Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018799 (heart disease)
 34,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, a gram-negative bacterium ubiquitous in soil, water and sewage, is a rare cause of endocarditis in children. The first case of Acinetobacter endocarditis in an infant is described. This patient had underlying tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve. A review of the literature in English revealed only four other cases of Acinetobacter endocarditis in children; three of whom had underlying congenital heart disease. Like the other reported cases, this patient responded well to antibiotic treatment. Subsequently this patient underwent corrective cardiac surgery but died of post-operative complications.
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PMID:Acinetobacter endocarditis in children: a case report and review of the literature. 855 92

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a physiologic vasodilator, which is broadly used in the therapy of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. In addition, the successful use of PGE1 in patients with severe heart failure has been described in several studies, where a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure and an increase in cardiac output were observed. In contrast to these positive effects, the development of lung edema was reported in individual cases after the infusion of PGE1 in patients with heart disease. We therefore conducted a double-blind study to evaluate the effect of PGE1 on extravascular lung water (EVLW) in patients with heart failure (NYHA III-IV) and borderline increased EVLW. Seven patients received an infusion of PGE1 (Prostavasin) at a dosage of 60 micrograms over 2 hours, while in 6 patients (control group) isotonic saline was given as placebo. EVLW was measured using a double indicator method at time points -15 h, -9 h before and at the start of the infusion, 1 h and 2 h during infusion, as well as +1 h, +4 h, +7 h, and +22 h after termination of the infusion. Infusion of PGE1 did not alter EVLW both in comparison to pre-study values (9.8 +/- 4.3 ml/kg bw preinfusion. 9.3 +/- 3.2 ml/kg bw after 1 hour and 9.4 +/- 3.5 ml/kg bw after 2 hours) or to the control group (6.5 +/- 3.3 ml/kg bw preinfusion, 7.1 +/- 2.7 ml/kg bw after 1 hour and 7.0 +/- 3.2 ml/kg bw after 2 hours). We conclude that there is no evidence that PGE1 might contribute to the development, or worsening of lung edema by inducing extravascular lung water accumulation and can, thus, be savely given to patients with even a severe degree of heart failure (NYHA III-IV).
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PMID:[Effect of prostaglandin E1 on extravascular lung water in patients with severe heart failure]. 896 94

Folic acid, a water-soluble vitamin, has been used since the 1940s to treat some cases of macrocytic anemia without neurologic disease. Folate deficiency is best diagnosed with red blood cell folate levels along with macrocytosis and/or megaloblastic anemia. In addition to reversing overt deficiency, the vitamin may reduce the incidence of neural tube defects by 45% in women who receive 400 micrograms per day. It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take 400 micrograms of folate per day. Elevations in homocysteine levels, a metabolite intimately associated with folate, are also being found with increasing regularity in those with cardiovascular diseases. Homocysteine levels are reduced by folic acid administration. Therefore, there is some biologic plausibility, but not currently direct proof, for the assumption that folate supplements may prevent heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Controlled trials should take place before widespread food supplementation with folate is carried out on a large scale because of the possibility of outbreaks of permanent B12-related neurologic damage in those with undiagnosed pernicious anemia. However, if a patient has a premature cardiovascular event and has minimal risk factors, ordering a test to determine homocysteine level may be advisable, and if elevated, treating with folic acid supplement as long as B12 deficiency does not coexist.
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PMID:The role of folic acid in deficiency states and prevention of disease. 904 May 15

In many parts of the world, green tea and black tea are produced from the plant Camellia sinensis. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages, second only to water. It is one of the safest beverages since it is made with boiling, sterile water and has been popular for over 4000 years. Dogma has it that people knew it might have health promoting properties since it was frequently used as fluid supply for patients suffering from infectious diseases. However, detailed, focused research on the health benefits of tea is of recent vintage. Initially, such research was carried out in Japan and China and, because the local customs, this research involved green tea. Now, a number of other scientists in Europe and in the United States have conducted investigations on black tea, and in some laboratories exacting comparative studies were performed utilizing black and green tea. The major interest in tea and health stems from the high level of antioxidant tea polyphenols in green tea and black tea. The chemistry of the tea polyphenols has been worked out to some extent. Thus, their role in lowering the risk of heart disease and of a number of types of cancer begins to be understood. Most productive are multi-disciplinary approaches, considering data from epidemiology and field studies, and laboratory research in animal models for heart disease and cancers of various types, as well as through in vitro experiments.
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PMID:Tea and health: a historical perspective. 910 20

