Scalar, planar, and spatial measurements of the Frank vectorcardiogram in normal infants and children

Frank-lead vectorcardiograms (VCGs) were obtained from 1222 normal infants and children. By means of the Pipberger computer system, 176 different scaler and vector measurements obtained from each VCG were correlated with height, weight, race, sex, torso length, chest circumference, and chest diameters to determine the effect of anthropometric indices on the VCG wave forms. Because 5509 tests of statistical significance were performed, correlation coefficients and tests of statistical significance are reported only with p less than 0.001. Height, weight, torso length, and chest circumference show good correlation with QT interval, but these findings are reflective of the decrease in heart rate with age. The VCG does not show consistent correlations with constitutional variables when stratified by age, sex, or race. There were six instances of VCG parameters significantly greater in black children, and four instances of VCG parameters significantly greater in white children. All racial differences, while statistically significant, are small by clinical, hand measurement standards. There were 22 VCG values in boys which exceeded those in girls and only one VCG value in girls which exceeded those in boys. In the pediatric age group, racial differences in VCG wave forms are small and clinically insignificant. The Frank-lead system adequately corrects for constitutional variables in infants and children. Adequate evaluation of pediatric VCGs requires stratification of data according to age and sex.     

山东省部分19岁以下正常人群VCG上的Q/R,S/R,Rx,Ry,Rz值的监测

目的对19岁以下不同年龄和性别正常人群在VCG上的Q/R,S/R值及最大R振幅在X,Y,Z轴上的投影进行研究,探讨不同年龄和性别有关这些项目均值的变化规律.方法在城市1个月至19岁正常人群中,选择经检查无心脏病者1 950名健康人群进行了VCG描记,在VCG上测量与分析Q/R,S/R比值及最大R振幅在X,Y,Z轴上的投影. 结果 Q/R值在性别上区别不明显,但在年龄上稍有所不同,男女的S/R 值在8岁前无性别上的明显区别,8岁后各年龄组男性高于女性;Rx值男性在10岁前,女性在8岁前随年龄增长而增高.男性在10岁～14岁,女性在8岁～14岁随年龄的增长而降低,男女在14岁后稳定在一定范围;在1岁内男女的Ry较小外,其余年龄组在性别和年龄上无明显的区别;Rz值各年龄组的男性均高于女性,男女各年龄组均随年龄的增长而降低. 结论该组人群的VCG各项指标在年龄和性别有所差异,因而应用这些项目监测心脏大小时,应考虑年龄和性别的差异.     

Prediction of right ventricular systolic pressure in pulmonary stenosis from combined vectorcardiographic data

In 38 patients with isolated unoperated pulmonary stenosis a systematic search was made for optimal VCG criteria for the prediction of peak systolic right ventricular pressure. Fifty VCG measurements, seven ECG measurements, and age of each patient were entered into a stepwise multiple regression computer program.The best individual predictors were found to be the QRS loop rotation in the horizontal plane and the closely related QRS dislocation along the 135 to 315 degree horizontal plane axis (r = 0.78). Five VCG criteria were better than the best ECG criterion (R V₁, r = 0.72). Thirty-three of the 58 variables showed significant correlations with the pressure (p < 0.01). Since the confidence intervals are large with this sample size and degree of correlation, conclusions regarding the superiority of one predictor vs. another should be drawn with great care.The multivariate equation selected by the computer involved four VCG variables and age; this improved the correlation coefficient to 0.93. This improvement from data combination is larger than in previous studies, probably because all variables were given equal opportunity to enter the equation.The results were tested on a secondary sample of 19 patients with pulmonary stenosis as their main cardiac lesion. Although this sample was less homogeneous, the formula-derived pressure estimates remained reasonably good (r = 0.88). The study suggests that the diagnostic power of ECG and VCG could be increased through the proper combination of easily obtainable measurements.     

