|
TABLE OF CONTENT: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun 2009
This journal is now available to be
viewed via our eJournal publication viewer.
- Title: Discovery of the function of the heart and circulation
of blood : editorial
Authors: Friedland, Gerald
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 160
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: In Medicine's 10 Greatest Discoveries, which I
co-authored with cardiologist Meyer Friedman, we stated that
William Harvey's discovery of the function of the heart and the
circulation of blood was the greatest medical discovery of all
time. Not only did it initiate the field of physiology, but it
also introduced the principle of experimentation in medicine.
- Title: Cardiovascular effects of Ekebergia capensis Sparrm (Meliaceae)
ethanolic leaf extract in experimental animal paradigms :
cardiovascular topic
Authors: Kamadyaapa, D.R.; Gondwe, M.M.; Moodley, K.; Ojewole,
J.A.O.; Musabayane, C.T.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 162-167
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the in vivo
effects of Ekebergia capensis leaf ethanolic extract (EKE) on
the blood pressure of anaesthetised normotensive male Wistar
rats and conscious weanling Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats,
which develop hypertension as they age. To investigate possible
mechanism(s) of the extract's hypotensive effects, the
contractile or relaxant responses to EKE in the absence or
presence of reference drugs were evaluated in Wistar rat
isolated aortic rings precontracted with methoxamine
hydrochloride (ME, 10 µM).
Acute intravenous administration of EKE elicited hypotensive
responses in anaesthetised animals, while sub-chronic treatment
with the extract averted the development of high blood pressure
in weanling DSS rats. Isometric recordings of methoxamine
hydrochloride (ME) pre-contracted, isolated, endothelium-intact
and -denuded aortic rings revealed concentration-dependent
relaxation responses to EKE (1 - 160 mg/ml). The potency was
significantly less in the endothelium-denuded rings. Inhibitors
of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), L-NAME, methylene
blue and indomethacin significantly reduced EKE-evoked vasorelaxations in endothelium-intact aortic rings.
These results indicate that the vasorelaxant effect of EKE was
in part mediated via EDRF-dependent or -independent pathways.
These observations suggest that the hypotensive effect of EKE
was in part mediated via modulation of total peripheral
resistance of the vascular smooth muscles.
- Title: Influence of albumin concentration in priming solution
on blood viscosity under hypothermic conditions : cardiovascular
topic
Authors: Sapmaz, Ismail; Manduz, Sinasi; Sanri, Umut S.; Karahan,
Oguz; Dogan, Kasim
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 168-169
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Objective: Albumin is used routinely as a plasma
volume expander in cardiopulmonary bypass operations. The effect
of two different concentrations of albumin in Ringer's lactate
on blood viscosity was explored in this study.
Methods: Ten healthy volunteers (all male) were included in the
study, based on their haematocrit levels (42.6 ± 0.96). Using a
heparinised 50-ml syringe, 40 cm3 of blood were drawn from the
antecubital veins of fasting volunteers. Six ml of blood were haemodiluted with 2 ml of albumin (20%), 2 ml of Ringer's
lactate containing albumin (1.3%), and 2 ml of Ringer's lactate,
in order to simulate cardiopulmonary bypass conditions. Test
tubes with the solutions were placed in a 15°C water bath for 25
minutes. Viscosity was measured in the haemodiluted blood
samples using an Ostwald viscometer. Relative viscosities of
samples were assessed with SPSS software and the ANOVA test.
Results: The mean relative viscosity of Ringer's lactate was
4.19 (± 0.49), that of Ringer's lactate with 1.3% albumin was
4.30 (± 0.31), and of 20% albumin was 7.32 (± 0.71). The
relative viscosity of Ringer's lactate and Ringer's lactate with
1.3% albumin were statistically similar, but that of 20% albumin
was higher than the Ringer's lactate and Ringer's lactate with
1.3% albumin.
Conclusion: Albumin is used as a plasma volume expander in
priming solutions for cardiopulmonary bypass operations, but its
effect on blood viscosity depends on the concentration of
albumin used.
- Title: The influence of diabetes on short-term outcome
following a prosthetic above-the-knee femoro-popliteal bypass :
cardiovascular topic
Authors: Mulaudzi, T.V.; Robbs, J.V.; Paruk, N.; Pillay, B.;
Madiba, T.E.; Govindsamy, V.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 170-172
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Objectives: To assess the influence of diabetes
mellitus on early morbidity and mortality following a
femoro-popliteal bypass.
