Acute and chronic hypothyroidism are associated with similar left ventricular diastolic dysfunction relative to the euthyroid state: results of doppler echocardiographic comparisons.

Background: How the duration of hypothyroidism affects left ventricular diastolic function is not well-characterized.

Aim: We sought to compare left ventricular diastolic function in acutely vs chronically hypothyroid patients vs euthyroid controls, and within individuals while on vs off T4.

Subjects And Methods: We prospectively performed such comparisons measuring pulsed-wave and color M-mode Doppler echocardiographic variables: early or late mitral peak velocities (E wave or A wave, respectively), E wave/A wave ratio, E wave deceleration time, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), mitral flow propagation velocity (Vp), E wave/Vp ratio.

The hyperventilation test as a method for developing successful therapy in Prinzmetal's angina.

In 10 cases of Prinzmetal's angina in which episodes of myocardial ischemia were easily and reproducibly induced by hyperventilation, this test was performed 111 times, 41 times under control conditions and 70 times during treatment with one or more of the following drugs: phentolamine, isosorbide dinitrate, propranolol, verapamil, nifedipine and amiodarone. Seventeen of 18 negative tests performed under the influence of a long-acting drug coincided with total remission of the patient's anginal episodes when this drug was administered on a short- or long-term basis. No patient died or sustained infarction during a follow-up period of 10.

Long-term management of sustained, recurrent, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia with amiodarone.

Twenty-three patients with sustained, recurrent, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia were treated with oral amiodarone. Initial doses were 600-2000 mg/day and maintenance doses were 200-1200 mg/day. Amiodarone was highly effective in 20 patients (87%), seven of whom had a follow-up of 30 months or longer, including two who were followed for 5 years.