Giacomo Bini

Physical activity, adiponectin, and cardiovascular structure and function

Physical activity (PA) may modify cardiovascular structure and function as well as insulin sensitivity and level of plasma adipokines in relation to its extent, duration, and intensity. To evaluate the associations of average daily PA and bouts of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA with cardiovascular and metabolic measures, 45 healthy volunteers (mean age = 42 ± 9 years) not involved in regular intensive exercise training and competitive sport activity underwent the following examinations: (1) accelerometer monitoring of ambulatory movements (average monitoring time = 6.1 ± 1.3 days); (2) complete carotid and cardiac ultrasound; (3) measurement of carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity; (4) anthropometric measurements; (5) euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp; and (6) assessment of plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Average PA measured by accelerometer correlated with carotid beta-stiffness index (inversely) and with longitudinal systolic myocardial velocity (directly), independently of age, anthropometric, hemodynamic, and metabolic parameters. Subjects with periods of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA lasting at least 10 min (n = 28) had higher left ventricular (LV) mass index and lower plasma adiponectin, leptin, and hsCRP (P < 0.05 for all) compared with those who spent the monitoring time only in sedentary and light-intensity PA (n = 17). Minutes per day spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA correlated with LV mass index (directly) and with plasma adiponectin (inversely). Plasma adiponectin was an independent determinant of LV mass, together with body surface area, stroke volume, and systolic blood pressure (cumulative r2 = 0.80). We conclude that in healthy subjects, average daily PA is independently related to longitudinal systolic myocardial function and to local carotid stiffness. Bouts of moderate-to-vigorous PA seem to induce LV mass increase, which may be partially related to a decrease in plasma adiponectin level.

Radiofrequency-based carotid wall tracking: a comparison between two different systems.

Objectives: A direct measurement of carotid stiffness implies an accurate assessment of changes in carotid diameter and pressure during cardiac cycle. Radiofrequency-based wall-tracking systems (WTS) are capable to track arterial wall movement with adequate spatial and temporal resolution, and to provide carotid pressure estimate from calibrated distension waveforms. The aim of the present study was to compare the values of carotid distension and beta-stiffness index acquired in the same population by two commercially available WTS, in order to determine whether their measures can be pooled in clinical studies. In addition, a local carotid pulse pressure (PP) obtained from calibrated distension waveforms was compared with that obtained from pressure waveforms. Methods: In 105 patients, right common carotid artery (CCA) systo-diastolic excursions were assessed during the same session and by the same operator both by WTS implemented in Esaote system (QAS, MyLab) and in Aloka system (E-track; Alpha 10). In 78 patients, carotid PP was also estimated by applanation tonometry. Results: Despite comparable blood pressure and heart rate values during the two acquisitions, CCA distension was significantly lower (363 ± 162 vs. 458 ± 176 &mgr;m, P < 0.0001) and beta-stiffness index (11.9 ± 5.5 vs. 9.4 ± 3.8, P < 0.0001) higher with Esaote as compared to Aloka. PP obtained from calibrated pressure and distension waveforms was comparable (42.6 ± 11.4 vs. 43.0 ± 10.7 mmHg, P = 0.51). Conclusions: The values of carotid distension and stiffness obtained by two different WTS are not interchangeable and cannot be merged into a common database. Calibrated distension curves may provide an acceptable estimate of local carotid pressure.

Simultaneous Ultrasound Assessment of Brachial Artery Shear Stimulus and Flow-Mediated Dilation During Reactive Hyperemia

In flow-mediated dilation (FMD) studies, brachial artery diameter changes due to reactive hyperaemia are typically measured through manual or automatic analysis of high resolution B-mode images while the stimulus of diameter change, i.e., the flow change, is qualitatively estimated by measuring the mean velocity in the vessel and assuming a parabolic velocity profile. This article describes an experimental approach to simultaneously measure the wall shear rate (WSR) and the diameter variations, through multigate spectral Doppler and B-mode image processing, respectively. By using an ultrasound advanced open platform (ULA-OP), experimental results from the brachial arteries of 15 presumed healthy volunteers have been obtained. The mean increments during reflow against baseline were 105% ± 22% for the peak WSR and 8% ± 3% for the FMD. The mean time interval between the WSR peak and the beginning of plateau of diameter waveform was 38 ± 8 s. The results confirm that in young healthy subjects the postischemic vasodilation of brachial artery is largely correlated to the WSR increase.

