Pharmacotherapy for weight loss: the cardiovascular effects of the old and new agents.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Obesity affects approximately one-third of the American population, and its prevalence continues to increase. It is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and contributes to increased healthcare costs and mortality. The objective is to review the current literature on the cardiovascular effects of weight loss pharmacotherapy agents. METHODS: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE/PubMed (up to April 2013) using the search terms obesity, weight loss, pharmacotherapy, cardiovascular adverse effects and cardiovascular side effects. References of the articles identified and www.clinicaltrials.gov were also reviewed. Relevant guidelines, review articles, clinical trials, meta-analyses, case series, FDA documentation and prescribing information were included and limited to English language articles. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: With the newly FDA-approved weight loss pharmacotherapy, treatment options for obesity are more diverse. However, safety concerns, including adverse cardiovascular effects, have played a significant role in the history of weight loss pharmacotherapy and will likely play a role in the future of the new agents, lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate, as well. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Long-term cardiovascular outcomes studies with and without high-risk cardiovascular patients are still needed for both lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate before these agents can be recommended in these patient populations. It is yet to be determined whether modest weight loss benefit of these new agents outweighs the cardiovascular risks.

Effect of ethanol on defibrillation energy requirements in humans.

The purpose of this double-blind study was to determine the effect of intravenous ethanol administration on defibrillation efficacy in 18 patients with an implantable defibrillator. The equivalent of 60 ml of 100 proof ethanol did not impair defibrillation efficacy.

Acute effects of combination of IB and IC antiarrhythmics for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia.

There are limited data on the effects of Class IB and IC antiarrhythmic drug combination for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. The present study evaluated this combination in 12 patients who had sustained ventricular tachycardia (SuVT) during programmed electrical stimulation (PES) and failed IC antiarrhythmic therapy. Following combination of lidocaine and a IC agent (7 with encainide and 5 with flecainide), two had no inducible ventricular tachycardia (VT) and one had nonsustained VT (NSVT). In seven of nine patients who still had SuVT, the mean VT cycle length increased 40 +/- 25 msec post combination compared to IC antiarrhythmic therapy. Seven patients who had a favorable response to the initial combination (less than 10 beats of NSVT, or greater than or equal to 10 beats of VT with a greater than 100 msec increase in cycle length compared to baseline and no hemodynamic compromise) were then placed on IC + oral IB agent (5 with mexiletine, 2 with tocainide). Similar effects on VT inducibility and cycle length were observed following the oral combination. In conclusion, the addition of lidocaine to IC therapy produced favorable effects on induced ventricular tachycardia in 58% of patients compared to IC agent alone. Also, a positive PES response to lidocaine and IC therapy corresponded to a similar positive response when either mexiletine or tocainide was substituted for lidocaine.

The effect of dosage release formulations on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol stereoisomers in humans.

Recent studies in dogs have suggested that the disposition of S- and R-propranolol may depend on the input rate of drug delivered to the liver. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether differences in the disposition of S- and R-propranolol occur in humans when altering the input rate of propranolol by giving different dosage forms of the drug. Twelve healthy subjects were enrolled in a single-dose, 4-way crossover pharmacokinetic study in which racemic propranolol was given according to 1 of 4 treatments: one 80-mg immediate-release (IR) tablet, phase A; two 80-mg IR tablets, phase B; a 160-mg controlled-release capsule, phase C; or a 10-mg IV bolus, phase D. The results showed no significant differences in the ratios of S/R-propranolol for AUC, clearance, or overall mean concentration among the oral dosage groups. Significant differences in these parameters including Cmax S/R ratio were seen between the oral phases and the IV phase. These differences appear to be related more to the route of administration than to the low input rate. However, at high concentrations there may be input-rate alteration in S/R ratios. Specifically, for phase B, which had the highest Cmax concentrations, the Cmax S/R ratio was significantly lower than the other oral dosage groups A and C (Cmax S/R ratios: 1.44 versus 1.54 and 1.54, respectively; P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison of 10% pentastarch and 5% albumin in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.

