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Biomedical subjects

William Alvarez

Publications and source records attributed to William Alvarez.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Beta-blockers for cardiac CT: a primer for the radiologist.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to describe a protocol for the administration of beta-blockers for cardiac CT. A low and regular heart rate is necessary for optimal visualization of the coronary arteries on CT and can be achieved by the administration of medications. CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers can be safely given, orally or IV, to most patients to lower the heart rate for cardiac CT. A protocol can be implemented and patients can be screened for certain contraindications to allow successful administration of these medications by radiologists.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2003

Finding a place for immunonutrition.

The role of certain nutrients that seem to have pharmacologic effects on immune and inflammatory parameters has been studied over the last two decades. This area of research is called immunonutrition. A recent study administered a combination of immunonutrients perioperatively in well nourished gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery. The rate of infectious complications and length of hospital stay was decreased in those receiving immunonutrients compared with patients receiving no nutritional support. The role of the individual components of this immunonutrition and the clinical trials of similar combinations in surgical gastrointestinal cancer patients are reviewed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

Safety of antidepressant drugs in the patient with cardiac disease: a review of the literature.

Patients with cardiac disease, specifically ischemic heart disease and heart failure, have a higher frequency of major depressive disorder than patients without cardiac disease. The pathophysiologic reason for this is not completely understood. Previous depression, other debilitating illnesses, and type A personality are risk factors for the development of depression in cardiac patients. Depression has been shown to lower the threshold for ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, treatment of depression potentially may prolong life in these patients. Antidepressant options that have been evaluated include several of the tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, bupropion, and several of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Individual antidepressant drugs vary in their pharmacologic activity and side-effect profiles. Although clinical data are limited, it is important to individualize therapy in order to minimize cardiac adverse effects. Clinicians are encouraged to evaluate patients with cardiac disease for major depressive disorder and to consider antidepressant drug therapy for these patients when appropriate.

Antidepressive Agents↗