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Biomedical subjects

Alejandro A Nava-Ocampo

Publications and source records attributed to Alejandro A Nava-Ocampo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Oral misoprostol and uterine rupture in the first trimester of pregnancy: a case report.

We are reporting the case of a woman with 8 weeks of amenorrhea who orally received a single dose of misoprostol 400 microg at midnight for ripening of cervix before uterine evacuation of an intrauterine gestational sac containing a single fetus (6.3 weeks of gestation) without cardiac activity. The patient had severe abdominal pain an hour later. Her blood pressure was 70/40 mmHg and her abdomen was slightly distended with direct and rebound tenderness. A transvaginal ultrasonography showed a 3-cm depth of a free fluid collection in the rectouterine pouch. Her hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were of 6.5 g/dL and 18.4%, respectively. A rupture of 1.5 cm at the left uterine horn with a protruding gestational sac was identified by laparoscopy. The gestational sac was removed and hemoperitoneal collection were successfully drained. The site of uterine rupture was primarily sutured and postoperative course was satisfactory. In summary, misoprostol administered in the first trimester of pregnancy may produce uterine rupture.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2005

Unintended pregnancies and exposure to potential human teratogens.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with unintended pregnancies as well as the association between unintended pregnancies and potential teratogenic exposures. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed among women attending the Maternity School of the Samsung Cheil Hospital and Women's Health Care Center in Seoul, Korea. Demographic data, obstetric history, socioeconomic status, intention to become pregnant, and exposure to potential teratogens were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 1354 women with median age of 29 years and median gestational age of 29 weeks were included. Of these, an educational level above high school was 74.2%, primigravida was 77.3% and unintended pregnancy was 48%. In the logistic regression analysis, women younger than 24 years of age had a relative risk (RR) of 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.7) of having an unintended pregnancy and women with lower household monthly income level had a RR of 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.6). Women with unintended pregnancies had an RR of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5-2.5), 3.0 (95% CI, 2.0-4.5), 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0-2.3), 2.9 (95% CI, 1.1-7.2), and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.62.4) of being exposed to alcohol, medications, cigarette smoking, X-rays, or to any of these, respectively, during the first trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Unintended pregnancies are more likely to occur among young women with a lower household monthly income level. Prenatal counseling should be especially recommended for women with unintended pregnancies in order to evaluate whether they have been exposed to potential teratogenic agents.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Fetal heart rate response to cordocentesis and pregnancy outcome: a prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fetal cardiac response to cordocentesis and whether such changes may affect pregnancy outcome. METHODS: 117 singleton pregnant women requiring percutaneous trans-abdominal cordocentesis were prospectively included. Fetal heart rate was continuously evaluated by ultrasound for 1 min after completion of cordocentesis and intermittently for 20 min more. Fetal and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed by grouping fetal cardiac response to cordocentesis into bradycardia, normal heart rate and tachycardia groups. RESULTS: Women included in the study were 30.5+/-4.0 years old and had a gestational age of 23.7+/-2.0 weeks. Fetal blood sample obtained by cordocentesis was 3.1+/-0.8 ml. Fetal heart rate before cordocentesis was 149+/-8 beats per minute (bpm), ranging from 130 to 169 bpm. Fetal heart rate post-cordocentesis was 145+/-30 bpm (from 32 to 175 bpm). The incidence of bradycardia and tachycardia was 10.3% (n=12) and 6.0% (n=7), respectively. Fetal heart rate returned to normal levels in all cases at <or=5 minutes post-cordocentesis. In the tachycardia group, 6 cases had normal pregnancy outcome and one patient was lost to follow-up. In the bradycardia group, we observed two pregnancy terminations, one patient was lost to follow-up and nine were normal outcomes. In the group with normal heart rate (n=98), we observed one intrauterine fetal death, nine adverse fetal outcomes, eight pregnancy terminations and nine patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transient fetal tachycardia and bradycardia were uncommon and were not associated with adverse fetal or pregnancy outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Co-administration of salbutamol and fluticasone for emergency treatment of children with moderate acute asthma.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of nebulized therapy with salbutamol alone or in combination with fluticasone. In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 150 children with moderate acute asthma were randomly assigned to receive by nebulizations either (i) three doses of salbutamol 30 microl/kg per dose, each dose administered every 15 min, (ii) three doses of salbutamol plus two doses of fluticasone 500 microg/dose at 15 and 30 min after first dose of salbutamol, or (iii) three doses of salbutamol/fluticasone 500 microg/dose, each combined dose administered every 15 min. Pulse oxymetry (SaO2), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and Wood et al. (Am J Dis Child, 123, 1972, 123) clinical scale were evaluated at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the first nebulization. Patients in the three groups significantly improved since 15 min after the first nebulization. We did not observe differences in the recovery of SaO2 and PEF among the three groups of treatment (p > 0.10). In group 3, children showed better clinical response at 120 min than the other two groups (p < 0.05). No significant adverse effects were observed with any treatment. To summarize, in children with acute moderate asthma, nebulized salbutamol at an accumulated dose of 90 mul/kg plus fluticasone at an accumulated dose of 1500 microg produced better clinical relief after 2 h. However, similar PEF and SaO2 responses were observed with salbutamol alone or in combination with different doses of fluticasone.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2005

