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Biomedical subjects

P Palermo

Publications and source records attributed to P Palermo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lack of improvement of lung diffusing capacity following fluid withdrawal by ultrafiltration in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the possibility that lung diffusing capacity reduction observed in chronic heart failure is reversible in the short term. BACKGROUND: Mechanical properties of the lung usually ameliorate with antifailure treatment including drugs, ultrafiltration and heart transplantation, whereas lung diffusion rarely improves. METHODS: We studied the mechanical properties of the lung (pulmonary function tests with determination of alveolar volume, extravascular lung fluids and lung tissue), lung diffusion for carbon monoxide (DLco), including membrane diffusing capacity (Dm), pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) and pulmonary hemodynamics, in 28 patients with stable chronic heart failure, before a single session of extracorporeal ultrafiltration (3,973 +/- 2200 ml) and four days thereafter. Lung mechanics and diffusion were also evaluated in 18 normal subjects. RESULTS: Vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (1 s) and maximal voluntary ventilation were lower in patients when compared with normal subjects, and increased after ultrafiltration from 2.1 +/- 0.7 to 2.5 +/- 0.7(1)*, 1.7 +/- 0.5 to 2.0 +/- 0.6(1)* and 67 +/- 25 to 79 +/- 26 (1/min)*, respectively (* p < 0.02 vs. pre-ultrafiltration). Post-ultrafiltration alveolar volume was augmented, while lung tissue, body weight (approximately 6 kg), chest X-ray extravascular lung water score and pulmonary vascular pressure were reduced. Heart dimensions (echocardiography) remained unchanged. DLco, Dm and Vc were 29.0 +/- 5.0 ml/min/mm Hg, 47.0 +/- 11.0 ml/min/mm Hg, 102 +/- 20 ml in normal subjects and 17.1 +/- 4.0#, 24.1 +/- 6.5#, 113 +/- 38 and 17.0 +/- 5.0#, 24.8 +/- 7.9#, 100 +/- 39 in patients before and after ultrafiltration, respectively (# = p < 0.01 vs. controls). CONCLUSIONS: In chronic heart failure, ultrafiltration improves volumes and mechanical properties of the lung by reducing lung fluids. Diffusion is unaffected by ultrafiltration, suggesting that, in chronic heart failure, the alveolar-capillary membrane abnormalities are fluid-independent.

Chronic Disease↗

Cardiomegaly as a possible cause of lung dysfunction in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Our hypothesis is that an enlarged heart may compete for space with the lungs, causing a restrictive pattern that is often seen in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: Eighty patients with stable congestive heart failure in New York Heart Association classes II and III participated in the study. We measured cardiothoracic index (chest radiography), FEV1, vital capacity, alveolar volume, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and its 2 subcomponents alveolar-capillary membrane diffusion (DM), and pulmonary capillary blood volume. RESULTS: Reliable measurements were obtained in 72 of 80 participants enrolled. Cardiothoracic index averaged 57% +/- 7%. FEV1, vital capacity, alveolar volume, DLCO, and DM were inversely related to the cardiothoracic index (r = -0.514, -0.557, -0.522, -0.475, and -0.480, respectively). However, the relations of DLCO and DM with the cardiothoracic index were lost when DLCO and DM were adjusted for alveolar volume. A significant correlation (P < .01) was found between alveolar volume and vital capacity, FEV1, and DLCO (r = 0.799, 0.705, and 0.614, respectively). At multivariate analysis, cardiothoracic index, FEV1, and pulmonary capillary blood volume were independent predictors of DLCO, whereas alveolar volume, FEV1, and left ventricular ejection fraction were independent predictors of DM. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac enlargement in chronic heart failure appears to be involved in causing restrictive lung pattern and a reduced alveolar volume that disturbs carbon monoxide diffusion.

Aged↗

Non-invasive measurement of stroke volume during exercise in heart failure patients.

