bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Hemodynamic Assessment of Vasospasm in Patients with Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon
Authors: van de Wal Henry J. C. M. , Wijn Pieter F. F. , van Lier Henk J. J. , Kneepkens Wim G. H. J. , Skotnicki Stefan H. 
Published: November 2007

In order to assess vasospastic ischemic disease objectively 41 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and 21 normal volunteers were investigated noninvasively by digital systolic blood pressure and digital skin temperature measurements before and after instant cold provocation. Much care had been taken to be certain that all patients had primary Raynaud's phenomenon. The results of digital pressure measurements appeared to be affected by interindividual variations in systemic systolic blood pressure. By introducing a digit-to-brachial systolic blood pressure index (DBI), such variations could be eliminated. Instant cold provocation did not change DBI significantly. No pressure drop due to a closing phenomenon could be observed. Both digital skin temperature and DBI differed significantly between healthy males and females. In the patient group males and females did not show significant differences. The results in healthy females were hardly different from the results in patients. Healthy males could be well discriminated from patients with both techniques. Sex differentiation appeared to be essential for the objective assessment of primary Raynaud's phenomenon.
Treatment of Complications of Peripheral Obstructive Arterial Disease with Prostaglandin E1
Authors: Killion Dennis D. , Ambrus Julian L. 
Published: November 2007

Forty-one subjects diagnosed with complications of peripheral obstructive arterial disease were treated with continuous infusions of Prostaglandin E1(PGE1) over a three-week period during 1981-1982 in an open-label, uncontrolled study under ward conditions. Ischemic rest pain and ulcers were treated with intravenous infusions of PGE1at dose rates of 14-21 ng kg-1min-1for seventy hours, once a week. Symptomatic relief of rest pain and spontaneous healing of stable ulcers occurred.Whereas classically dependable noninvasive circulation evaluations were not prognostic of the treatment's success, they did suggest local and rheological changes rather than a generalized vasodilation. The PGE1infusion is efficacious for an unknown length of time, which may somehow be related to inhibition of platelet aggregation.Since transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) were found to be associated with PGE1infusion, cerebrovascular evaluation must be conducted prior to considering PGE1replacement therapy for the individual patient.
Acute and Short-Term Effects of Clonidine in Heart Failure
Authors: Giles Thomas D. , Thomas Madaelil G. , Quiroz Antonio C. , Rice Janet C. , Plauche Wade , Sander Gary E. 
Published: November 2007

The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the tolerance and effects of chronic oral clonidine administration on the clinical status, exercise tolerance, and ventricular function of 10 male patients with chronic heart failure. Patients were given either oral clonidine (400 μg/day) or matching placebo for twelve weeks and then tapered off medication over a two-week period. Results are summarized as follows: Profiles over time between groups were significantly different for resting heart rate (p = 0.0005), were different for arterial pressure (p=0.04), were different for left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.006), and were different for mean accumulated workload (p=0.076). Exercise double product at 25 watts changed little in three patients and showed a decrease in 2 patients following six weeks of oral clonidine; after twelve weeks, it decreased in three patients, increased in 1, and changed little in another. After washout, double product returned toward baseline values. In the placebo groups, double product showed little change. Resting of the heart by decreasing heart rate, systemic arterial blood pressure, and venous tone are thought by the authors to be major contributing factors to the observed beneficial effect of chronic oral clonidine in chronic heart failure.
Congenital Vascular Abnormalities in Okihiro's Syndrome— A Case Report
Authors: Rashad Fouad , Keith Michael W. , Shields Robert , Barre Peter S. , Sobel Mark 
Published: November 2007

In this report, the authors describe the angiographic findings in the forearm and hand in Okihiro's syndrome. To the best of their knowledge, it has not been described before. Okihiro et al described hypoplasia of the thenar eminence in association with a congenital disorder of ocular motility previously reported in Duane's syn drome.
Aortic Ejection Fraction: A New Hemodynamic Parameter and Its Relationship to Aortic Insufficiency
Authors: Siegel Michael E. , Chen David C.P. , Kantor Jason , Colletti Patrick , Lee Kai , McKay Charles , Rahimtoola Shahbudin H. 
Published: November 2007

