Definitions and incidence of cardiac syndrome X: review and analysis of clinical data

There is no consensus regarding the definition of cardiac syndrome X (CSX). We systematically reviewed recent literature using a standardized search strategy. We included 57 articles. A total of 47 studies mentioned a male/female distribution. A meta-analysis yielded a pooled proportion of females of 0.56 (n = 1,934 patients, with 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.59). As much as 9 inclusion criteria and 43 exclusion criteria were found in the 57 articles. Applying these criteria to a population with normal coronary angiograms and treated in 1 year at a general hospital, the attributable CSX incidence varied between 3 and 11%. The many inclusion and exclusion criteria result in a wide range of definitions of CSX and these have large effects on the incidence. This shows the need for a generally accepted definition of CSX

Acute effect of DDD versus VVI pacing on arterial distensibility

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a new technique and frequently used today to determine the elastic distensibility of great arteries. Increased arterial stiffness and PWV have been proposed as possible mechanisms in the initiation and/or progression and/or complications of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the acute effect of two frequently used pacing modes (DDD vs. VVI) on arterial distensibility using PWV. Methods: Seventeen patients ( age, 56 +/- 14 years) implanted with DDD pacemakers were included in the study. All patients were pacemaker dependent and continuously paced at the programmed rate. PWV was measured first in DDD mode, and then the mode was switched to VVI, and PWV was measured again at the same programmed heart rate as in the DDD mode. Results: Although systolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 129 +/- 18 to 119 +/- 16 mm Hg (p = 0.001) after switching the mode from DDD to VVI, diastolic blood pressure (81 +/- 12 vs. 80 +/- 13 mm Hg; p = 0.38) did not change. In addition, PWV significantly increased from 11 +/- 2.46 m/s in DDD mode to 11.29 +/- 2.43 m/s (p = 0.01) after having been programmed to VVI mode. Conclusions: Our results suggest that VVI pacing increases PWV, and therefore decreases arterial distensibility, and thus may contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Irbesartan has a masking effect on dipyridamole stress induced myocardial perfusion defects

Background and aim The angiotensin 11 type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist irbesartan is used for the treatment of hypertension, but its anti-ischaemic effect is not yet known. Our aim was to assess the effect of irbesartan administration on the diagnostic yield of Tc-99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after dipyridamole stress

The effect of body mass index on perioperative thermoregulation

Ayşe Belin Özer,1 Aysun Yildiz Altun,1 Ömer Lütfi Erhan,1 Tuba Çatak,2 Ümit Karatepe,1 İsmail Demirel,1 Gonca Çağlar Toprak3 1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Firat University Medical School, Elaziğ, 2Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, Bingol State Hospital, Bingöl, 3Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, Elazig Training and Research Hospital, Elaziğ, Turkey Purpose: We evaluated the effects of body mass index (BMI) on thermoregulation in obese patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic abdominal surgery with no premedication were included in the study. The patients were classified into 4 groups according to BMI <24.9, 25–39.9, 40–49.9, and >50. Anesthesia was provided with routine techniques. Tympanic and peripheral temperatures were recorded every 5 minutes starting with the induction of anesthesia. The mean skin temperature (MST), mean body temperature (MBT), vasoconstriction time, and vasoconstriction threshold that triggers core warming were calculated with the following formulas: MST = 0.3 (Tchest + Tarm) + 0.2 (Tthigh + Tcalf). MBT was calculated using the equation 0.64Tcore+0.36Tskin, and vasoconstriction was determined by calculating Tforearm-Tfinger. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, duration of operation, and room temperature. Compared to those with BMI <24.9, the tympanic temperature was significantly higher in those with BMI =25–39.9 in the 10th, 15th, 20th, and 50th minutes. In addition, BMI =40–49.9 in the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th, and 55th minutes and BMI >50 in the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 50th, and 55th minutes were less than those with BMI <24.9 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of MST and MBT. Vasoconstriction occurred later, and that vasoconstriction threshold was significantly higher in patients with higher BMIs. Conclusion: Under anesthesia, the core temperature was protected more easily in obese patients as compared to nonobese patients. Therefore, obesity decreases the negative effects of anesthesia on thermoregulation. Keywords: anesthesia, obesity, body mass index, thermogenesi

Once-Monthly Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator (Cera) For Haemoglobin Maintenance In Haemodialysis Patients With Chronic Renal Anaemia

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