Biomedical subjects

A Cukier

Publications and source records attributed to A Cukier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Theophylline-ranitidine interaction in elderly COPD patients.

Most controlled studies in humans indicate that ranitidine does not alter theophylline metabolism, even at high doses. However, there have been several case reports published recently which demonstrate the development of theophylline toxicity mostly in older patients receiving stable oral doses of this drug when ranitidine was administered simultaneously. We studied eleven elderly (mean age, 69.0 +/- 6.2 years) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During one week the patients took slow-release theophylline, 200 mg every 12 h, followed by one week intake of the same dose of theophylline plus ranitidine tablets, 150 mg every 12 h. At the end of each period, blood samples were obtained 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 h after the morning dose for the determination of serum theophylline levels. The peak theophylline concentration (Tmax) was achieved after 4.1 +/- 0.9 h while the patients were taking theophylline, and after 2.9 +/- 1.4 h with the combined regimen. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). In only 3/11 subjects did Tmax remain unchanged during both phases of the study. The mean theophylline clearance rates while the patients were receiving theophylline alone (39.58 +/- 19.89 ml/min) and when they were receiving both medications (34.42 +/- 10.55 ml/min) were similar. The mean serum levels while the patients were receiving theophylline alone were slightly higher but not statistically different. These results suggest that the reported increases in serum theophylline levels in older patients receiving theophylline and ranitidine cannot be ascribed to slower theophylline metabolism in the geriatric patients with COPD who is also given ranitidine.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Scimitar sign with normal pulmonary venous drainage and systemic arterial supply. Scimitar syndrome or bronchopulmonary sequestration?

The classic definition of the scimitar syndrome is a triad of hypoplasia of the right lung with anomalous venous drainage and a systemic arterial supply of a variable degree. We report a case in which a scimitar-shaped anomalous vein was observed on the plain chest radiograph, but subsequently a pulmonary angiogram showed that it drained normally into the left atrium.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Relationship between pleural effusion and pericardial involvement after myocardial revascularization.

The explanation for the high incidence of pleural effusion after cardiac surgery is unclear. There is a high incidence of left pleural effusion with inflammatory pericardial disease. We hypothesized that after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) there would be a higher incidence of pleural effusions in patients with pericardial involvement. We prospectively studied 47 patients undergoing elective CABG; 17 had only saphenous vein grafts (SVG group) and 30 received at least one internal mammary artery graft (IMA group) in addition to SVG. Patients had a chest radiograph, chest ultrasound, and an echocardiogram on the 7th, 14th, and 30th postoperative days. Seven days after the surgery, 42 to 47 patients (89.4 percent) had a pleural effusion and 36 (76.6 76.6 percent) pericardial involvement. No relationship was found between the presence of a pleural effusion and a pericardial effusion (p > 0.05). On the 14th postoperative day, 36 patients (76.6 percent) had a pleural effusion while 33 patients (70.2 percent) had a pericardial effusion. There was a significant relationship between the presence of a pleural effusion and a pericardial effusion (p < 0.05). On the 30th postoperative day, 27 patients (57.4 percent) had a pleural effusion and 25 (53.2 percent) had a pericardial effusion. Again, there was a significant relationship between a pleural effusion and a pericardial effusion (p < 0.05). Finally, there was no relationship between the ejection fraction and the presence of pleural effusion at any time (p > 0.05). From this study, we conclude that there is a high prevalence of both pleural and pericardial effusion postoperatively in patients undergoing CABG. Both types of effusions tend to be asymptomatic, gradually disappear, and are more common in the IMA group. Patients who have a persistent pericardial effusion are more likely to have a persistent pleural effusion.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

PubMed1994

Arrhythmogenic effects of combined orally administered theophylline and albuterol in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