Dose minimization study of single-dose epidural morphine in patients undergoing hip surgery under regional anesthesia with bupivacaine.

BACKGROUND: In order to decrease the rate of adverse effects, we aimed to identify the lowest analgesic dose of epidural morphine administered to patients undergoing hip surgery. METHODS: Forty-five ASA I-II children undergoing surgical correction of hip dysplasia under caudal or epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine were randomized to receive epidural morphine 11.2, 15 or 20 microg.kg(-1) (groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; 15 patients per group) immediately after completion of surgery. Postoperative pain control, sedation, motor block, urinary retention, pruritus and vomiting were evaluated. RESULTS: In the recovery room, 46.7% of patients from group 1, 33.3% from group 2, and 93.3% from group 3 were sleeping but were easy to arouse (x(2) = 12.2; P < 0.005). The rest of the patients from each respective group were completely asleep. The cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were within normal limits. The ability to move the legs returned approximately 1 h after surgery in all three groups. Seven patients (46.7%) from group 1, nine (60%) from group 2, and 13 patients (86.7%) from group 3 vomited (x(2) = 5.4; P = 0.06). One patient receiving 20 microg.kg(-1) morphine experienced urinary retention. One patient receiving 15 microg.kg(-1) morphine suffered from pruritus. The duration of analgesia was similar, 12-14 h, in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing hip surgery under regional anesthesia with bupivacaine, epidural morphine at a dose of 11.2 microg.kg(-1) administered immediately after completion of the procedure resulted in adequate pain relief for more than 12 h. Explanation of the high rate of patients vomiting (>45%) remains to be elucidated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Randomized trial comparing overnight preoperative fasting period Vs oral administration of apple juice at 06:00-06:30 am in pediatric orthopedic surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clear liquids orally administered at 06:00-06:30 am on the morning of surgery to reduce prolonged preoperative fasting periods. METHODS: After obtaining informed parental consent, 100 children undergoing scheduled orthopedic surgical procedures, ASA I-II, were randomly allocated to two groups. In group 1, children underwent the typical overnight preoperative period and patients in group 2 received a commercial brand of apple juice (glucose 28 g in 250 ml) at 06:00-06:30 am on the day of surgery. Patients <3 years old received 15 ml.kg(-1) and older children 10 ml.kg(-1) to a maximum volume of 250 ml. All patients underwent overnight fasting for milk and solids. RESULTS: Fasting time was 4.8 +/- 2.1 h (ranging from 3 to 11 h) in the group receiving apple juice at 06:00-06:30 am and 13.2 +/- 3.3 h (ranging from 5 to 19 h) in the overnight-fasting group (P < 0.05; 95% CI: -9.6 to -7.4 h). More patients were irritable (odds ratio, OR 4.5; 95% CI: 1.9-10.8) and dehydrated (OR 21.6; 95% CI: 5.9-79.0) in the overnight-fasting group. Glucose levels <2.7 mmol.l(-1) (50 mg.dl(-1)) were not reported in any case. CONCLUSIONS: A 15 ml.kg(-1) of apple juice for patients of <3 years of age or 10 ml.kg(-1) for older children, at 06:00-06:30 am of the surgical morning is a simple procedure to prevent dehydration and to produce positive behavior in low-risk, pediatric surgical patients.

