Chloroquine and nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Allemann
Publications and source records attributed to Y Allemann.
The Magnum wire for percutaneous coronary balloon angioplasty in 723 patients.
The experience of the use of the Magnum wire in a single center is reported. Percutaneous balloon coronary angioplasty, using the Magnum 0.021 inch wire, was attempted in 723 patients with 850 lesions; of these, 453 (53%) were chronic total occlusions and 50 (7%) recent occlusions of less than 24 hours (patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction). The overall technical success rate per lesion was 655/850 (77%). It was 255/280 (91%) for non-total lesions, 311/453 (69%) for chronic total occlusions, 53/67 (79%) for functional (TIMI grade I) occlusions, and 36/50 (72%) for recent occlusions. Clinical success was achieved in 196/232 patients (84%) with non-total lesions, in 292/436 (67%) with total chronic occlusions, in 49/65 (75%) with functional occlusions, and in 34/50 (68%) with recent occlusions. Complications (significant creatine kinase rise, new Q-wave infarction, need for coronary bypass surgery or in-hospital death) occurred in 7% (3% if patients presenting with unstable ischemic syndromes were excluded from the analysis). These data confirm that the use of the Magnum wire has success rates competitive with other systems both in setting of chronic total occlusion and in that of routine percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
Adult↗
Cardiovascular, metabolic and hormonal dysregulations in normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive parents.
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Blood Pressure↗
Atrial natriuretic factor increases in response to an acute glucose load.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an acute glucose load on circulating atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels. METHODS: We investigated plasma ANF, glucose and insulin levels before and after intravenous administration of 50% D-glucose (300 mg/kg body weight) in healthy, normal volunteers. RESULTS: In study group A (n = 30) plasma ANF was found to be increased significantly 30 min after the glucose load. In study group B (n = 55) the response of plasma ANF over time was assessed. A peak plasma ANF response was observed 10 min after intravenous glucose loading; thereafter, plasma ANF levels returned gradually to basal levels at 50 min after glucose injection. The latter produced in both study groups a similar acute hyperglycaemia, and in group B the expected concomitant hyperinsulinaemia. CONCLUSION: These observations demonstrate that, in normal humans, acute marked hyperglycaemia is accompanied by a rapid increase in circulating ANF levels. In this metabolic interaction, ANF might counteract the renal sodium-retaining effect of acute hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia.
Adult↗
Insulin sensitivity and body fat distribution in normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents.
Lean, healthy normotensive sons of essential hypertensive parents (OHyp) have lower insulin sensitivity (SI) than sons of normotensive parents (ONorm). We have tried to find out whether this disturbance in insulin metabolism is related to altered body fat distribution, fuel metabolism, or both. 21 OHyp and 21 ONorm of similar age and body-mass index were investigated after fasting overnight. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and fuel metabolism by indirect calorimetry and urinary nitrogen excretion. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were measured during the frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test, and SI was calculated by the minimum model method. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were slightly but not significantly higher in OHyp than ONorm but the groups did not differ in fasting plasma insulin or glucose concentrations, carbohydrate or lipid oxidation, lean and fat mass, bone mineral content, or distribution of body fat. By contrast, SI was significantly lower in OHyp than ONorm (8.2 [0.7] vs 13.4 [1.5] 10(-4) L mU-1 min-1, p < 0.01). Within the whole study population upper-body fat mass was positively correlated with fasting plasma insulin (r = 0.33, p < 0.03) and lipid oxidation was positively correlated with SI (r = 0.35, p < 0.04) and negatively correlated with subscapular/triceps skinfold thickness (r = -0.43, p < 0.01). Thus, impairment of SI precedes both the development of overt hypertension and gain or redistribution of body fat. Therefore, the concept that SI is low as a result of altered fat distribution has to be reconsidered, at least in young male offspring of hypertensive parents.
Adipose Tissue↗
[Diagnostic value of ambulatory daily blood pressure profile: comparison with measurements performed by a laboratory technician].
