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E de Marchena

Publications and source records attributed to E de Marchena.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[New pharmacological agents in heart failure].

Heart failure is a common and growing public health problem, with increasing incidence and prevalence over the last 2 decades. Despite improvements in its current management, heart failure is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This has motivated the search for newer therapeutic modalities, which are based on a better understanding on the pathophysiologic events that lead to heart failure. This review summarizes the potential role of new pharmacological agents in the treatment of heart failure. These potential new agents can be classified according to their role in the modulation of the main pathophysiologic abnormalities that characterized heart failure, that include: cellular-extracellular abnormalities, endothelial dysfunction, neurohormonal and immunologic activation.

Cardiovascular Agents↗
PubMed2000

Primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by percutaneous intracardiac biopsy with combined fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic imaging.

Primary cardiac tumors have very low prevalence with cardiac lymphoma, being one of the rarest forms. Several recent reports have shown transesophageal echocardiography to be an accurate technique for characterizing and localizing these neoplasms, with results comparable to CT and MRI scans. Transvenous intracardiac tumor biopsy has been employed as a minimally invasive technique to obtain tissue samples. The addition of transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance to this process has increased the accuracy of obtaining diagnostic specimens while improving patient safety. We review published cases of this relatively new technique using combined fluoroscopic and TEE guidance and present a case of primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by this method. The patient achieved complete tumor remission after treatment with standard chemotherapy and remains fully functional 32 months after initial diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Soluble immune mediators in POEMS syndrome with pulmonary hypertension: case report and review of the literature.

POEMS syndrome is a plasma cell dyscrasia that presents with numerous complications, one of which is rarely pulmonary hypertension. Here we present a case of POEMS syndrome with pulmonary hypertension who improved with steroids and six rounds of plasmapheresis done over 1 month, and we document the baseline immune mediator status and the changes associated with the therapeutic intervention. Serum levels of soluble immune mediators such as interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8, IL-10, and eotaxin were normal at baseline and throughout therapy, whereas those of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, soluble TNF-receptor type I (sTNF-RI), IL-6, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-2, and sIL-2R, which were abnormally high at baseline normalized with steroids and plasmapheresis. Serum levels of sIL-6R, which were abnormally low at baseline, increased to normal after therapy. The latter results pinpoint not only potential mediators of the systemic manifestations of POEMS syndrome with pulmonary hypertension but also relevant markers in patient follow-up. In this respect, IL-6 has been involved in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and Castleman's disease, and the interplay between abnormally high levels of IL-6 and abnormally low levels of its soluble receptor, deficiencies that corrected with therapy in this patient, appears to be particularly relevant to the pathogenic manifestations of POEMS syndrome with pulmonary hypertension. These findings are discussed in the context of our current knowledge of the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and of potential new therapeutic modalities for POEMS syndrome with pulmonary hypertension.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Effect of clonidine on heart rate variability in congestive heart failure.

In patients with congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rate variability is a predictor of total mortality and sudden cardiac death. Drugs that improve heart rate variability may have a potential role for improving the survival among these patients. The effects of clonidine were studied in 24 patients with congestive heart failure, sinus rhythm, a left ventricular ejection fraction <0.40, and systolic blood pressure > 115 mm Hg. A 6-minute corridor walk test and 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed before and 42+/-24 days after initiation of clonidine therapy (Catapres-TTS patch, mean dose: 0.33+/-0.21 mg). Changes in other medications used at baseline were not allowed. One patient died suddenly. Two patients did not complete the protocol due to worsening congestive heart failure, which required changes in medications, 1 patient discontinued due to hypotension, and 2 for personal reasons. Among the 18 patients who completed the protocol, the mean RR interval of sinus beats increased from 760+/-106 to 822+/-125 ms (p=0.001) and the distance covered during the 6-minute walk test increased from 1,148+/-277 to 1,255+/-359 feet (p=0.042). Systolic blood pressure decreased from 139+/-15 to 119+/-10 mm Hg (p <0.0001). The following increases were noted in the heart rate variability measurements: high-frequency power in 0.15 to 0.40 Hz: 4.58+/-1.07 to 4.94+/-1.17 In (ms), p=0.002; SD: 47.0+/-16.9 to 52.5+/-18.4 ms, p=0.034; SD of the mean of all RR intervals in 24 hours: 116+/-94 to 130+/-19 ms, p=0.033; SD of all 5-minute mean RR intervals: 106+/-44 to 124+/-66 ms, p=0.042; root-mean square of difference of successive RR intervals: 28.8+/-10.7 to 34.1+/-14.2 ms, p=0.017. Clonidine improves heart rate variability in the patients with congestive heart failure by increasing the parasympathetic tone. It is well tolerated by most patients with heart failure and may have a beneficial effect on exercise capacity.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1997

