bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disappearing False Aneurysm of the Ventricular Septum Without Rupture: A Complication of Acute Inferior Myocardial Infarction—A Case Report
Authors: Kanemoto Nariaki , Hirose Satoru , Goto Yuichiro , Matsuyama Seiya 
Published: November 2007

An interseptal false aneurysm of the left ventricle due to the dissection of the septum in a patient with acute inferior myocardial infarction is described. The aneurysm was demonstrated as a cystic bulge of the left ventricular cavity into the inferoposterior interventricular septum with a small orifice from the left ventricle without any protrusion or rupture into the right ventricular cavity. Two-dimensional echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dy namic computed tomography were the most useful and reliable noninvasive di agnostic modalities. Repeated examinations demonstrated a significant reduction of the aneu rysm in six months.
Ketanserin in the Treatment of Progressive Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Altomare G.F. , Pigatto P.D. , Polenghi M.M. 
Published: November 2007

Now progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is considered a disease of small vessels with which many immunologic alterations are associated. The presence in the blood of large amounts of serotonin can be considered a very important aggravating factor able to cause the sclerodermic alterations. The authors have treated 10 PSS patients with ketanserin, a selective antagonist of the S2 serotonin receptors, which are found in small vessels and platelets. Their results show that ketanserin represents an efficacious and very well tolerated therapy for treatment of the initial vascular symptoms of PSS.
Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis: I: Role of the Nervous System
Authors: Yao Jun-shen , Wang Jia-fu , Li Hong-ying , Liu Tong-mei , Wu Giang  , Duan Wen-zhuo 
Published: November 2007

The new method of lateral carotid artery original-location autograft was used in the present study. An animal model was prepared with which to investi gate the neurogenic role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Two experiments were performed in 16 operated rabbits to whom was fed a cholesterol-rich diet for four months. In the first experiment, the expected results were obtained in 9 rabbits. Significant atherosclerotic plaques were observed in 4 of 9 (44.4%) samples of intact carotid artery; lipid deposition was found in another 3 (33.3%) samples in which atherosclerotic plaques were not observed by the naked eye but were exhibited by light microscopy; negative results were shown only in 2 (22.2%) samples both by the naked eye and by light microscopy. However, ath erosclerotic plaques were found only in autograft anastomoses but not within the segment of carotid artery autograft. Then, a second experiment as performed with 7 operated rabbits, and simi lar results were obtained. These results clearly indicate that the nervous system plays a very important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Experimental Evaluation of the Mitroflow Pericardial Heart Valve Prosthesis. Part I. In Vivo Hemodynamic Evaluation
Authors: Hassoulas J. , Ayzenberg O. 
Published: November 2007

Evaluation of possible enhanced durability of the Mitroflow pericardial heart valve prosthesis was undertaken in an experimental animal model using the Chacma baboon. For comparison purposes a small series of 4 Ionescu-Shiley pericardial valves were also implanted. The 33 Mitroflow prostheses implanted were all manufacturer's size 21mm and belonged to 4 different groups according to the process used for the prepa ration of the pericardium (Process I to IV). The Ionescu-Shiley prostheses were all manufacturer's size 19mm and were commercially available valves. The valves were implanted in the mitral position, except one each Mitroflow and Ionescu-Shiley prosthesis that was implanted in the tricuspid position. Four animals died in the early postoperative period, between 2 and 14 days. Two died from a probable viral infection, one from a low cardiac output state and the fourth one from bacterial endocarditis. The clinical evaluation of the animals for an implantation time of up to twelve months was unremarkable. Hemodynamic studies were performed immediately after implantation (n = 29), at an intermediate cardiac catheterization at 9 months after implantation (n = 4) and at the time of terminal elective sacrifice of the animals (n=33). From the data obtained the resultant prosthetic valve area at the time of elective sacrifice of the animals was also calculated. The data obtained for each of the 5 groups of valves tested are presented in the text. Transvalvular gradients measured at the time of sacrifice of the animals were elevated. Statistically however the rate of change of pressure gradient per month did not differ significantly from the controls (Ionescu-Shiley valves) for each of the processes I to IV. As far as it could be ascertained in this study the Mitroflow size 21mm bo vine pericardial heart valve prosthesis, although it went through multiple modi fications during the study period, did not prove to have any significant long-term hemodynamic advantage over the Ionescu-Shiley size 19 mm bovine pericardial heart valve prosthesis.
Arteriovenous Anastomoses' Function and Raynaud's Phenomenon
Authors: Nuzzaci Giuseppe , Pesciullesi Enrico , Lucarelli Franco , Lucente Eleonora , Ferri Paolo , Tonarelli Argene Patrizia , Righi Daniele , Mangoni Nicola 
Published: November 2007

