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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic, non-ischemic systolic type of heart failure which can present anytime from the last month of pregnancy till the end of 5th month post-partum. The incidence of PPCM in the Indian population is 1:1340 with 60% of the cases occurring post-partum. PPCM has a mortality rate of 11.7% with unpredictable sequelae ranging from worsening heart failure, cardiogenic shock, development of arrythmias to complete recovery and recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. With an idiopathic aetiology with multiple theories, PPCM remains a diagnosis of exclusion, demanding a high index of suspicion and surveillance in pregnant women. The management involves a multidisciplinary approach involving the obstetrician, cardiologist and at times the anaesthesiologist and includes various drugs like beta- blockers, diuretics, digoxin, bromocriptine. In severe cases, maternal circulatory support may also be needed. We present three cases of PPCM diagnosed in the antepartum, intrapartum and immediate post-partum periods respectively. Out of 3 patients, one delivered vaginally and two underwent emergency caesarean sections. All of patients went home post-delivery with good outcomes and were doing well after 4 weeks of delivery.
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ABSTRACT Background: The established use of non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) in the primary and secondary prevention of esophageal varices has recently been questioned in the subgroup of patients with diuretic-refractory ascites. Objective: Critically analyze the body of evidence on the topic in order to assist clinical decisions. Methods: A literature review was carried out in the Pubmed® and Scielo® databases. In total, 20 articles between 2010 and 2023 were read by independent researchers. Conclusion: It remains doubtful whether the use of NSBB is deleterious in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites, however our literature review allows us to conclude that these drugs should not be proscribed in these patients. On the contrary, a doctor-patient decision based on tolerability and hemodynamic parameters certainly seems to be a safe conduct.
RESUMO Contexto: O uso consagrado de betabloqueadores não seletivos (BBNS) na prevenção primária e secundária de varizes esofágicas foi recentemente questionado no subgrupo de pacientes com ascite refratária a diurético. Objetivo: Analisar criticamente o corpo de evidências sobre a temática a fim de auxiliar decisões clínicas. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura nos bancos de dados Pubmed® e Scielo®. No total, 20 artigos entre os anos 2010 e 2023 foram lidos por pesquisadores independentes. Conclusão: Ainda permanece duvidoso se o uso de BBNS é deletério nos cirróticos com ascite refratária, no entanto nossa revisão de literatura permite concluir que essas drogas não devem ser proscritas nesses pacientes. Ao contrário, uma decisão médico-paciente pautada na tolerabilidade e em parâmetros hemodinâmicos parece ser uma conduta decerto segura.
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LVNC (left ventricular non-compaction) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy with a reported incidence of 0.05% in adults. It can occur in isolation or affect both ventricles. It’s characterized by prominent LV trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses which are filled with blood from the ventricular cavity without evidence of communication to the epicardial coronary artery system. Frequent premature supra ventricular tachycardia as unique finding in LVNC cardiomyopathy is rare manifestation of this disease. We report a case of a frequent persistent supraventricular tachycardia as first manifestation of a patient with LVNC cardiomyopathy in a young healthy woman who despite radio frequency ablation therapy of the supraventricular tachycardia remains symptomatic. The patient was later placed on medical therapy based on a non-cardio selective beta-blocker with a good clinical outcome without recurrent of supra-ventricular arrythmias.
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Resumen: La Retinopatía del Prematuro (RDP) es una alteración proliferativa de los vasos sanguíneos de la retina inmadura, que afecta principalmente a los recién nacidos de muy bajo peso (RNMBP) y de menor edad gestacional. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir a qué niño se debe efectuar la detección de esta enfermedad y analizar los recientes avances en su tratamiento. La detección de RDP está dirigida principalmente a los RNMBP y a < de 32 semanas de edad gestacional, pero también se ha propuesto un criterio según edad postmenstrual. Además de la fotocoagulación con láser, tratamiento estándar en la actualidad, se han desarrollado nuevas terapias, como los agentes anti factor de crecimiento vas cular endotelial (VEGF), que se han utilizado exitosamente en la retinopatía umbral, especialmente localizada en zona I, con menos efectos adversos y mejores resultados oculares a futuro. que la fo tocoagulación con láser. En los últimos años, se han realizado ensayos clínicos con propranolol oral como tratamiento de la RDP, principalmente en la etapa pre-umbral (etapa 2 o 3 en zona II ó III). Este bloqueador beta-adrenérgico puede prevenir la progresión de la retinopatía en RNMBP de etapa pre- umbral a umbral y/o evitar la necesidad de terapias invasivas, como la fotocoagulación con láser o la administración intravítrea de agentes anti-VEGF. La fotocoagulación con láser continúa siendo el tra tamiento de elección en la RDP. Los agentes anti-VEGF y el propranolol oral, evitarían la progresión de esta patología de etapa pre-umbral a umbral, y podrían complementar el tratamiento de la RDP.