Racial differences in electrocardiograms and vectorcardiograms between black and white adolescents

In a previous study of 244 normal children, we detected higher leftward, posterior and inferior voltages in blacks than in whites in two groups: 6- to 10-year-old children and in 11- to 14-year-old boys; no difference was found in 3-to-5-year-old children, or 11- to 14-year-old girls. The purpose of this study was to determine if such race-related voltage differences are also present in 15- to 19-year-old adolescents. Biographic data, blood pressure and hemoglobin values, electrocardiogram (ECG), Frank vectorcardiogram (VCG) and echocardiogram were obtained in 59 normal 15- to 19-year-olds (28 blacks and 31 whites); 144 measured parameters and 57 computed variables were analyzed. Many sex-related differences (p less than 0.05 to 0.001) were seen in both races. R in leads I, AVL and V6, S in V1, and sum of SV1 and RV6 in the ECG and X to left, terminal X to right and Y inferior in the VCG were higher (p less than 0.05 to 0.01) in black males than in white males. However, no such differences (p greater than 0.05) were observed between black and white females. To understand the causes of these differences, comparison of the biographic data, blood pressure, hemoglobins and echocardiograms were made. The height, weight, body surface area, chest circumference, AP diameter of the chest, diastolic and systolic blood pressure and left ventricular (LV) dimension were similar (p greater than 0.1) in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Prediction of hemodynamic data in atrial septal defects of secundum type from simple and combined vectorcardiographic data

A search for simple and combined VCG data which could optimally predict right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) or shunt size was made in 50 patients with atrial septal defects of the secundum type. VCG was recorded by means of the axial lead system and a multiple regression computer program was applied. Fifty-four VCG data, age, sex, and systolic blood pressure were tested as independent predictors.Seventeen VCG data were significantly correlated with RVSP and six with flow. The best individual variable was the simple maximal negative deflection in Lead X (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). The correlations with flow were poorer, but of theoretical interest. Distinctive differences in the VCG-RVSP relationships were found in atrial septal defects compared with those in pulmonary stenosis, indicating that the increased flow sensitizes the right ventricle to the effect of pressure.Through multiple regression analysis, an equation based on four vectorcardiographic variables was derived. This equation improved the RVSP-VCG correlations significantly (p < 0.05, r = 0.80). The study confirms that vectorcardiogram is a reasonably reliable method for estimating RVSP in patients with atrial septal defects and that the use of combined VCG data may improve the method considerably.     

Estimation of body fat from anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance in Native American children

OBJECTIVE: Obesity, as measured by body mass index, is highly prevalent in Native American children, yet there are no valid equations to estimate total body fatness for this population. This study was designed to develop equations to estimate percentage body fat from anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance as a critical part of Pathways, a multi-site study of primary prevention of obesity in Native American children. DESIGN: Percentage fat was estimated from deuterium oxide dilution in 98 Native American children (Pima/Maricopa, Tohono O'odham and White Mountain Apache tribes) between 8 and 11 y of age. The mean fat content (38.4%+/-8. 1%) was calculated assuming the water content of the fat-free body was 76%. Initial independent variables were height, weight, waist circumference, six skinfolds and whole-body resistance and reactance from bioelectrical impedance (BIA). RESULTS: Using all-possible-subsets regressions with the Mallows C (p) criterion, and with age and sex included in each regression model, waist circumference, calf and biceps skinfolds contributed least to the multiple regression analysis. The combination of weight, two skinfolds (any two out of the four best: triceps, suprailiac, subscapular and abdomen) and bioelectrical impedance variables provided excellent predictability. Equations without BIA variables yielded r2 almost as high as those with BIA variables. The recommended equation predicts percentage fat with a root mean square error=3.2% fat and an adjusted r2=0.840. CONCLUSION: The combination of anthropometry and BIA variables can be used to estimate total body fat in field studies of Native American children. The derived equation yields considerably higher percentage fat values than other skinfold equations in children.     

宁波市人群血尿酸水平及其影响因素

目的:分析本地区不同年龄阶段人群的血尿酸水平及其影响因素。方法:记录在本院进行体检的24965人的性别、年龄,测量受检者的身高、体重、血压、进行血生化检测,按年龄进行分组,并进行统计学分析。结果:男性血尿酸水平高于女性(P<0.01)。女性血尿酸水平随年龄增长的幅度明显,各年龄组间比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。在50岁以下人群中血尿酸水平与年龄、性别、体重指数、舒张压、总胆固醇、甘油三酯呈正相关(P<0.01),与空腹血糖、低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白呈负相关(P<0.01)。70岁以上人群中血尿酸与年龄、性别呈正相关(P<0.05),与血糖成负相关(P<0.01)。结论:中青年人群血尿酸水平升高与多种心血管危险因素显著相关,老年人血尿酸水平的相关因素与中青年不同,在干预上应分别对待。     

