[A severe anaphylactic shock caused by spraying the oak processionary caterpillar (Thaumetopoea processionea) in North Brabant]. / Ernstige anafylactische reactie in samenhang met de bestrijding van de eikenprocessierups (Thaumetopoea processionea) in Noord-Brabant.

The processionary caterpillar, Thaumetopoea processionea, caused much inconvenience in the Netherlands in 1996-1997; from the medical point of view, mostly itching and skin rash. After contact with stinging bristles of the caterpillar and with the pesticide Dimilin SC-48, of which diflubenzurone is the active agent, a 72-year-old man had to be resuscitated because of ventricular fibrillation caused by hypotension related to relative underfilling and low systemic vascular resistance. He made a good recovery. Such life-threatening situations can be prevented by publicly announcing plague control measures and closing of the affected areas to the population, with ample margins.

Adaptive changes in the acute haemodynamic effects of cilazapril during chronic treatment. Comparison with long-term clinical effect.

OBJECTIVE: To study the adaptive changes in the acute haemodynamic response to ACE inhibition during chronic treatment in CHF. METHODS: The acute and chronic effects of oral cilazapril (CLZ) treatment, an ACE-inhibitor with prolonged duration on haemodynamic measures (PCWP, PAP, RAP, CI and SVR) and clinical parameters (Quality-of-Life and NYHA class) were investigated in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in CHF. One hundred and thirty five patients (112 completing) in NYHA Classes II-III, on digitalis and diuretic treatment, were randomised after 2 weeks of placebo run-in, to receive either placebo or CLZ 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg or 2.5 mg daily for 12 weeks, followed by 2 week placebo wash-out. Haemodynamic studies, including exercise tests before and 3 h after medication, were performed on the first and last days of treatment. Measurements were performed at rest and at the maximum exercise level. RESULTS: In ACEI-naive patients oral CLZ 0.5 and 1 mg/d caused a dose dependent decrease in PCWP and diastolic PAP, and a significant reduction of SVR mg. A slight increase in CI was observed in all groups. The maximum effect was observed 3-5 h post dose. After 12 weeks of oral treatment, the acute response was similar but was attenuated relative to the first dose. Exercise tolerance improved in a dose dependent manner. The NYHA classification remained unchanged or improved in the majority of patients. Entry into the 2.5 mg group had to be terminated at an early stage due to severe adverse events observed after the first dose. CONCLUSION: During chronic treatment, the haemodynamic response to oral cilazapril was attenuated, indicating that continued clinical improvement in patients with CHF on CLZ is independent of to its acute haemodynamic effects.

Angiographic dose-finding study with r-hirudin (HBW 023) for the improvement of thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase (HIT-SK). Interim results.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, in patients with acute myocardial infarction, a dose-finding, angiography study was carried out. After a pilot phase in 10 patients treated with a bolus of 0.1 mg.kg-1 and a continuous infusion of 0.06 mg.kg-1.h-1 (dose group I), two doses of hirudin, bolus 0.2 mg.kg-1.h-1 (DG II), and bolus 0.4 mg.kg-1 with 0.15 mg.kg-1.h-1 (DG III) were tested and compared with heparin as an adjunct to streptokinase and aspirin. This interim analysis was mandatory due to puncture-site related bleedings. Early and complete patency was achieved in 30% of 35 heparin patients, in 40% of 10 DG I, in 47% of 58 DG II and in 62% of 14 DG III patients. A dose-response relationship particularly between DG I and DG II, was also observed in the anti-thrombotic activity monitored by the aPTT. Apart from the catheter-related bleedings, there were low rates of serious adverse events.

Long-term efficacy of diltiazem controlled release versus metoprolol in patients with stable angina pectoris.

In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter study, the efficacy of diltiazem controlled-release (CR) 120 mg b.i.d. was compared with metoprolol 100 mg b.i.d. in 56 patients with stable exertional angina pectoris. Fifty-one patients (28 receiving diltiazem CR, 23 receiving metoprolol), completed a follow-up period of 8 weeks. Thirty-nine patients (20 receiving diltiazem CR, 19 receiving metoprolol), completed a follow-up period of 32 weeks. Maximal exercise testing was performed at baseline and after 8, 20, and 32 weeks of treatment. Most exercise parameters were not significantly different between the patients on diltiazem CR and those on metoprolol. However, exercise duration was longer and maximal work load was higher in patients on diltiazem CR than in patients on metoprolol, and significant differences were observed at 20 weeks of treatment (p = 0.006 and p = 0.008, respectively). At all times during treatment, heart rate at maximal exercise and rate-pressure product at maximal exercise were significantly lower in the patients treated with metoprolol. In conclusion, monotherapy with diltiazem CR is at least as effective as monotherapy with metoprolol in patients with stable angina pectoris. As compared to metoprolol, diltiazem CR has a minor depressing effect on rate-pressure product, resulting in a favorable effect on exercise duration.