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Biomedical subjects

X Bosch

Publications and source records attributed to X Bosch.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Anti-granulocyte perinuclear antibodies but not anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis for the presence of ANCA. These antibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using as a substrate purified myeloperoxidase and purified extract of azurophilic granules. By IIF, we found a characteristic perinuclear immunostaining pattern in 21 cases (47%). However, no patient had a positive result by the two ELISAs performed. Patients with a positive IIF result had significantly higher levels of anti-nuclear and anti-ds DNA antibodies than those with a negative IIF result. Therefore, these antibodies must correspond to the previously reported as granulocyte specific antinuclear antibodies (GS-ANA).

Adult↗

Predictors of early saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass graft occlusion. The GESIC Study Group.

To identify factors determining early saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass occlusion, we analyzed the data base of the GESIC study, a trial comparing antiplatelet drug regimens that included 927 patients with 1,854 saphenous vein grafts. The univariate analysis showed female sex (p < 0.0097), obesity (p < 0.001), rest angina (p < 0.0026), history of congestive heart failure (p < 0.037), the revascularized artery (p < 0.0001), the quality of distal bed (p < 0.00001), the diameter of the grafted vessel (p < 0.00001), the lack of antiaggregant treatment (p < 0.017), and a nonsequential technique (p < 0.0002) as predictors of early (28 days) graft occlusion. In the multivariate analysis the last five variables were independent predictors. Using the two preoperative variables, it was possible to identify groups at different risk; the occlusion rate ranged between 8.79% (left anterior descending coronary artery and good distal vessel) and 27.58% (right coronary artery or left circumflex coronary artery and poor distal vessel). The combination of three variables (grafted vessel, artery diameter, and antiaggregant treatment) also allowed identification of different risk groups; the occlusion rate ranged between 3.5% and 63.1%. Thus, it is possible to anticipate the risk of graft occlusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, which may help in the selection of both patients and antithrombotic treatment.

Aged↗

Feasibility of early discharge after acute Q wave myocardial infarction in patients not receiving thrombolytic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of early discharge (4 days) after acute myocardial infarction in patients not receiving thrombolytic therapy by first identifying predictors of short-term prognosis and then testing the derived risk profile in an independent cohort of patients. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that early discharge after acute myocardial infarction is possible. However, physicians are reluctant to shorten the standard 7- to 10-day hospital stay, presumably because of difficulty in selecting low risk patients. METHODS: From January 1985 to November 1986, 358 patients with acute myocardial infarction who did not receive thrombolytic therapy were screened. Those with a Q-wave infarction showing no complications on day 4 were considered candidates for early discharge and were transferred to the ward for a mean of 12 days. During this period, we looked for any event (cardiac or noncardiac) that would have prompted readmission if the patient had been previously discharged. Univariate and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of these events among 25 baseline variables. The derived risk profile was tested in an independent validation cohort. RESULTS: One hundred five (29.3%) of the 358 patients were free of symptoms on day 4, and 29 (27.6%) had at least one cardiac event, including four deaths and one reinfarction. Multivariate analysis selected diabetes, ejection fraction < 40% and age as independent predictors of events. Using the risk profile, 18 (13.2%) of the 136 validation cohort patients were categorized as low risk, and only 1 of them had a major event (progressive angina). Sensitivity for the risk profile was high (91%), but specificity was low (34%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of simple clinical variables may allow the safe reduction of hospital stay after infarction in selected patients. However because the proportion of candidates for early discharge is small (12.6%), it seems unlikely that the current policies on length of hospital stay will change in the near future.

Cohort Studies↗

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

We report the case of a 48-year-old woman diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus who developed a neurological disorder that finally resulted in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although neurological disturbances caused by systemic lupus erythematosus are protean, there are no reported cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associating with lupus disease. This association and the suspected autoimmune mechanism of pathogenesis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis suggest that this might not be a simple coincidence but perhaps a causal relationship.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Left ventricular hypertrophy in asymptomatic essential hypertension: its relationship with aldosterone and the increase in sodium-proton exchanger activity.

In order to analyse the hormonal and erythrocyte ion transport systems in relation to left ventricular hypertrophy (LV) in essential hypertension, a prospective study of 50 consecutive hypertensive patients under 55 years of age and without prior antihypertensive therapy was performed. Twenty-seven normal subjects with no family history of hypertension served as controls. LV hypertrophy, as assessed by echocardiography, was present in 64% of the hypertensive patients. This showed an increase (P < 0.001) in intra-erythrocyte Na+ concentration (8.1 +/- 1.2 vs 6.9 +/- 1 mmol.l-1.cells-1) and Na+:H+ exchange activity (8.8 +/- 4 vs 5.5 +/- 1.3 mmol.[l.cells.h-1]). There was a significant association between plasma aldosterone levels (19.1 +/- 12 ng.dl-1) with intra-erythrocyte Na+ content (r = 0.370, P < 0.05) and Na+:H+ exchange activity (r = 0.385, P < 0.01) as well as with echocardiographic LV mass index (138 +/- 40 g.m-2, r = 0.393, P < 0.01). The results are consistent with the concept that increased entry of Na+ into cells via Na+:H+ exchange could be a determining factor in left ventricular hypertrophy, which might be influenced by aldosterone.

