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F Pileggi

Publications and source records attributed to F Pileggi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Hemodynamic and neurohormonal profile during assisted circulation with heterotopic artificial ventricle followed by heart transplantation].

We describe the hemodynamic and neurohormonal data during ventricular assistance device system support as a bridge to heart transplantation of one patient, 30 years old, with heart failure due to Chagas' heart disease in functional class IV. We determined the pressures in mmHg of right atrium (RA), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary wedge pressure (WEDGE), arterial blood pressure (AP), and the cardiac output (CO) in l/min. In addition, the blood levels of norepinephrine (Ne), renin (Re), epinephrine (Ep), lactate and the mixed venous oxygen pressure (pVO2) were determined. The CO increased from 2.14 to 3.9-4.2 l/min, the AD decreased from 26mmHg to 8mmHg, the MPAP reduced from 38mmHg to 14-24mmHg, the WEDGE reduced from 25 to 4mmHg and the AP become normal. The Ne reduced from 1927pg/ml to 983pg/ml, the lactate reduced from 99mg/dl to 22mg/dl and the pVO2 increased from 28mmHg to 43mmHg. The EP remained between 81pg/ml and 129pg/ml, the renin activity remained between 113ng/ml/hr and 136ng/ml/hr. Thus, during the ventricular assistance device system support there was a improvement in hemodynamic and neurohormonal conditions. The patient underwent successful heart transplantation.

Adult↗

[Diagnostic value of the tilt test in the evaluation of syncope of unknown origin. Preliminary results].

PURPOSE: In order to identify neurally mediated syncope, head-up tilt testing was performed in patients with recurrent unexplained syncope. METHODS: The tests were performed in 125 patients in the fasting state, between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. The blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored during 20 minutes in the resting state, and then, positioned at 60 degrees angle, for up to 40 minutes. A group of 20 patients with first negative test was submitted to intravenous isoproterenol in bolus of 2 micrograms every 2 minutes until symptoms occur or at a total dose of 8 micrograms. The test was considered positive when systolic blood pressure decreased at least 30 mmHg and the patient experimented syncope or pre-syncope. RESULTS: In 52 patients the test was positive (41.6%), 63.5% of which had hypotension exclusively; 7.7% asystole; and 28.8% had hypotension and bradycardia. Nine of the 20 patients submitted to isoproterenol test were positive (45%). All patients recovered spontaneously after returning to supine position. CONCLUSION: Head-up tilt testing is a safe and effective method for the identification of neurally mediated syncope.

Adolescent↗

Beta-blocker infusion did not improve left ventricular diastolic function in myocardial infarction: a Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study.

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function changes after myocardial infarction. It has been suggested that beta blockers may improve diastolic function in hypertensive and heart failure patients. Doppler echocardiographic filling patterns and invasive hemodynamic indices have been used to analyze LV diastolic function. To determine the effect of beta blockers on LV diastolic function, we studied 32 patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction with a mean age of 53 years. Peak early and late flow velocities, peak early-to-late flow velocities ratio, pressure half time, diastolic filling period, isovolumic relaxation time, cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, wedge pressure, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices were obtained simultaneously before and after an intravenous infusion of 10 mg of atenolol. Cardiac index decreased from 4.27 +/- 0.97 to 3.19 +/- 0.91 l/min/m2 (p = 0.0001); mean arterial pressure decreased from 85 +/- 10 to 80 +/- 11 mmHg (p = 0.004); wedge pressure increased from 11 +/- 5 to 13 +/- 4 mmHg (p = 0.002); systemic vascular resistance index increased from 1586 +/- 409 to 1980 +/- 634 dyn.m2.s/cm5 (p = 0.0002); pulmonary vascular resistance index increased from 115 +/- 58 to 163 +/- 72 dyn.m2.s/cm5 (p = 0.0004); peak late flow velocity decreased from 64 +/- 15 to 49 +/- 14 cm/s (p = 0.0001); early-to-late ratio increased from 0.95 +/- 0.35 to 1.29 +/- 0.36 (p = 0.0001); diastolic filling period increased from 300 +/- 108 to 400 +/- 110 ms (p = 0.0001) and isovolumic relaxation time increased from 133 +/- 29 to 143 +/- 29 ms (p = 0.009). No significant changes were observed for peak early flow velocity and pressure half-time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical characterization of infiltrating cells in human chronic chagasic myocarditis: comparison with myocardial rejection process.

