Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Falaschi

Publications and source records attributed to F Falaschi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Magnetic resonance angiography at 0.5 Tesla of the renal arteries. Capabilities and limitations of the 2-dimensional phase contrast technique].

To investigate the potentials and limitations of Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries at mid-field strength, 16 patients with arterial hypertension of suspected renovascular origin were submitted to MRA at 0.5 T with the two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast technique and to arteriography. MRA yielded diagnostic images in 15 (94%) patients in whom MRA and arteriography identified 38 and 39 renal arteries, respectively. MRA sensitivity and specificity to steno-occlusive alterations of the renal arteries demonstrated by arteriography were 83% and 96%, respectively. These results, although obtained in a small group of patients, indicate that MRA of the renal arteries with a mid-field MR system and the 2D phase-contrast technique can allow the diagnosis of steno-occlusive alterations of the renal arteries. Main MRA limitations were its long acquisition time and some variability in the quality of the MRA images. Nevertheless, the ongoing rapid technical developments in the hardware of MR systems leave room for improving the accuracy of mid-field MRA of the renal arteries and justifies optimism as to its role in the screening of renovascular hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Low-density lipoprotein oxidation in essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the occurrence of enhanced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation as an additional factor promoting atherosclerosis progression in hypertensive patients. DESIGN: The oxidation of plasma LDL was investigated in a group of untreated patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension without clinically evident target organ damage and in a group of control subjects. METHODS: LDL oxidation was evaluated as both the susceptibility to oxidation in vitro and the presence of plasma anti-oxidized LDL antibodies (as an index for oxidation in vivo). RESULTS: LDL from hypertensive subjects exhibited enhanced susceptibility to oxidation in vitro as revealed by early and accelerated generation of conjugated dienes after exposure to CuSO4. Vitamin E concentration in LDL from hypertensive subjects was slightly but significantly decreased and its efficiency in protecting LDL from oxidation was impaired. Furthermore, a higher plasma anti-oxidized LDL titre was found in hypertensive patients. Subclass analysis revealed that the contemporary presence of hypercholesterolaemia did not significantly modify either the increased susceptibility of LDL to oxidation or the presence of plasma anti-oxidized LDL antibodies detected in hypertensive patients. Moreover, no correlation was found between LDL oxidation parameters and blood pressure values. CONCLUSIONS: LDL from hypertensive patients is more susceptible to oxidation in vitro and is more promptly oxidized in vivo. These findings suggest a possible participation of LDL oxidation in promoting and accelerating the atherosclerosis that often develops in hypertensive patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Low-density lipoprotein oxidation and antioxidized LDL antibodies in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Due to the potential atherogenic effects of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), LDL oxidation was studied in a group of uremic patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 70 controls, 10 uremic patients on predialytic conservative therapy, and 11 patients on repetitive hemodialysis. LDL oxidation was evaluated in all subjects as the susceptibility to in vitro oxidation (monitoring the resistance to Cu(2+)-induced formation of conjugated dienes, lag-phase minutes) and the presence of plasma antioxidized LDL antibodies, expressed as the ratio anti-ox-LDL/antinative LDL antibodies. Vitamin E (main antioxidant agent) content in LDLs was also measured and the lipid profile studied. No significant changes in vitamin E concentration were found, although LDLs from uremic patients appeared more susceptible to in vitro and in vivo oxidation (as demonstrated by an earlier production of conjugated dienes and by the presence of a higher antibody ratio), as compared to control subjects. Analysis of the different groups of uremic patients revealed that peritoneal dialysis, not hemodialysis, significantly ameliorated the oxidation markers. However, prolonged treatment with peritoneal dialysis caused a decrease in vitamin E concentration in LDLs and increased their susceptibility to oxidation.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1993

[Diagnosis with high resolution computerized tomography of early asbestos-induced diseases].