Methods: Clinical data on patients subjected to a prosthetic
above-the-knee femoro-popliteal bypass for atherothrombotic
disease over a four-year period in the Durban Metropolitan
Vascular Service were culled from a prospectively maintained
computerised database. The patients were divided into two
groups, diabetic and non-diabetic.
Results: Two hundred and seventeen patient records were analysed;
102 (47%) patients were diabetic and 115 (53%) non-diabetic. The
mean age in the two groups was almost similar. Differences noted
between the two groups were that there was a higher prevalence
of males and cigarette smokers in the non-diabetic group and
hypertension among the diabetics. The prevalence of ischaemic
heart disease in the two groups was not statistically
significant. The majority of patients in both groups presented
with critical limb ischaemia.
Overall, 208 (96%) of the patients had their procedures
performed using loco regional anaesthesia. The incidence of
superficial wound infection between the two groups was not
statistically significant. Deep infection, which necessitated
removal of the graft, and cardiovascular complications were
significantly higher in the diabetics. Four patients (3.9%) in
the diabetic group and only one (0.9%) in the non-diabetic group
died.
Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the
incidence of graft sepsis and cardiovascular morbidity in
patients undergoing above-the-knee femoro-popliteal bypass.
- Title: Relationship between left ventricular diastolic
function and geometric patterns in Nigerians with newly
diagnosed systemic hypertension : cardiovascular topic
Authors: Adamu, Umar G.; Kolo, Philip M.; Kitibi, Ibrahim A.;
Opadijo, George O.; Omotosho, Ayodele B.O.; Araoye, Matthew A.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 173-177
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Background: It is not known whether abnormalities of
left ventricular diastolic function are influenced by the
various cardiac geometric patterns in Nigerians with newly
diagnosed systemic hypertension.
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the parameters
of left ventricular diastolic function and the geometric
patterns in this group of patients.
Methods: Two-dimensional, guided M-mode echocardiography
including Doppler was performed in 150 consecutive, newly
diagnosed hypertensive individuals and normotensive controls
aged between 35 and 74 years. Left ventricular mass index and
relative wall thickness were used to classify the hypertensive
individuals into four geometric patterns, and the pulsed-wave
Doppler parameters obtained were used to categorise the
abnormalities of diastolic function.
Results: Four left ventricular geometric patterns were
identified : 23 (15.3%) had normal left ventricle geometry, 33
(22%) had concentric remodelling, 37 (24.7%) were found to have
eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy occurred in 57
(38%) of the hypertensive individuals. Left ventricular
diastolic dysfunction occurred more in hypertensives with
concentric left ventricular geometric pattern.Increased left
ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness were found to
be associated with the mitral E-wave, E/A ratio and pulmonary
venous flow S-wave in the hypertensives (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In newly diagnosed Nigerian hypertensives, the
abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic function varied
between the different left ventricular geometric patterns, being
worst in those with concentric geometry.
- Title: Gender differences in metabolic risk factor prevalence
in a South African student population : cardiovascular topic
Authors: Smith, Carine; Essop, M. Faadiel
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 178-182
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: We determined selected risk factors for the metabolic
syndrome and assessed the metabolic risk status (using IDF
criteria) of third-year physiology students at Stellenbosch
University (88 males and 178 females). Outcome measures included
anthropometry [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference,
waist-to-hip ratio], blood pressure (BP), resting pulse rate,
and fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride
levels. In addition, students completed a lifestyle
questionnaire.
A number of gender-based differences were found, with male
students displaying a greater incidence of risk factors for the
metabolic syndrome : 6% of males versus 3% of females displayed
a cluster of three risk factors. Twenty-five per cent of female
students (but only 14% of males) exhibited waist circumferences
above the accepted range, which was positively correlated, for
males and females, with both systolic and diastolic BP, and in
females only, also with total cholesterol levels. Male students
on average exercised more than their female counterparts, but
also exhibited poorer eating habits. Average blood triglyceride
levels for both male and female students exceeded the accepted
threshold (1.85 ± 1.62 mmol/l and 2.15 ± 1.79 mmol/l,
respectively).
We concluded that metabolic risk factors were evident in a much
younger population than commonly expected. Moreover, the
gender-specific differences observed may impact on future risk
assessment and preventative measures adopted.