Abstract: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative disorder of the blood vessels of the immature retina, which affects mainly very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW). The objective of this review is to describe to which infant the screening examination of this disease should be performed and to analy ze the recent advances in the treatment of this disease, which have emerged in the last decade. The detection of this disease is mainly focused on VLBW infants and newborns < 32 weeks of gestational age. In addition to laser photocoagulation, standard treatment today, new therapies have appeared, such as the anti-VEGF agents, which have been successfully used in the threshold ROP, especially located in zone I. This therapy is less harmful than laser photocoagulation and with better ocular results in the future. In recent years, oral propranolol has been used as a treatment for ROP in clinical trials, mainly in the pre-threshold stage (stage 2 or 3 in zone II or III). This drug is a beta-adrenergic blocker that can prevent the progression of retinopathy in pre-threshold to threshold stage and/or avoid the need for invasive therapies, such as laser photocoagulation or intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents. Laser photocoagulation continues to be the standard treatment for ROP. New treatments have emerged for ROP, such as anti-VEGF agents and oral propranolol, which could pre vent the progression of this disease from the pre-threshold to the threshold stage.
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Humans , Infant, Newborn , Retinopathy of Prematurity/diagnosis , Retinopathy of Prematurity/therapy , Propranolol/therapeutic use , Infant, Premature , Treatment Outcome , Combined Modality Therapy , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/therapeutic use , Infant, Very Low Birth Weight , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors , Light CoagulationABSTRACT
Background: Anthracyclines are extensively used in the treatment of breast cancer. However, these therapeutic agents are responsible for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Aim of this study was to assess the effect of use of prophylactic nebivolol for the prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-blind, and placebo-controlled trial involving 80 participants with breast cancer, scheduled to undergo chemotherapy with doxorubicin. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the nebivolol group (n=40) to receive nebivolol 5 mg daily and the placebo group (n=40) to receive placebo. All patients were evaluated with baseline Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography prior to treatment, and at the 6-month follow-up. Echocardiography included 2D echocardiography, colour doppler and tissue doppler imaging.Results: The study groups had comparable baseline echocardiographic variables. At the 6-month echocardiographic follow-up, there were no changes of statistical significance in any 2D echocardiographic variables in either group. However, there were minimal reductions of 0.4% in left ventricular ejection fraction in the nebivolol group (62.2±4.4% to 61.9±4.2%, p=0.75) and 1.6% in the placebo group (62.8±3.6% to 61.8±3.2%, p=0.18). Doppler examinations also did not reveal any statistically significant changes in variables such as peak A velocity, peak E velocity, E/A ratio, isovolumic relaxation time, and isovolemic contraction time in either group.Conclusions: Prophylactic use of nebivolol treatment may possess cardioprotective properties against anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients although not statistically significant in this study.
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Background: Marfan syndrome (MS) is inherited autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin-1. Aortic dilatation is present in about 80% patients with MS and is the major cause of premature mortality. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of beta-blockers on aortic root growth rate in patients with MS. Methods: We performed a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies that evaluated the efficacy of beta-blockers in patients with MS. The primary outcome of the study was aortic root growth rate. Secondary outcome was composite of death, aortic regurgitation, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection or cardiovascular surgery. Results: Five prospective trials were identified with similar comparable groups, with a total of 243 patients. In our study mean patient age was 12 years with a mean follow-up 86.5 months. There was a significant reduction in aortic root growth rate (SMD -0.86, 95% CI -1.23 to -0.48, p <0.001) with the use of beta-blockers. No significant difference was observed in secondary outcomes in the beta-blocker group as compared to placebo (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 0.21-15.53). Conclusion: Beta-blockers were associated with a significant reduction in aortic root growth rate with reduction in morbidity and mortality.
