[Cisapride does not modify prolonged Q-T interval in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Background: Abnormal small bowel motility, observed in liver cirrhosis, can be reversed with cisapride. Since both cisapride and liver disease are associated with prolonged QT interval, the possibility of adverse cardiovascular effects might be expected with cisapride treatment in these patients.

Aim: To evaluate QT interval and other electrocardiographic changes during long term treatment with cisapride in cirrhotic patients.

A prospective multicenter study on the safety of a pacemaker with automatic energy control: influence of the electrical factor on chronic stimulation threshold. PEACE Investigators.

The effectiveness and safety of a pacemaker with automatic control of capture was evaluated in 162 patients followed at 27 Spanish centers. The aim of our prospective, multicenter, and randomized trial was to determine the relationship between the voltage output of the pulse generator and the stimulation threshold. We randomized 162 patients (107 men, mean age 75 +/- 12 years).

[Value of intestinal manometry in gastrointestinal pathology].

Background: Small intestinal manometry is a relatively simple technique. However, its use is usually limited to very few centers and mainly related to research studies.

Aim: To report our experience with small intestinal motility studies in a group of normal controls and patients with symptoms suggesting a gastrointestinal motor disorder.

Clinical predictors of acute response with quetiapine in psychotic mood disorders.

Background: In controlled studies of patients with schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine, 300 mg/day, has been shown to be as effective in the treatment of positive and negative symptoms as haloperidol. However, little is known about the efficacy of quetiapine in patients with psychotic mood disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of quetiapine in the treatment of psychotic mood disorders in comparison with nonaffective psychotic disorders and identify clinical factors associated with quetiapine response.

Effect of casein-derived peptides on D-xylose absorption assessed by H2 breath test in normal volunteers.

Studies have shown a promoting effect of food on small intestinal absorption. Casein hydrolysate seems be more effective in increasing of D-xylose absorption in dogs than the whole protein and lactulose. The purpose this study was to analyze the effect of groups of peptides derived from casein hydrolysate on the absorption of D-Xylose and intestinal transit time in normal subjects.

Pharmacologic management of psychiatric and behavioral symptoms in mental retardation.

Compared with the general population, individuals with mental retardation demonstrate more susceptibility to psychiatric illness and may display disruptive behaviors. These symptoms significantly can affect an already compromised ability to function and the patient may benefit from pharmacologic intervention. Clinical characteristics of individuals with mental retardation warrant special consideration regarding diagnosis and treatment of their psychiatric and behavioral problems.

Comparison of verapamil versus felodipine on heart rate variability in hypertensive patients.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of two calcium channel blockers, verapamil and felodipine, on heart rate variability in hypertensive patients.

Design: Time and frequency domain measures of heart rate variability were obtained from 24 h Holter recording in 25 previously untreated hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy, before and after 3 months of verapamil slow-release treatment (240 mg once daily) or felodipine extended-release treatment (10 mg once daily).

Results: Blood pressure values decreased with both drugs.

The adverse effect profile and efficacy of divalproex sodium compared with valproic acid: a pharmacoepidemiology study.

Background: Divalproex sodium has been reported to be better tolerated than valproic acid. To our knowledge, no study has examined whether significant differences in the tolerability and efficacy exist between these preparations in psychiatric patients. The objective of the present study was to compare the tolerability and efficacy of divalproex sodium with those of valproic acid in psychiatric inpatients.

Medical assessment. Its role in comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

This article describes the role of a medical evaluation in the overall developmental assessment of a young child. General guidelines for conducting the evaluation and practical issues to consider in dealing with young children and their families are provided. To illustrate these points, hypotonia and failure to thrive, two broad categories of pathology with numerous potential underlying medical causes, are addressed specifically.

Small bowel motility in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Objective: Previous studies have shown small bowel motor activity abnormalities in patients with liver cirrhosis of different etiologies, but motility has not been studied in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Our aim was to investigate proximal small bowel motility in these patients.

