Skin thickening and sensory loss of the feet during diltiazem therapy.
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Diltiazem↗
Biomedical subjects
B Goldfarb
Publications and source records attributed to B Goldfarb.
Murine typhus endocarditis.
We have described a 28-year-old male sheepfarmer who had fever, headache, chills, malaise, and aortic insufficiency. Echocardiography revealed a tricuspid aortic valve with a large vegetation on the right cusp, an enlarged left ventricle, and diastolic flutter of the mitral valve. Repeated blood cultures were negative. Seroconversion of IgG and IgM to Rickettsia typhi was found on the 13th day of hospitalization. The patient was treated with tetracycline for 1 year and remained afebrile and free of symptoms for 9 months, when he was lost to follow-up. IgM and IgG fluorescent antibodies to R typhi remained positive during 8 months of the follow-up period. We believe this to be the second reported case of endocarditis due to R typhi and the first not treated surgically.
Adult↗
The role of personality factors and suggestion in placebo effect during mental stress test.
The aims of this study were first of all to document a placebo effect on systolic blood pressure and heart rate during mental arithmetic induced stress and secondly to assess the role of suggestion in producing this effect. Two types of placebo were used, a simple placebo and a placebo with an implied therapeutic action. Both were compared with alprazolam. A placebo response was seen in just over half of the volunteers when the cardiovascular changes to mental arithmetic induced stress in healthy volunteers were measured. This response appeared to be unaffected by the suggested therapeutic effect. Dominant, independent subjects, identified using the Cattell 16 PF personality test were less likely to respond to placebo. Alprazolam (0.5 mg) did not prevent, to a significantly greater degree than placebo, the systolic blood pressure or heart rate increases provoked by the mental stress.
Adult↗
Feds focus on medical devices.
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Emergency Medical Services↗
Variations in blood supply to the anterior interventricular septum: incidence and possible clinical importance.
The variations of the blood supply to the anterior interventricular septum in a series of 1,089 patients are described. Special attention has been given to variations and frequency of occurrence of the septal perforators originating from the left anterior descending artery. These variations may have clinical significance in this era of coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery.
Coronary Angiography↗
Establishing the relationship between complement activation and stimulation of phagocyte oxidative metabolism in hemodialyzed patients: a randomized prospective study.
The present prospective study was conducted in order to establish the relationship between complement activation and stimulation of phagocyte oxidative metabolism observed in long-term hemodialysis (HD) patients during the early phase of dialysis with cellulosic membranes. Two groups of 10 randomized (HD) patients treated with cellulosic (Cuprophan, CUP) or synthetic polyacrilonitrile (PAN AN-69) membranes were studied. Leukocyte counts, C3a antigen plasma concentration and whole blood basal and stimulated chemiluminescence (CL) production were determined in blood samples drawn from the fistula before dialysis (T0) and from both the afferent and efferent lines of the dialyser at 15 min (T15) and at the end (Tend) of the dialysis session. This study confirms that, coincident with the nadir of leukopenia observed at T15, dialysis with CUP but not PAN membranes induces a marked rise in C3a antigen levels and profound alterations in whole blood CL production consisting of a dramatic increase in basal CL and a significant loss in CL response capacity to stimulating agents. It further demonstrates that a direct relationship exists between the variations in C3a antigen plasma levels and whole blood CL production observed in the CUP group of patients from T0 to T15 (delta 15) of dialysis. This relationship is characterized by a positive correlation between delta 15 C3a and delta 15 basal CL levels in afferent and efferent lines, and a negative correlation between delta 15 C3a and delta 15 CL response capacity values in the efferent but not afferent line. In contrast, no significant correlation with the type of dialysis membrane could be demonstrated between the variations in polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts and C3a antigen levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acrylic Resins↗
Paramedic licensure. New wave or washout?
The debate between paramedic licensure and certification is a complex one, with myriad pros and cons on each side. How would licensure change your role as an EMS provider? And what would the impact be on your salary? This article addresses these questions and more.
