Biomedical subjects

G Lupattelli

Publications and source records attributed to G Lupattelli.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Evolutionary trends in carotid atherosclerotic plaques: results of a two-year follow-up study using an ultrasound imaging system.

A two-year follow-up on 118 atherosclerotic lesions of the extracranial carotid tract observed in 70 patients was carried out using real-time high-resolution echotomography. The following plaque characteristics were monitored: the echogenic patterns (soft, intermediate, hard, and mixed), the surface aspects, and the degree of stenosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate plaque evolution, in relation both to the degree of vessel stenosis produced and to the echostructural characteristics of the lesion. After two years 68% of the lesions remained unchanged while the degree of vessel stenosis increased in 32%; no case of regression was observed. Intrinsic factors appearing to condition an increase in degree of stenosis were "mixed" and "hard" echogenic pattern, an irregular lesion surface, and an initial degree of stenosis of more than 50%. A modification in the echogenic pattern, which generally tended to progress toward more highly reflecting echogenic levels was observed in 27% of the lesions studied.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Hemorheologic factors in the postacute phase of ischemic stroke.

Clinical and hemorheologic data were recorded in a homogeneous group of 72 patients (age range sixty-one to seventy years), suffering from ischemic stroke with an onset of less than eight hours, confirmed clinically and by computerized tomography. A quantitative neurologic analysis and the following hemorheologic parameters were monitored for twenty weeks following the acute episode: fibrinogen, total proteins, albumin, hematocrit, leukocyte and platelet counts, whole blood filterability (WBF), red blood cell deformability (RBCD), and blood plasma, and serum viscosity. The results show a significant decrease in hematocrit values parallel to the clinical neurologic improvement and a significant increase in RBCD in the patients with the better clinical recovery. These data confirm the role of hemorheologic parameters in the clinical follow-up of cerebrovascular disorders.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1988

Extracranial carotid atherosclerosis evaluation and stroke occurrence: role of the echotomographic analysis.

High-resolution real-time echotomography was used in a longitudinal study on 118 atherosclerotic plaques of the extracranial carotid tract with the aim of identifying those most likely to cause a cerebrovascular event. Seventy patients (average age 61 +/- 7 years), referred to our Clinical Vascular Laboratory because suffering from transient cerebral ischemic attacks (TIA), coronary heart disease (CHD, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or cervical bruits (CB), were followed up for two years. Medical treatment remained that of the referring physician. Ten patients suffered from clinical events caused by stroke, TIA, and/or carotid occlusion during the follow-up. The echostructural profile of the lesions most often correlated with the clinical event was characterized by a mixed or hard echogenic pattern, and irregular surface, and an initial vascular stenosis of more than 50%.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

The role of haemorheological factors in the ageing brain: long-term therapy with pentoxifylline ('Trental' 400) in elderly patients with initial mental deterioration.

Sixty elderly patients suffering from initial mental deterioration (less than 6 months) were divided at random into two groups, homogeneous for age, sex and life habits. For 28 weeks Group I was given a placebo and Group II was given 400 mg pentoxifylline ('Trental' 400) 3-times daily for two 3-month periods interrupted by a 4-week wash-out period. Neuropsychological performance and haemorheological parameters were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of each phase of the study. The results showed that pentoxifylline medication significantly improved the psycho-intellectual performance, decreased whole blood viscosity and increased red cell filterability. The results indicate a need to concentrate further study on haemorheological factors in the clinical aspects of the ageing brain, also with a view to allowing for sufficiently long treatment periods.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hyperthyroidism due to the improper use of povidone-iodine].

A 48-year-old female was referred to Perugia Hospital because of cardiac palpitations and insomnia. The clinical history, the physical examination and laboratory tests were supportive of hyperthyroidism. Since July 1994 the patient had been combating constipation by improper use of an iodine-containing antiseptic cream for external use only. She had inserted povidone-iodine into the rectum by means of a cannula. The iodine-containing cream was suspended, and a beta-blocker prescribed. Cardiac palpitations disappeared within 2 weeks, and plasma thyroid hormone levels returned to normal within 1 month. Hyperthyroidism in this patient was probably triggered by improper long-term use of an over-the-counter cream. When investigating the etiology of hyperthyroidism, a history of long-term use of iodine-containing medication should always be considered. These medications should be used with caution for only short periods of time and, if usage is prolonged, medical supervision should be recommended; above all, they should be applied only as directed.