Beverages↗
PubMed2005

Variable designs of clinical trials of neuromuscular blocking agents: an example of studies comparing rocuronium and vecuronium.

BACKGROUND: Published clinical trials on neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are being reported with large variations in their protocols and conflictiing results may emerge from these differences. Because they have been compared in several clinical trials, the study was focused on rocuronium and vecuronium in order to evaluate whether these NMB agents were compared under homogeneous conditions. MATERIAL/ METHOD: A search was made in PubMed, Embase Drugs and Pharmacology, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies on the neuromuscular response at the adductor pollicis to an i.v. bolus dose of rocuronium or vecuronium in humans were included. Quality of all reports was assessed by means of the 3-item Jadad et al. scale. Twenty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and all were retrieved. RESULTS: Randomization was performed in 21 (80.8%) studies. Blinding procedure for drug administration was mentioned in only one study without clarifying the procedure. Induction was most commonly performed with thiopental, followed by propofol. Two studies were performed in children and two in elderly patients. Withdrawals or dropouts were not mentioned in any paper. Electromyography and mechanomyography were the most common monitoring procedures. The time to maximal response, the maximum effect and the time to reach 25% recovery of neuromuscular function were the most used pharmacodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical trials on neuromuscular blocking agents, e.g. vecuronium versus rocuronium, are being performed with large variability and without following established guidelines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Elimination kinetics of ethanol in pregnant women.

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ethanol in the early second trimester of pregnancy, ethanol concentrations simultaneously measured in the maternal blood (EtOH-MB) and in the amniotic fluid (EtOH-AF) of six pregnant women were obtained from a previous study in which a single ethanol dose of 300mgkg(-1) body weight was administered orally. For maternal blood ethanol concentration, the kinetic equation was: [Formula: see text] where k(12) and k(21) are, respectively, the rate constant of ethanol transfer from either the central compartment to the peripheral compartment or vice versa; V(max)(EtOH)is the maximal velocity for ethanol oxidation; and K(m)(EtOH) is the concentration at which half of the maximal rate of ethanol elimination is reached. The maximum concentration of EtOH in AF was 60% lower than in MB (P=0.36). However, the AUC(0-3.5h) in AF was only 16% lower than the value for MB (P=0.059). The k(12) (0.20 =/- 0.26 h(-1)) was almost twice faster than k(21) (0, h(-1)). The V(max)(EtOH) was 237.6 +/- 71.5 microgml(-1)h(-1) and K(m)(EtOH) was 3.7 +/- 4.7 microgml(-1). Our results imply that in the early second trimester, ethanol metabolism is fast. However, ethanol clearance from the AF is slower than ethanol clearance in MB. This process is widely variable, and our findings may partially explain the wide variability of ethanol's toxic effects on the fetus.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed2004

Undocumented drug utilization and drug waste increase costs of pediatric anesthesia care.