Adult↗

Diagnostic value of technetium-99m-MIBI as a myocardial perfusion imaging agent: comparison of long and short intervals between rest and stress injections.

To assess the diagnostic value of technetium-99m-MIBI (99mTc-MIBI) as a myocardial perfusion imaging agent, and if rest and exercise scans could be performed on the same day, 21 patients with coronary artery disease were studied. Qualitative planar 201-thallium (201Tl) scans, coronary angiography, or both were also performed (median between studies 11 days). In 10 patients an injection of 740 mBq of 99mTc-MIBI at stress was followed by a second injection of 740 mBq at rest 24 h later (long interal) (LI). In 11 patients injection of 370 mBq at rest was followed 3 h later by an injection of 740 mBq at stress (short interval) (SI). Exercise scans were performed to similar maximal work load (LI = 6.6 +/- 1.8 METs; SI = 6.3 +/- 1.7 METs; 201Tl = 6.8 +/- 1.2 METs; p = NS) and double product (LI = 19551 +/- 7370; SI = 19900 +/- 6797; 201Tl = 19965 +/- 5282; p = NS). Overall, 99mTc-MIBI and 201Tl agreed in 92% of the patients tested and in 165 of 180 (92%) left ventricular segments in both 99mTc-MIBI protocols using short and long intervals between injections. In 15 patients with significant stenosis, 99mTc-MIBI correctly identified 13 patients (sensitivity of 87%). Thus, 99mTc-MIBI is a useful imaging agent with similar diagnostic value as 201Tl. In spite of its lack of myocardial redistribution, 99mTc-MIBI rest and exercise scans performed on the same day seem to have a similar concordance rate with 201Tl as when performed on separate days.

Adult↗

Anti-myeloperoxidase autoantibodies in patients with necrotizing glomerular and alveolar capillaritis.

We conducted a prospective study of 651 Mediterranean patients from Catalonia (Spain) with well-defined forms of systemic vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, and renal and pulmonary disorders to determine the prevalence and clinical value of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) with myeloperoxidase (MPO) specificity (MPO-ANCA). ANCA were first tested by indirect immunofluorescence on ethanol-fixed neutrophils. When a positive result was obtained, then MPO-ANCA were identified by performing the immunofluorescence assay again on neutrophils from a voluntary donor known to have a complete and selective deficiency of MPO. This disorder was detected by automated flow cytochemistry with the Technicon system and was further verified by cytochemical and biochemical studies. We detected MPO-ANCA in 61 of 70 (87%) patients with a perinuclear pattern (p-ANCA), but in none of 25 with a cytoplasmic pattern (c-ANCA). These results were corroborated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using human purified MPO as a substrate. On immunofluorescence microscopy, all patients with MPO-ANCA were found to have a typical and restrictive immunostaining pattern. In our study, while c-ANCA were mainly found in patients with biopsy-proven Wegener's granulomatosis, MPO-ANCA identified those with idiopathic and polyarteritis nodosa-associated necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis. In addition, pulmonary hemorrhage with necrotizing alveolar capillaritis as the main morphologic substrate occurred frequently among patients with MPO-ANCA, including three affected by polyarteritis nodosa and three who had pulmonary hemorrhage as the only clinical finding. On the other hand, these antibodies could be also detected in 30% of patients with a proven diagnosis of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

Development of Hodgkin's disease in the course of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

We report two patients with a definite diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome who developed Hodgkin's disease. Clinical and laboratory features of this transformation comprised prolonged fever, the appearance of lymphadenopathy together with loss of serum autoantibodies and a reduction in serum gammaglobulin levels. We know of only one well documented case of such an association. From these observations, it seems reasonable to include Hodgkin's disease in the clinical spectrum of the lymphoproliferative disorders that may occur in the course of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Adult↗

Antimyeloperoxidase autoantibody-associated necrotizing alveolar capillaritis.

In this report, we describe 3 patients who had pauci-immune necrotizing alveolar capillaritis-related pulmonary hemorrhage and who never developed other organic involvement, as revealed by clinical and laboratory data and also by autopsy examination in 1 case. Serum samples from these patients disclosed antimyeloperoxidase autoantibodies with initial immunofluorescence titers ranging from 1:1,600 to 1:3,200. Rapid institution of immunosuppressive therapy, as well as plasma exchange, led to prompt clinical improvement in 2 patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation support. We conclude that antimyeloperoxidase autoantibodies become new clues to support an underlying alveolar capillary vasculitis in patients with idiopathic isolated pulmonary hemorrhage, thus facilitating therapeutic decisions in this life-threatening condition.

Adult↗

[Neutrophil anticytoplasmic antibodies in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis: therapeutic implications of its detection and relation to clinical activity].

