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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Prediction of early symptomatic recurrence after intestinal resection in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to identify clinical criteria that may help recognize patients with Crohn's disease who are at high risk for early symptomatic postoperative recurrence. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Currently, no reliable criteria are available to help recognize patients who are prone to experience early symptomatic recurrence. METHODS: One hundred sixty-four patients undergoing intestinal resection for Crohn's disease at the Mount Sinai Hospital between 1976 and 1989 were studied prospectively. Patients with symptomatic recurrent disease within 36 months were defined as having an early recurrence. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of anastomoses was the most important prognostic indicator (p = 0.001), followed by inflammation at the resection margins (p < 0.05). Patients requiring an ileostomy had a significantly lower early recurrence rate than those having single or multiple anastomoses. There was no significant correlation between inflammation at the margins and early recurrence in patients requiring an ileostomy (n = 38), or a single anastomosis (n = 98). When the margins were examined in the 28 patients with 2 or more anastomoses, 10 of 11 patients (91%) with inflammation at either margin experienced early recurrence. Patients having multiple anastomoses with normal margins had the same recurrence rate as patients with single anastomosis (42%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with extensive Crohn's disease requiring multiple resections with anastomosis, especially when microscopic inflammation is present at the margins, are at very high risk for symptomatic early recurrence. Ileostomy seems to be associated with a significantly lower early recurrence potential than anastomosis. Further study is needed to determine whether avoidance of multiple anastomosis and adjuvant medical treatment can alter the course of the disease after intestinal resection in patients at high risk for early symptomatic recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Symptomatic management of postoperative bullous keratopathy with nonpreserved human amniotic membrane.

PURPOSE: To report the results of the management of painfully symptomatic postoperative bullous keratopathy (PBK) by performing a nonpreserved human amniotic membrane (NP-AMT) transplantation in nine eyes with poor visual potential. METHODS: A prospective, comparative, nonrandomized management of symptomatic PBK was done by performing a complete corneal de-epithelialization followed by a NP-AMT transplantation (NP-AMT group) or no NP-AMT transplantation (control group). We evaluated time for re-epithelialization, patient's symptoms, and appearance of new bullae. RESULTS: In the NP-AMT group, mean follow-up time was 40 weeks. Mean re-epithelialization time was 11.2 days. Symptoms of PBK resolved completely in eight patients (88%), who were asymptomatic and showing very quiet eyes from postoperative day 1, and resolved partially in one patient in whom we observed barely symptomatic bullae at the peripheral NP-AMT border (sixth postoperative week) and an asymptomatic one at the corneal center under the NP-AMT (seventh postoperative week). In the control group, mean follow-up time was 18 weeks; there were recurrences of symptomatic bullae in four of five patients at a mean time of 6.3 days. CONCLUSIONS: NP-AMT is a good alternative for the management of painful PBK in eyes with poor visual potential; NP-AMT is widely available, the technique is easy to perform, and it has good results from both the symptomatic and esthetic standpoint.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Early predictors of outcome in patients receiving hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy for symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a high incidence of permanent disability and death. For early identification of patients who are at risk for poor outcome, we determined the predictors of outcome in patients with symptomatic vasospasm after SAH. DESIGN: We retrospectively determined the prognostic value of clinical characteristics and computed tomographic scan both at admission and at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. SETTINGS: Neurosciences critical care unit at a University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 70 consecutive patients who developed symptomatic vasospasm after SAH. INTERVENTION: Treatment with oral nimodipine, hypervolemic therapy, and hypertensive therapy. Angioplasty and intra-arterial papaverine were used in patients with vasospasm resistant to standard treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Poor outcome, defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale Score of 3-5 at 2 months or discharge, was observed in 32 (46%) patients. In the logistic regression analysis, a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of < or =11 (odds ratio, 11.0; 95% confidence interval, 3.6-39.3) and hydrocephalus (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-18.2) at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy were significantly associated with poor outcome. Poor outcome was observed in 91% of the patients who had both a GCS score of < or =11 and hydrocephalus compared with 15% of patients with a GCS score of >11 and no hydrocephalus at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. A GCS score of < or =11 was also independently associated with length of intensive care unit stay (F ratio = 18.0; p = .0011) and hospital stay (F ratio = 9.2; p = .0034) after initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that outcome in patients with symptomatic vasospasm can be effectively predicted by routinely available information, including GCS score at the time of initiation of hypervolemic and hypertensive therapy. This information can be used for selection and stratification of patients in future treatment studies of patients with symptomatic vasospasm.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Prognosis of symptomatic versus asymptomatic autoimmune hepatitis: a study of 68 patients.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disorder of unknown etiology. Disease presentation ranges from asymptomatic to symptomatic onset, fulminant, acute, or chronic. GOALS: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with asymptomatic versus symptomatic AIH and to determine the role of early treatment and prognostic factors in this subgroup of patients. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with AIH were retrospectively evaluated for clinical presentation, liver function tests, autoantibody profile, liver biopsy, treatment, and long-term prognosis. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were classified as having asymptomatic AIH. They were compared with the 45 AIH patients with symptomatic onset. Patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations were indistinguishable by age, but there was a relative male predominance in the asymptomatic group. Aminotransferase and immunoglobulin levels were lower in the asymptomatic group. In contrast, the histopathologic picture was indistinguishable between the two groups. Lobular hepatitis of a moderate to severe degree, portal fibrosis, and bridging fibrosis were detected in similar frequencies in both groups. Asymptomatic onset led to a delay in diagnosis and, consequently, in the initiation of treatment and was associated with use of relatively lower doses of corticosteroids. Response to treatment and long-term prognosis of asymptomatic patients was better than that observed in the symptomatic group. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic onset of AIH is relatively common. The clinical presentation appears in correlation with liver functions tests but not with liver histology. This subgroup of AIH carries a better response to treatment and a favorable prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Esophageal reflux in symptomatic and asymptomatic infants: postprandial and circadian variations.

