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Biomedical subjects

V Arena

Publications and source records attributed to V Arena.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

The treatment of intracranial malignant gliomas using orally administered tamoxifen therapy: preliminary results in a series of "failed" patients.

In vitro studies have shown that the nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen can suppress deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and cell proliferation in cultured human gliomas. This growth suppression is independent of its antiestrogenic properties. Tamoxifen may act through the inhibition of the enzyme protein kinase C, which transduces mitogenic signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. Based on these preclinical studies, we initiated a clinical trial of orally administered tamoxifen, 20 mg twice daily, to patients with recurrent, progressive malignant gliomas who were not candidates for other "failed" protocols, such as brachytherapy. No limits were placed on age, Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), or expected survival. Thirty-two patients were entered in the study, 29 with a glioblastoma multiforme and 3 with an anaplastic astrocytoma. The mean age of the group was 48 years, and the mean KPS was 65. Median survival of the entire cohort from the onset of tamoxifen therapy was 17 weeks; the median survival of those patients with an initial KPS of 70 or more was 21 weeks. Seven patients survived for more than 6 months with no change in their baseline computed tomographic scans or KPS on tamoxifen, including 2 patients with computed tomographic evidence of regression during the course of therapy. There were no significant patient-reported side effects of the treatment. Three patients had thromboembolic complications during tamoxifen administration. We conclude that tamoxifen can be administered safely to these patients and may show some efficacy against glial neoplasms.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

[Comparative clinical study of a new imidazole molecule (fluconazole) and ketaconazole in the treatment of Candida albicans vulvovaginitis].

A multicentre trial was carried out in Italy with the aim of comparing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the oral administration of fluconazole with the oral administration of ketoconazole in the treatment of patients affected by Candida vulvovaginitis. A total of 174 patients with symptomatic Candida vulvovaginitis were identified both by objective examination and cell culture tests: of these 87 were treated using a single oral administration of fluconazole (150 mg) whereas the other 87 received 2 200 mg capsules of ketoconazole daily for 5 days. Tests to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of both treatments were carried out approximately 7 days and 5-6 weeks from the start of therapy. The results obtained showed a success rate of 92% for fluconazole-treated patients and 83% for those treated with ketoconazole. In addition to the rapid and safe efficacy of treatment, the most important findings which emerged from this study were the extreme simplicity of use, excellent patient compliance and the complete absence of collateral effects of variations in the hematochemical and urine parameters taken into consideration caused by fluconazole.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Systemic to pulmonary bronchial blood flow in mitral stenosis.

We measured systemic to pulmonary bronchial blood flow [Qbr(s-p)] during total cardiopulmonary bypass in 15 patients with mitral stenosis and elevated pulmonary venous pressure (group A, mean pulmonary wedge pressure = 22.2 +/- 5.4 mm Hg, mean +/- SD) and in 15 patients with coronary artery diseases and normal pulmonary venous pressure (group B). Qbr(s-p) is the volume of blood accumulating in the left side of the heart in the absence of pulmonary and coronary flows. This blood was vented through a cannula introduced into the left atrium and measured. Qbr(s-p) was 76.3 +/- 13.9 ml/min (2.18 +/- 0.37 percent of extracorporeal circulation pump flow) and 22.3 +/- 2.1 (0.63 +/- 0.15) in group A and B, respectively (p less than 0.01). During total cardiopulmonary bypass, pulmonary venous pressure is approximately atmospheric pressure, and no differences in systemic blood pressure, extracorporeal circulation pump flow, and airways pressure were observed between group A and B. Therefore, vascular resistance through the bronchial vessels draining into the pulmonary circulation is reduced in patients with mitral stenosis and elevated pulmonary venous pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[From deep venous thrombosis to pulmonary embolism].

We report our 5-year experience concerning pulmonary embolism (PE). Between 1985 and 1990, 15 consecutive patients with symptomatic acute serious PE were referred to our observation: 6 underwent urgent surgical treatment (3 with cardiogenic shock, 2 with massive PE and 1 with right atrium embolism) and 9 patients underwent thrombolytic therapy which resulted successful in 3 cases, while in the remaining 6 cases a subsequent pulmonary embolectomy was performed. Therefore 11 patients underwent pulmonary embolectomy and the operative mortality rate was 27.5% (3 cases). Lower extremity deep venous thrombosis is associated with the highest risk of PE (90%). The PE mortality rate in untreated patients is reported to be 38%. In treated patients the mortality rate is approximately 8%. In most of the cases medical treatment of the thromboembolic disease is successful but in case of early failure of anticoagulant and/or thrombolytic therapy or contraindication to, surgical treatment is required. Surgeon's role is important at any time in the natural history of the thromboembolic disease: preventive (venous thrombectomy or inferior vena caval interruption) or therapeutical surgical proceedings for manifest PE (pulmonary embolectomy in extracorporeal circulation) can be performed. The last proceeding is required in no more than 3-6% of cases, but its mortality rate is still high (11-55%) related to the clinical status of the patients whose condition worsens despite intensive medical treatment.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMed1991

[The surgical treatment of pre-excitation syndromes].