The objective of the present study was to determine the variability of the arterio-venous O(2) concentration difference [C(a-v)O(2)] at anaerobic threshold and at peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)) during a progressively increasing cycle ergometer exercise test, with the purpose of assessing the possible error in estimating stroke volume from measurements of VO(2) alone. We sampled mixed venous and systemic arterial blood every 1 min during a progressively increasing cycle ergometer exercise test and measured, in each blood sample, haemoglobin concentration and blood gas data. Ventilation, VO(2) and CO(2) uptake were also measured continuously. We studied 40 patients with normal haemoglobin concentrations and with stable heart failure due to ischaemic or idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Mean values (+/-S.D.) for C(a-v)O(2) were 7.8+/-2.6, 13.0+/-2.4 and 15. 0+/-2.7 ml/100 ml at rest, anaerobic threshold and peak VO(2) respectively. The patients with heart failure were divided into classes according to their peak VO(2). Classes A, B and C contained patients with peak VO(2) values of>20, 15-20 and 10-15 ml.min(-1). kg(-1) respectively. At anaerobic threshold, C(a-v)O(2) was 12.3+/-1. 3, 13.1+/-2.7 and 13.5+/-2.6 ml/100 ml for classes A, B and C respectively (class A significantly different from classes B and C; P<0.05). At peak exercise C(a-v)O(2) was 13.6+/-1.4, 15.6+/-2.5 and 15.4+/-3.2 ml/100 ml for classes A, B and C respectively (class A significantly different from classes B and C; P<0.05). Stroke volume was estimated for each subject using the mean values of the measured C(a-v)O(2) in each functional class and individual values of VO(2) and heart rate using the Fick formulation. The average difference between the stroke volume estimated from mean C(a-v)O(2) and that obtained using the patient's actual C(a-v)O(2) value was 9.2+/-9.7, 1.0+/-8.8 and -0.2+/-6.1 ml at anaerobic threshold, and -1.9+/-11.3, 0.9+/-10.0 and -2.3+/-8.5 ml at peak exercise, in classes A, B and C respectively. Among the various classes, the most precise estimation of stroke volume was observed for class C patients. We conclude that stroke volume during exercise can be estimated with the accuracy needed for most purposes from measurement of VO(2) at the anaerobic threshold and at peak exercise, and from population-estimated mean values for C(a-v)O(2) in heart failure patients.

Adult↗

[Role of echocardiography in the treatment of heart failure with permanent electric stimulation].

Permanent cardiac pacing has been proposed for the treatment of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction defects and related hemodynamic alterations which may worsen the performance of the failing heart. The initial positive results of right sided atrioventricular synchronous pacing have not been confirmed in later studies involving a larger number of patients with different clinical characteristics. The reason of these conflicting results may be related to the poor understanding of the complex interaction between the adopted pacing mode and the different type, grade and hemodynamic significance of conduction defects. The negative hemodynamic effects of the altered sequence and synchrony of ventricular activation during right sided pacing may outweigh the benefits of an optimal atrioventricular synchrony. Biventricular stimulation has been proposed to improve the electromechanical activation of the left ventricle in patients with left bundle branch block. Ongoing prospective studies are evaluating the potential benefits of biventricular stimulation versus alternative treatments. Although there are no standard indications to cardiac pacing in heart failure it seems that this therapeutic tool may be of value in selected patients with conduction defects which unfavorably affect the cardiac function and that are amenable to be corrected by an appropriate pacing modality. Doppler echocardiography, in its different applications, emerges has a key technique for the selection of patients who may benefit from permanent pacing and for the selection of the best pacing modality. Doppler echocardiography criteria may also be useful in the selection of homogeneous groups of patients to be enrolled in prospective studies aimed at assessing the potential benefits of permanent pacing versus alternative treatments.

Atrial Function↗

[Antibiotic prophylaxis of infective complications after cesarean section. Our experience].

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a single dose of antibiotic vs multiple doses of the same drug, in reducing maternal infections following the cesarean section, is evaluated. METHODS: A total of 206 pregnant women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section from 1st June 1998 to 30 June 1999, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of L'Aquila, were included in a randomized study to compare the efficacy of prophylaxis with a single dose of piperacillin sodium (2 g i.v. after the umbilical cord clamping; group A) vs triple doses of the same antibiotic (2 g i.v. at 6 hourly intervals, beginning from the umbilical cord clamping; group B). RESULTS: The incidence of infective morbidity in group A was 7.3%, with a 2% wound infections, 1% urinary infections and 4.16% febrile morbidity. The incidence of infective morbidity in group B was not much higher (9%), with 2.7% wound infections, 1.8% urinary infections and 4.5% febrile morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In order to obtain a useful antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean sections, the single-dose seems to be preferable to the multiple-doses, since the single-dose not only has equal efficacy, but also less cost, smaller risk of super-infections by resistant organisms and it involves smaller care from the-medical and nursing staff.