The present study was performed in order to identify the cost of drugs used without documenting them in the patients' file and the wastage of drugs in a pediatric anesthesiology ward. In a prospective, blinded, observational design, drug utilization of 610 consecutive patients, undergoing an elective or emergency surgical procedure was evaluated. The number of undocumented drugs per 100 requested units and the number of wasted drugs per 100 requested units were computed and multiplied by its corresponding unitary cost. The median undocumented cost was 92.4 US dollars (95% CI 17.2-216.6 dollars) per 100 requested units. Succinylcholine (40 mg/2 mL) was the main undocumented drug; its use was not documented in approximately 50% cases in which this neuromuscular blocking agent was requested. However, rocuronium and nalbuphine had the highest unjustified cost, 770.6 dollars and 847.0 dollars per 100 requested units, respectively. Ketorolac, diclofenac, metamizol, furosemide, methylprednisolone, sodium bicarbonate, and cisatracurium were requested and documented. The median cost of wasted drug was 141.8 dollars (95% CI 55.8-448.2 dollars) per 100 requested drugs. More than 80% of adrenaline, naloxone, flunitrazepam, ephedrine, and cisatracurium were wasted. However, the highest cost of wasted drugs was for ondansetron, cisatracurium, methylprednisolone, and rocuronium. The uncontrolled availability and use of drugs may represent an important amount of resources wasted without any awareness of the staff in a department of pediatric anesthesia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Dose-response of ropivacaine administered caudally to children undergoing surgical procedures under sedation with midazolam.

1. In a double-blind randomized controlled design, 50 children were allocated to receive bupivacaine 0.25% or ropivacaine 0.25%, 0.32%, 0.40% or 0.50% by caudal block. 2. Caudal block was performed after induction of anaesthesia with 2-5% sevoflurane, atropine 10 microg/kg and midazolam 100-300 microg/kg. During the surgical procedure, patients were maintained under spontaneous ventilation and no intravenous or inhalatory anaesthetic agent was administered. For transoperative sedation, midazolam 100-300 microg/kg was administered every 0.5-1.0 h. Transoperative cardiovascular response, postoperative analgesia and local and systemic complications were evaluated. 3. Groups were similar (P > 0.05) in sex, age, weight and in the time elapsed from caudal block to the beginning of the surgical procedure. The surgical time was significantly lower in the ropivacaine 0.25% group. The duration of analgesia was 24 h with ropivacaine 0.25% and approximately 10 h in the other four groups (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the postoperative analgesic period produced by ropivacaine and the surgical time (r = -0.48, two-sided P = 0.002). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures remained in the physiologically normal range for the duration of the transoperative period. Vomiting was present in only one patient receiving ropivacaine 0.50%. 4. In children, the duration of analgesia produced by caudal block with ropivacaine may be affected by surgical time. At surgical times of 0.5-1 h, ropivacaine 0.25% produced at least 24 h postoperative analgesia. At similar surgical times, ropivacaine 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.50% produced similar analgesic times to bupivacaine 0.25%.

Amides↗
PubMed2004

Randomized trial of a single, double and triple dose of 10 mg/kg of a human formulation of triclabendazole in patients with fascioliasis.

1. A study performed > 10 years ago and case reports published recently suggest that triclabendazole is effective for the treatment of patients with fascioliasis. 2. To confirm the efficacy of a human formulation of triclabendazole, we enrolled 165 patients into the present study and divided the subjects into two groups: (i) those who had fascioliasis, as evidenced by the presence of ova in their stools; and (ii) patients with clinical and laboratory data suggesting fascioliasis. 3. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 10 mg/kg, p.o., triclabendazole for 1, 2 or 3 days (single-, double- and triple-dose groups, respectively). Medical history and physical and laboratory examinations were performed at baseline and at 7, 14, 30 and 60 days after treatment. Results were based on 152 patients who completed the study. 4. A sharp decrease in the proportion of clinical signs and symptoms was observed in all groups immediately after treatment. Ova disappeared from the stools of all patients in the single- and double-dose groups. Thirty days after treatment, ova were identified in the stools of two patients in the triple-dose group who received a second course of triclabendazole. 5. All cases were cured on day 60. However, the cure rate was lower when the patients with suggestive fascioliasis were included in the analysis. The cure rate was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the three dose groups. No cases of toxic hepatitis were observed. 6. In conclusion, oral administration of 10 mg/kg of the human pharmaceutical preparation of triclabendazole for 1-3 days is safe and effective in the treatment of human fascioliasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The local anesthetic activity of Aconitum alkaloids can be explained by their structural properties: a QSAR analysis.