By intrabrachial artery injections of a bolus of human albumin microspheres labeled with 99 mTc in patients with primary or secondary Raynaud's phenome non (RP) and in a group of healthy volunteers, the authors developed a method of detecting the patency rate of arteriovenous anastomoses (AVA) in the hand, after local heat and cold stimulation, by quantifying the radioactivity of the lungs expressed as a percentage of an intravenously injected radionuclide dose. With strain gauge plethysmography, simultaneous changes in the digital total (DTF) flow were also measured. After exposure of fingers to cold, 25 of 26 subjects had a clear reduction in both DTF and the AVA patency rate (APR) in comparison with the corresponding heat values. The RP patients, in particular, showed a statistically significant reduction in DTF (P < 0.001) and in APR (P < 0.001). These results appear to be consistent with the onset of critically reduced patency of the AVA of the hand during the ischemic phase of RP.
Complement Activation by Vascular Prostheses and Its Role in Progression of Arteriosclerotic Lesions
Authors: Miyauchi Masayuki , Shionoya Shigehiko 
Published: November 2007

This study, using C3a, C4a, and C5a assay and crossed immunoelec trophoresis in vitro and in vivo, was designed to determine whether vascular prostheses activate the complement system. The degree of complement activa tion and the pathway of activation were also studied. The complement levels (C3, C4, CH50) in different arterial diseases were measured, and the relation ship of complement levels to serum lipids in patients with arteriosclerosis obli terans (ASO) was also investigated, in order to clarify a relationship between the complement system and arteriosclerosis or other arterial diseases. Bovine graft, dacron, and PTFE activated the complement system in vitro. In order of the degree of complement activation, bovine graft ranked first, followed by dacron and PTFE. The patient group with acute arterial occlusion showed high C3 and C4 levels. The healthy elderly group showed higher C3 and C4 levels than the healthy persons in their twenties. In ASO patients, C3 levels correlated with serum lipid levels. Judged from the relation of complement activation by vascular prostheses to the progression of arteriosclerotic changes, vascular prostheses should be as sessed with regard to complement activation.
Assessment of Captopril and Nicardipine Effects on Chronic Occlusive Arterial Disease of the Lower Extremity Using Doppler Ultrasound
Authors: Bernardi Daniele , Bartoli Paolo , Ferreri Andrea , Geri Antonio Brandinelli , Ieri Aldo 
Published: November 2007

The effects of two potent vasodilating drugs, captopril (C) (25 mg tid), nicar dipine (N) (20 mg tid), and placebo (P) were evaluated and compared, in 10 men (mean age of sixty-five years) with intermittent claudication from moderate to severe multilevel chronic occlusive arterial disease (COAD) of the lower extrem ity, by use of the Doppler ultrasonic method, at rest and after Carter's exercise test. All the examined subjects were normotensive, without diabetes or cardio pathy; all have been smokers. The eight-week total protocol consisted of an initial two-week placebo run-in period followed by two active drug phases and a two-week placebo phase, ac cording to a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. At the end of each two-week period, ankle-arm index (AAI) and, following exercise, onset of lower extremity discomfort time (ODT), duration of exercise (ET), decrease of ankle systolic pressure after test (APD), and recovery time (RT) were determined. Moreover, at rest, just after exercise, and after recovery, simultaneous common femoral artery velocity waves were recorded and analyzed by a quantitative approach to detect the peripheral vasomotor adjustments. None of the patients required the withdrawal of the active treatments. Com pared with P, C significantly reduced APD and RT, and N reduced RT and AAI; furthermore N caused a significant decrease in ODT, whereas C showed a trend, although not statistically significant, to increase ODT. Neither active therapy modified ET. These results suggest that C and N have different short-term effects on pe ripheral circulation in COAD. During exercise, C induces hemodynamic im provement in the ischemic lower extremity probably by inhibition of the sympathetic system and consequent reduction in collateral vessel vasoconstric tion.
Blood Rheology Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Chronic Cardiovascular Diseases: Results of an Epidemiologic Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Koenig Wolfgang , Ernst Edzard , Matrai Arpad 
Published: November 2007