Nutritional risk and malnutrition determination by anthropometry in cirrhotic children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: The malnutrition is a frequent finding in adults with cirrhosis, but the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition is little known in pediatric patients. AIM: To evaluate through anthropometry the presence of nutritional risk and malnutrition in cirrhotic pediatric patients regularly attended at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Service of "Hospital de Clínicas" of Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 42 cirrhotic children and adolescents aged between 3 months and 18 years. The nutritional evaluation was made by the determination of the weight/age, height/age, body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness and arm muscle circumference measurements. Patients considered in nutritional risk were < or = -1,28 Z score which corresponds to < or = 10th percentile, and those under -2,0 Z and < or = 3th percentile were in malnutrition status. According to Child-Pugh criteria, 22 patients were classified as A (mild severity), 15 (moderate) B and 5 C (intense). RESULTS: The mean weight/age, height/age and body mass index Z scores were, respectively, - 0,38 +/- 1,4 SD, - 0,83 +/- 1,16 SD and 0,17 +/- 1,3 SD. Patients in nutritional risk were 3/42 (weight/age), 8/42 (height/age), 12/37 (triceps skinfold thickness), 9/37 (arm muscle circumference), 2/38 (body mass index); in malnutrition status were 6/42 (weight/age), 7/42 (height/age), 4/37 (triceps skinfold thickness) and 4/37 (arm muscle circumference) and 3/38 (body mass index). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nutritional risk was 32.4% and chronic malnutrition was 16.7%. The index which better reflected the nutritional risk in these patients was triceps skinfold thickness. Chronic malnutrition status occurrence was greater in the height/age index.     

人体测量指标与血脂、血糖及血压水平的典型相关

目的：探讨人体测量指标与心血管危险因素水平的相互关系，确定与心血管危险因素相关最密切的人体测量指标。方法：在江苏省金坛县农村抽取３５～５９岁自然人群（男４９２名；女６０６名），测量身高、体重、腰围、腹围、臀围和血胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血糖、收缩压、舒张压，计算出体重指数（ＢＭＩ）、腰／臀比（ＷＨＲ）、腹／臀比（ＡＨＲ）和锥削度指数（ＣＩ）后，与血脂、血糖及血压水平作典型相关分析。结果：人体测量指标与心血管危险因素指标呈典型相关（典型相关系数为０．３１～０．５０）；人体测量指标中，体重指数的贡献最大，与心血管危险因素的相关最密切；血压是心血管危险因素中与人体测量相关最密切的指标。结论：体重指数是本组人群中最简单但最有价值的人体测量指标；而血压是受肥胖影响最大的心血管危险因素指标。     

Determinants of total serum carotene concentrations in institutionalized elderly

The current analysis was designed to examine further the association between total serum carotenoids and a series of preselected variables (dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, serum cholesterol, vitamin A, transport proteins, and others) using 85 elderly patients. Simple correlation between serum carotene and carotene intake, as estimated by a three-day weighed method, was 0.19 (P = 0.08), which was substantially increased (r = 0.29, P = 0.01) after adjustments for a selected set of variables. Standardized coefficients of multivariate regression indicated that the most important predictors of serum carotene were serum cholesterol (beta = 0.38), total serum proteins (beta = -0.35), and sex (beta = 0.34), followed by carotene intake (beta = 0.28) and midarm circumference (beta = 0.20). These variables accounted for 46% of the variance. Results suggest that serum carotene may be related to protein-energy status in hospitalized elderly, but further investigation should be directed to serum carotene in undernourished elderly. Nevertheless, total serum proteins could be an important factor in any attempt to correlate carotene intake and blood concentration.     

Determinants of cardiac involvement in children and adolescents with essential hypertension

Left ventricular hypertrophy is often found in association with systemic hypertension and may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Few studies have investigated the determinants of left ventricular mass (LVM) in young patients with essential hypertension. Therefore, we studied 104 children and adolescents with blood pressure persistently greater than the 90th percentile for age and sex and with no known cause of blood pressure elevation. LVM was determined by echocardiography and was indexed by height to account for body size. The mean LVM index was 90.2 +/- 26.0 g/m. Using the gender-specific 95th percentile from normal children, 40 subjects (38.5%) had left ventricular hypertrophy. Using multiple regression analysis, the significant independent direct correlates of LVM index were male sex, body mass index, dietary sodium intake, age at diagnosis, and systolic blood pressure at maximum exercise. The significant independent inverse correlate of LVM index was resting heart rate (p less than 0.05). These variables accounted for a substantial portion of the LVM index variance in this population (multiple R2 = 0.56, p less than 0.001). The results indicate that left ventricular hypertrophy is prevalent in children and adolescents with essential hypertension. The direct association of LVM index with body mass index and dietary sodium intake suggests weight reduction and dietary salt restriction might be useful to prevent or treat the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in pediatric patients with essential hypertension.     