Office blood pressure measured by a physician is often higher than under the usual ambulatory conditions. Therefore, alternative methods such as self-assessment of blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure measurements are increasingly promoted. The purposes of this study, covering 613 referred patients, were (1) compare office blood pressure with continuous ambulatory blood pressure measurements, (2) compare office blood pressure with blood pressure values recorded by a trained technician in the absence of a physician and (3) analyze the interpretation of the blood pressure profiles by the referring physicians. Office blood pressure exceeded average ambulatory blood pressure in 94% of the patients and also the blood pressure values recorded by a technician in 88%. According to the office blood pressure there were 523 patients with elevated blood pressure, 20 with isolated increased systolic blood pressure and 70 with normal blood pressure. Office blood pressure was higher (systolic +17 +/- 18 and diastolic +9 +/- 12 mm Hg, p less than 0.0001) than the average value of the ambulatory blood pressure profile, whereas the latter did not differ significantly from blood pressure values measured by the technician (systolic -1 +/- 12 and diastolic -2 +/- 9 mm Hg). 190 of the 523 (36%) patients had white-coat hypertension according to the ambulatory blood pressure measurements. Conventional blood pressure measurements by the technician yielded a high sensitivity (84%) and specificity (87%) for distinguishing white coat hypertension. Analysis of the questionnaires showed that opinions about normal limits of ambulatory blood pressure vary considerably.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Blood Pressure Determination↗
[Rational assessment procedure in hypertension].
Diagnosis of hypertension is based on a classification of blood-pressure values, determined by multiple blood-pressure measurements over a period of several weeks or months. However, possibility of a so-called 'white coat effect' has to be considered, i.e. a marked increase of blood-pressure values in the presence of medical persons. Multiple control-measurements by the patient himself or an ambulatory day profile may clarify the situation in suspicious cases. In the case of pure 'white coat' hypertension, no further investigation is necessary, since cardiovascular complications only correlate with the 'usual' ambulatory blood pressure. Persons with borderline (141-159/91-94 mmHg and intermittently lower, according to the WHO) or established hypertension usually present with further cardiovascular risk factors, like lack of physical exercise, smoking, hypercholesterolemia (elevated total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol), alone or accompanied by hypertriglyceridemia, disturbed tolerance of glucose or diabetes mellitus, or hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Therefore, in borderline as well as in established hypertension these additional risk factors have to be evaluated. Considering left ventricular hypertrophy electrocardiogram and chest X-ray are insensitive with regard to diagnosis and prognosis of this important and serious risk factor. Echocardiography that can meet both these criteria is for capacity reasons still limited to selected cases. In contrast to the investigation of the risk profile, only few patients will profit from an investigation of etiology of hypertension. It should be tailored to individual features and after thorough evaluation of all consequences, such as costs for the patient, chances for a positive result and possible therapeutical consequences. Usually, careful history taking, clinical investigation and routine laboratory provide an appropriate basis for further rational investigative procedures. Hypertension is a common and important risk factor. The challenge for the public health is great because prognosis can markedly be influenced by early diagnosis and therapy. Insufficient distinction between efficient diagnostic and therapeutical efforts and those that may be superfluous may not only influence psyche and somatic well-being of the patient but also socio-economic balance.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
Insulin sensitivity in normotensive subjects during angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition with fosinopril.