As part of an epidemiologic cross- sectional study to determine cardio vascular (CV) risk factors in the population (total serum cholesterol, smoking, blood pressure, and body weight) hemoglobin (Hb) and plasma viscosity (PV) were measured. A two- stage cluster sample of 5,312 persons, aged twenty-five to sixty-four (availa ble 5,069) was selected from a mixed urban-rural target population of 282,279 inhabitants, from which 4,022 (79.3%) participated in the study. Patients with chronic myocar dial infarction (MI), cerebral infarc tion (CI), angina pectoris (AP), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were identified by questionnaire. The results show that there is no age or sex dependency of PV in healthy participants, while hemoglo bin shows the well-known sex differ ence. In contrast, PV increases continuously with age in the total population. In men, increased PV is found in untreated hypertension, in hypercholesterolemia, and in smok ers. In women, it is raised in hyper cholesterolemia and in gross obesity. Male MI patients and patients of both sexes after CI in particular show statistically significantly elevated PV. Finally, in male patients with chronic AP or patients of both sexes with PAD, PV is elevated and a tendency to higher Hb values is seen. These results confirm smaller clinical trials suggesting that blood fluidity is pathologically altered in patients with CV risk factors or dis eases. Since impaired blood fluidity may worsen the hemodynamic situa tion, in particular in patients with limited vasomotor reserve, he morheologic parameters may be of prognostic relevance. Therapeutic implications of these findings should be considered.
Plasma Lipids as a Risk Factor in Peripheral Vascular Disease
Authors: Cardia Giuseppe , Grisorio Donato , Impedovo Giovanni , Lillo Antonio , Regina Guido 
Published: November 2007

Plasma lipids were tested in 59 patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (confirmed by angiographic and, in many cases, operative examinations) and compared with the lipid balance in 47 nonarteriopathic subjects constituting the control group. Of all the elements considered, only the hypertriglyceridemia and the fall in the HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In particular, there was a significant difference in the triglyceridemia present in the arteriopathic patients, as evidenced by the double check afforded by the frequency test (PVD: 25/59; control: 8/47; p < 0.01) and the averages test (PVD: 201 ± 131; control: 138 ± 98; p < 0.01).
Quantification of Left-Sided Valvular Stenoses by Color Doppler Imaging of Jets
Authors: Veyrat Colette , Beuve D. Sainte , Gourtchiglouian Cl. , Legeais Sylvie , Kalmanson D. 
Published: November 2007

A new methodology for assessment of severity of stenosis employing color Doppler imaging and relying upon spatial and temporal studies of aortic and mitral stenotic jets is described. The spatial study consisted of the detection of the jet origin with respect to upstream and downstream trajectories in the long-axis view, with further identification of each of the three levels from characteristic single-gated Doppler flow recordings, when desired. For the temporal study, color images were gated in midsystole for aortic, and in early diastole for mitral, stenosis. The final step consisted of imaging the jet cross-sectional area in the short-axis view with planimetry. Measurements were compared with those obtained by the Gorlin formula. The procedure was feasible in 43 of 48 studied cases and the correlation between hemodynamic and color Doppler data was satisfactory for both valvular lesions. The best agreement between both methods was for severe stenoses, where the standard error of estimate was the lowest. For large areas the variance in measurements was wider and the correlation coefficient decreased, but this did not cause errors in recognition. This new method provides a convenient and rapid visualization of stenotic jets and is particularly recommended for assessment of severe stenoses, where accuracy was highest for all clinical conditions.
Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Using Gated Radionuclide Ventriculography: Analysis of Left Atrial Time Activity Curve
Authors: Konishi Tokuji , Ichikawa Takehiko , Isaka Naoki , Sugawa Masahiro , Nakano Takeshi 
Published: November 2007

