Comparison of carotid intima-media thickness in pediatric patients with metabolic syndrome, heterozygous familial hyperlipidemia and normals.

Background. Our goal was to compare the carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) of untreated pediatric patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), heterozygous familial hyperlipidemia (heFH), and MS+heFH against one another and against a control group consisting of healthy, normal body habitus children. Methods.

Assessment of metformin as an additional treatment to therapeutic lifestyle changes in pediatric patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of metformin and therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs) in a clinical setting, compared to TLC alone in adolescents with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methodology.

A pilot study in the efficacy and safety of gemfibrozil in a pediatric population.

Background: Gemfibrozil reduces plasma triglycerides and raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in adults and also reduces the incidence of cardiovascular endpoints in adults. Its efficacy in improving lipid abnormalities has not been evaluated in children.

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate whether gemfibrozil would lower triglycerides and raise HDL-C with minimal adverse effects in a pediatric population with metabolic syndrome.

Threshold of trichloroethylene contamination in maternal drinking waters affecting fetal heart development in the rat.

Halogenated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (TCE) are among the most common water supply contaminants in the United States and abroad. Epidemiologic studies have found an association but not a cause-and-effect relation between halogenated hydrocarbon contamination and increased incidence of congenital cardiac malformations or other defective birth outcomes. Avian and rat studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in the number of congenital cardiac malformations in those treated with high doses of TCE, either via intrauterine pump or in maternal drinking water, compared with controls.

Acute cardiac effects of nicotine in healthy young adults.

Background: Nicotine is known to have many physiologic effects. The influence of nicotine delivered in chewing gum upon cardiac hemodynamics and conduction has not been well-characterized.

Methods: We studied the effects of nicotine in nonsmoking adults (6 male, 5 female; ages 23-36 years) using a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study.

Alcohol- and Caffeine-Induced Changes in Mitral Valve Echo Morphology and Auscultation in Healthy Females.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac valve abnormality that affects women more frequently than men. We have shown that mild dehydration induces echocardiographic signs of MVP in healthy females more frequently than in males. The present study investigated whether ethanol and caffeine, two commonly used substances, will induce changes in mitral leaflet morphology in normal subjects and whether these changes are gender dependent.