression. Results Of 388 patients, 310 (80%) were initially treated according to the NATO surgical strategy and 99 (25%) received HBO therapy. Deep soft-tissue infection developed in 196 (68%) patients who did not receive HBO therapy and in 35 (35%) who received it (P

It was suggested that factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations increase the risk of ischemic stroke only in combination with clinical risk factors of arterial ischemic disease. In these studies the controls were derived from the general population, with fewer clinical risk factors, which might have produced biased results. The factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations were examined by polymerase chain reaction technique in 120 ischemic stroke patients and 120 controls younger than 65 years of age. Each patient had his own control, tightly matched in clinical risk factors. The prevalences of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in patients were 8.3% (P = 0.02) and 7.5% (P = 0.04), respectively, and 2.5% for controls for both mutations. All carriers were single heterozygotes. In patients, but not in controls, the carriers of either mutation were mostly women and with fewer clinical risk factors for arterial ischemic events. In particular, considering both mutations as a single coagulation deficit, their presence increased the likelihood of ischemic stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4—9.3), especially among women (OR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.2—17.8), normotensive persons (OR = 9.2; 95% CI: 1.1—17.8) and those having normal cholesterol (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.6—21.2) and triglyceride serum concentrations (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 1.5—12.8). In the studied sample of adult North Mediterranean population younger than 65 years the prevalences of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations were greater in patients with ischemic stroke than in matched controls. Unlike in studies with unmatched controls, we observed an apparently negative interaction of these mutations with clinical risk factors.

Changes in cardiovascular parameters elicited during a maximal breath hold are well described. However, the impact of consecutive maximal breath holds on central hemodynamics in the postapneic period is unknown. Eight trained apnea divers and eight control subjects performed five successive maximal apneas, separated by a 2-min resting interval, with face immersion in cold water. Ultrasound examinations of inferior vena cava (IVC) and the heart were carried out at times 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 min after the last apnea. The arterial oxygen saturation level and blood pressure, heart rate, and transcutaneous partial pressures of CO2and O2were monitored continuously. At 20 min after breath holds, IVC diameter increased (27.6 and 16.8% for apnea divers and controls, respectively). Subsequently, pulmonary vascular resistance increased and cardiac output decreased both in apnea divers (62.8 and 21.4%, respectively) and the control group (74.6 and 17.8%, respectively). Cardiac output decrements were due to reductions in stroke volumes in the presence of reduced end-diastolic ventricular volumes. Transcutaneous partial pressure of CO2increased in all participants during breath holding, returned to baseline between apneas, but remained slightly elevated during the postdive observation period (∼4.5%). Thus increased right ventricular afterload and decreased cardiac output were associated with CO2retention and signs of peripheralization of blood volume. These results indicate that repeated apneas may cause prolonged hemodynamic changes after resumption of normal breathing, which may suggest what happens in sleep apnea syndrome.

Venous gas emboli are frequently observed in divers even if proper decompression procedures are followed. This study was initiated to determine if pulmonary artery pressure increases in asymptomatic divers, which could increase the risk of arterial embolization due to passage of venous gas emboli from the right to the left side of the heart. Recordings of venous gas emboli and estimation of pulmonary artery pressure by non-invasive transthoracic echocardiography were applied in 10 recreational scuba diving volunteers before and 20,40,60, and 80 min after simulated dives to 18 m (80 min bottom time) in a hyperbaric chamber. The ratio between pulmonary artery acceleration time and right ventricular ejection time was used as an estimate of pulmonary artery pressure. None of investigated divers had signs of decompression sickness. Despite the post-dive presence of the venous gas emboli, measured in the region of the pulmonary valve annulus (mean = 1.71 bubbles . cm -2 , 40 min after dive), the ratio between pulmonary artery acceleration time and right ventricular ejection time did not decrease, but actually increased (from 0.43 ± 0.06 to 0.49 ± 0.06, 40 min after dive; p < 0.05), suggesting a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure after the dive. We conclude that diving-induced venous gas bubbles do not cause significant changes in the central circulation which could increase the risk of arterial embolization.

Objective:To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of open sea scuba air diving to 39 m (30 minutes bottom time) with standard decompression. To account for possible gravity dependent effects of venous gas bubbles, the variables were measured in different post-dive body postures and compared with the baseline values before the dive in the same posture.Methods:Eight male divers conducted two similar dives on successive days. Their posture before and after the dive was either sitting or supine, in random order. The divers were evaluated before and 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the dive. Venous bubbles were detected by precordial Doppler after the dive in four divers in the supine posture and two divers in the sitting posture.Results:Arterialised oxygen tension had decreased at all times after the dive (−11.3 mm Hg, p = 0.00006), due to decreased alveolar oxygen tension, irrespective of posture. Apart from an increase in the sitting posture 30 minutes after the dive, pulmonary capacity for carbon monoxide diffusion and cardiac index decreased, mostly 60 minutes after the dive (−9%, p = 0.0003 and −20%, p = 0.0002 respectively). The decrease in cardiac index was greater in the supine posture (p = 0.0004), and the physiological dead space/tidal volume ratio increased more in the sitting position (p = 0.006).Conclusions:Field dives are associated with moderate impairments in cardiac output and gas exchange. Some of these impairments appear to depend on the posture of the diver after the dive.

