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F Rauscha

Publications and source records attributed to F Rauscha.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

13,14-dihydro-PGE1, an in-vivo metabolite of PGE1, decreases mitotic activity induced by corticosteroid administration.

PGE1 has antimitotic activity by virtue of its effect in increasing cAMP in vascular smooth muscle cells. The present study compares the effect of 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 (13,14-DH-PGE1) with PGE1 in an experimental model of stress induced by desoxycorticosterone in the rabbit. 13,14-DH-PGE1 significantly inhibited the stress-induced increase in mitotic activity, measured by autoradiography as percentage of 3H-thymidine positive cells, in all 3 abdominal aortic wall layers. Administration prior to stress was more effective than after stress, while combined administration was most effective. 13,14-DH-PGE1 exerts approximately 90% of the antimitotic activity of PGE1. It seems possible that the antimitotic activity observed after administration of intravenous PGE1 is attributable in part to 13,14-DH-PGE1.

Alprostadil

Prevalence of a shortened prostacyclin half-life in plasma in healthy adults: results of a screening investigation.

Out of a total of 1,981 adults (956 males, 1,025 females; aged 16-71 yr) undergoing a screening investigation for elevated cholesterol only 3 healthy participants with pathologically enhanced prostaglandin 12 (PG12) degradation in plasma in vitro were discovered. The PG12 half-life in these three screenings was shorter than 60 sec and persisted during several follow-up checks. In one patient a familial defect was discovered. Diseases known to be associated with this disturbance in PG12 metabolism have been excluded. The mean half-life of PG12 in 1,978 people amounted to 10.71 +/- 1.93 min. It still needs to be clarified whether this rare disturbance in PG12 metabolism is causally related to, or only associated with, thromboembolic events. A possible predisposition should be elucidated by regular monitoring of affected persons.

Adolescent

Effects of bopindolol on platelet function in hypertension at rest and during exercise.

The effects of bopindolol, a new nonselective beta-blocking agent, on platelet function have been studied in 10 male hypertensive patients given the drug (1 mg/day) in turn for eight weeks. Bopindolol significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased the bicycle exercise- (1.5 W/kg body weight for 6 minutes) induced increase in platelet aggregation. During bopindolol-treatment both the slope and the height of the platelet aggregation response curve were moderately decreased at rest before exercise and significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased at rest after exercise. During exercise the slope amounted to 75.4 +/- 44 degrees before and to 70.8 +/- 5.3 degrees after therapy (p less than 0.01), the height to 64.0 +/- 11.9% before and to 58.1 +/- 14.7% (p less than 0.05) after therapy. Furthermore, bopindolol significantly increased the exercise-induced decrease in platelet sensitivity to PGI2 (p less than 0.05; IC-50-value: 2.10 +/- 0.47 vs 1.88 +/- 0.31 ng/ml) and PGD2 (p less than 0.05; IC-50-value: (19.88 +/- 2.10 vs 18.57 +/- 1.63 ng/ml). Bopindolol also significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased the exercise-induced elevation in serum-TXB2 (244.9 +/- 35.2 vs 237.3 +/- 27.2 ng/ml) and plasma-TXB2 (15.7 +/- 6.3 vs 13.1 +/- 3.7 pg/ml). The platelet count, the plasma levels of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were not affected by bopindolol. It is concluded that bopindolol favourably affects platelet function, in that it lowers exercise-induced platelet aggregation and TXB2-formation in therapeutical doses and increases platelet sensitivity to antiaggregatory prostaglandins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

Glucocorticoid-treatment does not influence the synthesis of thromboxane B2 and bicyclo-PGE2 in humans.

It has been reported that the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids is due to the inhibition of phospholipases. Consequently, after high-dose steroid treatment in humans a decrease in cyclooxygenase products should be expected. In 15 patients (10 males, 5 females, 29-62 y) undergoing 6-methyl-prednisolone-treatment (40-80 mg daily) for various clinical reasons and in 5 healthy volunteers (4 male, 1 female, 28-37 y) receiving 500 mg 6-methyl-prednisolone daily for 3 days plasma- and serum-thromboxane B2 (TXB2), as well as bicyclo-prostaglandin E2 (bicyclo-PGE2) were monitored over 3 weeks. In the entire follow-up period, however, no significant change in either serum- or plasma-TXB2 or bicyclo-PGE2 could be measured in either, patients and volunteers, under glucocorticoid-treatment. These findings indicate that even high-dose glucocorticoid-treatment does not affect the serum- and plasma-metabolites of the eicosanoids examined. It is concluded that in humans a significant inhibition of phospholipases by glucocorticoids and subsequently reduced formation of cyclooxygenase products seems to be rather unlikely.

