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Biomedical subjects

G F Levi

Publications and source records attributed to G F Levi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Physical rehabilitation in coronary patients who have suffered from episodes of cardiac failure.

The effects of bicycle training for 5 weeks were evaluated in 12 patients after myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) and at least one episode of cardiac failure in the past. The patients were divided into two groups of six according to the Weber classification: Group B (VO2/kg/min: 16-20) and Group C (VO2/kg/min: 10-15). Cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated during a maximal exercise test and a simultaneous catheterization of the right side of the heart before and after the training. An increase in the capacity for work was recorded in Group B (p < 0.02), while Group C remained unchanged. A statistically significant increase in minute ventilation (p < 0.05) and VO2/kg/min (p < 0.0006) was recorded in Group B. Group C showed an increase in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.03). All of the other parameters remained unchanged after training. We conclude that physical rehabilitation improves the tolerance to exercise in patients with a mildly depressed cardiac function (Group B) but not in patients with a very depressed cardiac function (Group C).

Cardiac Output

On the reliability of systolic time intervals.

With the purpose of detecting spontaneous variation of systolic time intervals (STI), 20 normal subjects have been examined and the STI has been recorded for 5 consecutive days at the beginning of the test and 20, 40 and 60 min afterwards. Significant differences were found for PEP, LVET and the PEP/LVET ratio between observations (p less than 0.05) and between days (p less than 0.01). All the values of the STI at the fifth day are rather near the values recorded at the last observation of the first day. This may be related to the presence of some factor (catecholamine release induced by emotional stress?) resulting in physiological changes which are reduced by repetition of the test. This hypothesis was confirmed in a second series of normal volunteers where the STI were recorded simultaneously with sampling of blood for assessing circulating CA levels. A highly significant correlation (p less than 0.001) was recorded between PEP, PEP/LVET and plasma CA making it evident that increase of PEPI and PEP/LVET is directly correlated with the reduction of plasma CA level.

Adult

[A double-blind cross-over trial of a new hypolipidaemic drug (author's transl)].

A double blind cross-over trial has been carried out on the effects of a nicotinic acid compound on 27 patients affected by hyperlipidemia. The subjects have been treated over one year according the following plan: two peroids of 90 days each with the drug and two with placebo. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction of serum cholesterol triglycerides, phospholipids and total lipids. In 4 patients out of 27, the treatment has not been completed because of drug intollerance.

Adult

Coxsackie virus heart disease and cardiomyopathy.

Twenty-two cases of Coxsackie virus heart disease diagnosed from November, 1969, to December, 1971, were re-examined after a period of 42 to 68 months from the acute illness. The patients with hypertension, diabetes, chronic alcohol intake, or aged over 35 were eliminated from the trial. With the purpose of assessing myocardial function, the systolic time intervals were recorded by a noninvasive standard technique. The differences in systolic time intervals between the group of patients with previous viral myocarditis and a group of normal control subjects were not statistically significant. However, the pre-ejection period was clearly prolonged in three patients out of 10, a modification consistent with a depressed myocardial function, as in patients with cardiomyopathy.

Coxsackievirus Infections

Preclinical abnormaltiy of left ventricular function in chronic alcoholics.

Left ventricular function of a sample of subjects with chronic alcohol intake, in the form of wine, and without clinical or electrocardiographic signs of heart disease was compared with that of a sample of normal control subjects using non-invasive polygraphic recordings. The statistical analysis has shown significant prolongation of PEP, PEPI, an increase in PEP/LVET, and a shortening of LVET and LVETI in the alcoholic subjects compared with the controls. All these abnormalities may be ascribed to left ventricular malfunction.

Adult