The effect of the new ACE-inhibitor, fosinopril, on insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose homoeostasis and lipid profile has been examined in 24 young, healthy, normotensive men. SI, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, serum total triglycerides (Tg) and lipoprotein cholesterol (C) fractions, and ACE activity were assessed after subjects had taken placebo for 1 week and after 3 further weeks either on placebo (12 subjects) or fosinopril 20 mg daily (12 subjects), administered in a double-blind, randomized order. Measurements were made after 3 days on a standard diet (2500 kcal/d, 45% carbohydrates, 40% fat and 15% proteins) and after an overnight fast. Compared with control values at the end of the run-in placebo phase, fosinopril reduced plasma ACE activity (from 106 to 24 nmol.ml-1.min-1), Significantly increased plasma potassium and lowered upright systolic blood pressure. It also improved the k-value of the glucose disappearance rate after glucose load (from -1.70 to -1.88%.min-1) and tended to increase SI slightly although not significantly (from 10.2 to 12.0.10(-4).min-1.microU-1.ml-1). Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, serum total, high-, low-, and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and total triglycerides were unchanged following fosinopril and placebo. The findings indicate that in healthy lean humans, ACE inhibition with fosinopril is neutral with regard to lipoprotein and carbohydrate metabolism, and that it may slightly enhance cellular glucose disposal. This calls for further evaluation in individuals at high risk of developing insulin resistance and in patients with impaired insulin sensitivity related to hypertension, obesity, decreased glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus.
Adult↗
Left ventricular structure and determinants in normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive parents.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether currently normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive parents may have alterations in left ventricular mass (LVM) and function, and how these relate to some potential determinants. DESIGN AND METHODS: Echocardiographical indices of LVM (assessed by two-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiogram), 'clinic' blood pressure and daytime ambulatory blood pressure profiles, blood pressure responses to dynamic and isometric exercise testing, haematocrit, plasma and 24-h urinary electrolytes and catecholamines, and plasma angiotensin II were assessed on a defined Na+ intake in 31 normotensive lean sons of essential hypertensive parents (OHYP group) and 30 body mass index- and age-matched sons of normotensive parents (ONORM group). RESULTS: Clinic supine systolic blood pressure was higher in the OHYP than the ONORM group, but clinic diastolic and daytime ambulatory mean blood pressures, blood pressure loads and blood pressure during dynamic or isometric exercise did not differ significantly. LVM index (LVMI), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), posterior wall thickness (PWT), the IVST:PWT ratio, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, cardiac index and measured biochemical variables also did not differ significantly between groups. In the whole study population the LVMI correlated positively with the body mass index and negatively with plasma noradrenaline. CONCLUSIONS: In young lean men with one essential hypertensive parent and blood pressure still in the normal range, left ventricular structure and systolic function, as assessed by echocardiography, seem to be often unaltered and appropriate relative to the existing body habitus and blood pressure. Moreover, an early tendency for increasing resting blood pressure in genetically hypertension-prone humans may be more apparent under clinic than usual ambulatory conditions, whereas the blood pressure reactivity to physical stress seems to be largely normal at this stage.
Adult↗
Enhanced blood pressure response to mineralocorticoid stimulation in normotensive members of hypertensive families.
Currently normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive parents often have disturbances in blood pressure (BP) regulation such as abnormalities in electrolyte homoeostasis, increased salt-sensitivity and/or impaired renal Na(+)-excretion. Whether an altered reactivity to mineralocorticoids may also play a role is presently unknown. Therefore, we investigated BP (recorded during 24 h), plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), aldosterone (PA) and renin activity (PRA), 24-h urine electrolyte and cGMP excretions measured on 4 consecutive days, as well as other variables, after 1 week on placebo and after 3 weeks of 9 alpha-fludrocortisone-acetate (9 alpha F) administration, 0.6 mg/d in 12 normotensive sons of essential hypertensive parents (SEH) and 12 body-mass-index- and age-matched (25 +/- 1[+/-SEM]yr) sons of normotensive parents (SN). On placebo, the 2 groups did not differ significantly in average 24 h BP (mean BP 95 +/- 2 vs 95 +/- 2 mmHg), plasma-ANF (40 +/- 7 vs 30 +5 pg/ml), cGMP (6 +/- 0.4 vs 6 +/- 0.5 nmol/l), PRA (1.3 +/- 0.1 vs 1.6 +/- 0.2 ng/ml/h), PA (9 +/- 0.5 vs 10 +/- 0.9 ng/dl), hematocrit (44 +/- 0.7 vs 44 +/- 0.4%) and 96-h urinary-Na+ (mean 205 +/- 13 vs 195 +/- 16 mmol/d), -K+ (69 +/- 6 vs 78 +/- 7 mmol/d) or -cGMP (461 +/- 35 vs 483 +/- 32 nmol/d). 9 alpha F significantly increased BP in SEH (p < 0.005) but not SN (107 +/- 2 vs 100 +/- 2 mmHg, p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adult↗
Altered insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in individuals with a hypertensive parent.