Alkaloids isolated from Aconitum roots exhibit anesthetic effects at peripheral nerves. We performed the present quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis in order to understand the mechanism of action as local anesthetics of 11 Aconitum alkaloids. The alkaloids with the highest anesthetic activity had an aroyl/aroyloxy group at R14 position while the weaker anesthetic alkaloids had the aroyloxy group at R4. The stable compounds exhibited a higher local anesthetic activity than the unstable compounds. In relation to the reactivity indexes of atoms on the aromatic ring, C2' was more reactive while C3' and C5' were less reactive in the compounds with the highest anesthetic activity. Reactivity of N, C1', C4' and C6' was similar between the two groups of alkaloids. The pKa was approximately 7.3 in both groups. The local anesthetic ED50 of alkaloids was significantly inversely related to molecular weight, core-core repulsion energy, steric energy and RI-C2', and directly related to electronic energy, total energy, RI-C5' and to the heat of formation. In conclusion, we identified a set of structural parameters that are related to the local anesthetic activity of Aconitum alkaloids. Our findings are useful to understand the mechanism of action of these alkaloids and to provide a rational for chemical manipulation of the compounds in order to obtain potent derivates with minor toxicity.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2004

A QSAR analysis of toxicity of Aconitum alkaloids.

Biological activity of Aconitum alkaloids may be related to their toxicity rather than to a specific pharmacological action. A Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) analysis was performed on the following two groups of alkaloids: compounds with an aroyl/aroyloxy group at R(14) position (yunaconitine, bulleyaconitine, aconitine, beiwutine, nagarine, 3-acetyl aconitine, and penduline), and compounds with the aroyloxy group at R(4) position (N-deacetyllappaconitine, lappaconitine, ranaconitine, N-deacetylfinaconitine, N-deacetylranaconitine). The LD(50) (micromol/kg) of the 12 alkaloids were obtained from the literature. LD(50) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. The steric and core-core repulsion energies were significantly higher in group 1. The total energy and heat of formation and electronic energies were significantly lower in group 1. The reactivity index of N, C1', C4' and C6' were similar between groups. The reactivity index of C2' was significantly higher and the reactivity index of C3' and C5' were significantly lower in group 1. Log P and pKa were similar between groups. Molecular weight was significantly higher in group 1. A significant linear relationship was observed between log LD(50) and either analgesic log ED(50) or local anesthetic log ED(50). The LD(50)/analgesic ED(50) obtained from average values was 5.9 for group 1 and 5.0 for group 2. However, the LD(50)/local anesthetic ED(50) was 40.4 and 318, respectively. The study supports that the analgesic effects of these alkaloids are secondary to their toxic effects whereas alkaloids from group 2 are susceptible to be further studied as local anesthetic agents.

Aconitum↗
PubMed2004

Hypothyroidism during pregnancy.

QUESTION: I have a 27-year-old patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the 8th week of pregnancy. She received conflicting opinions regarding risk for her baby and wants to get more information. I also found conflicting information in the literature. How should I advise her? ANSWER: Pregnant patients with untreated hypothyroidism are at increased risk of obstetric complications. Adequate treatment with thyroid hormones greatly reduces the frequency of these complications. Observational studies suggest that children whose mothers had hypothyroxinemia in early pregnancy have lower IQs than matched controls. Another study has shown that even if levothyroxine therapy is started after the first trimester, there is an excellent chance children will have normal neuropsychologic development.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Multivitamin supplements for pregnant women. New insights.

QUESTION: One of my patients is planning pregnancy and has started taking multivitamin supplements. She is experiencing gastric discomfort. What are the alternatives? ANSWER: Gastric discomfort is usually related to iron intake; pregnant women could use supplements with less iron. Pregnant women need 0.4 to 1.0 mg of folic acid daily. If they have a family history of neural tube defects (NTDs), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or epilepsy, or are currently taking valproic acid, carbamazepine, or antifolates (eg, sulfonamides), they are at intermediate-to-high risk of having babies with NTDs and need 4.0 to 5.0 mg of folic acid daily.

Abdominal Pain↗