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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A case of severe vasoconstriction treated as cardiorespiratory collapse in a woman given extraamniotic PGF2alpha for midtrimester abortion is described, with comments on management of this rare reaction. The patient was having elective termination because of confirmed spina bifida with hydrocephalus by ultrasound and elevated AFP at 18 weeks gestation. She was given a 4 mg test dose of PGF2alpha (Dinoprost, Upjohn Pty, Ltd) in viscous gel (Tylose MH300, Hoechst Australia Ltd) via extraamniotic Foley catheter. She immediately developed dyspnea, abdominal and breast pain, hypotension of 50 mm Hg systolic, peripheral vasoconstriction, cyanosis and confusion. She was treated with iv Hartmann's solution 600 ml, oxygen 8 1/min, and sc adrenaline 1/1000 0.5 ml. She seemed to improve after receiving 500 ml 3.5% polygeline colloid (Haemaccel, Behringwerke AG), and 5 ml 1/10,000 adrenaline iv, as her systolic blood pressure rose to 70 mm Hg measured indirectly. 500 ml more iv colloid was given, and blood pressure rose to 90 mm Hg. Then she suddenly deteriorated with florid pulmonary edema. Oxygen saturation fell and positive pressure ventilation was begun. She was given furosemide 160 mg iv and hydrocortisone 500 mg iv. Anaphylactic reaction was ruled out on the basis of blood count; amniotic fluid embolism was ruled out because of minor changes in clotting parameters. The events seen here most likely occurred as a result of inadvertent injection of PGF2alpha into the arterial circulation, causing increased pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance, systemic vasoconstriction interpreted as hypotension, all exacerbated by adrenaline and exogenous fluid load. Severe hypertension after extraamniotic PGF2alpha has been reported before in a similar case of apparent hypotension treated with agents to increase blood pressure. PGF2a should not be used without facilities to treat such adverse reactions.
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PMID:Cardiorespiratory collapse and pulmonary oedema due to intravascular absorption of prostaglandin F2 alpha administered extraamniotically for midtrimester termination of pregnancy. 260 61

Epidemiologic studies of the effects of religion on blood pressure suggest that religious commitment is inversely associated with blood pressure and that several religious denominations or groups have relatively low rates of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality. In this review, we examine the implication that certain characteristics and functions of religion account for this association, and we posit 12 possible explanations for this finding. We propose that a salutary effect of religion on blood pressure can be explained by some combination of the following correlates or sequelae of religion: the promotion of health-related behavior; hereditary predispositions in particular groups; the healthful psychosocial effects of religious practice; and, the beneficial psychodynamics of belief systems, religious rites, and faith. Since past epidemiologic studies may have been methodologically limited or flawed, possible explanations for the findings of these studies also include epistemological confusion, measurement problems, and analytical errors. Finally, for the sake of completeness, two more speculative hypotheses are identified: superempirical and supernatural influences or pathways.
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PMID:Is religion therapeutically significant for hypertension? 266 23

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in 40 patients affected by multi-infarct dementia to see if a daily intravenous infusion of 3 mg co-dergocrine mesylate ('Hydergine') over 14 days would improve severely deteriorated elderly patients and shorten the latent period (3 months) which is observed when the drug is given orally. All the patients had severe mental impairment, psychological deficit or altered consciousness. A Hachinski score of 7 or more, and a cumulative score of at least 12 points on SCAG scale Items 1, 2 and 4 (anxiety/depression) and/or Items 5, 6 and 8 (alertness/confusion) were required for admission. After 1 week of intravenous infusion of placebo, patients were randomly allocated to treatment with co-dergocrine mesylate or placebo, from Day 1 to Day 14. The solutions were infused over a period of 2 hours. During the follow-up period from Day 15 to Day 21, the patients did not receive any treatment. Thirty-six patients (17 on co-dergocrine mesylate, 19 on placebo) completed the study. The results, as rated on the SCAG scale, indicated significant improvements, in favour of co-dergocrine mesylate, in cognitive dysfunction, mood depression, withdrawal and overall impression. Furthermore, the factor fatigue on the Nowlis scale and clinical global assessments by physicians also showed significant advantages of the co-dergocrine mesylate group over placebo. Nine out of 17 co-dergocrine mesylate patients complained of side-effects, usually experienced during infusion; they consisted mainly of nausea (6 patients), gastric discomfort (2 patients), and tremor, nasal congestion, flushing, hypotension and hypertension (1 patient each). Despite the appearance of side-effects, general tolerability was rated as 'good' by both physicians and patients. It is concluded, therefore, that intravenous high dose co-dergocrine mesylate treatment has a fast and clinically relevant effect on the key clinical symptoms of multi-infarct dementia.
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PMID:Effects of intravenous high dose co-dergocrine mesylate ('Hydergine') in elderly patients with severe multi-infarct dementia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 268 Feb 86

