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Biomedical subjects

J Haaksma

Publications and source records attributed to J Haaksma.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prognostic value of heart rate variability during long-term follow-up in patients with mild to moderate heart failure. The Dutch Ibopamine Multicenter Trial Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the prognostic value of heart rate variability measures, including Poincaré plots, in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure. BACKGROUND: Mortality is high in patients with heart failure, and many of them die suddenly. However, identification of high risk patients, particularly those with an increased risk for sudden death, has remained difficult. METHODS: We studied 95 patients with heart failure (mean [+/- SD] age 60 +/- 8 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 0.29 +/- 0.09, New York Heart Association functional class II [81%] and III [19%]) during up to 4 years of follow-up. Heart rate variability measures and Poincaré plots were obtained from 24-h Holter recordings. RESULTS: During follow-up, 17 (18%) of the 95 patients died. In 15 patients, death was cardiac related (11 patients experienced sudden death). None of the conventional time and frequency domain measures of heart rate variability were related to survival. In contrast, abnormal Poincaré plots identified a significantly higher risk for all-cause cardiac death (Cox proportional hazards ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6 to 20.6, univariate analysis) and for sudden cardiac death (hazards ratio 6.8, 95% CI 1.5 to 31.4) compared with those with normal Poincaré plots. Patients with abnormal Poincaré plots were shown to have a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (0.26 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.08, p < 0.05) and higher plasma norepinephrine concentrations (506 +/- 207 pg/ml vs. 411 +/- 175 pg/ml, p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, abnormal Poincaré plots still had independent prognostic value, both for all-cause cardiac mortality and for sudden cardiac death (hazards ratio 5.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 17.1, hazards ratio 4.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 27.5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate variability analysis, as assessed by Poincaré plots, has independent prognostic value in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure and identifies an increased risk for all-cause and sudden cardiac death in these patients.

Adolescent↗

Energy metabolism in relation to physical activity in growing pigs as affected by type of dietary carbohydrate.

The effect of dietary carbohydrate source on physical activity in relation to metabolic rate in pigs was studied. Six groups of 12 pigs (50-kg, castrated males) were fed one of two diets: a starch diet or a non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) diet. Both diets had a similar calculated net energy content. The starch diet contained 13% tapioca, and the NSP diet contained 17% sugar beet pulp silage. Pigs were housed in groups and fed at approximately two times maintenance (approximately 900 kJ ME.kg-.75.d-1). Nitrogen and energy balances were measured per group during a 7-d experimental period, which was preceded by a 2-wk adaptation period. Heat production and physical activity were measured during successive discrete 9-min intervals. Metabolizability of gross energy was 79.4% and 78.2% for the starch-fed and NSP-fed pigs, respectively (P < .10). Activity differed between treatments. Activity-related heat production tended to be higher for the starch-fed pigs than for those fed the NSP diet (P < .10); 118 and 90 kJ.kg-.75.d-1, respectively. During the dark phase of the day (from 2000 to 0800) activity-related heat production was 8 kJ.kg-.75.d-1 higher for the starch fed pigs than for those fed the NSP diet (P > .1) whereas during the light phase, this difference was 48 kJ.kg-.75.d-1 (P < .10). Retained energy was similar for both treatments. These results show that dietary composition can change physical activity of pigs and thereby affect their energy utilization.

Animals↗

Usefulness of heart rate variability in predicting drug efficacy (metoprolol vs diltiazem) in patients with stable angina pectoris.