Pulsations of the ascending aorta during fluoroscopy in patients with aortic insufficiency (AI) have been described. The authors present their observations of a similar phenomenon in patients who have AI undergoing scintiangiography. In addition, this paper describes a technique to validate and quantitate this finding. They studied 17 patients with documented AI and 14 subjects of a control group. First-pass studies were acquired in the RAO 15° projection. Regions of interest were placed over the proximal aorta during systole and dia stole. An aortic ejection fraction (AF) was determined. The calculated AEF data were correlated with the presence or absence of AI. The mean AEF from the 17 AI patients was 27.1 ± 7.2%, while the mean for the non-AI group was 12.0 ± 6.5% with p < .001. An AEF of 18% separates the two groups with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 88%, 86%, and 87% respectively. Preliminary data demonstrate a mean reduction in AEF of 12.2 percentage points in 7 AI patients who underwent aortic valve replace ment. The AEF may be a useful new parameter to evaluate hemodynamic changes associated with aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic insuffi ciency.
Histochemical and Fluorescent Techniques for Detection of Early Myocardial Ischemia Following Experimental Coronary Artery Occlusion: A Comparative and Quantitative Study
Authors: Chopra Prem , Sabherwal Usha 
Published: November 2007

Several workers have used histochemical, enzymatic, and fluorescent meth ods to diagnose early myocardial ischemia, but the problem of unequivocal de tection of early ischemia still remains an enigma to pathologists. In the present study, the left coronary artery was ligated in an animal model, rat, in order to produce myocardial ischemia at different time intervals, from five minutes to six hours. Fluorescent techniques and tetrazolium staining of myocardial suc cinic dehydrogenases have been used to detect onset of ischemia with the pur pose of identifying a sensitive technique for use in routine pathologic specimens. Nitroso-blue tetrazolium and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining of myocardium showed loss of dehydrogenases within five to twenty minutes of ligation of the coronary artery. This loss was consistent and progressively in creased at longer time intervals, the mean ischemic area mapped being 25.74 mm2 and 66.87 mm2 at five to twenty minutes and six hours respectively. Such comparison of ischemic area of myocardium at different time intervals has not been reported earlier. Autofluorescence in formalin-fixed, hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections showed positive fluorescence only after fifty to seventy-five minutes of ischemia and was patchy in distribution in the left ventricular wall even up to six hours of ligation. Examination of myocardium under fluorescent light after acridine orange staining proved to be more sensitive than autofluorescence for detecting ische mia. At five to twenty minutes, the mean ischemic area was 18.67 mm2 and by six hours it increased to 27.48 mm2 . Friedman two-way analysis of variance, applied for comparative evaluation of techniques, showed that tetrazolium salts were more sensitive and the mean ischemic area was significantly greater than the zone outlined by acridine or ange (p < .05 at five to twenty minutes; p < .01 at fifty to seventy-five minutes; p < .001 at one and one half to two hours and p < .025 at two and one fourth to three hours). Autofluorescence was significantly less than acridine orange fluorescence (p < .05 at five to twenty minutes and < .01 at six hours). Such statistical evalu ation has been done for the first time in the present study and has highlighted the value of acridine orange and tetrazolium salts in detection of early ischemia.
Effects of Naftidrofuryl in Patients With Intermittent Claudication
Authors: Karnik Ronald , Valentin Andreas , Stöllberger Claudia , Slany Jöry 
Published: November 2007