There is evidence to suggest that hypertensive patients are at increased risk of sudden death. However, to date this evidence is restricted to treated hypertensives and it is not clear whether this risk is due to the hypertension itself, its treatment, or its long-term consequences. This study has investigated, by 24-h ambulatory electrocardiography, a total of 58 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who have never previously been treated and compared the first 50 of them with 50 matched control subjects. The results show that there is an increased prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia in hypertensive patients, compared with normal controls, and that this arrhythmia is present from the outset and thus not dependent on treatment or the development of long-term complications. Multivariate analysis showed that age (positive correlation) and potassium (negative correlation) made the most important independent contributions to the prevalence of arrhythmia in these patients, but even so only accounted for about 33% of the observed arrhythmia. This suggests that the precursors of arrhythmia in hypertension are multifactorial. One other factor appeared to make an important contribution to ventricular arrhythmia in these patients. In contrast to recent evidence from the study of treated hypertensives, the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia was significantly lower in patients exhibiting electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. However, left ventricular hypertrophy did also appear to sensitize the myocardium to the arrhythmogenic effect of low serum potassium levels. These findings may help to explain some of the previous confusion surrounding treatment, hypertension and ventricular arrhythmia.
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PMID:Ventricular arrhythmia in untreated newly presenting hypertensive patients compared with matched normal population. 276 27

A 74-year-old right-handed man with multiple cerebral infarction who presented with dementia simulating dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) is reported. He had been well until April 20, 1987 when he developed transient right hand palsy lasting overnight. Eleven days later, he became confused, disorientated, and amnestic. He was admitted to this hospital on June 8. Physical examination revealed hypertension (170/90mmHg). On neurological examination, his consciousness was clear but he was demented. He showed disorientation, amnesia, and urinary incontinence. His most prominent symptom was disturbance of speech, including fluent aphasia and alexia with agraphia. Additionally, he showed ideomotor apraxia, construction apraxia, right-left agnosia, finger agnosia, and acalculia. On July 9, he had a transient attack of right hemiplegia with confusion. The brain CT scan performed on admission was unremarkable except for cavum septi pellucidum and a small low density area in the right basal ganglia. However, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) by 123I-labeled N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine disclosed hypoperfusion of the cerebral blood flow in the border zones of the temporoparietal and frontal lobes on the left. A follow-up brain CT scan taken one month later demonstrated low density in the new areas corresponding to hypoperfusion shown by SPECT. Although the clinical features of the present case resembled those of DAT, dementia in this case was regarded as the result of multiple cerebral infarction since it occurred acutely with mild motor deficits, and brain CT scans and SPECT showed lesions indicating focal cerebral ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Multi-infarct dementia clinically simulating dementia of Alzheimer type. A comparison with angular gyrus syndrome]. 278 20

Calcium antagonists are a chemically heterogenous group of agents with potent cardiovascular effects which are beneficial in the treatment of angina pectoris, arterial hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias. The main side effects for the group are dose-dependent and the result of the main action or actions of the calcium antagonists, i.e. vasodilatation, negative inotropic effects and antiarrhythmic effects. Pronounced hypotension is reported for the main calcium antagonist drugs; verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine. While conduction disturbances and bradycardia are seen more often after verapamil and diltiazem, tachycardia, headache and flush are more frequent after nifedipine. Constipation is relatively frequent after verapamil while nifedipine is reported to induce diarrhea in som patients. Idiosyncratic side effects are rare but have been reported from the skin, mouth, musculoskeletal system, the liver and the central nervous system. These side effects include urticarial rashes, gingival hyperplasia, arthralgia, hepathotoxicity and transistory mental confusion or akathisia. Verapamil, diltiazem and possibly also nifedipine have been reported to increase serum digoxin concentrations but the clinical relevance of these drug interactions are not clear. Furthermore, verapamil and diltiazem may potentiate the effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs and verapamil may also potentiate the effects of neuromuscular blocking drugs. It is concluded that side effects after calcium antagonist drugs are mostly trivial and transient although they may sometimes be relatively common. Clinically relevant drug interactions are few. Judged from the point of efficacy and safety, calcium antagonists will have a major place in the future pharmacotherapy of several cardiovascular disorders.
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PMID:Calcium channel blockers: spectrum of side effects and drug interactions. 287 68

