Michael E. Siegel

Scanning of Thromboemboli with 131I-Streptokinase

Thromboemboli were localized in dogs by intravenous injection of 131I-streptokinase. Thrombi tagged with 99mTc microspheres were released into the bloodstream. The dots were localized with a 99mTc scan, after which the dogs were given 131I-streptokinase and rescanned for 131I radioactivity. In the locations previously shown by the 99mTc scan.

A Preliminary Report on the Complementary Roles of Arteriography and Perfusion Scanning in Assessment of Peripheral Vascular Disease

The evaluation of peripheral vascular disease in man includes various clinical and radiographic procedures. Arteriography is useful in the detection of gross anatomical changes but does not provide information about muscle perfusion. 99mTc-labelled microspheres were utilized in 50 patients to evaluate extremity perfusion patterns and to provide a qualitative assessment of muscle perfusion. Correlative studies were carried out comparing perfusion scans with clinical history, arteriographic findings and surgical results.

Assessment of Peripheral Vascular Disease in Patients With Diabetes: Two Case Studies

This report proposes that perfusion scanning in combination with arteriography be included in the diagnostic work-up of the diabetic patient who, because of peripheral vascular complications, is a candidate for surgery. Two cases are reported which illustrate the extremes of the findings: abnormal arteriogram-normal scan indicating large-vessel disease without significant small-vessel involvement. It is suggested that these patients are candidates for vascular reconstruction. The other extreme is the normal arteriogram-abnormal scan indicating small-vessels disease without significant large-vessel involvement. It is apparent that these patients are not candidates for vascular reconstruction.

Minimum Financial Outlays for Purchasing Alcohol Brands in the U.S.

BACKGROUND Low alcohol prices are a potent risk factor for excessive drinking, underage drinking, and adverse alcohol-attributable outcomes. Presently, there is little reported information on alcohol prices in the U.S., in particular as it relates to the costs of potentially beneficial amounts of alcohol. PURPOSE To determine the minimum financial outlay necessary to purchase individual brands of alcohol using online alcohol price data from January through March 2012. METHODS The smallest container size and the minimum price at which that size beverage could be purchased in the U.S. in 2012 were determined for 898 brands of alcohol, across 17 different alcoholic beverage types. The analyses were conducted in March 2012. RESULTS The majority of alcoholic beverage categories contain brands that can be purchased in the U.S. for very low minimum financial outlays. CONCLUSIONS In the U.S., a wide variety of alcohol brands, across many types of alcohol, are available at very low prices. Given that both alcohol use and abuse are responsive to price, particularly among adolescents, the prevalence of low alcohol prices is concerning. Surveillance of alcohol prices and minimum pricing policies should be considered in the U.S. as part of a public health strategy to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and related harms.

Absence of arteriovenous shunting in peripheral arterial disease.

Previous studies suggest that arteriovenous shunts are present in peripheral arterial disease and account for early venous opacification seen during arteriography. To evaluate this hypothesis, thirty patients were studied by injecting 99mtechnetium-labeled microspheres intra-arterially following translumbar catheterizadon of the abdominal aorta. With this technique, if shunting is present, increased counts will be detectable while counting over the lungs. Repeat shunt determinations were made in 20 patients after injection of radiopaque contrast material, and in 10 patients during the period of reactive hyperemia following 5 minutes of arterial occlusion. Significant arteriovenous shunting was not present in any of the study groups.