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Biomedical subjects

F Bellandi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bellandi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Possible association between eosinophilic fasciitis and subcutaneous heparin use.

The association between the onset of eosinophilic fasciitis and exposure to a drug or a toxin has occasionally been reported. We describe 3 patients who developed eosinophilic fasciitis a few months after they received subcutaneous calcium heparin. In 2 patients, clinical manifestations and eosinophilia improved after interruption of the therapy. Although spontaneous occurrence of eosinophilic fasciitis cannot be excluded in our patients, the temporal relationship with the beginning of subcutaneous heparin therapy raises the possibility that the syndrome might be precipitated by the drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Pharmacological cardioversion of isolated atrial fibrillation: recovery of atrial mechanical function and correlation with duration of arrhythmia].

To evaluate how the duration of atrial fibrillation before cardioversion affects the recovery of atrial systolic function, serial transthoracic pulsed Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed within 2 hours and at 2 days, 7 days, 1 month and 2 months after chemical cardioversion to sinus rhythm. Peak A wave velocity (A), velocity time integral of A wave (A-VTI) and percent A-wave filling (A/VTI-tot) were assessed in 60 patients with lone atrial fibrillation of brief (> or = 12 to < or = 72 hours, 20 patients), moderate (> 72 hours to < or = 4 weeks, 20 patients) or prolonged (> 4 to < or = 24 weeks, 20 patients) duration. The three groups were well matched for age and left atrial size and none of the patients underwent antiarrhythmic therapy during follow-up. Atrial mechanical function is greater immediately and at 2 and 7 days after cardioversion in patients with brief atrial fibrillation, as compared moderate and prolonged atrial fibrillation (A and A/VTI-tot values: p < 0.05, p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, at 7 days after cardioversion, atrial systolic function is greater in patients with moderate atrial fibrillation as compared to prolonged atrial fibrillation (A value, p < 0.005 and A/VTI-tot value, p < 0.05). In all groups, atrial mechanical function increases over time and ultimately achieves similar levels. Full recovery of atrial mechanical function is achieved within 2 days in patients with brief atrial fibrillation, within 7 days in patients with atrial fibrillation of moderate duration and within 1 month in patients with prolonged atrial fibrillation. Recovery of the mechanical function of the left atrium is related to the duration of atrial fibrillation before cardioversion. These findings have important implications for assessing the early hemodynamic benefits of successful cardioversion.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Intravenous propafenone: efficacy and safety in the conversion to sinus rhythm of recent onset atrial fibrillation--a single-blind placebo-controlled study.

The effectiveness of intravenous propafenone for conversion to sinus rhythm (SR) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), lasting less than 7 days, was evaluated with a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, given the possible spontaneous conversion of this arrhythmia. Group 1 (98 patients) received intravenous propafenone (2 mg/kg iv over 10 minutes followed by 0.007 mg/kg/min); and group 2 (84 patients) received intravenous placebo (0.9% saline solution). The infusion was continued until restoration of SR but no longer than 24 hours. Eight-nine patients (90.8%) received propafenone and 27 patients (32%) receiving placebo were converted to SR (p < 0.005). The mean conversion time was 2.46 +/- 2.59 hours in group 1 and 17.15 +/- 5.78 hours in group 2 (p < 0.005). In patients treated with propafenone, conversion of SR mostly occurred in the first 4 hours (86.5%), considered to be the optimal infusion time in our experience. In both groups, the left atrial size was significantly larger in nonconverted than in converted patients. Similarly, the duration of the arrhythmia was significantly longer in nonconverted patients. In nonconverted patients, the mean ventricular rate decreased from 143 +/- 16 beats/min to 101 +/- 18 beats/ min after propafenone and from 135 +/- 19 beats/min to 119 +/- 16 beats/min after placebo (group 1 vs. group 2: p < 0.005). Two episodes of sinus standstill (3.4 and 3.8, seconds, respectively) occurred at SR restoration obtained with propafenone. Intravenous propafenone is an effective, safe, and usually rapid drug for AF treatment. Moreover, it produces a real and significant reduction in the mean ventricular rate in nonconverted patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Propafenone and sotalol: long-term efficacy and tolerability in the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A placebo-controlled double-blind study].

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is a relatively frequent atrial arrhythmias activated with increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS: To assess the propafenone and sotalol efficacy in the prevention of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (FA) we enrolled, in a double blind placebo controlled study over 1 year, 300 patients (168 males); mean age 52.3 +/- 17.2 years, randomized to receive orally, three times daily, either propafenone (mean daily dose of 13 +/- 1.5 mg/Kg; Group A: 102 patients) or sotalol (mean daily dose of 3 +/- 0.4 mg/Kg; Group B: 106 patients) or placebo (Group C: 92 patients). All subjects experienced in previous 12 months at least 4 FA episodes. During follow-up we considered atrial tachyarrhythmia (TAA) onset: FA recurrences and/or the onset of atrial flutter (FIA). Three patients (3%) of Group A and 5 (5%) of Group B interrupted therapy for side effects; 5 patients (5.5%) of Group C with supraventricular tachycardia interrupted the double blind therapy; 11 were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Of the remaining 276 patients, TAA were observed in 43 (44.8%) of 96 patients in Group A, 28 (29.5%) of 95 patients in Group B and 62 (72.9%) of 85 patients in Group C. TAA were significantly less in A and B groups than in Group C (p < 0.005); a significant TAA reduction was also observed in patients treated with sotalol compared with those treated with propafenone (p < 0.05). TAA were: FA-118 (88.7%) and FIA-15 (11.3%). The arrhythmia free time was significantly shorter in Group C. CONCLUSIONS: Sotalol seems to be more effective than propafenone and therefore represents a valid alternative for FA prevention.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effectiveness of intravenous propafenone for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a placebo-controlled study.