Medically treated patients' non-compliance with the prescribed scheme is an exceptionally important issue, faced relatively often in medical treatment of epilepsy.Different demographic and clinical data, collected upon questionnaire completion from 146 patients suffering from epilepsy, were sorted out and integrated in the present research analyses with the objective to determine the possible correlation of collected data and compliance level recorded in the observed patients.Generally, the subjects took pretty the prescribed therapy regularly: in 62% of subjects the compliance level was recorded as good, in 23% as satisfactory, and in the remaining 15% as unsatisfactory. The following factors were identified as possible predictors of the less precise adherence to the prescribed therapeutic regimen (p0.01): regular consumption of alcohol, medical treatment of 6 or more years, and three or more daily drug doses. The correlation between the greater number of prescribed anti-epileptic medicines and lower compliance level (p=0.05) was also assessed. The study revealed a tendency towards lower compliance level in patients aged below 30. Surprisingly, the same tendency was observed in the subjects with more thoroughly controlled epileptic condition. In spite of different experiments aimed to improve the regularity in taking the prescribed therapy, the issue of non-compliance still poses a considerable obstacle to the more successful treatment of epileptic patients.

1. The human spleen sequesters 200-250 mL densely packed red blood cells. Up to 50% of this viscous blood is actively expelled into the systemic circulation during strenuous exercise or simulated apnoea (breath-hold) diving. The contribution of splenic contraction to changes in the circulating volume of red blood cells (RBCV), as well as the venous concentration of white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT), was investigated following repeated breath-hold apnoeas. 2. Eighteen trained apnoea divers and 18 intact and six splenectomized subjects without diving experience repeated five maximal apnoeas with face immersion in cold water, with 2 min intervals between successive attempts. Venous blood samples were taken before and between consecutive apnoeas, as well as at 0, 10 and 20 min after the last breath hold. Arterial pressure, heart rate and transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide were monitored continuously. 3. Plasma protein concentration decreased by 5.8, 2.2 and 9% in apnoea divers, untrained and splenectomized subjects, respectively, indicating an expansion of plasma volume. The RBCV and venous concentration of WBC, corrected for changes in plasma volume, increased in both trained apnoea divers (4.9 +/- 1.0 and 14.9 +/- 3.1%, respectively) and intact subjects (1.7 +/- 0.8 and 7.2 +/- 1.8%, respectively), whereas in splenectomized subjects there was no change in RBCV and a delayed increase in WBC concentration. Furthermore, an initial lymphocytosis detected during repeated breath holds in divers and intact subjects was completely absent in splenectomized subjects. None of the groups showed significant changes in PLT concentrations. The well-recognized diving response to apnoea (bradycardia and increased blood pressure) was seen during all breath-hold attempts in all subjects. 4. Repeated breath-holds (apnoeas) contribute to increased RBCV and venous blood concentrations of WBC through splenic contraction.

The purpose of this study was (i) to answer whether the reduction in the spleen size in breath-hold apnea is an active contraction or a passive collapse secondary to reduced splenic arterial blood flow and (ii) to monitor the spleen response to repeated breath-hold apneas. Ten trained apnea divers, 10 intact and 7 splenectomized untrained persons repeated five maximal apneas (A1-A5) with face immersion in cold water, with two minutes interposed between successive attempts. Ultrasonic monitoring of the spleen and noninvasive cardiopulmonary measurements were performed before, between apneas and at times 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the last apnea. Blood flows in splenic artery and splenic vein were not significantly affected by breath-hold apnea. The duration of apneas peaked after A3 (143, 127, and 74 seconds in apnea divers, intact and splenectomized persons, respectively). A rapid decrease in spleen volume (about 20% in both apnea divers and intact persons) was mainly completed throughout the first apnea. The spleen did not recover in size between apneas and only partly recovered 60 minutes after A5. The well-known physiological responses to apnea diving: bradycardia and increased blood pressure were observed in A1 and remained unchanged throughout the following apneas. These results show rapid, probably active contraction of the spleen in response to breath-hold apnea in humans. Rapid spleen contraction and its slow recovery may contribute to prolongation of successive, briefly repeated apnea attempts.

