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Biomedical subjects

J Qvist

Publications and source records attributed to J Qvist.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Is late stent thrombosis in drug-eluting stents a real clinical issue? A single-center experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Randomized studies have not found an increased rate of late stent thrombosis (LAST) in drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS) but those studies were statistically not powered to show such a difference. At the same time there is an increasing number of reports of LAST in DES patients in the current literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We tried to describe the incidence of LAST in an unselected DES and BMS patient population. All patients who underwent stenting in our hospital between October 2003 and March 2006 were included in the study (n=1377). A total of 424 (30.1%) patients were treated with only BMS stents, 520 (37.8%) with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), 384 (27.9%) with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and 49 (3.6%) with BMS and DES. Long-term follow-up of all patients was used to determine the incidence of LAST as defined by angiographically proven stent thrombosis associated with acute symptoms more than 30 days after stent implantation. Followup was between 1 month and 2 years 7 months (mean 12 months). Patients treated with DES were younger (66+/-11 years) than BMS patients (72+/-10 years; p<0.001) and more often had diabetes (24.2% vs 17.4%; p < 0.001). A previous PCI had been performed in 27.1% of DES patients vs 13.9% of BMS patients (p < 0.001). RESULTS: There were 9 cases of LAST: 2 with SES (at 6 and 11 months after implantation), 6 with PES (at 6, 9 (2x), 10, 16 and 26 months), and one with BMS (at 22 months). All patients with LAST presented with STEMI and without an angina history that suggested restenosis. Two cases were related to complete cessation of antiplatelet therapy, one because of patient non-compliance (SES), one after aspirin was stopped for orthopedic surgery (BMS). Two cases occurred within 1 month of cessation of clopidogrel therapy and while these patients were on aspirin therapy. Five cases occurred on aspirin monotherapy 2, 3, 4, 10 and 20 months, respectively after planned cessation of clopidogrel. None of the cases occurred under dual antiplatelet therapy. All patients underwent primary PCI; none died. CONCLUSION: Angiographically proven LAST occurred in our unselected patient population with an incidence of 0.84% in patients treated with DES and 0.21% in BMS patients within a mean follow-up of 12 months (p = 0.36). LAST may indeed occur in clinically stable patients while on aspirin monotherapy. Since LAST led in all patients to STEMI it seems to be a serious clinical issue that prompts further investigation and discussion of length of dual platelet therapy.

Aged↗

Increasing trends of obesity in Sweden between 1996/97 and 2000/01.

BACKGROUND: During the last two decades, obesity has reached epidemic proportions in industrialised societies such as Sweden. OBJECTIVE: The first aim of this study is to examine whether the body mass index (BMI) and obesity increased between 1996/97 and 2000/01 in different subgroups in the Swedish population. The second aim is to examine whether there were any differences in BMI between subgroups of the population, characterised by age, gender, educational status, smoking habits, degree of urbanisation, and country of birth. The third aim is to examine whether BMI increased between the two periods after adjustment for all the explanatory variables. METHODS: This study is based on two cross-sectional, random samples of the entire population aged 16-84 y, the first from 1996/97 including 5622 men and 5940 women and the second from 2000/01 including 5515 men and 5838 women. To investigate the possible change in obesity between the two periods, a logistic model adjusted for age was applied, after stratification by gender. To study the relationship between BMI and the explanatory variables, and the possible change in the subgroups of the population between the two periods, a linear regression model was used. RESULTS: The total BMI mean increased by 0.4 units from 1996/97 to 2000/01 for both men and women. The prevalence of obesity also increased to about 10% in 2000/01. In some subgroups, the prevalence of obesity was especially high, for example, men and women aged 55-74 y, men with middle educational status, women with low educational status, former smokers, and Finnish-born men and women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate that both BMI and obesity increased in the Swedish population between 1996/97 and 2000/01. This increase in BMI and obesity is most likely due to environmental factors, such as diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Health interventions need to target both certain subgroups and the whole population.