Fibrinogen is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, stroke and cardiovascular heart disease (CHD). This risk is increased when associated with a high serum cholesterol. Furthermore, it is also believed that not only fibrinogen concentration, but also the quality of fibrin networks may be an important risk factor for the development of CHD. CHD and stroke as a result of atherosclerosis, plus the related problems of hyperinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension are strongly related to diet. The "western" diet, defined by low fibre and high fat, sucrose and animal protein intakes, appears to be a major factor leading to death. It has been established that the water-soluble dietary fibre, pectin, significantly decrease the concentration of serum cholesterol levels. Evidence is also accumulating that a diet rich in fibre may protect against diseases associated with raised clotting factors. This investigation studied the possible effects of pectin on fibrinogen levels and fibrin network architecture. Two groups of 10 male hyperlipidaemic volunteers each, received a pectin supplement (15 g/day) or placebo (15 g/day) for 4 weeks. Lipid and fibrin network structure variables were measured at baseline and the end of supplementation. Pectin supplementation caused significant decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A & B and lipoprotein (a). Significant changes in the characteristics of fibrin networks developed in the plasma of the pectin supplemented group indicated that networks were more permeable and had lower tensile strength. These network structures are believed to be less atherogenic. It is suspected that pectin modified network characteristics by a combination of its effects on metabolism and altered fibrin conversion. This confirms the therapeutic possibilities of dietary intervention. Furthermore, this study also showed that changes in plasma fibrinogen need not be present to induce alterations in fibrin network architecture.
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PMID:Dietary pectin influences fibrin network structure in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. 917 40

The majority of pediatric cardiosurgery centers make use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with low hematocrit, and therefore we deemed it interesting to investigate the pathological effects of hemodilution on patients. Specifically, we studied the effect of hemodilution on aerobic and water metabolism in children with congenital heart disease subjected to CPB. Two groups of patients were examined. In the studied group (n = 12, mean age 7.1 +/- 1.1 years) the blood-fluid ratio in primary filling of the CPB device was 1:6.2 +/- 0.7 and minimal hematocrit during myocardial ischemia 18 +/- 0.7%. Control group consisted of 7 patients aged 8.3 +/- 0.6 years, with the above values 1:2.8 +/- 0.4 and 22 +/- 1.6%, respectively. The groups were similar as regards the initial status of patients, level of hypothermia, and duration of myocardial ischemia. Gas content in venous blood was the criterion of aerobic metabolism. Fluid accumulation in the extravasal space during and after surgery was assessed by bioelectroimpedance measurements of the total extracellular extravasal fluid (EEF). Monitoring showed a decrease of hematocrit during CPB to 18 +/- 0.7%, saturation of venous blood with oxygen within 70-75%, and oxygen content 37-43 mm Hg. In the main group a manifest increase of EEF was observed as early as during the early postperfusion period; this increase is probably one of the main components in the detrimental effect of hemodilution. Redistribution of fluid after CPB leads to expressed interstitial edemas and impairs the function of vital organs. That is why signs of cardiorespiratory failure were observed in the main group. Thus, one of the main problems in CPB with low hematocrit is fluid accumulation in the extravasal space.
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PMID:[The effect of hemodilution on the indices of aerobic metabolism and water metabolism in children with congenital heart defects operated on under artificial circulation]. 955 60

Several factors combine to facilitate the evolution towards heart and multi-organ failure following cardiac surgery. Some of these factors are related to pure cardiac aspects, for example, the existence of a preoperative heart disease, the use of aortic cross clamping or performance of cardiotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) also plays an important role in the occurrence of postoperative organ dysfunctions by two principal means. It induces a profound hemodilution, which impairs oxygen transport through tissues. This phenomenon becomes obvious in the postoperative period by the existence of increased transpulmonary O2 gradients, extravascular lung water volume and subsequent impairments of O2 transport. (2) Cardiopulmonary bypass is deleterious by triggering an important inflammatory reaction. This reaction is largely related to the ratio of the circuit area to the patient's body surface area and is therefore maximal in children. It has been widely demonstrated that the very early paths of this reaction imply several humoral factors including kinins, coagulation factor XII and complement fragments. The activation of these factors is self-amplified and triggers both expression and release of numerous mediators by endothelial cells and leukocytes. Finally, these mediators are responsible for the well described "post-bypass syndrome," which is, from a clinical viewpoint, very close to hyperkinetic septic shock. Several methods have been proposed to reduce the deleterious effects of both cardiac surgery and CPB. The older one is hypothermia that considerably reduces the triggering of the inflammatory mediator network. Heparin-coated circuits may also reduce this reaction to some extent. Hemofiltration has been introduced in the 1990s in CPB management. Because of its very high tolerance in patients with compromised circulatory status this technique was already used in the postoperative period to treat patients with acute renal failure. Initially hemofiltration was intended to correct the accumulation of extravascular water during or immediately following the surgical procedure. Nevertheless, several of its side-effects appeared to be useful, such as the reduction of postoperative blood loss and immediate improvement in hemodynamics. Several studies attempted to point out the mechanism of action of hemofiltration and although removal of inflammatory mediator occurs, there is currently no proof that this removal is the actual mechanism by which this technique acts.
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PMID:Hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass. 957 98

