The left ventricular dysfunction questionnaire (LVD-36): reliability, validity, and responsiveness

OBJECTIVE—To examine the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of a new health status measure (LVD-36) for patients with left ventricular dysfunction which was designed with emphasis on content validity, clarity, brevity, and ease of use.
DESIGN—At baseline, patients completed the LVD-36 and a range of measures reflecting general health and disease severity. The LVD-36 was repeated after one week. After six months, it was repeated again, along with a transition question to measure global changes in health.
SETTING—Patients were recruited from the cardiology and general medical clinics at a south west London hospital.
PATIENTS—60 patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction.
INTERVENTIONS—None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (LIhFE), New York Heart Association criteria, and exercise performance and echocardiographic tests.
RESULTS—The LVD-36 showed good internal consistency (κ = 0.95) and repeatability (r_i = 0.95). Its scores were significantly associated with SF-36 mental and physical component scores (r = −0.48 and −0.75; p < 0.0001), with exercise capacity (r = −0.52; p < 0.0001), and with systolic shortening fraction (r = −0.27; p < 0.05). Change in the LVD-36 over six months was associated with change in overall health (F = 5.7; p < 0.001). In tests of validity and responsiveness, the LVD-36 performed similarly to or marginally better than the LIhFE.
CONCLUSIONS—The LVD-36 showed a high level of reliability and validity, and appears to measure changes in health. It provides a short, simple, valid, and reliable measure of health status in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.


Keywords: health status; quality of life; heart failure; left ventricular dysfunction     

Comparison of the accuracy of steroid placement with clinical outcome in patients with shoulder symptoms

OBJECTIVE—To study the effect of accuracy on the clinical outcome of local steroid injections to the shoulder.
METHODS—37 patients with shoulder symptoms of at least two months' duration received local injections of a mixture of triamcinolone and radiographic contrast material using a standardised technique. Radiographs of the joint were taken immediately afterwards. Details of the patients' symptoms (assessed by visual analogue scales) and range of movement at the joint were obtained before and two weeks after the injection. At follow up the patients were also assessed by means of a five point global rating scale of maximum and current benefit.
RESULTS—14 of the 38 procedures (37%) were judged to be accurately placed: four of the 14 attempted subacromial injections (29%) and 10 of the 24 attempted glenohumeral injections (42%). There were significant differences in relation to outcome between the accurately placed and the inaccurately placed groups.
CONCLUSIONS—Accuracy of steroid placement by injection in patients with shoulder symptoms may significantly affect the clinical outcome.

     

Endoluminal vessel reconstruction by stent placement in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease who are poor surgical candidates

Objective—To investigate the safety and efficacy of endoluminal vessel reconstruction by intracoronary stenting in patients with single or multivessel disease who have been turned down for surgical revascularisation.
Design—An observational, single centre trial of consecutive patients being followed up clinically.
Setting—Tertiary referral centre.
Patients—43 patients treated between 1995 and 1996 with a clinical follow up period of at least six months.
Main outcome measures—Acute procedural success following intervention (defined as a residual stenosis of < 30% with normal antegrade flow and without acute clinical complications); major adverse clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, repeat intervention, clinical restenosis); and functional status during follow up.
Results—Acute procedural success was achieved in 39 patients. Failures resulted from a refractory no reflow phenomenon with Q wave myocardial infarction (two patients), and from subacute stent thrombosis (one patient) and saphenous vein graft rupture at stent site (one patient), both manifesting by non-Q wave myocardial infarction. During a follow up period of 17 (8) months (mean (SD)), three of these patients died. Clinical restenosis was treated by repeat percutaneous intervention in 11 patients, while 28 patients remained asymptomatic. On a Kaplan-Meier estimate, the proportion of patients without adverse clinical events at two years was 65%.
Conclusions—Percutaneous reconstruction of diseased coronary arteries in patients with single or multivessel disease turned down for surgical revascularisation may be considered as a valuable treatment option. On follow up, more events seem to be encountered than after elective de novo stenting of discrete coronary lesions. This is probably related to higher clinical restenosis rates.