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Abstract Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a potentially lethal disease, whose characteristic ventricular tachycardias are adrenergic-dependent. Although rare, CPVT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young individuals with exercise-induced syncope. Mutations in five different genes (RYR2, CASQ2, CALM1, TRDN, and TECRL) are associated with the CPVT phenotype, although RYR2 missense mutations are implicated in up to 60 % of all CPVT cases. Genetic testing has an essential role in the diagnosis, management, pre-symptomatic diagnosis, counseling, and treatment of the proband; furthermore, genetic information can be useful for offspring and relatives. By expert consensus, CPVT gene testing is a Class I recommendation for patients with suspected CPVT. Beta-adrenergic and calcium-channel blockers are the cornerstones of treatment due to the catecholaminergic dependence of the arrhythmias. Unresponsive patients are treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. In the present article, a brief review of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of this intriguing disease is provided.
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Humans , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control , Tachycardia, Ventricular/diagnosis , Defibrillators, Implantable , Syncope/diagnosis , Genetic Testing , Tachycardia, Ventricular/genetics , Tachycardia, Ventricular/therapy , Diagnosis, Differential , MutationABSTRACT
Background: Beta blockers have been used in the treatment of hypertension, since last four decades and are widely accepted as the first-line treatment for hypertension. Nebivolol, a third generation ?-blocker has highest ?1 selectivity and is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Along with peripheral vasodilatation and nitric oxide (NO)-induced benefits such as antioxidant activity and reversal of endothelial dysfunction, nebivolol promotes better protection from cardiovascular events. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of atenolol and nebivolol on both blood pressure and lipid profile in patients of mild to moderate hypertension.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, parallel, open labelled study. Patients were recruited from the medicine out-patient department (OPD) and cardiology OPD. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study. 50 patients were allocated to atenolol group and 50 patients to nebivolol group. BP and baseline investigations such as lipid profile were performed. Tests to determine lipid profile were performed on the first visit (Week 0) and at 24 weeks. Continuous variables between the two treatment groups were analyzed by unpaired t-test. Efficacy endpoints within the group were analyzed by using paired t-test.Results: All the lipid levels except HDL-C were increased with atenolol therapy. At 24 weeks, atenolol therapy led to increase in LDL-C, VLDL-C, TC and TG which was highly significant (p<0.0001). HDL levels were decreased at 24 weeks which was also statistically highly significant (p<0.0001). The mean values of lipids in nebivolol group at baseline and at 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, nebivolol therapy led to changes in LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TC and TG which was not statistically significant (p>0.05).Conclusions: From study it can be concluded that atenolol and nebivolol are equally effective in reducing BP but atenolol worsens lipid profile as compared to nebivolol.
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Background & objectives: Beta-blockers have been shown to improve survival in both type A and type B acute aortic dissection (AAD) patients. Calcium channel blockers have been shown to selectively improve survival only in type B AAD patients. There is a lack of data on medication adherence in AAD survivors. The purpose of this study was to assess medication adherence in patients who survived an AAD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey-based study of individuals from a single medical centre which was part of the larger International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). Patients with type A or B AAD who survived to discharge were included in this study. Individuals who were deceased based on the results of an online Social Security Death Index were excluded from the study. Data were obtained from both a survey and also from abstraction from the local academic institution's IRAD registry. A survey packet was sent to patients. One section of this survey was dedicated to assessing medication adherence using the 4-item Morisky scale. Results: Eighty two completed surveys were returned; 74 patients completed the section of the survey pertaining to medication adherence (response rate 38%). Morisky score was ?1.0 for 27 (36%) patients and 0 for 47 (64%) patients. Thirty three patients reported yes to 'forget to take medications' and eight reported yes to 'careless with medications.' Medication non-adherence (defined as a score of ?1.0 on Morisky) was associated with increased follow up recurrence of chest pain at one year of follow up. Only two patients stopped their antihypertensive on their own and did not cite a reason for doing this. Interpretation & conclusions: The medication adherence rate for patients who survived an AAD was 64 per cent at a median (Q1, Q3) of 7.1 yr (5.6, 11.5) after discharge, as per the Morisky scale. The clinicians should educate their patients on the importance of antihypertensive therapy and assess for forgetfulness and carelessness at each clinic visit, as well as understand patients' beliefs about drug therapy, all of which have been shown to increase medication adherence.