Twenty-two full-term infants, nine asymptomatic and 13 symptomatic for chronic digestive problems, had long-term (mean = 21 h) esophageal pH monitoring. All children were observed in strictly standardized conditions including meals and body position. Symptomatic infants presented significantly more esophageal refluxes, spent a greater percentage of time with a pH below 4, had a longer reflux duration (longer clearing time) and presented more refluxes lasting more than 5 min. We performed a determination of the circadian variations of parameters associated with esophageal reflux. Asymptomatic and symptomatic infants presented significant circadian variations of the percentage of time below pH 4 and of the longest duration of reflux. However, symptomatic infants had significantly higher mean values and increased amplitudes of circadian rhythms. Moderate phase lag existed for certain variables between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants. These findings can be helpful when interpreting the results of long-term esophageal pH monitoring.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Scoliosis in young men with spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. A comparative study in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

While an increased incidence of scoliosis in symptomatic spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis has been established previously, a comparison of its occurrence in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals has not been performed. The present study is a comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic young men with analysis as to the incidence of scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis was not found and all cases were due to spasm scoliosis or olisthetic scoliosis with the spasm type being much more common. Scoliotic curves were divided into mild (0-9 degrees) and moderate (10-20 degrees). No case of a curve greater than 20 degrees was seen. Scoliosis incidence in asymptomatic individuals without a pars break was 6.65%. In the groups of: (1) asymptomatic unilateral spondylolysis, (2) asymptomatic bilateral spondylolysis, (3) symptomatic bilateral spondylolysis, and (4) asymptomatic spondylolisthesis the scoliosis incidence was similar, ranging from 13.3-23.8%. These figures are significantly higher than those seen in the asymptomatic subjects without a pars break, but they are in the same range as in symptomatic patients without a pars break, suggesting that muscle spasm is the principal cause of the scoliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

