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A randomized, controlled trial, known as the Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Acute Myocardial Infarction (ASTAMI) study, was conducted to investigate whether intracoronary injection of autologous mononuclear bone marrow (BMC) results in a clinically important improvement in left ventricular function as measured by the left ventricular ejection factor (LVEF). Results showed no effects of intracoronary injection of autologous mononuclear BMC on global left ventricular function.

Background: Liver transplantation regularly requires transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelets. Compared to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) from single blood donors, solvent/detergent-treated plasma (SD-plasma) pooled from several hundred blood donors has advantages with respect to pathogen reduction, standardized content of plasma proteins, and significantly reduced risk of transfusion related lung injury and allergic/ immunologic adverse reactions. However, SD-plasma has been suspected to increase the incidence of hyperfibrinolysis and thromboembolic events. Study Design and Methods: We investigated the transfusion practices, hyperfibrinolysis parameters, and thrombosis outcomes in I 95 consecutive adult primary liver transplants in our center using SD-plasma (Octaplas) as the exclusive source of plasma. Results: Perioperatively, median (interquartile range) 4 (1 to 9) RBC-units, 10 (4 to 18) plasma-bags, and 0 (0 to 2) platelet-units were transfused. Hyperfibrinolysis defined as LY30 ≤ 7.5% was detected in 12/1 38 thrombelastography-monitored patients (9%).These patients received significantly more RBCs, plasma, and platelets than did patients without hyperfibrinolysis. Thrombotic graft complications were observed in three patients (2%). Pulmonary embolism was not observed in any patient. Conclusion: SD-plasma is a safe plasma product for liver transplant recipients, and the incidences of hyperfibrinolysis and thromboembolic events are not significantly different from those seen in centers using FFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myositis-specific antibodies (MSA) are autoantibodies that are almost exclusively detected in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). This article provides an overview of these autoantibodies and how they can be used clinically to identify subgroups of IIM., Material and Methods: The article is based on a non-systematic literature review and our own experience., Results: MSA can be detected in up to 50 % of patients with IIM. Patients with anti-synthetase antibodies have a constellation of clinical findings termed "the anti-synthetase syndrome", in which interstitial lung disease dominates the clinical picture. Anti-Mi2 antibodies is another myositis-specific antibody. Patients with anti-Mi2 antibodies often have classical dermatomyositis, while the anti-SRP antibody identifies patients with severe myopathy, poor response to treatment with corticosteroids and histological findings of muscle cell necrosis - often lacking inflammatory infiltrates. The newly detected anti-CADMp140 appears to be associated with amyopathic or hypomyopathic dermatomyositis, previously called dermatomyositis sine myositis. Anti-p155 antibodies are most often found in patients who also have cancer., Interpretation: Myositis-specific antibodies may be useful for identification of clinical subgroups of IIM and can thereby affect the choice of medical treatment.

Background: This is the first survey of therapeutic hemapheresis in Norway. The purpose was to collect data from all Norwegian dialysis and blood units performing hemapheresis treatment and stem cell collection for comparison with Swedish data., Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were sent to all regional and central hospitals in Norway including two specialized centres for stem cell apheresis. The questions included the number of hemapheresis procedures, patients, and indications., Results: All units responded to the questionnaire. There were 17 dialysis units; seven blood units and two special units who performed 2,141 procedures. 12 units did not carry out any hemapheresis treatment at all. There were five stem cell collections per 100,000 inhabitants and 42.5 therapeutic apheresis procedures per 100,000 inhabitants., Interpretation: Hemapheresis treatment is performed in all Norwegian health regions. The indications are quite similar to those reported from Sweden except for stem cell collections and erythrocytaphereses. The dominance of the dialysis units in the total number of procedures performed and the prominent use of filtration techniques are special features of the Norwegian practice of apheresis.