Adult↗

Synergistic efficacy of enalapril and losartan on exercise performance and oxygen consumption at peak exercise in congestive heart failure.

Oxygen consumption at peak exercise (peak VO2) is a strong independent predictor of the outcome in congestive heart failure (CHF). Renin-angiotensin system inhibition with either ACE or AT1 receptor blockers is effective on peak VO2. We evaluated whether mechanisms are similar for the 2 categories of drugs and whether their combination is able to produce a synergistic effect. Twenty CHF patients were randomized to receive, in a double-blind fashion, placebo + placebo (P+P), enalapril (20 mg/day) + placebo (E+P), losartan (50 mg/day) + placebo (L+P), and enalapril + losartan (E+L) or the same preparations in a reverse order, each for 8 weeks. Two patients did not complete the trial. Pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary exercise test, plasma neurohormones, and quality of life were assessed at the end of each treatment. Compared with P+P, E+P, and L+P similarly (16% and 15%, respectively) and significantly (p <0.01) augmented peak VO2. Enalapril improved lung function (reduced slope of ventilation vs carbon dioxide production and dead space to tidal volume ratio, and increased alveolar membrane conductance and tidal volume). Losartan likely activated the exercising muscle perfusion (raised delta VO2/delta work rate, which is a measure of aerobic work efficiency). In combination, they further increased peak VO2, 10% from E+P (p <0.05) and 11% from L+P (p <0.05). Compared with run-in, E+P and L+P significantly reduced plasma norepinephrine by 70 +/- 14 pg/ml and 100 +/- 16 pg/ml and aldosterone by 1.6 +/- 0.7 ng/dl and 1.6 +/- 0.8 ng/dl. These changes were significantly greater when the drugs were combined (140 +/- 20 pg/ml for norepinephrine, and 5.6 +/- 0.9 ng/dl for aldosterone). Quality-of-life score did not improve significantly at each treatment step. Thus, lorsartan and enalapril similarly increased peak VO2 in CHF patients, but mediators of this effect were, at least in part, different therapeutic targets that may be synergistic when the 2 drugs are combined.

Adult↗

Exercise-induced hemoconcentration in heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Exercise-induced hemoconcentration is a useful mechanism, particularly in heart failure, because it increases oxygen content of blood, perfusing the working muscles; in 50 normal subjects and 50 patients with congestive heart failure, hemoglobin at peak exercise increased by 7 +/- 3% and 5 +/- 3%, respectively. Hemoconcentration was due to fluid flux out of the vascular bed, likely through oncotic forces related to intracellular lactate accumulation and not to red blood cell recruitment from other organs (spleen), because hemoglobin increase, as a percentage, was similar to plasma protein increase.