We investigated whether analysis of heart rate (HR) variability may be used to predict the efficacy of drug treatment of myocardial ischemia. In a double-blind, crossover study, 28 patients with stable angina pectoris, proven coronary artery disease, and myocardial ischemia during Holter monitoring received metoprolol controlled-release 200 mg once daily and diltiazem 60 mg 4 times daily. After a placebo run-in phase and after each treatment period, 72-hour Holter recordings were obtained for HR variability and ST-segment analysis. At baseline, the total duration of myocardial ischemia was 11.4 +/- 13.9 minutes (mean +/- SD per 24 hours), and the total number of episodes was 2.2 +/- 2.3. Metoprolol significantly reduced the total duration of ischemia by -8.7 minutes (95% CI -14.5 to -2.8) and the total number of episodes by -1.9 (-2.9 to -0.8) in patients with a low SD of normal-to-normal intervals at baseline (SDNN), using the median value of 50 ms as a cut-off value. In contrast, significant treatment effects were not observed in patients with a high SDNN at baseline. Similar results were obtained using baseline total power or low-frequency power, but not when using baseline heart rate. Diltiazem reduced the total duration of ischemia by -4.9 minutes (-9.7 to -0.1), but not the number of episodes. Moreover, in contrast to metoprolol, efficacy of diltiazem was not related to baseline HR variability. In conclusion, patients with reduced HR variability at baseline responded to treatment with metoprolol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Heart rate variability in patients with mild to moderate heart failure: effects of neurohormonal modulation by digoxin and ibopamine. The Dutch Ibopamine Multicenter Trial (DIMT) Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effects of digoxin and ibopamine on variables of heart rate variability in relation to neurohormonal activation. BACKGROUND: Analysis of heart rate variability can be used to study the autonomic dysfunction that characterizes chronic heart failure. In the Dutch Ibopamine Multicenter Trial, patients with heart failure were found to have increased neurohormonal activation with placebo therapy but not with digoxin and ibopamine therapy. METHODS: We studied 59 patients with mild to moderate heart failure (mean [+/- SEM] age 60 +/- 1 years, mean ejection fraction 0.30 +/- 0.01). Patients were randomized to double-blind treatment with digoxin (0.25 mg [n = 22]), ibopamine (100 mg three times a day [n = 19]) or placebo (n = 18); background therapy consisted of furosemide (up to 80 mg). RESULTS: After 3 months, plasma norepinephrine levels had increased with placebo, whereas they decreased with digoxin (+31 vs. -60 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). With ibopamine, nonsignificant decrease was observed (-27 pg/ml, p = 0.10). All variables of heart rate variability showed a deterioration in the placebo group. With digoxin, the percent differences between successive RR intervals > 50 ms (pNN50) increased (+ 1.7 +/- 0.9%, p < 0.01), along with absolute and normalized high frequency power (+ 40 +/- 33 ms2, p < 0.05 and + 2.4 +/- 1.7%, p < 0.01, respectively). These changes were observed during daytime hours only and were most pronounced in patients with the most impaired baseline heart rate variability. With ibopamine, nonsignificant trends similar to the changes with digoxin were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early stages of heart failure, digoxin may prevent a progressive deterioration in heart rate variability, whereas ibopamine does not show statistically significant effects. The changes in heart rate variability with digoxin parallel an observed decrease in neurohormonal activation. Digoxin apparently enhances cardiac vagal tone in the setting of neuroendocrine activation.

Aldosterone↗

Analysis of randomness of atrial and ventricular rhythm in atrial fibrillation.

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between randomness of atrial and ventricular rhythm during atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation was induced in 10 open-chest pigs by application of metacholine on the surface of the right atrium followed by incremental pacing. Local atrial rhythm (AA intervals) was recorded with a bipolar epicardial electrode, and episodes of atrial fibrillation corresponding to 500 ventricular (RR) intervals were selected for analysis. Randomness of the distribution of AA and RR intervals was assessed by autocorrelation. Pearson's test was used for statistical analysis. Random AA and RR interval distribution was observed in nine pigs (P > or = 0.05). In the remaining pig, atrial fibrillation had changed to atrial tachycardia. This was associated with immediate transition of a random to a non-random ventricular rhythm. These findings provide strong circumstantial evidence in support of the contention that randomness of ventricular rhythm during atrial fibrillation is due to randomness of atrial rhythm.

Animals↗

Exploratory study of the effects of single doses of isomazole on hemodynamics and heart rate variability parameters in chronic heart failure.

Ventricular arrhythmias and disturbed autonomic control, as reflected by abnormal heart rate variability (HRV), are related to hemodynamic impairment in chronic heart failure (CHF). We investigated the effects of orally (p.o.) administered isomazole, a new phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor with calcium-sensitizing properties, on hemodynamics, ventricular arrhythmias, and HRV and examined a possible interaction between these parameters. Hemodynamic measurements and ambulatory ECG monitoring were performed in 12 patients with stable CHF class III-IV after single doses of isomazole 5-30 mg. Pulmonary wedge pressure decreased after 5, 10, 20, and 30 mg, but cardiac output, (CO) increased only after the higher doses [20 mg, + 20% (p = 0.031)] of isomazole. HR did not change. Mean arterial and pulmonary artery pressure, (MAP, PAP) decreased significantly in the 10- and 20-mg groups [10 mg, -6% (p = 0.035) and -14% (p < 0.001) respectively; 20 mg, -13% (p = 0.047) and -31% (p = 0.006), respectively]. Isomazole did not exert a significant effect on ventricular arrhythmias in the subsequent 24 h after acute dosing. Analysis of HRV showed that rMSSD and pNN50 (parameters of vagal tone) tended to increase after isomazole administration. Normalized high-frequency power during the day increased from 17.4 to 22.3 nu (p < 0.05), whereas low frequency tended to decrease from 52.7 to 48.2 nu (p = 0.06). Acute isomazole administration improves hemodynamics but has no effect on ventricular arrhythmias. The HRV variability data suggest development of an increase in vagal control of HR, parallel to the acute hemodynamic improvement after isomazole. Withdrawal of vagal control of HR in CHF may be a reversible process.

