Stephen R. Elek

EFFECT OF GLUCAGON ON BLOOD-CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN RATS

Abstract The chronic administration of glucagon was found to reduce the normal plasma-cholesterol of stock-fed rats and to prevent completely the occurrence of hypercholesterolaemia regardless of their exposure to hypercholesterolaemia-inducing processes. The results suggest that this hormone may be the most potent endogenous agent of the body in the regulation of plasma-cholesterol.

Further studies concerning glucagon-induced hypocholesterolemia.

Summary Some of the possible mechanisms responsible for the hypocholesterol-emic effect of glucagon were investigated. Glucagon was found to inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. In addition, it was found to either hasten the rate of egress of lipoprotein cholesterol from the blood into the liver or to retard the rate of re-entry of cholesterol from the liver into the blood. The data do not distinguish between these two possibilities, which indeed may occur simultaneously.

The direct spatial vectorcardiogram in the infant

Abstract 1. 1. The resemblance of the normal neonatal vectorcardiogram to adult right ventricular hypertrophy is confirmed. Since this is a normal finding, the term “physiological right ventricular preponderance” is used. 2. 2. A previously unnoted transition from “physiological right ventricular preponderance” to the normal adult vectorcardiogram is described. This consists of the development of a progressively larger counterclockwise twist in the horizontal plane until only a counterclockwise loop remains. 3. 3. This transition begins at about thirty days in the infant of normal weight and size. After this age, if the infant has maintained a normal weight, the presence of a vectorcardiogram in the right anterior inferior octant with a clockwise horizontal plane loop probably indicates right ventricular hypertrophy. 4. 4. The significance of the figure-of-eight horizontal plane vector loop is discussed.

The Q-T interval in myocardial infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Abstract 1. 1. By the use of semilogarithmic plotting, the Q-T formula of Ashman is simplified and reduced to a straight line. 2. 2. In 120 cases of left ventricular hypertrophy, no significant prolongation of the Q-T interval was found. 3. 3. In eighty-six cases of acute myocardial infarction, the Q-T interval was significantly prolonged. The data did not confirm a previous report that the prolonged Q-T interval is gradually reduced during the first few weeks after myocardial infarction.

The spatial vectorcardiogram in myocardial infarction typified by prominent R waves in Leads aVR and V1

Abstract 1. 1. Five patients with myocardial infarction and prominent or tall R waves in Leads aV R and/or V 1 are reported. 2. 2. Vectorcardiographic studies revealed that the spatial vector loop was in the right superior anterior octant in three patients, right superior posterior octant in the fourth patient, and left superior posterior octant in the fifth patient. The horizontal plane vector loop was strikingly displaced to the right in four of the five patients. 3. 3. The development of tall R waves in Leads aV R and V 1 is shown in two patients. 4. 4. Evidence is presented that these prominent R waves occur in either antero- or posterolateral wall myocardial infarction and that the infarct must be large in ratio to the remaining myocardium. 5. 5. The spatial vectorcardiogram clearly explains the reason for the prominent R waves and the concept of cardiac rotation need not be involved.

A prolonged study of oral veratrum viride in the treatment of essential hypertension

Abstract 1. 1. A group of twenty-two patients with essential hypertension was treated with veratrum viride in tablet form for periods varying from two to five months. Each patient was given the maximum dose he could tolerate and was used as his own control by substituting placebos for the drug. 2. 2. Statistical analysis of the results obtained failed to show a significant change in blood pressure or pulse rate while under treatment. 3. 3. Tachyphylaxis is suggested as the possible reason for the results obtained.

A Study of Unipolar Left Back Leads and Their Application to Posterior Myocardial Infarction

The electrocardiographic diagnosis of myocardial infarction of the posterior wall is often missed because it is largely dependent on lead and because this electrode position often does not subtend the diseased myocardium. To remedy this defect, a new method is described—unipolar left back leads. The validity of this method in registering potential from the posterior left ventricular wall is discussed as well as its importance in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction of the posterior wall. Left back leads can illuminate the significance of questionable Q waves.

The induction of neurogenic hypercholesteremia.

Summary A chronic hypercholesteremia almost invariably results in the rat after placement of an electrolytic lesion which involves the fornix, medial part of the lateral hypothalamus and one of the two medial nuclei of the hypothalamus. This hypercholesteremia is not accompanied by any discernible changes in plasma triglyceride.

Ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension: Electrocardiographic, spatial vectorcardiographic and cardiac catheterization findings

W ITH EXPECTED advances in the technics of hypothermia and artificial heart-lung machines, surgical exposure and closure of interventricular septal defects has become a more feasible and common procedure. Thus it seems worthwhile to re-examine our knowledge and diagnostic ability of a condition which promises to become of increasing importance as definitive corrective therapy becomes available. With this in mind, the authors reviewed cases of interventricular septal defect which had been studied in the Cardio-Respiratory Laboratory of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in the preceding twelve months. The six cases which form the basis of this report were reviewed and the cardiac catheterization, electrocardiographic, and vectorcardiographic findings were correlated.

The Electrocardiographic Efects of Intravenous Veratrum Viride

Previously unnoted T-wave inversions in the precordial leads resulting from the intravenous injection of veratrum viride are described. Evidence is presented that these changes are not caused either by the hypotensive action of the drug or by myocardial anoxia or by hypopotassemia. The T-wave inversions probably. result from vagal stimulation which cause altered ventricular repolarization.