The authors analyzed the left atrial (LA) time activity curve (TAC) in 18 normal subjects and 30 patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) to assess the usefulness of radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) in detecting MR. The LA TAC was generated from gated blood pool images using phase and amplitude images. The configuration of normal LA TAC was M shaped. The first peak and last peak of LA TAC were represented as points B and D, respectively. In addition, the trough following B was named point C. The presence and severity of MR was analyzed by use of three methods: (1) analysis of LA TAC, (2) analysis of left ventricular TAC, and (3) measurement of the stroke count ratio of left ventricle to right ventricle. In the diagnosis of MR using RNV, the rapid emptying fraction [REF:(B-C)/ (B-A)] of LA TAC was the most sensitive index compared with the other two methods. The sensitivity and specificity of MR with Sellers' II° or more were 0.84 and 0.90 in LA TAC but were 0.42 and 0.90 in the count method.
Improvement of Capillary Permeability in Patients with Venous Hypertension After Treatment with TTFCA
Authors: Belcaro Giovanni V. , Grimaldi Roberto , Guidi Guido 
Published: November 2007

The VSC (vacuum suction chamber) device, a new system to evaluate local capillary permeability, was used with laser Doppler flowmetry to study varia tions of permeability and of the microcirculation in 10 normal subjects; in 22 patients with moderate, superficial venous hypertension; and in 12 patients with postphlebitic limbs and severe venous hypertension. All these patients had distal (ankle and foot edema) in the evening. After a first assessment these subjects were studied again after two weeks without treatment and after two weeks' treatment with total triterpenic fraction of centella asiatica (TTFCA), tablets, 60 mg, tid. The VSC produces a wheal on the skin of the perimalleolar region that dis appears (in average) in less than sixty minutes in normal subjects. The disap pearance time (DT) is greater in conditions of increased capillary filtration and permeability. The three groups of subjects (normal and those with superficial and severe venous hypertension) had significantly different, increasing disappearance time of the wheals at the first observation. There were no significant changes after two weeks' observation, but after 2 weeks' treatment with TTFCA, there was a significant decrease of DT both in limbs with superficial and with deep venous incompetence. The improvement (decrease) of the abnormally increased capillary permea bility was associated with a significant improvement of the microcirculation and symptoms (studied by an analogue scale line). In conclusion this study showed a combined improvement of the microcircu lation and capillary permeability after treatment with TTFCA and the possibil ity of using the VSC to evaluate the effects of drugs (or other treatment) on local capillary permeability in patients with venous hypertension.
Transcutaneous Oximetry Monitoring During the Early Phase of Exercise in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Modesti Pietro Amedeo , Boddi Maria , Gensini Gian Franco , Neri Serneri Gian Gastone 
Published: November 2007

The present work was performed to test the sensitivity of transcutaneous oximetry in evaluating the first stage of peripheral artery disease in patients with few symptoms. Eighteen nondiabetic patients, stage II according to Fontaine and classified according to their walking capability and Doppler examination, were investi gated. Ten healthy subjects served as controls. Measurements were performed with the subjects standing and during exercise on a treadmill. Postischemic hyperemia was also evaluated with strain-guage plethysmography. Standing values did not discriminate between patients and controls; on the contrary the pattern of the early phase of trancutaneous oximetry curves ob tained during exercise allowed the investigators to distinguish the symptomatic patients with minimal symptoms. Accuracy and sensitivity of the method fur ther increased when regional perfusion index was considered.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Computerized Impedance Plethysmography in the Diagnosis of Symptomatic Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Controlled Venographic Study
Authors: Agnelli Giancarlo , Longetti Mauro , Cosmi Benilde , Lupattelli Luciano , Barzi Francesco , Levi Marcel , Nenci Giuseppe G. 
Published: November 2007