No relationship between epidural fibrosis and sciatica in the lumbar postdiscectomy syndrome. A study with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Symptomatic patients were retrospectively analyzed and compared with a control group from an ongoing prospective and consecutive study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence and extent of epidural fibrosis in patients with and without recurrent sciatic pain after previous lumbar discectomy, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images were evaluated and correlated with surgical findings in the symptomatic patients. Recurrent hernia and bony stenosis were ruled out as the probable causative agent, as well as any morphologic explanation other than fibrosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Repeat surgical results for patients with the lumbar postdiscectomy syndrome with epidural fibrosis alone are often unfavorable. The pathogenic role of epidural fibrosis, however, has not been established. METHODS: The magnetic resonance images of eight patients with recurrent or persistent sciatic pain after lumbar discectomy were compared with those of eight asymptomatic patients constituting a control group. All were examined with magnetic resonance imaging on a 0.3 T unit before and after intravenous injection of gadolinium-DTPA, and clinically, 6 months to 4 years after surgery. The symptomatic patients subsequently underwent reoperation. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had focal or diffuse epidural fibrosis around the nerve root and/or the thecal sac at the operated level, whereas the postoperative findings for two patients were "normal," one in the operated and one in the control group. No difference between the groups regarding mass effect or affection of the nerve roots or thecal sac was noted. At reoperation of the eight symptomatic patients, fibrosis was the only pathologic finding in all cases except one, in which surgery confirmed the normal finding on magnetic resonance imaging. Six of the eight operated patients had recurrent or persistent symptoms within a year of the reoperation. CONCLUSION: No differences regarding the presence and extent of epidural fibrosis between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients could be demonstrated with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The role of epidural fibrosis as the causative agent in the lumbar postdiscectomy syndrome is questioned.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Testicular microlithiasis and its relation to testicular cancer on ultrasound findings of symptomatic men.

PURPOSE: We reviewed testicular microlithiasis (TM) on scrotal ultrasound in relation to the incidence of testicular neoplasm in males 17 to 45 years old with scrotal symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the radiographic and medical records of males age 4 weeks to 84 years with symptomatic complaint of scrotal pain or swelling between September 1998 and April 2002. Subgroup analysis was performed on 160 male patients between 17 and 45 years old since they were at higher risk for testicular carcinoma. RESULTS: TM was found in 12 patients (8%) and concomitant testicular neoplasm was found in 4 (33%) symptomatic individuals age 17 to 45. In the 148 (93%) patients without testicular microlithiasis, concomitant testicular neoplasm was found in 2 individuals (2%). Statistical analysis revealed a relative risk of testicular neoplasm in the presence of TM to be 36.5 (CI 4.2-429.6) in our symptomatic population. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.95, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic patients with TM exhibited an incidence of testicular neoplasm greater than that of the general population. An algorithm for the surveillance of patients with TM should be developed. The fact that our patient population was symptomatic at referral preselected toward a higher incidence of TM and testicular neoplasm compared to accepted incidence in the general population. Further investigation will require a multicenter trial to generate an adequate patient pool due to the low incidence of TM and testicular malignancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Symptomatic refluxing distal ureteral stumps after nephroureterectomy and heminephroureterectomy. What should we do?

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that residual ureteral stumps following nephroureterectomy (NU) or heminephroureterectomy (HNU) are associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) that is decreased by distal ureterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 71 patients who underwent NU or HNU for reflux into a nonfunctioning system between 1990 and 2003. The indications for all renal surgery included recurrent UTIs in 44 patients, hypertension in 8 and a combination of these conditions in 19. Voiding cystourethrogram and urine cultures were performed in all patients with recurrent symptomatic UTIs. RESULTS: Followup in all 71 patients averaged 52 months. A total of 11 patients who underwent laparoscopic NU or HNU to the hiatus of the bladder were excluded because they did not have a ureteral remnant. The remaining 60 patients all underwent an open procedure. Of these patients 32 (53%) had refluxing distal ureteral remnants. Six of these 32 patients with refluxing stumps (19%), all girls, became symptomatic during followup. Symptomatic UTIs recurred in these 6 patients an average of 12 times per year (range 8 to 21), which significantly decreased after distal ureterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: If surgery is indicated in patients with reflux into a poorly functioning system, we recommend NU or HNU to the level of the bladder hiatus. If a symptomatic ureteral remnant is present, then distal ureterectomy decreases the rate of symptomatic UTIs in these patients. Laparoscopic distal ureterectomy is a viable surgical technique for this patient population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Time to development of symptomatic urinary calculi in a high risk environment.