Adolescent↗

Activated T lymphocytes disappear from circulation during endotoxemia in humans.

Seventeen volunteers received an intravenous bolus of endotoxin (2 ng/kg of body weight). Endotoxin-induced lymphopenia was constituted mainly by cells with an immature phenotype (CD45RA(+) CD45RO(-)) that were less likely to undergo apoptosis (CD28(+)), whereas cells with the highest rates of disappearance were characterized by an activated phenotype (CD45RA(-) CD45RO(+)) as well as a phenotype linked to apoptosis (CD95(+) CD28(-)). In conclusion, endotoxin-induced lymphopenia reflects the disappearance from the circulation of activated lymphocytes prone to undergo apoptosis.

Adult↗

Hypotension during endotoxemia in aged humans.

BACKGROUND: and objective The aim of this study was to determine possible age-associated differences in human blood pressure regulation during an immunological challenge in healthy subjects. METHODS: Eight healthy young volunteers (median age 24 yr) and nine healthy elderly volunteers (median age 66 yr) received an intravenous bolus injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin (2 ng kg(-1)). Blood pressure, heart rate and core temperature were monitored during the first 7 h. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured at hourly intervals. RESULTS: The elderly showed a significantly more pronounced decrease in mean arterial pressure 4-7 h after endotoxin administration compared with the young controls (ANOVA; age x time; P < 0.0005). This mainly reflected a decrease in the systolic blood pressure in the elderly. The heart rate of both groups increased without difference between groups. Increased plasma epinephrine concentrations were found 2-3 h after endotoxin administration in both groups. Five hours after the endotoxin challenge, the epinephrine concentration had returned to control values in the elderly group only, in spite of decreased blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, healthy elderly subjects fail to maintain a constant mean arterial pressure in response to the immunological challenge of endotoxemia.

Adult↗

Ageing is associated with a prolonged fever response in human endotoxemia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an age-associated impaired acute-phase response exists. Nine healthy elderly volunteers (median, 66 years; range, 61 to 69 years) and eight young controls (median, 24 years; range, 20 to 27 years) were given an intravenous bolus of endotoxin (2 ng/kg). The rectal temperature was monitored continuously, and blood samples for cytokine measurements were obtained before endotoxin administration as well as 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after the injection. The elderly subjects showed a more prolonged fever response compared to the young controls. Levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR-I), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in plasma increased markedly following endotoxin administration in both groups. The elderly group showed larger initial increases in TNF-alpha and sTNFR-I levels and prolonged increased levels of sTNFR-I. Monocyte concentrations decreased in both groups, with the elderly group showing a more rapid decrease and a slower subsequent increase than did the young group. Furthermore, the elderly group had a more rapid increase in C-reactive protein levels than did the young group. In conclusion, ageing is associated with an altered acute-phase response including initial hyperreactivity, prolonged inflammatory activity, and prolonged fever response.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

[Nitric oxide inhalation therapy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. A retrospective analysis].

Acute lung injury in the form of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) continues to carry a high mortality. Recently, inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been used in ARDS patients with severe hypoxaemia. We present a retrospective analysis concerning 33 ARDS patients treated with inhaled NO during a period of four years from 1994 to 1998. Patients were young, mean 43 years, had poor oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 index 67 mmHG) and a lung injury score above 2.5. Eighty-two percent responded immediately to NO, 9% at a later challenge and 9% were non-responders. Mortality for the whole group was 67% and to be expected considering the severity of disease. For the group of patients with ARDS as a complication of pneumonia mortality was only 40%. In one patient therapy had to be stopped due to formation of NO2 even at very low concentrations of inhaled NO. We conclude that inhaled NO is effective in improving oxygenation in patients with ARDS. The study does not allow us to conclude anything about mortality, which was probably unchanged by this novel therapy.

