TABLE OF CONTENT: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan 2002

1. Title: Hypertension / preeclampsia : editorial
   Authors: Odendaal, H.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.5-8
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2. Title: Manipulation of papillary muscle cyclic nucleotides during anoxia-reoxygenation : effects on contractility : cardiovascular topics
   Authors: Upton, J.J.; Huisamen, B.; Lochner, A.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.10-16
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   Abstract: Endogenous nitric oxide and the accompanying cGMP formation has been postulated to play a role in the pathophysiology of myocardial anoxia-reoxygenation. A direct relationship between cGMP and the alterations observed in contractility under these conditions has never been demonstrated. In this study, cGMP in rat papillary muscles during anoxia and reoxygenation was correlated with mechanical function. Isolated papillary muscles were stimulated continuously and made anoxic for 40 min after a 2-hour stabilisation period. Anoxia caused an abbreviated contraction curve by decreasing the maximum contraction strength, time to peak contraction and relaxation time, accompanied by a significant decrease in tissue cGMP and cAMP levels (controls: 29.09 ± 1.62 and 568.8 ± 35.65; anoxia: 16.62 ± 1.51 and 403.3 ± 30.19 pmoles/gww), which partially returned to pre-anoxic values upon reoxygenation. cGMP levels were significantly elevated by addition of 8-Br-cGMP (a cGMP analogue), but this elevation (154.4 ± 20.89 pmoles/gww), had no effects on the contractility pattern of muscles during normoxia, anoxia or reoxygenation, suggesting that in isolated ventricular muscle, cGMP levels play a minor role in regulating muscle contractility.
    
3. Title: Maternal deaths due to pre-existing cardiac disease : review article
   Authors: Naidoo, D.P.; Desai, D.K.; Moodley, J.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.17-20
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   Abstract: Heart disease in pregnancy is an uncommon problem in the developed world, but reaches a high prevalence in poor countries. In South Africa 0.65% of all pregnant women have heart disease, and there is an unacceptably high morbidity and mortality rate (9.5%). Rheumatic heart disease accounts for most of this mortality, mitral stenosis being the commonest lesion. In April 2000 the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) reported that close to half of non-obstetric maternal deaths in South Africa were due to cardiac disease. Several preventable factors were identified that precipitated decompensation and could have accounted for this high mortality. Among them, lack of adequate antenatal evaluation, uncontrolled fluid infusion, failure to identify the patient at risk, and failure to recognise the risk of autotransfusion in the postpartum phase, were contributing factors. This report of the problems seeks to address ways in which these difficulties may be rectified.
    
4. Title: Hypertension in pregnancy : round-table discussion : part 1 : cardiovascular profile
   Authors: Brink, A.; Akande, W.; Moodley, J.; Hague, W.; Hall, D.; Steyn, W.; Dekker, G.; Odendaal, H.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.22-28
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5. Title: Acute myocarditis in a patient with eosinophilia and pulmonary infiltrates : case report
   Authors: Goldberg, L.; Mekel, J.; Chita, G.
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.29-34
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   Abstract: This is a case of necrotising myopericarditis complicated with an acute apical left ventricular aneurysm in a young patient with the history of bronchial asthma and recurrent eosinophilia. Prompt clinical improvement coinciding with normalisation of the blood count in response to steroids was observed. Possible aetiology of hypereosinophilia is discussed.
    
6. Title: Preserve trial surprises with unexpected results on LV hypertrophy reduction with calcium channel blockers : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.37-38
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7. Title: AstraZeneca's investment in landmark trials in heart failure : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.38-40
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8. Title: Aspirin and deep vein thrombosis : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.40-41
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9. Title: Multi-centre trial of aspirin highlights increased safety with higher dose : drug trends in cardiology
   From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
   Published: 2002
   Pages: p.42-43
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10. Title: Cardio news
    From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, Vol 13, Issue 1, Jan
    Published: 2002
    Pages: p.44
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