Keywords: coronary artery disease;  stents;  restenosis     

Estimating the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the community: the comparative prevalence of symptoms at different anatomical sites, and the relation to social deprivation

BACKGROUND—Epidemiologically-based rheumatology healthcare needs assessment requires an understanding of the incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the community, of the reasons why people consult in primary care, and of the proportion of people who would benefit from referral to secondary care and paramedical services. This paper reports the first phase of such a needs assessment exercise.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE—To estimate the relative frequency of musculoskeletal pain in different, and multiple, anatomical sites in the adult population.
SETTING—Three general practices in the former Tameside and Glossop Health Authority, Greater Manchester, UK, a predominantly urban area.
DESIGN—Population survey.
METHODS—An age and sex stratified sample of 6000 adults from the three practices was mailed a questionnaire that sought data on demographic factors, musculoskeletal symptoms (pain in the past month lasting for more than a week), and physical disability (using the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire- mHAQ). The areas of pain covered were neck, back, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, and multiple joints. The Carstairs index was used as a measure of social deprivation of the postcode sector in which the person lived.
RESULTS—The response rate after two reminders was 78.5%. Non-responders were more likely to live in areas of high social deprivation. People who lived in more deprived areas were also more likely to report musculoskeletal pain, especially backpain. After adjusting for social deprivation the rates of musculoskeletal pain did not differ between the practices and so their results were combined. After adjustment for social deprivation, the most common site of pain was back (23%; 95% CI 21, 25) followed by knee (19%; 95% CI 18, 21), and shoulder (16%; 95% CI 14, 17). The majority of subjects who reported pain had pain in more than one site. The prevalence of physical disability in the community rose with age. It was highest in those with multiple joint problems but was also high in those with isolated back or knee pain.
CONCLUSION—Musculoskeletal pain is common in the community. People who live in socially deprived areas have more musculoskeletal symptoms. Estimates of the overall burden of musculoskeletal pain that combine the results of site specific surveys will be too high, those that do not adjust for socioeconomic factors will be too low.

Keywords: prevalence; pain; social deprivation     

Effect of social deprivation on disease severity and outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE—Social deprivation is now recognised to have an important impact on morbidity and mortality. This study sought to ascertain the effect of deprivation, if any, on disease severity, functional disability, and outcome in rheumatoid patients in Glasgow.
METHODS—814 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed for clinical, functional, and laboratory indices of disease activity. Deprivation categories for individual patients were determined using the Carstairs index. Five year follow up is available for 440 patients.
RESULTS—The study population of RA patients live largely in the most deprived areas. Patients from deprived areas have significantly poorer function at outset and at five years as defined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score. This is not attributable to differences in disease duration in patients from the most deprived regions or compliance with treatment. Furthermore, these patients do not achieve over five years the initial functional level of those living in the most advantaged localities.
CONCLUSION—RA patients from deprived areas have poorer function, which is associated with greater need—medical, social, and paramedical. Strategies and resources for healthcare need to be adjusted according to this variation.

     

Survival of patients with a new diagnosis of heart failure: a population based study

OBJECTIVE—To describe the survival of a population based cohort of patients with incident (new) heart failure and the clinical features associated with mortality.
DESIGN—A population based observational study.
SETTING—Population of 151 000 served by 82 general practitioners in west London.
PATIENTS—New cases of heart failure were identified by daily surveillance of acute hospital admissions to the local district general hospital, and by general practitioner referral of all suspected new cases of heart failure to a rapid access clinic.
INTERVENTIONS—All patients with suspected heart failure underwent clinical assessment, and chest radiography, ECG, and echocardiogram were performed. A panel of three cardiologists reviewed all the data and determined whether the definition of heart failure had been met. Patients were subsequently managed by the general practitioner in consultation with the local cardiologist or admitting physician.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Death, overall and from cardiovascular causes.
RESULTS—There were 90 deaths (83 cardiovascular deaths) in the cohort of 220 patients with incident heart failure over a median follow up of 16 months. Survival was 81% at one month, 75% at three months, 70% at six months, 62% at 12 months, and 57% at 18 months. Lower systolic blood pressure, higher serum creatinine concentration, and greater extent of crackles on auscultation of the lungs were independently predictive of cardiovascular mortality (all p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS—In patients with new heart failure, mortality is high in the first few weeks after diagnosis. Simple clinical features can identify a group of patients at especially high risk of death.