The aim of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity, the specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values of a recently developed computerized impedance plethysmography (CIP) in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT); 117 consecutive outpatients with a clinical suspicion of DVT were evalu ated. After informed consent was obtained, a CIP and, within twenty-four hours, a venography of the symptomatic lower limb were performed in each patient. The results of CIP were compared with the results of contrast veno graphy, which was considered as the gold standard. As far as the diagnosis of both proximal and distal DVT was concerned, the accuracy of CIP was 88.5%; the sensitivity and specificity were 95.1% and 83.6%, respectively; the positive and negative predictive values were 81.2% and 95.8%, respectively. When the diagnosis of only proximal deep vein thrombosis was considered, the accuracy of CIP was 88.8%; the sensitivity and specificity were 97.1% and 83.6%, respec tively ; the positive and negative predictive values were 79.0% and 97.8%, re spectively. The authors conclude that the newly developed CIP has a diagnostic accu racy similar to that of traditional impedance plethysmography. Moreover, being completely automated and portable, CIP can play an important role in the bed side diagnosis of DVT.
Prognostic Value of Hyponatremia in Patients with Severe Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Panciroli Claudio , Galloni Gianfranca , Oddone Alessandro , Marangoni Egidio , Masa Antonella , Cominesi Walter Raimondi , Caizzi Vincenzo , Pezzi Carlo , Belletti Sebastian , Comalba Carlo , Orlandi Mario 
Published: November 2007

In order to evaluate the incidence and the prognostic value of hyponatremia (hypoNa) in patients (pts) with severe chronic heart failure (SCHF), the authors studied 161 consecutive pts (113M, 48F ages sixty-seven ± ten) with SCHF in NYHA class III-IV. The cause of SCHF was ischemic in 64 pts, hypertensive in 39, valvular in 14, alcohol-related in 3, and idiopathic in 41. Pretreatment hypoNa (<135 mmol/L) was found in 64/161 pts (40%) (Group I); Na+ was < 125 in 10 pts, 125-130 in 19, and 131-135 mmol/L in 35; 42/64 pts (66%) of Group I were in NYHA class IV at admission. In the pts with pretreatment Na+ < 125 mmol/L, hypoNa was persistent and refractory to high-dose furosemide (<500 mg/day) and water restriction. Cardiovascular mortality of Group I pts was 69% within twenty-four months (34 pts died of low-output syndrom and 10 suddenly). All pts with Na+ < 130 mmol/L died within six months. The 20 pts who normalized Na+ are alive, and in NYHA class II-III (follow-up: twenty-six ± fifteen, six to sixty months). Pts without hypoNa were 97/161 (Group II), and 58/97 (60%) are alive (follow-up: thirty ± eighteen, five to fifty-eight months), whereas 39 pts died (27 suddenly, 9 of low-output syndrome, and 3 of extracardiac disease) within twenty-four months. The mortality rate of Group II was significantly lower (40% vs 69%, p < 0.001) compared with Group I. The two groups were similar for age, sex, and cause and duration of SCHF. In conclusion: pretreatment Na+ seems to be a significant predictor of cardiovascular mortality in pts with SCHF; persistent hypoNa seems to indicate pts with SCHF refractory to conventional medical therapy. On the contrary, normalization of Na + indicates a subgroup of pts with a more favorable clinical outcome.
Timing of Data Acquisition Determines Image Quality in Femoropopliteal Phase-Sensitive MR Angiography
Authors: Lanzer P. , Gross G. , Nanda N. , Pohost G. 
Published: November 2007

To study the effects of timing of data acquisition on quality of femoropopli teal magnetic resonance (MR) angiograms, the authors studied 16 healthy men, mean age 34.3 ± 6 years, by color Doppler imaging and by phase-sensitive (PS) MR angiography. PS MR imaging was performed at 1.5T using a flow adjusta ble gradient (FLAG) pulse sequence. The images were graded in a blinded fash ion by two independent observers. Of 16 MR angiograms consisting of 141 angiographic images (AI), 45 (31.9%) were diagnostic. At least 1 diagnostic AI was obtained in each subject, and 38 (84.4%) of the diagnostic images were acquired within the first 120 milli seconds (ms) of the systolic flow pulse. The highest yield of diagnostic images (90.9%) was obtained in the interval of thirty to sixty ms before the peak flow velocity. In healthy man diagnostic PS MR angiography requires triggering to the femoropopliteal systolic flow pulse. The highest yield of diagnostic images is acquired during the flow pulse acceleration.