To evaluate the efficacy of propafenone in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) lasting < 7 days, 182 patients were treated intravenously with propafenone (Group 1, n = 98) and with placebo 0.9% saline solution (Group 2, n = 84) in a double blind study. The treatment was continued until sinus rhythm (SR) was restored, but for no more than 24 h. Eighty-nine patients treated with propafenone (90.8%) and 27 patients treated with placebo (32.1%) responded to the treatment and SR was restored (p < 0.0005). The mean time for SR restoration was 2.51 +/- 2.77 h in Group 1, and 17.15 +/- 7.8 h in Group 2 (p < 0.0005). In both groups the patients in whom SR was not restored (nonresponders) had larger left atrial size and longer duration of AF than responders at the onset of the arrhythmia. Nonresponders in Group 1 showed a decrease in mean ventricular rate (MVR) from 143 +/- 16 to 101 +/- 18 (p < 0.0005), while in the nonresponders in Group 2 no reduction of MVR was observed. Two patients whose SR was restored with propafenone had sinus standstill lasting 3.4 and 3.8 s, respectively. Propafenone used intravenously is an effective, quick, and safe drug for treating AF. Moreover, it significantly reduces MVR in nonresponders.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of short-term, high dose, heparin therapy on biochemical markers of bone metabolism.

To evaluate the effects of the short-term, high-dose sodium heparin therapy on biochemical markers of bone metabolism, we studied 20 patients (11 males and 9 females) with pulmonary embolism, treated with sodium heparin (daily dose range: 40,000-45,000 I.U. by continuous i.v. infusion). Heparin therapy lasted 5-7 days, after which patients received warfarin over 12 months. Eleven patients (6 males and 5 females) with ischaemic stroke, treated with i.v. glycerol and pentoxifilline, were used as controls. Before and after therapy serum and urinary markers of bone metabolism were evaluated; in 12 heparin-treated pts., the parameters were also evaluated 4 months after discontinuation of warfarin therapy. After heparin therapy a significant reduction vs. basal value was observed in levels of serum osteocalcin (ng/ml;mean + SEM): 3.32 & 0.19 vs. 2.05 + 0.21; p < 0.001. In the 12 patients evaluated 4 months after discontinuation of warfarin therapy, serum osteocalcin levels returned to basal value: 3.41 + 0.12 ng/ml (p:n.s.). No significant changes of the examined parameters were observed in controls. In conclusion, our data seem to indicate an effect of i.v. short-term heparin therapy on bone metabolism. This effect seems to be characterized by an inhibition of osteoblast function as suggested by the reduction of serum osteocalcin levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Coenzyme Q10 in essential hypertension.

This study was undertaken to clarify the mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Twenty-six patients with essential arterial hypertension were treated with oral CoQ10, 50 mg twice daily for 10 weeks. Plasma CoQ10, serum total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure were determined in all patients before and at the end of the 10-week period. At the end of the treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased from 164.5 +/- 3.1 to 146.7 +/- 4.1 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased from 98.1 +/- 1.7 to 86.1 +/- 1.3 mmHg (P < 0.001). Plasma CoQ10 values increased from 0.64 +/- 0.1 microgram/ml to 1.61 +/- 0.3 micrograms/ml (P < 0.02). Serum total cholesterol decreased from 222.9 +/- 13 mg/dl to 213.3 +/- 12 mg/dl (P < 0.005) and serum HDL cholesterol increased from 41.1 +/- 1.5 mg/dl to 43.1 +/- 1.5 mg/dl (P < 0.01). In a first group of 10 patients serum sodium and potassium, plasma clinostatic and orthostatic renin activity, urinary aldosterone, 24-hour sodium and potassium were determined before and at the end of the 10-week period. In five of these patients peripheral resistances were evaluated with radionuclide angiocardiography. Total peripheral resistances were 2,283 +/- 88 dyne.s.cm-5 before treatment and 1,627 +/- 158 dyn.s.cm-5 after treatment (P < 0.02). Plasma renin activity, serum and urinary sodium and potassium, and urinary aldosterone did not change. In a second group of 11 patients, plasma endothelin, electrocardiogram, two-dimensional echocardiogram and 24-hour automatic blood pressure monitoring were determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Fluoxetin combined with cyclobenzaprine in the treatment of fibromyalgia].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of fluoxetin associated with cyclobenzaprine vs cyclobenzaprine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Twenty-one females with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group A (11 patients) was treated over 12 weeks with fluoxetin (20 mg/die) and cyclobenzaprine (10 mg/die), group B with cyclobenzaprine (10 mg/die). Basally and after 12 weeks patient self-assessment of pain, number of painful tender points, tender points index and morning stiffness were evaluated. The study has shown a significant improvement of the examined parameters in both treatment groups; however the comparison between the two groups showed a greater effectiveness, statistically significant, of the treatment with Fluoxetin associated with cyclobenzaprine.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[The efficacy of intravenous propafenone and amiodarone in the conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. A 1-year follow-up with oral treatment].