Prospective, randomized, multicenter comparison of laser-facilitated balloon angioplasty versus stand-alone balloon angioplasty in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. The Laser Angioplasty Versus Angioplasty (LAVA) Trial Investigators.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to examine the relative safety and efficacy of laser-facilitated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) versus "stand-alone" PTCA. BACKGROUND: Plaque debulking with lasing before PTCA may result in improved lumen dimensions and decreased rates of periprocedural ischemic complications, thus improving short- and long-term outcomes after percutaneous intervention. The mid-infrared holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser has been shown to be effective in a variety of plaque subtypes and may be particularly useful in high risk acute ischemic syndromes. METHODS: A total of 215 patients (mean [+/-SD] age 61 +/- 12 years) with 244 lesions were prospectively randomized at 14 clinical centers to laser versus stand-alone PTCA. After laser treatment, all patients underwent PTCA; 148 patients (69%) had unstable angina. RESULTS: The procedural success rate without major catheterization laboratory complications was similar in patients assigned to laser treatment or PTCA alone (96.6% vs. 96.9%, p = 0.88), as was the in-hospital clinical success rate (89.7% vs. 93.9%, p = 0.27). There was no difference in postprocedural diameter stenosis after laser treatment compared with PTCA (18.3% +/- 13.6% vs. 19.5% +/- 15.1%, p = 0.50). However, use of the laser, versus PTCA alone, did result in significantly more major and minor procedural complications (18.0% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.0004), myocardial infarctions (4.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.04) and total in-hospital major adverse events (103% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.08). At a mean follow-up time of 11.2 +/- 7.7 months, there were no differences in late or event-free survival in patients assigned to laser treatment versus PTCA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with stand-alone PTCA, laser-facilitated PTCA results in a more complicated hospital course, without immediate or long-term benefits.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1997

Left anterior descending coronary artery bridge. A cause of early death after cardiac transplantation.

Immediately following orthotopic transplantation, a patient suffered left pump failure, which resulted in death. Autopsy of the donor heart revealed a proximal left anterior descending artery bridge with a thrombus causing segmental distal anteroseptal infarction. In this case report, myocardial coronary bridges and their clinical implications are reviewed. Myocardial bridging and acute coronary obstruction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute pump dysfunction following orthotopic cardiac transplantation.

Coronary Thrombosis↗
PubMed1996

Subarachnoid hemorrhage simulating myocardial infarction.

We describe a patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage that presented with electrocardiographic evidence of transmural myocardial infarction. The patient was found to have normal coronaries and on autopsy revealed generalized myocytolysis with no evidence of transmural myocardial infarction. This case illustrates the value of acute coronary angiography in patients with altered mental status and suspected myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm presenting as myocardial infarction during dobutamine stress test.

We report a patient with an undiagnosed left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm who, during a dobutamine stress test, had myocardial injury and subsequent infarction. Cardiac catheterization revealed an expanding sinus of valsalva aneurysm compressing the circumflex coronary artery. The clinical manifestations of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm are discussed. This report heightens awareness of the possible effects of the pharmacologic stress test.

Aortic Aneurysm↗
PubMed1996

Holmium laser-assisted coronary angioplasty in acute ischemic syndromes.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Initial studies have shown holmium laser to be effective in ablation of coronary atheroma, and small studies that it may be helpful in ablation of thrombotic stenoses. Therefore, holmium laser-assisted coronary angioplasty was studied in 85 consecutive patients with acute ischemia syndromes. METHODS: Indications for therapy were acute myocardial infarction (MI) in 7 patients (8%), post-MI ischemic in 32 patients (38%), and crescendo angina pectoris in 46 patients (54%). Coronary morphology characteristics by multivessel angioplasty prognosis group criteria were Type A in 9 (10%), Type B1 in 15 (18%), Type B2 in 44 (52%), Type C in 17 patients (20%). RESULTS: Angiographic evidence of thrombus was seen in 37 (44%) of patients. The laser successfully crossed the total length of the coronary narrowing in 76 patients (89%). Procedure/clinical success was 92% for the total study population, 100% for patients with acute MI, 94% for post-MI ischemia patients, and 89% for patients with crescendo angina. Lesions with and without thrombus had identical procedure success rates. Major complication rate was 3.5%, (deaths 0%, Q-wave MI 0%, and emergent bypass surgery 3.5%). Six-month angiographic restenosis rate (> 50% stenosis) was 45%. CONCLUSION: Holmium laser-assisted balloon angioplasty appears promising in the treatment of acute ischemic syndromes and thrombotic coronary lesions.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Solid-state, pulsed-wave, mid-infrared coronary laser angioplasty in de novo versus restenosis lesions: observations from a multicenter study.

