Biomedical subjects

Syed A Rizvi

Publications and source records attributed to Syed A Rizvi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Thirty-one years of clinical experience with "nuclear-powered" pacemakers.

From 1973 through 1987, 164 radioisotope powered ("nuclear") pacemakers were implanted in 139 patients at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Patient survival was much as might be expected from an age group as selected for this program. At 31 years (January 2005), 12 of the 139 patients (9%) were still alive. The experience reported here encompassed a span of 16 years of implantation with a follow-up of slightly more than 31 years. The problems encountered along the way were not remarkably different from those encountered in general clinical experience with pacemakers, except that the number of reoperations was fewer. In fact, most patients died with the initial implant in place. Deaths most commonly were due to cardiac causes (54%). The frequency of malignancies was similar to that of the age-matched population; primary tumor sites were randomly distributed. These results show that nuclear pacemakers were safe and reliable. Their longevity and the resulting decrease in reoperations offset their greater initial cost.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Mitoxantrone for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.

Patients with worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), secondary progressive MS, and progressive relapsing MS are potential candidates for treatment with mitoxantrone. Early identification of these patients is essential because there is emerging evidence that early and aggressive treatment might delay or limit long-term disability. Treatment with mitoxantrone is associated with certain adverse events, such as cardiotoxicity. However, the possible benefits of treatment (e.g., reduction in disease progression) outweigh the risks for patients with aggressive or worsening disease. With the selection of appropriate patients and careful monitoring for adverse events, mitoxantrone can be safely administered.

Contraindications↗

PubMed2004

Other therapy options and future strategies for treating patients with multiple sclerosis.

Research into therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) is occurring at a rapid pace, and current treatment options approved by the FDA specifically target the inflammatory phase of MS. However, drugs that are not FDA-approved are routinely used to treat MS. One example is corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat acute relapses. Other drugs that are commonly used to treat patients who do not respond to the FDA-approved agents include the following: methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and pulse steroids. Drugs being studied as possible therapeutic agents include the statins, mycophenolate mofetil, various monoclonal antibodies (e.g., alemtuzumab, daclzumab, natalizumab, and rituximab), antibiotics and antivirals, and the pregnancy hormone estriol. Disease modifying agents (DMAs) that promote remyelination would be beneficial for preventing long-term disability, and such agents are also under active investigation (e.g., IV immunoglobulin G and stem cell transplantation). Combination therapy with DMAs with different mechanisms of action may be advantageous in the future for providing optimal treatment that both delays the progression of disability and promotes repair and remyelination.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed2004

Current approved options for treating patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurologic disorder that affects 400,000 persons in the United States, consists of an inflammatory and a neurodegenerative phase. Treatment options now approved by the FDA specifically target the inflammatory phase of MS and include immunomodulators (i.e., interferon betas and glatiramer acetate) and an immunosuppressant, mitoxantrone. This article discusses the methods of monitoring disease progression using disability scales and MRI and reviews the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the FDA-approved therapies. All of the immunomodulators are approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. Only mitoxantrone is approved for the treatment of worsening relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and progressive-relapsing MS. Early treatment with these disease-modifying agents is desirable to reduce the progression of the disease and to limit long-term disability.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2002

Symptomatic therapy for underrecognized manifestations of multiple sclerosis.

The symptoms that affect individuals with MS are diverse and change over time. Addressing symptoms in a multidisciplinary fashion and helping patients address problems as they occur are the major elements of symptom management. Successful management involves treating not only the more readily recognized manifestations of MS but also the less apparent MS features, including fatigue, cognitive loss, mood disturbance, and pain. Management of these symptoms is reviewed.

Central Nervous System Agents↗