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Biomedical subjects

C J Foster

Publications and source records attributed to C J Foster.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Evaluation of myocardial thallium tomography in patients with chest pain.

Thirty-seven patients with chest pain have been studied by exercise thallium tomography and coronary arteriography to assess the accuracy of thallium tomography in the identification of patients with coronary artery disease and to evaluate whether knowledge of clinical data improves this accuracy. Thallium tomography was also used to identify which coronary arteries were stenosed. Thallium tomography when compared with coronary arteriography has a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 75%, and an overall accuracy of 92% for the detection of coronary artery disease. When clinical information was made available, these results improved to a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 75%, and an overall accuracy of 95%. In the identification of which coronary arteries were stenosed, thallium tomography had a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 89%, and an overall accuracy of 86%. These results show that exercise thallium tomography can be an accurate non-invasive screening test in patients with chest pain thought to be angina.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1989

Multidisciplinary assessment of applicants for sheltered housing.

Three hundred applicants for sheltered housing underwent multidisciplinary geriatric assessment for suitability as a part of a joint assessment scheme with Local Authority Housing and Social Services Departments. Ninety-four applicants sought a move for health reasons while 206 applicants quoted housing and social reasons and denied medical problems. The assessment showed no significant disability necessitating sheltered housing facilities for 41 (44%) of the 94 people applying on health grounds. Severe disability made sheltered housing placement inappropriate for ten (10%) of the applicants with health problems. In the 206 applicants denying medical problems, the assessment revealed significant unreported physical illness in 46 (22%) and undiagnosed dementia in a further 26 (13%). Allocation of sheltered housing was affected in 99 (33%) of the 300 applicants. Eighty-two applicants were considered unsuitable, whereas 17 applicants originally thought to be unsuitable were recommended for sheltered housing. Multidisciplinary geriatric assessment is of considerable benefit in determining suitability of applicants for sheltered housing and will help in achieving better placement by avoiding inappropriate moves.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

SCH 39370, a neutral metalloendopeptidase inhibitor, potentiates biological responses to atrial natriuretic factor and lowers blood pressure in desoxycorticosterone acetate-sodium hypertensive rats.

SCH 39370 (N-[N-[1-(S)-carboxyl-3-phenylpropyl]-(S)-phenyl-alanyl]-(S)-isoserin e) is a potent and specific inhibitor of neutral metalloendopeptidase (NEP) from rabbit kidney (IC50 = 11.2 +/- 1.9 nM) and is devoid of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity at 1 microM. We evaluated the effect of NEP inhibition with SCH 39370 on the inactivation of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and on cardiovascular function in rats. SCH 39370 effectively prevented in vitro degradation of ANF (99-126) by a purified rabbit kidney NEP. SCH 39370 (30 mg/kg s.c) significantly delayed the disappearance of immunoreactive (ir) ANF from plasma in rats after an i.v. infusion of ANF (1 microgram/kg/min for 30 min): the plasma ir ANF level at 15 min postinfusion was 1.5 +/- 0.3 ng/ml vs. 0.3 +/- 0.04 ng/ml in the control. SCH 39370 also delayed the disappearance of ir ANF after infusion of the peptide (0.1 microgram/kg/min for 30 min) which increased plasma levels to those observed during volume expansion. This effect was accentuated markedly in rats with bilateral nephrectomy. The hypotensive response to injection of ANF (30 micrograms/kg i.v.) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (-38 +/- 6 mm Hg vs. -13 +/- 2 mm Hg in the control) and the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ANF in normal rats were potentiated by SCH 39370 (30 mg/kg s.c.), respectively. The results suggest that NEP can play a role in ANF disposition in vivo and that potentiation of the biological activities of high doses of ANF by SCH 39370 may be consequent to its inhibitory effect on ANF degradation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cross-sectional echocardiographic demonstration of biventricular thrombus.

Nine months following extensive myocardial infarction, a 60-year-old man presented with intermittent right heart failure. Cross-sectional echocardiography demonstrated biventricular thrombi, the right ventricular thrombus being very close to the tricuspid valve and possibly interfering with its function. Post-mortem examination confirmed the echocardiographic findings.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1988

Percutaneous removal of ventricular pacemaker electrodes using a Dormier basket.