Keywords: heart failure; prognosis; survival; epidemiology     

Associations of radiological osteoarthritis of the hip and knee with locomotor disability in the Rotterdam Study

OBJECTIVE—To assess the contribution of radiological osteoarthritis of the hips and knees to disabilities in the activities of daily living related to lower limb function.
METHODS—During a home interview 1156 men and 1739 women, randomly chosen from the source population of all independently living residents aged 55 years and over living in a district of Rotterdam (the Rotterdam Study) were asked about locomotor disability by six questions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and about pain in the hips and knees in the past month. Radiographs of hips and knees were scored according to the Kellgren grading system for osteoarthritis.
RESULTS—The prevalence of locomotor disability, defined as at least some difficulty with three or more out of six lower limb functions, was 20.2% for men and 31.9% for women; hip pain was present in 8.3% of the men and 16.6% of the women; knee pain in 12.6% of the men and 22.3% of the women. The prevalence of radiological osteoarthritis grade 2+ of the hip was 14.1% for men and 15.9% for women, and of the knee 16.3% and 29.1% respectively. The odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence intervals) of hip radiological osteoarthritis for locomotor disability adjusted for age and all other variables was for men: 1.4 (0.9, 2.1) and for women: 2.2 (1.6, 2.9). The ORs of knee radiological osteoarthritis adjusted for age and all other variables were 1.1 (0.9, 2.1) and 1.4 (1.1, 1.8) respectively. Severe radiological osteoarthritis (grade 3+) was stronger associated. The ORs of pain in the hips or knees and morning stiffness were much higher (between 2.7 and 5.5 for men and between 2.1 and 5.1 for women).
CONCLUSIONS—Radiological osteoarthritis of the hip and knee are only weak independent predictors of locomotor disability in women, and not at all independently associated with locomotor disability in men. Age, pain of the hips and knees, and morning stiffness seem to be the most important independent determinants of locomotor disability.

Keywords: osteoarthritis; hip; knee; locomotor disability     

Prognostic implications of ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: new strategies required for further mortality reduction

OBJECTIVE—To determine the changing risk of ventricular fibrillation, the prognostic implications, and the potential long term prognostic benefit of earlier hospital admission, after acute myocardial infarction.
DESIGN—Prospective observational study.
SETTING—A district general hospital in east London.
PATIENTS—1225 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit with acute myocardial infarction.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Time of onset of pain and ventricular fibrillation, and long term survival of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction.
RESULTS—The rate of ventricular fibrillation in these hospital inpatients was high in the first hour from onset of pain (118 events/1000 persons/h; 95% confidence interval (CI) 50.7 to 231) and fell rapidly to an almost constant low level by six hours; 27.4% of patients with early ventricular fibrillation died in hospital, compared with 11.6% of those without (p < 0.0001), but mortality in patients who survived to hospital discharge was not altered by early ventricular fibrillation (five year survival: 75.0% (95% CI 60.0% to 84.8%) with ventricular fibrillation v 73.3% (95% CI 69.6% to 76.6%) without ventricular fibrillation).
CONCLUSIONS—Patients successfully resuscitated from early ventricular fibrillation have the same prognosis as those without ventricular fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction. Faster access to facilities for resuscitation must be achieved if major improvements in the persistently high case fatality of patients after acute myocardial infarction are to be made.