Cellular subpopulations that infiltrate the heart in human chronic chagasic myocarditis were defined immunohistochemically in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens. T cells formed 96.3% of the inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly CD8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) T cells. The mean numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ (helper) T cells in the myocarditis were compared to those present in the myocardial rejection process. Mean numbers of CD8+ T cells were similar in both groups of EMB specimens while CD4+ T cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratios and CD4+ antigen expression were significantly lower in the chagasic group compared to the myocardial rejection group (P < 0.002). The persistent lower number and diminished expression of CD4+ T cells suggest an immunological imbalance in patients with chronic chagasic myocarditis. A possible participation of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in the development of such immunological abnormalities is also discussed.

Adult↗

Current expectations in dynamic cardiomyoplasty.

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty has been evaluated in the treatment of severe cardiomyopathies. This report outlines the results of this procedure in 21 patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy who were in New York Heart Association class III or IV before operation. There were no operative deaths. Patients were followed up for a mean of 17.6 months. Eight patients died during late follow-up, and actuarial survival rates were 73.2% at 1 year and 65.9% at 2 years of follow-up. Functional class improvement was documented in the surviving patients. Furthermore, significant improvement in left ventricular function was demonstrated by radioisotopic angiography and by heart catheterization for more than 2 years after the operation. These studies documented that left ventricular ejection fraction increased as a result of global improvement in regional wall motion. Absence of clinical and hemodynamic improvement after cardiomyoplasty seems to be related to muscle flap ischemic compromise, whereas the patient's condition before operation seems to influence the long-term outcome of cardiomyoplasty.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic significance of silent myocardial ischemia after a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

Forty asymptomatic patients were studied after a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction. They were 36 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 52.6 yr; the location of myocardial infarction was in the anterior wall in 18 (45%) patients and in the inferior wall in 22 (55%). The patients were submitted to: (1) 48-h Holter monitoring, during the 2nd and 8th weeks after the acute event; (2) exercise testing during the same periods; (3) cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography. Patients with clinical conditions associated with cardiac rhythm disturbances or repolarization abnormalities were excluded. The electrocardiographic methods identified 11 (27.5%) patients with silent myocardial ischemia. Patients with and without silent ischemia were similar in relation to sex, age, coronary risk factors, arrhythmias, left ventricular function and follow-up. Patients with silent ischemia had more inferior wall myocardial infarctions, but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with silent ischemia had significantly more extensive coronary artery disease (45.5% multivessel disease) when compared to those without ischemia (14.8% multivessel disease) (p < 0.05). After a 2-yr follow-up, 4 (36.4%) patients with and 1 (3.4%) without silent ischemia had a coronary event (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative probability of not experiencing a new coronary event for the patients without silent ischemia (96.5%) as compared to those with silent ischemia (62.3%) (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that silent myocardial ischemia after a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction carries an adverse prognosis and should be routinely investigated.

Adult↗

Early administration of captopril and nitroglycerin in combination after acute myocardial infarction: an invasive haemodynamic study.

The combination of captopril and nitroglycerin early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) could lead to a dangerous decrease in blood pressure coronary perfusion. To evaluate the safety aspects and haemodynamic effects of this combination, we studied 36 first 'Q wave' thrombolysed anterior wall AMI patients during the 24 h following the onset of symptoms. Afterwards, thrombolysis patients received a continuous infusion of nitroglycerin and were submitted to pulmonary artery catheterization. Those patients with mean arterial pressure (MAP) > or = 70 mmHg, cardiac index > or = 2.2 l.min-1.m-2, and wedge pressure > or = 10 mmHg were included and randomized to receive 6.25 mg of captopril every 6 h on the first day and 12.5 mg qid on the second if MAP > or = 70 mmHg (group 1). A second group (group 2) received a placebo. Haemodynamic parameters were determined after 1, 6 and then every 6 h up to 48 h after basal measurements. Significant differences were observed only for the MAP and the rate-pressure product (reduction in group 1 values, P < 0.05). However, MAP was maintained within acceptable limits. Our data support the fact that the combination of captopril and nitroglycerin in the early hours of a non-complicated anterior wall AMI is safe, and could guarantee its use in large clinical trials to determine the effects on left ventricle remodelling and survival after AMI.

