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Biomedical subjects

O Storstein

Publications and source records attributed to O Storstein.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Studies of correlation between progression of coronary artery disease, as assessed by coronary arteriography, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, ejection fraction, and employability.

The occupational status of a group of 100 male patients, 35 to 68 years of age, with chronic ischaemic heart disease was studied, and related to the severity and distribution of coronary artery stenosis seen on the arteriograms and to left ventricular function. In this series of patients 31 per cent were working, 31 per cent were recorded as temporarily sick, and 38 per cent as permanently disabled. It appears that while the type of previous occupation and physical activity associated with the job were of importance, there was no correlation between employability on the one hand and severity and distribution of coronary artery disease on the other. 'Blue-collar' workers had a higher rate of unemployment than those in 'white collar' occupations, but this could not be explained by differences in severity of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Angina pectoris in presumably healthy middle-aged men. Validation of two questionnaire methods in making the diagnosis of angina pectoris.

In 2014 presumably healthy men aged 40-59 yr the prevalence of previously undiagnosed angina pectoris was assessed by two angina questionnaires: (1) World Health Organization Questionnaire (WHO-Q) and (2) Greater New York Health Insurance Plan Survey Questionnaire (NY-Q). The angina prevalence given by the questionnaires singly or in combination varied between 1.15 and 4.7% (lowest prevalence by the WHO-Q interview version (WHO-Qi) and highest by the WHO-Q self-administered version and the NY-Q in combination), indicating a considerable variation in prevalence with variation in criteria used. Validation of the questionnaires by means of (1) coronary angiography, and (2) follow-up in selected cases, indicated NY-Q superiority over WHO-Q in predicting the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD). WHO-Qi had a particularly low sensitivity without being more specific. However, CHD-risk factor patterns in subgroups of individuals classified as angina-positive or -negative by the respective questionnaires were similar.

Adult↗

Studies on digitalis. XIV. Is there any correlation between hypomagnesemia and digitalis intoxication?

In a prospective study on digitalis intoxication, low serum magnesium was found in 90 patients, while 388 patients had values above 1.5 mEq/l. Hypomagnesemia was more frequent in women than in men, in those with low body weight and in those with advanced heart failure. More patients with hypomagnesemia than those without had nausea, anorexia, fatigue, flickering of vision and atrial tachycardia with block. Patients with hypomagnesemia also had lower serum potassium than normomagnesemic patients. There was, however, no significant difference in the prevalence of digitalis intoxication or in serum digitoxin concentration. Nor was there any correlation between serum digitoxin and serum magnesium levels.

Body Weight↗

Exercise ECG and case history in the diagnosis of latent coronary heart disease among presumably healthy middle-aged men.

Previously undetected coronary heart disease (CHD) was suspected in 152 of 2014 presumably healthy males aged 40-59 yr. 63 had angina pectoris, 100 a positive exercise test and only 13 both angina and a positive exercise test. Coronary angiography was performed in 105 cases of whom 69 had a positive angiogram. A 2:1 proportion of true vs false positive diagnoses of CHD was found regardless of whether the diagnosis was suspected by the exercise test and/or the case history. Exercise test data show that CHD-suspect individuals differ only marginally from normal age counterparts irrespective of angiographic findings. However, of the 12 with a positive exercise ECG and maximal pulse greater than or equal to 2 SD below normal mean, 10 had pathologic angiograms. Of 58 with positive exercise ECGs and pathological angiograms, 43 had work performance below normal mean. By using a target pulse of 150 beats/minute 69% of the positive exercise ECGs had remained undisclosed.

Adult↗

False positive diagnostic tests and coronary angiographic findings in 105 presumably healthy males.

Among 2014 presumably healthy males aged 40-59 years coronary heart disease (CHD) was suggested in 115 in the presence of one or more of the following criteria: 1) a WHO-questionnaire on angina pectoris positive on interview, 2) typical angina during a near maximal bicycle exercise test, 3) a positive exercise ECG during and/or post exercise, 4) a Minnesota Code 1.1 on a resting ECG. Diagnostic coronary angiography was offered to all 115 CHD-suspect cases. Six refused angiography and four others were excluded. Of the remaining 105, thirty-six had less than 50% obstruction of any major coronary artery (34.3%). Eighteen (17.1%) had single, 25 (23.8%) had double and 26 (24.8%) had triple vessel disease. In 62 of the 69 with pathologic angiograms at least one obstruction greater than or equal to 75% was found. Eighty percent of the cases with proven CHD were greater than or equal to 50 years. All CHD-suggestive criteria had approximately the same diagnostic performance regardless of age, i.e., approximately one false positive/two true positives. Except for one retroperitoneal hematoma no complications to angiography occurred.

Adult↗

Chronic myocardial disease. I. Clinical picture related to long-term prognosis.

The prognosis in chronic myocardial disease is not well defined, partly because of a wide spectrum of clinical courses, and partly because of relatively short observation periods. This paper describes 106 patients followed for 2-12 years. Development or worsening of symptoms after intercurrent infections was associated with a more severe outlook than an insidious debut. The ability to develop myocardial hypertrophy appeared to be an important factor in deciding the prognosis. Pump failure was the cause of death in 80% of the patients, while 16% died suddenly. A favourable course was often noted in patients with ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy. This was also the case in patients who developed systemic hypertension. The presence of low voltage, especially in combination with left atrial enlargement, was associated with a malignant development.

Adolescent↗

Chronic myocardial disease. II. Haemodynamic findings related to long-term prognosis.

Haemodynamic findings in 106 patients with chronic myocardial disease have been related to the course of the disease during a follow-up period of 2-12 years. A high filling pressure, especially when combined with low cardiac output, suggested a severe development. The worst outlook was noted in patients who in addition had raised pulmonary arteriolar resistance. On the other hand, a low filling pressure even if cardiac output was reduced, was generally associated with a more benign course. An increase in left ventricular wall thickness as determined angiographically suggested a better outlook than normal wall thickness.

Blood Pressure↗

Pure mitral regurgitation. Etiology, pathology and clinical patterns.

The varied etiology of pure mitral regurgitation is demonstrated in this clinicopathological study, comprising 59 surgically treated cases with this condition. One third of the cases was of rheumatic origin, one fifth had ischemic heart disease, another fifth floppy valves and one eighth an isolated rupture of the chordae with necrosis of the chord matrix. To our knowledge the histopathological findings in the last group have not been described before. Congenital mitral regurgitation, bacterial endocarditis and cardiomyopathy were rare causes of mitral regurgitation. Differences between the groups were observed in the sex ratio, duration of history, auscultatory findings ECG signs, compliance of the left ventricle and in the morphological findings.

Adult↗

Verapamil in the treatment of atrial tachycardia with block.

Atrial tachycardia (A-T) with block is easily converted as a rule to sinus rhythm by DC shock, but the recurrence rate is high. So far drug treatment of this arrhythmia has been unsatisfactory. There is no drug of choice in the treatment of A-T with block. We report on the effect of verapamil on this arrhythmia in 14 patients. Ten of them reverted to sinus rhythm, but A-T with block later recurred in 4. The best effect was found in patients with no or only minimal heart enlargement and in patients with short duration of the arrhythmia. The effect of verapamil on A-T with block may support the concept of this arrhythmia being due to atrioventricular (A-V) nodal reentry, as the main effect of verapamil is a prolongation of the effective refractory period of the A-V node.

Adult↗