Cardiologia (Rome, Italy)
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Cardiologia (Rome, Italy) · Mar 1999
Comparative Study[Cardiovascular neuroregulation and rhythms of the autonomic nervous system: frequency domain analysis].
Studies using spectral analysis of cardiovascular variability series, as a non invasive tool for assessing the autonomic nervous system activity, have attracted growing interest in the last 20 years. Short-term recordings of heart rate variability distinguish two main spectral components: a high-frequency (HF) component (ranging between 0.15-0.40 Hz), and a low-frequency (LF) component (ranging between 0.04-0.15 Hz), respectively considered markers of parasympathetic and sympathetic control. Spectral analysis of microcirculatory blood flow, by using laser Doppler flowmetry, recently disclosed the presence of similar rhythms. ⋯ These findings are consistent with the increased sympathetic modulation induced by the head-up tilt test. These data confirm previous findings and observations, collected with different techniques and for different purposes. Whether these rhythms can be expression of central common oscillators or reflex mechanical factors is of primary importance for possible clinical applications of this approach.
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Cardiologia (Rome, Italy) · Feb 1999
Case ReportsPartial anomalous venous return associated with intact atrial septum and persistent left superior vena cava: a case report and literature review.
Left-sided partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) with an intact atrial septum is a rare cardiovascular anomaly. This report deals with the case of a 22-year-old woman who was referred to our Institution because of resting palpitation and exertional dyspnea. ⋯ Diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. The literature on this subject is reviewed.
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Cardiologia (Rome, Italy) · Jan 1999
Comparative StudyThe ranking of Italy's publications in the biomedical field: an objective evaluation.
To evaluate the scientific output of Italy compared to other countries in clinical and basic research, the twelve top ranking journals according to the impact factor in each group were considered. A total impact factor score of one country was the sum of the impact factor of all articles attributed to a certain country in all journals. ⋯ According to our analysis, the Italian scientific output in the biomedical field is comparable to that of other countries. Further financial analysis of the correlation between research funding and scientific output could allow a more productive allocation of resources.
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Cardiologia (Rome, Italy) · Nov 1998
Comparative Study[Intra- and extravascular volumes in congestive heart failure and their redistribution following extracorporeal ultrafiltration].
In advanced congestive heart failure with fluid retention, extracorporeal ultrafiltration (UF) causes persistent relief of edema or anasarca through hemodynamic and humoral changes that interrupt refractoriness to diuretics. The intra and extravascular fluid partition in congestive heart failure, as well as changes occurring in the two compartments following fluid withdrawal with UF, are unknown. In 8 congestive heart failure patients with severe fluid retention undergoing UF, we measured total (TBV), intrathoracic (ITBV) and pulmonary blood volumes (PBV), and extravascular lung water (EVLW). ⋯ Both pulmonary wedge and right atrial pressures significantly decreased after UF, and cardiac output increased. In conclusion, congestive heart failure is associated with normal TBV and EVLW content and with intravascular intrathoracic hypervolemia and extrathoracic hypovolemia. UF induces hemodynamic improvement through a selective fluid removal from the extravascular systemic space without changes in both TBV and EVLW.
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Cardiologia (Rome, Italy) · Oct 1998
Review Case Reports[Recurrent ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarct treated successfully by coronary angioplasty: a clinical case in favor of the hypothesis of the arrhythmogenicity of the coronary thrombus?].
We describe a patient with acute myocardial infarction due to thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Following thrombolytic therapy, five episodes of ventricular fibrillation recurred despite the absence of profibrillatory factors other than myocardial ischemia. ⋯ After successful mechanical artery recanalization, no recurrences of the malignant arrhythmia were observed. This case supports the concept, recently demonstrated in animals, that the process of intracoronary thrombosis itself may have arrhythmogenic effects above and beyond the impact of myocardial ischemia induced by coronary occlusion per se.