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Biomedical subjects

A Volpi

Publications and source records attributed to A Volpi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Negativity of myocardial scintigraphy with technetium-pyrophosphate in a case of primary cardiac amyloidosis].

We describe herein the case of a 62-year-old man affected by congestive heart failure of obscure origin, in which the clinical history, the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were compatible with the diagnosis of amyloid cardiomyopathy. Cardiac catheterization disclosed a restrictive physiology. Tc-99m-pyrophosphate myocardial scintiscan was negative despite the markedly increased left ventricular wall thickness on echocardiographic examination. A definite diagnosis was obtained by means of endomyocardial biopsy.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1985

Benign course of endomyocardial fibrosis as a late complication of hypereosinophilic syndrome.

A case of Endomyocardial Fibrosis is reported, which retrospectively confirms the well known link between Endomyocardial Fibrosis and the Hypereosinophilic Syndrome in the temperature climate. We could trace back the history of this patient for 20 years. This suggests a benign form of endomyocardiopathy associated with mild cardiac restriction. 2-D apical echocardiography proved to be very useful as a non invasive tool for obtaining the correct diagnosis.

Endomyocardial Fibrosis↗
PubMed1984

Comparison of complement fixation, immunofluorescence and immunoenzymatic tests for routine detection of cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies.

Complement fixation (CF), immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoenzymatic (ELISA) tests by commercial sources were compared, for routine laboratory detection of cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies, on 120 serum samples from normal pregnant females. IF and ELISA were comparable in terms of specificity and sensitivity, but in our opinion ELISA showed some advantages with regard to need for facilities and trained personnel. CF could not detect some of low titer positive sera, so it can not be suggested where it is critical to know a previous contact with the virus, as in blood donors or transplant donors and recipients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1984

Side effects during therapy with low dosage amiodarone.

Amiodarone is a very active antiarrhythmic agent, but true incidence of Amiodarone-related side effects is still questionable. In a prospective trial of 400 or 200 mg of Amiodarone day for 56 days in 58 patients, we monitored thyroid and liver function, blood count, chest x-ray, ecg. In addiction we took regularly notice of subjective disturbances and physical signs. Side effects were: conduction disturbances 6%, bradycardia less than 50/min. 2%, gastrointestinal 12%, sleep disorders 12%, hyperthyroidism 4,15% and hypothyroidism 6.25%. Blood levels of Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone were not predictive of side effects. Noteworthy was the absence of cutaneous and pulmonary side effects. On the other hand, thyroid function should be monitored carefully because disfunction is not rare (10.4%) and in the case of hyperthyroidism could be related to worsening of arrhythmias.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Exercise testing in patients with the sick sinus syndrome].

Heart rate response to exercise was compared in three groups of subjects; 22 patients (mean age 63.7 years) with sick sinus syndrome and no other significant heart disease (Group I); 10 subjects of the same age with stable, asymptomatic sinus bradycardia at rest (Group II); 29 age-matched controls (Group III). All subjects underwent maximal, symptom-limited exercise testing and the maximal heart rate (HR max), the ratio between HR max and the theoretical maximal heart rate (HR%), exercise capacity (EC) and the ratio between heart rate % and exercise capacity (HR%/EC) % of the three groups were compared. Maximal heart rate, heart rate % and (HR%/EC) % in Group I patients were significantly lower than in Group III subjects (119.1 +/- 24.0 vs 139.0 +/- 18.2; 76.0 +/- 13.9 vs 87.9 +/- 10.8 and 83.0 +/- 19.3 vs 97.5 +/- 15.1 respectively); (HR%/EC) % was significantly lower in Group I patients compared to Group II subjects (83.0 +/- 19.3 vs 101.5 +/- 28.6). Heart rate response was the same in Group I and Group II patients and exercise capacity did not differ in the three groups. Maximal heart rate, heart rate % and (HR%/EC) % were similar in Group II and Group III subjects. The association of (HR%/EC) % less than or equal to 85% with either HR max less than or equal to 110/min or HR% less than or equal to 70% at the end of maximal exercise testing may be suggestive of sick sinus syndrome. The reduced heart rate response during exercise may be helpful in assessing sick sinus syndrome in patients with no other signs of heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Multinucleated giant cells in myeloma kidney: an ultrastructural study.

