Biomedical subjects

R Zweiker

Publications and source records attributed to R Zweiker.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Long-term outcome and prognostic factors in dilated cardiomyopathy. Preliminary results.

UNLABELLED: To investigate long-term follow-up and identify prognostic factors in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) the authors investigated 167 consecutive patients on an outpatient basis. All patients underwent left- and right-heart catheterization; follow-up comprised clinical and echocardiographic investigations. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of ninety-three +/- thirty-six months 82 patients (49%; 71 men, 11 women, mean age fifty-five +/- eleven years) were alive. 29 of them (27 men, 2 women, mean age fifty-two +/- nine) showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after a mean follow-up period of one hundred four +/- forty months. The remaining 53 patients (44 men, 9 women, mean age fifty-six +/- eleven) revealed LVEF similar to that of the first examination. Eighty-five patients died (51%; 73 men, 12 women). Causes of death were the following: progressive heart failure, 24; sudden death, 23; stroke, 3; pulmonary embolism, 2; noncardiac death, 4; unknown causes, 29. The median period from the onset of first symptoms until definite diagnosis was two months in patients with stable conditions, three months in those with normalization of LVEF and twenty-four months in those who died, respectively (P < 0.01). At the time of diagnosis, patients with stable outcome had a mean LVEF (LVEF 1) of 37%, those who returned to normal had 40% (ns). Patients who died had a mean LVEF 1 of 32% and therefore differed significantly from both groups of survivors (P < 0.001). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) at the time of diagnosis was highest in patients who died (22 mmHg) and therefore differed significantly from both groups of survivors (normalization: 16 mmHg, stable patients: 18 mmHg, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to their results, time until diagnosis, LVEF, and LVEDP are prognostic indicators. No difference was noted between the groups concerning etiology, medical treatment, or functional classification according to the New York Heart Association.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[ECG of the athlete's heart].

The athlete's heart is characterized by eccentric hypertrophy of all cardiac cavities and there is a close connection to increased tone of the vagal system. As a consequence, not only arrhythmias are observed in the ECG of healthy athletes, but also changes in the QRS complex and in the ST-T-segment. Left ventricular hypertrophy is diagnosed in ECG by a positive Sokolow-Lyon index. The frequent finding of a right ventricular conduction delay is possibly due to hypertrophy of the myocardium in the apex of the right ventricle. The causes of various T wave changes are generally unclear and await further diagnostic clarification. In cases when normalization of the T-wave deviation is observed under stress, such changes are of functional nature. Echocardiography is indicated in any case to establish the heart's size and function; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has to be excluded. Frequent cardiac dysrhythmias found in athletes are sinus bradycardia and sinus arrhythmia, less often escape rhythms are seen. A arrhythmia more often found in athletes is the respiration-dependent simple atrioventricular dissociation. Also, escape rhythms are observed in some cases with ventricular origin. Finally, a pronounced vagotonia can lead to a prolonged conduction time; AV-blocks of all degrees of severity are observed in athletes. The functional character of these arrhythmias can be easily demonstrated by their disappearance under stress.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

PubMed1994

"Non-dipping" related to cardiovascular events in essential hypertensive patients.

About 1 third of all patients with essential hypertension reveal an impaired circadian pattern of blood pressure. This phenomenon called "non-dipping" (i.e. a lack of the normal nocturnal fall in blood pressure) is related to a higher incidence of end-organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy. It is the purpose of this study to evaluate, whether or not non-dipping of blood pressure may worsen the prognosis of hypertensive subjects. 116 consecutive hypertensives underwent an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) using the Spacelabs 2000 device. 2 groups were established: Group I (n = 87) were "dippers", group II (n = 29) "non-dippers" showing a diminished or even lack of nocturnal fall in blood pressure. No difference was seen concerning sex, mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure, systolic and diastolic causal blood pressure and heart rate. However, a significant difference in age and mean 24-hour diastolic blood pressure could be observed. In a follow-up investigation after approximately 31 months all patients and/or their physicians were contacted concerning cardiovascular events during the time since the ABPM was performed. In Group I only 1 transient ischemic attack occurred, but in group II 4 patients showed major cardiovascular events: 3 deaths occurred (2 of which caused by myocardial infarction, 1 by apoplexy), while 1 suffered from a transient ischemic attack (p < 0.001). Thus, in essential hypertension non-dipping of blood pressure is associated with an increased occurrence of cardiovascular events, and, therefore, the circadian blood pressure profile should be carefully monitored.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Toxoplasmosis peri-myocarditis as initial manifestation of highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

A case report of a 28-year-old mother of two children with FUO is presented. Physical examination revealed an anemic and febrile woman, who lost 10 kg of weight during the past 3 months. Furthermore, two lymphatic nodes with diameters below 1 cm were detected at the neck and inguinal region. A search for origin of fever including evaluation of foci, malignancies and laboratory investigations was primarily unsuccessful. At day 7 after admission a pericardial murmur could be heard. Echocardiography revealed a pericardial effusion, which increased up to 4 cm during the following days, leading to hemodynamic impairment and asystole. Immediate CR was successful, pericardial effusion was aspirated. Looking for etiology of fever the presence of IgM-antibodies against toxoplasma gondii by an ELISA test was possible. Therefore, toxoplasmosis was diagnosed and a treatment-regimen comprising pyrimethamin and sulfadiazin was initiated. Because of the threat to life and very high titers of C-reactive protein, antibiotic therapy (imipenem) was given additionally. An immunologic impairment was excluded by normal ratio of CD4:CD8 of lymphocytes, normal HIV-test and a nonsuspicious Jamshidi-biopsy of the bone marrow. However, in week 9 after admission lymphatic node-tumors suddenly appeared at the neck and pulmonary hilus. After diagnostic exstirpation a malignant non-Hodgkin-lymphoma (T-cell-type) was diagnosed. It is concluded that in obscure pericardial effusion toxoplasmosis should be considered and that this manifestation may be a precursor of malignant non-Hodgkin-lymphoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Eating behavior of patients with metabolic diseases and metabolically healthy probands in Austria. Results of a questionnaire survey at the Graz Autumn Fair 1991].

