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Biomedical subjects

M Sacher

Publications and source records attributed to M Sacher.

134 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The clinical and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in congestive cardiomyopathy.

Despite major advances in treatment congestive heart failure (CHF) is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Coenzyme Q(10) is a naturally occurring substance that has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties. Administration of coenzyme Q(10) in conjunction with standard medical therapy has been reported to augment myocardial kinetics, increase cardiac output, elevate the ischemic threshold, and enhance functional capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate some of these claims. Seventeen patients (mean New York Heart Association functional class 3.0 +/- 0.4) were enrolled in an open-label study. After 4 months of coenzyme Q ( 10 ) therapy, functional class improved 20% (3.0 +/- 0.4 to 2.4 +/- 0.6, p < 0.001) and there was a 27% improvement in mean CHF score (2.8 +/- 0.4 to 2.2 +/- 0.4, p < 0.001). Percent change in the resting variables included the following: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), +34.8%; cardiac output, +15.7%; stroke volume index, +18.9%; end-diastolic volume area, -8.4%; systolic blood pressure (SBP), -4. 4%; and E (max), (SBP / end-systolic volume index [ESVI]) +11.7%. MVo ( 2 ) decreased by 5.3% (31.9 +/- 2.6 to 30.2 +/- 2.4, p = NS). Therapy with coenzyme Q(10) was associated with a mean 25.4% increase in exercise duration and a 14.3% increase in workload. Percent changes after therapy include the following: exercise LVEF, +24.6%; cardiac output, +19.1%; stroke volume index, +13.2%; heart rate, +6.5%; SBP, -4.3%; SBP / ESVI, +18.6%; end-diastolic volume (EDV) area, -6.0%; MVo (2), -7.0%; and ventricular compliance (%Delta SV / EDV) improved >100%. In summary, coenzyme Q(10) therapy is associated with significant functional, clinical, and hemodynamic improvements within the context of an extremely favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. Coenzyme Q(10) enhances cardiac output by exerting a positive inotropic effect upon the myocardium as well as mild vasodilatation.

Aged↗

CT evaluation of the greater sciatic foramen in patients with sciatica.

Sciatic and lower extremity neurologic symptoms may be from pathologic involvement of the sacral plexus or sciatic nerve in the region of the greater sciatic foramen. Twenty-five patients were reviewed who presented consecutively over a 4 year period with sciatic symptoms secondary to pathologic changes in the greater sciatic foramen. Malignant neoplasm alone (18 patients) and malignant neoplasm associated with infection (two patients) account for most of these cases. Neurogenic tumors (three patients), both benign and malignant, and infection alone (three patients) were less frequent. Although sciatic symptoms usually derive from spinal abnormalities, the evaluation of sciatic symptoms should not be considered complete without CT scanning of the greater sciatic foramen.

Adult↗

"Benign" metastasizing meningiomas.

Less than one in 1000 meningiomas metastasizes. Although the angioblastic and hemangiopericytic tumors are believed by some authors to metastasize with a greater frequency than the other histologic forms of meningioma, most investigators believe that neither the histologic pattern, local aggressiveness, size, nor location of the tumor can be used accurately to predict which tumors will metastasize. Three new cases are presented, bringing the total reported number of metastasizing meningiomas to 113. If the angioblastic meningiomas and hemangiopericytomas are eliminated from this group, 69 reported cases of "benign" metastasizing meningioma remain.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Digital angiography of pulsatile masses in the neck.

Twenty-six consecutive patients with pulsatile neck masses were studied with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) by venous injection, computed tomography (CT), and conventional direct angiography. The neck masses proved to be secondary to tortuous and ectatic carotid or subclavian arteries in 13 cases, resulted from subclavian artery aneurysms in three cases, and resulted from tumor in 10 cases. DSA alone was sufficient for diagnosis in 16 of 26 cases. CT was performed in 15 cases and was contributory in 10. It was most useful when a tumor was demonstrated or suspected on DSA. Conventional angiography was performed in six cases. It contributed no useful information when arteriosclerotic vascular changes were the source of the neck mass, and added useful diagnostic information in only two of 10 neck tumors.

Aged↗