Administration, Rectal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Free radical production in peripheral vascular disease. A risk for critical ischaemia?

Malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma concentrations (marker of lipid free radical peroxidation) and the unfractionated leucocyte and erythrocyte filterability rates (through 5 micron Nuclepore filters in a positive pressure filtration system) were determined during a partial ischaemia induced by two consecutive treadmill tests in 64 stage II peripheral vascular disease (PVD) patients and in 32 matched controls. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) was monitored constantly throughout the walking tests and recovery periods. In the PVD patients impairments in the flow properties of leucocytes and erythrocytes were associated with increases in MDA plasma concentrations which correlated significantly with a lengthening of the tcPO2 half recovery times--index of the worsening of ischaemia. Patients could be divided into two sub-groups on the basis of these impairments and their half recovery times, suggesting this experimental model may provide a means to identify those stage II PVD patients most likely to develop critical limb ischaemia.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Infection and blood filterability].

Some markers of inflammation were monitored, and whole blood filterability was measured using a low shear positive pressure nuclepore filtration system in 21 patients at the onset of an acute bacterial infection and again after full clinical recovery 4 weeks later and compared to the filterability of 40 matched healthy controls. Impairments in whole blood filterability persisted even after convalescence.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Peripheral arterial occlusive disease in old age: the role of leukocytes].

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2), the unfractionated leukocyte filterability rate (ULFR), and plasma oxydant activity (POA) were monitored during a standard treadmill exercise test (2 km/h, 12 degrees slope) in two groups of stage-II peripheral vascular disease patients: one middle-aged group with an average age of 55 +/- 3 s.d. years, the other group elderly (average age 68 +/- 4 s.d. years). The results were compared to a healthy control group of 20 volunteers (average age 52 +/- 4 s.d. years). At the maximum walking time, the ULFR was significantly (p less than 0.001) impaired in both groups of patients compared to controls, and the level of plasma oxidant activity increased significantly (p less than 0.001). When the tcPO2 recovered half its basal value, the level of plasma oxidant activity approached basal values but the ULFR remained significantly (p less than 0.001) impaired. Inter-group analysis showed the total walking time was significantly (p less than 0.05) shorter in the elderly patients, and at the tcPO2 half recovery time the ULFR was significantly (p less than 0.01) more impaired.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Visualization of carotid and femoral atherosclerotic lesions using autologous lipoprotein reinjection containing apo-B marked with 131I: preliminary data].

Atherosclerotic lesions can be detected by several methods, such as angiography, B-mode ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Radioisotopic techniques, recently introduced by using radiolabelled platelets and LDL (low-density lipoproteins), can give more informations about the "metabolic activity" of atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to detect atherosclerotic lesions in 7 hyperlipemic patients using autologous apo-B containing lipoproteins labelled with 131I in order to evaluate different functional patterns of these lesions. Carotid and femoral accumulations of this radiocompound were detected in the majority of patients. The method appears promising for evaluating the "in vivo" relationships between lipoproteins, which are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and the vessel wall.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Severe osteomalacia due to gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

This report discusses a severe case of osteomalacia due to gluten-sensitive enteropathy: it stresses the clinical features and describes an atypical form of gluten-sensitive enteropathy, in which gastroenterological symptoms were absent. Wasting and osteomalacia causing skeletal deformation with spontaneous fractures were observed in a 31-year-old woman who had marked hypophosphoremia, a tendency to low serum calcium levels and slight multi-deficiency anaemia. The patient was in a state of depression. The causes of osteomalacia and then a general malabsorption syndrome were investigated. Anti-gliadin antibodies were positive. Histological tests on duodenal mucous revealed a pattern indicative of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. A gluten-free diet was prescribed and at a check-up one month later the patient had improved markedly. Skeletal symptoms are predominant in 30% of atypical forms of gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The severity of this case was due to a late diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