1/18. Successful treatment of severe orthostatic hypotension with cardiac tachypacing in dual chamber pacemakers.Orthostatic hypotension is an evolving and disabling disease usually observed in elderly patients with dramatic consequences on morbidity, mortality, and impairing the quality of life. We studied the effects of the pacing rate and AV interval on the blood pressure drop in the upright position in two patients with previously implanted pacemakers for sinus node dysfunction. Although the AV interval did not affect the blood pressure drop in the upright position, tachypacing at 100 paces/min improved it dramatically and prevented syncope. Cardiac tachypacing is a useful therapeutic option in severe refractory orthostatic hypotensive patients, especially those with chronotropic incompetence.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/18. Clinico-pathological features of postural hypotension in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.We report the clinico-pathological features and management of a 49-year-old male with a 30-year history of Type 1 diabetes mellitus who had nephropathy (proteinuria 1.81 g/24 h, creatinine 136 micromol/l), proliferative retinopathy and severe somatic and autonomic neuropathy. A sural nerve biopsy demonstrated marked myelinated fibre loss with unmyelinated fibre degeneration and regeneration combined with extensive endoneurial microangiopathy. The management of the patient's blood pressure problems (supine hypertension) and symptomatic postural hypotension is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/18. ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report.CONTEXT: Chronic orthostatic hypotension (OH) is frequently a severely debilitating disease that affects large groups of the population with autonomic insufficiency--the elderly; patients with diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome; and anyone on drugs that affect the autonomic nervous system. Unfortunately, even though more than 60 medications are currently being used to treat OH, none of them is particularly or consistently effective. ruscus aculeatus, a phytotherapeutic agent that is well known in europe, may, however, change this. Its vasoconstrictive and venotonic properties make it ideally suited to treat the pooling of blood in the limbs, lack of venous tone, and lack of neurally mediated vasoconstriction that frequently characterize OH. Although it has never been suggested as a treatment for OH, it already has a long, proven record of use in europe for treating a variety of circulatory disorders. OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for what appears to be an effective, safe, inexpensive botanical therapy for OH and encourage further studies on the efficacy of ruscus for OH patients. DESIGN: review of OH and therapies currently available for OH and evaluation of the properties of ruscus aculeatus, its mechanism of action, and its suitability as a therapeutic agent for treatment of OH. RESULTS: A review of the many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic agents for treating OH reveals that all of the drug therapies are disappointing and marginally useful. Although nonpharmacologic management is preferred, in the many cases in which OH becomes debilitating, pharmacologic intervention becomes a last resort. But drug therapy may not always be necessary, because ruscus aculeatus, a phytotherapeutic agent containing ruscogenins and flavonoids, may prove useful for the treatment of OH if denervation is not so advanced that it has compromised receptor activity at the venous wall. ruscus aculeatus is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that causes venous constriction by directly activating postjunctional alpha1- and alpha2-receptors, in turn stimulating the release of noradrenaline at the level of the vascular wall. It also possesses venotonic properties: it reduces venous capacity and pooling of blood in the legs and exerts protective effects on capillaries, the vascular endothelium, and smooth muscle. Its flavonoid content strengthens blood vessels, reduces capillary fragility, and helps maintain healthy circulation. Unlike most of the drug therapies used to treat OH, ruscus aculeatus does not cause supine hypertension. It also appears to do something no other therapy can offer--alleviate the worsening effects of OH in environmentally hot conditions. Finally, it is an extremely safe, inexpensive, over-the-counter botanical medicine. CONCLUSION: With proven phlebotherapeutic properties, including vasoconstrictive action and venotonic properties, ruscus aculeatus shows great promise for ameliorating the symptoms of OH and improving the quality of life for large groups in the population. It clearly deserves to be the object of wider research and study as a treatment for OH.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/18. erythropoietin-dependent anaemia: a possible complication of diabetic neuropathy.We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus, complicated with proliferative retinopathy, autonomic neuropathy and microalbuminuria and moderate renal failure. A normochromic, normocytic are generative anaemia had been diagnosed for three years. Clinical and biological investigations for the aetiology of anaemia remained normal or negative. Anaemia was associated with a concentration of erythropoietin (EPO) in the normal range, but inappropriately low regarding anaemia. Treatment with recombinant EPO induced a rapid increase in haemoglobin level and improved the patient's quality of life. The role of diabetic neuropathy in the genesis of anaemia, in conjunction with a modest renal impairment is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/18. Life-threatening orthostatic hypotension in a case with bulbo-myelo-radiculo-neuropathy.A 59-year-old female developed acute autonomic failure accompanied by life-threatening orthostatic hypotension. Reduced plasma noradrenaline levels and enhanced pressure response to noradrenaline infusion were compatible with a diagnosis of acute pan-dysautonomia. However, nerve conduction tests clearly revealed motor and sensory nerve involvement and abnormal F-responses. A sural nerve biopsy and catecholamine fluorescence study of the rectal mucosa revealed relatively preserved postganglionic unmyelinated nerve fibers. Six weeks later, the patient developed another episode of bulbar palsy and right hemiparesis; the MRI showed lesions in the medulla oblongata and right cervical spinal cord. The prognosis of acute pan-dysautonomia is usually unsatisfactory, but the present patient showed good steroid-responsiveness probably because impaired preganglionic sympathetic myelinated fibers and medulla oblongata recovered quickly.