ISSN 2326-7283
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effect induced by hemisuccinate of pregnenolone on perfusion pressure and vascular resistance in isolated rat heart
L. Figueroa-Valverde1*, F. Díaz-Cedillo2, E. Diaz-Ku1 and A. Camacho-Luis3
1Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n entre calle Juan de la Barrera y C-20, Col Buenavista C. P. 24039 Campeche Cam., México.
2Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas del IPN. Plan de San Luís y Díaz Mirón s/n Col. Santo Tomas, México, D. F. C.P. 11340.
3Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, es Av. Fanny Anitua s/n Esq. Av. Universidad. C.P. 34000, Durango, Dgo., México.
Accepted 17 April, 2020
Abstract
Experimental studies suggest that pregnenolone can regulate blood pressure. Nevertheless, there is scarce information about the effects of pregnenolone and its derivatives at cardiovascular level. In addition, to date the cellular site and mechanism of action of pregnenolone at cardiovascular level is also unclear. In order, to clarify on those phenomena, we evaluated the effects of pregnenolone and hemisuccinate of pregnenolone on perfusion pressure in isolated rat heart using Langendorff flow model. Our results demonstrated that pregnenolone-derivative (10-9 M) significantly increase the perfusion pressure (p = 0.005) and vascular resistance (p = 0.006) in isolated heart. The activity exerted by hemisuccinate of pregnenolone on perfusion pressure (10-9 to 10-4 M) was blocked in presence of indomethacin (10-6 M) and montelukast (10-6 M).These data suggest that activity induced by hemisuccinate of pregnenolone on perfusion pressure and vascular resistance is dependent upon its chemical structure. This phenomenon possibly involves the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthesis and secretion.
Key words: Hemisuccinate of pregnenolone, Langendorff, perfusion pressure.
F. DÃaz-Cedillo, L. Figueroa-Valverde*, E. Diaz-Ku and A. Camacho-Luis
Page: 1 - 8
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The effect of levosimendan on BNP and other myocardial injury indicators in chronic atrial fibrillation cases with heart failure
Ibrahim Halil Kurt*, Murat Çayli and Mustafa Kemal Batur
Department of Cardiology, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital Adana-Turkey.
Accepted 04 June, 2020
Abstract
To compare effects of levosimendan on brain natriuretic factor (BNP) and other myocardial injury indicators in heart failure (HF) patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) versus sinus rhythm (SR). This study was prospective, double blinded and included a total of 62 chronic HF patients in NYHA III -IV classes. Left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, and with either SR (n=38) or AF (n=24) received a 12 g/kg dose of levosimendan. Then they were followed up by IV infusions, as tolerated. BNP, cardiac troponin I, creatinine kinase-myocardial band levels were measured. Age mean (67.5 ± 16.5 years), demographic features and medical history were not significantly different between groups. Diastolic blood pressure was lower (p=0.008), whereas blood urea nitrogen was higher (p =0.03) in the AF group. The frequently used concomitant medication in the AF group was amiodarone (p=0.02). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased in the SR Group (p=0.009 and 0.006, respectively). Despite the reduction in systolic blood pressure (p=0.04), diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged in the AF group. Levosimendan significantly decreased BNP levels in the SR group (p=0.002). There was symptomatic improvement and decrease in the NYHA classification among patients in both groups, but no significant difference between groups. Levosimendan did not reduce BNP levels in patients with AF patients, which might be considered as an indicator of a limited efficacy of levosimendan on decompensated, acute HF patients with AF, compared to patients with SR.
Key words: Atrial fibrillation, Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), heart failure, levosimendan, myocardial injury.
Ibrahim Halil Kurt*, Murat Çayli and Mustafa Kemal Batur
Page: 1 - 7
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
The effect of Levoismendan on the D-dimer level in chronic atrial fibrillation cases with cardiac failure
Ibrahim Halil Kurt1*, Murat Cayli2 and Mustafa Kemal Batur1
1Departmant of Cardiology, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital, Adana -Turkey.
2Department of Cardiology, Çukurova University, School of Medicine, Adana -Turkey.