Adult

[Defects in the prostaglandin system. VI. Acquired plasma factor defect].

A 44 year-old male was admitted to hospital in October 1984 presenting with enzymatic and electrocardiographic signs of posterior wall myocardial infarction. At this time 2 separate examinations revealed normal plasma factor activity. At the 1 year follow-up (November 1985) plasma factor activity was still present. However, in February 1987 for the first time, the patient's plasma failed to enhance PGI2 synthesis from vascular tissue in vitro. 3 further follow-up examinations within the next 6 weeks again revealed an acquired absence of plasma factor activity of unknown cause. No deterioration in clinical condition occurred. All relatives tested showed normal plasma factor activity.

Adult

[Return to work following myocardial infarct].

The aim of this retrospective study involving 471 patients was to investigate the percentage of patients who returned to work after acute myocardial infarction. In the group of 350 patients who did not undergo subsequent aortocoronary bypass operation 70% returned to work, whereby half of these patients started work again within 6 months after infarction. A significantly higher number of patients who were enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation programme returned to work as compared with patients not participating in such a programme (72% vs. 59%, respectively; p less than 0.04). There was, however, no difference between these 2 groups with respect to either the time point of resumption of work after myocardial infarction or the duration of employment between infarction and eventual retirement. Of the 121 patients who underwent an aortocoronary bypass operation, only 38% returned to work (p less than 0.001 vs. patients without bypass surgery).

Coronary Artery Bypass

[Prevalence of plasma factor deficiency in the Vienna population. Results of a screening study of 1,300 adults].

A screening investigation for the presence of risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis demonstrates a plasma factor deficiency in 0.8% in the Viennese population. These findings are in agreement with the data of a newborn screening performed earlier. All the persons were clinically healthy. In 4 of them at least 1 family member suffered from the same defect. The pathogenetic relevance of the plasma factor defect for thrombophilia at young age is discussed.

Adolescent

Comparable effect of prostaglandin E1 in decreasing in vivo platelet deposition on human lesion sites after intravenous and intraarterial application.

It had been claimed that prostaglandin E1 is degraded during first lung passage to a major extent. Clinical results, however, as well as various platelet function tests and coagulation parameters revealed no apparent difference after i.v. and i.a. infusion. Thus, we examined the question what the quantitative difference between i.v. and i.a. PGE1-application would be upon in-vivo platelet function assessed by platelet uptake over active lesion sites as well as platelet half-life monitoring after autologous 111-In-oxine platelet labelling. In patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease stage II according to Fontaine PGE1 was able to decrease platelet uptake after i.v. and i.a. therapy to a comparable extent; similarily, a significant prolongation in platelet half-life was noted, again revealing no difference. As the decrease in platelet uptake is assumed to be predominantly a vascular effect, it is hypothetized that more stable derivatives of PGE1 are active, counterbalancing a lower biological activity with a longer half-life.

Alprostadil

Ventilation with the esophageal tracheal combitube in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Promptness and effectiveness.

The success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest depends not only on the duration of the arrest, but also on the prompt establishment of a patent airway. In this study, we tested the safety and promptness of intubation with esophageal tracheal combitube (ETC) when compared to conventional endotracheal airway. Effectiveness of ventilation via the ETC as shown by blood gas analyses appeared to be comparable to endotracheal airway. Data suggest that the ETC might serve as a useful device during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Blood Gas Analysis

Platelet function and prostaglandins in patients with peripheral vascular disease treated with calcium dobesilate.

In a double-blind placebo controlled study, 25 male patients (age range: 48-67 years) suffering from peripheral vascular disease were treated daily for 4 weeks with either 2 g of calcium dobesilate (n = 13) or placebo (n = 12). Different platelet and prostaglandin parameters were examined before and at the end of therapy. The number of circulating endothelial cells decreased significantly (4.9 +/- 2.9 to 2.0 +/- 1.9; p less than 0.0004). In addition, a decrease in serum TXB2 was noted (p less than 0.0001), but no significant change in plasma TXB2. The fibrinogen half-life was shortened (p less than 0.0001) and the platelet half-life was prolonged (p less than 0.04). The level of beta TG was decreased (p less than 0.006), but PF4 was unchanged. No alteration in the conversion of exogenous 14C-arachidonic acid by platelets to eicosanoids was observed. These observations indicate that calcium dobesilate is able to exert a favourable effect on some parameters of platelet function and prostaglandin synthesis which are important in the regulation of the hemostatic process. It is suggested that these pharmacological actions might explain, at least in part, the beneficial clinical effect of the drug.