Methods: Twenty-five female patients presenting clinical, biochemical, serological, and histological findings compatible with primary biliary cirrhosis, 10 female patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, and 10 normal female controls were studied.

Biochemical markers and cardiac troponin I release after radiofrequency catheter ablation: approach to size of necrosis.

Background: We designed this study to determine the value of serum levels of several cardiac markers in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation and to establish the utility of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). After radiofrequency ablation there is always a small localized endomyocardial necrosis. The volume of the necrosis may be estimated by the rise of several biochemical marker levels, classically creatinine kinase (CK) and CK-MB.

[Restenosis and remodeling after percutaneous transluminal carotid angioplasty].

Introduction: The characteristics of restenosis and remodeling after carotid percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were badly known.

Objective: To describe these characteristics in our series of carotid PTA.

Patients And Methods: A total of 78 cases of PTA for symptomatic > 70% atherosclerotic stenosis of the extracranial internal carotid artery, were selected from our series of PTA if follow-up was > 12 months.

Cardiac troponin I and minor cardiac damage: biochemical markers in a clinical model of myocardial lesions.

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is the curative treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias. After RF ablation there is always a small localized endomyocardial necrosis, necessary to abolish the arrhythmia. We designed this study to determine the serum concentrations of several cardiac markers in patients who underwent RF catheter ablation.

[National Registry of Automatic Implantable Defibrillators in 1996].

The results of the Spanish Registry of Automatic Defibrillators implanted between February 1996 and January 1997 are reported. A questionnaire per patient was completed by every implanting physician, in every center. The questionnaire was designed by the Section of Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.

[Endoscopic manometry of Oddi's sphincter].

Background: Endoscopic manometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

Aim: To report the results of the first 30 endoscopic manometries of sphincter of Oddi performed in a Gastroenterology Service.

Patients And Methods: Thirty manometries were performed in 28 patients aged 30 to 70 years old (14 females).

Clinical predictors of acute response with olanzapine in psychotic mood disorders.

Background: In controlled studies of patients with schizophrenia, the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine has been shown to be more effective in the treatment of positive and negative symptoms compared with haloperidol at doses of 10 mg/day. However, little is known about the efficacy of olanzapine in patients with psychotic mood disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of olanzapine in the treatment of these psychotic mood disorders in comparison with nonaffective psychotic disorders and to identify clinical factors associated with olanzapine response.

Angina-induced protection against myocardial infarction in adult and elderly patients: a loss of preconditioning mechanism in the aging heart?

Objectives: The present study examined whether angina 48 h before myocardial infarction provides protection in adult and elderly patients.

Background: The mortality rate for coronary artery disease is greater in elderly than in young patients. In experimental studies, ischemic preconditioning affords an endogenous form of protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult but not in senescent hearts.

[Evaluation of biochemical markers of myocardial lesion after radiofrequency ablation. Value of troponin I].

Introduction And Objectives: Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the curative treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias. After radiofrequency ablation there is always a localized endomyocardial necrosis, which is necessary to eliminate the arrhythmia. The volume of the necrosis may be evaluated by the rise of several biochemical markers, classically CK and CK-MB.

[Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord: manifestations of esophageal epidermoid carcinoma].

Introduction: Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord associated with vitamin B12 deficit is well known. However a paraneoplastic induced cyanocobalamin malabsorption responsible for either subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, has not been reported. Moreover, the possibility of either subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord may be manifestation of a cancer, it's unknown.

Orthotopic liver transplantation improves small bowel motility disorders in cirrhotic patients.

Altered small intestinal motility has been observed in patients with liver cirrhosis. Its pathophysiology remains to be defined. Our aim was to investigate the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation on small intestinal dysmotility in patients with liver disease.

[Human and technical resources of arrhythmia units in Spain in 1995].

The results of the Spanish registry for electrophysiology and arrhythmias activity are presented. A questionnaire was sent to all of the Arrhythmia Units in Spain, directed to their human and technical resources, and activity. The questionnaire was designed by the Section of electrophysiology and Arrhythmias of the Spanish.