Seasonal variations of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) have been reported in only several studies, mostly from Central and northern Europe. In this study, seasonal incidence of RRD was determined and compared with sunlight exposure per season in the Mediterranean region of south Europe. The study was based on a retrospective review of medical records on 280 eyes of 272 consecutive hospital patients in the district of Split, Croatia, who were treated for primary nontraumatic phakic RRD over a 12-year period (1988-1999). The number of eyes with RRD recorded per season was 79 in summer, 71 in winter, 67 in spring and 63 in autumn. The average number of sunshine hours in Split was 1001 in summer, 698 in spring, 576 in autumn and 457 in winter. No seasonal variations in the occurrence of RRD and no correlation with the mean duration of sunlight exposure per season were found.

Objective To determine whether oral contraceptives affect lung mechanics. Design Open-label study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Thirty-six healthy nonsmoking women. Intervention(s) Administration of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol, 35 μg, and norgestimat, 250 μg for 6 months. Main outcome measure(s) Forced vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; peak expiratory flow; and flow at large, medium, and small lung volumes. Result(s) At 6 months, all forced expiratory flow and volume had increased significantly (from 6.5% to 15%). Flows at small lung volumes especially increased. Conclusion(s) Combination oral contraceptives have a measurable effect on lung mechanics.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the symptomatology of onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients according to sex, age, and existence of conventional risk factors. Background Some studies have suggested that sex and other patient characteristics may influence symptoms in AMI, but data were limited and conflicting. Methods This was a prospective, observational study of a large number of symptoms in 1996 patients admitted to Clinical Hospital Split between January 1990 and July 1995 as the result of a first AMI. For each patient, the structured data form covering experience of pain at 10 body locations and 11 other symptoms, baseline characteristics, risk factors, and peak cardiac enzyme levels was completed a median of 3 days after AMI. Results Any pain, and specifically chest pain, was more often reported by male patients, smokers, hypertensive patients, nondiabetic patients, and hypercholesterolemic patients. Women were more likely to report nonchest pain other than epigastric and right shoulder pain, as well as various nonpain symptoms. The independent predictors of atypical AMI presentation (ie, absence of pain) in both men and women were lower levels of creatine kinase-MB fraction ( P P =.0003, respectively), diabetes mellitus ( P =.0002 and P =.002, respectively), older age ( P =.001 and P =.01, respectively), and absence of smoking in men ( P =.005). The independent predictors of presence of nonpain symptoms in both men and women were higher levels of creatine kinase-MB fraction ( P =.01 and P =.049, respectively) and diabetes mellitus ( P =.048 and P =.005, respectively); in men, it was hypercholesterolemia ( P =.01). Conclusions Our results suggest that sex, age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia may affect the symptoms in AMI. Women with diabetes represent a high-risk subgroup for painless onset followed by various other symptoms. (Am Heart J 2002;144:1012-7.)

Retrotracheal goiters are rarely diagnosed at the cervical level (i.e., above the plane of the thoracic inlet).

Objective: We determined the occurrence of presenting symptoms in patients with different sites of acute myocardial infarction after controlling for age and conventional risk factors. Methods: Hospital-based study of patients hospitalized because of first anterior ( n =731), inferior ( n =719) and lateral ( n =96) infarction in Clinical Hospital Split between 1990 and 1994. Data form about presenting symptoms and clinical profile was completed for each patient. Results: Anterior infarctions were more often presented by headache (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.67, 95%CI=1.06–2.62), weakness (OR=1.60, 95%CI=1.31–1.96), dyspnea (OR=1.40, 95%CI=1.14–1.72), cough (OR=2.24, 95%CI=1.59–3.16), vertigo (OR=2.04, 95%CI=1.40–2.99) and tinnitus (OR=2.09, 95%CI=1.06–4.14). Inferior infarctions were more often associated with epigastric (OR=1.71, 95%CI=1.30–2.24), neck (OR=1.47, 95%CI=1.10–1.98) and jaw pain (OR=2.16, 95%CI=1.42–3.27), sweating (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.27–1.92), nausea (OR=2.01, 95%CI=l.64–2.46), vomiting (OR=1.55, 95%CI=1.22–1.97), belching (OR=1.57, 95%CI=1.21–2.03) and hiccups (OR=2.88, 95%CI=1.53–5.42). Patients with lateral infarctions were more likely to complain of left arm (OR=1.80, 95%CI=1.07–3.05), left shoulder (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.19–2.79) and back pain (OR=2.40, 95%CI=1.28–4.46). Pain was less frequently reported by hypercholesterolemic ( P =l.4×10 −7 ), patients over 70 years ( P =0.002), women ( P =0.0007) and those with non-triggered infarction ( P =0.0009), whereas those over 70 ( P =1.7×10 −6 ) and men ( P =0.0003) were less likely to report other relevant symptoms. Conclusions: Our study suggests a linkage between different infarction sites and specific groups of symptoms. Furthermore, coronary patients should give their full attention to non-specific symptoms and any kind of discomfort.

We comment the article (J. Nucl. Med. 49 (2008) 151-157) and conclude that, beyond the radioiodine uptake and its effective half-life, both the size of metasases and its structure determine the 131I radiation dose target cells.