Dan Med Bull
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LV systolic function and dilation after Ml have been extensively studied and have been related to heart failure and cardiac mortality. In recent years, it has been increasingly apparent that LV diastolic dysfunction contributes to signs and symptoms of heart failure and LV diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased mortality rates in patients chronic heart failure independent of systolic function. LV diastolic dysfunction is difficult to assess on basis of clinical examination including chest radiography and electrocardiography. ⋯ The MPI is easily obtained, reproducible, non-geometric and seems less dependent on heart rate and load conditions compared to traditional Doppler measurements. In patients with MI is has shown to reflect disease severity and contain prognostic information. The assessment of MPI seems therefore to be a relevant attractive alternative to established measurements of LV function following MI.
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Comparative Study
Myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary angiography in patients with known or suspected stable angina pectoris.
The patho-physiological cause of angina pectoris is myocardial ischaemia, which can be objectified by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). ⋯ MPI demonstrates regional hypoperfusion whereas CAG depicts anatomical stenosis in epicardial arteries. Both modalities are potentially relevant in patients with stable angina pectoris. The functional significance of coronary artery lesions is, however, variable and MPI can demonstrate normal myocardial perfusion in the presence of moderate lesions. MPI exhibited a high sensitivity and specificity regarding significant lesions. More than one third of the subjects had a normal MPI and a normal CAG. Patients with stable angina pectoris and a normal MPI have a very low risk of cardiac events and do usually not require further invasive investigation or therapy. Reversible ischaemia and irreversible ischaemia with demonstration of viable tissue call for coronary revascularisation.
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Human experimental pain models are important tools in pain research. The primary aims of pain research in normal man is 1) to provide insight in pain mechanisms, 2) to provide a rational basis for clinical trials of pain relieving interventions, and 3) to confirm the anti-nociceptive effects demonstrated in animal models. Most often clinical pain is due to tissue damage leading to acute inflammation and hyperalgesia, but only few human pain models have examined pain responses in injured tissues. ⋯ A contribution from sensitised CNS neurones is likely, and the sensitisation of nociceptors is confined to the injured area. The presence of hyperalgesia to heat in normal skin surrounding a burn (secondary hyperalgesia) has been demonstrated in several studies, but the pain threshold may be unaltered. The mechanisms for primary hyperalgesia to mechanical stimuli may be both peripheral and central, but the importance of peripheral mechanisms is unclear and central mechanisms may account for mechanical hyperalgesia in both the primary and th
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A working group was established to evaluate the need for an increased folate intake in Danish women to decrease the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). NTD are birth defects which include anencephaly, encephalocele and spina bifida. In Denmark the incidence is about 1.4 per 1,000 pregnancies. ⋯ Women who do not eat according to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, and women with an increased risk due to diseases are recommended a supplement of 400 micrograms folic acid daily from a multivitamin/folic acid tablet. Women who have had a child with NTD and women who themselves have NTDs are recommended a supplement of 5 mg folic acid daily. Dietary changes and supplements should be initiated when pregnancy is planned.