Search

The paper contains data on specific features of cardiac involvement in primary and secondary hemochromatosis (symptomatology, echocardiographic signs, etc.) as well as on pathogenesis of hereditary hemochromatosis. Algorithm of diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis is also presented.

Platelet aggregation and prostaglandin levels were examined in 50 patients with coronary heart disease concurrent with Functional Classes II-III angina who received nitroglycerin-retard (n = 20; Group 1), corovas (n = 20; Group 2), and placebo (n = 10; Group 3). Long-acting nitrates were found to exert a positive action on thrombocytic hemostasis as decreased platelet aggregation and reverse aggregation in 25% of the corovas-treated patients. Placebo failed to have the same action. Nitroglycerin-retard caused an increase in prostacyclin concentrations. Nitroglycerin-retard and corovas produced a clear-cut antianginal effect. They promoted the reduction in the number of anginal episodes and of nitroglycerin tablets used. No antianginal effect was absent when placebo was used.

Therapeutic 'dry' immersion (modified 'dry' immersion technique suggested earlier for simulation of the weightlessness state in cosmic research) was used in multiple-modality treatment of 15 patients with drug-resistant edematous syndrome of different origin. Therapeutic 'dry' immersion sessions lasting from 1.5 to 6 hrs potentiated the effects of diuretics and promoted compensation, thus improving central hemodynamics parameters.

The effect of 7-day "dry" immersion on the hemocoagulation system of male test subjects aged 45-55, was examined. The experiments were carried out on 15 volunteers, 11 of whom had boundary arterial hypertension (BAH) (according to the WHO classification) and 4 were healthy controls. The data obtained (thromboelastograms and coagulograms) show that "dry" immersion induces hypercoagulopathic changes in the hemocoagulation system. The BAH patients have displayed a more marked fibrinolysis depression, indicating a decline of their reserve-adaptive capabilities.

The time course of alpha 1-protease inhibitor (alpha 1PI) has been examined in 64 myocardial infarction patients with and without complications and in lethal cases. The findings evidence a maximal rise of the studied parameter on days 4-5 of an uncomplicated myocardial infarction with a tendency to decrease on days 10-30. The development of a 'secondary deficit' of alpha 1PI (below the mean normal value) in a sign predicting an unfavourable outcome of the disease.

The effect of intramuscular chimotripsin on the levels of methicillin and tetracycline administered respectively intramuscularly and orally was studied in patients with chronic pneumonia and in experimental rats. It was found that the dose of chimotripsin providing higher methicillin blood levels was many times lower than the enzyme doses providing analogous indices for the blood serum and organs of the rats. When the patients were treated with tetracycline and chimotripsin, increased blood levels of the antibiotic were observed. Administration of chimotripsin to the rats had no effect on tetracycline pharmacokinetics in the animals.

Experiments were carried out to study the effect of dry immersion on fluid-electrolyte metabolism, aldosterone and cortisol content in 22 test subjects with varying content of water in the organism. It was found that dry immersion produced a diuretic effect and facilitated a higher excretion of electrolytes and a lower aldosterone content. The test subjects with a higher content of water in the organism (16 subjects) exhibited a more distinct and prolonged polyuria. During the recovery period the aldosterone content increased insignificantly and failed to return to the baseline level, in contrast to the subjects with a normal content of water in the organism.