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Current trends in chiral analysis of pharmaceutical drugs are focused on faster separations and higher separation efficiencies. Core-shell or superficially porous particles (SPP) based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) provide reduced analysis times while maintaining high column efficiencies and sensitivity. In this study, mobile phase conditions suitable for chiral analyses with electrospray ionization LC-MS were systematically investigated using vancomycin as a representative CSP. The performance of a 2.7 μm SPP based vancomycin CSP (SPP-V) 10 cm × 0.21 cm column was compared to that of a corresponding 5 μm fully porous particles based analogue column. The results demonstrated that the SPP-V column provides higher efficiencies, 2–5 time greater sensitivity and shorter analysis time for a set of 22 basic pharma-ceutical drugs. The SPP-V was successfully applied for the analysis of the degradation products of racemic citalopram whose enantiomers could be selectively identified by MS.
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The evolving practice of precision medicine allows physicians to make disease treat-ments and prevention decisions based on a patient's individual genetic and molecular profile.In recent years,gene sequencing and related techniques are becoming more affordable and more accessible to healthcare providers,and their use in various medical fields continues to expand.In particular,there are numerous opportunities for the use of precision medicine in the perioperative setting.For example, individual polymorphisms in alpha and beta adrenergic receptors can improve the efficacy of beta blockade,or predispose a patient to adverse drug reactions including hypotension and bradycardia. Likewise,particular polymorphisms in opioid receptors can increase or decrease the effectiveness of various opioid medications for achieving adequate postoperative analgesia.In addition,mutations in the cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6)enzyme can drastically affect the clinical response to a particular subset of beta blockers and opioids by accelerating or decelerating their metabolism and clearance. Preoperative genetic testing would allow anesthesiologists to identify these and other relevant molecu-lar characteristics in their patients,and choose appropriate perioperative therapies accordingly in order to maximize clinical outcomes while minimizing the incidence of adverse events.It is the time for anes-thesiologists and perioperative care providers to practice precision medicine.
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OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have revealed a relationship between beta-blocker use and worse prognosis in acute coronary syndrome, mainly due to a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock. However, the relevance of this relationship in the reperfusion era is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome that started oral beta-blockers within the first 24 hours of hospital admission (group I) compared to patients who did not use oral beta-blockers in this timeframe (group II). METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective and multicentric study with 2,553 patients (2,212 in group I and 341 in group II). Data regarding demographic characteristics, coronary treatment and medication use in the hospital were obtained. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause mortality. The groups were compared by ANOVA and the chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was conducted by logistic regression and results were considered significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the groups in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, enoxaparin, and statins; creatinine levels; ejection fraction; tabagism; age; and previous coronary artery bypass graft. Significant differences were also observed between the groups in mortality (2.67% vs 9.09%, OR=0.35, p=0.02) and major adverse cardiovascular events (11% vs 29.5%, OR=4.55, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent early intervention with oral beta-blockers during the first 24 hours of hospital admission had a lower in-hospital death rate and experienced fewer major adverse cardiovascular events with no increase in cardiogenic shock or sustained ventricular arrhythmias compared to patients who did not receive oral beta-blockers within this timeframe.
