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Biomedical subjects

A Alho

Publications and source records attributed to A Alho.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Plasma catecholamines in severely injured patients: a prospective study on 45 patients with multiple injuries.

Plasma catecholamine levels were studied in 45 severely injured patients for 8 days after the trauma. Sixteen of the patients were classified as critically injured and 29 as seriously injured. The total plasma catecholamine values of the whole group immediately after the injury were almost twice as high as the eighth day reference values and remained significantly higher than these values for 6 hours after the trauma. On admission both the plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were elevated. The plasma adrenaline levels on admission correlated with the blood volume replacement which was required within the first 6 hours. The plasma noradrenaline levels in the critically injured group were significantly higher throughout the observation period than in the seriously injured group. A corresponding difference was observed in the plasma adrenaline concentrations only during the first 12 hours. The results showed that strong stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system occurs in severely injured patients. Factors stimulating the sympathetic nervous system apparently included hypovolaemia, tissue hypoxia, acidosis and the pain produced by the trauma and therapeutic measures.

Adult↗

Biochemical quantification of blunt injuries.

During eight post-traumatic days, the blood loss and severity of trauma were correlated with the blood levels of lactate, creatinine and catecholamines in 45 patients with multiple blunt injuries. During two days these biochemical indicators correlated with the extent of thoracoabdominal, pelvic and cerebral injuries. In the critically injured patients all three parameters were elevated throughout the observation period. No correlations were observed between plasma catecholamines and lower limb injuries, which seems to make the importance of catecholamines for predicting the onset of fat embolism syndrome less useful.

Catecholamines↗

The results of operative and non-operative management of tibial fractures.

A series of 160 fractures of the tibia in 155 patients is analysed. Eighty patients were operated on' intramedullary nails were used in 33, AO plates in 29 and screws in 18 cases. In the final evaluation the result was classified as good in 39, fair in 27, and poor in 14 cases in the non-operative group, and 40, 25 and 15 in the operative group. Fracture comminution had a significant effect on foot and ankle motion.

Adolescent↗

Management of fractured scaphoid bone. A prospective study of 100 fractures.

One hundred fractured carpal scaphoids were immobilised alternatively in above-elbow and below-elbow casts. Preventing the pronation and supination of the forearm did not reduce the immobilisation time, which, with either type of cast, averaged 7 weeks, after exclusion of the fractures with delayed union. These eight fractures, which did not unite in 3 months, were operated on using a lag screw fixation, whereafter consolidation was achieved.

Adolescent↗

Diagnostic laparocentesis and peritoneal lavage in patients with multiple blunt injuries.

A series of 53 patients with multiple injuries and suspected abdominal trauma were analysed to determine the accuracy of diagnostic laparocentesis and peritoneal lavage. Thirty-one positive findings resulted in immediate laparotomies. Fifteen patients with an otherwise strong suspicion of intra-abdominal injury were treated conservatively with an uneventful clinical course. All three false-negative findings were in patients who has previously been subjected to laparotomy. These 3 patients were laparotomized on the basis of other diagnostic evidence. Four positive and two false-positive findings resulted in unnecessary operations. Trocar laparocentesis combined with peritoneal lavage is a quick and safe aid in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma. Trauma to the urinary tract, however, should be diagnosed without laparocentesis. The test does not replace other diagnostic methods, but it may shorten the preoperative delay in complicated situations.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Diagnostic features of the fat embolism syndrome.

A series of 444 patients with multiple blunt injuries were analysed with respect to the incidence of symptoms and signs generally described in connection with the fat embolism syndrome. During hospital treatment, a diagnosis of fat embolism was established for 47 patients and suspected in 23 patients. In retrospect, the latter patients had a morbid picture similar to that of the former. Hypoxia, anemia, disturbances of consciousness, and hyperpyrexia were constant signs. A high incidnece of petechiae and snowstorm infiltrations of the lung was also found. These six signs showed a marked tendency to combine; and placed the fat embolism patients in a distinctive group. The most susceptible patients were young adults with diaphyseal fractures of the lower extremities. Hypoxia was the most important early sign and the most important factor in terms of treatment. We conclude that the fact embolism syndrome is a clinical entity and that its diagnosis can be made on the basis of the symptom complex.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Fat embolism in severely injured patients.

Forty-five patients with severe blunt injuries were examined during eight posttraumatic days. At random, 14 patients were given three doses of methylprednisolone intravenously; 10 mg/kg at 8-hour intervals. Fat embolism syndrome was diagnosed in 13/45 patients, only one of whom had received corticosteroid (p = 0.03). Shock, acidosis and elevated plasma catecholamines showed no correlation with the occurrence of fat embolism syndrome. Platelet counts immediately after trauma were significantly lower in the fat embolism patients than in the other trauma patients, indicative of early platelet aggregation. Prophylactically administered methylprednisolone in pharmacological doses appeared to inhibit the emergence of fat embolism syndrome.

Embolism, Fat↗

Blood lipid changes in musculoskeletal trauma of the rabbit.

After multiple long bone fractures, signs of excessive fat transport were observed in rabbits. Staining of albumen in the lipoprotein electrophoresis suggests an increased free fatty acid mobilisation. During the five day experimental period the beta lipoproteins increased while the alpha1 lipoproteins decreased. On the second post-traumatic day, the proportion of pre- beta lipoproteins increased simultaneously with a four-fold increase in plasma triglycerides. Some increase in cholesterol was also observed. An augmented de novo synthesis of fat is proposed as an explanation for part of the increased post-traumatic lipid transport. The changes were compared with a simultaneous occurrence of fat in the lung and kidney.

Animals↗