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,spleen and psoriasis:New aspects of low-grade chronic inflammation

AIM: To investigate spleen status in psoriasis and itsrelationship with hepatic steatosis, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and insulin resistance.METHODS: Seventy-nine psoriatic patients who were not suffering from any chronic inflammatory disease were retrospectively selected for inclusion in this study,and their complete medical records were accessed.An age- and sex-matched group of 80 non-psoriatic,obese patients was included as a control. The following relevant data were collected: age, sex, weight, height,body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure,insulin resistance status, age at psoriasis onset, and severity of psoriasis. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to determine spleen longitudinal diameter(SLD), and hepatic steatosis grade.RESULTS: The SLD of control obese patients was greater than that of psoriatic subjects(P = 0.013),but body mass index predicted the size of the spleen in psoriatic patients(P 0.001). The SLD of psoriatic patients with normal weight was significantly reduced with respect to the overweight/obese psoriatic patients(P = 0.002). A multiple regression analysis revealed that body mass index was a unique predictor of the spleen size(P 0.001). Finally, the disease duration predicted the spleen size in psoriatic subjects(P =0.038).CONCLUSION: This study shows a correlation between the SLD and the duration of psoriasis.     

Predicting 'normal' grip strength for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: An ability to predict accurately 'normal' grip strength in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients would facilitate a more accurate assessment of the degree of their functional loss. This, in turn, would allow the setting of more meaningful treatment goals aimed at restoring hand function towards normal. This study carefully measures three modalities of hand grip strength and their correlation with multiple simple anthropometric parameters in normal subjects. We aim to determine which of these parameters are best correlated to grip strength, and whether this correlation is strong enough to allow the accurate prediction of what normal grip strength should be in RA patients. METHODS: In 81 normal subjects (67 female), power, pinch and tripod grip strength measurements were made using an MIE digital pinch grip analyser. These strength data were correlated with specific local forearm anthropometric measurements: forearm circumference, forearm length, forearm volume, hand circumference, hand length, hand volume, hand and forearm volume, and various general anthropometric parameters (weight, height and age). These normal subjects had been chosen so as to be age and sex matched with 83 RA patients (67 female) in whom the same strength and anthropometric parameters were assessed and correlated. In patients, the grip strength results were additionally correlated with two markers of disease activity: a modified Ritchie Articular Index local to the hand and forearm (mRAI) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) assessing subjective pain severity. RESULTS: In normal subjects, clear correlations were demonstrated between hand grip strengths and all specific anthropometric variables, the strongest correlation being with forearm and hand volume (r = 0.729 and 0.638 for dominant and non-dominant hands, respectively; P < 0.01 for both). The patients were considerably weaker than normal subjects. Markers of disease activity showed a negative correlation with grip strength. In normal subjects, the dominant hand was significantly stronger than the non-dominant hand, and on average by 8%, while the opposite was true in patients, who were 20% weaker on the dominant side. CONCLUSION: Simple anthropometric measurements, and forearm and hand volume in particular, would be useful at baseline for predicting 'normal' hand grip strength in RA patients, both in the clinical setting and in research trials aimed at improving grip strength and hand function.     

