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Biomedical subjects

W H Smith

Publications and source records attributed to W H Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ST-segment depression during dipyridamole infusion, and its clinical, scintigraphic and hemodynamic correlates.

The goal of this study was to determine whether dipyridamole-induced ST-segment depression reflects more severe or extensive myocardial hypoperfusion than the absence of this electrocardiographic finding. The clinical, hemodynamic and scintigraphic correlates of ST-segment depression during intravenous dipyridamole infusion were studied in 204 consecutive patients undergoing dipyridamole stress thallium-201 (Tl-201) imaging for evaluation of coronary artery disease. Of 182 patients with a diagnostic baseline electrocardiogram, 28 (15%) developed ST depression after dipyridamole. Patients with ST depression, compared with those without, were older (64 +/- 1 vs 60 +/- 1 years; p less than 0.03) and had a higher frequency of chest pain (57 vs 23%; p less than 0.001) and a higher heart rate-blood pressure product (12.7 +/- 0.6 vs 11.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(3); p less than 0.008) after dipyridamole. Patients with ST depression were more likely to have Tl-201 redistribution (64 vs 38%; p less than 0.02) and a greater number of redistribution defects (2.3 +/- 0.04 vs 0.9 +/- 0.1, p less than 0.001) than were those without ST depression. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the most powerful correlate of ST depression was the number of segments having Tl-201 redistribution (p less than 0.001). Other independent correlates were presence of chest pain, heart rate at Tl-201 injection, and age. Thus, the determinants of dipyridamole-induced ST-segment depression include the scintigraphic extent of reversible hypoperfusion, as well as indexes of myocardial oxygen demand.

Aged

Blinded evaluation of planar technetium-99m-sestamibi myocardial perfusion studies.

Sestamibi planar myocardial perfusion studies were performed at Hotel-Dieu de Montreal on 28 patients with documented coronary artery disease and 16 normal subjects. Stress and rest studies were performed on separate days. These studies were sent to Virginia for interpretation while blinded as to age, sex, and other clinical information. Studies were quantitated independently by two operators (using a computer program modified for Sestamibi), and interpreted independently by two experienced interpreters. Computer quantitation of 2816 segments gave an average interoperator deviation of 2.2%. Pure quantitative criteria were applied for computer interpretation. By varying the detection threshold, we produced the entire ROC curve relating sensitivity and specificity as a function of detection threshold. Using only computer criteria for normal or abnormal, interoperator agreement by patient was 98% and 93% by view. The computer could achieve equal positive and negative predictive accuracy of 87%. Interpreters, allowed both quantitative and subjective judgment, agreed on 91% of 44 patients, 90% of 132 views, and 92% of 660 segments. Interpreters averaged 94% positive and 86% negative predictive accuracy.

Adult

Contemporary issues in the psychotherapy of women.

According to current research findings, women are more likely than men to suffer from depression, eating disorders, and multiple personality disorder. The authors review recent advances in the understanding of female psychology, family systems theory, and psychoanalytic theory to show how women's unique developmental challenges and complex social conditions interact to determine the form and expression of these disorders. After discussing contributing factors, the authors suggest appropriate approaches to diagnosis and treatment. They conclude that therapists of both genders must appreciate the complex causes of these disorders to be most helpful to their female patients.

Depressive Disorder

Alterations in Alzheimer's disease-associated protein in Alzheimer's disease frontal and temporal cortex.

Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated protein is present in brain and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with AD but not in adult, nondemented, normal controls. This protein may represent an abnormal epitope of the "tau" microtubule-associated protein and has been detected before the appearance of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The amount of AD-associated protein in the frontal and temporal cortices in 93 cases of neuropathologically confirmed AD was compared with the amount that was present in 20 cases without AD. The amount of AD-associated protein was significantly increased in the cases of AD for both brain regions compared with that in the cases without AD. The presence of high levels of this protein is a useful adjunct, postmortem marker of the presence of AD and may eventually lead to tests that allow early detection of individuals at risk for this disease.

Alzheimer Disease

Antecedents of posttraumatic stress disorder: wasn't being raped enough? A brief communication.

Many rape victims, like those traumatized by war, accidents, and natural disasters, are able to recover from their ordeal with supportive, crisis-oriented treatment. For others, however, symptoms may persist and require more intensive treatment. Hypnosis allows a modulated re-experiencing and abreaction of the traumatic event that can help to provide the victim with a relieving sense of mastery, and it fosters a receptive context for reassurance and interpretation regarding the irrational or exaggerated thoughts and feelings involved. 2 case examples are presented in which earlier conflicts appeared to play a role in perpetuating the patients' symptoms. Detecting and addressing these antecedents resulted in complete alleviation of long-standing problems through relatively brief treatment using hypnosis.

