European journal of heart failure
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialMorphine for the relief of breathlessness in patients with chronic heart failure--a pilot study.
Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients can experience significant breathlessness despite maximum medication for their heart failure. Morphine has long been used to relieve symptoms in acute failure, but there is little evidence about this potentially useful palliative therapy in CHF. ⋯ Morphine relieves breathlessness due to CHF. A larger study is indicated.
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Dec 2002
Comparative StudyAcute haemodynamic effects of oestrogen administration in male patients with chronic heart failure.
Although there are many studies concerning the effects of long-term oestrogen administration on systemic haemodynamics in postmenopausal women, the effects of oestrogen in patients with chronic heart failure are not defined. ⋯ In male patients with chronic heart failure, acute oestrogen administration improves the indices of cardiac systolic performance and decreases pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance. These findings imply a beneficial effect of oestrogen in selected patients with chronic heart failure.
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jun 2002
ReviewChemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: current practice and prospects of prophylaxis.
Cardiotoxicity is a potential side effect of few chemotherapeutic agents. The anthracycline class of cytotoxic antibiotics are the most famous, but other chemotherapeutic agents can also cause serious cardiotoxicity and are not so well recognised. Examples include cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, mitomycin and fluorouracil. ⋯ While somewhat useful, in some cases by the time defects are detected progression of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy is beyond prevention. Prophylaxis would be much more efficient if a biochemical marker of myocardiocyte damage could be reliably used to stop further chemotherapy at the correct time before irreversible progressive 'macroscopic' damage becomes evident upon imaging. Work is currently progressing to identify the role of markers such as troponins and natriuretic peptides in this regard.
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 2002
Comparative StudyLactic acidosis following heart transplantation: a common phenomenon?
Lactic acidosis (LAc) is a common form of metabolic acidosis early after heart transplantation (HTX). The mechanism remains unclear. This study analyzed 13 patients who developed severe LAc after HTX. ⋯ LAc can occur after HTX and seems to be related to the inotropic support of the graft. In contrast to other forms, LAc after HTX has an excellent prognosis and resolves rapidly and spontaneously without treatment. The fact that inotropic support during and immediately after cardiac transplantation can enhance preexisting severe peripheral metabolic cellular dysfunction remains hypothetical.