In order to confirm the usefulness of free plasma DNA detection in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE), we have studied 16 patients with PE, 33 with various diseases, and 13 normal subjects. Free plasma DNA was detectable in 15 of 16 patients with PE (94%) and in 3 control patients, but never in plasma from normal subjects. In most cases, DNA was detectable until the 10th day after PE. In conclusion, counterimmunoelectrophoresis is a rapid, inexpensive and specific test which may be used as an exclusion test in the detection of patients suspected of having PE, who will have to undergo more extensive evaluation.

The aim of this study was to investigate possible abnormalities in salivary electrolytes in hypertensives treated with ace-inhibitors (ACE-I) or calcium antagonists (Ca-ANT) at low or normal sodium intake. Hypertensives treated with ACE-I (n.14) or Ca-ANT (n.22) and 13 normotensives were studied during normal or restricted Na intake. Na, K, Ca, Mg and Cl were determined in saliva samples collected by using a standardized adsorption procedure (SALIVETTE). Na intake was evaluated by determination of the 24-hr urinary Na excretion. Similar concentrations of Na, K, Ca, and Cl were found in normotensives and in hypertensives treated with ACEI or Ca-ANT both at low or normal Na diet. Magnesium in saliva appeared reduced in ACEI-treated hypertensives (0.28 +/- 0.06 mmol/l) in comparison to the similar values of normotensives (0.53 +/- 0.05) and Ca-ANT treated hypertensives (0.54 +/- 0.07). In normotensives and in treated hypertensives lowering of Na intake did not change the salivary content of Ca, Mg and Cl but produced in saliva a reduction of Na associated to a rise in K. Salivary Na/K ratio was significantly correlated with 24 hr urinary Na excretion in normotensives (r = 0.77; p < 0.05) and in hypertensives treated with ACE-I (r = 0.74; p < 0.05) or Ca-ANT (r = 0.62; p < 0.05). The low salivary magnesium in ACE-I-HT may have a role in the occasional ACEI-dependent dysgeusia. Salivary Na/K ratio may be used as a rough index of Na intake in treated hypertensives.

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