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive dis ease stage IIb of Fontaine's classifica tion, the efficacy of naftidrofuryl, a vasoactive substance, was investi gated. Forty patients — 31 men and 9 women with an average age of 62.98 ± 10.65 years — were admitted to the study. All had a history of claudica tion for at least six months. The du ration of the trial was eighteen weeks. After a washout period of two weeks the patients received either two times 400 mg naftidrofuryl or two identical placebo tablets daily for eight weeks. Subsequently a cross over from verum to placebo and vice versa was carried out and the alter native medication was administered for another eight weeks. Clinical results were evaluated by measuring painfree and maximal walking distance by treadmill test at a speed of 3.2 km/h and an inclina tion of 12°. Systolic ankle pressure and brachial pressure were measured by Doppler ultrasound, and ankle/ arm pressure ratio was calculated. Treadmill test, Doppler ultrasound examination, and laboratory data analysis were performed at the begin ning of every study period, every four weeks during and at the end of the study. Results. The patients in both groups showed an initial homogeneity of age, risk factors, concomitant dis eases, walking distance, and Doppler indices. After eight weeks naftidro furyl resulted in a statistically signifi cant increase in painfree (p < 0.02) and maximal walking distance (p < 0.05). The placebo-treated group showed only a slight, statistically nonsignificant increase in both pain free and maximal walking distance. After crossover the administration of naftidrofuryl produced a further in crease in painfree walking distance (p < 0.05), whereas in the group crossed over to placebo, both pain free and maximal walking distance remained unchanged. Systolic ankle blood pressure and ankle/arm pres sure ratio showed no significant al terations in both groups within the study period. The authors conclude that naftidrofuryl is an efficient va soactive drug, which significantly im proves walking distance in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive dis ease stage IIb.
A Physical Model for the Cardiovascular and the Respiratory Systems
Authors: Nichelatti Michele , Pallotti Giovanni , Pettazzoni Paolo 
Published: November 2007

We propose a two degrees of free dom oscillating system to simulate the working of both respiratory and car diovascular apparatus and to investi gate the physico-mathematical char acteristics of a possible decoupling between the physiological systems. We suppose a double mathemati cal pendulum with forced and damped oscillations, with the first frequency equal to four times the sec ond one; not only, does the system not give resonance or beatings, but it also simulates with reasonable approxi mation the ratio between natural rel ative frequencies. The two Langragian equations, that have form: with cannot be solved in an analytical way, even if we suppose an approxi mation for little oscillations. Now we are studying another two d-o-f mechanical system, with only one suspension point; we are also studying both the electrical equiva lent circuits.
Adrenaline-Induced Changes in Serum Electrolytes, ECG, and Blood Pressure, with Ca-Blockade Pretreatment
Authors: Johansson Bengt W. , Hansen Ole , Juul-Möller Steen , Svensson Ola 
Published: November 2007

Adrenaline infusions (AI) (0.5 μg adrenaline per 10 kg body weight per minute over 120 minutes) were given weekly for three weeks to 20 healthy male volunteers aged twenty-one to thirty-eight years. The AI was given after three days' treatment with diltiazem (D), verapamil (V), or placebo (Pl) in a single-blind fashion. After pretreatment with PI, serum potassium (s-K) decreased from 3.93 ± 0.30 mmol/L (M ± SD) to 3.33 ± 0.31 (P < 0.001) with the greatest change 69.75 ± 46.24 minutes after the start of the AI. Corresponding values for s-Mg were 0.84 ± 0.06 to 0.78 ± 0.05 (P < 0.01) and 106.50 ± 36.71 minutes, for s-Ca 2.40 ± 0.07 to 2.30 ± 0.08 (P < 0.01) and 103.50 ± 36.06 minutes, for s-P 1.05 ± 0.17 to 0.91 ± 0.17 (P < 0.02) and 80.25 ± 47.25 minutes, and for s-urate 344.79 ± 50.55 to 329.26 ± 47.80 (P > 0.05) and 63.95 ± 46.05 minutes. After pretreatment with D, AI produced similar electrolyte changes as after PI, but the rise in blood glucose was slightly more pronounced and the drop in s-urate less pronounced. The heart rate (HR) before AI after pretreatment with D was lower than after PI, but the increase during the AI was of the same magnitude. The AI-induced changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure after D did not differ significantly from those seen after PI, and neither did QT and QTc, whereas the PR duration was prolonged (0.18 ± 0.03 second) when compared with PI (0.16 ± 0.02) (P < 0.05). Although the magnitude of the change in DBP was not influenced, V prolonged the time till the lowest DBP (48.95 ± 26.38 minutes) when compared with PI (31.50 ± 29.16 minutes) (P > 0.05). The other variables followed the same pattern as for D. In conclusion AI in healthy volunteers produced a drop in s-K but in addition a drop in s-Mg and s-Ca, the latter appearing later than the drop in s-K. Pretreatment with diltiazem and verapamil did not influence the magnitude of these changes but reduced the drop in s-urate.
Long-Term Beneficial Effects of PTCA on Segmental Early Relaxation in Disease of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
Authors: Colle Jean-Pierre , Le Goff Germain , Carfora Antonietta , Delarche Nicolas , Kilpatrick David D. , Besse Pierre 
Published: November 2007