Adult

Prevalence and correlates of increased lung/heart ratio of thallium-201 during dipyridamole stress imaging for suspected coronary artery disease.

There is little information concerning the prevalence and clinical correlates of increased pulmonary thallium-201 uptake during dipyridamole thallium-201 stress imaging. Accordingly, the clinical characteristics and quantitative thallium-201 findings were correlated with quantitative lung/heart thallium-201 ratio in 87 patients undergoing dipyridamole thallium-201 stress testing. Nineteen patients (22%) had an elevated ratio (greater than 0.51). These patients were more likely to have had an infarction, to be taking beta blockers, and have a lower rate-pressure product after dipyridamole administration than those with a normal ratio (p less than 0.03). An elevated ratio was associated with a greater likelihood of initial, redistribution and persistent defects, as well as left ventricular cavity dilatation on thallium-201 imaging (p less than 0.05). In addition, the number of myocardial segments demonstrating initial, redistribution and persistent defects was also greater in patients with increased ratios (p less than 0.03). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of redistribution and left ventricular cavity dilatation were the most significant correlates of lung/heart thallium-201 ratio. It is concluded that the prevalence of increased lung/heart thallium-201 ratio with dipyridamole thallium-201 stress imaging is similar to that seen with exercise stress imaging. As with exercise thallium-201 imaging, increased pulmonary thallium-201 uptake may be a marker of functionally more significant coronary artery disease.

Adult

Technical aspects of myocardial planar imaging with technetium-99m sestamibi.

Fundamental quantitative planar imaging techniques, evolved over the years, have been adapted to maximize the efficiency and clinical effectiveness of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi imaging. To ensure reproducible image interpretation, the Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers test pattern is used to obtain the necessary standardization of video and hard copy images. A standardized intensity scale intuitively relates count density to perceived brightness. Data are accumulated via standard 16-frame multiple gated acquisition and can be viewed in cine mode to assess wall motion. The images are then automatically summed for quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion. Excessive extracardiac Tc-99m activity is automatically suppressed by the computer program to prevent suboptimal display of the heart. Due to the difference in heart background ratio and shape of the extracardiac background between resting and exercise Tc-99m sestamibi images, a modified interpolative background subtraction algorithm was developed. Image registration is necessary for accurate comparison of the rest and exercise images to detect redistribution. This is automatically accomplished by adjusting the position of the background-subtracted and centered images so as to maximize the cross-correlation coefficient. Profiles are generated to sample the myocardial count distribution and can be compared to a normal database, subject to confirmation by a competent interpreter. Rest redistribution is defined by a change in the myocardial distribution of Tc-99m sestamibi between exercise and rest images. Flashback display is used to identify subtle regions of redistribution that often signify residual viability within an infarct zone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heart

Quantification of area at risk during coronary occlusion and degree of myocardial salvage after reperfusion with technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile.

