CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA: VOLUME 18, ISSUE
4, JULY 2007
- Title: African traditional medicines
for erectile dysfunction : elusive dream or
imminent reality? : editorial
Authors: Ojewole, John A.O.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 213-215
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: The William Nelson ECG Quiz
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 215, 240
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Clinical risk predictors
associated with cardiac mortality following
vascular surgery in South African patients :
cardiovascular topic
Authors: Biccard, B.M.; Bandu, R.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 216-220
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Clinical risk prediction is important in the prognostication of peri-operative cardiac complications and the management of high-risk cardiac patients for major non-cardiac surgery.However, the current pre-operative clinical risk indices have been derived in European and American patients and not validated in South African patients.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the clinical risk predictors identified in Lee's revised cardiac risk index and in the African arm of the INTERHEART study, in predicting cardiac mortality following vascular surgery in South African patients.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients undergoing elective or urgent vascular surgery at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital over a three-year period. All in-hospital deaths were identified and classified into cardiac or non-cardiac deaths by an investigator blinded to the patients' pre-operative clinical risk predicators. A second investigator blinded to the cause of death identified the following clinical risk predictors: history of ischaemic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure and cerebrovascular accident, presence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity (BMI > 30 kg.m-2,), elevated serum creatinine (> 180 mmol.l-1), positive smoking history and ethnicity.
The main finding was that a serum creatinine level of greater than 180 mmol.l-1 and a positive smoking history were significantly associated with cardiac death (p = 0.012, p = 0.012, respectively). Multivariate analyses using a backward stepwise modeling technique found only a serum creatinine of > 180 mmol.l-1 and a positive smoking history to be significantly associated with cardiac mortality (p = 0.038, 0.035, respectively) with an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of 3.02 (1.06-8.59) and 3.40 (1.09-10.62), respectively. All other clinical predictors were not significantly different between the two groups.
However, based on the sample size of this study, a type 2 or b error may have resulted in the other risk predictors not being identified as important clinical predictors of cardiac mortality. Therefore, until such time as a study of adequate power is conducted, a history of ischaemic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure, diabetes and cerebrovascular accidents should still be considered to be important clinical risk predictors in South African surgical patients.
In conclusion, an elevated serum creatinine and a positive history for smoking are important clinical predictors of cardiac mortality in South African patients following elective or urgent vascular surgery.
- Title: Hyperglycaemic effect of
Artocarpus communis Forst (Moraceae) root bark
aqueous extract in Wistar rats : cardiovascular
topic
Authors: Adewole, Stephen O.; Ojewole, John A.O.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 221-227
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Decoctions and infusions of Artocarpus communis (Forst) (family: Moraceae) root bark are traditionally used among the Yoruba-speaking people of western Nigeria as folk remedies for the management, control and treatment of an array of human diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although numerous bioactive prenylflavonoids have been isolated from the roots, stem bark and leaves of A communis, to the best of our knowledge, the effects of the plant's root bark extract on animal models of diabetes mellitus have hitherto not been reported in the biomedical literature. In our pilot study, we observed that A communis root bark aqueous extract (ACE) raised blood glucose concentrations in rats. In view of this finding, the present study was undertaken to investigate the glycaemic effect of ACE in comparison with that of streptozotocin (STZ) in Wistar rats.
Four groups (A, B, C and D) of Wistar rats, each group consisting of 10 rats, were used in this study. Group A rats received distilled water in quantities equivalent to the volume of ACE administered. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the animals in groups B and C by intraperitoneal (ip) injections of STZ (75 mg/kg body weight). The rats in group C were additionally treated with ACE (50 mg/kg body weight ip) from the third to the tenth day following STZ treatment. Group D rats received ACE (12.5-100 mg/kg body weight ip) only.
