PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Barbieri

Publications and source records attributed to E Barbieri.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Effects of magnesium pidolate on cardiovascular hemodynamics].

Aim of this study is to define the hemodynamic effects of magnesium (Mg) in patients with ischemic heart disease. Thus, the effects of 1 g of Mg pidolate injected over 3 min iv were evaluated in 10 patients by analysis of pressure data from a micromanometer catheter in the left ventricle and of volume data derived from Doppler and 2-dimensional echocardiography. Recordings were made before and immediately after the injection, at 3, 5, and 8 min. At 5 min, Mg induced a significant reduction in left ventricular peak systolic pressure (from 132.4 +/- 19.4 to 122.7 +/- 17.5 mmHg, p = 0.015, with early filling notably augmented (E wave of Doppler curve; from 39.4 +/- 8.5 to 43.9 +/- 9.7 cm/s, p = 0.013) and a slight increase in cardiac output (from 6.23 +/- 1.4 to 6.9 +/- 1.7 l/min, p = 0.092). Heart rate increased (from 75.9 +/- 9.6 to 78.13 +/- 8.4 b/min, p = 0.062) and the constant of isovolumetric pressure decay decreased (from 48.9 +/- 13.2 to 45.7 +/- 14.9 ms, p = 0.065), probably as a final effect of aortic pressure reduction. The diastolic pressure-volume relationship was insignificantly displaced downward (p = 0.11) and to the right (p = 0.62). In conclusion, Mg unloads the ischemic left ventricle through a reduction of systemic aortic pressure, with a secondary increase in early filling; this increase may derive from a rise in the atrioventricular diastolic gradient, subsequent to an improvement in ventricular emptying. Active relaxation is improved, and passive diastolic properties are not affected, in spite of the reported calcium-antagonist action of the drug.

Adult↗

Arterial revascularization by laser angioplasty: first Italian experiences.

Eighty-seven laser angioplasty procedures were performed on 85 patients (73 men and 12 women). In the first phase (54 patients) a broad selection process included long occlusions (23.9 cm avg) and vessels with heavy calcification; in the second phase (31 patients) the authors treated vessels with shorter occlusions (10 cm avg) and less calcific. The primary success rate, based on number of procedures (73.5% overall) was 69% in the first phase but reached 81.3% in the second phase. There were 14 perforations (16%), 8 dissections (9.4%), and 4 peripheral emboli (4.7%). Six-month follow-up shows that the Winsor index maintained its initial improvement in 76.5% of all patients, or 62% in just the long occlusions. These data and a review of the cases suggest that no more of 10-20% of patients with claudication in lower extremities can be treated by laser angioplasty; the authors consider ideal candidates those patients who noncalcific lesions in the common iliac or superficial femoral arteries at the III medium level with obstructions shorter than 8 cm and good runoff.

Angioplasty, Laser↗

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for localized Ewing's sarcoma of the extremities: preliminary results of a protocol which uses surgery (alone or followed by radiotherapy) for local control.

From June 1983 to December 1985, thirty-eight patients with localized Ewing's sarcoma of the extremities were treated with a protocol that consisted of an initial nine week period of polychemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide) followed by local therapy and additional chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and dactinomycin) for one year. As local treatment all patients were offered surgery; thirty-two accepted and six refused. These six patients were locally treated with radiotherapy alone (50 Gy). In the remaining patients an amputation was performed in one case and a resection in thirty-one. In resected patients when a wide margin was achieved (24 cases) no further local treatment was performed; when it was marginal (5 cases) or intralesional (2 cases) radiotherapy at lower doses (40 Gy) followed. At mean follow-up of thirty-seven months the percentage of continuously disease-free patients was 50% for those treated with radiotherapy, 76% with surgery, and 85% with surgery and radiotherapy. Eight patients developed metastatic disease and two patients had local recurrence and metastases. The local recurrences were seen in one patient locally treated with surgery and in one locally treated with radiotherapy. Nine major local complications were observed: three in patients treated with radiotherapy, five in patients treated with surgery, and one in a patient treated with surgery and radiotherapy. These results indicate that after induction chemotherapy conservative surgery is possible in almost all cases of Ewing's sarcoma of the extremities and that such treatment is better than radiotherapy alone as local therapy.