1. Studies in asthmatic subjects have reported conflicting results about the arrhythmogenic effects of beta agonist and theophylline. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the combination of these drugs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 2. Twelve COPD patients (FEV1 = 1.2 +/- 0.3 L; PaO2 = 65.7 +/- 9.0 mmHg) were evaluated by 24-h Holter monitoring on three different days. The first evaluation was done after the patient had been without any treatment for at least 24 h, the second after sustained-release theophylline for one week and the third after oral beta agonist (albuterol) and theophylline for one week. 3. Mean serum level of theophylline was 1.9, 15.6 and 11.7 micrograms/ml, and mean heart rate was 78.3, 82.0 and 84.5 beats/min for the first, second and third period, respectively. Four patients showed more than 10 premature atrial contractions/h in the baseline Holter, and this rate did not increase after either treatment. Three patients had more than 10 premature ventricular contractions/h (PVC) at baseline, with no increase while receiving theophylline or the combination of theophylline and albuterol. However, one patient did have worsening of the arrhythmia while taking both drugs. There were 5 single PVCs/h at baseline and 150 single and 9 coupled PVCs/h plus 1 episode of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia during combined therapy. 4. We conclude that the combination of theophylline and a beta agonist (albuterol) may increase the premature ventricular contraction rate and the complexity of ectopic activity in COPD patients.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1993

Influence of atelectasis on pulmonary function after coronary artery bypass grafting.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of atelectasis on pulmonary function 6 days following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After 6 days, 30 patients had normal chest radiographs, 38 had atelectasis, and 57 had pleural changes. In 11 patients, atelectasis only was observed in the radiograph, and in 27 it was in combination with pleural changes. The decrease in FVC and FEV1 in the patients with atelectasis was 33.4 and 33.5 percent in the SVG group and 34.8 and 34.3 percent in the IMA group, while in those patients with a normal radiograph, the decrements were 26.3 and 26.9 percent in SVG group and 26.1 and 26.9 percent in IMA group, respectively. Thus, patients with atelectasis on the 6th postoperative day have a larger decrement in pulmonary function post CABG than the patients with normal chest radiograph and this reduction reflects a higher degree of thoracic trauma.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

PubMed1992

Theophylline metabolism in patients with hepatosplenic mansoniasis and cirrhosis.

The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were studied in 12 patients with hepatosplenic mansoniasis, 14 patients with cirrhosis and 16 normal controls. Following a single intravenous dose of aminophylline volumes of distribution, serum half-lives and body clearances were determined. Volumes of distribution of theophylline in patients with schistosomiasis (mean 0.624 l/kg) did not differ from cirrhotic patients (mean 0.616 l/kg) or normal controls (mean 0.593 l/kg). Cirrhotic patients had a prolonged half-life compared to normal subjects (mean 22.1 vs. 9.9 h), while patients with schistosomiasis did not substantially differ from normal controls (15.8 vs. 9.9 h). Body clearance in patients with schistosomiasis was similar to controls (34.02 vs. 49.20 ml/h per kg) but decreased (29.24 ml/h per kg) in patients with cirrhosis. Individual analysis of the group with schistosomiasis disclosed three patients with reduced theophylline elimination. No relationship was found between laboratory tests of liver function and the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in any group. The administration of theophylline to patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, although less dangerous than in cirrhosis, must be closely followed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Postoperative pleural changes after coronary revascularization. Comparison between saphenous vein and internal mammary artery grafting.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is commonly performed with a saphenous vein graft (SVG) and/or an internal mammary artery graft (IMA). We hypothesized that there would be a higher incidence of pleural changes after CABG in patients who underwent IMA grafting because pleurotomy is usually performed. In the present study, the pre and the 6th postoperative day chest roentgenograms of 122 patients who received CABG were reviewed. The incidence of effusion in the patients who received only SVG was 43 percent (23/54) and did not differ significantly (p greater than 0.05) from the incidence in the patients who also had IMA 41 percent (28/68). Almost all of the patients (43/51) had unilateral left-sided pleural effusions. Most of the effusions were small and did not require treatment. The incidence of effusion was not higher in patients with enlargement of their cardiac silhouette or atelectasis and was not related to the presence of chest tubes. The incidence of pleural thickening was higher in the IMA group (49 percent) than in the SVG group (31 percent) but the difference did not achieve statistical significance (p greater than 0.05). We conclude that there is a high (approximately 40 percent) incidence of small effusions and thickening after CABG. The incidence of pleural effusion and pleural thickening do not appear to be influenced by the type of surgery (IMA vs SVG). We speculate that the effusions are due to pericardial inflammation.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

PubMed1992

Effect of inhaled furosemide on the bronchial response to lysine-aspirin inhalation in asthmatic subjects.

