Reduced fetal vitamin D status by maternal undernutrition during discrete gestational windows in sheep.

Placental transport of vitamin D and other nutrients (e.g. amino acids, fats and glucose) to the fetus is sensitive to maternal and fetal nutritional cues. We studied the effect of maternal calorific restriction on fetal vitamin D status and the placental expression of genes for nutrient transport [aromatic T-type amino acid transporter-1 (TAT-1); triglyceride hydrolase/lipoprotein uptake facilitator lipoprotein lipase (LPL)] and vitamin D homeostasis [CYP27B1; vitamin D receptor (VDR)], and their association with markers of fetal cardiovascular function and skeletal muscle growth. Pregnant sheep received 100% total metabolizable energy (ME) requirements (control), 40% total ME requirements peri-implantation [PI40, 1-31 days of gestation (dGA)] or 50% total ME requirements in late gestation (L, 104-127 dGA). Fetal, but not maternal, plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) concentration was lower in PI40 and L maternal undernutrition groups (P<0.01) compared with the control group at 0.86 gestation. PI40 group placental CYP27B1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were increased (P<0.05) compared with the control group. Across all groups, higher fetal plasma 25OHD concentration was associated with higher skeletal muscle myofibre and capillary density (P<0.05). In the placenta, higher VDR mRNA levels were associated with higher TAT-1 (P<0.05) and LPL (P<0.01) mRNA levels. In the PI40 maternal undernutrition group only, reduced fetal plasma 25OHD concentration may be mediated in part by altered placental CYP27B1. The association between placental mRNA levels of VDR and nutrient transport genes suggests a way in which the placenta may integrate nutritional cues in the face of maternal dietary challenges and alter fetal physiology.

Transient pathological Q waves in suspected acute myocardial infarction: 'electrical stunning'.

In acute coronary syndromes the development of pathological Q waves is usually taken as evidence of established myocardial infarction (MI). We describe two patients with suspected acute MI who developed transient pathological Q waves. Cardiac enzymes were normal and cardiac catheterisation showed severe proximal coronary disease. Recognition of 'non-infarction' Q waves is important and may influence management of these patients.

Noninvasive beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure measurement during VVI and DDD pacing: relationship to symptomatic benefit from DDD pacing.

To noninvasively assess the hemodynamic effects of VVI and DDD pacing modes we measured beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure during VVI and DDD pacing in 30 patients with complete heart block (CHB), using fingertip photoplethysmography. Of these patients, 15 undertook a double-blind cross-over comparison of the symptomatic effects of VVI versus DDD pacing to determine the relationship between blood pressure changes and the occurrence of symptoms suggestive of the pacemaker syndrome during ventricular pacing. Mean (SD) systolic blood pressure was 11.7 (15.4) mmHg lower during VVI pacing compared to DDD pacing (P < 0.0005). The mean (SD) beat-to-beat variability of systolic blood pressure was 5.20 (2.87%) in VVI mode versus 2.12 (1.07%) in DDD mode (P < 0.0000005). In comparison with DDD pacing, the excess of symptoms experienced by patients during VVI pacing did not correlate with the change in mean systolic blood pressure, but was significantly correlated with the increase in beat-to-beat systolic blood pressure variation during VVI pacing (r = 0.58, P = 0.024). We conclude that noninvasive measurement of fingertip arterial beat-to-beat blood pressure is a rapid and simple method of assessing the hemodynamic effect of VVI pacing. Beat-to-beat blood pressure variability was related to symptomatic intolerance of VVI pacing and may have potential utility as an aid to diagnosis or as a predictor of pacemaker syndrome.

Large airway obstruction by a chronic dissecting aortic aneurysm in the Marfan syndrome.

We describe a patient with the Marfan syndrome who presented with an acute aortic dissection. She underwent composite graft replacement of the aortic root. She returned two years later with dyspnoea and stridor due to tracheal compression by a large chronic dissection of the thoracic aorta. Marfan patients are at risk of chronic dissection involving the remaining distal aorta and require regular noninvasive assessment following surgery.

Comparison of dual chamber and ventricular rate responsive pacing in patients over 75 with complete heart block.

OBJECTIVE: To compare symptoms and exercise tolerance during dual chamber universal (DDD) and ventricular rate response (VVIR) pacing in elderly (> or = 75) patients. DESIGN: Randomised, double blind, crossover study. SETTING: Regional cardiac department. PATIENTS: Twenty elderly patients (mean age 80.5 (1) years) with high grade atrioventricular block and sinus rhythm. Patients with pre-existing risk factors for the pacemaker syndrome and chronotropic incompetence were excluded. INTERVENTION: After four weeks of VVI pacing following pacemaker implantation, patients underwent consecutive two week periods of VVIR and DDD pacing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient preference, symptom scores, "daily activity exercises," and perceived level of exercise (Borg score). RESULTS: Eleven patients preferred DDD mode to either VVI or VVIR mode. Mean (SE) total symptom scores during VVI, VVIR, and DDD pacing were 5.9 (1.1), 6.1 (1.0), and 3.5 (0.9) respectively (P < 0.01). The corresponding mean (SE) pacemaker syndrome symptom scores were 4.8 (0.7), 5.2 (0.8), and 2.9 (0.8) (P < 0.05). Symptom scores during VVI and VVIR pacing were not significantly different. Exercise performance and Borg scores were significantly worse during VVI pacing compared with VVIR or DDD pacing but did not significantly differ between VVIR and DDD modes. CONCLUSIONS: In active elderly patients with complete heart block both DDD and VVIR pacing are associated with improved exercise performance compared with fixed rate VVI pacing. The convenience and reduced cost of VVIR systems, however, may be offset by a higher incidence of the pacemaker syndrome. In elderly patients with complete heart block VVIR pacing results in suboptimal symptomatic benefit and should not be used instead of DDD pacing.