Adolescent↗

[Femoral osteonecrosis in patients treated with radiochemotherapy of Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Therapeutic progress has much improved the prognosis of Hodgkin's disease; therefore long-term complications of the treatment have become a major problem. Among these, the authors focused on osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and conducted a retrospective study on 182 patients treated with inverted-Y-field radiation therapy combined to MOPP chemotherapy in 129 cases. Femoral osteonecrosis was found in 6 patients (3.3%), 5 males and 1 female; 4 of them received combined modality treatment (inverted-Y radiation therapy + MOPP), and 2 radiation therapy alone. The interval between the end of treatment and the radiological finding of femoral osteonecrosis ranged from 23 to 54 months, with a mean of 35 months. On the whole, 10 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (4 bilateral, and 2 unilateral) were observed, and 4 fractures involving the anatomic neck. According to our results, neither a safety dose-limit nor an optimal schedule of combination therapy could be fixed. Besides radiological features and the problems of differential diagnosis, the authors considered the pathogenesis of femoral head osteonecrosis in the patients with Hodgkin's disease treated with radiotherapy alone or combined to chemotherapy, and suggested the existence of a personal proneness to the lesion and the role of ionizing radiations, corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, as inducing factors. Because of the different and unexpected reaction of each patient to the treatment, osteonecrosis prevention is very difficult: however, its complication may be reduced--or even avoided--by subjecting the treated patients to periodic clinical and radiological examinations.

Adult↗

[Doppler-hemodynamic evaluation of variations in left ventricular filling due to reduction of external mechanical compression].

It has been recently shown that preload reduction affects the pattern of left ventricular (LV) filling in a way that mimics those Doppler changes that have been associated with impaired LV diastolic function. In order to better relate changes of mitral flow velocity profile to changes of the diastolic properties of the ventricle, in 11 ischemic patients diastolic pressure-volume relations from micromanometer LV pressure and LV volume derived from Doppler and 2D-echocardiography were constructed before and after TNT (0.2 mg iv). TNT induced a significant reduction in LV peak pressure (% change: -13 +/- 7%, p: 0.0003), end-diastolic pressure (EDP) (-62 +/- 45%, p: 0.0006), and constant of isovolumic pressure decay (T) (-8.4 +/- 6.6%, p: 0.012). The left atrial pressure at the time of mitral valve opening (PCO: defined as the pressure at the time of initial transvalvular flow assessed by Doppler) decreased 5.3 +/- 9.6 mmHg (p: 0.11). The early filling E wave of the Doppler velocity profile was significantly reduced by TNT (-20.1 +/- 12.7%, p: 0.0003), while the atrial contribution to total filling increased by 21.3 +/- 29.7% (p: 0.03). The E/A ratio decreased from 0.87 +/- 0.31 to 0.66 +/- 0.22 (p: 0.016), and the change correlated with changes in EDP (p less than 0.05) and PCO (p less than 0.01). The diastolic pressure-volume relationship was displaced downward (p: 0.0007) and minimally leftward (p: 0.45), suggesting relief of external constraint.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Disease↗

[Analysis of prognostic factors in 106 cases of carcinoma of the rhinopharynx treated with cobalt teletherapy].

A series of 106 patients affected with nasopharyngeal carcinomas and treated by definitive external irradiation from January 1975 to December 1986 was retrospectively reviewed. The median follow-up, from the end of the treatment, was 43 months (range 24-90). The nasopharynx received not less than 60 Gy to the midplane: the clinically negative neck (N0) was treated with a total dose of 50 Gy and the patients who had N1-3 disease received not less than 60 Gy. Thirty-eight patients had a recurrence in the irradiated areas (31 in the nasopharynx, and 7 in the neck); 17 patients developed distant metastases. Disease-free survival at 60 months was 42%. The most significant prognostic factor (p less than 0.05) was the presence of advanced neck involvement (N2-3), since most of the lymphatic and distant recurrences were observed in this group of patients. The overall results did not reveal but slight differences in the survival according to histology, even though patients with undifferentiated carcinomas had a local recurrence rate significantly lower than those with squamous cell carcinomas. Our findings suggest that patients with N2-3 neck diseases or with locally advanced involvement (T3-4) be treated by adjuvant chemotherapy in order to decrease the risk of local and distant relapses.

Adolescent↗

Radio-induced sarcomas in survivors of Ewing's sarcoma.

Of 255 cases of Ewing's sarcoma recorded at the Bone Tumor Center of the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, 78 patients (irradiated and with a follow-up of longer than 3 years) were considered "at risk" for the development of a second radio-induced sarcoma (RIS). Three of the 78 patients developed an RIS in the irradiated field. Theoretical and statistical analyses were carried out considering different modalities of local treatment. Statistically, the only significant factor was related to the irradiation dose. Surgical resection seems to prevent RIS.