Keywords: ventricular fibrillation; acute myocardial infarction; prognosis     

Assessment of coronary reperfusion in patients with myocardial infarction using fatty acid binding protein concentrations in plasma

OBJECTIVE—To examine whether successful coronary reperfusion after thrombolytic treatment in patients with confirmed acute myocardial infarction can be diagnosed from the plasma marker fatty acid binding protein (FABP), for either acute clinical decision making or retrospective purposes.
DESIGN—Retrospective substudy of the GUSTO trial.
SETTING—10 hospitals in four European countries.
PATIENTS—115 patients were treated with thrombolytic agents within six hours after the onset of acute myocardial infarction. Patency of the infarct related artery was determined by angiography within 120 minutes of the start of thrombolysis.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—First hour rate of increase in plasma FABP concentration after thrombolytic treatment, compared with increase in plasma myoglobin concentration and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) activity. Infarct size was estimated from the cumulative release of the enzyme α hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in plasma during 72 hours, or from the sum of ST segment elevations on admission. Logistic regression analyses were performed to construct predictive models for patency.
RESULTS—Complete reperfusion (TIMI 3) occurred in 50 patients, partial reperfusion (TIMI 2) in 36, and no reperfusion (TIMI 0+1) in 29. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses showed that the best performance of FABP was obtained when TIMI scores 2 and 3 were grouped and compared with TIMI score 0+1. The performance of FABP as a reperfusion marker was improved by combining it with α hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase infarct size, but not with an early surrogate of infarct size (ST segment elevation on admission). In combination with infarct size FABP performed as well as myoglobin (areas under the ROC curve 0.868 and 0.857, respectively) and better than CK-MB (area = 0.796). At optimum cut off levels, positive predictive values were 97% for FABP, 95% for myoglobin, and 89% for CK-MB (without infarct size, 87%, 88%, and 87%, respectively), and negative predictive values were 55%, 52%, and 50%, respectively (without infarct size, 44%, 42%, and 34%).
CONCLUSIONS—FABP and myoglobin perform equally well as reperfusion markers, and successful reperfusion can be assessed, with positive predictive values of 87% and 88%, or even 97% and 95% when infarct size is also taken into account. However, identification of non-reperfused patients remains a problem, as negative predictive values will generally remain below 70%.


Keywords: myocardial reperfusion; cardiac marker proteins     

Sensorimotor changes and functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE—Muscles are essential components of our sensorimotor system that help maintain balance and perform a smooth gait, but it is unclear whether arthritic damage adversely affects muscle sensorimotor function. Quadriceps sensorimotor function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) was investigated, and whether these changes were associated with impairment of functional performance.
METHODS—Quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and proprioceptive acuity (joint position sense acuity) were assessed in 103 patients with knee OA and compared with 25 healthy control subjects. In addition, their postural stability, objective functional performance (the aggregate time for four activities of daily living), and disabilities (Lequesne index) were also investigated.
RESULTS—Compared with the control subjects, the patients with knee OA had weaker quadriceps (differences between group mean 100N, CI 136, 63N), poorer voluntary activation (20% CI 13, 25%) that was associated with quadriceps weakness, and impaired acuity of knee joint position sense (1.28°, CI 0.84, 1.73°). As a group the patients were more unstable (p=0.0017), disabled (10, CI 7, 11), and had poorer functional performance (19.6 seconds, CI 14.3, 24.9 seconds). The most important predictors of disability were objective functional performance and quadriceps strength.
CONCLUSIONS—In patients with knee OA, articular damage may reduce quadriceps motoneurone excitability, which decreases voluntary quadriceps activation thus contributing to quadriceps weakness, and diminishes proprioceptive acuity. The arthrogenic impairment in quadriceps sensorimotor function and decreased postural stability was associated with reduced functional performance of the patients.