Accepted 16 May, 2020
Abstract
We determined the short-term effects of Levoismendan, on the D-dimer level in patient’s decompensated heart failure (HF) with non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The study population consisted of 62 chronic HF patients (24 women and 38 men, mean age: 67.5 ± 16.5 years) with New York heart association (NYHA) III-IV and a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) lower than 35%. Patients were divided into two groups, group I (sinus rhythm, 38 patients) and Group II (chronic NVAF, 24 patients). A loading dose of Levoismendan (12 µg/kg) was administered over 10 min, followed by an infusion (0.1 µg/kg per minute) for 50 min in all patients, the rate was increased to 0.2 µg/kg per minute for an additional 23 h as tolerated. Plasma cardiac D-Dimer levels were measured at pre-treatment period and 5 days after treatment. Demographic variables were similar in both groups. The difference in hemodynamic parameters was not significant with respect to arterial systolic blood pressure and heart rate. However, diastolic blood pressure was significantly low in the NVAF group (p = 0.008). As for biochemical parameters, while there was no difference in baseline creatinine, serum sodium(Na), serum potassium (K), uric acid (UA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value was detected to be higher in the atrial fibrillation (AF) group (p = 0.03). The left ventricular ejection fraction was 26.6 ± 5.5 and 29.2 ± 5.0% in the group with and without NVAF, respectively, no difference was observed (p > 0.05). The D-dimer levels in the NVAF group were upper than sinus rhythm groups (p > 0.05).However, there was no statistically significant difference between the pre-infusion and post-infusion values of d-dimer 1749 vs. 1824 ng/ml, p = 0.69. Furthermore, plasma D-dimer levels increased after Levoismendan infusion, but D-dimer levels showed non significant correlation with atrial fibrillation group. The clinical improvement as reflected in the patients’ NYHA classification was found to be higher in the sinus rhythm group than in NVAF group (p=0.045). No relationship was found between the NYHA class and the D-dimer levels (p > 0.05) both in general and within the treatment groups. The results of our study show that the effect of Levoismendan on both clinical response and thrombogenicity is limited compared to sinus rhythm in decompensated HF patients with NVAF in the acute period. Further studies are required to evaluate the results of this association in the long-term.
Key words: Levoismendan, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, D-dimer
Ibrahim Halil Kurt*, Murat Cayli and Mustafa Kemal Batur
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full length Research paper
Evaluation of the Liverpool Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme: A service user-led community-based investigation
Norman J. Heritage2*, Edward Barnes1, Brian Perry1, Belinda Nelson2, Matthew Shaw2 and Bashir M. Matata2
1Heart Support Network, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
2Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Accepted 20 April, 2020
Abstract
In Liverpool, standard Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme varied from 3 - 9 months depending on centre attended. Evidence for setting the duration and patient contact frequency for community-based cardiac rehabilitation is uncertain. This study was carried out to explore how participants rated the 3 months Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme, whether it was long enough and whether it changed their lifestyle for the better. Questionnaires were administered at the end of the Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme and during 3 and 6 months follow-up in the community. The results indicated that about 90% of responders rated the programme to be excellent or good and that the score remained similar even when participants were followed-up at 3 and 6 months after discharge from the Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme. A similar pattern of response was observed for active lifestyle and duration of the Cardiac Phase-4 Programme. Interestingly, the MacNew Heart disease health-related quality of life scores remained similar even at 3 and 6 months after rehabilitation was completed. The result of this study indicates that a 3-months Cardiac Phase-4 Rehabilitation Programme in Liverpool was sufficiently long and that service users rated the programme very highly.
Key words: Cardiac, phase-4 rehabilitation, lifestyle changes.
Edward Barnes, Norman J. Heritage*, Brian Perry, Belinda Nelson, Matthew Shaw and Bashir M. Matata
Page: 1 - 6
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a selected community at Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
S. F. U. Akter1*, A. R. M. Fauzi2, M. S. Nordin3, S. Satwi4, A. Mohamed5, M. A. Aznan6 and D. Samsul6
1Department of Community Medicine, International Islamic University, Malaysia.
2Department of Internal Medicine, International Islamic University, Malaysia.
3Institute of Education, International Islamic University, Malaysia.
4Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, International Islamic University, Malaysia.
5Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Islamic University, Malaysia.
6Department of Family Medicine, International Islamic University, Malaysia
Accepted 15 June, 2020
Abstract
Hypertension and obesity are established and independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. There are important inter-relationships between these two factors that may explain the aetiology of cardiovascular diseases. To determine the prevalence of hypertension and obesity in a rural community setting in Malaysia, and to identify their associated risk factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted among residents aged of 18 years and above at a Kampung, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia from 2007 to 2008. Sample size was 219. Prevalence of hypertension was 35.6% (78), with the highest prevalence among those aged of 45 years and above (50.0%). The prevalence of hypertension was notably higher in males compared to females, (38.9 versus 34.0%). In addition, the prevalence of obesity was 54.8%, with the highest prevalence among those aged 55 to 64 years (66.7%). The obese respondents were at higher risk to be hypertensive (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.744, 2.277). The prevalence of hypertension and obesity in this study was high which herald the need for prevention programs for these risk factors in such rural communities at Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.
Key words: Prevalence, cardiovascular risk factors, community, Malaysia.
S. F. U. Akter*, A. R. M. Fauzi, S. Satwi, A. Mohamed, M. S. Nordin, M. A. Aznan and D. Samsul
Page: 1 - 7
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
Scleroderma and pyoderma gangrenosum
Mansoor Karimifar* and Mansour Salesi
Department of Rheumatology, Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Accepted 17 May, 2020
Abstract
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an ulcerative disease of the skin with unknown origin. It may be associated with an underlying systemic disease like inflammatory bowel disease, lymphoproliferative disorders, sweet's syndrome and Behcet's disease. This case depicts a rare site of pyoderma gangronosum on scrotum. A 61-year-old man with scleroderma and pyoderma gangronosum on scrotum from two years ago. He had Skin thickening and hardening, hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and multiple scrotal skin lesions.
Key words: Systemic sclerosis, pyoderma gangronosum.
Mansoor Karimifar*, Mansour Salesi
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