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Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Acute Coronary Syndrome/drug therapy , Acute Coronary Syndrome/mortality , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/administration & dosage , Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy , Brazil/epidemiology , Hospital Mortality , Logistic Models , Multivariate Analysis , Myocardial Infarction/mortality , Retrospective Studies , Shock, Cardiogenic/mortality , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Survival from pancreatic cancer remains poor. Conventional treatment has resulted in only marginal improvements in survival compared with survival in the previous several decades. Thus, considerable interest has emerged regarding the potential use of common pharmaceutical agents as chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic options. Aspirin, metformin, statins, β-blockers, and bisphosphonates have biologically plausible mechanisms to inhibit pancreatic neoplasia, whereas dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors may promote it. Regardless, real-world epidemiological data remain inconclusive. This review examines the hypotheses, evidence, and current state of the literature for each of these medications and their potential roles in the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Aspirin , Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors , Diphosphonates , Epidemiology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Metformin , Pancreas , Pancreatic NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Introducción: los betabloqueantes son fármacos de beneficios demostrados en la sintomatología y supervivencia de la insuficiencia cardíaca severa, pero los efectos buscados en su prescripción pueden estar sujetos a diversos factores en el contexto de su optimización a través de unidades multidisciplinarias. Objetivo: observar analíticamente los patrones de prescripción de betabloqueantes bajo intención de tratar y sus efectos clínicos en la cohorte UMIC durante diez años de ejercicio en el Hospital de Clínicas de Montevideo. Material y método: seguimiento prospectivo observacional analítico de cohorte abierta; inclusión: disfunción sistólica, edad mayor a 18 años, fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo < 40%. Prescripción: betabloqueo (b-bloqueo) a priori y a posteriori de inclusión y patrones según número de moléculas prescriptas en forma sucesiva. Se determinan: dosis de cada fármaco, frecuencia cardíaca al registro y durante el seguimiento, tasa de incidencia de muerte, supervivencia acumulada e incidencia de eventos. Resultados: se incluyen 412 pacientes, 61,8 ± 12 años, 65,5% hombres, seguimiento 1.157 personas-año, mediana: 2,42 años. Prevalencias: b-bloqueo a priori 28,1%, b-bloqueo al momento del corte 93,2%, patrón de una molécula 71,8%, 0 molécula 6,8%. Supervivencias a cinco años significativamente mayores con prescripción de b-bloqueo (82% vs 48%), patrón 1 vs 2 vs 0 (80% vs 85% vs 48%) y con patrón 1 prescribiendo bisoprolol (84%) que carvedilol (68%). En 70% de los pacientes las dosis prescriptas fueron menores a las protocolizadas y se encontraron diferencias en respuesta de frecuencia cardíaca según moléculas prescriptas. Conclusiones: en diez años de operativa de una UMIC se ratifican beneficios de la prescripción de betabloqueantes, mayor prevalencia de prescripción y supervivencia, en tanto se comprueban dificultades en el cumplimiento de la prescripción indicada.
Introduction: the benefits in symptomatology and survival that prescribing and optimizing beta blockers through multidisciplinary units has in acute heart failure (AHF) can be compromised by peculiarities in access, adherence and drug tolerance. Objective: the analytical observation in the prescription of beta blockers with the intention to treat at the UMIC cohort during a ten-year period at the Hospital de Clìnicas (The University Hospital) in Montevideo. Material and methods: an open cohort, prospective, observation-based, analytical monitoring; inclusion: systolic dysfunction, age > 18 years, left ventricular ejection fraction< 40%. Prescription: a priori and posteriori b-blockade inclusion and patterns according to the number of prescribed molecules.Prescribed doses, initial heart rate and follow-up, incidence of death, survival and cumulative incidence of events are determined. Outcome: 412 patients are included, 61,8±12 years, 65,5% male, monitoring 1.157 person-years, median: 2,42 years. Prevalence: a priori b-blockade 69,8%, b-blockade at trial break 93,2%, patterns of one molecule 71,8%, 0 molecule 6,8%. Survivals up to 5 years significantly longer with b-blockade (82% vs. 48%) prescription, patterns 1 vs. 2 vs. 0 (80%, 85% vs. 48%) and with pattern 1 prescribing Bisoprolol (84%) rather than Carvedilol (68%). In 70% prescribed doses were lower than the ones in the protocol and a difference in heart rate response according to prescribed molecules was found. Conclusions: in ten years of operation of UMIC benefits in beta blockers prescription, and a bigger prevalence in prescription and longer survival are confirmed, difficulties in fulfilling the indication prescribed were verified.
