Eugene Braunwald

Bio: Eugene Braunwald is an academic researcher from Brigham and Women's Hospital. The author has contributed to research in topics: Myocardial infarction & TIMI. The author has an hindex of 230, co-authored 1711 publications receiving 264576 citations. Previous affiliations of Eugene Braunwald include Boston University & University of California, San Francisco.

The effect of hypoglycemia on myocardial ischemic injury during acute experimental coronary artery occlusion.

Abstract: To determine the effect of hypoglycemia on myocardial ischemic injury following coronary artery occlusion epicardial electrograms were recorded 15 minutes after two 20-minute coronary artery occlusions in seven anesthetized dogs. The first occlusion was a control (blood glucose 85 plus or minus 5(sd) mg per cent). Before the second occlusion hypoglycemia was induced (blood glucose 40 plus or minus 5 mg per cent) by the intravenous administration of insulin (2 units/kg). The average ST-segment elevation in leads during control was 3.5 plus or minus 1.0 mV which rose to 6.1 plus or minus 1.4 mV during the second occlusion (P smaller than 0.05). The number of sites showing ST-segment elevation exceeding 2 mV increased from 7.6 plus or minus 1.6 during control to 10.6 plus or minus 1.4 (P smaller than 0.05) during the occlusion with hypoglycemia. In other dogs, a coronary artery was occluded for 24 hours. Epicardial ST-segment elevations were compared to creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and histological appearance from the same sites. CPK activity in sites with normal ST segments (0-2 mV) was 33.1 plus or minus 6.0 IU/mg protein. Six additional dogs received insulin following the 15 minute epicardial map and blood sugar was maintained at a level of 46 plus or minus 6 mg per cent for the 24 hours. These dogs showed more myocardial necrosis than predicted by the ST-segment elevation prior to insulin administration. Forty-six percent of sites, which in control dogs would have been expected to have normal CPK and histological appearance, showed depressed CPK activity and histological evidence of early myocardial necrosis. Thus, hypoglycemia increases myocardial damage, as reflected by enzymatic and histological analyses.

Comparison of long-term outcome after acute myocardial infarction in patients never graduated from high school with that in more educated patients

Abstract: The clinical course of 363 patients with acute myocardial infarction who did not complete high school education was compared with that of 453 who completed at least high school. Both the inhospital and 4-year mortality rates were markedly greater for the less educated than for the more educated patients (13 vs 5% [p

Natural history of mild congenital aortic stenosis elucidated by serial hemodynamic studies.

Abstract: There is a paucity of information on the natural history of congenital aortic stenosis. This report analyzes serial clinical and hemodynamic data obtained prospectively from 15 initially asymptomatic children with congenital aortic stenosis. The first hemodynamic study was performed at an average age of 8.5, and the follow-up study at an average age of 15.1 years. The cardiac index was consistently normal in all patients. The peak pressure difference across the left ventricular outflow tract increased between initial and final studies in 12 of the 15 patients. The gradient ranged from 5 to 45 mm Hg (mean 26) during the first study, and from 15 to 81 mm Hg (mean 44) at follow-up examination. Severe obstruction (gradient > 50 mm Hg, normal cardiac output; or calculated aortic valve orifice

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report.

Abstract: "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure" provides a new guideline for hypertension prevention and management. The following are the key messages(1) In persons older than 50 years, systolic blood pressure (BP) of more than 140 mm Hg is a much more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; (2) The risk of CVD, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; individuals who are normotensive at 55 years of age have a 90% lifetime risk for developing hypertension; (3) Individuals with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg should be considered as prehypertensive and require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD; (4) Thiazide-type diuretics should be used in drug treatment for most patients with uncomplicated hypertension, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes. Certain high-risk conditions are compelling indications for the initial use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers); (5) Most patients with hypertension will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease); (6) If BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above goal BP, consideration should be given to initiating therapy with 2 agents, 1 of which usually should be a thiazide-type diuretic; and (7) The most effective therapy prescribed by the most careful clinician will control hypertension only if patients are motivated. Motivation improves when patients have positive experiences with and trust in the clinician. Empathy builds trust and is a potent motivator. Finally, in presenting these guidelines, the committee recognizes that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions

Abstract: The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the official document that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions.

Atherosclerosis — An Inflammatory Disease

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Because high plasma concentrations of cholesterol, in particular those of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, are one of the principal risk factors for atherosclerosis,1 the process of atherogenesis has been considered by many to consist largely of the accumulation of lipids within the artery wall; however, it is much more than that. Despite changes in lifestyle and the use of new pharmacologic approaches to lower plasma cholesterol concentrations,2,3 cardiovascular disease continues to be the principal cause of death in the United States, Europe, and much of Asia.4,5 In fact, the lesions of atherosclerosis represent . . .

Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Abstract: Context Little is known about lifetime prevalence or age of onset of DSM-IV disorders. Objective To estimate lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Design and Setting Nationally representative face-to-face household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 using the fully structured World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Participants Nine thousand two hundred eighty-two English-speaking respondents aged 18 years and older. Main Outcome Measures Lifetime DSM-IV anxiety, mood, impulse-control, and substance use disorders. Results Lifetime prevalence estimates are as follows: anxiety disorders, 28.8%; mood disorders, 20.8%; impulse-control disorders, 24.8%; substance use disorders, 14.6%; any disorder, 46.4%. Median age of onset is much earlier for anxiety (11 years) and impulse-control (11 years) disorders than for substance use (20 years) and mood (30 years) disorders. Half of all lifetime cases start by age 14 years and three fourths by age 24 years. Later onsets are mostly of comorbid conditions, with estimated lifetime risk of any disorder at age 75 years (50.8%) only slightly higher than observed lifetime prevalence (46.4%). Lifetime prevalence estimates are higher in recent cohorts than in earlier cohorts and have fairly stable intercohort differences across the life course that vary in substantively plausible ways among sociodemographic subgroups. Conclusions About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV disorder sometime in their life, with first onset usually in childhood or adolescence. Interventions aimed at prevention or early treatment need to focus on youth.

Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Abstract: The National High Blood Pressure Education Program presents the complete Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Like its predecessors, the purpose is to provide an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of hypertension. The key messages of this report are these: in those older than age 50, systolic blood pressure (BP) of greater than 140 mm Hg is a more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, CVD risk doubles for each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; those who are normotensive at 55 years of age will have a 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension; prehypertensive individuals (systolic BP 120-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg) require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent the progressive rise in blood pressure and CVD; for uncomplicated hypertension, thiazide diuretic should be used in drug treatment for most, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes; this report delineates specific high-risk conditions that are compelling indications for the use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers); two or more antihypertensive medications will be required to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg) for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease; for patients whose BP is more than 20 mm Hg above the systolic BP goal or more than 10 mm Hg above the diastolic BP goal, initiation of therapy using two agents, one of which usually will be a thiazide diuretic, should be considered; regardless of therapy or care, hypertension will be controlled only if patients are motivated to stay on their treatment plan. Positive experiences, trust in the clinician, and empathy improve patient motivation and satisfaction. This report serves as a guide, and the committee continues to recognize that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.