Colloids are useful in cardiac surgery to increase preload and improve cardiac output without the risks associated with blood transfusions. Pentastarch is a new low-molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch compound under investigation for this purpose. The authors compared, in a randomized fashion, 12 patients who received pentastarch and 17 patients who received albumin for volume expansion after open-heart surgery. During the 24-hour study period there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to systemic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, right atrial pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, with the exception of a higher mean arterial pressure and systolic blood pressure at 4 hours in the albumin group and higher heart rate at 12 hours in the pentastarch group. In addition, postoperative prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, platelets, and factor VIII levels were not significantly different between the two groups. There were no complications attributed to colloid administration. The hemodynamic parameters were further evaluated in a subset of 6 pentastarch and 9 albumin patients who received the first 500 mL of colloid in a similar time frame and under similar clinical conditions. The patients who received pentastarch showed a significantly greater increase in cardiac index than did the patients who received albumin. No significant change in other parameters were noted between the two groups. The authors conclude that pentastarch is as safe as albumin and may be a more effective volume expander than albumin when used in open-heart surgery patients.

Pharmacokinetics of torsemide in patients with decompensated and compensated congestive heart failure.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of oral furosemide have been shown to be influenced by degree of decompensation in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). This open-label, sequential comparison trial was conducted to determine whether CHF decompensation also alters the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torsemide. Twelve patients with CHF, defined by either hemodynamic parameters or clinical signs and symptoms, were enrolled. On admission for treatment of their CHF, the patients were given 100 mg oral torsemide (phase A). A second dose of oral torsemide 100 mg was administered after hemodynamic parameters and clinical signs and symptoms of decompensated CHF resolved (phase B). Plasma and urine samples were collected over a 24-hour period for determination of torsemide concentrations and urine sodium. Hemodynamic measurements and physical signs and symptoms also were evaluated. During phase A, patients had significantly greater urine output and fractional sodium excretion compared with phase B. A significant increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was observed during phase B compared with phase A. However, no significant differences in maximal excretion rate of torsemide were noted between phase A and phase B. Heart failure status slightly affects the plasma pharmacokinetics of torsemide; however, this does not significantly alter the maximal urinary excretion rate of torsemide.

The effect of ciprofloxacin on the pharmacokinetic and ECG parameters of quinidine.

Ciprofloxacin decreases the clearance of antipyrine and other drugs which, in part, undergo oxidative metabolism. Based on these findings, the authors hypothesized that ciprofloxacin may decrease the clearance of quinidine, a drug which also undergoes oxidative metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ciprofloxacin on the pharmacokinetic and ECG parameters of quinidine in seven healthy men. Oral quinidine sulfate 400 mg was administered alone (Phase A) and after oral ciprofloxacin pretreatment (Phase B) in a randomized crossover fashion with a 2-week washout period between each phase. During Phase B, ciprofloxacin pretreatment (750 mg every 12 hours) was administered for 5 days before and 24 hours after quinidine administration. Quinidine serum samples were obtained over a 24-hour period. QRS and QTc intervals were measured over a 12-hour period. There were no significant differences in clearance (20.3 +/- 3.3 L/hr vs 20.1 +/- 2.3 L/hr, P = .836), half-life (7.9 +/- 1 hr vs 7.8 +/- 0.8 hr, P = 0.8), maximum concentration (1.4 +/- 0.6 mg/L vs 1.5 +/- 0.6 mg/L, P = 0.613), or time to maximum concentration (1.5 +/- 0.2 hr vs 1.5 +/- 0.1 hr, P = 0.571) for quinidine between Phase A and Phase B, respectively. The largest decrease in clearance observed for Phase B compared to Phase A was 10%. There was also no significant difference in the degree of QRS and QTc prolongation between Phase A and Phase B. From these results, it appears that ciprofloxacin in the dose given does not alter the pharmacokinetic or ECG parameters of quinidine. Therefore, no adjustment in the dose of quinidine is needed when coadministered with ciprofloxacin.

Evolution and pathophysiology of chronic systolic heart failure.

Understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic systolic heart failure evolved from a purely mechanical model to one in which a cascade of neurohormones and biologically active molecules are thought to be critical in the development, maintenance, and progression of the disease. Two important neurohormonal systems are the sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems. Initially, increases in norepinephrine concentrations from the sympathetic nervous system and in angiotensin II and aldosterone are beneficial in the short term to maintain cardiac output after an insult to the myocardium. However, long-term exposure to these neurohormones causes alterations of myocytes and interstitial make-up of the heart. These alterations in myocardium lead to progression of heart failure and, eventually, death.

Diurnal variation in plasma norepinephrine in patients with heart failure.

