Zeitschrift für Kardiologie
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[The use of digitalis glycosides in atrial fibrillation].
The role of cardiac glycosides for conversion of atrial fibrillation to simus rhythm is controversially discussed. In a prospective study, 45 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (of 15 patients each). ⋯ The use of digoxin remains a mainstay of treatment for rate control in atrial fibrillation. To convert atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, however, the addition of a type I or III antiarrhythmic agent is necessary.
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This paper explains the physiological and biochemical basis of the anaerobic threshold (AT), achieved during physical exercise. The lactate concentration is approximately the same at rest in relatively fit adults, in normal sedentary subjects in adult patients with heart disease. But during exercise, the increase of lactate is inversely related to the physical fitness of the individual. ⋯ The anaerobic threshold can be determined during the ramp program using the following four parameters: 1) steeper increase of VCO2 as compared to VO2 (V-slope-method); 2) respiratory exchange ratio = 0.95; 3) PETO2 increase; 4) VE/VO2 increase. The V-slope-method can be successfully applied, not only in healthy volunteers, but also in patients suffering from cardiac and/or pulmonary (breathing abnormalities) diseases. The so far published data show that the anaerobic threshold in healthy people and patients is a highly reproducible, accurately measurable, securely achievable parameter for the non-invasive evaluation of the individual cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.
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Comparative Study
[Neurohumoral and hemodynamic effects in combination therapy of enoximone and dopamine].
Twelve patients with severe heart failure (NYHA class III-IV) were investigated by intraindividual comparison for the hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of dopamine (3 and 6 micrograms/kg/min), enoximone (8 micrograms/kg/min), and the combination of both medications (dopamine 3 micrograms/kg/min+enoximone 8 micrograms/kg/min) using right heart catheterization. The duration of active treatment was 8 h for each substance with a subsequent washout time of 16 h. Dopamine led to a dose-dependent increase in cardiac index of 10-13% and 18-37% under 3 and 6 micrograms/kg/min, respectively (p < 0.001). ⋯ An additive effect on heart rate was not observed. The respective monotherapies with low-dose dopamine and enoximone had no remarkable effect on plasma catecholamines, while dopamine at a dose of 6 micrograms/kg/min and combination therapy led to a significant increase in noradrenaline levels. There was a highly significant decrease in the plasma concentration of the atrial natriuretic factor under enoximone and combination therapy (p < 0.001) as well as a significant decrease in aldosterone (0 < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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A refractory low-cardiac-output syndrome is, in pediatric patients, most often due to impaired myocardial function after corrective surgery in congenital heart disease. Therapy has to focus on postoperative adaptation, which usually takes place within a few days. We report on three therapeutic strategies to "bridge" this phase of postoperative adaptation. ⋯ In low-cardiac-output syndrome refractory to all therapeutic measures mechanical circulatory support is the final method to keep the patient alive. In 11 children with refractory low-cardiac-output syndrome mechanical circulatory support was performed. In three of these, extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used, in eight children a ventricular assist device (Berlin Heart) was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)