One hundred and ninety-six patients with stable atrial fibrillation of recent onset received propafenone (98 patients) or Amiodarone (98 patients) intravenously. Eighty-nine subjects (90.8%) who received propafenone, and 79 patients (80.6%) who received amiodarone were converted to sinus rhythm (p > 0.05). The mean conversion time was 2.51 +/- 2.77 hours after propafenone and 11.21 +/- 4.32 hours after amiodarone (p < 0.0005). The same drug was continued per os in converted patients, and efficacy in maintaining sinus rhythm was evaluated in a one-year follow-up. Symptomatic atrial tachydysrhythmias were observed in 20 (22.4%) of the 89 patients treated with oral propafenone and in 12 (15.18%) of the 79 patients receiving oral amiodarone (p > 0.05). Conversion to sinus rhythm was affected by the duration of arrhythmia and by left atrial size, the latter determining sinus rhythm stability. Both drugs used intravenously are efficacious and safe. Propafenone showed a more rapid action. Oral treatment with low doses for long periods of time with both drugs showed neither important side effects nor proarrhythmic consequences, with satisfactory results.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

[Cholesterol and vascular disease. Study of pravastatin ].

Variations in lipid profile and incidence of vascular events were evaluated. Group 1 had a 29.3% reduction of total and a 38.3% reduction of LDL cholesterol as against reductions of 9% and 9.6% respectively in group 2. No significant difference was observed between the two groups as far as the vascular events considered were concerned. Pravastatin is an effective and safe drug. The lack of influence on the evolution of vascular disease would appear to be correlated to the small number of subjects studied and the short follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Serum osteocalcin and diabetes mellitus. A study of 98 patients].

The goal of this study was to evaluate in 98 diabetic patients the serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and their relationship with glycosylated hemoglobin levels and with the duration, calculated in years, of the disease. Patients were divided in 3 groups: 17 IDDM patients, 62 NIDDM patients treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents, and 19 NIDDM patients treated with insulin. Results were compared to 2 different control groups. In IDDM patients OC serum levels were significantly lower if compared either to control group and to NIDDM patients. The 2 groups of NIDDM patients showed significantly higher OC values than controls. No significant relationship resulted between OC levels, the duration of diabetes and the glycosylated hemoglobin values. The results of the study indicate a direct correlation between pancreatic function and osteoblastic activity: insulin lack is associated with reduced OC serum levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Muscular blood flow in patients with heart failure.

We studied reactive hyperemia in a group of patients with heart failure before and after therapy, since changes in the characteristics of muscular blood flow may influence the functional class of these patients. At the same time we evaluated some echocardiographic parameters too. When the patients improved clinically, they showed an increase in muscular blood flow at rest and in percent of fractional shortening and a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. The reactive hyperemia did not change significantly. This fact probably depends on a maximal response to the postischemic hyperemia and represents the integrity of autoregulatory mechanisms.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Effects of isoproterenol and methoxamine on the electrocardiogram.

The effects of isoproterenal (ISP) and methoxamine (MTX) infusion in 20 asymptomatic subjects with labile T wave were studied. In those treated with ISP the T wave showed an early negative trend and later became clearly positive in 5 subjects. In the majority of the subjects treated with MTX the T wave became positive. T wave changes match variations of both the ventricular gradient and, to a lesser degree, the QRS area. These changes were not related to heart rate or, in the subjects treated with MTX, to the baroreceptorial sensitivity deduced from the slope of the regression equation between R-R internal and systolic arterial pressure. The results of this study confirm the existence of a neurogenic mechanism affecting the electrocardiographic changes in T wave.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Pheochromocytoma presenting as possible cardiomyopathy.

A case of pheochromocytoma presenting as a possible hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is reported. In a 67 years old woman without previous history of hypertension, the echocardiogram showed left ventricular concentric hypertrophy and systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve. The carotid pulse was deformed with a spike-and-dome pattern. The complex interactions between myocardial adrenergic receptors sites and catecholamines, and the relation between these substances and the pattern of cardiac hypertrophy are discussed.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dysplasia of the right ventricle].

The end of this work is to talk about a relatively new disease: right ventricular dysplasia (RVD). The Authors consider clinical and instrumental features of the illness with particular reference to recent data for histopathological and instrumental diagnosis. Most interesting are the electron microscopy observations and, above all, nuclear resonance magnetic (NMR) findings.

Adult↗