Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Tropical City: Kaohsiung,Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for COPD and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period from 1996 to 2003. The odds ratio of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (≥25°C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except sulphur dioxide (SO₂). On cool days (< 25°C), all pollutants were significantly associated with COPD admissions. For the two-pollutant models, CO and O₃ were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, NO₂ remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for COPD.     

Air Pollution and Postneonatal Mortality in a Tropical City: Kaohsiung,Taiwan

With growing evidence of the association between daily mortality and air pollution in adults, it is important to investigate whether infants are also susceptible to the adverse health effects of ambient air pollutants. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between air pollution and postneonatal mortality in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a large industrial city with a tropical climate, during the period 1994–2000, using a case-crossover analysis. Case–crossover analysis provides an alternative to Poisson time-series regression for studying the short-term adverse health effects of air pollution. The air pollutants examined included particulate matter (PM₁₀), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO). The risk of postneonatal deaths was estimated to increase by 4.0% per 67 μg/m³ (the interquartile range in daily ambient concentration of PM₁₀) for PM₁₀, 1.8% per 17.84 ppb for NO₂, 5.1% per 0.31 ppm for CO, and 4.6% per 19.20 ppb for O₃. Although positive, none of these associations achieved statistical significance. The established link between air pollution levels and infant mortality may not be as strong in cities with tropical climates, although other factors such as differences in pollutant mix or the underlying health of the postneonates may explain the lack of a strong association in this study. Further studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed.     

Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Pneumonia in a Subtropical City: Taipei,Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for pneumonia in Taipei, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for pneumonia and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 1996–2004. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single pollutant models, on warm days (>23°C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants. On cool days (<23°C), all pollutants were significantly associated with pneumonia admissions except SO₂. For the two-pollutant model, O₃ and NO₂ were significant in combination with each of the other 4 pollutants on warm days. On cool days, PM_{1 0}, CO, and O₃ remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for pneumonia.     

Air pollution and postneonatal mortality in a tropical city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

With growing evidence of the association between daily mortality and air pollution in adults, it is important to investigate whether infants are also susceptible to the adverse health effects of ambient air pollutants. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between air pollution and postneonatal mortality in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a large industrial city with a tropical climate, during the period 1994-2000, using a case-crossover analysis. Case-crossover analysis provides an alternative to Poisson time-series regression for studying the short-term adverse health effects of air pollution. The air pollutants examined included particulate matter (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), ozone (O(3)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and carbon monoxide (CO). The risk of postneonatal deaths was estimated to increase by 4.0% per 67 microg/m(3) (the interquartile range in daily ambient concentration of PM(10)) for PM(10), 1.8% per 17.84 ppb for NO(2), 5.1% per 0.31 ppm for CO, and 4.6% per 19.20 ppb for O(3). Although positive, none of these associations achieved statistical significance. The established link between air pollution levels and infant mortality may not be as strong in cities with tropical climates, although other factors such as differences in pollutant mix or the underlying health of the postneonates may explain the lack of a strong association in this study. Further studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed.     

Air pollution and hospital admissions for asthma in a tropical city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and hospital admissions for asthma in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for asthma and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period from 1996 through 2003. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (> or = 25 degrees C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except sulfur dioxide (SO2). On cool days (< or = 25 degrees C) all pollutants were significantly associated with asthma admissions For the two pollutant models, CO and O3 were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days NO2 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for asthma.     

Air pollution and hospital admissions for pneumonia in a tropical city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for pneumonia in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for pneumonia and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period of 1996-2004. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (= 25 degrees C) statistically significant positive associations were found for all pollutants. On cool days (< 25 degrees C), all pollutants were also significantly associated with number of pneumonia admissions. For the two-pollutant model, O3 and CO were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, PM10 and NO2 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for pneumonia. The effects of air pollutants on hospital admissions for pneumonia were temperature dependent.     

Air pollution and hospital admissions for congestive heart failure in a tropical city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for CHF and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period 1996-2004. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (> 25 degrees C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except sulfur dioxide (SO(2)). On cool days (< 25 degrees C), all pollutants were significantly associated with CHF admissions. For the two-pollutant model, CO and O(3) were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, NO(2) remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for CHF and that the effects of air pollutants on hospital admissions for CHF were temperature dependent.     

Air pollution and hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a tropical city: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for COPD and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period from 1996 to 2003. The odds ratio of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (> or =25 degrees C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except sulphur dioxide (SO2). On cool days (< 25 degrees C), all pollutants were significantly associated with COPD admissions. For the two-pollutant models, CO and O3 were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days, NO2 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for COPD.     