The relationship between regional left ventricular (LV) motion and global pressure relaxation of the left ventricle remains unclear. To clarify the recent concept of segmental early relaxation in coro nary artery disease, the authors in vestigated two groups of patients. In group I, all 12 patients (mean age 47±7 years) exhibited evidence of a normal heart after an extensive in vestigation. In group II, 25 patients (55±7 years) presented an isolated stenosis of the left anterior descend ing coronary artery, and they under went a hemodynamic investigation before and after (six to nine months) a durable successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). After all conventional hemody namic measurements had been done, a quantitative frame-by-frame analy sis of left ventricular wall motion was conducted. The authors' method is derived from that of Ingels, applying to LV cineangiograms filmed in 30° right anterior oblique view at a 50 frames/second rate. Thus segmental wall motion is analyzed in terms of amplitudes (%), velocities of shorten ing and lengthening in circumfer ences/second (circ/sec), and times of events (%). Statistical results took into account the reproducibility of the method. Main results regarding the control state of group II consisted of an asy nergic motion of the anterior region taking place from end systole to early diastole: 1. Early end of contraction in an terior segments (% of systolic time in terval : 88±14% vs 96±6% in group I, p < 0.001) 2. Asynchronism at end systole (maximal velocity of shortening — 0.4±2.3 circ/sec in anterior segments vs 0.05±1.9 in inferior segments, p < 0.02) 3. An early but poor outward an terior wall motion (anterior lengthen ing at 0.04 sec after the end of ejec tion 2.9±10% in group II versus 5.4±7.2% in group I, p < 0.05) These abnormalities are strongly correlated with a significant impair ment of peak negative diastolic pres sure/diastolic time (dP/dt) (1500 ±400 mmHg. sec-1 vs 1850±410 in group I, p < 0.02). Long-term beneficial effects of PTCA in group II were characterized by an almost complete normalization, both asynergy and relaxation taking place back within the normal range. The authors conclude that in this kind of patient, peak negative dP/dt could be an index of an asynergic seg mental motion, this one being cor rectly analyzed and quantified on LV cineangiograms with our method.
Effects of Splenectomy on Serum Lipids and Experimental Atherosclerosis
Authors: Asai Kanichi , Kuzuya Masafumi , Naito Michitaka , Funaki Chiaki , Kuzuya Fumio 
Published: November 2007

The authors examined the effects of splenectomy on serum lipids in patients with hematologic disease, in rabbits, and also in cholesterol-fed rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Serum cholesterol was determined in patients with hypersplenism before and after splenectomy. Meanwhile serum lipids were determined in two groups of rabbits: splenectomy group (Spx group, n = 19), and sham operation group (Sham group, n = 14) before and after the operation. Then the rabbits were divided into four subgroups: cholesterol-fed groups-Spx-C (n = 12) and Sham- C (n=9), and normal-chow-fed groups-Spx-N (n=7) and Sham-N (n=5). The Spx-C and the Sham-C rabbits were fed 1% cholesterol diet and the Spx-N and the Sham-N rabbits were fed normal chow for twelve weeks. In patients preop erative serum cholesterol levels were low, and significant increase in serum cho lesterol was observed following splenectomy. In rabbits, the Spx-C group showed significantly higher levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phos pholipids in contrast to lower levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, as compared with the Sham-C group. The percentage of aortic plaque area in the Spx-C group tended to be higher than that in the Sham-C group. On the other hand, the Spx-N and the Sham-N group showed no difference in serum lipids during twelve weeks. The worsening of atherosclerosis in the Spx-C group was considered to be mainly due to an enhanced hyperlipidemia. Their results suggest a possible role of the spleen in lipid metabolism, in particular the existence of a splenic factor that can cause hypocholesterolemia in hyperplenism and can suppress hyperlipidemia.
Traumatic Aneurysms of Cerebral Vessels: A Case Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Soria Emilio D. , Paroski Margaret W. , Schamann Mary E. 
Published: November 2007