Allied Health Personnel↗
Spontaneous regression of isolated stenosis of the left main coronary artery.
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Coronary Artery Disease↗
[The cost of HIV infection: method and results].
The project concerned hospital costs: in-patient, out-patient, clinics and home-hospitalisation. It included asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals as well as AIDS patients. The annual cost per patient was calculated according to the various types of disease management described by involved physicians. Standard annual per-patient cost was between 2,470 and 338,000 according to the severity of the disease (four stages of severity have been defined). The standard annual cost per HIV-infected patient with Kaposi's sarcoma was in the range FF 89,000 to FF 131,000. The standard cost of surveillance for an asymptomatic HIV-infected pregnant woman was just over FF 3,400. The standard annual cost per child born to an asymptomatic HIV-infected mother was FF 12,300 for a child enrolled in an epidemiology protocol; it was FF 42,000 or FF 196,000 for a child with AIDS according to the severity of the illness. Furthermore, the study highlights the heterogeneity of medical practice, greater in the earlier stages of the disease, and the incidence of difference forms of disease management upon costs.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Concomittant ST elevation in inferior and anterior leads in acute myocardial infarction. Clinical and anatomical significance.
Various instances of acute myocardial infarction that may cause concomittant ST-segment elevation in inferior and anterior leads are presented. Among the situations that produce this phenomenon are: (1) multivessel coronary artery disease or isolated disease of a dominant left anterior descending artery causing combined inferior and anterior myocardial infarction; and (2) isolated disease of a right coronary artery causing combined infarction, or isolated right ventricular myocardial infarction. The mechanisms responsible for the electrocardiographic patterns in each instance are discussed.
Coronary Disease↗
Activation of platelets, coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients on long-term haemodialysis: influence of cuprophan and polyacrylonitrile membranes.
This study was designed to evaluate platelet activation, enhancement of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with chronic renal failure on long-term haemodialysis. Beta thromboglobulin (BTG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), fibrinopeptide A, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity and antigen, tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), fibrin, and fibrinogen degradation products were studied during dialysis. The influence of two types of membrane on these parameters was also evaluated. The patients comprised 24 individuals on long-term haemodialysis on either cuprophan membrane (CUP) (12 patients) or polyacrylonitrile membrane (AN 69) (12 patients). Blood samples were collected before, at 15 min, and at the end of dialysis. The results demonstrated that platelet activation was permanent and increased during haemodialysis. However, no difference could be demonstrated between patients treated on CUP and patients treated on AN 69. Coagulation was also enhanced permanently but did not show modification during haemodialysis. Fibrinolysis was activated at the end of haemodialysis in half the patients, but again no difference could be demonstrated between patients treated on AN 69 and CUP membranes. It was concluded that the process of haemodialysis itself enhanced platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis but that both membranes were of equal effect.
Acrylic Resins↗
Factors predicting mortality in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
A study of factors predicting mortality was performed in 201 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (163 men, 38 women, mean age: 48 +/- 11 years) by multivariate analysis (Cox Model) of 51 clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters, 56 patients died during follow-up (mean follow-up: 57.1 +/- 29.9 months). 5 year survival was 77 +/- 3%. The following parameters were independent predictors of mortality: first symptom: pulmonary oedema, peripheral oedema, syncope; duration of symptoms at the time of inclusion; end systolic left ventricular volume; end diastolic left ventricular diameter; pulmonary artery systolic pressure; and their combination had the most accurate predictive value for death. A quantitative score (s) was calculated and used to define three subgroups: A:s less than or equal to 4.5; B: 4.5 less than s less than 6; C:s greater than or equal to 6. Five-year survival was 90 +/- 5% in group A; 84 +/- 4% in B and only 53 +/- 7% in C. In conclusion, overall survival was good in this population of all stage dilated cardiomyopathy; factors related to clinical severity, left ventricular dilation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure and duration of symptoms defined a subgroup of patients with poor prognosis.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
The booming EMS marketplace: inquire within.