Diurnal variation in plasma norepinephrine (PNE) levels is well documented in healthy individuals but not in patients with heart failure. Therefore, we attempted to determine variations in PNE levels over 24 hours, measured hourly, in six patients with an ejection fraction below 40% and a history of heart failure of longer than 3 months. Three controls without a history of heart failure also were evaluated. Both patients and controls had diurnal variations in PNE, with highest levels occurring during the day and lowest at night. When data in patients were evaluated by 6-hour time intervals the mean value for 6:00 A.M.-12:00 noon was approximately twice as high as 12:00 midnight-6:00 A.M. (689+/-329 vs 338+/-166 pg/ml, p<0.05, respectively). Patients also had significant peak to trough variation in PNE levels compared with controls (959+/-396 vs 386+/-84 pg/ml, p<0.02, respectively). These results suggest that significant intrapatient variations in PNE occur over 24 hours in patients with heart failure. These variations may have to be accounted for when evaluating and treating patients with heart failure.

Carvedilol: therapeutic application and practice guidelines.

Current knowledge of the mechanisms contributing to progression of heart failure suggests that therapies that limit or interfere with the consequences of neurohormonal activation and improve myocardial energetics appear to be most beneficial. Carvedilol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker with peripheral vasodilating properties, reduces mortality, slows progression of disease, and improves quality of life in patients with heart failure when added to standard therapy. When administered according to recommended guidelines, carvedilol is well tolerated. Clinical guidelines on the use of carvedilol in heart failure are provided.

An alternative sodium bicarbonate regimen during cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a canine model.

We evaluated the effect of frequent, early bolus administration of low-dose sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on blood gas values during ventricular fibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compared with normal saline and standard bolus doses of NaHCO3. This was a randomized laboratory investigation involving 13 mongrel dogs and 18 experiments (5 dogs were used in a crossover manner). Each dog underwent 3 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, followed by 15 minutes of CPR. Animals were randomly assigned to one of three treatments administered early in the resuscitation effort: NaHCO3 0.5 mEq/kg at 5, 10, and 15 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (SB); NaHCO3 1 mEq/kg at 5 minutes and 0.5 mEq/kg at 15 minutes of fibrillation (SB); or 0.9% NaCl 1 ml/kg at 5 minutes and 0.5 ml/kg at 15 minutes of fibrillation (P). A total of 15 experiments were included for analysis. Arterial and venous blood gases were sampled at 4, 8, 13, and 18 minutes of fibrillation. The SB group demonstrated the highest arterial partial pressures of carbon dioxide (pCO2) at each sampling point after NaHCO3, including the 18-minute sample: 42 +/- 12, 29 +/- 11, and 35 +/- 10 torr for SB, P, and B, respectively. In addition, SB produced arterial alkalemia (pH > 7.45) after NaHCO3 administration. The arterial pH at 18 minutes of fibrillation for SB, P, and B was 7.46 +/- 0.14, 7.29 +/- 0.07, and 7.41 +/- 0.1, respectively. Similar trends for pCO2 and pH were observed for venous samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of high-dose sodium bicarbonate on the vasopressor effects of epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We attempted to determine the effect of extreme alkalemia induced by highdose sodium bicarbonate on the vasopressor effects of epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Subjects in this randomized, blinded study performed in a controlled laboratory environment were 12 mongrel dogs that had had a previous episode of CPR. Each dog underwent 3 minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) followed by 7 minutes of closed-chest CPR. Animals were assigned to receive either sodium bicarbonate 3 mEq/kg and epinephrine 0.1 mg/kg, or normal saline 3 ml/kg and epinephrine 0.1 mg/kg. The sodium bicarbonate or normal saline was infused over 2 minutes beginning at 4 minutes of VF (1 min of CPR) followed by bolus epinephrine. Arterial pH in the sodium bicarbonate group was significantly higher at each sampling point (7.7 +/- 0.1 vs 7.29 +/- 0.06 at 1 min after drug, p < 0.001). However, there were no statistically or clinically significant differences in coronary perfusion pressure between the groups at any time: 29 +/- 13 versus 32 +/- 21 mm Hg 1 minute, and 22 +/- 12 versus 26 +/- 19 mm Hg 4 minutes after epinephrine for sodium bicarbonate and normal saline, respectively (p > 0.7). Increased arterial pH (alkalemia) induced by high-dose sodium bicarbonate administration did not improve the vasopressor effects of epinephrine during CPR in this canine model. These results suggest the limited value of administering sodium bicarbonate during CPR to improve the responsiveness to epinephrine.