Adult↗

Effect of electrode configuration and capacitor size on internal atrial defibrillation threshold using leads currently used for ventricular defibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that endocardial atrial defibrillation, using lead configurations specifically designed for ventricular defibrillation, is feasible but the substantial patient discomfort might prevent the widespread use of the technique unless significant improvements in shock tolerability are achieved. It has been suggested that the peak voltage or the peak current but not the total energy delivered determines the patient pain perception and therefore, lower defibrillating voltage and current achieved with modifications in lead and waveforms may increase shock tolerability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect, on the atrial defibrillation threshold (ADFT), of the addition of a patch electrode (mimicking the can electrode) to the right ventricle (RV)-superior vena cava (SVC) lead configuration. The influence of capacitor size on ADFT using the RV-SVC+skin patch configuration was also assessed. METHODS: In 10 patients (pts) (Group 1) cardioversion thresholds were evaluated using biphasic shocks in two different configurations: 1) right ventricle (RV) to superior vena cava (SVC); 2) RV to SVC+skin patch. In a second group of twelve patients (Group 2) atrial defibrillation thresholds of biphasic waveforms that differed with the total capacitance (90 or 170 microF) were assessed using the RV to SVC+skin patch configuration. RESULTS: In Group 1 AF was terminated in 10/10 pts (100 %) with both configurations. There was no significant difference in delivered energy at the defibrillation threshold between the two configurations (7.1 +/- 5.1 J vs 7.1 +/- 2.6 J; p < 0.05). In group 2 AF was terminated in 12/12 pts (100%) with both waveforms. The 170 microF waveform provided a significantly lower defibrillating voltage (323.7 +/- 74.6 V vs 380 +/- 70.2 V; p < 0.03) and current (8.1 +/- 2.7 A vs 10.0 +/- 2.3 A; p < 0.04) than the 90 microF waveform. All pts, in both groups, perceived the shock of the lowest energy tested (180 V) as painful or uncomfortable. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a patch electrode to the RV-SVC lead configuration does not reduce the ADFT. Shocks from larger capacitors defibrillate with lower voltage and current but pts still perceive low energy subthreshold shocks as painful or uncomfortable.

Aged↗

Preterm delivery: predictive value of cervico-vaginal fetal fibronectin.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of preterm delivery in the asymptomatic obstetric population of L'Aquila by means of fetal fibronectin immunoassay in cervicovaginal secretions. METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 asymptomatic pregnant women at low-risk for preterm delivery were followed-up. Fetal fibronectin cervical swabs from the esocervix and posterior vaginal fornix were obtained every second week from 24 to 36 weeks of gestation. Fetal fibronectin concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a cutoff level set at 50 ng/ml. RESULTS: Twelve patients (20%) had at least one positive fetal fibronectin test result. Six women in our study group (10%) were delivered spontaneously < 37 weeks; 4 of these (66%) had at least one positive fetal fibronectin test result (positive predictive value: 33%; sensitivity: 66%) and 3 of these women (75%) had a positive test result between 24 and 26 weeks. The remaining 8 patients with at least one positive fetal fibronectin test were delivered at term or post-term. Forty-eight women always had negative tests and 46 (95.8%) of these were delivered at term (specificity 82%), whereas 2 (4.2%) were delivered prematurely. The negative predictive value of fetal fibronectin as a predictor of term delivery in this low-risk population in 95% with odds ratio = 11.5 (95% confidence interval 1.44 to 110.4), relative risk = 8 (95% confidence interval 1.38 to 59.2) and Fisher Exact Test p < 0.024. CONCLUSION: In a population of asymptomatic patients at low risk for prematurity, the occurrence of a positive cervical or vaginal fetal fibronectin test result defines a subgroup at increased risk for preterm delivery, mostly at low gestational age.

Adult↗

Oxygen consumption.

It gets more and more frequent to use oxygen consumption (VO2) to evaluate exercise capacity and response to treatment in heart failure patients. The amount of VO2 is due to ventilation, oxygen transport and muscle activity. No one of these single steps can define by itself VO2, but all these physiological functions are integrated each other. In this paper we examine the modifications of cardiac output, arteriovenous oxygen content difference, and the temporal behavior of their variations during exercise in heart failure. We specifically describe changes in VO2 during simulated altitude; we also contemplate mechanisms governing oxygen diffusion from capillary bed to mitochondria and critical capillary PO2 concept.

Animals↗

[The concurrent implantation of a last-generation automatic defibrillator and a 2-chamber pacemaker].