     

Risk stratification in unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction using soluble cell adhesion molecules

OBJECTIVE—To assess prospectively the prognostic value of soluble cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) in patients with unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction and to compare their prognostic accuracy with that of C reactive protein (CRP).
DESIGN AND SETTING—Prospective observational study of patients presenting acutely with unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction to a single south Dublin hospital.
METHODS—Patients with Braunwald IIIA unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction had serum samples taken at presentation before initiation of antithrombotic treatment and were followed for six months. The primary end point was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (recurrent unstable angina, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death) at six months. Concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble endothelial selectin, and soluble platelet selectin were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. CRP was measured with an immunophelometric assay.
RESULTS—91 patients (73 men and 18 women, mean (SD) age 61 (11) years) were studied; 27 patients (30%) had major adverse cardiac events during the six months of follow up. Concentration of CRP were significantly raised in patients who had an ischaemic event (mean (SEM) 11.5 (6.4) mg/l v 5.4 (2.5) mg/l, p < 0.001). Concentrations of sVCAM-1 were also significantly raised in the ischaemic event group (979 (30) ng/ml v 729 (22) ng/ml, p < 0.001). Both sVCAM-1 and CRP concentrations correlated strongly with the occurrence of an adverse event. The sensitivity of CRP > 3 mg/l and sVCAM-1 > 780 ng/ml for predicting future events was > 90%. There was no difference in concentrations of sICAM-1, soluble endothelin selectin, or soluble platelet selectin between event and non-event groups.
CONCLUSION—Raised concentrations of sVCAM-1 and CRP are predictive of an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events six months after presentation with unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction. These findings suggest that the intensity of the vascular inflammatory process at the time of presentation is a determinant of clinical outcome in unstable coronary artery disease.


Keywords: cell adhesion molecules; risk stratification; unstable angina     

Prevalence of shoulder pain in the community: the influence of case definition

OBJECTIVE—To compare estimates of the occurrence of shoulder pain according to (a) different approaches to defining `shoulder'' and (b) restricting the definition to only include those with associated disability.
METHODS—A postal questionnaire survey was sent to a sample of 500 patients registered with a general practice in south Manchester. After additional mailings to non-responders, 312 questionnaires were returned (66% adjusted response rate). Four definitions of shoulder pain were used to estimate the occurrence of symptoms derived from answers to the questionnaire. Two were based on questions asking directly about pain in the shoulder and the upper trunk and neck region respectively and two were based on markings on a pain drawing in the shoulder complex and the upper trunk respectively. To determine the occurrence of disabling shoulder pain responders were subsequently approached for interview. Of the responders, 232 (74%) were successfully interviewed. Those indicating that they were suffering from `current'' shoulder symptoms, pain on the day of interview, were asked to complete a short, 23 item, questionnaire enquiring about disability in daily living associated with such symptoms.
RESULTS—In total 160 (51%) people reported shoulder pain according to at least one definition. This one month period prevalence ranged from 31% to 48% across the four definitions with the lowest estimate being for the question asking directly about shoulder symptoms. In total 84 people (27% of all respondents) answered positively to all four definitions. Only seven people who answered positively when asked directly about shoulder pain did not indicate symptoms on the pain drawing in the shoulder complex. By contrast 65 (30%) of those answering negatively to the direct question about shoulder pain indicated symptoms on the pain drawing in the upper trunk region or answered positively to the direct question about pain in the upper trunk or neck region. However only 19 (9%) of those answering negatively to the direct question indicated symptoms in the shoulder complex on the pain drawing, compared with 38 (18%) indicating symptoms in the upper trunk region and 59 (27%) symptoms in the upper trunk and neck region. Limiting the definition to only include current symptoms with some associated disability (at least one item on the disability questionnaire being answered positively) restricted the point prevalence to 20% (n=46).
CONCLUSIONS—Using a pain drawing based definition with case ascertainment restricted to an area in and around the shoulder complex is recommended for surveys assessing the occurrence of shoulder symptoms in the general population. To solve the problem of the poor specificity associated with symptom based definitions it is useful to incorporate an additional classification to restrict the definition to more disabling problems.