Adult↗

Maximal functional capacity in patients with endomyocardial fibrosis.

We evaluated objectively the cardiocirculatory dysfunction of patients with EMF, and related the functional class (FC-NYHA) to the data obtained by analysis of maximal functional capacity. We studied 55 subjects, divided into three groups: group 1 (G1) 21 (38.1%) normal persons, group 2 (G2) seven (12.7%) patients with EMF who were in FC I or II, and group 3 (G3) 27 (49%) patients in FC III or IV. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and O2 pulse index (PO2max) were obtained using a Beckman computerized gas analyser. The mean values were significantly different among the three groups. We conclude that the greater the clinical impairment, the greater the alterations that occur in the indices of cardiac function.

Adult↗

Mortality is not increased with inferior infarction associated with right ventricular infarction and atrioventricular block.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about the relation between right ventricular infarction (RVI) and the presence of atrioventricular block. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyse a possible correlation between the conditions, which are frequently associated with inferior acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: We studied 107 patients with inferior AMI, of whom 49 had RVI, assessed by ST-segment elevation in right precordial leads (V3R-V4R) and by technetium-99m (99mTc) pyrophosphate scintigraphy. The diagnosis of atrioventricular block was made by continuous ECG monitoring during the first week of admission. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups: group A with RVI and group B with isolated inferior AMI. These groups were similar regarding sex, age, coronary risk factors, and time from the onset of precordial pain to hospital admission. Group A had a predominance of atrioventricular block (61.2 versus 15.5%, P < 0.0004), peak creatine kinase MB (82.5 +/- 22.4 versus 65.2 +/- 25.1 IU/l, P < 0.05), congestive heart failure or cardiogenic shock (57.1 versus 18.9%, P < 0.002), and proximal right coronary artery occlusion (80.4 versus 25.0%, P < 0.001). Non-Q-wave infarction was more frequent in group B patients (14.2 versus 34.4%, P < 0.01). The mortality rate was similar in the two groups (12.2 versus 13.7%). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that infarction extension from inferior wall to the right ventricle may be related to the development of atrioventricular block and does not increase mortality.

Aged↗

[Idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy].

PURPOSE: To characterize the idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) through clinical manifestations and complementary tests and to analyze the surgical benefit on the correction of tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS: Five patients with RCM idiopathic were retrospectively studied, 4 female and 1 male, with ages ranging from 30 to 59 (mean 40) years. The patients presented heart failure due to restrictive syndrome and were submitted to chest X-ray, EKG, echocardiogram, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy, hemodynamic study and surgery. RESULTS: X-ray showed heart enlargement in all patients, but only one had pulmonary venous capillary congestion. EKG presented atrial fibrillation, complex QRS with low voltage on frontal axis, abnormal ventricular repolarization, right bundle branch block, inactive area and right ventricular hypertrophy. Complete atrioventricular block was observed in one patient. The echocardiogram study showed biatrial enlargement in all patients, and left ventricular dilatation in one patient with left ventricular dysfunction. Mild tricuspid regurgitation were observed in one patient and moderate in four. Two patients had mild mitral regurgitation. Diastolic dysfunction were observed at Doppler-cardiography in all patients. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy showed interstitial fibrosis, myocytes hypertrophy and myofibrils disarray. The hemodynamic study disclosed right ventricular hypertension in all patients. Three patients had hypotension in left ventricle and aorta. The left ventricular end diastolic pressure and pulmonary capillary pressure (pulmonary wedge pressure) were elevated in all patients. Dilated left ventricle with mild hypokinesia and right ventricular inferior hypokinesia and diastolic restriction were observed in one patient. One patient had similar pattern without diastolic restriction. Mild tricuspid regurgitation was observed in one patient, moderate in three and severe in one. Mild mitral regurgitation were observed in two patients. The restrictive pattern (deep and plateau) was present in three patients. Surgery were performed in all patients, and confirmed the mild tricuspid regurgitation in one and the moderate in four. De Vega plastia were performed in four patients. CONCLUSION: Among the complementary methods, echocardiogram and hemodynamic study were those of higher contribution to the diagnosis of idiopathic RCM. The disease has a poor evolution, even with clinical or surgical treatment. Heart transplantation may would be the best procedure on patients with symptomatic idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

[Scintigraphy of myocardial perfusion combined with pharmacologic stress with dipyridamole].

