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Biomedical subjects

B Brusoni

Publications and source records attributed to B Brusoni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical evaluation of probucol in hypercholesteremia: individual lipoprotein responses and inhibitory effect on carotid atherosclerosis progression.

Probucol treatment has been evaluated in 140 patients with hypercholesterolemia attending a single Lipid Clinic, in an attempt to identify the relations between lipid/lipoprotein responses and patient characteristics. Probucol was administered as a single drug at the standard dose (0.5 g tablets b.i.d.) for at least 6 months. One-hundred (71%) patients displayed a reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which was significantly correlated with the baseline LDL-C level (r = 0.64; p < 0.0001). Most of the patients (90%) also responded with a reduction of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); the HDL-C reduction was also directly related to baseline HDL cholesterolemia (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). A highly significant correlation was found between the individual LDL-C and HDL-C responses. Eleven patients who continued with probucol treatment had a B-mode ultrasonographic investigation performed at baseline and after 24 months. No changes in carotid mean and maximal intimal-medial thickness were recorded, in contrast to an increase (i.e., indicative of atherosclerosis progression) in matched patients with hypercholesterolemia receiving other lipid-lowering regimens. Our report underlines that probucol can still provide a valuable option for the treatment for hypercholesterolemia, being particularly effective in patients with a combined increase of LDL-C and HDL-C levels.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic follow-up in patients with mild to moderate mitral stenosis: is a yearly examination justified?

The result of this study showed that echocardiographic and Doppler parameters in patients with mild to moderate mitral stenosis did not undergo any major changes over a relatively long observation period, reflecting the substantial stability of the valve disease process. Thus, unless such patients experience clinical deterioration, a yearly echocardiographic examination appears to be unjustified.

Aged↗

IPO-V2: a prospective, multicenter, randomized, comparative clinical investigation of the effects of sulodexide in preventing cardiovascular accidents in the first year after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan compound with antithrombotic properties, in preventing death and thromboembolic events after acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy has been found to play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular events and death after acute myocardial infarction. Glycosaminoglycan-containing compounds, including sulodexide, show profibrinolytic and antithrombotic properties that render them suitable for use in patients after infarction. METHODS: A total of 3,986 patients who had recovered from acute myocardial infarction were randomized to receive either the standard therapy routinely administered at each study center, excluding antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (control group, 1,970 patients), or the standard therapy plus sulodexide (treated group, 2,016 patients). Between 7 and 10 days after the episode of acute myocardial infarction, sulodexide was administered as a single daily 600-lipoprotein-lipase-releasing unit (LRU) intramuscular injection for the 1st month, followed by oral capsules of 500 LRU twice daily. Patients were evaluated for > or = 12 months. RESULTS: At the end of the study, 140 deaths (7.1%) were recorded in the control group and 97 (4.8%) in the sulodexide group (32% risk reduction, p = 0.0022, chi-square test). A total of 90 patients (4.6%) in the control group had a further infarction, compared with 66 (3.3%) in the sulodexide group (28% risk reduction, p = 0.035). Furthermore, a reduction in left ventricular thrombus formation (evaluated by echocardiography) was observed in the sulodexide group (n = 12; 0.6%), compared with values in the control group (n = 25; 1.3%) (53% risk reduction, p = 0.027). Sulodexide was well tolerated and devoid of significant adverse events. All significant results were confirmed by "actual treatment" analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence that long-term therapy with sulodexide started early after an episode of acute myocardial infarction is associated with reductions in total mortality, rate of reinfarction and mural thrombus formation.

Aged↗

[Role of ambulatory ECG in the diagnostic work of a cardiology division].

Holter monitoring may be effected during hospitalization either for clinical research or for high-risk patients or after surgical treatments. In the other cases, if possible, it should be better to effect ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in patients engaged in their normal daily activity nevertheless reducing hospital costs. Last year, in our department we effected 2420 Holter monitoring, of which 44% for patients hospitalized in our department, 11% hospitalized in other divisions, 44% for ambulatory patients. Holter monitoring was effected in the 35% of patients to detect arrhythmias, in the 29% for the evaluation of the effect of antiarrhythmic therapy; the 28% of Holter monitoring was recorded for patients recovering from acute infarction. Holter monitoring, associated to the other cardiological screening tests, has a very important rule for diagnosis of arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia, prognostic evaluation of cardiopathic patients (ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, valvular and congenital heart disease), verification of the effects of therapy (PTCA, surgical and antiarrhythmic treatment).

