Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Nardi

Publications and source records attributed to E Nardi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Insulin-like growth factor 1 and sodium-lithium countertransport in essential hypertension and in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), a substance able to promote cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle, in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and to analyse its relationship to sodium-lithium countertransport, a genetic marker of hypertension that is related to cardiovascular complications. METHOD: We studied 32 hypertensive subjects, some with left ventricular hypertrophy, and 14 healthy subjects. Fasting plasma IGF1 was measured by means of a radioimmunoassay after octadecylsilica chromatography and Na(+)-Li+ countertransport was determined by the method of Canessa. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients had higher values of both IGF1 and Na(+)-Li+ countertransport. We found a positive correlation, irrespective of age, between IGF1 and Na(+)-Li+ countertransport. The patients with left ventricular hypertrophy had significantly higher plasma IGF1 levels than those without left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm a possible role for IGF1 in the cardiovascular complications of hypertension and emphasize its relationship to genetically determined factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Prevalence of microalbuminuria in recent-onset essential hypertension].

To determine the prevalence of increased microalbuminuria (AER) in essential hypertension, we studied an omogeneous population comprehensive of 160 mild-moderate essential hypertensives (EH) and 30 normotensive controls. All subjects underwent measurement of AER and creatinine clearance (CCl) on the 24-hour urine collection, and of plasma renin activity (PRA). The 24-hour mean arterial pressure (24h-BP) was also obtained by non-invasive ambulatory BP monitoring. The EH were subdivided into subgroups on the basis of their AER values (less or over 11 micrograms/min). Among the 160 EH the prevalence of high AER levels was of 37.5% (n = 60), showing in this subgroup of EH a mean value of 29.5 +/- 4 micrograms/min. Moreover, in the whole population of 160 EH, AER was significantly correlated to 24h-diastolic BP (p < 0.05). The subgroup of 60 EH with AER > 11 micrograms/min showed also Ccl values higher than the other subgroup of EH (p < 0.02), while non significant differences between age, mean duration of EH, PRA, and 24h-BP, both systolic and diastolic, were observed. Our results lead to hypothesize that in essential hypertension there exists a subgroup of subjects characterized, in the early phase of disease, by high capillary glomerular pressure, GFR and microalbuminuria values.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Preformed round-section NiTi arch wires: the mechanical and clinical aspects].

The authors emphasize the need to set up several products proposed by the manufacturers. Regarding to orthodontic wires, a suitable evaluation of their mechanical properties to fit them for clinical use is needed. After a short outline of the mechanical properties of the wires on the market, the authors focus their attention on the NiTi Japanese alloy superelastic wires. Therefore, an evaluation of the failure aspect of NiTi preformed arch wires with round section of 0.018" of diameter is reported. The tested wires underwent to clinical use as first arch wires, and were evaluated after 8 weeks from the beginning of the therapy, when they have shown failure at the control in the 8th week. After having cleansed and prepared the specimens, their failure zones have been observed by the SEM. The failure aspect was evaluated to check the reasons that produced it, basing on its surface characteristics. The aspect of the surface of the failure and the absence of permanent deformations showed that it is a fragile failure. The fragile failure occurs when materials are not able to tolerate plastic deformations and, typically concerning NiTi alloys constituent the tested wires, it joins the superelastic behaviour and the high wire resilience. It means that this wire is able to produce constant, continuous and light forces for a given stress range, and, furthermore, it is able to absorb energy without permanent deformations. Since 1971 NiTi wires have been on the market but without superelastic and crystallographic shape memory properties possessed by the wires produced by Furukawa El. Co. in 1978.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dental Alloys↗
PubMed1991

Blood pressure pattern importance in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension.

Heterogeneous results regarding correlations between blood pressure, (measured by various methods and in different conditions), and left ventricular mass in arterial hypertension have been reported. Fifty-three essential hypertensives, I-II WHO stage, have been studied in order to verify the relationship between office and average 24-hour blood pressure, and its day- and night-time pattern with left ventricular hypertrophy. All patients had newly diagnosed essential hypertension, and no subject had received any antihypertensive therapy before entry. The subjects underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, evaluating the average of 24 hours, day- and night-time blood pressures, and M-mode echocardiography. Neither subjects with nor without left ventricular hypertrophy showed correlations between office blood pressure and left ventricular mass. On the contrary, average 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure resulted related to left ventricular mass (r = 0.36 and 0.40, p less than 0.01 respectively). Furthermore, in the subgroup with left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular mass was correlated directly with nocturnal systolic blood pressure (r = 0.46) and inversely with the rate of nocturnal decrease in systolic pressure (r = -0.60, p less than 0.01). These results appear to confirm the usefulness of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in evaluating cardiac afterload in essential hypertension, and the important role that the 24-hour systolic pressure has in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in these subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The noninvasive evaluation of the cardiovascular changes in physiological aging].

