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Biomedical subjects

H H Rotmensch

Publications and source records attributed to H H Rotmensch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Crossover comparison of captopril and propranolol as step 2 agents in hypertension.

The efficacy of captopril treatment was compared with that of propranolol in a single-blind crossover study in 14 patients with essential hypertension uncontrolled on diuretic alone. Both captopril (37.5 to 75 mg daily) and propranolol (60 to 120 mg daily), in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg daily), caused a significant fall in sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Heart rate, plasma renin activity, and plasma aldosterone data were consistent with the effects of converting enzyme inhibition or beta blockade. Both drugs were well tolerated. Captopril appeared to be equivalent in efficacy and safety to propranolol when added to hydrochlorothiazide. It may be considered as an alternative step 2 antihypertensive agent, especially in patients experiencing unwanted effects on beta blockers.

Adult↗

Sulindac and ibuprofen inhibit furosemide-stimulated renin release but not natriuresis in men on a normal sodium diet.

We compared the effect of two commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen and sulindac, and placebo on intravenous furosemide-induced natriuresis and renin stimulation in 11 healthy male volunteers, consuming a 100 mEq sodium, 80 mEq potassium diet. Chronic (6-day) therapy with each agent was followed by a 1-week washout period. There were no significant treatment-related differences in either urine volume or sodium excretion for any of the designated collection periods or for the cumulative value for the 4 h after furosemide administration. Similarly, differences among groups were not observed for creatinine clearance, urinary potassium and urinary chloride excretion. Mean basal plasma renin activity levels prior to furosemide administration on day 6 were significantly lower in the presence of ibuprofen (1.5 +/- 2.0 ng/ml/h;p less than 0.01) and sulindac (2,3 +/- 0.9 ng/ml/h; p less than 0.05), compared with placebo (3.3 +/- 1.1 ng/ml/h); the difference between the two NSAIDs was also significant (p less than 0.05). Mean plasma renin activity levels in the 4 h after furosemide increased significantly at all time points in comparison to basal values, but were significantly less for ibuprofen and sulindac groups in the first hour. Our data suggest that the natriuresis following intravenous furosemide in men consuming a normal sodium intake is not prostaglandin-dependent. Furthermore, the observation that sulindac suppressed basal and stimulated plasma renin activity levels, albeit to a lesser extent than ibuprofen, questions the claim that sulindac "spares' the kidney and compels further evaluation of this issue.

Adult↗

Bucindolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocker with vasodilatory action: its effect in systemic hypertension.

Bucindolol is a newly developed, nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and direct vasodilator properties. In 14 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, the effects of bucindolol, hydrochlorothiazide and their combination on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and parameters of the renin-aldosterone system were compared with those after placebo. Bucindolol's antihypertensive effect was evident within the first hour after drug administration, maximal at 2 to 3 hours, and lasted for as long as 12 hours. Compared with placebo values (108 +/- 5 mm Hg), both bucindolol (97 +/- 9 mm Hg) and hydrochlorothiazide (99 +/- 10 mm Hg) alone significantly and comparably reduced the 12-hour averaged standing diastolic BP, with the combination resulting in approximately additive effects (91 +/- 9 mm Hg). Although bucindolol alone did not affect HR, it attenuated the hydrochlorothiazide-induced increase in HR. There was a tendency for bucindolol to decrease plasma renin activity. Except for transient postural hypotension in 2 patients, bucindolol was well tolerated.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Antihypertensive efficacy of once daily MK-521, a new nonsulfhydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

The effects of the new nonsulfhydryl-containing oral converting-enzyme inhibitor MK-521 on blood pressure, heart rate, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were assessed in 10 hypertensive patients. After a 2-week no-treatment period, patients received placebo and then 14 days each: MK-521 20 mg once daily, hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg once daily and the latter 2 in combination. During the last day of each treatment, the mean (+/- standard deviation) time-averaged (1- to 12-hour) standing diastolic blood pressure decreased from 106 +/- 8 (placebo) to 95 +/- 10 mm Hg with MK-521, 95 +/- 13 mm Hg with hydrochlorothiazide (p less than 0.05 vs placebo) and 88 +/- 11 mm Hg with the combination (p less than 0.05 vs all other treatments). The antihypertensive effect of MK-521 was maintained 24 hours after dosing. Heart rate did not change significantly after MK-521 treatment. MK-521 caused a marked suppression of converting enzyme activity for over 24 hours; plasma renin activity increased significantly after each active treatment and MK-521 significantly decreased the hydrochlorothiazide-induced elevation of plasma aldosterone concentration. In this short-term trial, MK-521 was well tolerated.

Adult↗

Relationship of morphine-induced miosis to plasma concentration in normal subjects.