参麦注射液治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效观察

目的:观察参麦注射液治疗充血性心力衰竭(CHF)的临床疗效。方法:将120例患者随机分为对照组60例和治疗组60例,对照组采取常规治疗,治疗组则在常规治疗的基础上加用参麦注射液静滴,比较2组的治疗效果以及不良反应。结果:治疗组总有效率为86.7%,对照组总有效率为75.0%,2组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05);治疗组每搏输出量、心输出量、左室舒张末期内径、左室射血分数等心功能参数的改善均优于对照组。2组不良反应无显著性差异。结论:参麦注射液能有效改善CHF患者的心功能状况,且安全性高。     

心力衰竭与急性心肌梗死患者神经内分泌水平的动态观察

通过测定血浆ＰＲＡ、ＡⅡ、Ａｌｄ、ＡＮＰ及ＡＶＰ浓度的变化，研究比较ＣＨＦ和ＡＭＩ时神经内分泌水平的动态演变。发现ＣＨＦ患者神经内分泌水平显著高于ＡＭＩ患者，随着临床症状改善ＣＨＦ患者神经内分泌水平逐渐下降。ＡＭＩ患者各项指标变化不一致。ＰＲＡ及ＡⅡ在住院第４天显著高于１天和第８天的水平，ＡＮＰ及ＡＶＰ血浆浓度在发病第１天最高此后逐渐下降。综上认为，神经内分泌兴奋性的升高是ＣＨＦ发生的主要原因，但     

螺内酯联合小剂量倍他乐克治疗充血性心力衰竭疗效观察

目的探讨螺内酯联合小剂量倍他乐克治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析徐州医学院附属三医院近年来收治的120例充血性心力衰竭患者的临床资料,将患者随机分为2组,治疗组和对照组,比较2组患者的临床疗效差异。结果对照组60例充血性心力衰竭患者,总有效率为71．67％,治疗组60例患者,总有效率为91．67％;两组患者的临床疗效经统计学分析,P〈0．05,具有显著性差异。对照组患者治疗前的心率、心输出量及射血分数与治疗组患者治疗前测量指标比较无明显差异性,治疗组患者治疗后的各项指标与对照组治疗后比较,差异有显著性,P〈0．01。结论螺内酯联合小剂量倍他乐克治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床疗效确切,对患者的心率、心输出量及射血分数等有明显的改善作用。值得临床推广使用。     

充血性心力衰竭患者细胞因子变化与心率变异性相关研究

目的探讨充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者中肿瘤坏死因子(TNE-a),白细胞介素-8(INF-8)变化与心率变异性(HRV)的关系。方法以77例CHF和30例健康体检者为研究对象,采用酶联免疫双抗体夹心法测定血清TNF-a、INF-8并通过检测动态心电图(DCG)分析24h正常R-R间期标准差(SDNN)、24h内连续的5min节段正常R-R间期标准差(SDANN)、24h内连续的5min节段正常R-R间期标准差的均值(SDDNNI)、平均标准差均方(RMSSD)、最大差值(PNN50)等HRV指标。结果CHF患者中TNF-a,INF-8均明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05)且随着心衰程度加重,TNF-a、INF-8进行性升高;HRV各指标均明显低于正常对照组(P<0.05),随着心衰程度加重,HRV各指标均进行性降低。TNF-a,INF-8与HRV呈负相关(r=-0.59,p<0.01;r=-0.68,p<0.01;r=-0.49,p<0.05;r=-0.67,p<0.01;r=-0.52,p<0.05)。结论CHF患者TNF-a、INF-a、INF-8升高与HRV呈负相关。TNF-a、INF-8可作为心功能恶化和评估预后及HRV下降的指标。     

Captopril: Clinical Pharmacology and Benefit-to-Risk Ratio in Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure

Captopril, a competitive antagonist of angiotensin converting enzyme, has been marketed in the United States for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Despite extensive study, its exact mechanism of action remains unclear; decreased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathoadrenal system activity as well as increased bradykinin and prostaglandin E and F activity have been postulated. The drug decreases peripheral vascular resistance. Controlled trials in resistant hypertension of various etiologies and chronic congestive heart failure have demonstrated sustained effectiveness and therapeutic benefits. Side effects include skin rash, loss of taste, proteinuria, and leukopenia; higher doses and concomitant renal dysfunction appear to be predisposing factors. The benefit-to-risk ratio for captopril clearly justifies its use in resistant cases of hypertension and congestive heart failure, but further experience is needed to evaluate its use in milder forms of these diseases.     

Short-Term Intravenous Milrinone for Severe Congestive Heart Failure: The Good,Bad, and Not so Good

We evaluated the overall hemodynamic and clinical effects, beneficial and deleterious, of short-term intravenous milrinone in the management of severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Numerous hemodynamic measurements were obtained in 24 patients (mean age 65 yrs) with advanced, severe CHF (New York Heart Association class IV, ejection fraction 24 ± 5%), including 3 with concomitant clinical sepsis. Hemodynamic data were recorded at baseline and after a bolus of intravenous milrinone 50 μg/kg and maintenance infusion based on creatinine clearance at 0.5, 3, 24 and 48 hours. Cardiac index increased and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased significantly (p<0.001; 2.07 ± 0.36 to 3.6 ± 0.36 L/min/m² and 20.6 ± 4.0 to 13.5 ± 2.8 mm Hg, respectively) in 24 patients 0.5 hour after initiation of therapy. These favorable hemodynamic responses, including significant decreases in systemic vascular resistance index and right atrial pressure, were sustained throughout the 48-hour study in 19 patients (79%). Severe hypotension occurred in three patients with superimposed sepsis as the result of exaggerated vasodilatation. One patient had recurrent ventricular tachycardia and another tolerance to milrinone. In two patients, excessive decline in preload and fall in cardiac index were reversed with volume expansion. Intravenous milrinone offered significant short-term hemodynamic benefits in most patients with severe CHF.     