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Background: The effects of statins apart from their role as cholesterol lowering agents have prompted this study to evaluate their antihypertensive role. Beta-blockers (BB) are one of the most effective drugs in hypertension. The present study was designed for comparative evaluation of BB with or without statins in the treatment of essential hypertension in a tertiary health care setup. Methods: This study was conducted in 20 hypertensive patients by Pharmacology Department in Medicine outpatient department at SGRRIM and HS Dehradun for 1 year. Initially, patients were stabilized for 4 weeks by BB and then subdivided into 2 groups. Group I: BB (n=10) and Group II: BB+statins (n=10). Patients were followed up every 4 weeks for 16 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) were done every visit. Lipid profile was done at 4 and 16 weeks. Analysis was performed using t test. p≤0.05 was significant. Results: At 4 and 16 weeks, SBP in Group I was 133.6±3.7 and 127±1.61 mmHg (p>0.05) and in Group II was 141.2±2.97 and 130.6±0.71 mmHg (p<0.01). At 4 and 16 weeks DBP in Group I was 79.6±2.37 and 81±0.54 mmHg (p>0.05) and in Group II was 84.6±1.39 and 83.8±1.45 mmHg (p>0.05), respectively. At 16 weeks intergroup SBP and DBP comparison was done, which was not significant (p>0.05). At 4 and 16 weeks improvement in lipid profile in Group I (p>0.05) was not significant, but a significant improvement in Group II (p<0.05) have been observed and no significant changes in BMI and WHR in Groups I and II (p>0.05), respectively. Conclusions: Both groups showed significant improvement in BP. However, no significant difference was seen on intergroup comparison. Larger studies with more patients are needed to establish the role of statins in hypertension.
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Esophageal gastric variceal bleeding(EGVB)is a serious complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension with high mortality rate. Prevention of EGVB is an important mean to improve the survival of patients. Non-selective beta-blockers(NSBBs)is one of the first-line drugs for primary and secondary prevention of EGVB,however,only about 1 / 3 of cirrhotic patients respond to this treatment when evaluated by hepatic venous pressure gradient( HVPG). This may be related to the genetic polymorphisms of NSBBs’receptors and the metabolic enzymes. This article reviewed the progress in study on therapeutic efficacy of NSBBs and its influencing factors for preventing EGVB in cirrhotic patients.
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OBJECTIVE: In this study, there was an investigation as to whether there is a functional difference in essential tremor (ET), according to responses to beta-blockers, by evaluating regional changes in cerebral glucose metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen male patients with ET were recruited and categorized into two groups: 8 that responded to medical therapy (group A); and 9 that did not respond to medical therapy (group B). Eleven age-sex matched healthy control male subjects were also included in this study. All subjects underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET, and evaluated for their severity of tremor symptoms, which were measured as a score on the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor rating scale (FTM). The FDG-PET images were analyzed using a statistical parametric mapping program. RESULTS: The mean FTM score 6 months after the initiation of propranolol therapy was significantly lower in group A (18.13 > 8.13), compared with group B (14.67 = 14.67). The glucose metabolism in group A in the left basal ganglia was seen to be decreased, compared with group B. The ET showed a more significantly decreased glucose metabolism in both the fronto-temporo-occipital lobes, precuneus of right parietal lobe, and both cerebellums compared with the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Essential tremor is caused by electrophysiological disturbances within the cortical-cerebellar networks and degenerative process of the cerebellum. Furthermore, ET may have different pathophysiologies in terms of the origin of disease according to the response to first-line therapy.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/pharmacology , Brain/drug effects , Brain Mapping , Essential Tremor/diagnosis , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/chemistry , Glucose/metabolism , Positron-Emission Tomography , Propranolol/pharmacology , Radiopharmaceuticals/chemistryABSTRACT
Thyrotoxicosis refers to the clinical manifestations associated with elevated serum levels of T4 or T3 in an individual. Dysphagia is a common problem but a rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism. Dysphagia is an uncommon manifestation of thyrotoxic myopathy. Reports have been sparse and its incidence is not clear. In our case report patient presented who with dysphagia and weight loss and investigation revealed hyperthyroidism. Patient dysphagia subsequently resolved after receiving treatment with methimazole and beta-blockers. This case report the need to include thyrotoxicosis in the differential diagnosis of an otherwise unexplained case of dysphagia.