The effects of ACE were compared with those of STZ on blood glucose concentrations, serum and pancreatic insulin levels, hepatic hexokinase (HXK) and glucokinase (GCK) activities, and hepatic glycogen contents in the experimental animal paradigm used. The rats in treated groups B, C and D exhibited pronounced polyuria, hypo-insulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. Group D rats developed significant hyperglycaemia (p < 0.05) immediately after ACE administration, whereas groups B and C rats became hyperglycaemic 24 to 72 hours post STZ and STZ + ACE treatments, when compared with the control group A rats. Hepatic glycogen contents significantly increased (p < 0.05), while HXK and GCK activities significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the treated groups B, C and D rats, when compared with the control group A rats.
The findings of this laboratory animal study indicate that A communis root bark aqueous extract induced acute hyperglycaemia in Wistar rats, and that it disrupted the biochemical variables of the rat pancreas and liver.
- Title: Metabolic syndrome in young
Asian Indian patients with myocardial infarction
: cardiovascular topic
Authors: Ranjith, N.; Pegoraro, R.J.; Naidoo, D.P.; Esterhuizen, T.M.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 228-232
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its impact on hospital outcomes in young South African Indians (< 45 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using both the National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions.
Methods and results: The study population comprised 389 patients with AMI. The metabolic syndrome as defined by the NCEP ATP III criteria was found in 235 (60%) patients and in 223 (57%) according to the IDF criteria, with only a 79% concordance between the two definitions. However, when ethnic-specific waist circumference cut-offs proposed by the IDF were used as a criterion for obesity in the NCEP ATP III definition, the number of patients with the metabolic syndrome increased significantly to 270 (69%) (p < 0.001).
Elevated fasting blood glucose was the major NCEP ATP III determinant present in 86% of individuals. All determinants for both definitions were found more frequently in patients with the metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001). Although 44% of patients had triple-vessel disease on cardiac catheterisation studies, the frequency of adverse cardiovascular events during hospital stay was low, and was uninfluenced by the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome is a common finding in young Indian patients with AMI who frequently present with extensive atherosclerotic disease. Adverse event rate during hospital stay was low, and was unrelated to the presence of the metabolic syndrome. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of the metabolic syndrome as determined by either the NCEP ATP III or IDF definitions, but there was only a moderate level of agreement between the two definitions. Inclusion of ethnic-specific waist circumference cut-offs as the determinant of obesity in the NCEP definition may identify more accurately individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk and improve predication of the metabolic syndrome.
- Title: Mitral valve apparatus :
echocardiographic features predicting the
outcome of percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy
: cardiovascular topic, Cardiovascular Journal
of South Africa, 18(3) 2007 : pp.159-164 :
erratum
Authors: Du Toit, R.; Brice, E.A.W.; Van Niekerk, J.D.; Doubell, A.F.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 233
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Application of the modified
Framingham cardiovascular risk score to newly
diagnosed type 2 black African diabetic patients
: cardiovascular topic
Authors: Kengne, Andre Pascal; Dehayem, Mesmin; Choukem, Simeon Pierre; Awah, Paschal; Mbanya, Jean-Claude
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 234-237
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Background and objective: Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the baseline cardiovascular risk of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, using the modified Framingham point-score scale.
Methods: Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected from 97 consecutive newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients at the Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon. Projected 10-year cardiovascular risk was estimated for each patient using the modified point score of Framingham.
Results: Men and women were equally represented and the age of the participants ranged from 33 to 86 years. Mean values for total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high- density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were relatively elevated in the study population while HDL cholesterol levels were low. Total cardiovascular risk scores and the individual scores for each of the parameters in our model were significantly higher in females than in males. The 10-year risk for coronary artery disease was above 20% in 7.2% (6.7-7.7) of subjects, and between 10 and 20% in 21.7% (20.8-22.6). overall, men were more at risk than women (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Patients with type 2 diabetes already had increased cardiovascular risk at clinical diagnosis in Cameroon. There is therefore considerable need for cardiovascular risk-factor intervention, particularly for hypertension and obesity, as well as dyslipidaemia, along with tight metabolic control.
- Title: Images in cardiovascular
medicine : myocardial inflammation in viral
peri-myocarditis detected by tissue Doppler
echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging
: case report
Authors: Smedema, Jan-Pieter
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 238-240
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: This case report demonstrates the value of tissue Doppler echocardiography and contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of patients with myocarditis.