BACKGROUND: Potentially lethal interactions between concomitantly implanted pacemaker and automatic first-generation cardioverter-defibrillator have been reported. We therefore evaluated the reliability and safety of simultaneous implantation of dual-chamber pacemakers with a fourth generation cardioverter-defibrillator incorporating an improved arrhythmia detection system. METHODS: Concomitant implantation of an automatic cardioverter defibrillator and a dual-chamber pacemaker was performed in four patients for malignant tachyarrhythmias and symptomatic bradycardia. Two Jewel 7219C and two Micro Jewel 7223 (Medtronic Inc.) implantable cardioverter defibrillators were connected to an endocardial lead (Medtronic Mod. 6936). In 2 patients with a previously implanted cardioverter-defibrillator, the pacemaker was connected to bipolar atrial and ventricular leads. In the 2 patients who already had a dual-chamber pacemaker, the unipolar pacing leads implanted previously were used. At the time of implantation of the second device, interaction testing was performed evaluating ventricular fibrillation detection during high-output asynchronous pacing. Testing for malfunctions, reprogramming or variations of pacing thresholds of the pacemakers after electric shocks was also carried out. Moreover, intracavitary signals, stimulation thresholds and electrical therapies delivered were evaluated during follow-up. RESULTS: During interaction testing, induced ventricular fibrillation was detected, with no delay, in 4/4 cases (100%). After a mean follow-up of 6.3 +/- 5 months (range 2-13), 5 shocks for ventricular fibrillation, 10 shocks for fast ventricular tachycardia and 72 antitachycardia pacings were delivered. All these electrical therapies were considered appropriate. No symptomatic sustained tachyarrhythmia remained undetected. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that concomitant implantation of a fourth-generation automatic cardioverter-defibrillator and a dual-chamber pacemaker using either unipolar or bipolar leads can be performed safely. Extreme caution and rigorous interactions testing is nevertheless advised when considering this device combination.

Aged↗

[Biliary lithiasis in childhood. A spectrum of diseases with different clinical significance during fetal life, childhood and adolescence].

On the basis of a research on fetal cholelithiasis, a review on the various form of cholelithiasis in pediatric age has been carried out. These include, in addition to fetal cholelithiasis, lithiasis in the first year of life and lithiasis in infancy and adolescence. These various expressions of the same pathology differ for incidence, predisposing factors, clinical situation, therapy and follow-up. The research conducted on fetal cholelithiasis showed an incidence of 0.39%, higher than expected. There isn't any maternal, obstetrical or fetal predisposing factor. The diagnosis is purely instrumental and is not correlated with known clinical or humoral data. The most frequent evolution is spontaneous resolution of the biliary echogenic images in absence of clinical manifestations; the complications are rare and not well documented. Cholelithiasis in the first years of life is correlated with malformative, pharmacologic or iatrogenic predisposing factors. The clinical situations include symptomless cases with spontaneous resolution and cases with serious complications. Therapy is to be chosen in each case in accordance with clinical features. Pediatric cholelithiasis beyond the first year of life, especially in the later childhood and adolescence, can be similar to cholelithiasis of adults for epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology and therapy.

Adolescent↗

[Pelvic floor rehabilitation in women affected with stress urinary incontinence. Authors' experience].

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated pelvic floor rehabilitation as a possible treatment for urinary stress incontinence: a challenge to tradition. METHODS: In this study 20 female subjects with urinary stress incontinence had rehabilitation therapy, at first in the outpatients clinic with motivated physiotherapists and afterwards by home exercises. RESULTS: At the end of 3 months of training, stress incontinence had disappeared in 7 patients (35%), while an improvement was recorded in 13 (65%). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, pelvic floor rehabilitation program can be an effective alternative to surgical approach in reducing the frequency of urinary leakage. Further studies are needed to identify factors predicting success and to improve the techniques of pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Aged↗

[Atrial thrombosis following the low-energy DC internal countershock of chronic AF: considerations of a clinical case].

Embolism may occur after cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, despite the apparent exclusion of preexisting atrial thrombus. This is related to the now well-known phenomenon of "atrial stunning" following either electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. It has also been suggested that "de novo" atrial thrombus formation after cardioversion could be responsible for the embolic event. We report a case of low-energy internal cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation in a patient with recurrent episodes of heart failure followed by a de novo left appendage thrombus formation. The patient, followed clinically and by repeated transesophageal echocardiograms, did not show any clinical sign of thromboembolism and the left appendage thrombus regressed completely, as demonstrated on the transesophageal echocardiogram.

Aged↗

Internal cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation in patients.

