[Cardiovascular risk factors in a population of Southern Lombardy]. / Fattori di rischio cardiovascolare in una popolazione della Bassa Lombardia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to collect data on the incidence of risk factors in the population of the province of Cremona. The study is based on findings gathered in the course of meetings with the local populace termed "Giornate del Cuore" ("Heart Days") promoted by a voluntary association to sensitize the population concerning prevention and the ways one can achieve a more appropriate lifestyle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six risk factors for cardiovascular disease were investigated: hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, overweight, smoking, and hereditary predisposition. RESULTS: A total of 3,618 subjects, 1,783 males (49.3%) and 1,835 females (50.7%), participated in the study. The number of subjects resulting with hypercholesterolemia was: 1249 M and 1426 F; with hypertension: 788 M, 783 F; with diabetes: 105 M, 100 F; overweight: 941 M, 892 F; smoking: 389 M, 253 F; with hereditary predisposition: 593 M, 735 F; 81 males and 94 females did not show any risk factor (slightly less than 5%). The scarce presence of younger and middle age-groups confirms the low sensitivity of individuals at such ages to occasions for information and education on health issues. In general it emerged that, regarding the values of cholesterolemia, almost all subjects without health problems had never been interested to know the value of their own cholesterol; concerning hypertension, on the other hand, a more widely diffused awareness of one's own health status was found. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirm how necessary it continues to be to inform and educate to a health-oriented lifestyle. Prevention thus constitutes a commitment of the greatest importance at both the individual and social level.

[Experience with intravenous amiodarone in hyperkinetic supraventricular arrhythmias]. / Esperienze con amiodarone endovena in alcune aritmie ipercinetiche sopraventricolari.

The Authors tested the effectiveness of amiodarone hydrochloride i.v. in 50 cases of supraventricular hyperkinetic arrhythmias recently aroused. 50 patients, aged 41 to 85 years, with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT, 21 cases), atrial flutter (7 cases) or fibrillation (22 cases) were treated with 4 mg/Kg of body weight of amiodarone i.v. over 2 min., followed by other 1500 mg/24 hours over 48 hours while amiodarone per os was started for antiarrhythmic prophylaxis; a 12 leads surface ECG and blood pressure were periodically recorded. The sinus rhythm was restored within 3 hours in every case of PSVT (100% of success), within 30 hours in 19 cases of atrial fibrillation (86% of success) and in 5 cases of atrial flutter (71% of success). A slowing down of ventricular frequency ranging from 15 to 40% occurred within 10 min. in case of failure of restoration of sinus rhythm; a slight and transient lengthening of P-R occurred in 1 case; no particular side effects nor noteworthy changes of blood pressure were observed. Amiodarone i.v. proved to be a very effective remedy, handy and well tolerated for the arrhythmias considered above.