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Effects of ibopamine on heart performance: a radionuclide ventriculography study in patients with idiopathic dilatative cardiomyopathy.

The effects of ibopamine (SB-7505, Ib), a new orally active 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyldopamine, were studied in 8 patients aged between 34-56 years with idiopathic dilatative cardiomyopathy (II-III New York Heart Association Class) diagnosed by means of right and left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography. Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (RVG) was performed in baseline conditions and 1, 2, and 3 h after the administration of a single oral dose of 200-300 mg of Ib. After 2 h Ib increased cardiac output (CO) (+16%, p less than 0.05), stroke volume (SV) (+12%, p less than 0.05) and ejection fraction (EF) (+10%, p less than 0.01). Patients were then randomly treated with placebo or Ib 100 mg t.i.d. according to a double-blind cross-over design for two periods of 15 days each. At the end of each period a RVG was repeated in baseline conditions and 1, 2, and 3 h thereafter. The mean values of the four determinations where higher after Ib than after placebo (CO: +10.1%, p less than 0.01; SV: +14.1%, p less than 0.01; EF: +10.8%, p less than 0.05). Patients subsequently started a long-term treatment with Ib 100 mg t.i.d.; after 6 months patients underwent RVG 3 h after the last dose of Ib: compared with the values recorded at the same time after the short-term treatment. CO further increased by 17% (NS), SV by 22% (p less than 0.05) and EF by 24% (p less than 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Haemodynamic, radionuclide ventriculography and ergometric evaluation of captopril treatment in congestive heart failure.

Eight patients with NYHA Class II congestive heart failure were studied before and after captopril with right heart catheterization, cycloergometric stress tests and radionuclide 99Tc cineventriculography. Acute administration of captopril increased stroke volume and cardiac index and reduced left ventricular filling pressure. Similar changes though less marked were seen after 30 days of captopril therapy. Functional aerobic capacity and left ventricular performance improved over 15 and 30 days of captopril respectively. We therefore suggest that captopril can be effective also in patients with moderate congestive heart failure.

Adolescent↗

Effects of ibopamine on systemic, pulmonary and regional hemodynamics. Experimental investigations in anesthetized dogs.

The effects of a new orally effective dopamine-like derivative, ibopamine (SB-7505), the 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyldopamine, on the cardiovascular system were investigated in anesthetized dogs. Ibopamine increased dose-dependently stroke volume index, cardiac index, left ventricular pressure, its first derivative: dP/dt, peak velocity left ventricular ejection and renal blood flow. After beta-blockade the positive inotropic effect of ibopamine is inhibited. Total peripheral resistance and renal vascular resistance decreased after ibopamine. Urine output was increased dose-dependently, reaching 115% after ibopamine 8 mg/kg intraduodenally. Coronary and femoral flows and resistance did not change after administration of 4 and 8 mg/kg. Only very high doses (24 mg/kg) caused an increase in flow and resistance. Mesenteric flow decreased transiently and then returned to the previous level or increased considerably over the basal figures when a high dose was used. No significant changes or fall in heart rate were observed with doses up to 16 mg/kg and no significant changes in pulmonary resistance were noted. The data obtained from the present investigation show, however, that oral ibopamine is capable of producing most of the effects induced by intravenously given dopamine in anesthetized dogs. Ibopamine's cardiac and renal effects may open new prospects for the long-term treatment of chronic heart failure in human subjects.

Anesthesia↗

Effects of digoxin, placebo and ibopamine on exercise tolerance and cardiac rhythm of patients with chronic post-infarct left ventricular failure.

This study compares the effects of digoxin, placebo and ibopamine (SB-7505), the orally active 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyl-dopamine, on exercise tolerance and cardiac rhythm of 14 patients whose left ventricular heart failure (end-diastolic pressure, 26.3 +/- 5.9 mmHg; ejection fraction, 0.42 +/- 0.10%) depended on a previous myocardial infarction. Patients were admitted to the study while on chronic oral digoxin treatment (serum levels between 1.1 and 1.9 ng/ml). Placebo instead of digoxin was given for the following month. Thereafter ibopamine 50 mg t.i.d. for one month was given. A sequence of one-month treatments with digoxin, placebo and ibopamine was repeated, then ibopamine was administered continuously for the next two months. The concurrent treatment (diuretics in all patients, nitroderivates in twelve, calcium antagonists in two) remained unchanged during the observation period. Symptoms-limited exercise tests and 24-h Holter recordings were obtained at admission, at the end of each one-month treatment and at the end of the observation period. Two patients developed unstable angina without increase of serum creatine phosphokinase while on ibopamine and were withdrawn. Out of the 12 patients that concluded the trial, one required supplementary doses of diuretic at the end of the second period on placebo. The results obtained during the trial suggest that: a) therapeutic plasma levels of digoxin have no deleterious effect on cardiac rhythm nor significantly increase exercise tolerance as compared with placebo; b) diuretics and nitrates appear to sustain the clinical stability of these patients as a group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Monitored long-term treatment with ibopamine in patients suffering from severe congestive heart failure.