- Title: Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial size in
patients with end-stage renal disease : cardiovascular topic
Authors: Kocinaj, Dardan; Gashi, Masar; Berisha, Merita; Kocinaj,
Allma; Ramadani, Naser; Korca, Hajrije
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 183-186
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Background: Cardiac disease is the most common cause
of death in patients with end-stage renal disease. It is assumed
that the high rate of cardiovascular mortality is related to
accelerated atherosclerosis. Patients with chronic renal
insufficiency have an increased prevalence of coronary artery
disease, silent myocardial ischaemia, complex ventricular
arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy,
annular mitral and aortic valve calcification, and enlargement
of the left atrium, than patients with normal renal function. It
is also well known that haemodialysis is associated with
cardiovascular structural changes and rapid fluctuations in
electrolyte levels.
In this study, we sought to estimate left atrial size by means
of echocardiography and to determine any correlations between
different echocardiographic measurements in patients with
end-stage renal disease.
Methods: We analysed data from 123 patients who were on regular
haemodialysis, by means of traditional transthoracic
echocardiographic examination. The usual statistical parameters,
correlations and the Student's t-test were performed, with
levels of significance of p < 0.01 and p < 0.05.
Results: The most presented age group was 60 to 69 years old,
with a predomination of females (56.1%). We found dilated left
atrium in 26.02% of the study patients and a high statistical
correlation between different methods of measurement and
calculated volumes of the left atrium.
Conclusion: Evaluation of left atrial size should be determined
by several different measurements, and left atrial enlargement
should be seen as a risk factor for advancing disease.
- Title: Investigation of predictors of increased creatine
kinase levels following vascular surgery and the association
with peri-operative statin therapy : cardiovascular topic
Authors: Biccard, B.M.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 187-191
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Although peri-operative statin administration is
likely to be cardioprotective, there remains a concern about the
risk of rhabdomyolysis and associated renal failure following statin administration in the peri-operative period. The aim of
this study was to determine independent predictors of creatine
kinase (CK) elevation following vascular surgery.
Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A
multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was
conducted of clinical, surgical and laboratory factors which may
be associated with a CK exceeding five times the upper limit of
normal (ULN).
Results: Four independent predictors associated with a CK > 5
ULN were identified. Statin therapy was protective [odds ratio
(OR) 0.096, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.014-0.68, p = 0.019],
and a serum creatinine > 180 µmol.l-1, positive serum troponins
and embolectomy and/or fasciotomy were associated with CK
elevation (OR 3.32, 95% CI: 1.03-10.7, p = 0.04; OR 5.84, 95%
CI: 1.52-22.4, p = 0.01; OR 5.62, 95% CI: 1.14-27.8, p = 0.03
respectively). Statin therapy was associated with decreased
mortality (OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.86, p = 0.028).
Conclusion: It may be preferable to continue statin therapy in
vascular surgical patients even when CK is elevated, as this may
decrease mortality if the CK elevation is in the presence of
pre-existing renal dysfunction, peri-operative cardiac events or
following embolectomy or fasciotomy. Further investigation is
required to confirm this observation.
- Title: CT angiography outperforms stress testing in
diagnosing coronary artery disease
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 191
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: A study published in the American Journal of
Cardiology comparing stress testing and 64-multislice coronary
computed tomography angiography (CTA) shows that the latter has
superior sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing obstructive
coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Title: Unruptured congenital aneurysm of the sinus of
Valsalva in an African population : a six-year experience at an
echocardiography laboratory : case report
Authors: Morais, Humberto; Caceres-Loriga, Fidel M.; Martins, Telmo; Vandunem, Georgina; Cunha, Rosa
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 192-195
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVA) are considered rare
congenital anomalies. Apart from a few reported cases of SVA in
African patients, there is little information on the clinical
presentation of this entity in Africans. We describe the
clinical and echocardiographic features of four consecutive
African patients in whom the diagnosis of SVA was established
over the last six years at the echocardiography laboratory of
our institution. In this report we compare the clinical and
echocardiographic features in our patients with those of others
published in the literature.
- Title: Successful surgical treatment of a rupture to an arteriovenous fistula aneurysm : case report
Authors: Yang, Tai-Hou; Lee, Chin-Hsien; Tsai, Chien-Sung; Tsai,
Yi-Ting
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 196-197
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: We describe here the successful surgical treatment of
a rupture of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) aneurysm that
compromised access for dialysis. A 59-year-old woman had a
history of uraemia s/p with an AVF involving the brachial artery
and basilic vein that had been superficialised for eight years.
A sudden-onset rupture of the aneurysm was diagnosed just after
haemodialysis at a local specialist clinic. The patient
volunteered to receive emergency surgery. Partial resection of
the aneurysm and anastomosis with 4-0 prolene was performed. She
was well with regular haemodialysis at the six-month follow-up.
