CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA:
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1, FEB 2003
Title: The ECG : what is 'normal'? :
editorial
Authors: Millar, R.N. Scott
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.5-7
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Title: Ageing of ex-sportsmen :
ergonometric parameters of ex-elite athletes :
cardiovascular topics
Authors: Maznev, Ivan; Grigorov, Vladimir;
Goldberg, Lenard; Ignatovic, Goran
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.8-11
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Abstract: After the cessation of physical
activity for six or more years, processes start
to occur in previously active sportsmen that
cause aerobic capacity to reach the values
observed in people of the same age who have
never participated in sport. However, the
physical capacity of these people remains above
the average level for the same age group. The
important factors related to the aerobic
capacity of ex-elite sportsmen are the age,
current physical activity and body weight. There
is no relationship between their maximal aerobic
capacity and the type of sport discipline
practiced by the ex-athlete in the past.
Title: Typical electrocardiographic
deviations after cessation of physical
activities in elite sportsmen : cardiovascular
topics
Authors: Maznev, Ivan; Grigorov, Vladimir;
Goldberg, Lenard; Ignatovic, Goran
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.12-15
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Abstract: We observed that ECG changes
associated with high levels of sporting activity
are reversible in the majority of cases after
cessation of the sports career. This is probably
related to the normalisation of the raised vagal
tone and diminution of the effort-related heart
hypertrophy and chamber dilatation in
ex-sportsmen. The persistent ECG changes
observed in some of the ex-sportsmen could be
related to the ageing processes observed in the
general population as well. It is important that
all ECG deviations in ex-sportsmen be considered
seriously and interpreted in the context of the
ECGs obtained during the active sports career.
Title: Physical inactivity as a risk
factor for cardiovascular disease in communities
undergoing rural to urban transition : the THUSA
study : cardiovascular topics
Authors: Kruger, H. Salome; Venter, Christina
S.; Vorster, Hester H.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.16-23
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Abstract: Background. Coronary heart disease
(CHD) remains uncommon among South African
blacks. Habitual physical activity contributes
to the low prevalence of CHD in this population.
The aim of this study was to determine the
physical activity levels of black South Africans
in the North West Province and to assess the
relationship between physical activity and the
prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular
disease in a cross-sectional study.
Subjects and methods. Apparently healthy
volunteers (n = 946) were recruited from
randomly selected sites in the North West
Province, South Africa. Measurements were made
in community halls. Demographic data,
anthropometric measurements and physical
activity were determined. Blood pressures were
measured, blood was drawn and serum and plasma
samples were prepared. Biochemical variables
were determined using standardised methodology.
Results. Men were significantly more active than
women, with mean physical activity index (PAI)
scores of 3.66 ± 1.78 and 2.75 ± 1.04
respectively (P = 0.0001). Subjects in the deep
rural areas were more inactive than more
urbanised subjects. With multivariate tests in
men, no statistically significant differences in
CHD risk could be found with increasing physical
activity, except for fasting insulin, which was
significantly lower in the moderately active
group than in the inactive group. In women, the
most active group had a significantly higher
mean highdensity lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol
concentration than the most inactive group and
also a significantly lower mean triglyceride
concentration. The most active group of women
also had a significantly higher mean fasting
serum glucose than the less active group. Among
both men and women, inactive overweight subjects
had the highest mean systolic blood pressure,
total serum cholesterol and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol.
Conclusions. In men, only fasting serum insulin
was significantly associated with physical
inactivity, but in women, a number of
cardiovascular disease risk factors were
significantly associated with physical
inactivity, especially in overweight subjects.
Title: The William Nelson ECG quiz
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.23, 28
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Title: Autopsy-determined causes of
death following organ transplantation in 25
patients aged 20 years or younger :
cardiovascular topics
Authors: Rose, Alan G.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.24-28
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Abstract: Aim: This study aims to examine the
autopsy-determined principal and proximate
causes of death in 25 patients aged 20 years or
younger who died during the 10-year period from
1990 to 1999 after receiving an organ transplant
at the University of
Minnesota/Fairview-University Medical Center.
Methods: The autopsy records of this institution
were examined for organ transplant recipients
who were aged 20 years or younger at the time of
their death. In each case, after review of the
clinical and pathological data, the principal
cause of death (PCOD), as well as the proximate
cause of death (PXCOD) were noted.
Results: A total of 25 recipient patients were
identified (five heart, five lung, five kidney
and 10 liver transplants). Seven patients died
30 days or less postoperatively and 18 died
thereafter. The following categories of PCOD
were encountered: operative/technical
complications 28%, most (6/7) being associated
with liver transplantation. Infection (24%) and
chronic rejection (12%) were other important
PCOD. Respiratory complications accounted for
47% of the PCOD. The following categories of
PXCOD were noted: technical problems 16%,
pulmonary pathology 24%, miscellaneous 32%,
acute rejection 4% and nil 20%.
Conclusions: This study revealed that technical
problems in liver transplants were an important
PCOD; respiratory complications and chronic
rejection were additional major causes of
mortality in this young age group of transplant
recipients. Pulmonary pathology and technical
problems were the commonest specific groups
contributing to the PXCOD.
Title: Chronic idiopathic effusive
pericarditis in a patient with 'cor pulmonale' :
case report
Authors: Goldberg, L.; Hagios, P.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.30-34
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Abstract: Chronic idiopathic pericarditis is a
diagnosis of exclusion that is estimated to
occur in 3.5% of primary pericardial disease. It
is possible that many of these cases are
secondary to unrecognised viral infections. The
natural history is variable and treatment should
be individualised, although chronic colchicine
administration may hold promise as a newer
therapeutic modality in symptomatic recurrent
pericarditis. This case presentation illustrates
the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties that
may arise in such patients.
Title: Are all statins created
equal? : letter to the editor
Authors: Maritz, Frans Jacobus
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.35-37
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Title: The jury is still out on
oestrogens and oestrogen / progestin and the
heart : letter to the editor
Authors: Cheifitz, R.L.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.38-39
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Title: Comments on the letter by dr
Rob Cheifitz : letter to the editor
Authors: Hough, Stephen
From: Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa,
Vol 14, Issue 1, Jan / Feb
Published: 2003
Pages: p.40
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