The precipitating factors of repetitive exacerbation were investigated in 110 consecutive patients with chronic left heart failure admitted due to acute exacerbation more than twice to the medical emergency ward of National Cardiovascular Center from January, 1992 to December, 1996. The controls were 189 consecutive patients with chronic left heart failure admitted to the ward due to acute exacerbation only once during the same period. Excessive intake of water or sodium, overwork and infection were common precipitating factors in the first decompensation of left heart failure, but the former two factors became less common with repeated admission. Patient mistakes such as excessive intake of water or sodium, overwork and noncompliance with medications, and new onset arrhythmias were common precipitating factors in patients (n = 13) admitted to the ward more than four times. Infection was a common precipitating factor (63%) in patients with a time interval between readmission and the last discharge of longer than 2 years. Despite repeated admission, infection was a common precipitating factor in patients with valvular heart disease (n = 31), patient mistakes were common in heart disease with left ventricular hypertrophy (n = 20), and infection and new onset arrhythmias were common in dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 28) and old myocardial infarction (n = 31). Patient mistakes and new onset arrhythmias were the common factors that led to repetitive exacerbation of left heart failure, and precipitating factors were characterized by the etiology of left heart failure.
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PMID:[Precipitating factors in patients with repetitive exacerbation of chronic left heart failure]. 959 70

Management of pulmonary vascular resistance in neonates with congenital heart disease is important for stabilization before and after surgical interventions. Thus, we determined which combination of positive end-expiratory pressure ventilation and fraction of oxygen in the inspired air increases pulmonary vascular resistance without compromising delivery of oxygen to the tissue. Eight piglets were anesthetized, intubated and ventilated. Pulmonary flow and pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures were monitored continuously. At all levels of inspired oxygen (1.00, 0.21 and 0.15), ventilation at a pressure of 15 cm of water increased pulmonary vascular resistance. At all levels of positive pressure ventilation, a fraction of 0.15 of inspired oxygen increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The combination of a ventilatory pressure of 15 cm of water and inspired oxygen of 1.00, or ventilatory pressure at 5 cm of water and oxygen delivery of 0.15, produced similar changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (19.1 +/- 2.8 vs. 20.0 +/- 3.8 mmHg/(L/min)) and cardiac output (0.78 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.10 L/min) but, the higher level of positive pressure plus 1.00 inspired oxygen gave a significantly higher arterial oxygen saturation (0.99 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.19%) and delivery of oxygen to the tissues (13.7 +/- 2.9 vs. 7.4 +/- 1.5 ml O2/min, p < 0.05). Thus, both high positive pressure ventilation and hypoxia increase pulmonary vascular resistance. Only high pressure ventilation plus high concentrations of inspired oxygen, however, increased pulmonary vascular resistance without compromising delivery of oxygen, suggesting that this combination is a superior means of increasing pulmonary vascular resistance.
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PMID:Effects of positive pressure ventilation and inspired oxygen on pulmonary vascular resistance and tissue oxygen delivery in neonatal pigs. 968 Feb 74

Pressure-support ventilation (PSV) with supporting pressure (SP) levels 20, 15, 13, 10, and 8 mm H2O was used in 111 patients with congenital heart disease after open-heart surgery during transfer to spontaneous respiration. PSV was associated with a significant decrease of respiratory rate and increase of respiratory volume (RV) at high SP levels. Respiration in the PSV mode permits the patient to control the inspiration flow, duration of inspiration phase, and RV, thus improving the patient-device synchronization. Cardiac index (CI) was changing with decrease of SP from 20-15 to 13 mm H2O in patients with different diseases during high SP PSV. This is caused by changed pulmonary circulation (transfer to intraacinar type) which increased the negative correlation between CI and chosen SP. In addition, CI depends not only on RV, but on the status of lung parenchyma as well.
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PMID:[The use of a pressure-support ventilation regimen in the recovery of spontaneous respiration after heart operations]. 977 Aug 16


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