Mohammad Zahir

Cardiac hemodynamics in alcoholic patients with chronic liver disease and a presystolic gallop

10 male subjects with chronic liver disease and with normal cardiovascular findings, except for the presence of a presystolic gallop, underwent right and left heart catheterization. In general, all of the patients had a high resting cardiac output, narrow arteriovenous oxygen difference, a low peripheral vascular resistance, and normal left ventricular end-diastolic pressures and volumes. The plasma volume was increased in the seven patients in which it was determined. On exercise, all of the patients demonstrated a significant increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure, while the stroke index remained the same or fell in seven of the subjects. It appears logical to assume that the excessive intake of alcohol is associated with an impairment in the metabolic and contractile properties of the left ventricle and the resultant hemodynamic effects may not be readily discerned in the resting state. However, upon exercise these patients, with a congested circulation, can show abnormal cardiac dynamics.

Cardiac Hemodynamics in Alcoholic Heart Disease

Abstract Fifteen male patients with a long history of alcoholic intake underwent cardiac catheterization. At the time of the study the patients had been hospitalized for at least several weeks and ...

Nonobstructive Primary Myocardial Disease Hemodynamic Studies in Fourteen Cases

Abstract 1. 1. Fourteen patients with primary myocardial disease of the alcoholic type underwent hemodynamic studies at rest, during exercise and during isoproterenol infusion. 2. 2. No ventricular outflow gradient during isoproterenol infusion developed in any patient. In all patients studied, isoproterenol markedly improved cardiac function. 3. 3. In this group of patients with established nonobstructive cardiomyopathy who had previously demonstrated congestive heart failure, the cardiac index could be normal or depressed and the ventricular volumes and pressures normal or increased; however, in all patients a presystolic gallop, a reduced systolic ejection fraction and markedly altered exercise response were present.

Cardiac effects of a cocktail

The hemodynamic effects of a cocktail in cardiac disease have not been previously studied, to our knowledge. Ten patients with cardiac disease and four normals underwent cardiac catheterization. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained prior to and 30 minutes after oral ingestion of 2 oz of Canadian whiskey. With alcohol, all of the patients with cardiac disease demonstrated a fall in the cardiac index and stroke index. Alcohol produced in the normals an increase in these measurements. The cardiac rate, systemic blood pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure were essentially unchanged in both groups. Small amounts of alcohol can impair cardiac function in patients with cardiac disease.

Oral Phentolamine for Treatment of Ventricular Premature Contractions.

Excerpt The beneficial effect of intravenously administered phentolamine on digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmias has been recently demonstrated in dogs. Intravenous phentolamine has also proved va...