The effects of statins on electrical stability in patients with essential hypertension / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Essential hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease and is involved in the development of the various cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Recently, several studies have shown that statins have anti-arrhythmic effects, including the prevention of atrial fibrillation. This study investigated the effects of statins on cardiac electrophysiologic remodeling in patients with essential hypertension using the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG) and standard 12-lead ECG. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study enrolled 115 patients with hypertension. Various antihypertensive drugs were administered alone or in combination according to their blood pressure. Statins were administrated in 56 patients. Laboratory tests, a standard 12-lead ECG, and signal-averaged ECG were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics of the patients with and without statins. After antihypertensive therapy for 1 year, the P wave dispersion, high-frequency low-amplitude (HFLA) signals in the QRS complex of less than 40 micronV, and T peak-to-end dispersion were increased significantly (p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.01, respectively) in the patients who were not taking statins, while these changes were not seen in the statin group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that electrophysiologic remodeling was progressive in patients with essential hypertension, despite antihypertensive therapy. However, combination therapy with a statin may inhibit the deterioration of inhomogeneity in atrial refractoriness and conduction disturbance.

A Case of Toxoplasmic Encephalitis in an Advanced AIDS Patient / 감염

Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is the most common cause of opportunistic central nervous system infection in advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The incidence of TE has fallen markedly after the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy and cotrimoxazole chemoprophylaxis. TE linked to AIDS is a rare entity in Korea, but we must consider TE in the differential diagnosis of the opportunistic infections in AIDS patients. We report a case of toxoplasmic encephalitis in an advanced AIDS patient presenting as progressive right facial palsy.