Four permanent ventricular endocardial pacemaker electrodes which could not be removed via their insertion site have been retrieved via the femoral vein using a Dormier basket. Apart from short-lived ventricular arrhythmias no complications occurred in any case. Where removal of an otherwise unaccessible ventricular pacemaker electrode is considered essential the use of a Dormier basket percutaneously appears to be effective and more acceptable than surgical removal.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Amiodarone in pregnancy. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of the use of amiodarone in pregnancy is reported and the literature on this subject reviewed. The data available to date show: there is no risk of teratogenic effects, the QT interval is prolonged during infancy (no associated arrhythmias noted), infant bradycardia occurs and should be monitored and thyroid function can be affected and should be monitored at birth. If fetal electrocardiographic monitoring is performed before and during labour and after birth, and thyroid function is assessed, then, to date, there does not appear to be any significant contraindication to the use of amiodarone during pregnancy. In view of the potential side effects, however, the use of amiodarone should be restricted to arrhythmias which are life-threatening or not controlled by conventional therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Detection of coronary artery bypass graft patency as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

In a study of 22 patients with 60 coronary artery bypass grafts, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correctly assessed graft patency or occlusion in 90% of cases when compared with selective coronary graft angiography and computed tomography. It is concluded that MRI can detect a normally functioning coronary artery bypass graft and could be used as a non-invasive technique to assess graft patency in patients presenting with post-operative angina.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Digital subtraction angiography of the left ventricle.

Twenty-eight patients have been studied by left ventricular angiography and digital subtraction angiography, using either a peripheral venous injection (16) or a central venous injection (12) of contrast medium. Digital subtraction angiography compared favourably to angiography in the qualitative assessment of left ventricular size and function. Measurement of ejection fraction demonstrated a good correlation (r = 0.83) between digital subtraction angiography and left ventricular angiography. In the assessment of left ventricular segmental wall motion the use of a central venous injection, particularly in those patients with severely impaired ventricular function, proved superior to the use of a peripheral injection.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias produced by two intravenous contrast media in coronary artery disease.

The incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease receiving intravenous contrast medium has been studied and comparison made between a conventional ionic medium (meglumine iothalamate) and a low osmolar medium (sodium meglumine ioxaglate). Occasional ventricular and atrial ectopics were frequently observed both before and during administration of the contrast medium and were regarded as insignificant. Significant arrhythmias occurred in five cases. Three of these however, were in the presence of acute myocardial ischaemia or recent infarction. There was no significant difference in the incidence of arrhythmias between the two contrast media. These results show that, in the absence of acute myocardial ischaemia, the incidence of life threatening arrhythmias in patients with proven coronary artery disease receiving intravenous contrast media is much lower than previously suspected.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1987

Identification of intracardiac thrombus: comparison of computed tomography and cross-sectional echocardiography.

Thirty-eight patients with conditions predisposing to intracardiac thrombus have been studied by computed tomography and cross-sectional echocardiography. Computed tomography identified 22 cases of intracardiac thrombus (13 left ventricular, eight left atrial and one right atrial). Cross-sectional echocardiography identified five of these left ventricular thrombi and the right atrial thrombus, but none of the left atrial thrombi. In addition, measurements of thrombus density on computed tomography identified a significant difference (p less than 0.02) between the density of a new compared with an organized thrombus.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of angiographic and electrocardiographically gated computed tomographic measurements of left-ventricular function.

Fifty patients with ischaemic heart disease have been studied by electrocardiographically gated computed tomography (CT) and left-ventricular angiography to assess the accuracy of the former in the measurement of left-ventricular volumes and ejection fraction. There was no significant difference in the measurements of end-diastolic volume (p = 0.9, r = 0.81). Computed tomography significantly overestimated end-systolic volume (p less than 0.001, r = 0.89) and significantly underestimated ejection fraction (p less than 0.001, r = 0.74). Although there is some variation between the two sets of measurements, the correlation between the two techniques is good, indicating that electrocardiographically gated CT could be a useful noninvasive technique for assessing left-ventricular function.

Angiography↗
PubMed1987

Obesity and serum lipids: an evaluation of the relative contribution of body fat and fat distribution to lipid levels.

The association of obesity and hyperlipidemia does not mean that fatness per se is the primary determinant of the lipid abnormality. To evaluate the contribution of fatness to fasting levels of serum triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), we analyzed data on 368 caucasian adults (286 women, 82 men) consecutively entering a weight control program. Although most subjects were overweight, the population represented a wide spectrum of body weights and lipid levels. Study variables included body fat mass (by total body water), fat free mass (FFM), body build (chest to height ratio), fat cell size and number (from bilateral buttock biopsy specimens), upper-lower body fat pattern by arm to thigh circumference ratio, central-peripheral fat pattern by subcapsular to triceps skinfold ratio, waist to hip ratio, and the presence or absence of diabetes. Our results concurred with previously noted correlations of body weight with TG (r = 0.29, P less than 0.0001) and with HDL-C (r = -0.28, P less than 0.0001) at least in the larger sample of women, but there was no significant correlation with LDL-C (r = -0.06). In order to evaluate the relative contribution of the various components of body composition and fat distribution to lipid levels, stepwise regression analyses were performed on the subgroups of women and men. Among women: TG level was predicted best by FFM, upper body fat pattern, age, and diabetes (explaining 30 percent of TG variance); LDL-C level was predicted by age only (explaining 12 percent of variance); and HDL-C level was predicted by body build only (8 percent). Among men: TG level was predicted best by central and upper body fat patterns and diabetes (31 percent of variance); LDL-C and HDL-C levels were not significantly predicted by any of the 11 study variables. These results, obtained from cross-sectional analysis of a predominantly obese sample, suggest that lipid levels may be more directly related to body fat pattern, fat free mass and body build than to body fatness itself.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1984

Structural analysis of human adult and fetal alkaline phosphatases by cyanogen bromide peptide mapping.