Clarithromycin-induced rhabdomyolysis: a case report.

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and laboratory syndrome that is caused by various etiologies, involving the skeletal muscle. Clarithromycin, like other macrolides, is an inhibitor of CYP450 3A4, the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of several drugs, in particular some statins. Rhabdomyolysis related to macrolide–statin interaction has previously been described. To date, rhabdomyolysis induced by clarithromycin has been described in only one previous report. We describe the case of a 90-year-old Caucasian male, admitted to the University Hospital of Pisa for dyspnea, who developed rhabdomyolysis associated with clarithromycin administration.

The difference in activity of daily living (ADL) and mortality in patients aged over 80 years with femoral neck fracture treated with hemiarthroplasty or osteosynthesis at 2 years of follow-up

INTRODUCTION Hip fractures are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and outcomes following hip fracture have been the focus of several studies over recent decades. Among all types of fall-related injuries, hip fractures cause the greatest number of deaths, lead to severe health problems and reduce quality of life. Improving the outcome of hip fracture surgery has thus become one of the main areas of interest for orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of this study was to compare the difference in activity of daily living (ADL) and mortality between patients aged over 80 years with hip fracture treated with osteosynthesis versus prosthesis at 2 years of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS The data were collected on admission and during in-hospital stay. Information recorded on admission included: age, sex, type and mechanism of fracture, functional and cognitive status, comorbidity, and severity of illness. Prefracture functional status was measured. The follow-up was clinical and radiographical, or was by telephone for patients who were not able to come to the clinic. Patients aged over 80 years who underwent a single surgical procedure treated with intramedullary nail or hemiarthroplasty were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 174 patients (45 male and 129 female) were included in the study. The two treatment groups were comparable for all preoperative parameters except for preoperative haemoglobin, which was an average of 1g/dl higher in the patients given hemiarthroplasty compared with those treated with intramedullary nail (t-test: p<0.05). The average observation period was 594.99days; the number of deaths was 62 of 164 contacted patients, and the survival rate at 2 years was 62.2%. There was increased mortality in patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty (Log-rank Mantel-Cox, p: 0,048). The difference in ADL between preoperative and follow-up is not statistically significant between the two groups. DISCUSSION In the literature, there are few specific studies that consider these parameters in this population. However, these findings are consistent with the findings from other studies. CONCLUSION Patients who received hemiarthroplasty have a higher mortality risk than those treated with intramedullary nail; there are no differences in ADL at follow-up.

Clinical differences among the elderly admitted to the emergency department for accidental or unexplained falls and syncope

It is difficult to distinguish unexplained falls (UFs) from accidental falls (AFs) or syncope in older people. This study was designed to compare patients referred to the emergency department (ED) for AFs, UFs or syncope. Data from a longitudinal study on adverse drug events diagnosed at the ED (ANCESTRAL-ED) in older people were analyzed in order to select cases of AF, syncope, or UF. A total of 724 patients (median age: 81.0 [65–105] years, 66.3% female) were consecutively admitted to the ED (403 AF, 210 syncope, and 111 UF). The number of psychotropic drugs was the only significant difference in patients with AF versus those with UF (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.77). When comparing AF with syncope, female gender, musculoskeletal diseases, dementia, and systolic blood pressure >110 mmHg emerged as significantly associated with AF (OR 0.40 [0.27–0.58], 0.40 [0.24–0.68], 0.35 [0.14–0.82], and 0.31 [0.20–0.49], respectively), while valvulopathy and the number of antihypertensive drugs were significantly related to syncope (OR 2.51 [1.07–5.90] and 1.24 [1.07–1.44], respectively). Upon comparison of UF and syncope, the number of central nervous system drugs, female gender, musculoskeletal diseases, and SBP >110 mmHg were associated with UF (OR 0.65 [0.50–0.84], 0.52 [0.30–0.89], 0.40 [0.20–0.77], and 0.26 [0.13–0.55]), respectively. These results indicate specific differences, in terms of demographics, medical/pharmacological history, and vital signs, among older patients admitted to the ED for AF and syncope. UF was associated with higher use of psychotropic drugs than AF. Our findings could be helpful in supporting a proper diagnostic process when evaluating older patients after a fall.