Serial myocardial imaging with technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) has been proposed for evaluating myocardial salvage after reperfusion. To define 99mTc-MIBI uptake before and after reperfusion, 17 open-chest dogs underwent 3 hours of left anterior descending artery occlusion and 3 hours of reperfusion. 99mTc-MIBI was injected during occlusion (group 1) or after 90 minutes of reperfusion (group 2). Myocardial 99mTc-MIBI activity was correlated with microsphere flow during occlusion and reperfusion. Anatomic risk area and infarct area were defined by postmortem vital staining and correlated with the perfusion defects defined by analysis of 99mTc-MIBI macroautoradiographs and gamma camera images of myocardial slices. The left ventricle was divided into 96 segments for gamma well counting. Flow and 99mTc-MIBI activity were normalized to nonischemic values. Myocardial segments were grouped, based on occlusion flow, into zones: severely ischemic (less than or equal to 30% nonischemic), moderately ischemic (greater than 30%, less than or equal to 60% nonischemic), mildly ischemic (greater than 60%, less than or equal to 90% nonischemic), and nonischemic (greater than 90%, less than or equal to 120% nonischemic). Among dogs injected with 99mTc-MIBI during coronary occlusion (group 1), myocardial 99mTc-MIBI activity correlated linearly with occlusion flow for both endocardial (r = 0.91) and transmural (r = 0.91) segments. The risk area defined by 99mTc-MIBI autoradiography (group 1) correlated with the postmortem risk area (rho = 0.94) but was 29% smaller than the anatomic risk area (p = 0.03), reflecting the contribution of collateral flow. Among dogs injected with 99mTc-MIBI after reperfusion (group 2), myocardial 99mTc-MIBI did not correlate with reperfusion flow in either endocardial or transmural segments. Among group 2 dogs, myocardial 99mTc-MIBI activity was significantly less than reperfusion flow at the time of injection in the severely ischemic (25 +/- 5% versus 74 +/- 24% nonischemic, p = 0.002), moderately ischemic (54 +/- 12% versus 96 +/- 15% nonischemic, p = 0.001), and mildly ischemic (84 +/- 6% versus 93 +/- 3% nonischemic, p = 0.002) zones. The defect area defined by 99mTc-MIBI autoradiography (group 2) correlated very closely with the postmortem infarct area (rho = 0.98). Thus, the myocardial uptake of 99mTc-MIBI during coronary occlusion correlates with occlusion flow and reflects the "area at risk." When 99mTc-MIBI was given after 90 minutes of reperfusion following 3 hours of coronary occlusion, the myocardial activity was significantly reduced compared with reperfusion flow in both necrotic and perinecrotic regions, reflecting myocardial viability more than the degree of reperfusion.

Animals

Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety.

Hypnotherapy and training in self-hypnosis can help persons achieve remarkable success in alleviating anxiety, not only in anxiety disorders, but also in any problem involving anxiety. The author describes the role of hypnosis in the treatment of several disorders and provides clinical examples illustrating treatment of generalized anxiety, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorders. He concludes that because hypnosis exploits the intimate connection between mind and body, it provides relief through improved self-regulation and also beneficially affects cognition and the experience of self-mastery.

Adult

Quantitative planar imaging with technetium-99m methoxyisobutyl isonitrile: comparison of uptake patterns with thallium-201.

To compare the myocardial uptake pattern of 99mTc-labeled methoxyisobutyl isonitrile [( 99mTc] MIBI) and 201TI, planar scintigraphy were performed in both patients with documented coronary artery disease and subjects with a low likelihood of disease. Quantitative analysis was employed using a standard interpolative background subtraction algorithm and a new algorithm modified to better accommodate for the differences in extracardiac activity seen with [99mTc]MIBI rest images. Among patients with coronary artery disease, the standard algorithm yielded no significant difference in relative defect magnitude between [99mTc]MIBI and 201TI on stress scintigrams (p = 0.48), although the magnitude of [99mTc]MIBI defects was greater on resting images (p = 0.02). When the modified algorithm was employed, defect magnitude was similar for both stress (p = 0.91) and rest (p = 0.20) images. Normal segmental uptake ratios derived from a comparison of contralateral segments (e.g., septal:posterolateral) in the low likelihood patients were similar for both [99mTc]MIBI and 201TI. Thus, modification of the standard interpolative background subtraction algorithm is necessary for quantitative planar [99mTc]MIBI perfusion imaging. When appropriate background subtraction is employed, myocardial uptake and quantitative defect magnitude of [99mTc]MIBI and 201TI planar images are similar.

Adult

Radiology of the jugular tubercles.

The jugular tubercles are two small protuberances that arise from the inferolateral margins of the clivus and project posterosuperiorly over the hypoglossal canals. The jugular tubercles are clearly seen on routine anteroposterior temporal bone tomograms and may be identified on axial or coronat CT scans. Varying widely in size and configuration, these structures are usually somewhat ovoid but can be elongated, gently squared, or asymmetric. Despite this variation in size and appearance, no normal instances were found in which the superior surface of the jugular tubercles appeared either flattened or concave. The radiology of the normal and pathologic jugular tubercle is described. The material outlined was derived from radiographic studies of both dried skulls and a variety of normal and abnormal clinical cases.

Adult

Zinc sulfate in acne vulgaris.

The effects of orally administered zinc sulfate in 52 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were compared to those of a placebo capsule. The numbers of comedones, papules, pustules, infiltrates, and cysts were counted at each visit over a 12-week period. Forty patients completed the study. Zinc appeared to have a somewhat beneficial effect on pustules but not on comedones, papules, infiltrates, or cysts. Fourteen patients (50%) in the zinc group had side effects of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Six patients (21%) in the zinc group could not tolerate the nausea and withdrew from the study.

Acne Vulgaris