Usefulness of waist circumference for the identification of childhood hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of BMI and waist circumference, single and combined, in identifying children who are at risk of hypertension and in influencing absolute blood pressure values. METHODS: The body weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure of 4177 5-11-year-old school children [2005 (48%) girls] were collected. Elevated blood pressure was defined if either systolic or diastolic blood pressure values or both were more than the 95th percentile according to sex, age and height (US normative blood pressure tables). Overweight and obese children were defined according to International Obesity Task Force BMI cut-offs. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 4.1% and increased together with weight class: 1.4% (n = 42/3076) in normal weight, 7.1% (n = 59/827) in overweight and 25% (n = 69/274) in obese (P < 0.001). Only BMI and waist circumference showed a remarkable ability to discriminate hypertensive children (areas under receiver operating characteristic curves, 0.84 and 0.76, respectively). The multivariate analysis showed that z-scores for both BMI and waist circumference were significantly related to the risk of hypertension with odds ratios of 3.59 (95% confidence interval, 2.55, 5.06) and 1.20 (95% confidence interval, 1.04, 1.39), respectively, after adjusting for sex and age. When the weight class was included in the multivariate analysis, waist circumference retained its ability to identify hypertensive children only in the obese class (odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.21, 1.72; P < 0.01). When considering blood pressure as a continuous variable, both weight class and waist circumference showed a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure absolute values (P < 0.01). The effect of waist circumference on blood pressure values was maintained even when corrected for BMI. CONCLUSION: High blood pressure is strongly associated with excess weight. Waist circumference improves the ability of BMI to identify hypertension in obese children. Waist circumference is related to absolute blood pressure values in all weight classes.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者颈围、腹围及其相关性研究

目的探讨OSAHS患者颈围、腹围以及颈围和腹围的相关关系。方法收集经多导睡眠监测确诊为OSAHS患者80例,单纯打鼾患者41例,测量2组患者的颈围和腹围,并记录一般情况（包括性别、年龄、身高、体质量）,分析OSAHS患者颈围和腹围及其相关性。结果与单纯打鼾组患者相比,OSAHS患者颈围和腹围均明显增大（P〈0．01）。与单纯打鼾组比较,重度0sAHs组颈围明显增大（P〈0．01）,轻中度OsAHS组颈围较单纯打鼾组有增大趋势,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;与轻中度OSAHS组比较,重度0sAHs组颈围明显增大（P〈o．01）。与单纯打鼾组比较,重度0sAHs组腹围明显增大（P〈0．01）,轻中度OsAHs组腹围较单纯打鼾组增大（P〈0．05）;与轻中度OSAHS组比较,重度OSAHS组腹围明显增大（P〈O．01）。颈围与体质量指数（BMI）、腹围、身高、体质量、睡眠呼吸紊乱指数（AHI）和最长呼吸暂停时间呈显著正相关（P〈0．01）;颈围与年龄呈负相关（P〈O．05）;颈围与最低血氧饱和度呈显著负相关（P〈0．01）。腹围与BMI、颈围、体质量、AHI和最长呼吸暂停时间呈显著正相关（P〈0．01）;腹围与最低血氧饱和度呈显著负相关（P〈0．01）;腹围与年龄、身高无明显相关（P〉O．05）。结论OSAHS患者颈围和腹围均明显增大,颈围与腹围呈显著正相关关系。     

Epidemiology of coronary heart disease among young army males of World War II

An epidemiologic study was carried out on 1,393 cases of CHD in World War II Army men, median age 39.6 years, by comparing these cases with representative age-matched Army controls using data from military records of both groups, particularly records of induction into service.Factors showing significant (P < 0.05) association with the development of angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, and death from CHD at this young age were: higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher weight and ratio of actual-to-standard weight, aspects of body build as measured by a greater chest circumference, a heavy frame, and being shorter than the matched controls.Other characteristics more prevalent among the coronary cases than among the matched controls and therefore associated with a higher risk of CHD were: geographical residence in the Middle Atlantic States, a higher socioeconomic score, some graduate education, being an officer, being of Jewish religion, and having a blood Group A.A significantly lower risk of CHD was found for rural birthplace and previous outdoor occupation requiring high physical activity. Men whose previous occupation was that of a farmer or farm laborer had a relative risk of 0.54 (P < 0.008) compared with other occupational groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed the successive contribution to risk of first myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion associated with size of chest circumference, level of diastolic blood pressure, urban-rural classification, height (negatively associated), occupational group, and ABO blood group. This analysis evaluates the contribution of each selected factor independent of the factors selected in previous steps. Similar multiple regression analysis applied to angina pectoris and coronary insufficiency cases identified occupational group, ABO blood group, size of chest circumference, height (negatively associated), and religion as independent contributors for risk of this manifestation of CHD at a young age.     