PURPOSE: Essential hypertension is, in some patients, complicated by impairment of insulin-mediated glucose disposal and hyperinsulinemia. Whether this metabolic disturbance is a consequence of the hypertensive process or whether it may precede, and thus possibly promote, the development of hypertension has been unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Searching for hereditary or familial defects in hypertension-prone humans, we prospectively investigated insulin sensitivity, plasma insulin and glucose, and serum lipoproteins in normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive as compared with age- and body habitus-matched offspring of normotensive families. RESULTS: Compared with 78 control subjects, 70 offspring of essential hypertensive parents had similar age (mean +/- SEM: 24 +/- 1 versus 24 +/- 1 years, respectively) and body mass index (22.3 +/- 0.2 versus 22.4 +/- 0.2 kg/m2), a blood pressure of 127/77 +/- 1/1 versus 123/76 +/- 1/1 mm Hg (p less than 0.05 for systolic), and significantly elevated (p less than 0.01 to 0.001) fasting plasma insulin levels (9.9 +/- 0.3 versus 8.6 +/- 0.3 microU/mL), serum total triglycerides (1.03 +/- 0.06 versus 0.83 +/- 0.03 mmol/L), total cholesterol (4.37 +/- 0.08 versus 3.93 +/- 0.07 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.45 +/- 0.08 versus 2.14 +/- 0.07 mmol/L), and total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (4.3 +/- 0.1 versus 3.7 +/- 0.1). Insulin sensitivity was lower (9.4 +/- 0.7 versus 13.2 +/- 1.1 x 10(-4) x minute-1/microU/mL, p less than 0.001), while post-glucose-load plasma insulin levels were higher (p less than 0.05) in the 41 offspring of essential hypertensive parents than in the 38 offspring of normotensive parents so investigated. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that young normotensive humans in apparently excellent health but with one essential hypertensive parent tend to have an impairment of insulin-mediated glucose disposal, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia. It follows that a familial trait for essential hypertension seems to coexist commonly with defects in carbohydrate and lipoprotein metabolism that can be detected before or at least at a very early stage of the development of high blood pressure as judged by resting blood pressure measurements.
Adolescent↗
Developing essential hypertension: a syndrome involving ANF deficiency?
The pathogenesis of essential hypertension may possibly involve a deficiency in, or a decreased response to, endogenous vasodilator and natriuretic factor(s). Searching for hereditary or familial defects, it is plausible to evaluate blood pressure (BP) regulating factors in (yet) normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents (OHyp), some of whom are in fact in a stage of prehypertension. Studies by our group demonstrated that compared with healthy offspring of normotensive parents, OHyp have plasma atrial natriuretic (ANF) factor levels that are unaltered on a low salt intake but often fail to increase normally in response to a high salt intake. Plasma levels of cyclic GMP, the presumed second messenger of ANF, also may tend to be decreased in certain OHyp. On the other hand, renal excretory responses of cyclic GMP and electrolytes to ANF infused in "physiological" dose were unchanged in some OHyp tested so far. In borderline to moderate, uncomplicated essential hypertension, plasma ANF levels are often "normal." This may be inappropriately low relative to the existing BP, although the relationship of circulating ANF to atrial pressures in essential hypertension remains to be clarified. A conversion to higher plasma ANF values may occur with cardiac complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy, enlargement, dysfunction, or overt heart failure. Acute or short-term elevation of circulating ANF within the physiological and pathophysiological range by ANF infusion produces an exaggerated natriuresis and lowers BP in essential hypertensive patients. We postulate a syndrome of ANF deficiency, characterized by an impaired response of circulating ANF to high salt intake and by low cyclic GMP levels in certain yet normotensive offspring of essential hypertensive parents and by inappropriately "normal" plasma ANF in some patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. At the stage of prehypertension, a disturbance in the ANF - cyclic GMP pathway may be expressed primarily at the circulatory rather than at the renal level. Hypertension-prone humans also tend to have an exaggerated vascular reactivity to norepinephrine. Whether the two disturbances may be interrelated is presently unknown. Both defects may potentially predispose to the development of essential hypertension. Relative ANF deficiency, an enhanced natriuretic response to ANF, and a sustained antihypertensive effect of infused ANF may represent a rational basis for treatment of essential hypertension with agents that activate the ANF system.