50 patients with congestive heart failure underwent monitored long-term treatment aimed at evaluating the effect of ibopamine (SB-7505), the 3,4-diisobutyryl ester of N-methyldopamine, on their condition. Ibopamine was administered alone or in combination with traditional therapy mainly at a dose of 100 mg t.i.d. Clinical scores and NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional classes improved. Biochemical parameters showed no adverse modifications. Mild transient side-effects probably related to ibopamine occurred in two patients.

Adult↗

Acute haemodynamic effects of ibopamine in patients with severe congestive heart failure.

Ten patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), in III and IV NYHA Class, were treated orally with a single dose of ibopamine ranging from 1.2-3.3 mg/kg, and were studied using the Swan-Ganz catheter and thermodilution technique. Cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI) were increased, and mean pulmonary pressure (PAP), systemic vascular resistances (SVR) were lowered. Ibopamine increased CI (+33%) and SVI (+26%), and decreased PAP (-17%) and SVR (-24%). All changes were statistically significant. The maximum haemodynamic effect occurred 180 min after ibopamine administration. Blood pressure and heart rate were unaffected. Tolerability was good. This study shows that ibopamine when orally administered to human subjects improves cardiac performance and further investigations on its use as a therapeutic agent in the long term treatment of CHF are recommended.

Adult↗

[Echocardiographic and polygraphic study of acute/effects of Ibopamine on cardiac performance].

The effects of Ibopamine, a new orally active dopaminergic agent, on cardiac performance were studied both in a group of healthy volunteers and in a group of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), using non-invasive methods, such as echocardiography and polygraphy. Randomly, and in double-blind fashion, the healthy volunteers received single doses of Ibopamine 50, 100 and 150 mg orally every 3 days. The CHF patients, also randomly and in double-blind fashion, were given single doses of either placebo or Ibopamine 100 or 150 mg every 2 days. Echocardiographic and polygraphic data were recorded in baseline conditions and 3, 6 and 8 hours after the drug administration. The heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at the same time. The following parameters were considered: echocardiography: left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septum excursion (IVSE), left ventricular posterior wall excursion (LVPWE), per cent fractional fiber shortening (%FS); polygraphy: electromechanical systole (Q-A2), total ejection time (ET), pre-ejection period (PEP), ET/PEP ratio. In CHF patients, body weight and 24-h diuresis were also measured daily. Neither of the two groups showed significant changes in HR, SBP and DBP with any drug dose. A shortening of ET (-2.2%, p less than 0.01) and Q-A2 (-2.8%, p less than 0.001) was found in the group of normal subjects with a dose of 50 mg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Malignant ventricular hyperkinetic arrhythmias. Classificational criteria: review of Lown's classification. Polycentric study].

Although Lown grading system of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) has important conceptual shortcomings and has shown severe limitations in either cross-sectional or longitudinal studies, this classification is still the most well-known and used method to characterize the arrhythmologic ventricular pattern of the individual patient. We have looked at a modification of VPCs Lown grading scheme to correct the defects and to make the use of the classification more accurate. Our proposal is based on maintenance of 5 classes--similar to those of Lown original classification--to which we have assigned a score from 0 to 60. We have also introduced many sub-classes, each with a definite score, to better characterize the type of arrhythmic event. The sum of the score of the highest class and the score of every subclass furnishes the final score. This score is a direct index of the importance of the ventricular arrhythmias and seems to be useful for statistical evaluation of the anti-arrhythmic therapy and for follow-up studies, as confirmed by preliminary clinical results obtained through the use of this new VPCs classification.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Renal effect of SB 7505: a double-blind study.

Two groups of 20 patients with no evidence of cardiovascular, hepatic, renal or gastrointestinal failure were treated orally for five days with placebo or SB 7505 100 mg/day. No change was observed in heart rate or blood pressure. Urine output, the excretion of Na, K and Cl, and creatinine clearance were significantly increased.

Aged↗