Adolescent↗

Angiographic morphology of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) occurs frequently. To better define the restenosis process, a quantitative analysis was performed of coronary angiographic morphologic characteristics at restenosis, before and immediately after PTCA. In 22 patients cine frames showing stenosis at its most severe narrowing were traced and quantitatively analyzed. Immediately after PTCA, stenosis diameter (0.7 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.6 mm, mean +/- standard deviation, p less than 0.05) was increased; percent stenosis (77 +/- 11 to 34 +/- 16%, p less than 0.05), neck index (1.2 +/- 1.4 to 0.5 +/- 0.6, p less than 0.05) and irregularity (9 of 22 patients) were decreased. At follow-up, quantitative coronary morphologic values in most cases were similar to those before PTCA. There were individual changes, which occurred in an unpredictable and highly variable fashion, so that average values were not changed. The eccentricity ratio was not significantly changed by angioplasty or at restenosis. Thus, although successful PTCA results in specific changes in angiographic coronary stenotic morphology, these are reversed by the restenosis process.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Intensive chemotherapy regimen in high-grade non Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Between February 1982 and June 1984, 36 previously untreated patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) according to the Kiel classification were treated with an intensive therapeutic regimen including cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone, cytarabine, VM 26 and local radiotherapy on bulky disease. Twenty-three patients (64%) achieved a complete remission and 11 patients (30%) had a partial response. Over a median follow-up from the diagnosis of 32.5 months, the overall survival was 55%; relapse-free survival for complete responders was 56.5%. Toxicity was irrelevant. This regimen was effective in the treatment of high-grade NHL, but probably needs intensification and rotation of different drugs.

Adolescent↗

Distribution of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone in a patient with acute myocardial infarction after intravenous administration.

The autopsy tissues concentration of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone of a man with acute myocardial infarction treated acutely with intravenous amiodarone is reported. Our data indicate that amiodarone is quickly distributed into all highly perfused tissues after intravenous administration with a high amiodarone/desethylamiodarone ratio. We also report here the autopsy case of a woman who died after 30 days of oral therapy with amiodarone. The increase in heart/plasma ratio of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations and the decrease in amiodarone/desethylamiodarone ratio after one month of therapy could explain the latency in the antiarrhythmic action of the drug.

Amiodarone↗

[Radiotherapy of carcinoma of the glottis in the initial stage].

The control of early glottic cancer is equally satisfactory with either surgical resection or radiation therapy; this last method gives the patient good functional results. During the period from 1/1978 to 12/1985, 73 patients with early glottic carcinoma (T1 N0 M0) were treated in the Institute of Radiotherapy L. Galvani, University of Bologna; 45 were stage T1a (tumour limited to one vocal cord) and 28 were stage T1b (tumour of both vocal cords or involving anterior commissure); radiation treatment utilised a 60Co machine and 5 x 5 cm fields; the median dose was 67.2 Gy (range 50-76) with conventional fractionation. Ten patients had local recurrence; the median time of recurrence was 13.4 months; 9/10 were treated by surgery and 2/10 died, so the overall control by radiotherapy with surgery in reserve was 100% in T1a tumours and 90.6% in T1b ones. The 5-years disease free survival rate was 93.1% in T1a tumours and 69% in T1b; lesions involving anterior commissure had the worst prognosis, independent of the dose and time-dose factor (3/10 recurrences in the group treated with TDF less than 110 and 4/18 recurrences in the group with TDF more than 110).

Adult↗

Patterns of failure in nasopharyngeal cancer treated with megavoltage irradiation.

From 1976 to 1982, 78 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) were treated with definitive megavoltage irradiation in accordance with a uniform protocol. The results of treatment were analyzed and prognostic factors reviewed. The incidence of primary failures was directly related to the extent of nasopharyngeal disease, since the relapse rate was 11% in T1T2 patients compared with 37.5% in T3T4 patients. Similarly, failure in the neck correlated with the N stage, being negligible for N0 and N1, while 35.7% for N3. The presence of bulky cervical nodes was associated with a higher risk for metastases: hematogenous dissemination occurred in 50% of N3B patients. The histology pattern seemed to significantly affect the ultimate outcome of patients with NPC, since disease-free survival was 65.5% in patients with a diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma (UC) and 23.8% in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SC). The major cause of poor survival in this latter patient group was not only a higher recurrence rate of both primary and nodal disease but a greater incidence of distant metastases as well.

Carcinoma↗

Laser angioplasty with angioscopic guidance in humans.

