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Biomedical subjects

M G Modena

Publications and source records attributed to M G Modena.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Left partial absence of the pericardium.

A case of left partial absence of the pericardium in a young patient is presented. Plain roentgenographic findings were suggestive, and 2-D echocardiography was useful only to rule out associated cardiac abnormalities. Computerized tomography led to the diagnosis permitting to define some typical features.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiovascular effects of amrinone.

Amrinone, a new inotropic drug, was infused at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg body weight in 14 patients affected by dilatative cardiomyopathy in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III and IV. Cardiac index, mean arterial pressure, and some echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Cardiac index (CI) increased from 2.03 +/- 0.24 to 2.82 +/- 0.43 1/min/m2 (p less than 0.001). Fractional shortening (FS) increased from 16.4 +/- 5.2 to 21.5 +/- 5.3% (p less than 0.05). End-diastolic and end-systolic diameters showed a significant reduction. Mean arterial pressure decreased from 90.7 +/- 88 to 87.3 +/- 8.4 mmHg (p less than 0.001), the end-systolic stress (ESS) decreased from 5.8 +/- 1 to 5.2 +/- 1 g/cm (p less than 0.001). Analyzing the relationship between FS and ESS, it was possible in some cases to suppose the presence of an important vasodilator effect of the drug. The afterload in 7 patients was therefore modified before and after infusion of the drug to analyze FS at the same levels of afterload. This was done to evaluate the vasodilator effect of amrinone. Examining the regression line of FS/ESS ratio it was possible to observe a predominant vasodilator effect in some patients, but in most, a sinergic action was noted. This may be useful for chronic treatment of congestive heart failure, reducing amrinone doses, and using it in association with other vasodilator drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Surgical valve therapy combined with aorto-coronary bypass (author's transl)].

The AA. analyse a series of 720 patients who have undergone an aorta coronary by-pass combined with surgical valve therapy at the Texas Heart Institute up to an including 1977. 384 of these cases involved the aortic valve, 306 the mitral valve and 30 both valves. The combined operation was shown to be necessary since the disregarded or untreated coronary lesion in patients with valve pathology increases both the early and late mortality rate or reduces the results after surgical valve therapy. The double operation, on the other hand, reduces mortality, eliminates the symptoms, improves long-term survival and prevents myocardial infarction. Therefore emphasis is placed on the need for coronarographic investigation for valve patients over 40. However, the association of mitral or anuloplastic valve replacement does not lead to a significant improvement in long-term survival when mitral valve insufficiency is accompanied by an ischaemic aetiology.

Aortic Valve↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Menopause and cardiovascular risk.

Menopause is not a disease, but a physiologic phase of a woman's life, due to the changes of their hormonal status. Fastidious symptoms may be associated with changes in the metabolism together with new cardiovascular risk factors, particularly aggressive for the female cardiovascular system, unprepared because of the protection due to the fertile period. Changes of the lipid profile, obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus may intervene as severe risk factors. Cardiovascular disease represents therefore the most frequent cause of mortality and morbidity also in the female gender more than cancer either in the United States as in Europe. The risks related to post-menopause are mainly due to the abrupt interruption of estrogen, which has indirect protective effects on lipid, glycidic metabolism and direct effects on vessel function. They have, in fact, vasodilator action due to nitric oxide release, calcium-antagonist like action and an antiproliferative effect on smooth muscle cells. Post-menopause is also frequently associated with hypertension, the most frequent related factor to coronary artery disease. Hypertension is due to increased body mass index, with insulin-resistance, sodium retention, increased blood viscosity and estrogen deficiency with increased smooth muscle cell proliferation which determines an increase in systemic vascular resistance. Age and estrogen deficiency are together the most important cause of cardiovascular risk in post-menopause. The discovery of alpha and recently beta estrogen receptors on coronary female vessels unaffected by atherosclerosis either during pre and post-menopause phase are possible key of interpretation of pathophysiology of coronary artery disease in women, with important therapeutic consequence.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