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Biomedical subjects

L Carini

Publications and source records attributed to L Carini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Effects of ibopamine in combination with furosemide on renal function in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

The effects of ibopamine and furosemide on renal function given alone and in combination at single doses were studied in 6 men and 6 women aged 45 to 73 years with chronic congestive heart failure of NYHA class II. After 3 days of dietary stabilization, the patients received either ibopamine 200 mg, furosemide 40 mg, or furosemide 40 mg plus ibopamine 200 mg with 2-day washout between treatments, according to a double-blind, balanced three-way crossover design using all possible treatment sequences. On each treatment day urine collections were performed at 2-hourly intervals from 2 h before to 6 h after dosing, and urine volume and Na+, K+, Cl-, and creatinine concentrations were measured for every period. The patients received a standardized breakfast 3 h before treatment and then were allowed 250 ml tap water to drink before starting each urine collection period. Venous blood samples were taken before breakfast and midway between each urine collection period for analysis of serum Na+, K+, Cl-, creatinine, and glucose. Heart rate, blood pressure, and physical signs were recorded 2, 1 h, immediately before, and then 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after treatment. At the same times the patients were asked for any symptoms. The time course of the diuretic effect of furosemide 40 mg was consistent with the data reported by other authors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular ejection fraction: comparison between three different methods.

Twelve patients with chronic cor pulmonale due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been examined with 2D echocardiography, performing four-chamber view by apical and subcostal approaches, and the right ventricular outflow tract view by the subcostal approach. These views have permitted evaluation of right ventricular volumes, and hence right ventricular ejection fraction, by the use of three different geometrical formulae: the biplane area-length method, Simpson's rule and the pyramidal method. The ejection fraction values obtained from each method have been compared to those obtained by equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography. Four-chamber apical and subcostal views were satisfactorily recorded in 10 of the 12 patients (83.3%), and right ventricular outflow tract view in 8 patients (66.6%). No significant statistical differences have been found between measurements obtained from the three different echocardiographic examinations performed on each subject by the same operator, so demonstrating a satisfactory reproducibility of the technique. The highest correlation coefficient for ejection fraction was shown by Simpson's rule (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001), with a very narrow confidence intervals, while the r values for the biplane area-length method was 0.63 (p less than 0.05) and for the pyramidal method 0.50 (not statistically significant), with increasingly wider confidence intervals. The statistically significant difference between the three correlation coefficients demonstrates the higher accuracy of Simpson's rule for the determination of right ventricular ejection fraction.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

[Cardiotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil. Personal cases and review of the literature].

Two cases of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) cardiotoxicity, chest pain with changes in ECG the former, and myocardial infarction the latter, are described. Review of literature shows the existence of 49 cases of cardiotoxicity due to 5FU (38 angina = 77.5% 8 myocardial infarction = 16.3%). This complication seems due to a "coronary toxicity" whose onset is very precocious and not dose-dependent. Since 5FU therapy could result very dangerous when cardiotoxicity occurs, it is strictly advisable to withdraw further administration of the drug. As a matter of fact 18 patients out of 21 who again were treated with 5FU, had more serious complications which resulted in 3 myocardial infarctions (2 deaths).

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Amiodarone lung toxicity: role of pulmonary function tests.

Forty-three patients treated with amiodarone hydrochloride with an average daily dose of 204.7 +/- 79.4 mg/day for a mean period of 37.1 +/- 25.3 months, were studied by clinical examination, chest roentgenograms, pulmonary function tests and blood gas analyses. The habits of cigarette smoking were also recorded and expressed as cigarette pack/years. Pulmonary function tests did not show any differences from control subjects and no correlation was found between exposure to drug and lung function. However, one patient developed abnormalities in the chest X-ray (interstitial type) and a reduction of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity as a possible manifestation of amiodarone lung toxicity. Nine patients (22%) had a 20% decrease from normal in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity and three (7%) had a 15% decrease in total lung capacity. More treated patients had interstitial abnormalities in the chest X-ray (14%) than controls (5.5%). Although pulmonary function test abnormalities could be detected in patients taking amiodarone, they were not usually severe enough to interfere with gas exchange. Our results confirm the rarity of amiodarone lung toxicity when a low dosage is used, and suggest the advisability of periodical monitoring, including clinical examination, chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests in order to detect the earliest signs of amiodarone lung toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction: diagnostic role of free serum thyroid hormone levels and pathogenetic significance of antithyroid antibodies.

Forty-six patients treated with amiodarone hydrochloride for a mean period of 41 +/- 3.5 months, with an average daily dose of 240 +/- 57 mg/day, have been studied. Thyroid function was assessed clinically and by laboratory tests, which included free-triiodothyronine (free-T3), free-thyroxine (free-T4) and thyrotropin. Antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin antibodies were also looked for. Three patients (6.5%) were found to be hyperthyroid and two (4.3%) hypothyroid. Of the 41 clinically euthyroid patients, 19 (46.3%) showed one or more abnormalities in the thyroid function tests. In this group, only free-T4 was found significantly increased (p less than 0.05) as compared to both control populations. Antimicrosomal antibodies (titre greater than or equal to 1:1600) were present in 4 of 41 (9.7%) euthyroid patients, but not in hyper- or hypothyroid patients. There were no antithyroglobulin antibodies in any patients. Free hormone measurements have proved to significantly correlate with the clinical picture. Increases in free-T3 and free-T4 are the main features of hyperthyroidism, while a reduction in free-T4 serum level was specific for hypothyroidism. There are probably several mechanisms responsible for hyperthyroidism and some genetically controlled defects in synthesis and release of thyroid hormones might be among these. The presence of antithyroid antibodies could be due to deposits of amiodarone in the thyroid gland, with a consequent release of antigen from the follicle cell, but only in those patients with genetically determined defects in immunological surveillance could an autoimmune thyroiditis, with consequent hypothyroidism, develop.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Retroperitoneal nodal aplasia, asplenia, chylous effusion and lymphatic dysplasia: an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome?

Two adult patients (one in Italy and the other in the USA) are described with similar findings of paraaortic nodal aplasia, asplenism, multiple serous and chylous effusions, and retroperitoneal lymphatic dysplasia. Although the clinical courses are incomplete, this unusual constellation of signs in the setting of normal peripheral lymph trunks suggest an acquired rather than inborn anomaly and possibly a variant acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1978

[Inhibition of EA and EAC rosette formation by sera of patients with vesical schistosomiasis].

Circulating immune complexes were investigated by the E.A. and E.A.C. rosette inhibition test in sera samples from patients infested by Schistosoma haematobium. About 60% of the patients demonstrated significantly higher inhibition values than controls. The material inhibiting E.A.C. rosette formation was precipitated by 3.5% polyethilene glycol, thus excluding the role of C3 fragments and suggesting that inhibition was due to immune complexes.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