PURPOSE: To analyze adverse reactions (AR), hemodynamic and electrocardiographic changes and thallium scintigraphy (TS) results, during pharmacological stress with dipyridamole (SD), correlating these data to the presence and extension of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: We studied 126 patients, 66 had no evidence of cardiovascular disease (G1) and 60 had critical occlusive CAD > or = 70% stenosis (G2). Most of them were male, mean age 56.5 +/- 10.9 years old. All patients were submitted to TS after receiving 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole intravenously (0.14 mg/min during 4 min) followed by 111MBq of thallium-chloride-201. Conventional ECG was recorded before and after SD; heart rate (HR) and arterial pressure (AP) were monitored during dipyridamole infusion. All signals and/or symptoms were observed. RESULTS: Cine-coronarography showed 22 patients (37%) with one vessel disease (VD) (G2a), 26 (46%) with two VD (G2b) and 12 (20%) with three VD (G2c). Of the 126 patients 63% did not present symptoms. Flushing (25%) and sick-headache (12%) were most frequent AR. Typical angina was reported by one G1 patient (1.5%) and six G2 patients (10%) (p < 0.05). HR increased 18.09 +/- 12.27% and 12.40 +/- 4.90%, systolic blood pressure varied -5.2 +/- 7.5% and -4.3 +/- 6.5% in G1 and G2, respectively. These parameters are not correlated to CAD presence and extension. ST depression and ectopic beats occurred in 5% and 11% of G1 patients, in 15% and 30% of G2 patients, respectively (p < 0.05). Typical angina was more common in G2a and G2b; ST changes in G2b and G2c; and arrhythmia in G2c (not significant). Sensitivity of TS associated to SD was 84%, comparable to stress exercise thallium test. CONCLUSION: TS associated to SD, a noninvasive, safe with low morbidity and few collateral effects method is an option to patients with limitations to physical exercise tests.

Adult↗

[Early revascularization of the arteries not related to infarction improves regional and global function of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction].

PURPOSE: To evaluate if early interventions which increase flow in the non-infarct related arteries (NRA) could improve long-term ventricular function in the non-infarct (NI) area after an acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We studied regional wall motion analyzed by the center-line method in two groups of patients with significant stenoses (> or = 70%) in the NRA after successful coronary reperfusion (chemical or mechanical thrombolysis). Group I (GI) consisted of 21 patients that were submitted to early (mean 14 days) complete surgical revascularization of both NRA and infarct related artery (IRA); the 12 group II (GII) patients underwent successful revascularization of the IRA only, with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (mean 6 days). Paired ventriculograms were obtained within 48 hours of the infarction and a mean of 17 months later. RESULTS: NI area contractility in GI patients improved from -0.35 +/- 2.16 to +0.62 +/- 1.6sd/chord (p < 0.05), whereas in GII decreased from +0.54 +/- 1.78 to -0.66 +/- 1.72 sd/chord (p < 0.05), p < 0.05 between the groups at follow-up. Mean infarct area wall motion did not differ between the two groups: from -3.04 +/- 2.43 to 2.61 +/- 2.49 sd/chord in GI (p = NS), and from -2.68 +/- 2.54 to -2.93 +/- 2.35 sd/chord in GII (p = NS). Mean global left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction did not change in GII patients (0.72 +/- 0.09 and 0.67 +/- 0.12, p = NS), but significantly increased from 0.63 +/- 0.12 to 0.72 +/- 0.11 in GI patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that early revascularization of NRA with significant stenoses can improve not only the NI area regional contractility, but also the global LV function in the long-term follow-up of post MI patients treated with thrombolytic therapy.