Variations in prothrombin time and international normalized ratio over 24 hours in warfarin-treated patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the variation of prothrombin times and international normalized ratio (INR) over 24 hours in humans. DESIGN: Prospective, parallel study. SETTING: University-affiliated general clinical research center. PATIENTS: Six patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy and six sex-matched controls. INTERVENTIONS: Warfarin was administered to the patients at 6:00 P.M. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Prothrombin times and INR were determined every 2 hours over 24 hours. Time of study entry, meals, and sleep cycles were controlled. A significant cosinor rhythm for prothrombin times and INR (p < or = 0.03) occurred in warfarin-treated patients, suggesting that diurnal variation occurs. The mean difference between the peak and trough prothrombin times was 1.8 +/- 0.9 seconds (range 0.8-3 sec) with a mean change of 9.3% +/- 3.7%. The peak prothrombin time and INR values occurred between 4:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. in five patients, and trough values between 6:00 P.M. and midnight in five. No significant cosinor rhythm was noted for controls (p > 0.5). CONCLUSION: Significant variations in prothrombin time and INR occurred in patients receiving warfarin therapy, with the highest values occurring in the morning and the lowest in the evening. These results may have clinical implications for patients receiving either high- or low-intensity warfarin therapy.

Hematologic and chemical changes observed during and after cardiac arrest in a canine model--a pilot study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on blood chemistry in a canine model. DESIGN: Evaluative canine animal study. SETTING: Animal laboratory accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animals. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six adult mongrel dogs. INTERVENTION: The dogs underwent an episode of induced fibrillatory cardiac arrest for 3 minutes followed by 10 minutes of standard CPR. Blood samples were taken at baseline (before cardiac arrest), after 10 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, and 10 minutes after successful resuscitation for determination of blood chemistries and hematologic parameters. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, iron, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and hematocrit were measured. Significant changes (p<0.05) in values obtained during CPR versus baseline values were noted for all laboratory parameters except blood urea nitrogen, chloride, and alkaline phosphatase. Eighteen dogs achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); their laboratory values were obtained after CPR. Significant changes (p<0.05) after ROSC compared with baseline were noted for all laboratory values except chloride, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, potassium, calcium, triglycerides, iron, red blood cell count, and hematocrit. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that significant changes in blood chemistries and hematologic parameters occur during and after CPR. Clinicians should note these normal laboratory parameter changes when interpreting laboratory data in patients who experience cardiac arrest.

Comparative evaluation of the hemodynamic effects of oral cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine as determined by echocardiography.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, and placebo on cardiac performance as determined by echocardiography. DESIGN: Randomized, four-way crossover trial. SETTING: Echocardiography laboratory at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Volunteers received oral treatment with placebo, cimetidine 800 mg, ranitidine 300 mg, or famotidine 40 mg once/day for 7 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: On the seventh day of each study phase, 2 hours after administration of the final dose, each subject underwent cardiac echocardiography and Doppler flow studies. No significant differences were detected in ejection fraction, peak flow velocity, or percentage fractional shortening among the treatment phases. A large degree of variability in ejection fraction was observed, with some subjects experiencing marked decreases. CONCLUSION: The histamine-2 (H2)-receptor antagonists had no effect on the hemodynamic variables as determined by echocardiography. The variability in the hemodynamic response may in part explain the conflicting results reported in the literature. It also raises the question as to whether certain individuals are more sensitive to the potential cardiac effects of H2-receptor antagonists.

Effect of vehicle on the nasal absorption of epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We have shown in previous studies that epinephrine administered intranasally is a feasible route of administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). To promote the absorption of epinephrine we administered phentolamine prior to epinephrine and used a bile salt as a vehicle to dissolve the epinephrine. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different vehicles (bile salt vs surfactant) in promoting the absorption of nasally administered epinephrine during CPR and to determine their effects on the nasal mucosa. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, blinded study. SETTING: A controlled laboratory environment. SUBJECTS: Eleven mongrel dogs. INTERVENTIONS: Each dog underwent 3 minutes of unassisted ventricular fibrillation (VF) followed by 7 minutes of VF with CPR. Five minutes after the start of VF, 10 dogs received intranasal phentolamine 0.25 mg/kg/nostril followed 1 minute later by intranasal epinephrine 7.5 mg/kg/nostril. The epinephrine was dissolved in a randomly assigned vehicle consisting of either taurodeoxycholic acid (group A, bile salt) or polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (group B, surfactant). One animal acted as a control and received 0.9% sodium chloride nasally. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data from eight dogs (one control) were included for analysis. Histology of the nasal cavity demonstrated severe multifocal erosion and ulceration of the respiratory epithelium for groups A and B compared with the control. The severity was similar between the two groups. In addition, no significant differences in plasma epinephrine concentrations or blood pressure responses were seen between the groups. CONCLUSION: Based on histology, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether offered no advantage over taurodeoxycholic acid in its effect on the nasal mucosa. The data available for changes in epinephrine concentration and pressure also suggest no difference between the two vehicles in promoting the absorption of epinephrine during CPR in an animal model.