Malnutrition as the cause of developing atherosclerosis is undoubtedly of major importance. For that reason, proper nutrition and eating habits among the population is of specific significance in preventive medicine. In order to establish a more pronounced food consciousness among the population of Styria, a questionnaire was issued to 1.354 persons attending the Graz Autumn Fair in 1991. The results showed above all that approximately 40% of the subjects investigated presented a disease due to malnutrition and metabolic disorder, mainly hyperlipidemia. The choice of various foods varied according to male and female tastes; roasted pork was more often a men's favourite dish (p < 0.001) while women had a prediction for vegetarian food (p < 0.001). There was, however, no difference in the choice of eating habits in persons with or without metabolic disorders. Thus, women in general do pursue a healthier consciousness was not so pronounced in man. Yet, it could not be established by means of the questionnaire that subjects with metabolic disorders showed different eating habits with respect to their disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Nisoldipine in comparison with long-term nitrates].

Nisoldipine represents a new attractive second generation calcium channel blocker of the dihydropyridine-class for the treatment of all types of coronary artery disease. The effect on chronic ischemia is comparable to long-acting nitrates, side-effects have been rarely observed. The advantages will be the high vascular selectivity with only slight negative inotropic effect as well as a long-lasting positive influence on the myocardial metabolism. Up to now, no studies have been reported which compare nisoldipine and long-acting nitrates directly, but this calcium antagonist appears to influence duration and intensity of symptomatic and silent episodes of ischemia similar to the nitrates.

Angina Pectoris↗

PubMed1991

Circadian blood pressure pattern in patients with treated hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensives is an important determinant of prognosis. In the present study 45 patients with treated essential hypertension were divided into two groups: 23 patients had normal left ventricular dimension and 22 patients had echocardiographic signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). All patients were adequately treated during daytime, but ambulatory blood pressure monitoring showed a distinct abnormal pattern in the LVH group characterized by a lack of blood pressure reduction during the night; 16 of 22 patients with LVH had no blood pressure decline during the night, whereas 17 of 23 patients without hypertrophy showed this reduction (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, patients with hypertension and LVH often reveal a lack of blood pressure decline during the night, which may be the reason for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (and thus should be managed by a different circadian blood pressure therapy) or which may be the consequence of progressive structural changes in the resistance vessels, along with the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. It is suggested that patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy should have ambulatory twenty-four hour blood pressure monitoring.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Syncope in dilated cardiomyopathy is a predictor of sudden cardiac death.

Fifty percent of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy die within 5 years of diagnosis. Syncope is known to be a predictor of poor outcome in patients with advanced heart failure. To assess the risk of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with a history of syncope during standard medical treatment we compared this group to similar patients without syncope. Twenty-three patients with angiographically proven dilated cardiomyopathy and syncope were followed prospectively and compared to 201 patients without history of syncope. All patients showed a left-ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45%. Both groups did not differ in left-ventricular ejection fraction at baseline (30 +/- 7% in the syncope group, 30 +/- 8% in the no syncope group). Mean follow-up was 2.6 years in the syncope group and 2.4 years in the no syncope group. At baseline, syncope patients used more often amiodarone (p < 0.04), while there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the intake of digitalis, diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Twenty-six percent of patients in the syncope group and 20% in the no syncope group died during follow-up (non significant). The striking difference, however, was the type of death: 5 out of 6 patients in the syncope group died suddenly compared to 13 of 41 patients in the no syncope group (p < 0.025). Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and a history of syncope are at high risk of sudden death.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Subclinical thyroid disorders in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

UNLABELLED: Severe thyrotoxicosis can cause irreversible congestive heart failure. To investigate the coincidence of subclinical thyroid disorders and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) we investigated these patients with respect to their morphological and functional thyroid status. Thyroid sonography as well as thyroid hormone levels were measured in all patients. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (50 male, 11 female) with chronic stable IDC were included. Two out of 61 patients showed completely normal thyroid morphology and function. The other 59 patients showed either morphological or functional abnormalities or both. Of the 53 patients with morphological abnormalities 23 patients (all male) showed diffuse goiter as opposed to 29 nodular enlarged organs (24 male, 5 female). No clinically significant hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis was seen. A good correlation was found between the duration of IDC and thyroid volume (r = 0.44; p < 0.001). Two patients died during the study period, 1 from sudden death and 1 from progressive heart failure. CONCLUSION: Subclinical thyroid disorders are frequently seen in patients with long-standing IDC when they live in an area of chronic iodine deficiency. This can be explained by chronic salt restriction as basic treatment for congestive heart failure. Therefore we conclude that examination of the thyroid gland should be done routinely in patients with IDC, especially when restriction of salt intake is recommended by the treating physician.

Adult↗