The following is a study of the response of de novo versus restenosis coronary lesions to pulsed-wave, mid-infrared (holmium:YAG) laser assisted angioplasty. De novo lesions contain thrombi, cholesterol, and fibrosis, whereas restenotic lesions are composed of smooth muscle cells corresponding to injury caused by preceding balloon inflations. It is not known whether the different composition affects results of treatment by laser. In a clinical multicenter study, a mid-infrared, solid-state, pulsed-wave laser (holmium:YAG, 2.1 microns wavelength, 250-600 mJ/pulse, 5 Hz) was applied for revascularization of de novo and restenosis coronary lesions. Analysis of data was undertaken to document laser success, complications, and restenosis rate and to define whether the type of lesion treated had an effect on laser success and related complications. A total of 1340 patients with 1465 stenoses presented with symptomatic coronary artery disease. Laser success was 87 and 86% in these lesions, respectively. Overall procedural success of 93% was achieved. Restenosis lesions, known to be composed of smooth muscle proliferation, needed more laser energy for ablation than de novo lesions, which contain an atherosclerotic plaque (130 +/- 123 pulses vs 109 +/- 31, p = 0.001). Procedure-related Q-wave myocardial infarction was significantly higher in patients with de novo lesions over patients with restenosis lesions (1.4 vs 0.2%, p = 0.05). With the mid-infrared, pulsed-wave, holmium:YAG laser, the composition of the target lesion affects the energy level required, as well as the procedure-related complications.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Prostate cancer after heart transplantation.

Prostate cancer has an unpredictable natural history if left untreated, particularly if the neoplasm is discovered when it is apparently organ confined. To our knowledge we report the first case of organ confined adenocarcinoma of the prostate in a cardiac transplant recipient. The therapeutic decision is complicated by the uncertainty of the impact of continued immunosuppression on tumor growth. Although the effect of immunosuppression on the growth of prostate cancer is unknown, our patient was treated within the accepted guidelines for similarly affected nonimmunosuppressed individuals. Improvements in long-term survival rates of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation warranted radical surgical ablation as treatment for this man with clinically organ confined prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Cardiac transplantation. University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital experience.

Cardiac transplantation at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center began in November 1986. Up to April 1993, 220 potential recipients were evaluated and 84 accepted. Sixty-three patients received transplants while 14 died awaiting a donor heart. Within six years, the average recipient age has increased from 40 to 59 years. The overall one, two, and five-year survival rates (including operative deaths) are 89.5%, 82%, and 76%, respectively. Postoperative complications and mortality were related to infection or rejection frequently encountered within the first 28 months; thereafter the actuarial survival curve showed minimal decay and the complication rate declined. One or more hospital readmissions were needed in 38 of 57 (67%) survivors. Among the 50 long-term survivors, 42% are working and 84% are in New York Heart Association functional Class I.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Cardiac transplantation. University of Miami/Jackson Memorial hospital experience.

Cardiac transplantation at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center began in November 1986. Up to April 1993, 220 potential recipients were evaluated and 84 accepted. Sixty-three patients received transplants while 14 died awaiting a donor heart. Within six years, the average recipient age has increased from 40 to 59 years. The overall one, two, and five-year survival rates (including operative deaths) are 89.5%, 82%, and 76%, respectively. Postoperative complications and mortality were related to infection or rejection frequently encountered within the first 28 months; thereafter the actuarial survival curve showed minimal decay and the complication rate declined. One or more hospital readmissions were needed in 38 of 57 (67%) survivors. Among the 50 long-term survivors, 42% are working and 84% are in New York Heart Association functional Class I.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1993

Intramural left anterior descending coronary artery: significance of the depth of the muscular tunnel.

To establish whether an intramural left anterior descending coronary artery (LADA) is a simple anatomic or a singularly pathologic variant we studied 39 hearts, each with an intramural course of the LADA and no coronary artery disease, valvular derangement, cardiomyopathy, or congenital anomaly. Seventeen of the 39 hearts had no myocardial lesions, while 22 had gross and/or microscopic alterations in the myocardial territory supplied by the intramural LADA. The myocardial lesions consisted of one or more of the following: interstitial fibrosis, replacement fibrosis, contraction band necrosis, and/or increased vascular density in areas of focal fibrosis. The coronary anatomy of the 22 hearts with myocardial lesions (group 1) was compared with that of the 17 hearts without myocardial changes (group 2). Each of the group 1 hearts had an intramural LADA deeply placed within the ventricular wall and attenuation of potential collateral blood flow because of a co-existing intramural course of the posterior descending artery, other epicardial coronary arteries, and/or a diminutive right coronary artery. The myocardial changes in group 1 hearts and their absence in group 2 hearts suggest that the deep, intramural LADA of the group 1 hearts is abnormal rather than a simple anatomic variant of normal. Furthermore, the deep intramural LADA may be associated with sudden death since 13 of the 22 group 1 hearts were from sudden death victims. Six of these 13 persons died suddenly during vigorous exercise.

Adult↗