Transvenous internal cardioversion of chronic AF using a right atrium (RA) coronary sinus (CS) vector requires more energy than cardioversion of paroxysmal AF. Chronic AF is not terminated in 25% of patients using biphasic shocks up to 10 J. We therefore evaluated efficacy, safety, and tolerability of internal cardioversion using a "unipolar" configuration (RA to skin patch) and biphasic shocks in patients with long-lasting AF and different heart disease. In each patient, biphasic R wave synchronous shocks were delivered between a large defibrillating surface area electrode in the RA and a skin patch in the left prepectoral position. Defibrillation protocol started with a test shock of 0.4 J. Shocks were repeated and increased until termination of AF or a maximum of 34 J. Sedation was used when the patient described the shock as painful. This study included 11 patients with a mean age of 67 +/- 8 years (range 56-83). AF duration was > or = 1 month in all patients with a mean duration of 11 +/- 11 months (range 2-36). Underlying heart disease was present in all patients and the mean left atrial dimension was 43 +/- 9 mm (range 26-57). AF was terminated in 10 of 11 patients (91%) with a mean delivered energy of the successful shocks of 18.7 +/- 8.7 J (median energy 16.9 J; range 7.3-32.5) and a mean leading edge voltage of 564 +/- 129 V. The mean shock impedance at the defibrillation threshold was 71 +/- 13 omega (range 59-103). A total of 131 shocks were delivered without any complication and proarrhythmia episodes. We conclude that low energy "unipolar" internal cardioversion is a simple, safe, and effective technique for termination of chronic AF in patients with heart disease. The procedure is often tolerated under light sedation.

Acenocoumarol↗

Contribution of PO2, P50, and Hb to changes in arteriovenous O2 content during exercise in heart failure.

Arteriovenous O2 content (a-vCO2) differences increase during exercise in normal subjects through several mechanisms including PO2, O2 pressure at which hemoglobin (Hb) is half saturated with O2 (P50), and Hb concentration changes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate how much these biochemical changes are relevant to a-vCO2 difference through exercise in patients with heart failure. Twenty-seven patients with congestive heart failure [10 patients in functional class A (peak exercise O2 uptake >20 ml x kg-1 x min-1), 9 in class B (20-15 ml x kg-1 x min-1), and 8 in class C (15-10 ml x kg-1 x min-1)] underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test with once-per-minute simultaneous blood sampling from the pulmonary and systemic arteries for determination of Hb, PO2, PCO2, pH, O2 content (CO2), Hb saturation and lactic acid (pulmonary artery only), and calculation of P50. Analysis of data was done at six exercise stages: the first at rest, the last at peak exercise, and the second to the fifth at one-, two-, three-, and four-fifths of O2 consumption increase. a-vCO2 difference at peak exercise was 14.3 +/- 2.1, 16.9 +/- 2.4, and 14.7 +/- 2.1 (SD) ml/dl in class A, B, and C patients, respectively. The contribution of Hb, P50, and PO2 changes to the increments of a-vCO2 difference during exercise was 21, 17, and 63%, respectively; the only interclass difference observed was for P50, which plays a greater role in a-vCO2 difference in class A. Hb changes act mainly at the arterial site, whereas P50 and PO2 act at the venous site. Hb increase was constant through the test, venous P50 increase was greater above anaerobic threshold, and venous PO2 reduction was most remarkable at the onset of exercise; in class C patients, no venous PO2 change was recorded in the second half of exercise. Thus a-vCO2 difference increase during exercise is notable in patients with heart failure but unrelated to the severity of the syndrome. Hb, P50, and, to the greatest degree, PO2 changes participate in the increment of a-vCO2 difference. In class C patients, the lack of PO2 reduction in the second half of exercise suggests the achievement of a "whole body critical venous PO2."

Anaerobic Threshold↗

New perspectives in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: ipriflavone.

The efficacy and safety of ipriflavone, a new anti-osteoporotic agent, has been evaluated in an open study in 100 agent, has been evaluated in an open study in 100 osteoporotic women. Ipriflavone was administered as oral capsules dosed at 200 mg, 3 times a day for 12 months. Ninety women completed the study, and the results indicate that the bone mineral density was increased by 2% and 5.8% after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Pain and rachis mobility seemed to be positively influenced by ipriflavone. Only three women complained of side-effects (gastralgia and nausea) and asked to stop the therapy.

Administration, Oral↗