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Biomedical subjects

C Perrone

Publications and source records attributed to C Perrone.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Relationships between electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

We assessed the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with systemic sclerosis and evaluated their functional significance through a comparison with echocardiographic findings. Seventy-two patients with systemic sclerosis and 64 controls underwent resting electrocardiogram (ECG) and M-mode, two-dimensional, Doppler and color Doppler echocardiography. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 48.7% of patients. Conduction disturbances (27.7%) infarction pattern (13.8%), non-specific ST-T wave changes (13.8%) and right ventricular hypertrophy (11.1%) were the most frequent abnormalities. QTc interval was significantly longer in patients with systemic sclerosis than in controls. Significant differences between patients and controls were found in the prevalence of long QTc interval (p = 0.0016) infarction pattern (p = 0.0016), right ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.007) and non-specific ST-T wave abnormalities (p = 0.0016). All patients with infarction pattern and 90% of patients with prolonged QTc interval had some echocardiographic abnormalities. Electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular hypertrophy were 16% sensitive and 93% specific for pulmonary hypertension; the sensitivity and specificity of the combination of right ventricular hypertrophy, right atrial enlargement and right bundle branch block were 35% and 90%, respectively. Standard ECG is useful to assess cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis. If infarction pattern, right ventricular hypertrophy or long QTc interval are present, a cardiac involvement is very likely.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Ruptured aortic cusp aneurysm in infective endocarditis.

We describe a patient affected by infective endocarditis with aortic aneurysm, waiting for valve replacement, in which aortic cusp rupture determined sudden heart failure. Diagnosis was performed by serial transthoracic echocardiograms and successful surgical valve replacement was performed in emergency.

Aneurysm, Ruptured↗
PubMed1996

Hemangiopericytoma of the greater omentum: US and CT appearance.

The US, Doppler and CT appearances in a patient with hemangiopericytoma of the greater omentum are presented. Ultrasound revealed a solid mass with heterogeneous echo pattern, well-defined margins and marked vascularity with low impedance flow (mean resistive index 0.42). The tumour was mobile. It was detected below the left kidney at the first US examination and had migrated into the pelvis 14 days later. At CT the tumour demonstrated strong but brief peripheral enhancement and a central hypodense scar.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Planar determination of the aortic valve area with transesophageal echocardiography with multiplanar probe in patients with aortic stenosis and insufficiency. Comparison with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography].

BACKGROUND: The simple determination of transaortic pressure gradient does not accurately assess the severity of an aortic valve stenosis. Thus, estimating the aortic valve area (AVA) is vital for clinical decision-making. Cardiac catheterization has been considered the "gold-standard" for the quantification of the stenotic valve area, but this technique may underestimate the actual valve area when aortic regurgitation is associated. Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with the continuity equation method is usually employed for AVA estimation. Recently, in pure aortic stenosis, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has provided AVA values well-correlated to hemodynamic invasive results. METHODS: In this study, we correlated AVA values by TTE and multiplane TEE in 18 patients with combined aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation. RESULTS: The mean values of AVA by TEE and TTE were 0.74 +/- 0.12 and 0.68 +/- 0.55 cm2, respectively (p = NS). TEE-derived AVA correlated well to TTE-derived AVA (r = 0.816; p < 0.0001). Critical aortic stenosis was predicted by TEE with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Total time of examination was significantly longer for TTE (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, direct planimetry by multiplane TEE is a reliable method for AVA determination in aortic stenoinsufficiency. For this purpose, when the technical quality of TTE study is poor or when the patient is critically ill and does not tolerate a longer lasting TTE, multiplane TEE should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[High-resolution electrocardiography in 102 young healthy subjects].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal values of the most common indexes used in the analysis of ventricular late potential in 102 young male subjects. METHODS: The recordings were performed by means of a Marquette electronics Hi-Resolution ECG Mac 15, with filters at 25-250 Hz, 40-250 Hz and 80-250 Hz. The parameters obtained were: filtered QRS duration (QRSD), high-frequency low-amplitude signals duration (HFLA), and the root mean square of the signal expressed in the terminal portion of QRS (RMS). The body surface was also evaluated. RESULTS: QRSD (121.23 ms-113.9 ms-99.9 ms); RMS (105 uV-42.77 uV-34.3 uV); HFLA (17.5 ms-29.3 ms-29.3 ms). The comparison between our results and those proposed by other authors for normal subjects showed different results, particularly concerning the filtered QRS duration. We suppose that these discrepancies may be due to the different instrumentations used and to the different age and sex of the study population. CONCLUSIONS: From these results we confirm that a normal range for each index must be done for homogeneous groups of subjects for age and sex, in healthy subjects as well as for different heart disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The prevalence of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in a population of 116,542 young males].