In the recent years the approach to the patients with tachycardias due to the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome has changed in relation to the favourable results obtained by the surgical treatment. In this review the significance of the pre-operative electrophysiologic study is analyzed, as to a guide to localize the accessory pathway and, in particular, to disclose the presence of complicated substrates, such as multiple accessory pathways, AV nodal reentry; these latter situations if not correctly diagnosed, are a cause of surgical failure. We report the use of the epicardial surgical approach (Guiraudon technique). With the recent modifications, this technique avoids in the most cases the use of extracorporeal circulation. This simplified and safe surgical technique is a suitable alternative to other therapeutic strategies.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1990

Inspired gas relative humidity affects systemic to pulmonary bronchial blood flow in humans.

To our knowledge, the effects of humidity of inspired air on bronchial blood flow in humans are unknown. During total cardiopulmonary bypass, we measured systemic to pulmonary bronchial blood flow (Qbr[s-p]) which is the volume of blood accumulating into the left side of the heart in the absence of pulmonary and coronary flow. A cannula was introduced into the right upper pulmonary vein and advanced into the lowermost portion of the left side of the heart. From this cannula Qbr(s-p) was vented by gravity and measured. Inspired gas (10 L/min, endotracheal tube, 50 percent O2 + 50 percent N2O) relative humidity was less than 20 percent and greater than 85 percent in group A (n = 25) and in group B (n = 25), respectively. Mean (+/- SE) Qbr(s-p) was 40.7 +/- 0.06 ml/min or 1.32 +/- 0.12 ml/min (percent cardiac output) in group A and 21.7 +/- 1.8 ml/min or 0.68 +/- 0.06 ml/min in group B. These data indicate that under these conditions Qbr(s-p) is increased by dry gas lung inflation in humans.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
PubMed1989

Increase of alveolar pressure reduces systemic-to-pulmonary bronchial blood flow in humans.

We studied the effect of positive alveolar pressure (PA) on systemic to pulmonary bronchial blood flow, Q?? in humans. The Q?? was measured during total cardiopulmonary bypass as the volume of blood accumulating in the left heart. This blood was vented by gravity from the left heart via a cannula introduced in the right upper pulmonary vein and advanced to the lowest portion of the left heart. In group A (n = 10) the Qbr(s-p) was measured for 25 to 95 min with constant PA (4.0 +/- 0.2 cm H2O, mean +/- SE). In group B (n = 10) Qbr(s-p) was measured for 20 min with PA = 4.1 +/- 0.2 cm H2O and for a further 20 min with PA = 14.1 +/- 0.4 cm H2O. The Qbr(s-p) ranged between 0.32 and 2.76 percent of cardiac output (pump flow) and remained constant with time (group A). The increase of PA from 4.1 +/- 0.2 to 14.1 +/- 0.4 cm H2O reduced Qbr(s-p) by approximately 40 percent (p less than 0.01, group B). We conclude that positive PA reduces Qbr(s-p) during total cardiopulmonary bypass. Therefore, we advise using low PA during assisted ventilation to preserve bronchial blood flow.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1988

Diagnostic reliability of endomyocardial biopsy for assessment of cardiac allograft rejection.

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) of the right ventricle has demonstrated clinical use primarily for the detection of allograft rejection. Since its introduction, the procedure has been demonstrated to be safe and adaptable to an ambulatory population. The detection and grading of rejection have relied heavily on the criteria originally proposed by the Stanford group. Similar criteria are under study for diagnosis of myocarditis. Using autopsy-acquired cardiac allograft specimens, we report the reliability of EMB for grading of rejection and establish the dependence on the morphologic features used as the diagnostic cut-off and the fragment number obtained at biopsy. The reliability of an interpretation protocol based on the pattern of inflammation present in the multiple fragments submitted is established. We compare the reliability for rejection prediction between this approach and the currently accepted approach based on the presence of myocyte necrosis.

Biopsy↗