The relationship between morphine plasma concentration and pupil diameter was evaluated 2-10 h following intravenous administration of morphine sulfate (10 mg). Seven healthy male volunteers received 10 mg of morphine intravenously following pretreatment for 4 d with either cimetidine (300 mg po four times a day) or placebo in a single blind, balanced crossover study. Pupil diameters were measured directly from contact prints using calipers and a photographed millimeter scale. Cimetidine pretreatment had no significant effect on pupil size either before or after morphine administration or on morphine pharmacokinetics. The relationship between morphine plasma concentration (2-10 h postdose) and pupil diameter was evaluated from the pooled data from both morphine treatment periods by perpendicular least-square regression. In each individual, a strong relationship existed between morphine plasma concentrations and pupil diameter (r = -0.76 to -0.91; p less than 0.05). Weaker correlations for both pupil diameter (r = -0.65; p less than 0.0001) and the absolute change in pupil diameter from baseline (r = 0.72; p less than 0.0001) for the grouped data probably reflect intersubject variation in morphine sensitivity. Thus, the miotic response to an intravenous dose of morphine varies in proportion to morphine plasma concentration.

Adult↗

Clinical applications of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Although only recently introduced, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been utilized to treat a wide variety of clinical disorders. Their uses to date, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, have been in the treatment of refractory hypertension and congestive heart failure. However, they have been evaluated with mixed results in numerous other conditions in which the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may play a role. Their current status in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and these other conditions is reviewed.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Steady-state serum amiodarone concentrations: relationships with antiarrhythmic efficacy and toxicity.

The relationship of apparent steady-state serum concentrations of amiodarone and its metabolite, desethylamiodarone, to therapeutic and toxic effects was assessed in 127 patients who had treatment-resistant ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias or were intolerant to other agents. After at least 2 months (mean, 9.8) of treatment with daily maintenance doses of 200 to 600 mg, arrhythmias were effectively suppressed in 78% of patients. Arrhythmias recurred in 47% of patients with serum amiodarone concentrations of less than 1.0 mg/L, whereas only 14% of patients with higher concentrations had recurrences (p less than 0.005). Side effects, most of them mild, occurred in 57%; only 9 patients required discontinuation of drug therapy. The risk of developing adverse reactions was related to serum amiodarone concentrations (p less than 0.0001). Adverse reactions were common in patients with serum values exceeding 2.5 mg/L, although pulmonary complications did occur at lower concentrations. Monitoring serum amiodarone concentrations may differentiate failure of drug therapy from suboptimal dosing and reduce the incidence of concentration-related side effects.

Adult↗

Initial evaluation of the non-sulfhydryl-containing converting enzyme inhibitor MK-521 in hypertensive humans.

MK-521 is a new orally active, nonsulfhydryl angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Single doses of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg were administered to nine hypertensive patients alternating with placebo. All doses of MK-521 caused profound suppression of ACE activity for more than 24 h and decreased standing diastolic blood pressure for more than 12 h without changes in pulse rate. Although there was no further reduction in blood pressure with doses above 5.0 mg, the duration of action was prolonged for more than 24 h with the higher doses. Serum MK-521 concentrations increased with dosage, and ACE was inhibited maximally at concentrations above 10 ng/ml. In this initial study, MK-521 was well tolerated and proved to be a potent and long-acting antihypertensive agent.

Adult↗

Calcium blockers in smooth-muscle disorders. Current status.

Calcium-entry blockers have proven efficacy in a variety of cardiovascular disorders. The effects of these agents on ionic calcium fluxes and, thus, on smooth-muscle contraction suggest that several noncardiac conditions involving smooth-muscle dysfunction may be managed with calcium antagonists. Beneficial therapeutic results have been reported in various forms of hypertension and Raynaud's phenomenon. The results of preliminary studies in treating pulmonary hypertension, cerebral arterial spasm, migraine headache, esophageal motility disorders, and myometrial hypercontractile states are encouraging. Carefully designed, large-scale and long-term clinical trials are needed to establish the therapeutic value of calcium-entry blockers in these disorders.

Animals↗

Urinary excretion of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 metabolites after angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in hypertensive patients.

The contribution, if any, of various prostaglandins to the antihypertensive effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) is controversial. We studied the effect of the ACEI captopril (CAP) on the urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF2 alpha (6-KF), the major metabolite of the vasodilatory prostaglandin, prostacyclin, and thromboxane B2 (TxB2), the stable metabolite of the vasoconstrictor TxA2, in 8 patients with essential hypertension after placebo, two weeks of CAP 25 mg t.i.d. alone, and the same dose of CAP in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 50 mg/day. Mean 6-KF and TxB2 (nmol/8 hr post-dosing, respectively) did not differ significantly with any treatment; the mean ratio of 6-KF/TxB2 was also unchanged. Likewise, the excretion of these prostaglandins was also evaluated after placebo, the ACEI enalapril (ENA) (5 or 10 mg/day), and the combination of ENA and HCTZ in another group of 8 patients with essential hypertension. Mean 6-KF and TxB2 (nmol/24 hr post-dosing, respectively) showed no significant treatment-related differences; the mean ratio was again unchanged. No correlation existed between the magnitude of blood pressure responses with any treatment and either 6-KF or TxB2 excretion. Thus, the antihypertensive action of ACEI, alone or in combination with HCTZ, does not appear to involve alterations in these vasoactive prostaglandins.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Amiodarone: individualizing dosage with serum concentrations.