An experimental study was conducted in 11 patients to evaluate the immediate effects of laser recanalization during peripheral arterial bypass surgery. Angioscopy allowed precise localization and identification of the occlusion. A 1 or 2 mm optical fiber probe was used. Laser energy was regulated using the least amount of energy necessary for recanalization. New vascular channels were made in 10 of the 11 patients. After recanalization the arterial segment was excised for histologic evaluation. Smaller channel diameters were made with the 1 mm probe (1.5 +/- 0.6 mm) than with the 2 mm probe (3 +/- 0.3 mm) (p less than 0.05). Flow through channels (mean pressure 80 mm Hg) made with the 2 mm probe was greater than that through channels made with the 1 mm probe (150 +/- 102 versus 19.7 +/- 10 cc/min) (p less than 0.05). The amount of debris formed was small with both probes. Vascular perforations were less frequent with the 2 mm probe (two of nine arteries) compared with the 1 mm probe (four of four arteries). Successful recanalization with flow rates expected to maintain vascular patency was achieved only with the 2 mm probe. Histologic studies at nonperforated sites demonstrated that the elastica of the artery appeared to be preserved whereas the overlying plaque and underlying media were thermally disrupted. This suggests that the elastic tissue acts as an optical window allowing the argon beam to go through it without causing morphologic damage. Except for fresh thrombus, atheromas including calcific plaque and old organized thrombus were readily vaporized. These results are encouraging for the use of the laser for vascular recanalization in humans.

Aged↗

Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone distribution in the atrium and adipose tissue of patients undergoing short- and long-term treatment with amiodarone.

The time to onset of action of amiodarone is often long in patients treated for arrhythmias; one reason might be a slow entry of the drug into the target organ, the heart. Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone, its active metabolite, were measured in the plasma, atrial tissue and pericardial fat of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Two groups were studied: patients treated with amiodarone for less than 28 days (short-term group) and those treated for 28 days or more (long-term group). Plasma levels of amiodarone in the two groups were not different, whereas levels of desethylamiodarone were significantly higher in the long-term group. Average concentrations of amiodarone in the atrium were higher with longer treatment periods (30.2 +/- 5.6 versus 13.2 +/- 2.5 micrograms/g wet weight of tissue); the same was true for desethylamiodarone (40.3 +/- 7.7 versus 15.7 +/- 3.7 micrograms/g). Amiodarone concentrations in fat were also significantly higher in the long-term than in the short-term group. Atrium/plasma concentration ratios of desethylamiodarone were higher than those of amiodarone, whereas fat plasma concentration ratios of desethylamiodarone were lower. In conclusion, the equilibration of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations between myocardium and plasma appears to occur slowly in patients undergoing long-term treatment with amiodarone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity.

A patient with atrial premature depolarizations developed pulmonary toxicity during long-term treatment with amiodarone. The clinical features were cough and dyspnea. Pulmonary function tests showed a restrictive defect and severe impairment of gas transfer. Diffuse interstitial and intra-alveolar shadows were noted on chest X-ray. Lung specimens obtained by transbronchial biopsy showed hyperplasia of pneumocytes and widening of the alveolar septa. After discontinuation of amiodarone and institution of steroid therapy the patient improved symptomatically, and after 3 weeks the chest X-ray showed clearing of the bilateral infiltrates. The patient was never given any other antiarrhythmic drugs, had no important heart disease, and received the lowest daily dose of amiodarone reported in the literature of cases of pulmonary injury.

Amiodarone↗

A randomized trial for the treatment of high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities: preliminary observations.

A new trial for evaluating the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities in adult patients is presented. All patients after local treatment were randomized into two arms, one without further therapy and the other to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (Adriamycin [Farmitalia-Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy], 450 mg/m2). The preliminary results of the study are reported at a median observation period of 27.6 months. Of the 59 patients who entered the study, 79.1% in the chemotherapy group are without sign of disease, whereas the corresponding figure in the nonadjuvant chemotherapy group is 54.3%. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (P less than .005, log rank test). These preliminary observations encourage continuation of the study.

Adolescent↗

Plasma levels and myocardial content of verapamil, norverapamil and two N-dealkyl-metabolites in man.

The plasma levels and myocardial content of verapamil and its metabolites norverapamil, N-dealkylverapamil and N-dealkylnorverapamil were determined in 15 patients with valvular [3] or ischaemic [12] heart disease. The mean myocardial plasma concentration ratio (M/P) was 7.05 for verapamil, 11.45 for norverapamil, 8.93 for N-dealkylverapamil, and 11.33 for N-dealkylnorverapamil, with great interpatient variability. The highest M/P ratios of verapamil were generally found in patients with the lowest plasma levels, suggesting that saturable tissue uptake may occur.

Adult↗