Female↗

Late effects of cardiomyoplasty on left ventricular mechanics and diastolic filling.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic cardiomyoplasty is a relatively new surgical procedure proposed for treatment of severe myocardial failure. Limited clinical experience suggests that this procedure reverses congestive heart failure, improving the long-term survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this investigation, the late effects (16.5 +/- 4.8 months after surgery) of cardiomyoplasty on left ventricular mechanics and diastolic filling were studied in eight male patients (mean age, 45 +/- 7 years). The investigation was performed with the myostimulator on and off (24 +/- 1 hours off) using a microtip catheter to obtain the left ventricular pressures simultaneously with Doppler (inflow velocities) and M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic recordings. Statistical comparisons were made with Student's t test for paired data. Dynamic cardiomyoplasty increased the maximal elastance (17 +/- 1 versus 21 +/- 1 mm Hg/cm, P = .006) and decreased the systolic wall stress (253 +/- 17 versus 190 +/- 12 g/cm2, P = .029). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased (27.1 +/- 2.8 versus 17.6 +/- 1.7 mm Hg, P = .019), as did end-diastolic circumferential wall stress (69 +/- 8 versus 37 +/- 5 g/cm2, P = .002). The chamber and muscle stiffnesses decreased (120 +/- 31 versus 52 +/- 11 mm Hg/cm, P = .017; 994 +/- 185 versus 426 +/- 76 g/cm2, P = .002, respectively). The pattern of left ventricular diastolic filling changed, with a decrease of early peak flow (231 +/- 20 versus 217 +/- 21 mL/s, P = .022), of deceleration time (163 +/- 28 versus 116 +/- 26 seconds, P = .001), and of flow area during rapid filling (105 +/- 15 versus 75 +/- 12 mL, P = .004) and an increase of flow area during atrial contraction (39 +/- 4 versus 88 +/- 9 mL, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our detailed evaluation of left ventricular mechanics demonstrates that cardiomyoplasty has significant multiple beneficial effects on dilated myopathic heart.

Assisted Circulation↗

[Hemodynamic effects of low doses of chlorthalidone in patients with mild systemic arterial hypertension].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of low doses of chlorthalidone (CHT) in patients with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). METHODS: Eight patients with mild SAH, mean age of 52 +/- 8.9 years, 7 men, were studied. Clinical evaluation, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and heart rate (HR), in supine and standing positions, were obtained before and every two weeks, first two in placebo, during 12 weeks. Laboratory data, hemogram, sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, glucose, hepatic aminotransferases and urinalysis, were done and at end of study. Hemodynamic monitorization was performed by Swan-Ganz catheter in pulmonary artery to obtain RAP and PAWP, in mmHg. Cardiac output (CO) was obtained by thermodilution method. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) arose from variables above. Hemodynamic variables were measured at 2nd and 12th weeks during treatment with 50mg of chlorthalidone each 48 h. RESULTS: A significant reduction of SBP (p = 0.005 and p = 0.003), DBP (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001), respectively in supine and standing positions. HR did not show statistical difference. At hemodynamic monitoring was observed a significative reduction of SVR (p < 0.02), but not with CO. CONCLUSION: Chlorthalidone in low dosis was effective to treat mild SAH, basically by lowering SVR.

Adult↗

Antagonizing the hydroxyl ion free radical (HO.) does not abolish reperfusion ventricular fibrillation in anesthetized dogs.

1. The hypothesis that the hydroxyl ion free radical, HO; derived from O2 plays a pivotal role in the development of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation was tested in 63 anesthetized mongrel dogs of either sex weighing 14 +/- 7 kg submitted to 90-min coronary occlusion followed by 60-min reperfusion. 2. OH. was blocked by the iron chelator deferoxamine (DF, 500 mg) and by dimethylthiourea (DMTU, 500 mg/kg), a HO. scavenger both given iv over 30 min before reperfusion. 3. The frequency of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation was similar in all animals, i.e., 7/27 (26%) control dogs, 7/23 (30%) DF-treated dogs and 3/13 (23%) DMTU-treated dogs. Arterial pressure, heart rate and double product were not significantly different among the three groups during occlusion or reperfusion. The hemodynamic variables were also similar among dogs that fibrillated and those that did not. Likewise, extent of ischemic areas and necrosis was similar among the three experimental groups, with the control values being 34 +/- 4% and 14 +/- 5%, respectively. 4. We conclude that OH. does not play a major role in the induction of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation in the anesthetized dog with ischemia/necrosis.

Anesthesia↗