It has been demonstrated recently that inhaled furosemide inhibits bronchoconstriction induced by cold air, physical exercise, various antigens, and metabisulfite. The goal of the present study was to determine if the inhalation of furosemide would inhibit the bronchoconstriction resulting from the inhalation of lysine-aspirin in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics. Six female subjects with known hypersensitivity to aspirin participated in this crossover study comparing 20 mg of inhaled furosemide and placebo. The volunteers inhaled increasing concentrations of lysine-aspirin after the inhalation of furosemide or placebo. The geometric mean provocative dose causing a 20 percent decrease in the FEV1 (PD20) after the inhalation of placebo was 30.4 mg/ml and the PD20 was equal or below 90 mg/ml in all patients. In contrast, the FEV1 did not decrease by 20 percent in any of the patients pretreated with furosemide when the inhaled concentration was increased to 360 mg/ml. From this study, we conclude that the administration of furosemide blocks the bronchospasm induced by the inhalation of lysine-aspirin in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1992

Relationship between pleural changes after myocardial revascularization and pulmonary mechanics.

It is known that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) results in impairment of postoperative pulmonary function. There is also a high incidence of pleural changes (pleural effusion or pleural thickening) after CABG. We hypothesized that those patients with pleural changes in the postoperative period would have a greater decrease in pulmonary function test (PFTs) results. The present study reports the results of 110 male patients who underwent CABG. The chest films and the PFT results obtained preoperatively and on the sixth postoperative day were reviewed. The relationship between pleural changes and PFTs was analyzed in patients who received saphenous vein graft alone (SVG group: 50 patients) or in combination with internal mammary artery grafting (IMA group: 60 patients). In the IMA group, the patients who had pleural changes had significantly greater decreases in their pulmonary function than did the patients without pleural changes. The decrease in the FVC, TLC and FEV1 in the patients with pleural effusions (37.6, 27.8 and 36.8 percent) was similar to that in patients with pleural thickening (34.6, 28.3 and 35.0 percent) and both were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the changes in the patients with a normal radiograph (26.1, 17.6 and 26.9 percent). In the SVG group, the presence of pleural changes was not significantly related to the decrement in pulmonary function. The values of RV, FRC, Cst, and blood gases were not affected in the SVG or IMA group by the presence of pleural changes. We conclude that the presence of pleural changes on the chest radiograph is associated with a larger decrement of pulmonary function after CABG in the IMA group. This larger decrease probably reflects added thoracic trauma and is not due to the presence of pleural changes per se.

Coronary Artery Bypass↗

PubMed1992

Arterial blood gases after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery adversely affects arterial blood gas (ABG) determinations. The purposes of this study were to assess serial changes in ABGs following bypass surgery and identify factors that may influence these changes. Room air ABGs were obtained preoperatively and on days 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 postoperatively on 125 patients undergoing bypass surgery. Fifty-five patients (saphenous vein grafting [SVG] group) had only SVG grafting while 70 (internal mammary artery [IMA] group) received one (60 patients) or two (10 patients) IMA grafts in addition to the SVG grafts and were subjected to pleurotomy. The mean preoperative values (+/- SD) were as follows: PaO2, 75.1 +/- 7.7 mm Hg, P(A-a)O2, 20.9 +/- 7.5 mm Hg; PaCO2, 33.6 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; pH, 7.43 +/- 0.04; hemoglobin, 14.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl; and hematocrit, 44.2 +/- 3.9 percent. There was a large decrease in the PaO2 postoperatively. The nadir for the PaO2 (55.7 +/- 6.6 mm Hg) occurred on the second postoperative day. Eight days postoperatively, there were still significant abnormalities; the PaO2 was 65.7 +/- 7.3 mm Hg, the P(A-a)O2 was 33.2 +/- 8.8 mm Hg; the hemoglobin was 10.5 +/- 1.4 g/dl; and the hematocrit was 31.7 +/- 4.0 percent. The decrease in the PaO2 was particularly noteworthy given the large decrease in the hemoglobin and hematocrit. The changes in the PaO2 were not significantly correlated with the age, number of grafts, pump time, length of anesthesia, or endotracheal intubation or smoking history. Immediately postoperatively, changes were similar in both groups (p > 0.05); on the second postoperative day, the PaO2 had decreased 26.9 percent in the SVG group and 25.5 percent in the IMA group. However, the postoperative abnormalities resolved more slowly in the IMA group (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that the additional trauma to the lungs and chest wall in the IMA group (pleurotomy, the placing of pleural drains, etc) will result in a longer recovery time in the IMA group than in SVG group.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1991

The relationship between pleural fluid findings and the development of pleural thickening in patients with pleural tuberculosis.