Administration, Oral↗

Differential autonomic mechanisms underlying early morning and daytime transient myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: To see whether autonomic regulatory mechanisms play a part in transient myocardial ischaemia in patients treated with beta blockers. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Outpatients' clinic. PATIENTS: 51 consecutive patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease, stable angina, and transient myocardial ischaemia despite beta blockade. INTERVENTIONS: 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring for analysis of variability in ST depression and heart rate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of episodes of ischaemia, with an ST depression of > or = 0.1 mV 80 ms after the J point that lasted > or = 60 s at an interval of > or = 60 s from a previous ischaemic episode. Heart rate at onset of ischaemia. Normalised spectral analysis of heart rate variability; ratio of low to high frequency power to assess the sympathovagal balance. RESULTS: Despite treatment, 258 episodes of transient ischaemia were recorded. At heart rates at onset of ischaemia of < 70 beats per minute a high ratio of low to high frequency power accompanied the ischaemic events and was paralleled by a remarkably reduced high frequency power. The high ratio--that is, enhanced sympathetic tone during ischaemia--was mainly found in the early morning. By contrast, ischaemic episodes with heart rates at onset of > or = 70 beats per minute were not associated with significant changes in the parameters of autonomic function. CONCLUSIONS: During beta blockade the residual transient ischaemia is associated with decreased variability in heart rate. In particular, in ischaemic episodes with a low heart rate at onset the neural regulation of the heart plays a part. Apparently, variability in heart rate is not sufficiently modified by beta blockers to prevent all ischaemia. The ischaemia related change in the autonomic nervous system during the early morning is in agreement with previous studies, showing increased cardiovascular risk at this time of the day.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Analysis of vagal effects on ventricular rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation.

1. Animal studies suggest that the heart-rate-lowering effect of vagal stimulation during atrial fibrillation is due to: (1) a direct depressant effect on atrioventricular node conductivity, (2) enhancement of concealed atrioventricular nodal conduction of atrial impulses through augmenting fibrillatory activity, thereby indirectly prolonging atrioventricular nodal refractoriness. The purpose of the present study was to analyse these effects in man. 2. Sixteen patients with chronic atrial fibrillation were studied. After administration of propranolol (0.2 mg/kg intravenously) baseline ventricular rhythm was recorded (500 R-R intervals). Recordings were repeated after methylatropine (0.02 mg/kg intravenously). The shortest R-R interval was taken to represent atrioventricular nodal refractoriness. The ratio of the longest to the shortest R-R interval and the coefficient of variation of R-R intervals were used as parameters of concealed conduction. 3. Methylatropine foremost shortened long R-R intervals: values for the mean, shortest and longest R-R intervals decreased from 834 to 685 ms (-18%) (P < 0.001), 573 to 498 ms (-13%) (P < 0.001) and 1228 to 924 ms (-25%) (P < 0.001), respectively. Accordingly, the ratio of the longest to the shortest R-R interval decreased: 2.12 to 1.89 (-11%) (P < 0.05). Also, the coefficient of variation decreased: 0.24 to 0.20 (-17%) (P < 0.05). 4. This study supports the contention that vagal stimulation lowers ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation both by exerting a direct effect on the atrioventricular node and by augmenting concealed conduction.

Adult↗

Effect of metoprolol on atrial fibrillatory rate, atrioventricular nodal concealed conduction, and ventricular response during atrial fibrillation in pigs.

We wished to elucidate the effect of beta-blockade on fibrillatory rate and atrioventricular (AV) nodal concealed conduction during atrial fibrillation (AF). Subsequent to determination of the effect on atrial functional refractoriness with the extrastimulus technique (basic cycle length 400 ms), the effect of metoprolol (0.3 mg/kg) on atrial fibrillatory rate was determined in 8 open-chest pigs with metacholine-facilitated AF. Once stable AF was established, fibrillatory rate was recorded with a bipolar epicardial electrode, together with the ventricular response during 500 ventricular intervals. For each episode of AF, three indexes were calculated to determine the degree of concealed conduction: the ratio of the longest to the shortest ventricular interval, the ratio of the median ventricular interval to the median atrial interval, and the coefficient of variation of the ventricular intervals. Metoprolol decreased fibrillatory rate (571-432 beats/min, p < 0.01), suggesting a proportionate increase (+32%) in atrial functional refractoriness during AF that far exceeded the increase (+7%) during sinus rhythm (217-233 ms, p < 0.05). None of the indexes of concealed conduction was affected by metoprolol. Metoprolol decreases fibrillatory rate in AF, possibly due in part to its class I effect, causing rate-dependent prolongation of atrial refractoriness. Despite reducing fibrillatory rate, metoprolol does not affect AV nodal concealed conduction measurably. Our results support the assumption that the reducing effect of beta-blockers on ventricular rate during AF is due to direct prolongation of AV nodal refractoriness.

