The value of arterial blood pressure measurement in assessing the prognosis in equine colic

Indirect arterial blood pressure was determined on 33 horses prior to surgical intervention for the diagnosis and/or correction of acute abdominal disorders and a relationship between low systolic blood pressure and non-survival was established. It is suggested that blood pressure determination should be used to augment other methods of clinical and laboratory examination in cases of equine colic.     

Subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (Binswanger's type) and cortical infarcts in a young normotensive patient

A 49-year-old normotensive man died after a series of strokes, slowly evolving dementia and personality change occurring over a period of 23 years. CT scan showed large infarcts involving the cortex and white matter of the temporo-occipital areas, small subcortical infarcts and low attenuation in the white matter of the frontal and parietal lobes. Neuropathological examination revealed large cortical and small subcortical infarcts corresponding to the radiological findings as well as degeneration/demyelination of central white matter corresponding to the areas of low attenuation seen on CT. The basic underlying pathological process was hyaline arteriosclerosis and atheroma which diffusely affected the small intracerebral arteries and to a lesser extent the arteries of the circle of Willis. Though usual because of the absence of hypertension, the very early age at onset of the syndrome and the presence of large cortical infarcts this case illustrates the clinical, radiological and neuropathological features of subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (Binswanger's type).     

Another view of schizophrenia subtypes. A report from the international pilot study of schizophrenia

We studied respiratory mechanics in young volunteers before and after 5-wk training programs limited to the ventilatory muscles. Four strength trainers (S) performed repeated static maximum inspiratory and expiratory maneuvers against obstructed airways. Four endurance trainers (E) performed voluntary normocarbic hyperpnea to exhaustion. Subjects spent 30-45 min each day in these exercises, 5 days a week. Four control subjects (C) did no training. We attempted to minimize the effect of learning. S increased pressure maximums by about 55%, but vital capacity and total lung capacity by only about 4%. Initially all subjects could sustain hyperpnea at about 81% of their control 15-s maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) for 15 min; E increased this to about 96% and increased their MVV by 14% as well. No other statistically significant changes were recognized in any group. We conclude that ventilatory muscle strength or endurance can be specifically increased by appropriate ventilatory muscle training programs.     

Essential iris atrophy. Report of a case

The clinicopathologic findings in an eye from a 40-year-old man with essential iris atrophy are reported. Noteworthy is the proliferation of corneal endothelium and a laying down of a new Descemet (cuticular) membrane over the trabecular meshwork and in areas of anterior peripheral synechiae formation over the pseudoangle. The histologic characteristics favor a vascular cause for the condition, but the evidence is circumstantial.     

Surgical treatment of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum

Fifty-nine children with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum underwent various forms of surgical treatment at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, during 1950 to mid 1975. Twenty-three patients had pulmonary valvotomy, 15 direct, 2 indirect, and 6 both direct valvotomy and infundibulectomy. All died, 19 early and 4 late. Of 13 patients who received a systemic-pulmonary artery shunt, 4 combined with surgical atrial septectomy, there are only 2 long-term survivors both of whom were children who had had a Waterston anastomosis. Recently we have been treating infants with small right ventricles with balloon atrial septostomy at cardiac catherterization followed by a Potts anastomosis and pulmonary valvotomy. If the Potts anastomosis appears satisfactory the persistent ductus arteriosus is ligated. This scheme was used in 23 infants, with 4 early deaths and 2 late deaths. Of 17 survivors, further shunts were required in 4 children. One child has had a formal repair, with insertion of valves in both tricuspid and pulmonary areas. We believe that this operative combination of Potts anastomosis and pulmonary valvotomy offers the infant with pulmonary atresia and a small right ventricle a relatively low initial mortality and the possibility of right ventricular enlargement and subsequent repair.