The physiological aging is frequently associated with structural alterations determining a loss of elasticity both of left ventricular wall (that goes towards hypertrophy), and of great and small arteries and arterioles (that have their compliance reduced). In fact, in our experience, the elderly have, in comparison with younger people, greater values of end diastolic thickness of the septum and of the posterior wall (respectively 10.7 +/- 1.5 vs 9.4 +/- 1 and 10.4 +/- 1.7 vs 9.0 +/- 0.9), of the aortic index, that is inversely related to arterial compliance (0.74 +/- 0.06 vs 0.66 +/- 0.05) as well as of minimal vascular resistances, expression of an impaired maximal vasodilation capacity of the arteriolar bed (4.27 +/- 1.08 vs 3.68 +/- 0.91). At cardiac level the global effect of these changes is a remodelling able to maintain a normal function both at rest and after exercise, i.e., a greater intervention of Frank-Starling mechanisms with increase of the end diastolic volume, in order to counteract the lower chronotropic response to catecholamines. At peripheral level the structural changes in the arterial tree (consequent to an increased collagen content in the intimal and medial components of the vessel walls) lead to an increase in blood pressure with aging: in our study by non-invasive blood pressure monitoring mean 24-hours blood pressure values have been the following ones: 116.4 +/- 3.8/72.1 +/- 7.2 mmHg in 25-35 years aged; 121.8 +/- 9.1/75.9 +/- 5.3 mmHg in 45-55 years aged; and 128.4 +/- 10.1/76.4 +/- 7.8 mmHg in aged more than 60 years. On the other hand, the greater cardiac output during stress, together with the lower arterial vasodilation (consequent also to the impaired function of the baroceptor reflexes) determines an exaggerated systolic blood pressure increase after exercise.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

[Latero-lateral teleradiography of the head. Natural "controlled" position].

The Authors give forth a method to realize a profile radiograph in natural head position. This method considers the corner between the anterior border of the auricolar arm and the Camper plane. This angle always allows to reproduce natural head position like in the first profile radiograph. The Authors call this natural position: "natural controlled head position".

Cephalometry↗
PubMed1990

Cardiac arrhythmias as correlated with the circadian rhythm of arterial pressure in hypertensive subjects with and without left ventricular hypertrophy.

To evaluate the relationship among supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias with blood pressure and heart rate (HR) values, we studied 2 groups of 20 hypertensive men with (group I) and without (group II) left ventricular hypertrophy. Ambulatory electrocardiographic tracings were recorded continuously, together with ambulatory arterial pressure. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure values measured over 24 h showed no difference between the two groups, but we found greater variability in SBP in group I. The incidence of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias was significantly higher in patients of group I; moreover, we found a strong correlation between the incidence of ventricular extrasystoles (VPCs) and SBP, DBP, and HR values in group I, whereas in group II the incidence of supraventricular extrasystoles (APCs) was higher during peaks of SBP and HR values. The relationship between APCs and SBP observed in group II may be attributable to the pressure stimulus on a normal atrium, and the significant correlation between VPCs and SBP, DBP, and HR values may be due to episodes of subendocardial ischemia or to the influence of adrenergic stimulation on previously compromised myocardial tissue.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1990

[Cardiac arrhythmias in hypertensive subjects with and without left ventricular hypertrophy compared to the circadian profile of the blood pressure].

To evaluate possible correlations between cardiac arrhythmias and circadian pattern of blood pressure (BP) and of heart rate (HR), we studied 2 groups of 20 males with stable arterial hypertension of mild to moderate entity, with (Group I) or without (Group II) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In patients with LVH the mean age (56 vs 46 years), the duration of the hypertensive state (48.1 vs 15.7 months), the thickening of interventricular septum (IVS; 13.7 vs 9.6 mm) and of the posterior wall of the left ventricle (13.2 vs 9.2 mm) and the mass of LV (149.8 vs 99.7 g/m2) were significantly greater (p less than 0.01). On the contrary, the 2 groups did not show significant differences concerning casual BP determined in the morning (178.3/108.4 vs 171.5/106.2 mmHg). After a pharmacological washout of 2 weeks, patients underwent a noninvasive, intermittent, monitoring of BP (every 15 min during daytime and every 30 min from 11 pm to 7 am), using a pressure meter II Del Mar Avionics, and a continuous monitoring of ECG for 24 hours, employing an instrument 445/B Del Mar Avionics. Mean 24-hour BP was not different in the 2 groups of patients (161.7/99.0 vs 158.2/98.3 mmHg); however, patients with LVH showed a significantly greater variability of BP in the morning (7 am-3 pm), while mean 24-hour HR was significantly less (71.6 vs 78.2 b/min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Reversal of cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular function with the calcium antagonist felodipine in hypertensive patients.