     

Stent implantation for aortic coarctation and recoarctation

OBJECTIVE—To determine the early results of balloon expandable stent implantation for aortic coarctation or recoarctation.
DESIGN—Prospective observational study.
SETTING—Two paediatric cardiology tertiary referral centres.
PATIENTS—17 patients, median age 17 years (range 4.4 to 45) and median weight 61 kg (17 to 92). Six had native aortic coarctation and 11 had aortic recoarctation; 14 had upper limb systolic hypertension. Of those with recoarctation, eight had had at least one previous balloon dilatation attempt and two of these patients also had further surgical interventions.
INTERVENTION—Balloon expandable Palmaz iliac stent implantation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Systolic pressures gradients, minimum aortic diameter, upper limb blood pressures, and incidence of aneurysm formation.
RESULTS—18 stents were implanted during 18 procedures in the 17 patients. Mean peak systolic pressure gradient fell from 26 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI), 21 to 31 mm Hg) before to 5 mm Hg (2 to 8 mm Hg) after stent implantation (p < 0.001), and mean minimum aortic diameter increased from 7 mm (95% CI, 6 to 8 mm) before to 11.3 mm (10 to 12.6 mm) after implantation (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in five patients (bleeding in two, stent migration in two, and aneurysm formation in one). Two patients remained borderline hypertensive and eight were receiving antihypertensive treatment at most recent assessment.
CONCLUSIONS—Stent implantation for aortic recoarctation and native coarctation gives good immediate results. Careful follow up is necessary to evaluate complications and the long term effect on blood pressure.


Keywords: coarctation; aortic recoarctation; stents     

Residual pulmonary vasoreactivity to inhaled nitric oxide in patients with severe obstructive pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger syndrome

OBJECTIVE—To determine whether inhaled NO (iNO) can reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in adults with congenital heart disease and obstructive pulmonary hypertension or Eisenmenger syndrome.
DESIGN—23 patients received graded doses of iNO. Pulmonary and systemic haemodynamic variables and circulating cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations were measured at baseline and after 20 and 80 ppm iNO. Patients were considered responders when total pulmonary resistance was reduced by at least 20%, and rebound was defined as a greater than 10% increase in total pulmonary resistance upon withdrawal from iNO.
RESULTS—In response to 20 ppm iNO, total pulmonary resistance decreased in four patients (18%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2% to 34%), while in response to 80 ppm iNO it decreased in six patients (29%, 95% CI 10% to 38%). Systemic blood pressure did not change. Withdrawal resulted in rebound in three patients (16%, 95% CI 0% to 32%) after cessation of 20 ppm iNO, and in six patients (35%, 95% CI 12% to 58%) after cessation of 80 ppm iNO. Patients with predominant right to left shunting did not respond. In all patients cGMP increased from (mean (SD)) 28 (13) µmol/l at baseline to 55 (30) and 78 (44) µmol/l after 20 and 80 ppm iNO (p < 0.05 v baseline).
CONCLUSIONS—NO inhalation is safe and is associated with a dose dependent increase in circulating cGMP concentrations. Pulmonary vasodilatation in response to iNO was observed in 29% of patients and was influenced by baseline pulmonary haemodynamics. Responsiveness to acute iNO may identify patients with advanced obstructive pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger syndrome who could benefit from sustained vasodilator treatment.


Keywords: nitric oxide; pulmonary hypertension; Eisenmenger syndrome     

Fasting enhances mucosal antigen specific B cell responses in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the influence of fasting on the antigen specific immune responsiveness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy volunteers.
METHODS—Seven rheumatoid arthritis patients and 17 healthy volunteers were immunised perorally or parenterally with influenza virus vaccine after a three to six day long period of total energy deprivation (water fast). The subsequent antigen specific antibody mediated immune response was recorded in the blood at the single cell level by the ELISPOT method.
RESULTS—Short term starvation induced an enhanced antigen specific mucosa derived B lymphocyte response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers. In contrast, the systemic B cell responses were not significantly altered by a total energy deprivation.
CONCLUSIONS—Short term starvation increases the mucosa derived B cell responsiveness, while systemic responsiveness is largely unaffected. The similar pattern of response in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy volunteers indicates that fasting alters the mucosal immune response independently of medical treatment.