The purpose of the present report is to review the available pharmacokinetic information on amiodarone with an emphasis on our own experience in monitoring serum amiodarone concentrations. We have found that 400 mg should be the maximal maintenance dose; if that treatment fails, careful addition of other antiarrhythmic agents is preferable over an increase in amiodarone dosage. Serum concentrations below 2.5 mg/L will significantly improve amiodarone's benefit-to-risk ratio.

Amiodarone↗

Norfloxacin disposition after sequentially increasing oral doses.

Single doses of norfloxacin (200, 400, 800, 1,200, and 1,600 mg) or placebo were administered orally at weekly intervals to 14 healthy male volunteers in a double-blind study. Norfloxacin was measured in serum and urine by high-pressure liquid chromatography with UV detection. The concentrations of this drug in serum peaked 1 to 2 h after each dose; the mean peak values for increasing doses were 0.75, 1.58, 2.41, 3.15, and 3.87 micrograms/ml. Mean area under the serum concentration-time curves for the first 12 h after each dose were 3.56, 6.26, 11.4, 16.1, and 19.7 micrograms . h/ml, respectively. The elimination half-life of norfloxacin was about 7 h and was similar for all doses. The concentrations of the drug in urine also peaked 1 to 2 h after dosage; mean peak values for increasing doses were 200, 478, 697, 992, and 1,045 micrograms/ml. Renal clearances approximated 285 ml/min. About 30% of each dose was excreted into urine as unmetabolized norfloxacin. Crystals of the drug were occasionally observed during microscopic examination of freshly voided urine collected after the 1,200- and 1,600-mg doses. Crystalluria was not encountered at lower doses.

Administration, Oral↗

Antiarrhythmic drug therapy during pregnancy.

Pregnancy increases the work demands on the heart by increasing blood volume and thereby cardiac output. Therefore, in pregnant patients with organic heart disease, arrhythmias may have significant hemodynamic consequences to the mother with harm to the fetus. As a result of improved medical therapy, an increasing number of women with cardiac diseases or rhythm disorders reach their reproductive years and require medication. Information on the effect of antiarrhythmic agents on the human fetus as well as the possible changes in therapeutic response during the altered state of pregnancy is limited. In principle, the approach to the treatment of arrhythmias in pregnant patients is similar to that in nonpregnant patients. Special consideration, however, must be given with regard to drug selection and dosage in order to avoid adverse effects on the mother and fetus.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Extreme sinus bradycardia associated with lithium therapy.

Extreme sinus bradycardia and T wave changes are described in a patient receiving lithium therapy. Ischemic heart disease was excluded by the results of radionuclide study and an exercise stress test. The electrocardiographic changes were shown to be related to lithium therapy, as documented by the inverse correlation between heart rate and plasma lithium levels.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Plasma platelet products and exercise-induced myocardial ischemia.

Peripheral plasma concentrations of PF-4 and TxB2 were measured by RIA in 26 patients who underwent exercise stress testing. In group A (n = 15; age 50 +/- 16, mean +/- S.D.) in whom blood sampling was performed by venipuncture, seven patients had a positive stress test associated with an increase in PF-4 concentrations from 3.3 +/- 1.6 ng/ml to 6.9 +/- 3.6 (mean +/- S.D.); six of them demonstrated a greater than 50% increase in PF-4; and only one of eight with a negative stress test had such an increase. In group B (n = 11; 49 +/- 10 yr), patients also underwent postexercise thallium-201 scanning and blood samples were obtained through an intravenous catheter. These patients consistently demonstrated higher PF-4 values (before exercise 7.5 +/- 3.9 ng/ml; after exercise 11.9 +/- 7.1), regardless of the results of the exercise and thallium studies. TxB2 concentrations were unchanged in both groups. To further evaluate the effect of catheter-collected samples on PF-4, five healthy males had serial concurrent blood sampling in opposite arms via both venipuncture and catheter. Although PF-4 concentrations in venipuncture samples were constant, those collected through the catheter increased as a function of time. On the basis of the findings in group A, enhanced platelet activation appears to be associated with exercise-induced ischemia. The observations in group B and the healthy controls indicated that catheter-collection of samples artifactually increased PF-4 concentrations.

Adult↗

Dimethyl sulfoxide inhibits bioactivation of sulindac.

Sulindac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, is converted to a bioactive sulfide metabolite via reversible reduction of its sulfoxide moiety. To test whether DMSO can inhibit conversion of sulindac to its active form, eight healthy men received, in a randomized, crossover manner, 400 mg of sulindac, orally, either alone or 60 min after an oral dose of DMSO (30 ml, 70% solution). After the drug combination, mean plasma concentrations of the sulfide metabolite were significantly lower than in controls at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 8 hr after sulindac administration. The mean area under the plasma sulfide concentration-time curve for 0 to 12 hr was 30% (range 7% to 56%) lower after DMSO treatment. This study suggests that DMSO can inhibit metabolism of other sulfoxides in man and may antagonize the therapeutic efficacy of sulindac.

Adult↗