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INTRODUCCIÓN: los hemangiomas infantiles son los tumores más frecuentes de la infancia. Aunque son de naturaleza benigna, su rápido crecimiento los puede tornar destructivos, incluso con riesgo vital, en alrededor de 1 % de los casos. En la actualidad han sido utilizados los betabloqueadores, como el propranolol oral, con muy buenos resultados. OBJETIVO: evaluar el efecto y seguridad del propranolol de producción nacional para el tratamiento de hemangiomas infantiles en fase proliferativa. MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo y aplicado -efectuado desde el 1 de diciembre de 2010 hasta el 31 de junio de 2012- de una serie de 21 pacientes con 26 hemangiomas infantiles en fase proliferativa, atendidos en la Consulta de Dermatología del Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Juan Manuel Márquez", y tratados con propranolol de producción nacional por vía oral a 2 mg/kg/día en 2 subdosis. Los pacientes fueron evaluados en consulta quincenal hasta el tercer mes de tratamiento, y después, mensualmente, hasta los 6 meses de duración de este. Se realizó un registro de los efectos adversos. RESULTADOS: en todos los casos, en los primeros días después de comenzado el tratamiento, su efecto positivo (cambios favorables en la coloración o tamaño) fue evidente. Los efectos adversos fueron leves y autolimitados. Se alcanzó respuesta excelente o buena en el 99 % de los pacientes a los 6 meses de tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: el esquema de tratamiento utilizado con el propranolol oral de producción nacional induce una mejoría rápida de los pacientes con hemangiomas infantiles, acortando considerablemente la evolución natural de estos tumores, con escasos efectos secundarios.
INTRODUCTION: infantile hemangiomas are the most frequent tumors in children. Although they are generally benign, its fast growth may turn them into life-threatening destructive tumors in roughly 1 % of cases. At present, betablockers such as oral propranolol have been used with very good results. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the effects and safety of Cuban-made propranolol for the treatment of infantile hemangiomas in proliferation phase. METHODS: descriptive applied study of 21 patients with 26 infantile hemangiomas in proliferation phase. It was conducted from December 1st 2010 through June 31st 2012. The patients had been seen at the dermatology department of "Juan Manuel Márquez" teaching pediatric hospital and treated with Cuban-made orally administered propranolol at 2 mg/kg/day divided into 2 sub-doses. They were evaluated every 15 days up to the third month of treatment and monthly up to the 6 months of treatment. Adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: few days after the beginning of the treatment, the positive effect was evident in all the cases (favorable changes in staining or size). The adverse effects were slight and self-limited. The response to treatment was good or excellent in 99 % of patients after 6 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: the treatment with Cuban-made orally administered propranolol induces rapid improvement of infantile hemangiomas in these children, considerably shortening the natural evolution of these tumors with low secondary effects.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Child , HemangiomaABSTRACT
Os betabloqueadores vêm sendo usados a um longo tempo no tratamento da hipertensão arterial. Os estudos comparativos recentes têm demonstrado uma menor eficácia de alguns deles, como o Atenolol, na prevenção de eventos em pacientes hipertensos. Os betabloqueadores apresentam diferenças farmacológicas que podem se traduzir em diferenças em efeitos e eficácia clínica. Este artigo revisa a farmacologia clínica comparativa dos betabloqueadores, ensaios clínicos e metanálises na tentativa de fornecer uma base racional no tratamento da hipertensão arterial.
Beta-blockers have been used for a long time in the treatment of arterial hypertension. Recent controlled trials have shown a reduced efficacy in events prevention of some of them, like Atenolol. Betablockers have pharmacologic characteristics that can lead to differences in effects and probably in efficacy. This article compares the clinical pharmacology of beta-blocker agents, clinical trials and metaanalysis to support their judicious use in hypertension treatment.