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Biomedical subjects

R Razzolini

Publications and source records attributed to R Razzolini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy].

Seventy-seven patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (50 M and 27 F, aged 38 +/- 16 yrs) were followed up until Dec 31, 1985. Haemodynamic investigation was performed in all cases, and all pressure and left ventricular quantitative angiography parameters were collected. In no case did the coronary angiogram show significant lesions. Mean values of haemodynamic parameters for surviving and deceased patients were compared. Forty-six patients survived and 28 died during the follow-up period. Although all patients had an enlarged left ventricle and depressed contractility, survivors had either greater pressure/end systolic volume ratio or a greater stress/end systolic volume ratio. Survival curves confirm a particularly severe prognosis for patients with Suga index less than 1 or stress to end systolic volume ratio less than 2.5. Mass to volume ratio seems to affect two-year but not late survival. NYHA class does not indicate early survival. In conclusion, left ventricular function is obviously related to prognosis in these patients, but it seems still difficult to assess life expectancy from these parameters alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Left ventricular size and function in double inlet left ventricle.

Using quantitative cineangiography we studied left ventricular size and function in 15 patients (aged 1 day to 15 years) with double inlet left ventricle. Our purpose was to assess how ventricular volume and performance change with age and palliative surgery in patients with and without restriction to pulmonary flow. Ventricular volumes were calculated using Simpson's rule method; end-diastolic volume was also stated as a percentage of predicted total (combined right and left) ventricular volume. Ejection fraction and systolic pressure to end-systolic volume ratio were calculated as indexes of ventricular function. Our results suggest that ventricular size is inadequate for a septation procedure in patients with restriction to pulmonary flow but increases after shunting operation. In patients without restriction to pulmonary flow, ventricular volume is adequate for a septation procedure during the first months of life, but it tends towards reduction, along with obstruction of the interventricular communication, after pulmonary artery banding. Ejection fraction is slightly lower than in left ventricle of heart with biventricular atrioventricular connexion, but it does not decrease with age, at least during the first 15 years of life. Systolic pressure to end-systolic volume ratio also does not decrease with age, but it is lower in patients with excessive pulmonary flow or atrioventricular valvar regurgitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Myocardial function in heart failure.

Overt cardiac failure usually presents with constant clinical features as consequences of the reduced pump action, associated with an increased adrenergic drive, independent of the underlying disease. However, the study of left ventricular function, before and during the phase of cardiac insufficiency, shows that different pathophysiological mechanisms are responsible for the symptoms and signs of reduced cardiac action. It is possible to recognize that cardiac failure is caused primarily by: (1) early severe depression of the inotropic state, i.e. dilated cardiomyopathies; (2) late inadequate level of ventricular hypertrophy, with normal contractility, i.e. aortic stenosis; (3) early inadequate level of hypertrophy and slightly reduced inotropic state, i.e. mitral insufficiency, and (4) late inadequate level of hypertrophy and severe progressive reduction in contractility, i.e. aortic insufficiency. The possibility of an 'in vivo' assessment of the different determinant parameters of left ventricular function (contractility, afterload, preload, fiber and chamber compliance) through echocardiography enables a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to the cardiac failure and a more efficient therapeutic approach.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗
PubMed1988

[Model of the normal left ventricle].

The aim of the present study is to simulate left ventricular function using parametres directly measurable "in vivo". Taking the definition of contractility as sigma EDV/ESV (sigma = end systolic stress; EDV = end diastolic volume; ESV = end systolic volume), a slight modification of Suga's index, and an equation taken from Sunagawa, relating arterial pressure to resistance, compliance and stroke volume, a basic programme able to predict stroke volume and systolic pressure starting from EDV, left ventricular mass, contractility, peripheral resistance and compliance was developed. Various curves describing left ventricular function were simulated: Starling's curve, pump curve (mean left ventricular pressure against mean left ventricular flow), Ford's curve (mass to volume ratio against systemic pressure), and pressure-volume loops. A close affinity with literature data was always found. Left ventricular performances were predicted in 23 normal subjects, using the same input parameters. The correlation with real values was always linear, and particularly striking for cardiac index and source resistance. Thus this model seems to explain low-frequency hemodynamic events adequately, and is therefore suitable of clinical use in order to clarify pathophysiological mechanisms.

Heart↗
PubMed1986

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: a quantitative cineventriculographic study of the right and left ventricular function.