PURPOSE: While seasonal variation of stone disease is well described, the time to formation of urinary calculi is unknown. Because southwestern Asia is a high risk environment for stone disease, the date of entry into this region is a definitive beginning to a period of increased risk of urinary calculi. The recent influx of Department of Defense personnel into southwestern Asia provided the opportunity to observe stone disease in a cohort of healthy personnel during a well-defined period of increased risk of stone formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database was constructed for all patients presenting with symptomatic urinary calculi to a single military hospital deployed to Kuwait from March through August 2003. Patient demographics, stone characteristics and time to formation of symptomatic urinary calculi were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were diagnosed with 218 symptomatic stones. Mean time to formation of symptomatic urinary calculi was 93 days with a standard deviation of 42 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unprecedented information about the development of symptomatic urinary calculi in a high risk environment. While unique aspects of the population, environment and medical system created a singular opportunity to study stone disease, the results of this study are applicable to the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Association of cytomegalovirus DNA concentration in epithelial lining fluid and symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection in lung transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The authors have investigated the effectiveness of virus detection from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples for the identification of symptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in lung transplant recipients. METHODS: Thus, 275 BAL samples taken from 105 lung transplant recipients during follow-up were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation. RESULTS: Quantitative PCR detected virus in all 24 BAL samples taken at onset of symptomatic disease, and virus culture in only 7 samples (29.2%). Twenty-three of 251 BAL samples (9.2%) were positive by PCR, although they were obtained in an asymptomatic phase. Quantitation of CMV DNA from BAL allowed no discrimination between symptomatic and asymptomatic infection in individual cases. However, when the urea dilution method was used to recalculate the CMV DNA concentration for the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) diluted in the BAL, a CMV DNA level of more than 10 copies/mL ELF was clearly associated with symptomatic disease. CONCLUSION: The CMV DNA level in ELF may be a marker for symptomatic CMV infection.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed2004

CD4(+) T-cell responses to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein G are type specific and differ in symptomatic and asymptomatic HSV-2-infected individuals.

T-cell recognition of the secreted and membrane-bound portions of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein G (sgG-2 and mgG-2, respectively) was compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic HSV-2-infected individuals and in HSV-2-seronegative controls and the responses with HSV-1 glycoproteins C and E (gC-1 and gE-1) were compared. CD4(+) T cells from HSV-2-infected individuals specifically recognized both sgG-2 and mgG-2, whereas HSV-1-infected and HSV-seronegative controls did not respond to these glycoproteins. The responses to gC-1 and gE-1, on the other hand, were not type specific, as blood mononuclear cells from both HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected individuals responded in vitro. There was an association between the status of the infection (symptomatic versus asymptomatic) and the CD4(+) T-cell responsiveness. Symptomatic HSV-2-seropositive individuals responded with significantly lower Th1 cytokine production to sgG-2 and mgG-2 than did asymptomatic HSV-2-infected carriers, especially within the HSV-1-negative cohort. No differences in T-cell proliferation were observed between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. The results have implications for studies of HSV-2-specific CD4(+) T-cell reactivity in general and for analysis of immunological differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals in particular.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

When are reflux episodes symptomatic?