The case of a patient with a multisystemic process characterized by polyarthritis, hemoptysis, leucocytoclastic vasculitis, renal failure and ulcerated lesions in the palate and nasal bone is reported. The existence of antineutrophil anticytoplasmic antibodies (cytoplasmatic pattern) was proven by indirect immunofluorescence with an initial serum titration of 1:1.600. Detection of these antibodies permitted the establishment of immunosuppressive treatment when the clinical situation of the patient was considered serious (pulmonary hemorrhage with progressive diminution of the hematocrit). Four days after the initiation of treatment the histopathological results of the palate and nasal mucous biopsies were received and were compatible with Wegener's granulomatosis. Serial determination of the titers of these antibodies demonstrated a close correlation with the clinical biological activity of the process. Indeed, 3 days after initiation of the immunosuppressive treatment the concentration of the same had reduced to half, something which has not been previously reported. It is concluded that high specificity and sensitivity of antineutrophil anticytoplasmic antibodies with a cytoplasmatic pattern for Wegener's granulomatosis may contribute to the improvement, not only of the diagnosis but also to the prognosis, in permitting the immediate initiation of therapeutic measures when the clinical situation of the patient thus requires.

Adult↗

Impaired response of atrial natriuretic factor to blood volume expansion in acute right ventricular infarction.

To assess the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in right ventricular (RV) infarction, 30 patients with inferior wall acute myocardial infarction (15 with RV involvement) and normal left heart filling pressures were studied 39 +/- 12 hours after the onset of symptoms. Serial measurements of cardiac output, right atrial, pulmonary artery and pulmonary wedge pressures, as well as plasma ANF, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and vasopressin were obtained before and 30 minutes after acute volume expansion to raise wedge pressure greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg. Baseline mean right atrial pressure and plasma ANF levels were greater in patients with than without RV infarction (8 +/- 3 vs 5 +/- 2 mm Hg; p less than 0.0001, and 4.6 +/- 2.9 vs 2.7 +/- 1.5 fmol/ml; p less than 0.05, respectively). There were no differences in other baseline hemodynamic or humoral parameters between both groups. After volume expansion, pulmonary wedge pressure was similar in both groups, but right atrial pressure increased to higher levels in patients with RV infarction (19 +/- 2 vs 14 +/- 2 mm Hg; p less than 0.0001). Despite this greater stimulus for ANF secretion, the increase in plasma ANF was less pronounced in patients with RV infarction (63 +/- 81 vs 455 +/- 417%; p less than 0.002), especially among those with paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Thus, despite higher baseline plasma levels of ANF, response to volume loading is markedly attenuated in patients with RV infarction complicating an inferior wall acute myocardial infarction.

Adult↗

Clinical and angiographic features and prognostic significance of early postinfarction angina with and without electrocardiographic signs of transient ischemia.

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to characterize the clinical and angiographic characteristics and the prognostic significance of early postinfarction angina associated or unassociated with ST-T changes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred forty-nine consecutive patients surviving an acute myocardial infarction and catheterized before hospital discharge were included. They were closely monitored in the coronary care unit and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was promptly obtained before the administration of nitroglycerin whenever chest pain suggestive of ischemia occurred. Complete follow-up information was obtained for all patients a mean of 14 +/- 8 months after the qualifying infarction. RESULTS: Early postinfarction angina occurred in 164 patients. Transient ST-T changes were documented during pain in 79 patients and were absent in 85. Compared with patients without postinfarction angina, patients with angina without ST-T changes were older and had a more frequent past history of angina (42% versus 28%, p = 0.01). They also more often had a non-Q-wave myocardial infarction with lower peak creatine kinase blood level elevation. At angiography, patients with angina had more extensive coronary artery disease (1.9 +/- 0.8 diseased vessels per patient versus 1.6 +/- 0.8, p less than 0.05) and more left ventricular segments at jeopardy by a significant coronary artery stenosis (1.5 +/- 1.1 versus 1.2 +/- 1.1, p less than 0.05). The presence of ST-T changes during chest pain was associated with a further increase in the severity of coronary artery disease (2.1 +/- 0.8 diseased vessels per patient, p less than 0.05) and with a less well-developed collateral circulation (18% versus 34% of patients, p = 0.01) that was more often compromised by a coronary artery stenosis (22% versus 8% of patients, p = 0.008). In-hospital infarct extension occurred in 2% of patients without angina, 3.5% of patients with angina without ECG changes, and 28% of patients with angina and ST-T changes (p less than 0.01). The 2-year survival was similar in the first two groups (90% and 96%), and poorer (83%, p = 0.02) in patients with ST-T changes. Survival rates without myocardial infarction were respectively 80%, 78%, and 67% (p less than 0.004). CONCLUSION: A gradient in the severity of coronary artery disease and in the extent of myocardium at jeopardy exists from patients with no postinfarction angina to patients with angina and to patients with angina accompanied by ECG signs of ischemia. The presence of ST-T changes during pain indicates a much less favorable clinical outcome.

Angina Pectoris↗