- Title: Cardiac magnetic resonance predicts reversibility of
cocaine-induced ventricular dysfunction : case report
Authors: Smedema, J.P.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 198-199
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: A 30-year-old Caucasian female was admitted with
severe biventricular congestive heart failure secondary to
cocaine-induced cardiomyopathy. Contrast-enhanced cardiac
magnetic resonance did not reveal myocardial oedema or focal
fibrosis. The systolic ventricular function recovered fully
after 10 weeks of abstinence from cocaine and supportive medical
treatment. This case report is the first to describe findings
with magnetic resonance for this condition, and briefly
discusses its potential value in the evaluation of patients with
cocaine-induced heart failure.
- Title: Rheumatic valvular heart disease in thalassaemic
patients : a summary of reported Thai cases : short
communication
Authors: Wiwanitkit, Viroj
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 200
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Thalassaemia is a serious inherited disorder with a
high prevalence in south-east Asian countries, including
Thailand. Several complications of thalassaemia have been
documented. Infection is a major problem and the leading cause
of death, particularly in E-beta thalassaemia.
- Title: The hyperparathyroid heart mimicking acute myocardial
infarction : short communication
Authors: Ker, James
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 201-202
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common complication
of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Numerous disturbances of myocardial physiology have been
described as a result of excess parathyroid hormone action. In
this brief communication, another phenotype of the
hyperparathyroid heart is proposed, the 'pseudo-myocardial
infarction hyperparathyroid heart'.
- Title: Transoesophageal echocardiography prior to atrial
flutter ablation averts a dramatic complication : images in
cardiology
Authors: Michael, Kevin A.; Johri, Amer; Baranchuk, Adrian
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 203-204
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Catheter ablation is now the primary strategy for
typical atrial flutter, given success rates in the order of 95
to 98%, with a low risk of recurrence. It also has a low
complication rate but is not entirely risk free, and should
still be approached judiciously as is illustrated by the index
case.
- Title: Lower aspirin doses in dual antiplatelet therapy
optimise efficacy and safety : CHARISMA follow-up study : drug
trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 205
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Evaluation of the aspirin dosage required to prevent
cardiovascular disease has shown that daily doses of 75 to 81 mg
may optimise efficacy and safety for patients requiring aspirin
for long-term prevention, especially those receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.
- Title: Consistency of treatment effect of perindopril and
indapamide across broad spectrum of vascular disease : drug
trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 206
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Evaluation of the 30 000-patient data captured in the
ADVANCE, EUROPA and PROGRESS trials has provided strong evidence
for a consistent cardiovascular protection effect when
perindopril / indapamide is used as the ACE inhibitor treatment
regimen. This view was expressed by the main investigators who
participated in these trials in a recent advance publication.
- Title: Statins reduce stroke risk by one-fifth : drug trends
in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 208-209
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: A meta-analysis of 24 studies comprising more than 165
000 patients has shown that use of statins was associated with a
reduction in stroke risk of around one fifth compared with
placebo. The findings and their implications for cholesterol
control were reported in a review in the May edition of the
Lancet Neurology, written by Dr Pierre Amarenco and Julien
Labreuche, INSERM and Bichat University Hospital, Paris-Diderot
University, Paris, France.
- Title: Clopidogrel / aspirin combination therapy in
high-risk atrial fibrillation patients : drug trends in
cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 210
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: A combination of clopidogrel and aspirin reduced the
incidence of major vascular events by 11%, including a 28%
reduction in stroke and a 23% reduction in myocardial infarction
in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according
to research presented at the 2009 American College of
Cardiology's annual scientific session.
- Title: JUPITER study highlights value of anti-inflammatory
action of rosuvastatin : drug trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 211
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Cardiologists in South Africa and internationally are
increasingly using highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to
improve risk assessment following the positive results of the
JUPITER study with rosuvastatin.
- Title: Mother of the nation honoured : cardio news
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 212
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: One of the nation's best-loved mothers, Mama Albertina
Sisulu, was honoured for her legacy of care of underprivileged
children, by the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for
Africa (WSPCCA) and the Vodacom Foundation at a Mother's Day
function in Johannesburg recently.
- Title: Save these dates
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 20, Issue 3, Jun
Published: 2009
Pages: 212
Full text:
Click here to order »
Full text:
Click here to read online »
Full text:
Click here to read via Sabinet »
(Login Required)
Abstract: Generic Medicines Congress : The Science of our Times
The 16th Biennial South African Hypertension Society (SAHS)
Congress 2010
|