Since 1988 to 1992 we analyzed 116,452 consecutive 12-lead electrocardiograms belonging to the entire cohort of 18-year old young boys resident in Padova, Treviso, Rovigo, Venezia, Belluno area (2,834,000 inhabitants). We identified 173 cases of overt WPW pattern (short PR interval, delta wave, anomalous configuration of QRS complex) with a calculated incidence of 1.48/1000. Accessory pathway location was: left free wall (70 patients), right free wall (39 patients), postero-septal (37 patients), antero-septal (15 patients) and undetermined (12 patients). Sixty patients (34.6%) complained of different symptoms as palpitations, near syncope and dizziness. Fifty-three patients (30.6%) went in a regular sport activity. Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring (41 patients) and exercise stress test (43 patients) did not show sustained tachyarrhythmias; intermittent preexcitation was recorded in 23 and 32 patients, respectively. Two-dimensional echocardiogram (68 out of 173) was normal in 44 patients, while 24 showed minor cardiac abnormalities with two major disease; mitral valve prolapse was diagnosed in 8 patients. On the basis of transesophageal (24 patients) or intracardiac (5 patients) electrophysiologic study, 11 patients were considered at high risk for sudden death. Eight of them suffered from spontaneous symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Clinical and instrumental findings in cardiac amyloidosis].

The clinical findings of 2 male patients, aged 58 and 60 years with cardiac amyloidosis are described. Congestive heart failure was present in both. Electrocardiograms were abnormal in both cases. Echocardiographic examination showed increased myocardial echogenicity and ventricular hypertrophy, pericardial effusion and decreased ventricular function. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 1 patient. Rectal biopsies were obtained from both patients; endomyocardial biopsy was executed in only 1 patient; all specimens were positive. Our data demonstrate, in agreement with the literature, that clinical features of cardiac amyloidosis are polymorphous and therefore often unidentified.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1989

Intestinal infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A prospective study in 132 patients.

We studied prospectively 132 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome to define the spectrum of enteric pathogens during this disease, with special reference to the correlation between the lesions, the infections, and the symptoms. Forty-four percent of the patients harbored at least one enteric pathogen: the most frequently recovered were Cryptosporidium (28), cytomegalovirus (16), Entamoeba histolytica (13), Giardia lamblia (9), and Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (7). Patients harboring pathogens were more likely to be diarrheics (69%) than patients without a pathogen (38%; P = 0.01) and more likely to have endoscopic lesions (29%) than patients without a pathogen (4%; P less than 0.001). The most common pathogen associated with diarrhea was Cryptosporidium. Cytomegalovirus, Entamoeba histolytica, and Salmonella typhimurium were each significantly associated with endoscopic lesions. Patients with cytomegalovirus infection tended to have a greater incidence of ulcer than patients without cytomegalovirus infection. Stool analysis diagnosed 61% of the infections, while endoscopy diagnosed 44%. Seven percent were recognized by stool analysis and endoscopy. When considering the 24 patients in whom accurate diagnosis warranted endoscopic biopsies, stool examination alone would have given an incomplete diagnosis in 14 patients (due to the presence of polyinfection). The frequency of inaccurate diagnosis of infection by stool determination alone, plus the development of new antiviral agents that suppress cytomegalovirus, may favor the earlier application of endoscopic evaluation in these patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease.

To assess the prevalence and the extent of cardiac involvement in patients with Behçet's disease and to investigate the possible causes that may predispose to this involvement, 30 patients affected by Behçet's disease and 30 normal control subjects were submitted to M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation. Moreover, antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies were determined in the sera of both patients and control subjects. Finally, HLA-B51 positivity was assessed in the patients and in a historical control group. Mitral valve prolapse was observed in 50% and proximal aorta dilatation in 30% of the patients. There was a significant difference in the rate of these abnormalities in comparison with the control group. Left ventricular function parameters were similar between the two groups. The positivity rate of antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies was very low (7%), without differences between the groups. HLA-B51 was detected in 82.7% of the patients versus 21.7% in the control group (p < 0.00001). In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high rate of cardiac abnormalities in patients with Behçet's disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term exposure to "low levels" of manganese oxides and neurofunctional changes in ferroalloy workers.