Vascular occlusive disease of the rostral basilar artery (RBAS) causes a myriad of clinical signs and symptoms reflecting rostral brainstem-diencephalic and posterior hemispheric dysfunction. To help define the clinical profile, we prospectively studied 61 patients with clinical/neuroimaging evidence of RBAS during a 7-year period. Fourteen patients mirrored classic descriptions: severe visual, oculomotor and behavioral signs without prominent motoric dysfunction, uniformly poor prognosis, and intimate association with hypertension and prior episodes of vertebrobasilar ischemia (VBI). In contrast, 47 individuals had a reversible syndrome with excellent short-term functional recoveries, and were distinguished by a lower frequency and severity of hypertension, a greater incidence of arrhythmias in the young, and no history of VBI. All patients had important neurobehavioral abnormalities including an invariable acute confusional state. Diagnosis required the integrated assessment of neurobehavioral, ophthalmologic, and imaging tests. The clinical syndrome is more common and etiologically diverse than previously reported and is frequently unrecognized in the young and elderly who present with acute confusion.
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PMID:The rostral basilar artery syndrome: diagnosis, etiology, prognosis. 290 18

Strokes can be due to ischemic or hemorrhagic vascular disorders. Ischemic strokes outnumber hemorrhagic strokes approximately 4:1. Although the mode of presentation and pathophysiology are different in the two conditions, the outcome is really dependent on the extent and location of brain injury. A CT scan helps in this regard and reveals surgically correctable lesions such as a subdural hematoma or normal pressure hydrocephalus. Effective rehabilitation of the stroke patient is dependent on motivation and cognitive ability even more than on remaining motor or sensory function. A team approach to assessment provides the opportunity to make an accurate appraisal of a patient's current level of functioning and an estimate of premorbid capabilities. A thorough review of the history, complete neurologic examination, mental status testing, and laboratory and radiographic data should be obtained by the treating physician. Neuropsychologic testing, speech and language evaluation, ADL assessment, nursing observations, and psychiatric consultation round off the attempts to fully learn the limitations and strengths that characterize the patient. The value in assessing cognitive abilities after a stroke should be obvious. Not only is motivation necessary, but the patient must comprehend the purpose of the rehabilitation process. Goal-setting is a combined effort of the patient and the rehabilitation team. If a patient has limited understanding and faulty memory, the efforts may be wasted. The presence of acute confusion or delirium may delay rehabilitation efforts, but the etiology may be readily treatable. When there is strong suspicion of a degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, the expectations are lowered. Occasionally, the problem is a mixed dementia in which instance the prognosis is poor. When there is evidence for multi-infarct dementia, there is a possibility for cognitive improvement when medical problems such as hypertension and embolization are treated. Much can be done for one who has limited and focal cerebral damage provided there is adequate comprehension and ability to compensate for disability.
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PMID:Dementia following stroke. 306 59

Nine children, hospitalized for severe respiratory failure following scorpion envenomation, were a part of a group of 61 youngsters and infants admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva during the years 1983-87 because of scorpion venom intoxication. Four out of the nine had cardiogenic shock, three had severe systemic hypertension and one had severe airway obstruction. All nine patients had central nervous system manifestations, including lethargy, confusion and agitation (three cases), and markedly reduced level of consciousness (six cases). Hemodynamic studies performed in two patients showed 'high pressure' (cardiogenic) pulmonary edema. Seven patients recovered completely, one died and another one was left severely handicapped. Hydralazine i.v. showed a remarkable effect on the systemic blood pressure and central nervous system disturbances in addition to mechanical ventilation. Based on our own experience and previous clinical and experimental studies, the possible pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the respiratory and central nervous system dysfunction following scorpion sting are discussed.
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PMID:Respiratory failure in children following envenomation by the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus: hemodynamic and neurological aspects. 320 82

Whether a diuretic confers an additional antihypertensive effect on patients receiving treatment with calcium channel blocking drugs remains controversial. The results of seven recently reported trials are summarized, with the conclusion that much of the confusion arises because of inadequacies in trial design, particularly the failure to take into account placebo responses and period effect, and the inclusion of too few subjects to give the trial sufficient power to demonstrate a significant fall in blood pressure. Further difficulties in comparing one trial with another include differences with respect to age, race, severity of hypertension and renin status in the patient populations under investigation, since all these factors may influence responsiveness to therapy with both classes of agent. Although there may be theoretical grounds for believing that, under circumstances of optimal calcium entry blockade in vascular smooth muscle, diuretics might not cause any further reduction in blood pressure, until such time as full dose-response relationships are established for each class of agent alone and in combination, the problem will remain unresolved.
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PMID:Calcium antagonists and diuretics as combined therapy. 332 19


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