This study was aimed at investigating the possibility of detecting lung and pleural asbestos-related lesions by means of conventional chest films and high-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) in a study population of asymptomatic workers of a shipyard factory in northwestern Tuscany, Italy. Thus, a blind study was carried out by two radiologists who reviewed 144 conventional chest films previously considered as negative by outside readers. Thirty-eight of 144 workers were selected, whose conventional films had been confirmed as negative, together with 34 more subjects with suspected pleural plaques or mild parenchymal involvement (ILO profusion score: 0/1). These 72 subjects were submitted to HRCT: 19 of them were negative, while in 33 cases pleural plaques were found; 7 workers exhibited parenchymal involvement alone, while in 13 both pleural and parenchymal alterations were found. HRCT findings were correlated with the duration of amosite exposure and the latency time since first exposure. Relative to conventional radiographs, the threshold of exposure and latency times allowing asbestos-related diseases to be demonstrated was markedly lower. Our study suggests that pleural and/or lung involvement in asbestos-exposed workers can be shown by HRCT before the onset of clinical symptoms or the appearance of pleural/parenchymal involvement on chest films. Moreover, the HRCT-detectable lung and/or parenchymal involvement appeared to be related to exposure and latency times, as in most of clinically-apparent asbestos-related lung diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Systematic evaluation of the pulmonary circulation with computerized tomography: normal and post-embolic pathologic features].

Pulmonary circulation was evaluated in normal subjects and in post-embolic patients. Eight normal subjects, 3 patients with acute pulmonary embolism and 8 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension underwent CT of the chest. High-resolution CT and angio-CT were performed to study pulmonary parenchyma and pulmonary arteries, respectively. CT showed thrombi in the main or interlobar pulmonary arteries in all 3 cases of acute pulmonary embolism and in 4 of 8 patients affected with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The diameters of the main pulmonary and right interlobar arteries correlated with systolic pulmonary artery pressure (p < 0.001), as measured by right heart catheterization. In the patients affected with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, the ratio of the calibers of the segmental arteries to the corresponding bronchi was markedly higher, which was observed also in the patients with acute pulmonary embolism. The bronchial arteries were dilated in 4 of 8 cases of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Lung density was significantly high in the perihilar compartment in the patients with acute thromboembolic hypertension, but not in normal controls and in the cases of acute pulmonary embolism. In conclusion, CT can help to diagnose pathological pulmonary circulation. Particularly, the ratio of the diameters of the segmental arteries to the corresponding bronchi can be useful to evaluate blood circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Computed tomography diagnosis of small intestine carcinoid].

This study was aimed at evaluating CT diagnostic capabilities in detecting carcinoid tumors of the small bowel and comparing CT results with conventional radiographic findings. The CT diagnosis of carcinoid tumor was made in 6 cases based on CT findings. All patients had undergone conventional radiographs (transit or double-contrast studies of the small intestine) and 2 patients had undergone double-contrast barium enema of the colon. 500 ml of oral contrast medium were administered 2 hours, 1 hour and 15 minutes before CT scans, respectively. A hypotonic agent was injected i.v. immediately before the examination. Primary lesion extent, mesenteric involvement, extramesenteric lymph nodes and hepatic metastases were the investigated CT patterns. The first two variables were also assessed on plain radiographs. In all patients the diagnosis of enteric carcinoid tumor was confirmed at surgery or liver biopsy. CT proved to be useful in demonstrating the primary tumor in 5 cases, mesenteric involvement in all patients, liver metastases in 3, lymphadenopathy in none. CT yielded very accurate findings and thus allowed the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor to be made in all the 6 patients, while plain films resulted normal in 2 cases and aspecific in 4. In conclusion, CT, if adequately performed, proved the best technique to detect carcinoid tumors of the small bowel. Of course, further evidence is required.

Carcinoid Tumor↗
PubMed1993

[Effectiveness and tolerability of simvastatin in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia. Multicenter study].