Careful scrutiny of pH recordings and symptom diaries in patients having 24-hour pH-metry reveals that most reflux episodes are asymptomatic. Although this observation is well known and long recognized, the explanation for why one reflux episode leads to symptoms and others do not is incompletely understood. Forty-four patients with chronic typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms referred for ambulatory pH testing were studied. Antisecretory medication was stopped 2 weeks prior to the study. Two meals were taken during the study; one standardized (hamburger, fries, milk-shake) and one at the patient's discretion. A system onset marker noted the type, beginning and end of symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain). Age, sex, upright/supine position, nadir pH, time pH < 4, and relationship to meals were compared for symptomatic/asymptomatic reflux episodes. An acid reflux event was defined as a drop in pH < 4 lasting > 5 seconds. The pH catheter detected 1464 reflux episodes. Only 93 (6.3%) were symptomatic. Forty-six of the 93 (49.4%) were associated with heartburn, 38 (40.9%) with regurgitation, and nine (9.7%) with chest pain. Nadir pH was significantly lower in symptomatic episodes. Nearly 50% of symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after meals, especially after non-standardized compared to standardized meal. Symptomatic episodes tended to be longer in duration and to occur in the supine position, while age/sex made no difference. Six percent of the reflux episodes were temporally associated with typical GERD symptoms. This association seems to be influenced by the acidity of the refluxate. Nearly half of the symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after eating.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Role of fenestration and resection for symptomatic solitary liver cysts.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic liver cysts can be managed surgically by fenestration or by hepatic resection. The present study was designed to investigate the current role of each surgical technique in the management of this benign condition. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients with symptomatic liver cyst (non-parasitic and non-malignant) surgically treated by fenestration or resection were identified from a prospectively collected database. An analysis of primary outcome measures including operative parameters, morbidity and mortality rates, length of postoperative stay and recurrence rates in months was carried out. RESULTS: The laparoscopic fenestration group had the best perioperative outcome. At median follow up of 20 months, there were no recurrences in the resection group but recurrence occurred in 6/27 (22%) in the fenestration group. Four of these recurrences were asymptomatic and were managed conservatively while two symptomatic recurrences required a resection. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic fenestration is the best treatment for symptomatic liver cysts as the primary operation. It is associated with the lowest blood loss, lowest morbidity and shortest hospital stay. Liver resection is best reserved for recurrent symptomatic cysts and cystic lesions suspicious of tumours where it can be safely performed and associated with a zero recurrence rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of doxazosin with or without tolterodine in men with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction and an overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of combined treatment with doxazosin and tolterodine, as although alpha-blockers are commonly used and generally effective in men with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), a subset of men with BOO and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms often complain of persistent symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study of 144 consecutive men with BOO at one tertiary urology centre, all had a baseline pressure-flow urodynamic study and were then subdivided into those with BOO or BOO + OAB, based on absence or presence of involuntary detrusor contractions. The Abrams-Griffiths nomogram was used to determine obstructive BOO. After the initial evaluation, all patients were treated with doxazosin 4 mg/day for 3 months. In patients with no symptomatic improvement, tolterodine 2 mg twice daily was added for an additional 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 144 patients, 76 (53%) were diagnosed as having BOO and 68 (47%) BOO + OAB. The patients with BOO + OAB were older (P < 0.05) and had a higher International Prostate Symptom Score. After 3 months of treatment with doxazosin, 60 (79%) with BOO and 24 (35%) BOO + OAB reported a symptomatic improvement. In those patients with no improvement, six of 16 with BOO and 32 of 44 (73%) with BOO + OAB improved after adding tolterodine. Acute urinary retention developed in only two of 60 men (3.3%) treated with the combined therapy. CONCLUSION: About half of men with symptomatic BOO had an OAB; while about three-quarters of men with symptomatic BOO and no OAB improved with doxazosin, only a third with BOO + OAB were helped with doxazosin alone. Combining tolterodine with doxazosin was effective in three-quarters of men with BOO + OAB. Overall, most men with BOO with or with no OAB were helped with doxazosin alone or with the addition of tolterodine.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2006

Increased expression of genes that control ionic homeostasis, second messenger signaling and metabolism in the carotid plaques from patients with symptomatic stroke.

