This study aims to describe the pattern of home mechanical ventilation (HMV) usage in Australia and New Zealand.34 centres providing HMV in the region were identified and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding centre demographics, patient diagnoses, HMV equipment and settings, staffing levels and methods employed to implement and follow-up therapy.28 (82%) centres responded, providing data on 2,725 patients. The minimum prevalence of HMV usage was 9

In 10 normal dogs, the right and left ventricular volumes and compliances were determined in the fresh post-mortem heart. With the use of a SigmaMotor pump, Ringer's solution at 23°C was simultaneously infused into both ventricles within an hour after death. When the ventricles were full but open to atmospheric pressure, the mean volumes were 35.8 ml/m 2 for the right and 23.1 ml/m 2 for the left ventricle; when the transmural pressure was increased by 10 mm Hg, the mean volumes were 56.9 ml/m-for the right and 41.9 ml/ m-for the left ventricle; at 20 mm Hg, the values were 60.8 and 48.5 ml/m-, respectively. The initial volumes and the increases in volume produced by increase in transmural pressure were affected by the position of the ventricular septum and by the presence of rigor mortis. With infusions into only one ventricle, right and left ventricular volumes were 20 to 74% greater at 10 mm Hg than the values when both ventricles were filled simultaneously. Compliance began to decrease 40 to 60 min after death; at 130 min after death (23°C), the change in volume when the transmural pressure was increased to 10 mm Hg was only about 1/5 of that immediately after death.ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS rigor mortis ventricular septum pressure-volume curves unilateral vs. bilateral filling• The purpose of these experiments was to study, in the fresh post-mortem heart, the volume-pressure relationships of the right and left ventricles of the dog. Such relationships previously reported are difficult to interpret, and are of uncertain relevance to conditions in vivo, because the effects of rigor mortis were not always considered and because in previous studies fluid was infused into only one ventricle at a time (1-3). In the present study we have found that volume-pressure relationships are highly dependent upon the state of filling of the contra-lateral chamber. Hence, the values of volume and compliance reported here, using the technique of simul- This study was supported by Public Health Service Research Crant HE 10382 from the National Heart Institute and the Ives Laboratories.Accepted for publication March 28, 1967. taneous biventricular filling, are probably physiologically more meaningful. MethodsTen mongrel dogs weighing between 12 and 23 kg were intravenously anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, 27 mg/kg. A midstemal incision was rapidly made and the vessels, esophagus, and trachea were transected; the beating heart was then immersed in Ringer's solution at 23°C. The pericardium was incised and slipped to its insertion on the great vessels. The pericardium and other tissues were cut away leaving the atria and ventricles intact. With the use of Ringer's solution, blood was flushed from both ventricles. Polyethylene catheters, PE 240 (o.d. = 082 inches; i.d. = .062 inches), were inserted into the left and right ventricles via the atrioventricular valves. Heavy cotton suture, securely tied at the atrio-ventricular groove, closed off the ventricular inflow tracts. Two other polyethylene catheters, inserted in...

Although radical prostatectomy morbidity is common and affects self-reported overall quality of life, most patients would elect the same treatment again. Impotence and post-prostatectomy incontinence were significantly associated with sexual function satisfaction, quality of life and willingness to undergo treatment again. Bladder neck contracture and/or urethral stricture was associated with willingness to undergo treatment again after adjusting for demographic variables and time from surgery to the survey.

Technical variant techniques expand the pediatric donor pool and reduce time from listing to transplant, but they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Although radical prostatectomy morbidity is common and affects self-reported overall quality of life, most patients would elect the same treatment again. Impotence and post-prostatectomy incontinence were significantly associated with sexual function satisfaction, quality of life and willingness to undergo treatment again. Bladder neck contracture and/or urethral stricture was associated with willingness to undergo treatment again after adjusting for demographic variables and time from surgery to the survey.