     

Lipophilic versus hydrophilic β1 blockers and the cardiac sympatho-vagal balance during stress and daily activity in patients after acute myocardial infarction

Objective—To compare the effects of a lipophilic and a hydrophilic β₁ blocker on cardiac sympatho-vagal balance during daytime activity and stress in patients four to six weeks after myocardial infarction.
Design—Randomised, double blind, crossover study comparing the effect of atenolol (50 mg once daily) with metoprolol CR (100 mg once daily) with treatment periods of four weeks.
Setting—Large teaching hospital.
Patients—50 patients (45 male, 5 female, age range 40 to 75 years), four to six weeks after an acute myocardial infarction.
Methods—At the end of each treatment period the 24 hour heart rate variability, heart rate variability power spectra during head up tilt and mental stress, baroreflex sensitivity, and exercise performance were evaluated.
Results—During daytime activity and during orthostatic and mental stress, both heart rate and the ratio between the low and high frequency spectral components of the heart rate variability were significantly lower with atenolol. Conversely, there was no difference between treatments in baroreflex sensitivity and resting plasma catecholamines. Exercise duration and peak oxygen consumption did not differ between treatments, but the heart rate during submaximal and peak exercise was significantly lower with atenolol.
Conclusions—At the doses used in this study, atenolol achieved greater β₁ adrenergic blockade than metoprolol CR and this was associated with significant inhibition of vagal withdrawal during stress. This suggests that peripheral blockade of β₁ adrenergic receptors may be more important than central blockade in preventing stress induced vagal withdrawal in patients after myocardial infarction.

Keywords: adrenergic receptors;  myocardial infarction;  stress;  baroreceptors     

Estimation of cardiac reserve by peak power: validation and initial application of a simplified index

OBJECTIVES—To validate a simplified estimate of peak power (SPP) against true (invasively measured) peak instantaneous power (TPP), to assess the feasibility of measuring SPP during exercise and to correlate this with functional capacity.
DESIGN—Development of a simplified method of measurement and observational study.
SETTING—Tertiary referral centre for cardiothoracic disease.
SUBJECTS—For validation of SPP with TPP, seven normal dogs and four dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy were studied. To assess feasibility and clinical significance in humans, 40 subjects were studied (26 patients; 14 normal controls).
METHODS—In the animal validation study, TPP was derived from ascending aortic pressure and flow probe, and from Doppler measurements of flow. SPP, calculated using the different flow measures, was compared with peak instantaneous power under different loading conditions. For the assessment in humans, SPP was measured at rest and during maximum exercise. Peak aortic flow was measured with transthoracic continuous wave Doppler, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were derived from brachial sphygmomanometry. The difference between exercise and rest simplified peak power (Δ SPP) was compared with maximum oxygen uptake (O₂max), measured from expired gas analysis.
RESULTS—SPP estimates using peak flow measures correlated well with true peak instantaneous power (r = 0.89 to 0.97), despite marked changes in systemic pressure and flow induced by manipulation of loading conditions. In the human study, O₂max correlated with Δ SPP (r = 0.78) better than Δ ejection fraction (r = 0.18) and Δ rate-pressure product (r = 0.59).
CONCLUSIONS—The simple product of mean arterial pressure and peak aortic flow (simplified peak power, SPP) correlates with peak instantaneous power over a range of loading conditions in dogs. In humans, it can be estimated during exercise echocardiography, and correlates with maximum oxygen uptake better than ejection fraction or rate-pressure product.


Keywords: stress echocardiography; oxygen consumption; left ventricular function; cardiac power output     