Animals↗
Eating problems and calorie intake levels in Swiss adolescent athletes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of eating disorders (ED), calorie intake levels and body fat measures in Swiss female athletes. Thirty athletic and 34 non-athletic adolescent Swiss females were assessed for tendencies toward eating disorders and weight preoccupation using the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). Calorie intakes were calculated from 7-day intake records. Body compositions were determined using skin-fold measures. The athletes were divided into two groups: Those whose activities emphasize leanness (12 gymnasts, means age = 12.5 +/- 1.1 yrs), and those whose activities do not emphasize leanness (18 swimmers, mean age = 12.8 +/- 0.9 yrs). The non-athletic school-girls (mean age = 13.4 +/- 1.2 yrs) served as controls. ANOVA indicated that the gymnasts had lower body fat levels (p less than 0.01) and consumed fewer total calories (p less than 0.05) than swimmers or controls, but all groups consumed similar calories per kg/body weight. Chi square analysis indicated that similar numbers of swimmers (11%), gymnasts (1%) and controls (6%) were exceptionally preoccupied with weight (p greater than 0.05). However, more swimmers (38%) scored high on the body dissatisfaction subscale of the EDI than the gymnasts (1%) or control (9%) (p less than 0.01). In fact, more swimmers scored high on 3 subscales of the EDI compared to the other groups (p less than 0.05). It appears that disturbances in eating behaviors are not limited to sports that emphasize leanness.
Adolescent↗
Growth and pubertal development of young female gymnasts and swimmers: a correlation with parental data.
Whereas intensive and regular physical training is known to alter female reproductive function, its potential role in growth is still controversial. At the beginning of a longitudinal growth study of young elite female gymnasts (n = 34, 15-25 h/wk training) and moderately trained swimmers (n = 19, 5-15 h/wk), patterns of recalled parental growth and pubertal maturation were compared with those of parents of 25 sedentary school girls. These data were also correlated to the height, weight, pubertal development as well as adult height prognosis of their daughters. Bone age was estimated using the methods of Greulich-Pyle and Tanner (RUS score) and adult height prognosis using the methods of Bayley-Pinneau (BP), Roche-Wainer-Thissen (RWT), and Tanner et al. (TW2). Parents of gymnasts were significantly lighter (fathers: P = 0.027; mothers: P = 0.038) and shorter (fathers: P = 0.034; mothers: P less than 0.001) than those of swimmers and controls. Consequently, target heights of gymnasts were also significantly shorter (P less than 0.001). Recalled menarche occurred significantly later (P = 0.030) in mothers of gymnasts who, in turn, grow much alike their mothers. At the first visit, the gymnasts were shorter and lighter for age than swimmers and controls. Their bone age (11.0 +/- 1.3 years, mean +/- SD) was retarded (P less than 0.001) when compared with chronological age (12.6 +/- 1.2 years). Adult height prognosis was lower for gymnasts than for other girls (BP: P less than 0.001; RWT: P = 0.023, TW2: P less than 0.001), but adequate for target height range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Age Determination by Skeleton↗