The origin of multinucleated giant cells in myeloma kidney is not yet defined. These cells have long been thought to represent tubular epithelial cells transformed in syncytia, but, more recently, they have been considered as histiocytic cells arising from the interstitial tissue. We have studied by electron microscopy the distal tubules of kidney biopsies of 5 patients affected with myeloma kidney: our ultrastructural findings do not seem to clarify the problem. In fact, in the same patient, we have observed multinucleated giant cells probably originating from epithelial tubular cells and others, probably originating from histiocytes.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1984

Blood levels and electrophysiological effects of intravenous amiodarone in patients with junctional reciprocating tachycardia. Preliminary observations.

The time course and the mode of antiarrhythmic action of Amiodarone was studied after acute i.v. injection of the drug (5 mg/kg in 5 min) to four patients with junctional reciprocating tachycardia. Electrophysiological studies were performed before and 1 and 2 hours after Amiodarone injection. It was impossible or considerably more difficult to induce junctional reciprocating tachycardia after Amiodarone, and the drug's effect was detectable mainly on the AV node. Kinetic analysis of blood levels of Amiodarone during the electrophysiological study did not support a direct association between blood concentration and its effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Alpha2-macroglobulin in diabetic disease and in its microangiopathic complications].

The role of alfa2-macroglobulin in diabetic microangiopathy pathogenesis is described. A study of the behaviour of this protein in a group of diabetic patients with and without microangiopathy and in a control group of healthy patients has been carried out. It has been found that the protein greatly increases in diabetic patients with microangiopathy. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that dosage of alfa2-macroglobulin can be a possible test for evaluating microangiopathic complications in diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Monoclonal antibodies for rapid diagnosis and typing of genital herpes infections during pregnancy.

Fluorescein-conjugated, type-specific monoclonal antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and group-specific antibody which recognizes both HSV-1 and HSV-2 were used to detect HSV-infected cells in clinical specimens. Specimens were collected from 66 pregnant women with a past history of herpes genitalis or with suspected lesions. Fourteen of 18 samples from which virus was isolated were positive by immunofluorescence test; four of 18 specimens had an insufficient number of cells (less than 50 per smear) for analysis. In one specimen, a positive reaction by immunofluorescence was not confirmed by virus isolation. HSV was typed directly on smears of clinical specimens in 14 instances: three samples were identified as HSV-1, and 11 as HSV-2. Moreover, the immunofluorescence test was used to type HSV isolates in cell cultures in these cases and 40 additional strains. Examination of viral deoxyribonucleic acid fragments obtained by restriction enzyme digestion confirmed the typings; complete agreement was found among the three methods. Immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies is a reliable test for rapid diagnosis and simultaneous typing of genital HSV infections, even in asymptomatic women. With adequate specimens, the specificity and sensitivity of this method approach 100%.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1983

[Atrial septal defect of the ostium secundum associated with incomplete left bundle branch block].

The ECG in Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect (O.S. ASD) shows typically a pattern of incomplete right bundle branch block with right axis deviation and a 12 year old boy suspected of having O.S. ASD on the basis of x-ray and echocardiographic findings showed an ECG pattern of incomplete left bundle branch block. Physical examination and a phonocardiogram revealed a single second heart sound. An ECG recorded at age five showed a typical pattern consistent with O.S. ASD. The angiographic examination confirmed the suggested diagnosis. This is, to our knowledge, the first case of O.S. ASD with incomplete left bundle branch block. The conduction disorder may have abolished the fixed splitting of the second heart sound.

Bundle-Branch Block↗