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Biomedical subjects

M Bertholet

Publications and source records attributed to M Bertholet.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Natural evolution of atrioventricular conduction in patients with sick sinus syndrome treated by atrial demand pacing. A study of 26 cases.

The authors have followed up 26 patients with sinus node disease who were treated by atrial pacing. The follow-up duration varies between 10 months and 3 years. Assessment of A.V. conduction was performed repeatedly by atrial pacing at increasing rates. Nine patients showed a progressive, sometimes early, deterioration of their A.V. conduction system; five (19%) developed second degree A.V. block of Mobitz type I for pacing rates lower than 100 beats/min. In three of them, the pace-maker had to be replaced by a dual chamber stimulator. Deterioration of A.V. conduction seems to be more frequent in subjects with antecedents of myocardial infarction (4/5) than in others (5/21: p less than 0.05). Deterioration of A.V. conduction is not uncommon among patients with sinus node dysfunction, especially after myocardial infarction. This constitutes a serious limitation to the use of atrial pacing.

Adult↗

The value of amiodarone for the treatment of unstable angina.

Amiodarone is a potent coronary vasodilator; it has alpha and beta receptor-antagonist activity and is well-known for its marked antiarrhythmic efficacy. This report describes the results of a randomized study of amiodarone in unstable angina. 40 patients (33 male, 7 female; mean age: 55) with unstable angina entered the study. They were randomized into two treatment groups. In group I (20 cases), amiodarone was the first drug applied (during the first 3 days; 1500 mg/24 hours IV + 200 mg orally every 8th hour; from day 4 onwards: 200 mg orally 3 times daily). If, after 8 hours following initiation of treatment, the symptoms were still present or recurred, nifedipine was added at a dose of 10 mg 4 times daily. In case of failure of the combined medical treatment, coronary angiography and, if needed, surgery was performed after 16 hours. In group II (20 cases), nifedipine was given as the first drug and at a dose of 10 mg every 6th hour. If, after 8 hours, this therapy failed, amiodarone was added according to the scheme previously described. In case of failure of the combined therapy, coronary angiography and surgery were performed. In group I, amiodarone was successful within 8 hours in 12 cases. None of the non-responders was improved by the addition of nifedipine. In group II, nifedipine was successful within 8 hours in 6 cases (p = 0.086). Among the 14 non-responders, amiodarone controlled the anginal episodes in 11 instances (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

5-HT2-receptor blockade in the treatment of heart failure. A preliminary study.

Ketanserin (R 41 468), a quinazoline derivative, has been shown to be a selective blocker of 5-HT2 receptors. The drug was administered intravenously (10 mg given over a 3 min period) to 8 patients with severe cardiac failure already treated with digitalis, diuretics, and, in 4 cases, vasodilators. R 41 468 produced a significant fall in right-atrial, pulmonary-artery, pulmonary-wedge, and systemic arterial pressures. Systemic dynamic and total pulmonary vascular resistances were also reduced. Cardiac and stroke-work indices both increased, Heart rate remained unchanged. The platelet aggregation index, assessed in 2 patients, was initially low and was nearly normal 15 min after administration of a single dose of R 41 468.

Adult↗

Prognostic significance of electrocardiographic findings in angina at rest. Therapeutic implications.

Ninety-five patients with angina at rest were observed in the coronary care unit. Eighty-one per cent presented concomitantly or had previously presented some other manifestations of coronary artery disease. These patients were divided into two subgroups. In subgroup 1 (40 patients), episodes of non-exertional angina were associated with a pattern of hyperacute subepicardial injury and, frequently, with ventricular arrhythmias. In subgroup 2 (55 patients), the episodes of angina at rest were attended by horizontal ST depression, isolated T wave inversion, or trivial ST-T changes. Coronary angiographic findings were similar in both subgroups. Symptoms regressed in only 9% of patients in subgroup 1 while they were receiving beta-receptor antagonists, whereas amiodarone alone or amiodarone with nifedipine was successful in 58%. Of these patients, 25% developed a myocardial infarction shortly after admission. In subgroup 2 patients, beta-blockers were successful in 61%. Amiodarone isolated or associated with nifedipine was successful in 55% of the patients in whom it was tried. Only 5% of patients in this subgroup developed a myocardial infarction during their hospital stay. It is concluded that: (1) observation of the electrocardiogram during spontaneous angina in patients with known atherosclerotic coronary heart disease may be of prognostic significance and may influence therapeutic decision. (2) Amiodarone by virtue of its anginal and antiarrhythmic properties may be particularly useful in the treatment of non-exertional angina.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