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Biomedical subjects

G Amico

Publications and source records attributed to G Amico.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effects of a short-term hypoenergetic diet on morphofunctional left ventricular parameters in centrally obese subjects. An echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study centrally obese subjects without other diseases, to establish whether a short-term hypoenergetic balanced regimen is able to positively modify left ventricular (LV) patterns. METHODS: We studied 32 obese subjects (out of 52 recruited for this study) with central fat distribution and without associated diseases. Each subject had undergone a moderately hypoenergetic diet for a four-month follow-up period and had a regular loss in weight. Some relevant clinical and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Baseline data and those evaluated at the end of the follow-up period were used for outcome analysis. RESULTS: We found a considerable reduction in LV mass and other LV structural parameters including relative wall thickness (RWT). Moreover, we found an improvement of both LV ejection fraction and filling parameters. As regards the relation ship between parameter changes, LV mass was correlated to LV internal diameter and mainly to LV wall thickness. LV mass change was also correlated to a reduction of diastolic BP and RWT. Only improvements in LV filling were correlated to WHR reduction. None of the changes in cardiac variables resulted significantly correlated to BMI change. Other interesting correlations are reported in the text. CONCLUSIONS: Our study points out that improvements in LV structure and function are rapidly possible with a moderately hypoenergetic regimen in obese otherwise healthy subjects. The main changes were those in LV wall thickness even if a more complex cardiovascular adjustment was recognised. All this could be very important to possibly prevent future cardiovascular events (including heart failure), so largely linked to obesity of central type.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Deciding in conditions of uncertainty: the Delphi method and its use in the formulation of guidelines].

The purpose of this paper is to analyze one of the most powerful tools in the decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, the Delphi method, and to verify the related interest of scientific world, particularly, for formulation of guidelines. The method combines the expert opinion preventing biases due to institutional role, status or dominant personality. In the text we explain the methodology and the steps through which it is possible to realize the consensus; we schematized in a didactic manner all the phases for an operational approach of the reader. The search by the most diffused biomedical database (Medline) individualized 623 citations, 7 of which are guidelines (3 of remarkable importance). In conclusion, the Delphi method may be considered particularly interesting for its theoretical assumptions and it can be used as reference tool for assuming decisions in the formulation of clinical practice guidelines as objectively as possible.

Decision Trees↗
PubMed1998

Usefulness of echocardiography in the assessment of internal medicine inpatients. An analysis according to ACC/AHA guidelines.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the importance of echocardiography in our Internal Medicine Institute. We think that this technique could have a large impact in the evaluation of the internistic inpatient who is usually affected by multiple pathological problems. METHODS: Analysis was performed according to the ACC/AHA guidelines for the application of echocardiography. The data of 1211 consecutive inpatients were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent of all the patients had two or more associated diseases. Moreover, patients in whom echocardiography could be considered appropriate or useful were 67%. Our results point out that echocardiographic examination is generally a technique of great importance for the evaluation of internistic inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: This study could represent a useful background for a cost/benefit analysis that should evaluate the utility of a specifically-dedicated echocardiographic laboratory for optimal, autonomous management of internal medicine inpatients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction by the ellipsoid single-plane algorithm: a reliable method for assessing low or very low ejection fraction values?

The reliability of two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) is commonly recognized, but no satisfactory data are available about the accuracy of low or very low EF values determined by 2D echocardiography (ECHO-EF). The purpose of our study was to assess the reliability of low ECHO-EF values obtained using a simple time-economical algorithm such as the ellipsoid single-plane area-length method. Radionuclide angiography (RAD-EF) was taken as the standard of comparison. We studied 59 consecutive patients (31 women and 28 men) referred to our echocardiographic laboratory. Both 2D echocardiography and radionuclide angiography were blindly performed within 48 h of one another. EF was calculated by the two methods and then compared. Data were globally analyzed. Furthermore, data were divided and analyzed according to the ECHO-EF cut-off point of 50%. An ECHO-EF value of 50% was chosen to conventionally distinguish between low ECHO-EF values and normal-high ones. Data were plotted, and the line of equality and the regression lines were drawn. Regression line slopes, correlation coefficients, means and standard deviations were calculated. The agreement was analyzed by calculating the mean difference (RAD-EF-ECHO-EF) and the standard deviation of the differences. ECHO-EF was linearly related to RAD-EF even when data were split. In particular, as regards ECHO-EF < or = 50%, the regression line practically overlapped the line of equality, and the two methods showed both a strong correlation and a good degree of agreement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[52 cases of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage].

The review of a large number of acute hemorrhagic strokes was undertaken to study the relationship between localization and size of lesion demonstrated by CT scan and clinical neurologic grade agreed with the classification of Gillingham. Moreover we could evaluate the prognostic value of clinical grade and of hyperglycemia especially in non-diabetic patients. We have also considered some suggestions on risk factors and on therapeutical treatment according to clinical neurologic grade.

Acute Disease↗