Biomedical subjects

E Kjekshus

Publications and source records attributed to E Kjekshus.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

The effect of a neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist in patients with angina pectoris.

AIMS: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent vasoconstrictor released during sympathetic activation that may be involved in myocardial ischaemia. We examined the effect of a Y1 receptor antagonist on haemodynamic and ischaemic responses to exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-two evaluable male patients were included in a randomized, double blind, two-way crossover study with a low dose (6.7 microg/kg/min; n=59)and a high dose (13.3 microg/kg/min; n=23) of the Y1 receptor antagonist AR-H040922 given as infusions for 2h or placebo. Myocardial ischaemia during a symptom-limited exercise test was monitored by conventional ST-segment analysis and heart rate (HR)-adjusted ST changes including the ST/HR slope and ST/HR recovery. Administration of the high dose AR-H040922 attenuated systolic blood pressure by 6-11 mmHg (p<0.05) during and after exercise without affecting HR. None of the two doses of AR-H040922 influenced any of the ischaemic parameters or duration of exercise, however. The maximal increase in NPY was higher during AR-H040922 (p<0.05) compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Selective NPY Y1 receptor blockade attenuates the increase in blood pressure during exercise indicating a role for endogenous NPY in blood pressure regulation. Despite this effect, the Y1 receptor antagonist did not influence exercise-induced ischaemic parameters in patients with coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Effect of pravastatin on plasma markers of inflammation and peripheral endothelial function in male heart transplant recipients.

Statins appear to have several biologic effects beyond those of lipid metabolism, and we hypothesized that immunomodulating effects of statins are important for the beneficial effects of these medications after heart transplantation. Our findings suggest that pravastatin treatment reduces plasma markers of inflammation and improves peripheral endothelial function in heart transplant recipients, possibly contributing to the observed clinical benefits of statin treatment in these patients.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

PubMed1999

Clinical outcome of day 2 versus day 3 embryo transfer using serum-free culture media: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: The objective was to evaluate whether extending the embryo culture period from 2 to 3 days would yield a more optimal selection of viable embryos, thereby increasing the implantation and live birth rates. METHODS: Patients undergoing in vitro fertilization with at least one oocyte fertilized were prospectively randomized to 2 or 3 days of embryo culture in serum-free media. On the basis of their morphology and cleavage rate, a maximum of three embryos was selected for transfer. RESULTS: Embryos transferred on day 2 or day 3 were similar morphologically, however, a higher proportion of retarded embryos was observed on day 3. The implantation rate was 15.8 and 14.3% for day 2 and day 3 transfers, respectively. The increase in live birth rate from 18.5 to 22.6%, possibly suggesting a better embryo selection on day 3, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Extending the embryo culture period from 2 to 3 days had no effect on implantation and live birth rates.

Birth Rate↗

PubMed1998

[Intracytoplasmic sperm injection].

The first results of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in Norway are presented. Acceptable fertilization rates were obtained for all indications; severe male infertility, as well as moderately reduced sperm quality where in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer had previously failed. Furthermore, in cases where IVF had failed despite normal sperm quality, fertilization rates of 50-60% were achieved. The overall pregnancy rate was 24.9% per embryo transfer, and the live pregnancy rate per started cycle was 13.4%. As expected, the results improved with experience. The results were greatly influenced by the age of the female. In the age group 34 years or less, the total pregnancy rate per cycle was 32.4%, with a miscarriage rate of 24.2%. In the age group 35 years or more, (42% of the study group), the total pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 15.2%, with a miscarriage rate of 75%. The corresponding implantation rates were 17.4% and 7.9% respectively. 23 children have been born so far, none with major malformations or chromosome abnormality symptoms.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Studies on the elimination of bilirubin pre-operatively in patients with mitral valve disease.

This study looked at the hypothesis that patients with mitral valve disease have a reduced capacity to eliminate bilirubin prior to surgery for valve implantation. Radiolabelled bilirubin was administered as a bolus and as a steady state i.v. infusion so that its incorporation into plasma bilirubin, and the latter's elimination after the load, could be measured. Patients with mitral valve disease (10) and aortic valve disease (10), in NYHA functional classes II-III, with total bilirubin concentration < 26 mumol.l-1, were studied. The plasma conjugated bilirubin increased significantly during infusion with radiolabelled bilirubin; radioactivity also increased after 3-5 min both in mitral and aortic valve diseased patients. After termination of the infusion the decrease in plasma-free bilirubin concentration followed an exponential decay curve with a rate constant of 0.0101 +/- 0.0013 (mean +/- SD) and 0.00419 +/- 0.00130 for patients with aortic valve disease and mitral valve disease (P < 0.05) respectively. The rate constant correlated significantly with cardiac index (r = 0.55) (P < 0.01), and inversely with bilirubin concentration (r = -0.57) (P < 0.01). Patients with advanced mitral valve disease and normal bilirubin concentration demonstrated normal uptake. However, conjugation of bilirubin in the liver, with a diminished ability to eliminate a bilirubin load, indicated a functional block in the elimination of conjugated bilirubin, most likely related to a reduced liver flow.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗

PubMed1991

The first attempt at IVF treatment. Results and requirements for a satisfactory success rate.

The purpose of this study was to report the success rate of the first IVF treatment in 161 patients who attended our department in 1988. The indications for IVF were tubal damage in 84 couples (52.1%), unexplained infertility and endometriosis (with patent tubes) in 61 couples (37.9%), and polycystic ovarian syndrome in 16 couples (10%). Clinical pregnancies were diagnosed in 40 patients, giving an overall clinical pregnancy rate of 35.4% per embryo transfer. In the group of patients with unexplained infertility or endometriosis one in three of the embryo transfer cycles will predictably result in a birth, one in four in the group of patients with tubal damage or polycystic ovarian syndrome. These results invite discussion of the possible reasons for the success of our IVF program.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Pregnancy after transfer of cryopreserved embryos in clomiphene citrate resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Transfer of cryopreserved embryos in PCOS patients resistant to CC stimulation is an intriguing problem. Ovarian stimulation with hMG/hCG to create a secretory endometrium, will entail an unnecessary risk of OHSS. In this case study, we report the accomplishment of a successful pregnancy after transfer of cryopreserved embryos after secretory transformation of the endometrium by E2/P substitution in the absence of corpus luteum formation. However, the success rate of this treatment modality in terms of pregnancy per embryo transfer has still to be evaluated in an ongoing study.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin versus follicle-stimulating hormone after pituitary suppression in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was compared in 34 patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome after pituitary gonadotrope suppression with buserelin acetate. No differences were seen in the hormone parameters observed. Also, the duration of the stimulation period and the dose of gonadotropin used were the same. In both groups a multifollicular response was seen. Oocyte retrieval and in vitro fertilization resulted in identical ratios of mature to total oocytes and cleavage rates. Nine pregnancies occurred, four in the hMG group and five in the FSH group. Of the nine pregnancies, two were the result of transfer of frozen-thawed embryos in estradiol and progesterone substituted cycles.

Adult↗