Normal haematology of captive saker falcons (Falco cherrug)

A complete haematological study was carried out on 25 clinically normal captive female saker falcons (Falco cherrug) in order to establish normal haematology reference values for the species. The results are compared with values obtained in captive peregrine falcons.     

Absence of inferior vena cava as a rare cause of deep venous thrombosis complicated by liver and lung embolism

Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava such as absence or atresia are uncommon vascular defects and result from aberrant development during embryogenesis. We report a case of a young female patient affected by proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) complicated by liver and pulmonary embolism; subsequent extensive evaluation revealed the congenital absence of infrarenal inferior vena cava, with emboli probably occurring through collateral veins. Accordingly, in young patients with idiopathic DVT of the lower extremities and pelvic veins, the presence of inferior vena cava abnormalities should always be considered and investigated, together with classic coagulation factors, as a factor predisposing to thromboembolic complications.     

Role of Aliskiren on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function in Patients With Primary Hypertension

Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are important determinants of cardiovascular events in patients with arterial hypertension. There are few data regarding the role of aliskiren on the central hemodynamics and endothelial function in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the addition of aliskiren to other antihypertensive drug treatment for arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Thirty uncontrolled hypertensive patients (mean age, 60.4±12.2 years), without any other cardiovascular risk factors, were enrolled. Augmentation index (AIx) and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) by applanation tonometry and reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH PAT) index using peripheral arterious tonometry at baseline and after 6 months of aliskiren titrated to 300 mg once a day was evaluated. The addition of aliskiren had no effect on values of central AIx (33.26±10.74% vs 28.86±10.74%; P=.36) but did significantly improve values of cfPWV (9.36±2.65 m/s vs 8.72±2.48 m/s; P=.04) and RH PAT index (1.64±0.57 vs 1.75±0.45; P=.05). In addition to improving systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the addition of aliskiren to concomitant antihypertensive drugs in uncontrolled hypertensive patients may be effective in improving aortic stiffness and endothelial function. These results encourage further studies to evaluate the use of aliskiren for cardiovascular prevention.     

Brugada syndrome phenotype cardiac arrest in a young patient unmasked during the acute phase of amiodarone infusion: disclosure and aggravation of Brugada electrocardiographic pattern

We report a case of an outpatient cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and resuscitated with external automated defibrillator shocks in which acute amiodarone infusion unmasked a Brugada phenotype electrocardiographic pattern. Possible interferences by this drug and suitable therapeutic actions are discussed.     

When oral anticoagulation therapy is needed in patients with cardiomyopathies: a review of literature

The question whether to anticoagulate patients with cardiomyopathy or not is over 50 years old. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the superior therapeutic effect of warfarin compared with placebo in the prevention of thromboembolic events amongst patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The purpose of our work is to review literature about the role of anticoagulation in the main cardiomyopathies.     

Beta-blocker therapy influences the hemodynamic response to inotropic agents in patients with heart failure: a randomized comparison of dobutamine and enoximone before and after chronic treatment with metoprolol or carvedilol

OBJECTIVE: We compared the hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and enoximone administration before and after long-term beta-blocker therapy with metoprolol or carvedilol in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Patients with HF on beta-blocker therapy may need hemodynamic support with inotropic agents, and the hemodynamic response may be influenced by both the inotropic agent and the beta-blocker used. METHODS: The hemodynamic effects of dobutamine (5 to 20 microg/kg/min intravenously) and enoximone (0.5 to 2 mg/kg intravenously) were assessed by pulmonary artery catheterization in 29 patients with chronic HF before and after 9 to 12 months of treatment with metoprolol or carvedilol at standard target maintenance oral doses. Hemodynamic studies were performed after >/=12 h of wash-out from all cardiovascular medications, except the beta-blockers that were administered 3 h before the second study. RESULTS: Compared with before beta-blocker therapy, metoprolol treatment decreased the magnitude of mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP) decline during dobutamine infusion and increased the cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI) response to enoximone administration, without any effect on other hemodynamic parameters. Carvedilol treatment abolished the increase in heart rate, SVI, and CI and caused a rise, rather than a decline, in PAP, PWP, systemic vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular resistance during dobutamine infusion. The hemodynamic response to enoximone, however, was maintained or enhanced in the presence of carvedilol. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with its effects on enoximone, carvedilol and, to a lesser extent, metoprolol treatment may significantly inhibit the favorable hemodynamic response to dobutamine. No such beta-blocker-related attenuation of hemodynamic effects occurs with enoximone.     

Normal haematology of the white-bellied (Eupodotis senegalensis), little black (Eupodotis afra) and Heuglin's (Neotis heuglinii) bustards

Blood samples were collected from three white-bellied (Eupodotis senegalensis), four little black (Eupodotis afra) and five Heuglin's (Neotis heuglinii) bustards. All birds were captive adults and clinically normal at the time of sampling. Standard haematology assays were carried out to establish normal reference values for the three species. The results obtained are compared with similar studies conducted in the houbara (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), rufous-crested (Eupodotis ruficrista) and kori (Ardeotis kori) bustards.     

Normal haematology and age-related findings in the rufous-crested bustard (Eupodotis ruficrista)

Blood samples were collected from six juvenile (age 4–6 months) and 14 adult (two years and more) clinically normal captive rufous-crested bustards (Eupodotis ruficrista). Standard haematology assays were carried out to establish normal reference values for the species and to investigate any age-related differences. Compared with adults, juveniles showed low haemoglobin levels, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentrations but higher fibrinogen levels. In juveniles, the total white cell count was high, with a higher number of lymphocytes but a lower number of basophils compared to the adults. The results obtained from this study not only provide important haematological reference values for this species but they also demonstrate age-related haematological changes between juvenile and adult birds.