Traumatic cerebral aneurysms (TCAs) are rare: few more than 100 cases are recorded in the world literature. TCAs are located predominantly in the supratentorial compartment and are classified as either "true" or "false." A true aneurysm is a dilation resulting from partial disruption of the arterial wall. A false aneurysm results from a full-thickness tear, with the scar from the brain tissue or an organized hematoma acting as the aneurysmal wall. The authors present a case of a false traumatic aneurysm of the pericallosal artery, which was discovered in a young patient fourteen months after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. The aneurysm was an incidental finding on a CT scan performed for the investigation of his late posttraumatic seizures. Its presence was confirmed by angiography. The interval between the traumatic episode and the diagnosis of a TCA usually ranges from a few hours to a few weeks, for most are discovered by angiography performed in the acute or subacute stage of a head injury. The long interval between the injury and the diagnosis in our case is exceptional. A previous CT scan done four months after the injury did not reveal the aneurysm, which strongly suggests a protracted growth of the aneurysmal sac long after the trauma.
The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — A Disease Underlying Raynaud's Phenomenon?
Authors: Loebe M. , Heidrieh H. 
Published: November 2007

Forty patients with clinically and electromyographically proven carpal tun nel syndrome were examined for the frequency of concomitantly occurring Ray naud's phenomenon. The angiologic work-up was based on a detailed vascular history and examination, Doppler sonography to determine systolic digital ar tery pressures before and after exposure to the cold (10 ° C for one minute), and thermoplate tests for recording heat convection of the hands at normal room temperature and measuring rewarming time after standardized cold exposure. Only 10% of the patients were found to have manifest Raynaud's phenomenon. The incidence was thus the same as in the general population. In addition, Ray naud's phenomenon and the carpal tunnel syndrome were poorly correlated with respect to their preliminary symptom appearances. Consequently, the carpal tunnel syndrome can no longer be regarded as a disease underlying Raynaud's phenomenon.
Photoplethysmographic Documentation of Improved Microcirculation After Pentoxifylline Therapy
Authors: Roeren Thomas , LeVeen Robert F. , Nugent Loree 
Published: November 2007

Pentoxifylline is the prototype of a new class of drugs that improve periph eral blood flow mainly by increasing red blood cell flexibility. Few studies have been performed to objectively evaluate the effect of the drug in a routine clinical setting. In 11 patients with intermittent claudication, photoplethysmography was used to monitor the effect of pentoxifylline on the microcirculation in the lower extremities. Values obtained improved significantly (p < .0001) under therapy. Concomitant measurements of ankle-brachial indices showed no significant changes despite clinical improvement. Diabetic patients in this study seemed to benefit from treatment with pentoxifylline at least as much as nondiabetic pa tients. Photoplethysmography proved to be a very efficient and inexpensive method of studying the effects of pentoxifylline. Ankle-brachial indices are not a suit able method of detecting flow changes attributable to the mechanism of action of this drug.
Hemolymphangioma in a Neonate — A Therapeutic Problem — Case History
Authors: Beninson Joseph , Hurley Jeffrey P. 
Published: November 2007

The authors present the case of a one and one-half-day-old child with a 4 x 5 cm hemolymphangioma of the left lower extremity. The mass was a violaceous, protu berant, compressible tumor covered with distended peau d'orange skin. A pressure dressing was applied to the lesion, and it was made certain that the blood supply to the foot was not cut off. The lesion began to resolve within a week and over the next few months; however, pressure may need to be continued for her lifetime. The patient had been wearing a pressure-gradient leotard as of six months of age, but this was discontin ued after two weeks because of the authors' inability to converse with the child to determine how much pressure could be safely employed. This is one example of a to date successfully treated hemolymphan gioma in a neonate using a pressure dressing initially followed by com bined compression therapy. The pro posed mechanism of this therapy, as well as comparison with other types of therapy, is discussed.