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Biomedical subjects

A Reali

Publications and source records attributed to A Reali.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Left ventricular diastolic function in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess left ventricular diastolic function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to verify if a "primary" diastolic dysfunction might exist. METHODS: In total 124 patients and 41 healthy subjects underwent complete echocardiographic examination. The following pulsed wave Doppler variables were evaluated: peak velocity during early filling (E), peak velocity during late atrial filling (A), E/A ratio, and early filling deceleration time. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients (62.1%) had conditions potentially affecting left ventricular diastolic function (Group A) and 47 patients (37.9%) formed a homogeneous group without cardiac involvement or other causes of abnormal diastolic function (i.e., systemic and/or pulmonary hypertension, ventricular hypertrophy, pericardial disease, systolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease) (Group B). The entire SSc population and Group A showed significant differences in the Doppler variables of diastolic function compared to the control group. No significant differences were found between Group B and controls. CONCLUSION: In patients with SSc, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was found only in patients with conditions potentially affecting left ventricular diastolic function. In patients without conditions potentially affecting left ventricular diastolic function no differences were seen in comparison with controls. SSc does not seem to cause "primary" diastolic abnormalities.

Adult↗

Role of rHuEpo on blood transfusions in preterm infants after the fifteenth day of life.

The specific aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants after the 15th day of life. Between 1 October 1994 and 1 October 1995, 107 preterm infants, gestational age < or = 34 weeks, were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and received rHuEpo subcutaneously, 900 U/kg week-1, 3 times weekly, supplemented with iron and vitamin E. Treatment was started at 8 days of life and lasted from a minimum of 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months. A total of 116 preterm infants of the same gestational age, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1992, served as controls. Entry criteria were gestational age < or = 34 weeks and no major congenital malformation. There were no differences in routine care between the two groups. Hematological measurements and transfusion requirements were followed during therapy. The infants were divided into two groups according to birth weight (< 1500 g and > or = 1500 g), and for each group the number of patients who received blood transfusions and when blood transfusions occurred, before or after the 15th day of life, was recorded. There was a statistically significant difference only for transfusions carried out after the 15th day of life (p < 0.002). No adverse effects attributable to rHuEpo during the treatment were noted. The results indicate that early rHuEpo treatment, in combination with iron supplements, is effective in reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants after the 15th day of life.

Anemia, Neonatal↗

[Iatrogenic sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to underline how topical is the chapter of the sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis and to try to make a classification. Pulmonary tuberculosis can be cured definitely or hesitate in disease (BK negative) that is totally independent from tuberculosis about their pathogenesis and clinical features. They are called sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We made a statistical analysis that investigate a group of 110 patients without active infection (BK negative) admitted in the hospital because of a sequela of pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients were treated in the past by collapse-therapy or by antibiotic-therapy until their spittle became negative for BK. RESULTS: A significant (p < 0.05) relationship between each kind of sequela, among the most important ones (fibrothorax, interstitial fibrosis, bronchiectasis, empyema with or without pleural fistula, parafibrotic emphysema), and type of treatment, results. CONCLUSIONS: The sequelae of tuberculosis of the lung are highly disadvantageous for people who are affected; are observed frequently; are closely dependent on what kind of treatment the patient has received; are classified in iatrogenic, not iatrogenic or mixed.

Adolescent↗