Aged

Evaluation of esophageal tracheal combitube in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Prompt establishment of an airway is a primary goal in CPR of nonbreathing and unconscious patients. The esophageal tracheal combitube (ETC) is a new airway, designed for emergency intubation providing sufficient ventilation whether the airway is placed into the trachea or into the esophagus. We evaluated the effectiveness of the ETC in 31 patients during CPR. Blood gas analyses obtained during esophageal placement of the ETC showed results comparable to those of ventilation with a conventional endotracheal airway (ETA). The ETC appeared to oxygenate and ventilate patients adequately without complications. The efficacy, safety, and ease of insertion ensure rapid airway control. It is concluded that the ETC provides a sufficient alternative to the ETA whenever ideal conditions or trained staff for endotracheal intubation are not immediately available.

Aged

Diagnostic value of exercise testing versus long-term ECG in evaluation of arrhythmias in old age.

The usefulness of exercise testing (ET) in old age is so far undefined particularly for detection of arrhythmias. We compared the diagnostic value of ET with 24-h long-term ECG recording (LT-ECG) in patients older than 70 years that were evaluated because of symptoms possibly related to arrhythmias. In 37 patients (age 72.8 +/- 2.7 years) the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (LOWN greater than or equal to 1) was greater during ET (67%) than during 24-h LT-ECG recording (48%, P less than 0.01). Complex ventricular arrhythmias were detected in 6/37 patients (16%) by ET, in 9/37 patients (24%) by LT-ECG, in one patient (3%) by both tests and in 14/37 patients (37%) by one of the two tests, while 23/37 patients (63%) had no significant complex arrhythmias recorded by either test. During ET 12 patients (32%) showed signs of myocardial ischaemia with ST-depression greater than or equal to 0.2 mV and/or increasing angina pectoris. In 42% of these patients complex ventricular arrhythmias LOWN greater than or equal to 3 occurred during ET. Thus both ET and LT-ECG are useful methods to uncover arrhythmias in symptomatic patients older than 70 years and have to be considered as complementary tools.

Aged

[Ergometry and long-term ECG for assessing bradycardiac and tachycardiac heart rhythm disorders in symptomatic patients over 70].

The usefulness of exercise testing and long term-ECG recording in old age was evaluated in a retrospective study. During a period of 24 months 317 long-term-ECGs in 195 patients greater than 70 years and 208 exercise tests in patients greater than 70 years were performed. The mean age of the patients was 73 +/- 3 years. Long-term ECG revealed a high incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias, while PVCs were found in only 28.7% of patients and PVCs greater than 30/h in only 7.3% of patients. Complex ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 25% of patients. Long-term ECG recording appeared to be of particular value in detecting abnormal regulation of heart rate and bradycardia, although symptom correlation with arrhythmias recorded was rare. Exercise testing revealed a higher incidence of PVCs with PVCs recorded in 67% of patients and PVCs greater than 2/min in 42% of patients. The incidence of complex ventricular arrhythmias was slightly greater compared to long-term recording with 29% of all patients. Exercise testing was particularly useful in detecting complex arrhythmias in patients with additional signs of myocardial ischemia (ST-segment depression and/or angina pectoris during increasing levels of exercise). Thus comparing both exercise testing and long-term ECG both appeared to be useful methods to uncover arrhythmias in symptomic patients older than 70 years and have to be considered as complementary tools. Exercise testing is particularly useful in recovering complex ventricular arrhythmias in patients with signs of myocardial ischemia during exercise. Long-term ECG on the other hand allows better recognition of bradycardias and conduction defects that may also be present and may contribute to the patients symptoms.

Aged

Beneficial effect of PGI2 on circulating endothelial cells.

Endothelial damage is an early event in atherogenesis. Recent data present evidence that the counting of circulating endothelial cells in human peripheral blood may provide reliable information about endothelial integrity. We therefore assessed the influence of PGI2 on the number of circulating endothelial cells in patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease. As cigarette smokers and patients with hyperlipoproteinemia show an increased number of circulating endothelial cells, they were excluded from this investigation. PGI2 causes a certain drop in circulating endothelial cells. In parallel, a prolongation in platelet half-life can be noted. This is most pronounced at a daily duration of infusion between 4 an 12 h. A shorter duration of PGI2 therapy is less effective in reducing circulating endothelial cells. All of the three different doses used, however, were equally effective. Placebo controls were ineffective. These findings indicate that PGI2 might exert a rather long-lasting beneficial action on endothelial integrity and the hemostatic balance.

Adult