Dose Regimen Adjustment for Milrinone in Congestive Heart Failure Patients with Moderate and Severe Renal Failure

This study was designed to test a proposed dose modification for intravenous milrinone in congestive heart failure patients (CHF, NYHA I-II) with either moderate or severe renal impairment. All the patients were administered an intravenous loading dose of drug at 50 μg kg-1 over 10 min. This was followed by an 18 h maintenance infusion of milrinone at 0·45 or 0·35 μg kg^?1 min^?1 for the moderate (chromium-EDTA clearance of 31–75 mL min^?1, n = 10) and severe renally impaired subjects (chromium-EDTA of clearance 10–30 mL min^?1, n = 11), respectively. Plasma and urine samples were collected for up to 34 h and analysed for parent drug by validated HPLC methods. The mean (± s.d.) steady-state plasma concentrations of milrinone were within the therapeutic range (100–300 ng mL^?1) for both groups, with values of 239 ± 71 ng mL^?1 and 269 ± 32 ng mL^?1 for the moderate and severe patients, respectively. No statistical differences were observed between the steady-state values for the two groups. With the exception of two patients per group, individual steady-state levels were also within the therapeutic range. Those outside the nominal range showed steady-state levels, ranging between 308 and 353 ng mL^?1, that were not associated with any serious adverse events. As predicted for this highly renally cleared drug, there were differences (P < 0·001) in the total plasma clearance (CL_P), renal clearance (CL_r), and plasma terminal half-life (t1/2) of drug, with values in the severe group being 44% lower, 75% lower, and about 134% longer respectively, when compared with the moderate group. High (correlation coefficient > 0·8) and significant correlations (P < 0·001) were observed between CL_P and CL_r and the degree of renal impairment (chromium-EDTA clearance). The apparent volume of distribution was approximately 40% higher (P < 0·01) in the severe group compared with that for the moderate group (moderates were 0·443 ± 0·155 L kg^?1). This volume difference suggests a decrease in the plasma protein-binding of milrinone because of the renal disease. The fraction of drug excreted in the urine was 0·705 ± 0·100 for the moderate group and 0·320 ± 0·089 for the severe group (P < 0·001). These results may suggest an increase in non-renal clearance of the compound, representing a partial compensation mechanism for the reduced renal function. In conclusion, this study has confirmed that the current dose reductions recommended for the use of intravenous milrinone in CHF patients with impaired renal function will yield plasma concentrations of the drug within the therapeutic range.     

Relationship between air pollution and daily mortality in a tropical city: Kaohsiung,Taiwan

Air pollution has been associated with daily mortality in numerous studies over the past decade. However, most of these studies were conducted in the United States and Europe, with relatively few done in Asia. In this study, the association between ambient air pollution and daily mortality in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a large industrial city with a tropical climate, was investigated for the period 1994-2000 using a case-crossover analysis. This design is an alternative to Poisson time-series regression for studying the short-term adverse health effects of air pollution. The air pollutants examined included particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). No significant effects were found between PM10 and SO2 exposure levels and respiratory-related mortality. The well-established link between air pollution levels and daily mortality may not be as strong in cities in tropical areas, although other factors such as differences in pollutant mixtures or underlying health of the population may explain the lack of a strong association in this study. Further studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed.     

治疗充血性心力衰竭药物的开发与临床应用

充血性心力衰竭（CHF）是最常见的心血管病死亡原因之一。本文分类介绍国外近期开发的一些较有前途的治疗CHF新药，并综述其作用机制及临床应用。     

硝普钠多巴胺治疗低血压并慢性心衰评价

目的 观察硝普钠、多巴胺与利尿剂合用治疗低血压合并慢性充血性心衰的疗效、安全性及其对患者血浆氨基末端脑钠肽(Nt-proBNP))浓度的影响.方法 将105例心衰患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,对照组给利尿剂与氨茶碱治疗;治疗组在对照组基础上加用硝普钠与多巴胺,观察10d,并对两组的心功能改善、症状改善及心脏彩超进行对比,并采用ELISA法对两组患者治疗前后血浆Nt-proBNP进行测定.结果 治疗组总有效率94.5%,显效率60.2%,治疗后左室射血分数(LVEF)显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);治疗组治疗后血浆Nt-proBNP水平显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 硝普钠与多巴胺联用在治疗低血压合并慢性充血性心衰中有重要意义,血浆Nt-proBNP水平在心衰治疗疗效评价中有较高敏感性.