Quantitative cineventriculographic measurements (ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and myocardial mass) were obtained in 15 neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum. There was a wide dimensional range for the right ventricle, from a reduced through normal to enlarged. A restrictive tricuspid valve (less than 12 mm) was associated with a small or diminutive right ventricle. A normal function of the right ventricle was present only in those cases with normal-sized chambers. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume was always greater than normal. The ejection fraction was normal only if a normal myocardial mass was present. Additional abnormalities were frequent in the myocardium of both ventricles, such as extreme thinning of the wall of the right ventricle and hypoplasia or fibroelastosis of the left ventricle. All these factors can lead to a poor surgical prognosis despite good anatomical correction.

Cardiomegaly↗
PubMed1986

Ventricular development and function in complete transposition: angiocardiographic evaluation.

We studied 50 left ventricular cineangiograms and 41 right ventricular cineangiograms of 40 patients with usual atrial arrangement (situs solitus) together with concordant atrioventricular and discordant ventriculo-arterial connexions (complete transposition), catheterized between 1 day and 12 months of age. Our purpose was to evaluate ventricular development and function. The patients were subdivided on the basis of associated lesions into groups with intact ventricular septum; with ventricular septal defect; with ventricular septal defect together with pulmonary stenosis and with pulmonary stenosis in isolation. Each group was further separated according to age into those patients below and above 60 days. Ventricular volumes, ejection fraction and the ratio between systolic pressure and end-systolic volume were evaluated for both ventricles. The left ventricular mass, stress, and the ratio of stress to end-systolic volume were also calculated. A volume overload leads to increased left ventricular volume even at birth. With an intact ventricular septum, the left ventricle in patients with complete transposition is normal at birth and also during the first weeks of life. Myocardial mass, however, does not increase proportionately with increase in volume as the patient grows and it remains inadequate by the age of one year. The left ventricular mass is also inadequate in patients with associated anomalies when the left ventricular pressure is less than 60 mm Hg. Moreover, the left ventricle in presence of an intact ventricular septum presents a decrease in contractility during the first year of life despite the finding of a satisfactory arterial oxygen saturation. The right ventricle has a normal volume at birth which increases during the first year due to a greater diastolic filling following atrial septostomy. We noted a progressive decrease in ejection fraction, however, which is related to various factors including a reduction in contractility.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of the chronic antianginal effect of molsidomine.

The activity of molsidomine, a new antianginal drug, was investigated in 33 patients treated for 3 months with doses of 2 mg, three or four times daily. Exertional angina was present before treatment in 16 patients, spontaneous angina in 5, and mixed angina in twelve. Thirty patients completed the study, and three retired because of side effects. A reduction in the number of attacks of more than 75% in comparison to the pretreatment period was obtained in 20 cases, a diminution between 50% and 75% in 6, and a reduction below 50% in 6. Satisfactory increases in the duration (from 6 minutes 25 seconds to 11 minutes 40 seconds) and maximum load (89.6 to 139.3 W) were obtained in 80% of the cases of effort angina. A dramatic and statistically significant reduction of attacks was observed in the first 48 hours in 8 of 11 patients with spontaneous angina. Side effects were predominantly gastrointestinal and caused the interruption of treatment in 10% of the cases. Molsidomine seems to be a very promising drug for the treatment of effort and spontaneous angina.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

[Heart rupture as a complication of myocardial infarct in the acute stage. Case contributions and clinical course of survivors].

Heart rupture was found in 25 (4.4%) of 560 patients with myocardial infarction admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the Department of Cardiology, Padua Medical School. Ten (40%) of them had a breaking of the free wall, 10 the interventricular septum, 4 (16%) a papillary muscle and 1 (4%) the ventricular wall with formation of a pseudoaneurysm. Thirteen patients died suddenly, the other 12 (48%) had cardiac catheterisation and later surgery. Four patients with interventricular defect died immediately after surgery, the other patients were discharged. Mortality was 68%; 30% on the patients with VSD as well as those with papillary muscle rupture and pseudo aneurysm survived.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Natural and post-surgical history of mitral stenosis and mitral stenosis and insufficiency: an observational study.

Natural and post-surgical history has been investigated in 410 pts with mitral stenosis and 209 pts with mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation. They had undergone cardiac catheterization in the years 1968-1980. Hemodynamic data and clinical status (NYHA class) have been statistically analyzed in order to obtain prognostically useful parameters. In mitral stenosis peak pulmonary artery pressure is the most important parameter for natural history, whereas cardiac index is the leading parameter in the operated patients. Commissurotomy has a very low surgical mortality, largely due to the better conditions of the patients undergoing this type of conservative surgery. Results are similar in mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation. Surgery markedly improves survival in comparable patients. Therefore, intervention seems to be indicated especially in patients with elevated pulmonary artery pressure, because they can get the maximum advantage at a minimal risk.

Adult↗