A study was carried out to evaluate the influence of antihypertensive treatment with a calcium antagonist on left ventricular hypertrophy and to estimate left ventricular performance after reversal of myocardial hypertrophy. Ten essential hypertensives (age 45 +/- 2 years; WHO class II) underwent an M-mode echocardiogram guided by two-dimensional echocardiography, during a wash-out period and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment with felodipine ER 10 mg/daily. At month 12 the echocardiogram was also performed during a handgrip test. BP levels during the treatment period decreased significantly, and left ventricular mass index showed a significant reduction from 143 +/- 13 to 112 +/- 9 g/m2 (P less than 0.001). A significant increase occurred in fractional shortening (FS) which was associated with decreases in end-systolic stress (ESS), left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDs) and inotropic state indices. Moreover, after reversal of myocardial hypertrophy left ventricular performance remained unchanged. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of FS with ESS, which remained significant until the end of the study period, both at rest and at peak handgrip test (r = -0.68; P less than 0.05 and r = -0.80, P less than 0.01 respectively). This study demonstrates a significant decrease in left ventricular mass during treatment with a dihydrophyridine calcium antagonist and a good maintenance of left ventricular performance following reversal of myocardial hypertrophy in hypertensives.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Dismorphism. Long face syndrome. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations].

The Authors consider the main clinical aspects that characterize the Long Face Syndrome. In the more serious cases, where it is the global presence of the several elements which concur to the increase of the vertical facial dimension, it is suitable a precise diagnostic checking to the three-dimensional surgical correction to realize in one time. The Authors, in the treated cases, emphasize, on the one hand, besides the traditional cephalometry, the importance of the counter-party analysis of Enlow and, on the other, they emphasize the use of the present imaging means like CT and MR to the structural evaluation of the dysmorphism in the muscular and skeletal components. From the surgical aspect the Authors emphasize the favourable results obtained associating the surgical expansion of the upper maxilla with autogenous osseous graft to the traditional maxillary osteotomies, that favours: 1) the increase of the transverse diameter, to the orthognatodontic correction of the crossbite; 2) the correction of the nasal respiratory insufficiency; 3) the precise definition and the correction of the vertical dimension of the upper maxilla.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Cardiac arrhythmia in relation to the leaflet morphology in subjects with mitral valve prolapse].

Aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in subjects with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and redundant leaflets in comparison with subjects with MVP without leaflets redundance. So, 60 subjects (aged 13 to 39 years), were subdivided in 3 groups on the basis of mitral leaflets shape at 2D-echocardiography; a continuous ECG monitoring (24 hours) was also performed. Arrhythmias were more frequent and more severe in the Group III (subjects with MVP and redundant leaflets), in comparison with both Group II (subjects with MVP without leaflets redundance) and Group I (control subjects). In particular, analysing the mean values of the single arrhythmias in the 24 hours, ventricular ectopic beats (VEB), were more frequent in Group II (p less than 0.01) and Group III (p less than 0.05) in comparison with Group I; the couplets and the runs of ventricular tachycardia were more frequent in Group III than in the other groups (p less than 0.001). The number of the subjects with a Lown class greater than 3 was higher in Group III than in the other groups (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, this study confirms that MVP is a disease presenting a large variability arrhythmic risk, that seems to be real only for a subgroup of these subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Asymptomatic episodes of ischaemia and their relation to heart rate changes in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic episodes of ischaemia and their relation to heart rate in patients with effort angina pectoris undergoing continuous electrocardiographic monitoring for 24 h. We studied 91 patients with typical history of effort angina and positive stress testing (angina and rectilinear or downsloping ST segment depression more than 1 mm). During electrocardiographic monitoring 81 patients showed symptomatic or asymptomatic ischaemic episodes with ST segment depression, four patients a T wave inversion, while six patients did not show ischaemic episodes. The total number of ischaemic episodes registered was 284, of which 106 (37.32%) were symptomatic with significant heart rate increase, 130 (45.78%) asymptomatic with heart rate increase and 48 (16.9%) asymptomatic without heart rate changes. Twelve patients (13.18%) showed only symptomatic episodes of ischaemia with increase of heart rate, 26 patients (28.57%) symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes with heart rate enhancement, 12 patients (13.18%) only asymptomatic episodes with heart rate increase, eight patients (8.79%) symptomatic episodes of ischaemia with heart rate increase and asymptomatic ones with and without heart rate changes, and finally 23 patients (25.57%) showed symptomatic episodes with heart rate increase and asymptomatic ones without heart rate changes. In total, 31 (34.06%) of these patients showed during continuous electrocardiographic monitoring asymptomatic episodes of ischaemia without heart rate changes. These findings suggest a possible intervention of coronary tone modifications in determining asymptomatic ischaemic episodes without heart rate change in patients with effort angina.

Adult↗