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/18. Electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles for control of blood pressure and augmentation of cough in a C3/4 level tetraplegic.OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of a FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation) device for the relief of postural hypertension and augmentation of cough in a C3 ventilator-dependent tetraplegic. STUDY DESIGN: A single case study. SETTING: A supra regional spinal unit in the UK. METHOD: A dual channel stimulator was designed that allowed selection and initiation of two predetermined stimulation intensities using a chin controlled joystick. Two sets of 70 mm diameter electrodes were placed either side of the abdomen. Approximately 80 mA, 300 micros, 40 Hz was required for assisted cough while about 40 mA was required for maintenance of blood pressure. After eating, the lower level stimulus is self-administered every 3 to 5 min gradually increasing the time between groups of burst to once every hour after 90 min. RESULTS: Following eating, a blood pressure of 60/45 mmHg was recorded. After five 1 s bursts of stimulation in quick repetition, this was increased to 133/92 mmHg. After 2 min blood pressure had fallen to 124/86 mmHg and to 93/66 after a further 4 min. The electrical stimulation was then repeated, returning the blood pressure to the previous higher level. Measurement of peak expiratory flow showed an increase from 275 l/min for an unassisted cough to 425 l/min when using the device. CONCLUSION: The device is used every day. The user is now independent in coughing function and no longer requires suction or manual assistance. maintenance of blood pressure has significantly improved his quality of life.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/18. Clinical effects of elastic bandage on neurogenic orthostatic hypotension.Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (OH) often causes troublesome symptoms such as dizziness, syncope and falling, interfering active daily life or various therapies in rehabilitation. Nonpharmacologic measures for treating patients with OH include wearing elastic leotard, head-up tilting at night, etc. Elastic garment or antigravity suits is certainly effective, but it may be uncomfortable and not practical. Although elastic bandage (EB) bound on the lower limbs has been thought to be useful, there is few clinical report about its beneficial evidence. We investigated short-term clinical effects of commercially available EB on OH, and estimated the mechanism of its effectiveness by measuring some blood pressure-related humoral variables in neurodegenerative patients with OH.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/18. Relative adrenal insufficiency in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is treated with rapid decrement of immunosuppressive therapy. This cannot be achieved with ease in patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy, as chronically suppressed adrenal glands may not be capable of mounting adequate response to stress. A 52-year-old Caucasian male presented with fever, orthostatic hypotension, lymphadenopathy and hyponatraemia. serum cortisol levels were within normal levels with a sub optimal response to stimulation by ACTH. Hyponatraemia and orthostasis responded poorly to fluid restriction, saline and salt repletion but corrected after increasing the steroid dose. The normal baseline cortisol levels represented a stimulated adrenal gland, however, the ACTH stimulation had inadequate response. This sub optimal stimulation and a good response to increased steroids suggest the presence of relative or occult adrenal insufficiency. Relative adrenal insufficiency must be considered in patients who have received prolonged glucocorticoid therapy and have symptoms such as hypotension and/or hyponatraemia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/18. case reports and review of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a type of orthostatic intolerance that is characterized by excessive tachycardia and decreased cerebral blood flow in the upright position. This can result in significant symptoms of dizziness and light-headedness that can eventually lead to syncope. In this review, we describe two patients with POTS that varied in their degree of symptoms and treatment. One patient was able to be treated as an outpatient, while the other required hospitalization and extensive medical therapy. We would like to emphasize with this review that POTS is probably more common than it is diagnosed and is often confused with other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or functional syncope. It is important to make the correct diagnosis in order to allow appropriate treatment and to improve the quality of life for these patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/18. Aortic stenosis and autonomic dysfunction: co-conspirators in syncope.Autonomic dysfunction and aortic stenosis share several clinical characteristics, including, in severe cases, syncope. Both illnesses tend to manifest later in life, and most cases are idiopathic in origin. In a short period of 4 weeks, the authors noted that three patients out of 36 referrals for autonomic dysfunction also had histories of aortic valve replacement due to stenosis. In each case, similar presenting symptoms of fatigue, light-headedness, and syncope were attributed to aortic stenosis without mention of autonomic failure as a possible contributor. The authors propose that patients for whom symptoms of aortic valve stenosis are not relieved by surgical intervention may have concomitant autonomic dysfunction contributing significantly to their symptoms. Furthermore, the two conditions may comprise a dangerous combination, aortic stenosis causing physical obstruction of ventricular outflow, and autonomic dysfunction causing decreased venous return and insufficient cardiac filling. It may be beneficial for patients with aortic stenosis who present with syncope to be considered for possible autonomic dysfunction to address both potential pathophysiologies contributing to the syncope.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = life (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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