- Title: Differences in hypertension
between blacks and whites : an overview : review
article
Authors: Lindhorst, Jane; Alexander, Nicole; Blignaut, Juliet; Rayner, Brian
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 241-247
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Hypertension is more prevalent and severe in urban black populations compared to whites, and is associated with a greater degree of target-organ damage for any given blood pressure level. In general, compared to whites, blacks respond well to diuretics and calcium channel blockers and less well to b -blockers and ACE inhibitors. The exact mechanisms that contribute to differences in blood pressure between blacks and whites are still not fully understood, given the multi-factorial aetiology of essential hypertension. various lines of evidence suggest black patients are more salt sensitive than whites, which is due to a tendency to retain sodium in the kidney. Inherent differences in ionic transport mechanisms, the renal epithelial sodium channel, the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasoactive substances may be a partial explanation, but analysis is compounded by disparate socio-economic conditions between blacks and whites. At present, there is no complete explanation for these differences and further research is required.
- Title: Magnetic resonance imaging of
the coronary arteries : review article
Authors: Gerretsen, S.C.; Kooi, M.E.; Schalla, S.; Delhaas, T.; Snoep, G.; Van Engelshoven, J.M.A.; Leiner, T.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 248-259
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Despite progress in prevention and early diagnosis, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. For many years, invasive X-ray coronary angiography has been the method of choice for the diagnosis of significant CAD. However, up to 40% of patients referred for elective X-ray coronary angiography have no clinically significant stenoses. These patients still remain subjected to the potential risks of X-ray angiography. As an alternative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently one of the most promising techniques for noninvasive imaging of the coronary arteries. over the past two decades, many technical developments have been implemented that have led to major improvements in coronary MRI. Nowadays, both anatomical and functional information can be obtained with high temporal and spatial resolution and good image quality. In this review we will discuss the technical foundations and current status of clinical coronary MRI, and some potential future applications.
- Title: How well do we know the
opioids for providing good analgesia?
Authors: Straughan, John L.
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 261-264
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Benzene exposure and
hypertension : an observation : short
communication
Authors: Wiwanitkit, Viroj
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 264-265
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
Abstract: Pollutants such as benzene are of particular concern since recent research has indicated that exposure to benzene can result in chronic toxicity. However, there are limited data on the effects of benzene exposure on blood pressure. To continue with a previous study, the aim was to determine the degree of exposure to benzene using the classic biomarker, urine phenol, and its correlation with hypertension. From the results of this study, the rate of hypertension in the group with high exposure to benzene (100%) was significantly higher than that in the group with less exposure (49%). A possible mechanism of benzene-induced hypertension could be disturbance of the nitric oxide process, subsequently leading to hypertension. However, the actual mechanism causing hypertension in subjects exposed to benzene requires further study.
- Title: Preventing disease
progression in hypertensive patients - a new
focus for guidelines and clinicians : drug
trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 266, 268
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Atorvastatin significantly
reduced risk of coronary events and stroke in
high-risk type 2 diabetics after recent stroke :
drug trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 268-269
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Moxonidine improves glycaemic
control in mildly hypertensive, overweight type
2 diabetic patients : drug trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 271
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Beta-blockers post-MI reduce
progression of coronary atherosclerosis - pooled
IVUS trials : drug trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 271-272
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Interest in ASTRONOMER trial
raised by recent study showing delay in
progression of aortic stenosis with rosuvastatin
: drug trends in cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 272
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Removal of black-triangle
status for Crestor in the UK : drug trends in
cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 274
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: FDA approves enoxaparin
sodium injection for STEMI : drug trends in
cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 274, 276
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
- Title: Mild renal impairment
increases cardiovascular risk : drug trends in
cardiology
From: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, Vol 18, Issue 4, Jul / Aug
Published: 2007
Pages: 276
Full text: Click here to order
Full text: Click here to read online (Login Required)
Notes: Previously published as Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa until Volume 18, Issue 2, Mar/Apr 2007, ISSN 16800745. First volume of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa published as Volume 18, Issue 3, May/Jun 2007, ISSN 10159657.