The adult and fetal forms of human intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALPase; orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.1) are indistinguishable by a variety of analytical procedures. However, they differ electrophoretically and can be differentiated by binding studies with monoclonal antibodies. In this report, these two enzymes along with placental and liver ALPases are compared by the technique of CNBr peptide mapping, and the role of carbohydrate in generating these patterns is investigated. NaDodSO4/PAGE of CNBr digests of radiolabeled ALPases from fetal and adult intestine shows that these two isozymes share five of seven common-sized CNBr fragments. Placental ALPase shares only one common-sized fragment with either intestinal enzyme. Liver ALPase has no CNBr fragments in common with any of the others. These data indicate that fetal intestinal ALPase is not a heterodimer of one subunit each of intestinal ALPase and placental ALPase as has been postulated. CNBr digests of neuraminidase-treated enzymes reveal a change of mobility of only one CNBr band in each of fetal intestinal, placental, and liver ALPases, indicating the presence of sialic acid residues in these fragments. Periodic acid/Schiff reagent staining (specific for carbohydrate) of CNBr digests of fetal and adult intestinal ALPases reacts with only one band in each enzyme, which is the same band from the fetal enzyme shown to contain sialic acid. However, fetal and adult intestinal ALPases each contain at least one CNBr fragment of unique size that is apparently nonglycosylated.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1984

Computed tomographic appearances of cardiac amyloidosis.

Computed tomography was used to identify the characteristic appearances of histologically confirmed cardiac amyloidosis in two patients. Mean myocardial density and 95% confidence limits in one of these patients (30.6 +/- 3.4 Hounsfield units (HU) ) were significantly lower than in patients with diffuse hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (range from 38.8 +/- 5.7 HU to 45.9 +/- 4.4 HU) and normal myocardium (range from 41.9 +/- 4.3 HU to 44.8 +/- 4.4 HU) on pre-contrast computed tomograms. Although only an approximate myocardial density was obtained in the second patient with amyloidosis, a similar result (30 HU) was noted on pre-contrast tomograms. Diffuse thickening of the interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall was found in both patients. Myocardial density on post-contrast computed tomograms was 102.8 +/- 5.2 HU in one patient and approximately 100 HU in the other. A pericardial effusion was noted in the first patient. A low myocardial density on pre-contrast tomograms and diffuse myocardial thickening on post-contrast tomograms are considered to be important features of cardiac amyloidosis.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1984

Computed tomographic assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts.

Twenty four patients with 65 coronary artery bypass grafts were studied by computed tomography and angiogrphy within a 10 day period in order to assess graft patency and graft flow. In the assessment of graft patency computed tomography had an accuracy of 93% and in that of graft flow one of 91%. These results indicate that computed tomography is an accurate method for assessing graft patency and flow and is useful in the investigation of certain groups of patients who have had coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1984

Computed tomographic assessment of left ventricular aneurysms.

Twenty patients with left ventricular aneurysms were studied by left ventricular angiography and computed tomography. Measurements of left ventricular short axis, percentage of non-aneurysmal myocardium, and size of aneurysm were determined by both techniques. Qualitative assessments of left ventricular size together with the anatomical relation of the aneurysm to the ventricle were also made. The aneurysm was assessed for resectability by both techniques using these criteria. In all cases there was a distinct and diagnostic change in the contour of the ventricle on computed tomography. Computed tomography indicated eight aneurysms to be unresectable, and this agreed with the angiographic assessment. Of the remaining 12 aneurysms, seven were considered to be resectable on angiography. Computed tomography appears to be a reliable non-invasive technique for identifying left ventricular aneurysms and a useful screening method for identifying unresectable aneurysms.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1982

Production of a monoclonal antibody to human liver alkaline phosphatase.

A monoclonal antibody to human liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been produced by the mouse-hybridoma method using a partially purified enzyme preparation as antigen. The particular hybridoma secreting the antibody was detected by a screening procedure based on the retention of enzyme activity by the enzyme/antibody complex. The antibody cross-reacts strongly with human kidney and bone ALPs but not with human placental or intestinal ALPs. It also cross-reacts with liver and kidney ALPs from gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan. It shows no significant reaction, under the conditions used, with liver or kidney ALPs from several lower primates. An antibody affinity column was prepared and shown to be effective for the final stages of liver ALP purification.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