Combined B-Mode and Multigate Spectral Doppler-Mode Imaging for Flow-Mediated Dilation Investigation

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is an established non-invasive method to assess the endothelial function by ultrasound. Blood flow in the brachial artery is restricted by a cuff for about 5 min: during the reactive hyperemia following occlusion release, the consequent increase in wall shear stress stimulates the endothelial cells to release nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator that causes relaxation of tunica media smooth muscle. By measuring the arterial diameter change induced by reactive hyperemia, a possible endothelial dysfunction can be detected. The traditional approach consists in the evaluation of arterial diameter changes, while the shear stress increase (i.e. the stimulus for dilation) has not been directly estimated so far. This paper describes an approach to simultaneously measure the wall shear rate (WSR), i.e. the blood velocity gradient near the walls, and the associated diameter changes. The WSR is measured through multigate spectral Doppler (MSD) analysis while B-Mode images are processed to estimate the instantaneous diameter. This approach was implemented in the ULtrasound Advanced Open Platform (ULA-OP), which can be programmed to arbitrarily interleave B- and PW Doppler- Modes. The method implementation and the results of a clinical validation over 15 healthy volunteers are reported.

LARGE ARTERY FUNCTION AND VENTRICULAR ARTERIAL COUPLING FOLLOWING CARDIOVASCULAR UNLOADING RELATED TO PROLONGED BED REST IN YOUNG HEALTHY SUBJECTS: PP.31.218

Background: prolonged head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR) is followed by a decrease in circulating volume possibly affecting large artery structure and function. Aim of the study was to investigate common carotid artery (CCA) remodelling and ventricular-arterial (VA) coupling after HDTBR. Methods: ten healthy male volunteers (age 23 ± 2) were studied before and after a 35-day HDTBR. Ultrasound (Esaote MyLab30) was used to estimate LV volumes, transmitral and aortic flow velocity (FV), CCA diameter and FV, high resolution IMT (Q-IMT). Applanation tonometry (PulsePen, DiaTecne), was used to explore large artery dynamics and wave reflection (WR). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was also estimated (Complior, Alam). Results: no changes were observed for central BP vs baseline, while LV volumes and stroke volume significantly decreased and HR increased (from 58 ± 2 to 73 ± 6, p < 0.05). Myocardial performance index (MPI), a Doppler derived index of global LV function [isovolumic contraction time+isovolumic relaxation time)/LV ejection time], increased after HDTBR (0.71 ± 0.12 vs 0.52 ± 0.06, p < 0.005), as well as arterial elastance (Ea = end systolic pressure/stroke volume) and LV elastance [Elv = end systolic pressure (ESP)/end systolic volume (ESV)] (for Ea: 1.08 ± 0.198 vs 1.31 ± 0.21, p = 0.01; for Elv 1.478 ± 0.32 vs 1.765 ± 0.42, p = 0.04), with unchanged Ea/Elv (0.74 ± 0.09 vs 0.76 ± 0.1). PWV, CCA diameter, systolic FV and QIMT did not change, while diastolic and mean FV significantly increased (p < 0.05: FVd from 25 ± 4 to 29 ± 4 cm/s, FVm from 42 ± 8 to 52 ± 11 cm/s). Pulsatility index [PI = (peak systolic velocity-diastolic velocity)/Mean velocity] decreased from 2.3 ± 0.3 to 1.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.02). Applanation tonometry showed no significant changes for Augmentation Index (AIx) and time to WR, while PPI (Pulse Pressure Index: PP/MBP) decreased from 0.55 ± 0.14 to 0.45 ± 0.09, p < 0.05). Conclusions: after prolonged HDTBR, a reduction in LV pump function is observed with unchanged VA coupling. No significant changes are found in intrinsic arterial stiffness, CCA remodelling and WR, while changes in arterial dynamics indicate a reduction in the pulsatile component and an increase in the steady component of BP, possibly associated with reduced circulating volume and increased peripheral vasodilation.