The objective of the study was to determine if residual pleural thickening after treatment for pleural tuberculosis could be predicted from the pleural fluid findings at the time of the initial thoracentesis. Forty-four patients initially diagnosed as having pleural tuberculosis between January 1986 and January 1988 were separated into two groups: the 23 patients in group 1 had residual pleural disease, while the 21 patients in group 2 had no residual pleural disease after treatment for their pleural tuberculosis was completed. The clinical characteristics of the two different groups did not differ significantly, but the patients in group 1 tended to be a little sicker in that the duration of their symptoms was longer, their hemoglobin values were lower, and weight loss and cough were more frequent. There were no significant differences in the pleural fluid findings in the two different groups. The mean pleural fluid protein level was 5.40 +/- 0.58 g/dl for group 1 and 5.17 +/- 0.80 g/dl for group 2, while the mean pleural fluid glucose level was 78.6 +/- 19.5 mg/dl for group 1 and 79.5 +/- 20.1 mg/dl for group 2. The mean pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in group 1 was 593 +/- 498 IU/L, while the mean level for group 2 was 491 +/- 198 IU/L. The presence of residual pleural thickening was not related to the chemotherapeutic regimen or the performance of a therapeutic thoracentesis. From this study we conclude that approximately 50 percent of patients with pleural tuberculosis will have residual pleural thickening when their therapy is completed, but that one cannot predict which patients will have residual pleural thickening from either their clinical characteristics or their pleural fluid findings.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Pulmonary clearance of technetium 99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid aerosol in patients with amiodarone pneumonitis.

Amiodarone pneumonitis is a serious complication that may lead to fatal lung fibrosis. In an attempt to diagnose this condition as early as possible, the technetium-99m-labelled diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) aerosol washout rates of 10 non-smoking normal volunteers (group 1), 10 non-smoking patients on a long-term amiodarone regimen with dilated cardiomyopathy but no congestive heart failure (group II) and 10 patients with amiodarone pneumonitis (group III) were compared. Spirometric measurements, as percentage predicted, were higher in group I than in group III (P less than 0.05). The global mean effective half-lives of 99mTc-DTPA aerosol for both lungs together in minutes were 65 +/- 14, 55 +/- 16 and 27 +/- 4 for groups I, II and III, respectively. Group III values were significantly lower than those of groups I and II (P less than 0.05). Our results demonstrated that amiodarone pneumonitis alters the alveolar-capillary membrane permeability to hydrophilic molecules. The pulmonary clearance of 99mTc-DTPA aerosol is a useful test in the differentiation of patients on a long-term amiodarone regimen without side effects from patients with amiodarone pneumonitis. The test is rapid, easy to perform and has the potential for playing an important role in deciding which patients should discontinue therapy.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1989

[Pneumonitis induced by amiodarone].

Fifteen patients, eleven males and four females, with amiodarone induced pulmonary disease were studied. Their ages ranged between 52 and 79 (mean = 64.0) years. 66% of the patients were taking a daily dose of 200 mg of amiodarone. The time elapsed between the initial dose and the diagnosis of the pneumonitis varied from 2 to 84 (mean = 23.3) months. Premature ventricular beats and recurrent episodes of paroxistic supra ventricular tachycardia were the most common indications for the use of the drug. The most frequent clinical complaints were progressive dyspnea and cough. Weight loss was observed in five patients, fever in six and chest pain in two. The most habitual thoracic physical sign was diffuse crepitation. Chest roentgenograms disclosed bilateral interstitial infiltrates in all patients, associated to pleural effusions in two. An increased diffuse uptake of 67 gallium citrate was observed in the nine patients to whom it was done. Lung function tests showed a pattern of restrictive ventilatory respiratory insufficiency and hypoxemia. Lung tissue specimens were obtained in ten patients, bronchoalveolar lavage in one and pleural fluid in one. The material was examined by light and electron microscopy. Amiodarone was discontinued in all patients and corticosteroids were introduced in thirteen. Five patients (33.3%) died, eight improved and two remained with radiographic scars.

Aged↗

PubMed1986