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Biomedical subjects

J Eritsland

Publications and source records attributed to J Eritsland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Acute myocardial infarction and thyrotoxic storm--a difficult and dangerous combination.

We describe an unusual case of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiogenic shock in a 25-year-old woman. After coronary revascularization, a thyrotoxic storm developed and the patient's cardiac failure changed into a hyperdynamic circulation without obvious changes in the patient's vital signs. This report will focus on three issues: (1) the benefit of advanced hemodynamic monitoring in circulatory unstable patients, (2) the confounding effects of untreated hyperthyroidism on the circulation, and (3) previous cancer treatment as a cause of AMI in young persons.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Long-term prognosis after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: To study the long-term survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In-hospital and 2-year survival of 40 patients treated with primary PCI after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and STEMI was compared with that of a reference group of 325 STEMI patients, without cardiac arrest, also treated with primary PCI in the same period. RESULTS: In the group with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, both in-hospital and 2-year mortality was 27.5%. In the reference group, in-hospital and 2-year mortality was 4.9 and 7.1%, respectively. After discharge from hospital there was no significant difference in mortality between the groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term prognosis is good in selected patients after successful out-of-hospital CPR and STEMI treated with primary PCI.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Increased levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in populations at risk for atherosclerotic disease. Effects of pravastatin.

The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an important endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, in populations at high risk for atherosclerosis as compared to healthy controls, and furthermore to evaluate the effect of cholesterol lowering therapy in individuals with hypercholesterolemia. The present study consisted of 32 men with untreated hypercholesterolemia (HC group), 38 individuals with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM group) and 20 healthy individuals (controls). The HC subjects were randomly allocated into a double blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over designed study with 8 weeks treatment with pravastatin (40 mg/day) or matching placebo. ADMA levels were statistically significantly higher in DM and HC individuals as compared to controls (P<0.001 for both), and the L-arginine/ADMA ratios were significantly lower in both groups (P<0.001 and P<0.005, respectively). Significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels on pravastatin were obtained (P<0.001 for both), whereas no changes were observed in the levels of ADMA or the L-arginine/ADMA ratios. Statistically significant correlations between ADMA and TC and LDL-C were found (r=0.41, P<0.001 for both). In conclusion, significantly elevated ADMA levels and reduced L-arginine/ADMA ratios were found in individuals with diabetes type-1 as well as in hypercholesterolemia. Treatment with pravastatin 40 mg/day for 8 weeks had no effect on the levels of ADMA in hypercholesterolemic men.

Arginine↗
PubMed2001

[Long-term follow-up of 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with angioplasty].

BACKGROUND: There is little information available on long-term follow up of patients treated with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 consecutive patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and symptoms of less than six hours' duration were treated with primary angioplasty. Clinical examination was performed in 97 patients and exercise stress test in 74 patients 11-37 months (mean 20 months) later. Patients were observed for survival up to 48 months. RESULTS: 24 patients had been rehospitalized, 16 because of chest pain. 77 patients were treated with beta blocker, 83 with statins, and 95 with antithrombotic medication. 84 patients were in NYHA (New York's Heart Association's classification's) class I at follow-up examination. Three patients died. 11 patients had a serious event, reinfarction (n = 3) or need for revascularization (n = 8) during the first 13 months. Total cumulative mortality rates after one and three years were 3% (95% CI 1-8) and 11% (95% CI 6-19). INTERPRETATION: The good initial results in primary angioplasty are maintained in long-term follow-up. This is in accordance with reports from centres abroad.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Hundred patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty].

BACKGROUND: Much attention has lately been focused on primary angioplasty in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. This report describe our results in 100 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 consecutive patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and a history of less than six hours were treated with primary angioplasty. The mean time from start of symptoms until establishment of reperfusion of the infarct related artery was 224 minutes; "the door-to-balloon" time was 69 minutes. RESULTS: Angioplasty was successful in 95% of all patients. Mean ejection fraction measured before discharge in 71 patients was 56%. Hospital and 30-days' mortality was 1%. New revascularization was needed in 6%. Average observation period in the coronary care unit was 1.8 days; no patient needed treatment for ventricular arrhythmias after angioplasty. The first 24 hours 24% had symptomatic congestive heart failure, reduced to 11% at hospital discharge on day 6. Acute rehospitalization within the first 30 days was necessary in 7%, but only in 2% for chest pain. INTERPRETATION: Our results are comparable to those of other high volume centres and show well preserved ventricular function and low hospital and 30-days' morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Angiographic results of primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction].

