Effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract on forearm haemodynamics in healthy volunteers.

The aim was to validate possible vasodilating effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract with a secondary aim of finding a pharmacodynamic signal relating to the active component of these extracts. We studied the effect of G. biloba extract on forearm haemodynamics in 16 healthy subjects (nine females, seven males) with a median age of 32 years (range: 21-47).

[The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract in patients with intermittent claudication].

Eighteen patients with stable intermittent claudication were randomized in a double blind cross-over study comparing the effects of the Ginkgo biloba extract GB-8 at a dose of 120 mg o.d. with placebo.

ACE inhibition with spirapril improves diastolic function at rest independent of vasodilation during treatment with spirapril in mild to moderate hypertension.

The effects of the ACE inhibitor spirapril and of hydrochlorothiazide on left ventricular diastolic function were studied. Thirteen patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension completed this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. After a three-week run-in period the patients entered three periods lasting four weeks each, wherein they were treated with placebo, spirapril, or hydrochlorothiazide.

[Padma-28, a herbal preparation, increases walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication].

Thirty-six patients with stable intermittent claudication were randomized in a doubleblind study either to treatment with two tablets of Padma-28 twice daily (containing 340 mg dried herbal mixture composed according to an ancient lamaistic prescription) or placebo for four months. Effect of treatment was quantified by measurements of systemic and peripheral systolic blood pressures, and pain-free and maximal walking distances on a tread-mill. The actively treated group attained a significant increase in pain-free walking distance from 115 m (72-218) to 227 m (73- >1000, p < 0.

Electrical impedance measured changes in thoracic fluid content during thoracentesis.

In patients (seven females and 11 males) with pleural effusion due to pulmonary (n = 13) or cardiac disease (n = 5) the change in baseline transthoracic impedance (Z0) was measured by electrical impedance (BoMed's NCCOM-3, 70 kHz) during thoracentesis. Data were obtained before and after withdrawal of each 500 ml, and at the end of the thoracentesis. We found a close linear correlation (r = 0.