腰围身高比值与2型糖尿病心血管病危险因素的关系

目的探讨腰围身高比值（WHtR）用于2型糖尿病（T2DM）评估腹型肥胖及其与心血管病危险因素的关系。方法新诊断T2DM患者4ll例，测血压、血糖、血脂、身高、体重、腰围（WC）、臀围，计算BMI、WHtR及腰臀比（WHR），分析WHtR、BMI、WC及WHR与身高的关系，各肥胖指数与血压、血脂的关系。结果（1）WHtR与血压、TG及HDL-C的相关程度均大于与BMI、WC、wHR的相关程度。WHtR与高血压、高TG及低HDL-C均显著相关。结论WHtR升高与血压、血脂关系密切，可作为评估腹型肥胖及预测T2DM心血管疾病危险因素指标之一。     

Anthropometric correlates of intragastric pressure

OBJECTIVE: Obesity may increase intra-abdominal pressure on the stomach leading to an increase in intragastric pressure, which in turn induces lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, with subsequent reflux. However, the association between anthropometric measures of total body as well as abdominal obesity and intragastric pressure has not been examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included consecutive patients undergoing manometry at an open access Reflux Center. Standardized measurements of body-weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were prospectively obtained. To assess the intragastric pressure, the perfusion port levels of the catheter were verified to be at the same vertical height (0 mmHg) inside the patient as they were outside the patient during calibration. Correlation between gastric pressure and anthropometric measures was calculated and adjusted for demographic features and presenting symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 322 patients (67% women) with a mean age of 52.5 years were enrolled. The mean values for weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were 77.2 kg, 168 cm, and 27.5 kg/m2, respectively (range 16.0-52.0, median 27.0). The mean intragastric pressure was 2.9 cm H2O (SD: 1.7). There was a weak, positive correlation between gastric pressure and both BMI (r=0.11, p=0.05) and waist circumference (r=0.11, p=0.06). The associations between gastric pressure and both BMI and waist circumference were relatively unaffected by adjusting for several variables including age, indications for manometry, race, and gender in a multivariable linear regression model. For each unit increase in BMI, there was approximately a 10% increase in intragastric pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of consecutive patients with wide-ranging BMI values, there was a weak, positive correlation between intragastric pressure and both BMI and waist circumference. This indicates that obesity operates to increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at least partly by increasing intragastric pressure.     

Prediction of pulmonary arterial pressures from electrovectorcardiographic data in pediatric patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

The Frank vectorcardiogram (VCG) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) were used to predict pulmonary arterial pressures in 30 pediatric patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease. The patients' ages ranged from eight to 14 1/2 years. Eleven were male and 19 were female. Sixteen had mitral stenosis, eight had mitral regurgitation and six had mitral stenosis and regurgitation. Mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure ranged from 5-32 mmHg. All patients underwent complete catheterization and angiocardiographic study. None had significant gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract. Right maximum spatial vector (Rmsv) was calculated using Frank VCG.R in V1 and S in V5 of ECG were also measured. Rmsv, RV1, and SV5 were correlated with pulmonary arterial pressures (systolic, diastolic and mean). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure and Rmsv bear the best correlation (r=0.773). The correlation coefficient for pulmonary artery diastolic pressure and Rmsv was 0.698. Rmsv as calculated from Frank VCG is useful in prediction of pulmonary arterial pressures (systolic and diastolic) in pediatric patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.     

The impact of body-weight components on forced spirometry in healthy italians

Many studies have investigated lung function in relation to age and height among Caucasians, however, most of these studies did not consider the individual components of body weight. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of body weight components [bone-free lean body mass (BF-LBM), bone mineral content (BMC), and fat mass (FM)] measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on the lung-function variables (FVC, FEV1, and PEF) and to derive prediction equations for these variables in healthy adult Italians. Dynamic spirometric tests and body composition analysis by DXA were performed on 58 nonsmoking males, mean age ( ±SE) 26.72 ± 1.98 years and BMI 25.51 ± 0.64 kg/m2, and 60 nonsmoking females matched for age and BMI (29.61 ± 1.65 years and 26.45 ± 1.05 kg/m2, respectively). Bivariate linear regression analysis showed the variables age, height, BF-LBM, BMC, and the interaction term BF-LBM*Height, but not weight and FM, to correlate significantly with lung-function variables for males and for females separately. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that sex, age, height, and BF-LBM*Height were significantly associated with FVC, FEV1, and PEF. The prediction equations developed for FVC, FEV1, and PEF on the basis of the independent variables i.e. sex, age (y), height (m), and BF-LBM*Height (kg · m) had a significantly higher cumulative correlation coefficient and a lower SEE compared with those based on age and height only. The present report suggests that the BF-LBM, expressed independently from height, can be considered for predicting lung-function variables.