In vivo, the noninvasive transthoracic application of low-frequency ultrasound (1) greatly augments the efficacy of t-PA-mediated thrombolysis, (2) seems safe, and (3) has substantial potential as a noninvasive adjunct to improve coronary patency without increasing the risk of bleeding.

Microinjection of formalin (5%, 50 microl) into a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) causes noxious behavioral responses in freely moving rats. In the present study, we investigated the role of central cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways in IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesia with formalin-induced TMJ pain model. Intra-articular injection of 100 pg or 1 ng of IL-1beta significantly facilitated formalin-induced behavior by 130 or 174% in the number of scratches. Intracisternal administration of 100 pg or 1 ng of IL-1beta also significantly increased formalin-induced behavior by 166 or 82% in the number of scratches. IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesia was blocked by pretreatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist. Intracisternal pretreatment with SC-560, a selective COX-1 inhibitor, or NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, abolished intra-articular administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesic response. Intracisternal pretreatment with NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, abolished the intracisternal administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesic response, while pretreatment with SC-560, a selective COX-1 inhibitor, did not change IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesic responses. On the other hand, pretreatment with acetaminophen, a tentative COX-3 inhibitor, also abolished both intra-articular and intracisternal administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesic responses. These results indicate that central COX-2 plays important role in the central administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesia and that central COX-1/2 pathways mediate peripheral administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesia in the TMJ. Central COX-3 inhibitor seems to play an important role in the nociceptive process associated with both peripheral and central administration of IL-1beta-induced hyperalgesia in TMJ. It is concluded that central acting of COX-3 inhibitors may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of inflammatory pain in TMJ.

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We report a case of successful treatment of coronary artery perforation and cardiac tamponade with an autologous vein graft-coated stent, which were developed during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The method reported here may be an effective alternative to emergency surgery and should be considered when coronary artery perforation does not respond to conventional prolonged inflation with perfusion catheter.