Acute Disease↗

Social mapping of the obesity epidemic in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to describe the evolution of the obesity epidemic in Sweden, with specific attention to the socioeconomic gradient. DESIGN: Data from the Swedish Surveys of Living Conditions were used. Three such surveys were undertaken in 1980/81, 1988/89, and 1996/97, each of which was based on a simple random sample from the national population registry. SUBJECTS: A total of 38,284 observations are used in this analysis, including males and females aged 16-84. The sample is approximately equally divided among the 3 survey periods and by gender. MEASUREMENTS: The following body weight categories are used to describe changing prevalences: overweight (BMI>/=25), obesity (BMI>/=30) and underweight (BMI<18.5). Because body weight and heights were self-reported, recorded values were adjusted for estimating gender-specific obesity prevalences. Education was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of BMI>/=30 increased significantly over the 16-year observation period. At the time of the 1980/81 survey, the adjusted estimates were 8.8% in women and 6.6% in men, compared to 11.9% and 10.0% respectively, in 1996/97. The prevalence of BMI>/=25 was also analyzed for time trends, with specific attention to populations at risk. The largest proportionate changes occurred in women aged 16-44, among whom the prevalence of overweight doubled. The inverse educational gradient with respect to obesity is still present in both sexes, but there is no indication that it has increased in magnitude between 1980/81-1996/97.

Adolescent↗

Adrenaline-induced mobilization of T cells in HIV-infected patients.

The present study aimed to investigate lymphocyte mobilization from peripheral cell reservoirs in HIV-infected patients. Nine HIV-infected patients on stable highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), eight treatment-naive HIV-infected patients and eight HIV- controls received a 1-h adrenaline infusion. The adrenaline infusion induced a three-fold increase in the concentration of lymphocytes in all three groups. All HIV-infected patients mobilized significantly higher numbers of CD8+ cells but less CD4+ cells. All subjects mobilized CD45RA+CD62L+ and CD8+CD28+ cells to a lesser extent than CD45RO+CD45RA- and CD8+CD28-cells. Furthermore, high numbers of CD8+CD38+ cells were mobilized only in the HIV-infected patients. It was therefore predominantly T cells with an activated phenotype which were mobilized after adrenaline stimulation. It is concluded that the HIV-associated immune defect induced an impaired ability to mobilize immune-competent cells in response to stress stimuli. Furthermore, the study does not support the idea that CD4+ T cells are trapped in lymph nodes by HIV antigens, because untreated and HAART-treated HIV-infected patients mobilized similar numbers of CD4+ T cells. Finally, no evidence was found for the existence of a HAART-induced non-circulating pool of CD4+ T cells.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

Dependency of cerebral blood flow on mean arterial pressure in patients with acute bacterial meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute bacterial meningitis are often treated with sympathomimetics to maintain an adequate mean arterial pressure (MAP). We studied the influence of such therapy on cerebral blood flow (CBF). DESIGN: Prospective physiologic trial. SETTING: The Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. PATIENTS: Sixteen adult patients with acute bacterial meningitis. INTERVENTION: Infusion of norepinephrine to increase MAP. MEASUREMENTS: During a rise in MAP induced by norepinephrine infusion, we measured relative changes in CBF by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery, recording mean flow velocity (Vmean), and by the arterial to jugular oxygen saturation difference. In 10 out of 16 patients, serial measurements were performed until recovery or death. Individual autoregulation curves were analyzed by a computer program. Autoregulation was classified as impaired if Vmean increased by >10% per 30 mm Hg increase in MAP and if no lower limit of autoregulation was identified by the computer program; otherwise, autoregulation was classified as preserved. MAIN RESULTS: Initially, Vmean increased from a median value of 46 cm/sec (range, 30-87 cm/sec) to 63 cm/sec (33-105 cm/sec) (p < .0001), and arterial to jugular oxygen saturation difference decreased from 0.28 (0.16-0.51) to 0.21 (0.08-0.39) (p < .001) when MAP was raised from 69 mm Hg (55-102 mm Hg) to 110 mm Hg (93-129 mm Hg). CBF autoregulation was restored in eight of ten patients undergoing serial examination after 7 (range, 2-10) days. Six of these patients had an uncomplicated course, one had a protracted recovery, and one died. Autoregulation was not restored in two patients; one died and one had a protracted recovery. CONCLUSION: In patients in the early phase of acute bacterial meningitis, CBF autoregulation is impaired. With recovery from meningitis, the cerebral vasculature regains the ability to maintain cerebral perfusion at a constant level despite variations in MAP.