Coronary ventricular fistula as a complication of PTCA: a case report and literature review.

A 58-year-old man with previous myocardial infarction and coronary bypass surgery underwent angioplasty to a totally occluded venous graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The procedure resulted in a coronary-ventricular fistula. Prolonged inflation of the balloon in the proximal part of the graft resulted in obliteration of the fistula with little haemodynamic compromise.

Inhaled sodium cromoglycate in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor cough.

Cough is a frequent side-effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. We examined the effects of inhaled sodium cromoglycate in 10 patients with ACE-inhibitor cough in a double-blind crossover study. After a 2-week run-in, patients were randomised to either 2 weeks' inhaled sodium cromoglycate or placebo followed by a further 2 weeks on the other treatment. Patients kept a cough diary during each study period. Cough severity was recorded on a scale from 0 to 12. At the end of each study period the cough threshold to inhaled capsaicin was measured. 9 patients reported a reduction in cough after sodium cromoglycate. Median (range) daily cough scores during run-in and placebo periods were 3.6 (1.9-6.4) and 4.1 (0.6-8.1), respectively (p > 0.05). Median daily cough score after sodium cromoglycate was 1.8 (0.4-3; p < 0.01). There was a significant relation between initial cough severity and benefit from sodium cromoglycate; and cough-reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin was significantly reduced. Inhaled sodium cromoglycate is an effective treatment for ACE-inhibitor cough. Its effect may be due to suppression of afferent vagal activity.

DDD vs. VVI pacing in patients aged over 75 years with complete heart block: a double-blind crossover comparison.

We studied 16 patients aged 77-88 years to determine whether elderly patients gain significant benefit from dual-chamber (DDD) compared with single-chamber ventricular demand (VVI) pacing. The study was designed as a double-blind randomized two-period crossover study--each pacing mode was maintained for 7 days. End points included: (i) overall symptoms scores; (ii) exercise tests related to daily activities; and (iii) perceived level of difficulty (Borg score). The mean symptom score in DDD mode was 7.07 (6.38) vs. 12.27 (7.29) in VVI mode (p < 0.006). Dizziness, breathlessness and fatigue were the most noticed symptoms during VVI pacing. One patient dropped out from follow-up and three patients requested early reprogramming, all from VVI mode. Overall, no patient preferred VVI mode, 11 preferred DDD mode and four expressed no preference. There were significant improvements in all objective test performances in DDD mode. Mean (SD) total Borg scores in DDD mode and VVI mode were 36.57 (5.85) and 41.93 (6.49), respectively (p < 0.002). Ventricular demand pacing in elderly patients with complete heart block is associated with higher symptom scores, reduced exercise ability and greater perceived exercise difficulty compared with dual-chamber pacing.

Acute pneumonitis associated with low dose methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: report of five cases and review of published reports.

BACKGROUND: Low dose methotrexate has become established in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis. Until recently it has been considered that the use of a low dose regimen (< 20 mg/week) would avoid the pulmonary toxicity associated with the higher doses prescribed in malignant disease. Although initial experience with low dose methotrexate was encouraging, an increasing number of cases of an acute, life threatening pneumonitis are being reported in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis. PATIENTS: Since 1984 43 patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis have been established on low dose methotrexate in the Oxford Health District. Five of these patients have subsequently developed acute methotrexate induced pneumonitis. The clinical and radiological features of these cases are described and previous reports reviewed. RESULTS: Five patients having low dose methotrexate treatment developed acute pneumonitis. Presentation was subacute and dominated by constitutional features. Respiratory symptoms developed insidiously but progressed rapidly with increasing dyspnoea associated with severe hypoxia. Chest radiographs were non-specific, showing diffuse interstitial infiltration and alveolar shadowing. Microbiological investigation gave negative results. In all cases methotrexate was discontinued and high dose corticosteroids started, with rapid clinical and radiological improvement. After withdrawal of steroid both clinical and radiological resolution was maintained at follow up. CONCLUSION: Acute pneumonitis is an uncommon but serious adverse effect of low dose methotrexate treatment for refractory rheumatoid arthritis. The initial presentation is non-specific and a high index of suspicion is required as respiratory failure may develop rapidly. Management depends on exclusion of infection, withdrawal of methotrexate, and high dose corticosteroid treatment. Full supportive treatment is indicated as the prognosis in such patients is good.

Changing community health behaviors: a model for program development and management.

A model has been proposed to improve program development and management of behavior change programs with large-scale community impact. It can be applied to epidemiologic problems of which lifestyle is an important component, such as heart disease, adolescent pregnancy, hypertension, weight control, and cancer control and prevention programs. The model combines two previously existing models: one indicating that program development is an ongoing cyclical process which starts with uncertainty yet can progress to institutionalization with suitable testing; and the second model indicating that program management within each developmental cycle progresses through specific phases which can be hampered by plateaus and setbacks. Nine systems are essential for program development and operations: education (philosophy, objectives, and content), communications, reward, intervention, program process, program development, and program evaluation. These systems can be used as a guide to facilitate selection from the many guidelines recommended in the literature, and to ensure coordination of innovative program elements.