5%). Medical thoracoscopy was considered successful without further intervention in 35 of 41 patients (85.4%): all of the 9 patients with free-flowing

fluid, 22 of the 24 patients with multiloculated empyema (91.7%), and only 4 of the 8 patients with organizing effusion (50%). Conclusions: Our study confirms that multiloculated pleural empyema could safely and successfully be treated with medical thoracoscopy while organizing empyema can be resistant to drainage with medical thoracoscopy, requiring video-assisted thoracic surgery or open surgical decortications; among this population, the presence of separate ‘pockets’ MK0683 not in apparent communication with each other often leads to a surgical approach. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Background: We analyzed whether digitoxin affects the survival of rats with congestive heart failure.

Methods and Results: The influence of digitoxin (0.1 mg. 100 g.day, orally) on the survival of infarcted female rats (n = 170) randomized as Control Infarcted (CI, n = 85) or Digitoxin (D, n = 85) was evaluated for 280 days. Mean Survival was 235 +/- 7 days

for CI and 255 +/- 5 days for D (log-rank test: P = .0602). Digitoxin did not affect survival in rats with congestive heart failure from myocardial infarction LY3039478 <40% of the left ventricle, but did prolong survival in rats with infarction >= 40%. The log-rank test defined higher mortality (P = .0161) in CI > 40% (56%) than in D > 40% (34%), with a hazard ratio of 2.03. Pulmonary water content and papillary muscle mechanics were analyzed in CI (n = 7) and D (n = 14) survivors. Significant differences were observed regarding pulmonary water content (CI: 82 +/- 0.3; D: 80 +/- 0.3%; P = .0014), developed tension (CI: 2.7 +/- 0.3; D: 3.8 +/- 0.3 g/mm(2); P = .0286) and +dT/dt (CI: 24 +/- 3; D: 39 4 mg mm(2). s; P = .0109).

Conclusion: In conclusion, long-term digitoxin administration reduced

cardiac impairment after myocardium infarction, attenuated myocardial dysfunction, reduced pulmonary congestion, and provided the first evidence regarding the efficiency of digitoxin in prolonging survival in experimental cardiac failure. (I Cardiac Fail 2009;15.-798-804)”
“Background: The management of airway bleeding is generally performed in an emergency to prevent hypoxemia and lung flooding. When find more the bleeding arises from peripheral lesions that are not visible endoscopically, bronchoscopic options have limited curative intents. Endobronchial embolization using silicone spigots (EESS) is a novel approach. Objectives: We analyzed the efficacy and safety of EESS in a retrospective study. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients referred to our center for moderate hemoptysis (MH) who underwent EESS. Successful management is defined as immediate bleeding cessation. Results: From December 2008 to January 2012, 9 patients were treated with EESS in our endoscopy unit.