Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with foetal cardiac remodelling and dysfunction together with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Experimental data concerning effects of IUGR on cardiomyocyte and microvascularization anatomy are inconsistent and it is unknown whether both ventricles are similarly susceptible to in utero undersupply. Foetal IUGR was induced in pregnant rabbits at 25 days of gestation by selective ligation of uteroplacental vessels. Foetal echocardiography showed systolic and diastolic dysfunction of both ventricles and body and heart weight were significantly reduced in response to IUGR. Design-based stereology revealed a decrease in cardiomyocyte number in both ventricles which was only in the left ventricle accompanied by a significantly higher cardiomyocyte mean volume. The proportion of mono- and bi-nucleated cardiomyocytes was unaltered between the groups indicating a similar maturation status. The number and length of cardiac capillaries in IUGR offspring was diminished in left but not in right ventricles. Foetal left and right ventricles are differently affected by placental insufficiency. While cardiomyocyte numbers are diminished in both ventricles, hypertrophic remodelling of cardiomyocytes and alterations in microvascularization is rather a left ventricular adaptation to IUGR. These unequal structural changes may be related to loading and developmental differences of the left and right ventricles.
<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Obesity is usually considered a risk factor for surgical complications. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has replaced open adrenalectomy as the standard operation for adrenal tumors. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To compare the safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy to treat adrenal tumors in obese versus nonobese patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This observational cohort study analyzed consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy with a lateral transperitoneal approach at a single center (2003–2020). Data and outcomes of obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) and nonobese patients were compared. To analyze the association between operative time and other variables, we used simple and multivariate linear regression. <b><i>Results:</i></b> <i>N</i> = 160 (90 obese/70 nonobese) patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Cushing syndrome and pheochromocytoma were the most frequent indications. Obese patients were older (58 vs. 52 years, <i>p</i> < 0.001). A greater proportion of obese patients were ASA grade III + IV (71.1 vs. 48.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.004). Obesity was associated with a longer operative time (72.5 vs. 60 min, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and greater blood loss (40 vs. 20 mL, <i>p</i> = 0.022). There were no differences in conversion, morbidity, or hospital stay. After adjustment for confounding factors, operative time was positively correlated with BMI ≥30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, learning curve, estimated blood loss, 2D laparoscopy, and specimen size. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Lateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe in patients with a BMI 30–35 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, so these patients also benefit from this minimally invasive surgery.
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