Aortic Arch Baroreceptor Stimulation in an Experimental Goat Model: A Novel Method to Lower Blood Pressure.

The effect of aortic baroreceptor stimulation on blood pressure manipulation was assessed using the goat species . The aim of this study was to manipulate blood pressure with future intention to treat high blood pressure in humans. The ages of the animals ranged from 6 months to 2 years.

NT-proBNP: When is it useful in Obstetric Medicine?

Pregnancy, viewed as a stress test of the haemodynamic system, may unmask underlying cardiac disease. Pregnancy may also induce de novo cardiac disease. N-terminal brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a useful biomarker in all clinical conditions in which the ventricle is stressed and especially stretched in the general population.

Rheumatoid arthritis and risk of cardiovascular disease.

In developing countries, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a seriously under-prioritised disease, particularly among the underprivileged, often resulting in presentation of patients late in the course of their disease, further complicated by limited therapeutic options and inconsistent follow up. The consequences are often severe with irreversible disability, increased frequency of co-morbidities, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD), and higher mortality rates, relative to developed countries. Despite addressing traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the impact of subclinical or 'residual' inflammation from uncontrolled RA needs to be considered.

Non-acid gastro-oesophageal reflux is associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus is a common cancer among South Africans. Due to the absence of effective screening and surveillance programme for early detection and late presentation, squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage or when metastasis has already occurred. The 5-year survival is often quoted at 5%-10%, which is poor.

Autonomic impairment in rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To determine if there is a difference between autonomic cardiac control as measured by heart rate variability (HRV) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to a healthy control group.

Methods: The RA group (45) and control group (39) were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Three techniques were used: time domain, frequency domain and Poincarè plot analysis.

Effect of exercise on cardiac autonomic function in females with rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise on cardiac autonomic function as measured by short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in females suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Females with confirmed RA were randomly assigned to an exercise group (RAE) and a sedentary group (RAC). RAE was required to train under supervision two to three times per week, for 3 months.

Carboxyhaemoglobin levels in water-pipe and cigarette smokers.

Unlabelled: Water-pipe smoking is growing in popularity, especially among young people, because of the social nature of the smoking session and the assumption that the effects are less harmful than those of cigarette smoking. It has however been shown that a single water-pipe smoking session produces a 24-hour urinary cotinine level equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes per day.

Aim: We aimed to measure carboxyhaemoglogin (COHb) blood levels before and after water-pipe and cigarette smoking sessions.