Occupational exposure to manganese can cause early neurobehavioral effects in low- or a-symptomatic workers. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to a group of 61 ferroalloy male workers and 87 controls. The average (geometric mean) manganese concentrations in total dust at the plant have changed from 1981 to 1997 respectively from 1597.03 micrograms/m3 to 239 micrograms/m3 at the furnace area; from 151.53 to 255.76 micrograms/m3 at the casting area; from 167 to 54.7 micrograms/m3 at the maintenance (welding operations), yielding a current overall value of 54.25 micrograms/m3. A cumulative exposure index was calculated for each alloy worker and the average value (geometric mean) resulted to be 1204.87 micrograms/m3 x years, which divided by the average length of exposure (15.17 years), showed the concentration of 70.83 micrograms/m3 of manganese in total dust. Blood and urinary manganese geometric means resulted significantly higher in the exposed workers (9.18 micrograms/l and 1.53 micrograms/g creatinine, respectively) than in controls (5.74 micrograms/l and 0.40 microgram/g creatinine, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between the airborne manganese concentrations in total dust and blood manganese (n = 55; R = 0.36; R2 = 0.13; p = 0.0068), whereas no association resulted between cumulative exposure index and both blood manganese and urinary manganese. Higher prevalence of symptoms reporting was observed in the alloy workers concerning irritability, loss of equilibrium and rigidity. Tremor parameters including the central frequency and its dispersion, resulted to be statistically different in the exposed workers compared to the controls. Motor functions exploring the coordination of rapid and alternating movements and memory functions resulted to be impaired in the manganese workers. Dose-effect relationships were observed between the cumulative exposure index and some of the test results, whereas no relationship was found with the airborne manganese concentrations and the biological indicators of exposure. These findings are consistent with the existing knowledge of a cumulative mechanism of action of manganese, which must be carefully considered when setting safe exposure levels. In order to be protective for the entire working life, the average annual exposure level should be lower than 100 micrograms/m3.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pachydermoperiostosis (primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy): in vitro evidence for abnormal fibroblast proliferation.

Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a disease characterized by the presence of pachydermia, periostosis and finger clubbing. Evidence that the skin and soft tissues are involved in the disease prompted the in vitro investigation of the behaviour of fibroblasts obtained from cutaneous biopsies of involved and apparently uninvolved PDP skin. PDP fibroblasts from affected skin demonstrated an abnormal proliferation, very rapid and tumultuous when compared to the growth of fibroblasts derived from apparently uninvolved skin and fibroblasts from the skin of healthy subjects. This characteristic was confirmed by the rate of thymidine incorporation, which was increased in PDP-affected fibroblasts (1152 dpm) compared to apparently non-PDP involved fibroblasts (273 dpm) and controls (262 dpm). Ultracentrifuged and non-centrifuged conditioned medium (CM) of fibroblasts affected or apparently not affected with PDP were used to evaluate the effect on the proliferation of healthy skin fibroblasts, compared to the effect of CM derived from healthy fibroblasts and from healthy fibroblasts incubated with 10% and 1% foetal calf serum. The CM of non-centrifuged PDP fibroblasts resulted in a statistically significant stimulation of fibroblast growth when compared to that expressed by ultracentrifuged PDP CM, healthy fibroblast CM and 10% stimulated CM. These data show that PDP fibroblasts maintain in vitro the capacity to proliferate at a higher rate than healthy fibroblasts and that in the CM residual cells and/or their debris may be present, inducing the abnormal growth of healthy fibroblasts. This evidence suggests that fibroblasts in PDP may play a role in the development of the disease.

Cell Division↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Liver abscess: is drug therapy only possible?].

We describe a case of liver abscess, whose favourable evolution, after the initial medical treatment, started when we didn't know the diagnosis, persuaded us to continue the begun treatment, based on localization of disease and on clinical improvement, instead of carrying out on evacuative puncture. At moment, according to our knowledge, this is the third case of liver abscess which has recovered by on antibiotic rational treatment without surgical punctures. Can we treat the liver abscess like the pneumonia according to features of localization and clinical history?

Ceftazidime↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of type II achondrogenesis].

We describe a rare case of type II achondrogenesis (gestational age = thirty-two weeks) dead forty-five minutes after birth. This congenital skeletal dysplasia is classified among the lethal osteochondrodysplasias. Clinical features were enough for diagnosis and autopsy added nothing to our clinical knowledges.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