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous angioplasty is an alternative to thrombolysis to reestablish coronary blood flow in patients with transmural myocardial infarction. At present, this treatment option is not widely accepted in Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1996 to 1998, one hundred consecutive patients were treated with angioplasty for acute transmural infarction. The angiography showed one-vessel disease in 55%, two-vessel in 25%, and multivessel in 20%. The infarct related artery was the LAD in 44%, the CX in 14%, the RCA in 41%, and bypass graft in one. 92% had TIMI 0 or 1 flow. Stent was placed in 73%, GPIIb/IIIa was used in 11% and temporary pacemaker placed in 5%. RESULTS: Successful angioplasty was performed in 95%, 3% was not done, and 2% failed. Peripheral stenoses were treated in 15% and stenoses in other arteries in 10%. Complications and events within 24 hours related to the angioplasty were seen in 9%. CONCLUSION: Primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction can be done with high primary success, good short-term results and few complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Reduced levels of TNF alpha in hypercholesterolemic individuals after treatment with pravastatin for 8 weeks.

BACKGROUND: cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) expressed on the endothelial surface play a key role in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis, and increased expression of CAMs has been shown in hypercholesterolemic individuals. The expression of CAMs is mediated by several cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of pravastatin 40 mg per day on selected soluble CAMs; intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin and some circulating markers of inflammation; C-reactive protein (CRP) and the cytokines TNF alpha and IL-6. 40 non-diabetic men, age below 70 years, with serum total cholesterol 6--10 mmol/l combined with HDL-cholesterol < or =1.2 mmol/l were included. The study was randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, cross over designed with 8 weeks intervention periods. Fasting blood samples were drawn after 8 and 16 weeks. RESULTS (MEDIAN VALUES): significant reduction of total cholesterol was achieved after treatment with pravastatin (7.8 on placebo vs. 5.7 mmol/l on pravastatin). TNF alpha was significantly reduced after treatment with pravastatin (1.33 on placebo vs. 1.10 pg/ml on pravastatin, P=0.032), whereas no differences in the levels of the measured sCAMs, CRP and IL-6 were found. Subgroup analysis among smokers versus non-smokers showed a significant reduction in the level of TNF alpha only among the smokers. CONCLUSION: hypercholesterolemic individuals treated with pravastatin 40 mg per day for 8 weeks showed a statistically significant reduction in the levels of TNF alpha as compared with placebo.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Excessive exercise ventilation in moderate left heart dysfunction. Influence of postural changes in central haemodynamics and blood gases.

