Biomedical subjects

Alessandro de Cristofaro

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro de Cristofaro.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Age and gender difference in ST height at rest and after double autonomic blockade in normal adults.

BACKGROUND: ST elevation is commonly seen in young, healthy men. The exact mechanisms that cause ST height to be greater in young men are not yet completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether autonomic tone is responsible for age and gender differences in ST height. METHODS: Gender and age differences in ST height were studied at rest and after double autonomic blockade (DAB) with atropine and propranolol. Fifty healthy men and women were included (16 men, 14 women, age 23-32 years; 9 men, 11 women, age 65-79 years). Twelve-lead ECGs were registered at rest and after DAB. Leads II and V(1)-V(4) were chosen for analysis. ST height (in mm) was measured manually at the J-point, and 40 ms and 80 ms after the J-point. Values were corrected for QRS amplitude. RESULTS: Gender and age differences in ST height were seen in both rest and DAB data. Men had greater ST height compared to women at J-point, 40 and 80 ms after the J-point (P < or = 0.0001), and younger subjects had greater ST height than older subjects at J-point (P = 0.0140), 40 and 80 ms after the J-point (P < or = 0.0001). DAB did not change ST height at J-point or at 40 ms, but increased ST height at 80 ms. Women had less of an increase in ST height following DAB than men did. CONCLUSIONS: ST elevation in the absence of structural or electrical heart disease is mainly seen in young men. Age and gender difference persist after DAB and thus are not due to differences in autonomic tone.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Menstrual cycle and ST height.

BACKGROUND: Sex hormones and menstrual cycle effects on ST height have not yet been clearly identified. METHODS: Twenty-two young, healthy women (aged 22-32 years) were included in this study. Twelve-lead ECGs were registered during menses, follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle at baseline, and after double autonomic blockade (DAB). Chest leads V2-V4 and limb leads I and II were chosen for analysis. ST height was measured manually at J-Point and 40 ms after the J-Point, and values were corrected for QRS amplitude (J-Point/QRS, 40 ms/QRS). Repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze differences in ST height among the three phases of the menstrual cycle. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: At baseline, ST height, QTc, and T wave amplitude were not significantly different among the three phases of the menstrual cycle. After double autonomic blockade, ST height at 40 ms, J-Point/QRS, and 40 ms/QRS was significantly higher during follicular versus luteal phase (0.152 +/- 0.413 mm versus -0.007 +/- 0.427 mm, P = 0.0059 at 40 ms; -0.001 +/- 0.030 versus -0.015 +/- 0.032, P = 0.0039 at J-Point/QRS; 0.013 +/- 0.031 versus -0.004 +/- 0.032, P = 0.0005 at 40 ms/QRS) as was the QTc. ST height differences at J-Point were not significantly different (-0.046 +/- 0.395 mm follicular, -0.167 +/- 0.448 mm luteal, and -0.083 +/- 0.492 mm menses, P = 0.1014). CONCLUSION: ST height and QTc varied among the three phases of the menstrual cycle, predominantly after double autonomic blockade. Female sex hormones that vary throughout the menstrual cycle may modulate measures of repolarization.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Cardiac rehabilitation in a HIV-patient treated with protease inhibitors].

We report a case of a 38-years-old HIV-positive patient, undergoing in the last 18 months therapy with three antiretroviral drugs including a protease inhibitor (nelfinavir). The patient was admitted in our Department with acute anterior myocardial infarction and was submitted to PTCA on the left anterior descending coronary artery. The patient, a 30 cigarettes/day smoker, with family history of hypertension and high levels of trygliceride and cholesterol, was subsequently admitted to our Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit. Cardiac Rehabilitation Program was composed of cycle aerobic training 4 times/week, dietary education, psychologic support and therapy with pravastatin, aspirin, nitrate, enalapril, and carvedilol. At the end of the 8 week Rehabilitation Program we observed a normalization of cholesterol and trygliceride levels and an improvement of cardiac functional capacity and mental health.

Adult↗