The efficacy and safety of simvastatin were evaluated in an open multicenter study over a 24-week period. One hundred seventy-two patients (91 men, 81 women) with primary hypercholesterolemia (mostly polygenic) were enrolled in 14 Centers in Northern Italy. The mean age was 55.8 +/- 9.7 years and the mean baseline total cholesterol level was 305 +/- 59 mg/dL. After 4 weeks on an AHA step 1 diet, patients who met the inclusion criterion (total cholesterol > or = 250 mg/dL) were given simvastatin 10 or 20 mg in the evening. The dose could be titrated up to a maximum of 40 mg o.d. at week 6 and 12. No dose titration was allowed after week 12. One hundred forty-nine patients (86.6%) completed the study according to the protocol, 2 (1.2%) were withdrawn from the study because of adverse events not related to the drug, 21 (12.2%) were unavailable for follow-up. Simvastatin treatment was associated with a sustained dose-related reduction in total and LDL cholesterol (-28% and -39% respectively at the end of the study). Triglycerides showed a significant descending trend (-16% at week 24) and HDL-C increased by 9%. Apolipoproteins were measured in only 25 patients: apo B was reduced by 30% and apo A1 increased by 9%. Clinical side effects were not relevant. Mean levels of GOT, GPT and CPK significantly increased after 6 weeks on simvastatin, but remained stable and at any rate ioitlin the normal range thereafter. Eight patients (5.4%) experienced small transaminase level elevations (< 3ULN) and six (4%) small CPK elevations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Digital subtraction radiography in pediatric cystourethrography.

Digital subtraction radiography (DSR) was used to evaluate the anatomy and function of the bladder and urethra in 20 children with clinical urinary disturbances deriving from recurrent urinary tract infections. Following image subtraction, a complete study of bladder and urethra morphology and activity before and during voiding was obtained. Furthermore, DSR permitted a reduction in exposure doses given to children compared to conventional film-screen examinations. Results indicate the applicability of this technique for use on a wider scale and suggest its use as an alternative to other diagnostical techniques for the study of this subject.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

[Impact of high resolution computerized tomography on the clinical assessment of pulmonary interstitial diseases].

Our purpose is to define the morphological patterns of interstitial lung disease on CT and to evaluate the diagnostic impact of high-resolution technique (HRCT). Sixty-six consecutive patients with proven interstitial lung disease were considered in our study. The basic morphological patterns include: a) large reticular pattern (10-25 mm); b) small reticular pattern (2-3 mm); c) intermediate reticular pattern (5-10 mm) with cystic dilatation of distal airspaces; d) nodular pattern; e) high-density parenchymal areas. Topography of the involved areas (peripheral, middle and axial compartments), and lesion distribution with reference to the secondary pulmonary lobule (centrilobular, perilobular, panlobular, bronchovasal) are additional diagnostic criteria. The identification and correlation of these three parameters proved very useful in limiting the range of diagnostic possibilities to interstitial disease, obviously considering clinical data. In our series a correct CT diagnosis was obtained in 57 of 66 cases (86.36%). In 24 of them (36.34%) diagnosis corrected a previous erroneous or generic clinical suspicion. Our data suggest that HRCT is indicated in interstitial lund disease when neither clinical nor radiographic findings allow a specific diagnosis to be made.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1989

[Digital videoradiography applied to the study of stress urinary incontinence in women].

A digital videofluoroscopic unit was employed to evaluate 42 female patients with urinary stress incontinence, cystocele or endometrial neoplasms, using either voiding cystourethrography or colpo-cysto-urethrorectography (CCURG), with or without urethral metallic bead chain. The digital subtraction technique allowed the direct visualization (on a single frame) of the lowering of both bladder base and other pelvic structures, and of the modification of urethral angles during Valsalva and micturition. The demonstration of contrasted urethra during micturition and Valsalva in incontinent patients allowed CCURG to be performed without urethral chain, with encouraging diagnostic accuracy. The advantages of digital CCURG are emphasized.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1989

[Digital cystography in the evaluation of vesico-ureteral reflux in childhood].

The use of digital subtraction in voiding cystourethrography allows an accurate evaluation of the continence-micturition cycle. Fifty-two children with recurrent urinary tract infections were studied. The examination was easily performed, and it resulted useful in both detecting and characterizing vesicoureteral reflux. Even though it does not increase diagnostic sensitivity, digital voiding cystourethrography is useful in demonstrating the onset of vesicoureteral reflux, as related to the different phase of micturition. As far as radiation exposure is concerned, the technique, so far performed on children, appears to be a valid alternative to urodynamic studies.

Adolescent↗