To evaluate the relative importance of pulmonary congestion and peripheral hypoxia as causes for the excessive exercise ventilation in left heart dysfunction, seven patients with excessive ventilation and distinct left heart dysfunction during moderate exercise (LHD), and seven control patients with essentially normal exertional functions (CTR), had ventilation, central haemodynamics, arterial and mixed venous blood gases examined at rest and exercise, 32 W (25-40) in the LHD group and 44 W (33-49) in the CTR group, in lying and sitting positions. Change from lying to sitting exercise, led to fall in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) from 31.0 +/- 5.5 to 8.8 +/- 5.0 mmHg in the LHD group, compared with from 13.7 +/- 1.0 to 2.1 +/- 2.4 mm Hg in the controls, while ventilation/O2 intake ratio (V/VO2) and physiological dead space/tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) showed a tendency to rise, from 36.3 +/- 8.8 to 39.2 +/- 7.4, and from 0.35 +/- 0.11 to 0.39 +/- 0.09, respectively, in the LHD group, and from 27.5 +/- 3.1 to 28.7 +/- 5.3, and from 0.19 +/- 0.09 to 0.21 +/- 0.12 in the controls. Mixed venous O2 tension (PvO2) showed a marked decline from 3.60 +/- 0.33 to 3.26 +/- 0.36 kPa in the LHD group, as compared with from 3.94 +/- 0.28 to 3.71 +/- 0.29 kPa in the controls, while the calculated physiologic shunt (Qs/Qt) suggested improved alveolo-arterial gas exchange. The data fit in with recent studies ascribing the excessive exercise ventilation to a combination of signals from hypoxia-induced changes, particularly in the exercising muscles, and augmented ergoreflex and central and peripheral chemoreceptor activity, partly to changes in the integrated control of ventilation and circulation, not to mechanisms related to pulmonary congestion.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Left ventricular function and infarct size 20 months after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To study changes in left ventricular function and infarct size during long-term follow-up after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty. DESIGN: From 1996 to 1998, 100 consecutive patients were treated with primary angioplasty for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Angioplasty was successful in 95% of the patients. Global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by radionuclide ventriculography before discharge, after 6 weeks and after a mean follow-up time of 20 months. Infarct size was assessed by technetium 99m-tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT) at rest, performed at the same time intervals. RESULTS: Mean LVEF was 56% at discharge, 55% after 6 weeks and 57% after 20 months of follow-up. No significant improvement in LVEF was observed. Only 8% of the patients at follow-up had LVEF lower than 40%. After 1 week, a mean perfusion defect of 19% was measured by SPECT. After 6 weeks and 20 months of follow-up, the mean perfusion defects were reduced to 14% (p < 0.001) and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular function was well preserved with a mean LVEF of 57% 20 months after primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. No significant change in LVEF was observed from 1 week after angioplasty to follow-up. Infarct sizes as assessed by SPECT imaging with tetrofosmin were reduced from 1 to 6 weeks, but did not change further during long-term follow-up. The reduction in the perfusion defects over time was probably due to gradual relief of stunning.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2000

Safety considerations of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients; intake of relatively small amounts of these fatty acids prevents nutritional deficiencies. Replacing dietary saturated fat with PUFAs may confer health gains. Experimental data support the notion that high intake of n-6 PUFAs may increase in vivo lipid peroxidation. This effect may be counteracted by dietary antioxidant supplementation. The influence of a high n-3 PUFA intake on measures of lipid peroxidation has been equivocal. In clinical trials, subjects who consumed diets rich in n-6 or n-3 PUFAs had fewer atherothrombotic endpoints than did control groups. In this report, data regarding the influence of PUFAs on lipid peroxidation as well as on cholesterol and glucose metabolism, hemostasis, and other aspects of interest are reviewed and discussed. Currently, daily intake of PUFAs as >10% of total energy is not recommended. Below this ceiling there is little evidence that high dietary intake of n-6 or n-3 PUFAs implies health risks.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1999

[Angioplasty in heart arrest].

Early onset of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are the most important factors for improving outcome after cardiac arrest. Many patients do not receive thrombolytic therapy after prolonged CPR, as there is a fear of serious bleeding complications. Ten patients with cardiac arrest and acute myocardial infarction were treated with primary angioplasty after prolonged CPR. Angioplasty was successful in nine of the patients, and left ventricular function was well preserved after six weeks. Primary angioplasty is highly effective and safe in establishing reperfusion in selected patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction].

20 patients with acute myocardial infarction and a medical history of less than six hours were treated with immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The median time from start of symptoms until establishment of reperfusion of the infarct related artery was 190 minutes, and the time from admission to insertion of the balloon was 52 minutes. Angioplasty was successful in all patients, with no serious complications. All patients experienced pain relief immediately after angioplasty. No patients died or had further infarctions. None needed hospitalization during the first three months of follow up. Eight patients had an exercise test between five and seven days after angioplasty and the other 12 at their six-week check up; there were no signs of ischemia or anginal pain. Measurement of global ejection fraction one week and six weeks after treatment showed median normal values and no significant changes (58% versus 57%). Myocardial perfusion imaging was carried out in eight patients both before hospital discharge and six weeks later. Normalization and improvement was seen in six patients using this method, whereas the perfusion was found unaltered in two patients. Hibernation or stunning, or both are suggested as possible explanations for this. We found the method highly effective and safe in selected patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids on coronary artery bypass graft patency.