Acute Disease↗

[Peroneal nerve paresis after long-term bed rest in intensive care patients].

Despite careful nursing and physiotherapy, wasting, myopathy and neuropathy are commonly seen in sedated or comatose intensive care patients undergoing long term bedrest. Four cases of peroneal nerve lesion with drop-foot are described in patients with up to eight weeks of immobilisation due to severe infections complicated with multiple organ failure. No other peripheral nerve compression syndromes were found. These isolated nerve lesions could not be related to the metabolic or cerebral status of the patients. To avoid rotation of the hipjoints with secondary muscle contracture the nursing procedure in the ICU had been changed shortly before the incidents of drop-foot were detected. Along with well-known prophylactic anti-compression procedures, sandbags were now placed on the lateral side of the knees. After abandoning this new procedure, peroneal nerve lesions have not been seen.

Adult↗

Elderly humans show prolonged in vivo inflammatory activity during pneumococcal infections.

Levels of circulating cytokines were measured in 22 hospitalized patients with pneumococcal infections during the first week after admission, to test for age-associated differences. Twenty-two healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were included as controls. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, soluble TNF receptor I (sTNFR-I), and IL-10 were increased on admission (P<.05), but macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta was not. Whereas levels of cytokines were similar on admission, levels of TNF-alpha and sTNFR-I after 1 week were higher (P<.05) in elderly (68-91 years) than in young (37-55 years) patients. Furthermore, plasma levels of IL-10 and sTNFR-I after 1 week were positively correlated with age, and the declines in sTNFR-I and in the TNFalpha/IL-10 ratio from day 0 to day 7 were correlated with age. Thus, aging was associated with prolonged inflammatory activity. This may reflect decreased ability to control the infection or a dysregulated cytokine response.

Adult↗

The influence of ethnicity and social and demographic factors on Swedish suicide rates. A four year follow-up study.

The aim of this follow-up study, based on individual data, was to analyse the influence of ethnicity and other demographic and social factors on suicide rates between 1986 and 1989 for the Swedish population according to the 1985 census. The data were analysed by sex and age using a Poisson regression model. During the study period there were 8,310 cases of suicide and undetermined death. The main finding in this study was that ethnicity, defined as being foreign-born, was a significant risk factor for suicide in both sexes and in all age groups except for males aged 30 to 49 years. Not being married was a significant risk factor in all age groups for both males and females. Form of tenure, i.e. living in rented flats, was a significant risk factor for suicide in middle-aged males and females, while over-crowding was a risk factor for middle-aged males and for the over 50's of both sexes. As ethnicity, defined as foreign-born, was an important variable related to suicide, the association between different ethnic groups and suicide will be evaluated in forthcoming studies.

Adult↗

Suicide among foreign-born minorities and Native Swedes: an epidemiological follow-up study of a defined population.