Animals↗

Effects of spinal cord stimulation on myocardial ischaemia during daily life in patients with severe coronary artery disease. A prospective ambulatory electrocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be a useful additional therapy for pain in patients with therapeutically refractory angina pectoris. But doubts remain about whether it also relieves ischaemia. METHODS: Indices of ischaemia were studied with and without SCS in 10 patients with otherwise intractable angina and evidence of myocardial ischaemia on 48 h ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) recording. Primary end points assessed by 48 h ECG recordings were total ischaemic burden, number of ischaemic episodes, and duration of ischaemic episodes. In addition, symptoms were assessed by a diary of glyceryl trinitrate intake and angina attacks. RESULTS: During SCS the total ischaemic burden of the entire group was significantly reduced from a median of 27.9 (1.9-278.2) before SCS to 0 (0-70.2) mm x min with SCS (p < 0.03). In six out of the 10 patients there was no myocardial ischaemia during 48 h ambulatory ECG monitoring with SCS. The number of ischaemic episodes was reduced from a median of 3 (1-15) before SCS to 0 (0-9) with SCS (p < 0.04). The duration of ischaemic episodes decreased from a median of 20.6 (1.7-155.4) min before SCS to 0 (0-48.3) min with SCS (p < 0.03). This was accompanied by a significant improvement in symptoms with a reduction in daily glyceryl trinitrate intake from a median of 3.0 (0-10) before SCS to 0.3 (0-10) tablets per 48 h (p < 0.02) and a decrease in the frequency of anginal attacks from a median of 5.5 (2-14) before SCS to 1.0 (0-10) per 48 h with SCS (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SCS not only reduced symptoms but also myocardial ischaemia. Therefore, SCS appears to be both a safe and an effective therapy for patients with refractory angina.

Aged↗

Heart rate variability in left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure: effects and implications of drug treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To review the importance of heart rate variability analysis in left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure and to assess the effects of drug treatment. In patients with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure, a low heart rate variability is a strong predictor of a low probability of survival. Because drug treatment in these patients has rapidly changed over the past two decades, the effect of these drugs on heart rate variability needs special attention. DESIGN: A study of published reports to give an overview of heart rate variability in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure and how it is affected by drug treatment. RESULTS: Analysis of heart rate variability provides an easily obtained early marker for progression of disease. It seems to be more closely related to the degree of neurohumoral activation than to haemodynamic variables. Cardiovascular drugs may either stimulate or inhibit the degree of neurohumoral activation, and the effects of pharmacological intervention can be closely monitored with this method. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of heart rate variability, including spectral analysis, is a novel non-invasive way to obtain potentially useful clinical information in patients with reduced left ventricular function. The effects of drug treatment on heart rate variability are in general consistent with their long-term effects in left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.

Heart Failure↗

Electropharmacologic effects and pharmacokinetics of almokalant, a new class III antiarrhythmic, in patients with healed or healing myocardial infarcts and complex ventricular arrhythmias.

The electropharmacologic effects and pharmacokinetics of almokalant, a new class III antiarrhythmic, were investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, and efficacy was evaluated. Ten post-myocardial infarction patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias were included and received, in randomized order on consecutive days, 4.5 mg (12.8 mumol) of almokalant or placebo intravenously over 10 minutes. One patient received infusion at a higher rate and developed self-terminating torsades de pointes. In the remaining 9 patients the corrected QT interval increased significantly: At the end of placebo infusion the corrected QT was 445 +/- 18 ms and after almokalant 548 +/- 53 ms (p = 0.0015). The signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters did not change. The number of ventricular premature complexes decreased significantly during the first 15 minutes after almokalant infusion (p = 0.04). No additional proarrhythmic or other significant adverse events were noted. The almokalant plasma concentration showed a biphasic decrease with an elimination half-life of 2.4 +/- 0.1 hours. Almokalant was rapidly cleared from the body with a clearance of 11 +/- 1 ml/min/kg. When given with certain precautions almokalant appears safe and well-tolerated and may be antiarrhythmic by prolonging refractoriness.

Adult↗