Epidemiologic and experimental data suggest that a high dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of atherothrombotic disease. In a randomized, controlled study, 610 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were assigned either to a fish oil group, receiving 4 g/day of fish oil concentrate, or to a control group. All patients received antithrombotic treatment, either aspirin or warfarin. Their diet and serum phospholipid fatty acid profiles were monitored. The primary end point was 1-year graft patency, which was assessed by angiography in 95% of patients. Vein graft occlusion rates per distal anastomoses were 27% in the fish oil group and 33% in the control group (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 0.99, p = 0.034). In the fish oil group, 43% of the patients had > or = 1 occluded vein graft(s) compared with 51% in the control group (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 1.01, p = 0.05). Moreover, in the entire patient group, there was a significant trend to fewer patients with vein graft occlusions with increasing relative change in serum phospholipid n-3 fatty acids during the study period (p for linear trend = 0.0037). Thus, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduced the incidence of vein graft occlusion, and an inverse relation between relative change in serum phospholipid n-3 fatty acids and vein graft occlusions was observed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Predictors of enhanced well-being after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To assess patients' perception of the therapeutic outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery, and to find predictors for increased well-being. DESIGN: Self-administered questionnaires (Family APGAR and GHQ-30) were completed on admission and at the follow-up after 12 months, together with functional classification according to the NYHA index. SETTING: Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, 1990-1992. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and thirteen patients with stable angina admitted for elective coronary artery bypass surgery. INTERVENTION: Elective coronary artery bypass surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improved physical and psychosocial functioning after one year. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-seven (92%) patients improved their NYHA class, while it remained stable or declined in 16 (8%) patients. Significantly fewer patients with mental distress were found at the follow-up than at the baseline examination (49 patients [23%] versus 80 patients [38%], respectively, P < 0.0001). One hundred and forty-six patients (69%) reported enhanced psychosocial well-being, while it was reduced (n = 60) or unchanged (n = 7) in 67 patients (31%). Predictors for improved psychosocial well-being following coronary artery bypass surgery were mental distress before surgery (odds ratio 2.8) and being a male patient (odds ratio 2.8). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the patients reported significant improvement in their physical and psychosocial functioning one year after coronary artery bypass surgery. Mental distress and male sex were significant predictors of enhanced well-being. Questionnaires on psychosocial well-being such as the GHQ-30 may, in addition to health status measurements, offer additional useful information when coronary artery bypass surgery is considered.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗
PubMed1995

Effect of long-term, moderate-dose supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on monocyte procoagulant activity and release of interleukin-6 in patients with coronary artery disease.

The influence of a moderate dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) (3.4 g eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids per day) for six months on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated monocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) was studied in two series of experiments, evaluating the plasma and cellular phases, respectively. In the first series, standard cryopreserved monocyte cultures were examined in heparin plasma of atherosclerotic patients (n = 24, 12 given omega-3 PUFAs, 12 controls). In the second series, monocytes from patients (n = 32, 16 given omega-3 PUFAs, 16 controls) were investigated in a standard plasma milieu. Plasma and monocytes were obtained from the test subjects before as well as after six months of omega-3 PUFA supplementation. Monocyte PCA, measured by the formation of fibrinopeptide A, was not significantly different when comparing plasma and monocytes from the subjects supplemented with omega-3 PUFAs with plasma and monocytes, respectively, from the control subjects. In the second series of experiments we also determined the LPS induced release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which was not significantly different in the two groups. However, a strong correlation between the stimulated monocyte IL-6 release and PCA was demonstrated (r = 0.70, p = 0.00001), probably reflecting an individual inflammatory response pattern.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1995

Long-term metabolic effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with coronary artery disease.

The long-term metabolic effects of n-3 fatty acids were studied in patients with coronary artery disease. They were investigated before and 9 mo after bypass surgery. After postoperative randomization, 260 patients received 4 g fish-oil concentrate/d (approximately 3.4 g eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids/d), whereas 251 patients comprised the control group. No group differences in the intake of energy and nutrients, apart from n-3 fatty acids, were discerned from dietary records. Compliance was affirmed by analyses of serum phospholipid fatty acids. Serum triglyceride concentrations were lowered by 19.1% in the fish-oil group, but no influence on the concentrations of cholesterol or apolipoproteins A-I and B-100 was seen. The concentrations of plasma glucose and serum insulin and C-peptide were not influenced by fish oil. The activity of liver enzymes increased slightly, but significantly, in the fish-oil group, whereas no group difference in the serum concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances was observed. Thus, no adverse metabolic effects of long-term fish-oil supplementation assumed to be of clinical importance were seen.

Aged↗