The molecular mechanisms that render a carotid atherosclerotic plaque symptomatic have not yet been identified. Using an Affymetrix Human GeneChip set, we analyzed the gene expression patterns of 44 862 mRNA transcripts in surgically removed carotid artery plaques from six patients with symptomatic stroke and four non-symptomatic patients. The age, body mass index and the degree of stenosis were similar in the two groups. Some 236 transcripts (approximately 0.5% of the total transcripts analyzed) were expressed more abundantly in the symptomatic than the asymptomatic group. Of these, 61 transcripts are those that participate in ionic homeostasis, signal transduction and metabolism. The other groups of transcripts up-regulated in the symptomatic plaques include oncogenes, growth factors, tumor markers, angiogenesis promoters, transcription factors, and RNA splicing and processing factors. This study indicates that the higher metabolic activity in some atherosclerotic plaques leads to their faster growth and precipitation of stroke symptoms. The implications of these findings are that both diagnosis and prevention of stroke symptoms may become possible at the genetic level.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Risk factors for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease in older persons in an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk factors for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in older persons. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of charts from all older persons seen from January 1, 1998, through June 15, 1999, at an academic, hospital-based geriatrics practice. SETTING: An academic, hospital-based geriatrics practice staffed by fellows in a geriatrics training program and full-time faculty geriatricians. PATIENTS: A total of 467 men, mean age 80 +/- 8 years, and 1444 women, mean age 81 +/- 8 years, were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Symptomatic PAD was present in 93 of 467 men (20%) and in 191 of 1444 women (13%) (P = .001). Significant risk factors for symptomatic PAD by univariate analysis were: age (P = .021 in women); cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum total cholesterol, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (inverse association), and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P < .001 in men and women); obesity (P = .013 in men and .002 in women); and serum triglycerides (P = .027 in women). Significant independent risk factors for symptomatic PAD by stepwise logistic regression analysis were: age (odds ratio = 1.052 in men and 1.025 in women); cigarette smoking (odds ratio = 2.552 in men and 4.634 in women); hypertension (odds ratio = 2.196 in men and 2.777 in women); diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 6.054 in men and 3.594 in women); serum HDL cholesterol (odds ratio = .948 in men and .965 in women); and serum LDL cholesterol (odds ratio = 1.019 in men and women). CONCLUSIONS: Significant independent risk factors for symptomatic PAD in older men and women were age, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum HDL cholesterol (inverse association), and serum LDL cholesterol.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1988

Documented symptomatic bradycardia and symptom relief in patients receiving permanent pacemakers: an evaluation of the joint ACC/AHA pacing guidelines.

Recently, emphasis has been placed on documenting symptomatic bradycardia (DSB) before pacemaker placement can be justified in some patients. This study was designed to judge whether DSB improved the likelihood of symptom relief after pacing in 93 patients who had symptoms prior to pacing. Patients with complete heart block (Group A) had excellent symptomatic relief with or without pre-pacemaker DSB (100% vs 94%, P = NS). Patients with other diagnoses (Group B) also had a high incidence of symptomatic relief after pacing, regardless of whether or not DSB was present pre-implant (28/30 (93%) vs 23/28 (82%) P = NS). When evaluated as a test to predict the response to pacing for Group B patients, spontaneously occurring symptomatic bradycardia was neither highly sensitive (55%) nor highly specific (71%). Moreover, while the ability of a positive test to predict resolution of symptoms after pacing was high (93%), the ability of a negative test to predict a poor outcome after pacing was low (18%). The absence of DSB should not rule out permanent pacing for symptomatic patients in any diagnostic group. Future pacing guidelines should be revised to offer additional detail regarding the influence of symptoms, extent of asymptomatic bradycardia, and results of provocative tests in determining which implants should be classified as definitely indicated.

Bradycardia↗