Middle aortic syndrome treated by stent implantation

Objectives—To determine outcome of stent implantation in patients with middle aortic syndrome.
Design—Prospective study, case series.
Setting—A tertiary paediatric cardiology centre in a children's hospital.
Patients—Five patients, aged 4 to 17 years (mean 11.4 years), with upper limb hypertension due to middle aortic syndrome.
Intervention—Stents were implanted in the mid/lower thoracic/upper abdominal aorta.
Main outcome measure—Satisfactory deployment of stents and blood pressure control.
Results—In all patients, angiocardiography showed long segment stenosis in the mid or lower thoracic/upper abdominal aorta. The pressure gradient was between 40 and 90  mm Hg (mean 63.2  mm Hg). Seven Palmaz stents were implanted. Immediately after implantation, the gradient decreased to between 0 and 35  mm Hg (mean 13.6  mm Hg). Angiography showed a satisfactory result with widely patent stents in all. In one patient, thrombosis of the stent occurred six days after implantation. This was successfully treated with infusion of alteplase, further balloon dilatation, and implantation of a second stent overlapping the first, both dilated to 10 mm diameter. One patient had elective redilatation of the stent six months after implantation, with further reduction of the gradient from 35  mm Hg to 10  mm Hg. At the latest follow up between three and 20 months (mean 12.2 months) after stent implantation, in four patients blood pressure was better controlled with antihypertensive drugs. One patient was normotensive without drugs. Computed tomography showed no aneurysm formation in the region of the stents.
Conclusions—Stent implantation is a preferable alternative to surgery in the treatment of patients with middle aortic syndrome and merits further evaluation.

Keywords: middle aortic syndrome; stent implantation; paediatric cardiology; interventional cardiology     

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of single bolus treatment with abciximab (Reo Pro) in preventing restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in high risk patients

Objective—To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of abciximab in preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
Design—Data from a previous study, the EPIC trial, were used because only this trial was able to provide event data capable of constructing a cost effectiveness analysis over six months. All other study data reviewed supported the findings of the EPIC trial. To provide indicative results on long term health outcomes, survival and event-free survival were extrapolated using US epidemiological data in a Markov modelling process.
Setting and patients—Patients who were at high risk for ischaemic complications after PTCA, treated in the standard manner.
Interventions—Abciximab was added to the regimen of intravenous heparin and aspirin.
Results—The EPIC study (n = 2099) indicated an 8.1% absolute reduction in serious cardiovascular events (95% confidence interval 3.1% to 12.7%) and a 23% relative risk reduction (p = 0.001). Based on the six month trial period, the additional cost per patient free from a serious event (Australian dollars) is $13 012 and for a special risk/benefit measure of outcome, the additional cost is $14 243. Epidemiological data support extended survival and ischaemic event-free survival with clinically successful PTCA. The results of the modelled analysis indicate a cost per additional life-year gained of $5547 and a cost per additional year event-free of $4285.
Conclusions—At up to six months abciximab offers improvements in clinically important outcomes. A modelling exercise explores and highlights the likelihood of significant long term health benefits. The analysis provides information for decision makers and funders to consider the value for money of abciximab.

Keywords: abciximab;  percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty;  cost-effectiveness analysis     

Impact of diabetes mellitus on long term survival after acute myocardial infarction in patients with single vessel disease

OBJECTIVE—To assess the influence of diabetes on long term prognosis after reperfusion treatment and its interaction with multivessel disease.
DESIGN—A retrospective observational study.
SETTING—Hiroshima City Hospital.
PATIENTS—1660 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent coronary angiography within 24 hours after the onset of chest pain.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Influence of diabetes on 10 year survival after infarction was assessed using the generalised Wilcoxon test and Cox's proportional hazards regression. Follow up was completed in 1622 patients (98%).
RESULTS—Diabetic patients had more multivessel disease than non-diabetic patients (53% v 34%, p < 0.001). When only patients with single vessel disease were compared, diabetes was associated with a reduced 10 year survival after infarction (p = 0.002). On the other hand, in patients with multivessel disease there was no significant difference in survival between diabetic and non-diabetic patients (p = 0.70). Multivariate analysis also showed that diabetes was an independent risk factor related to 10 year mortality after infarction in patients with single vessel disease (odds ratio (OR) 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27 to 2.54; p = 0.001) and not in patients with multivessel disease (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.60; p = 0.34).
CONCLUSIONS—Diabetes is an independent predictor of long term mortality after infarction in patients with single vessel disease. However, in the presence of multivessel disease, prognosis after infarction is impaired regardless of diabetes, and the influence of diabetes is less obvious.


Keywords: myocardial infarction; diabetes; coronary angiography