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Biomedical subjects

F Camerini

Publications and source records attributed to F Camerini.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Comparison of dynamic electrography and stress test in the diagnosis of ventricular arrhythmias in the early phase of myocardial infarction].

UNLABELLED: Ventricular premature beats are probably important in the prognostic evaluation after acute myocardial infarction and may allow a better management of these patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of two methods exercise testing - ET - and ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring - AM - detecting potentially dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and to evaluate their prognostic value. Sixty-four patients have been studied (53 males and 11 females); their mean age was 61 years. They underwent ET and AM before discharge (mean 13.9 days) and were followed for a period of 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: -- ET and AM are useful to detect ventricular arrhythmias; -- AM is the most sensitive method; -- there are no significant differences between the two methods in the diagnosis of major arrhythmias; -- the combined use of the two methods has a greater sensitivity; -- late mortality is not higher in the patients who have suffered from major arrhythmias in the acute phase of the disease.

Aged↗

Hemodynamic effects of nifedipine in pulmonary hypertension.

Nifedipine is a calcium antagonistic drug which reduces elevated vascular resistances. The hemodynamic effects of 20 mg of sublingual nifedipine were studied in 10 patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension. The etiology of pulmonary hypertension was chronic lung disease in 4, congenital heart disease in 2, mitral stenosis in 1, recurrent pulmonary embolism in 2 and primary pulmonary hypertension in one case. 30' after the drug administration there was a fall both of total pulmonary vascular resistance (from 992 +/- 586 to 648 +/- 428 d s cm-5, p less than 0.02) and of systemic vascular resistance (from 1416 +/- 868 to 896 +/- 440 d s cm-5 p less than 0.02) with an increase of systemic cardiac index from 3.2 +/- 1 to 4.5 +/- 2 l/min/m'2 (p less than 0.02). No significant change in systemic arterial oxygen saturation was noted, while pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation increased from 56 +/- 16 to 62 +/- 13% (p less than 0.01). These hemodynamic changes persisted for 120' when a significant fall of mean pulmonary arterial pressure was also noted (from 59 +/- 11 to 52 +/- 9 mm Hg, p less than 0.02). These data indicate that nifedipine may be useful to reduce pulmonary resistance in pulmonary hypertension. However this effect was less pronounced in patients with chronic lung disease compared to the other cases. It is suggested that the type of pulmonary arterial changes may determine the hemodynamic response. Nifedipine may be particularly indicated when vasoconstriction (as in primary pulmonary hypertension) is the main determinant of pulmonary hypertension.

Adult↗

Primary pulmonary hypertension: effects of nifedipine.

The results of the medical treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension are usually very poor. A case of severe primary pulmonary hypertension in chronic heart failure was treated with the calcium antagonist nifedipine, a powerful vasodilator which acts directly on vascular smooth muscle. Nifedipine, administered in a dose of 20 mg sublingually, caused a pronounced fall in pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (54 and 49%, respectively) and a rise in cardiac output (90.3%). Improvement was maintained over a three-month period. These data suggest that nifedipine can be used in the treatment of this condition.

Adult↗

Chest thump and ventricular tachycardia.

Chest thump is a simple method of treatment of some paraxysmal arrhythmias. Its therapeutic efficacy, electrophysiological bases and clinical utility have been studied in 17 patients during 45 episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Thumping the precordium interrupted the VT in 22 episodes. Three types of interruption of VT have been observed: (1) In 15 episodes, single ventricular premature beats induced by the blow, occurring randomly in the cycle, stopped the arrhythmia; (2) In 5 episodes, a run of premature beats, induced by a rapid succession of blows, interrupted the tachycardia; (3) In 2 episodes, chest thump caused a short period of asystole followed by sinus rhythm. Chest thump is an antiarrhythmic treatment of definite clinical utility. The complications are rare, although there is a possibility of ventricular fibrillation. Therefore, it should be performed only under careful supervision.

Aged↗

[Early exercise testing after myocardial infarction (author's transl)].

203 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction performed a cycloergometric submaximal exercise test before leaving hospital. The causes for stopping the test were fatigue or submaximal heart rate (24,1%), angina (14,2%), ischaemic S-T changes (28,08%), arrhythmias (4,9%) and changes of blood pressure (17,2%). No important complications were observed. The test proved useful for the definition of more objective criteria in order to prescribe an individualized rehabilitation programme. Above all it was possible to prescribe treatment which would not have otherwise been prescribed at the time of discharge. The short term prognostic value is not, however quite clear as yet.

Angina Pectoris↗

[The Italian experience in permanent pacing. A casuistry for more of 10 years: a policentric study (author's transl)].

According to a recent national survey, 387 patients were treated by permanent pacing in 10 Italian centers, between 1961 and 1966. Of these patients 205 have died; 131 (77 males and 54 females) are still alive and no informations could be obtained for the remaining 51 (13%). The overall survival of patients treated during this period of time is therefore not less than 34% which is comparable to that of general population of the same age group. The 131 patients still alive have totaled 1,486 years of pacing and have used up to 784 pacers. Comparing the incidence of the most common causes for replacement during the periods 1961-66 and 1973-77, electrode failures dropped from 21 to 0.9%; circuitry malfunctions occurred in 10.5 and 7.8%; battery depletion rose from 36.8 to 69% of the cases. According to their clinical conditions, the 131 patients on long-term follow-up can be grouped as follows: 62% are in class 1 or 2 of NYHA; 26.7% are in class 3, and 3.8% in class 4. Moreover, 53.4% of patients are living an active life, having some sort of occupation and 29% are holding a driving license.

Aged↗