The increasing number of immigrants in Sweden during the past four decades has brought the health of ethnic groups into focus. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of ethnicity, age, sex, marital status and date of immigration on suicide rates. The study population consisted of all individuals over 15 years of age, N = 6,725,274, from the Swedish census of 1985 and is based on individual data. Suicides and undetermined deaths, during the follow-up period 1986-1989, were taken from the central Cause of Death Register. Ethnicity, defined as being foreign-born, was a risk factor for suicide for both men and women with risk ratios of 1.21 (1.11-1.31) and 1.36 (1.21-1.53), respectively, with control for age and marital status. Being unmarried was also a risk factor for both males and females with risk ratios from 1.26 to 5.55 in different age groups. The highest risk ratios for suicide in Sweden, adjusted for age, were found among males born in Russia and Finland. They also showed higher suicide risks than in their countries of birth. Females born in Hungary, Russia, Finland and Poland all had high risks of committing suicide in Sweden and they also had higher risks than in their countries of birth. Further, being of male sex, aged 45-54 or 75 and older, and born in Eastern Europe or Finland were significant risk factors for suicide. The same was true for those who had immigrated to Sweden in 1967 or earlier and were born in Finland, Eastern Europe or in non-European countries. These findings are of great importance for primary health care and psychiatric care planning.

Adolescent↗

Transient compartment syndrome of the forearm after attempted radial artery cannulation.

Radial artery cannulation for continuous intraoperative monitoring of arterial blood pressure is considered a safe procedure. One complication of arterial cannulation is hematoma formation at the time of insertion or removal of the catheter. Bleeding is usually self-limited or will stop with compression without significant sequelae, even in the anticoagulated patient. We describe a case of hematoma with a transient compartment syndrome of the forearm after attempts to cannulate the radial artery for intraoperative monitoring purposes.

Aged↗

Multivariate analyses of mortality from coronary heart disease due to biological and behavioural factors.

Due to affluence and a sedentary life style a great deal of people in the western countries are affected by coronary heart disease (CHD). The relation between CHD and certain risk factors pertaining to life style is evaluated in this study. A primary purpose is to study certain crucial risk factors for women. The main variables are age, smoking, overweight (measured by BMI), blood pressure and exercise. This prospective study is based on self-reported data from the nation-wide Swedish Level of Living Survey and on data from the national Cause of Death Register. The data were analysed separately by sex using a proportional hazards model. The sample was divided into two strata: those with heart disease and/or diabetes initially, and all the rest. A sample of 2546 men and 2760 women between 45 and 74 years of age was followed from 1980 to the end of 1990. During this period 189 men and 75 women died of coronary heart disease (CHD). It was found that high blood pressure raised the relative risk (RR) of death from CHD by almost 60% in both men and women. Male smokers (> 14 cigarettes a day) had about 60% (significant) and female smokers (> 10 cigarettes a day) 150% (significant) excessive mortality from CHD. Different levels of overweight among women were strongly related to excess mortality from CHD, ranging between 100 and 300%. Among men there was no such relation. Lack of physical activity showed only a weak (non-significant) increased risk of death due to CHD. Diabetes was also found to be an important risk factor for mortality from CHD, especially among women, being seven times as high as among non diabetics. A test of sex differences revealed that there were two significant interactions, namely between sex and overweight, and between sex and age. Background variables in relation to mortality from all cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were also studied. There were of course many similarities between the effects of the background variables in both the disease groups, but there were interesting differences too, e.g. overweight turned out to be a significant risk factor also for men and physical inactivity for women.

Aged↗

The effects of dopamine and noradrenaline on cardiovascular function in patients with acute respiratory failure.

The short-term haemodynamic effects of terminating dopamine and/or a combination of noradrenaline and nitroglycerin infusions were studied in 21 patients in acute respiratory failure. Patients were studied during treatment and 10 min after infusions were stopped. Off treatment, stroke index and cardiac index decreased significantly from 40.2 to 36.9 ml m-2 (P < 0.02) and from 3.80 to 3.42 litres m-2 (P < 0.02), respectively. Cardiac filling pressures decreased significantly and systemic vascular resistance increased, when infusions were stopped. As to heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, right and left ventricular ejection fraction there were no significant changes between the data obtained during and off treatment. Although the haemodynamic status was significantly better during treatment with dopamine and/or noradrenaline-nitroglycerin in some respects, the overall beneficial effects of inotropic support were much less than anticipated.

Acute Disease↗