Comparison of adrenergic agonists for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless electrical activity.

The primary role of epinephrine for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is to increase blood flow to the myocardium and central nervous system and ultimately improve survival. However, despite the administration of epinephrine, survival following VF or PEA is low. In an attempt to improve outcome from VF and PEA, alternative adrenergic agonists (methoxamine, phenylephrine, norepinephrine) which have different pharmacological properties than epinephrine have been evaluated. In order to determine the role of alternative adrenergic agonists for the treatment of VF and PEA this paper will compare the pharmacological properties and pharmacodynamic effects of these drugs to epinephrine. Specifically, receptor physiology along with the effects of adrenergic agonists on coronary perfusion pressure, survival, myocardial oxygen demand, and cerebral blood flow will be discussed.

Current concepts of silent myocardial ischemia.

The definition, pathogenesis, incidence and characteristics, detection, treatment, and prognosis of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) are reviewed. SMI is the occurrence of myocardial ischemia for which there is objective evidence (electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and metabolic changes) but no angina. Patients with SMI are classified as type 1 (completely asymptomatic), type 2 (SMI after myocardial infarction), and type 3 (both symptomatic and silent ischemia). Episodes of SMI are true ischemic events. The absence of pain may be due to defects in pain perception, an altered physiological response to ischemia, or a lesser degree of ischemia. The incidence of SMI is 2-5% in totally asymptomatic patients, 20-30% in patients who have suffered myocardial infarction, and 44-84% in patients who have symptomatic ischemia. SMI can be detected by exercise testing, portable electrocardiographic monitoring, or imaging techniques. Patients with SMI have more frequent adverse cardiac events (except death) than patients without SMI. The frequency of adverse cardiac events is similar in patients with angina and patients with SMI. SMI has been treated with nitrates, calcium-channel blockers, and beta blockers. Beta blockers appear to be the most consistent in reducing the number and duration of episodes. Combination therapy with beta blockers and nifedipine may be more effective than therapy with either agent alone. Because of the limited number of studies and the possible contribution to the results of spontaneous variability in the occurrence of SMI, no definite conclusions can be drawn about drug efficacy. There is no evidence that the prognosis of patients with SMI is altered by drug therapy; routine treatment with anti-ischemic drugs cannot be recommended. Patients must be evaluated individually, with aggressive management being reserved for those at high risk for myocardial infarction or other serious cardiac events.

Observed differences in amikacin pharmacokinetic parameters and dosage recommendations determined by enzyme immunoassay and fluorescence polarization immunoassay.

Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) methods are commercially available for quantitation of serum amikacin concentration. The purpose of this study was to determine if the two assay methods were comparable and would provide the same estimates for pharmacokinetic parameters and dosage recommendations. A total of 73 amikacin serum samples were used to evaluate the two assay techniques. Forty-four of these samples, obtained from 10 patients, were used to evaluate the comparability of pharmacokinetic parameters and dosage regimens. The correlation coefficient between the two assay methods was 0.98 (y = 1.03x + 0.64). There were substantial differences in assay performance noted in samples less than 10 mg/L, 10-20 mg/L, and greater than 20 mg/L, typical concentration ranges for serum sampling used in pharmacokinetic analysis. A difference of approximately 10% was observed in the determination of amikacin half-life, total body clearance, and dosage calculation. A 7% difference was noted in the volume of distribution. A significant difference (p less than 0.05) in volume of distribution and dosage recommendations was noted. Although the two methods for determining amikacin serum concentrations appear to be interchangeable on the basis of the in vitro comparison, significant differences were observed between the two assays in pharmacokinetic parameters and dosage recommendations.