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Allied Health Personnel↗
[Analysis of predictive factors of mortality in dilated cardiomyopathy. A cooperative study by the Cardiomyopathy Working Group].
UNLABELLED: An analysis of factors predictive of mortality was undertaken in a group of 201 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (163 men, 38 women; average age 46 +/- 11 years) using a multivariate analysis (Cox's model) of 51 clinical electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters. The average follow-up period was 57.1 +/- 29.9 months. Fifty-six patients died and the probability of 5-year survival was 77 +/- 3 per cent. The best predictive factor of survival was determined by the combination of the following parameters: presenting symptom: pulmonary oedema, peripheral oedema, syncope; duration of symptoms before inclusion into the study; left ventricular end diastolic volume; left ventricular end diastolic dimension; systolic pulmonary artery pressure. A quantitative score "S" was calculated which enabled identification of 3 subgroups: A (S less than 4.5); B (4.5 less than S less than 6); C (S greater than 6). The probability of 5-year survival was 90 +/- 5 per cent in Group A, 84 +/- 4 per cent in Group B and 53 +/- 7 per cent in Group C. IN CONCLUSION: global survival was relatively long in this patient population with dilated cardiomyopathy at different stages of evolution; the combination of factors related to clinical severity, left ventricular dilatation, systolic pulmonary artery pressure and duration of symptoms allows identification of a subgroup of patients with a poor prognosis.
Adult↗
[Value of X-ray computed tomography of the brain in controlled carotid surgery].
The usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) in elective carotid surgery was evaluated in a prospective study of 402 patients who had a surgical operation on one or two atheromatous arteries and were explored by pre and post-operative CT of the brain. Pre-operative CT scans revealed an ischaemic lesion in 22 per cent of asymptomatic patients and in 29 per cent of patients who had experienced a transient ischaemic accident. Abnormal pre-operative CT scans were associated with a statistically significant increase in per-operative electroencephalographic changes, but there was no significant increase in post-operative neurological complications. Post-operative CT scans showed a "silent" infarct in 6 per cent of the cases; 59 per cent of patients with neurological complications had normal or unchanged post-operative CT images. This study suggests that pre-operative CT is not necessary to evaluate the neurological risk and that post-operative CT alone is inadequate to quantify the morbidity of carotid surgery.
Aged↗
[Long-term follow-up of prosthetic heart valves].
257 patients underwent single or double heart valve replacement between 1964-1986. In 141 (55%) after isolated mitral valve replacement, operative mortality was 14.8% and after 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, actuarial survival was 84%, 70%, 59% and 44%, respectively. In 70 who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement, operative mortality was 7.1% and after 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, actuarial survival was 85%, 85%, 72% and 72%. In 46 who underwent combined aortic and mitral replacement, operative mortality was 4.3% and after 5, 10 and 15 years, actuarial survival was 78%, 71% and 71%.
Actuarial Analysis↗
Home parenteral nutrition in adults: a multicentre survey in Europe.
This registry describes a multicentre experience of Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in nine European countries covering 27 centres and 194 patients. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and prognosis of patients on HPN. Patients started HPN at 44 +/- 1 years old (mean +/- SEM), and received 200 courses of HPN for a mean of 12 +/- 1 months representing a cumulative duration of 207 years. The four commonest indications for HPN were inflammatory bowel disease (30%), mesenteric vascular disease (21%), malignancy (17%) and radiation enteritis (13%). The nutritional status during HPN was clinically normal or subnormal in 93% of cases. The yearly incidence of catheter related complications leading to a catheter change was 0.74, sepsis accounting for half of this. The duration of hospital readmission for HPN complications was 4 +/- 1% of time spent at home, which represents 2 weeks per year and 41% of the total readmission time. Mortality was mainly influenced by the underlying disease since only 3% of patients died of HPN complications. A good social rehabilitation was observed in 52% of patients who during treatment recovered their pre-HPN occupational status. The poorest social rehabilitation was observed in patients over 65 years of age, and patients with malignancies and radiation enteritis, who also had the poorest prognosis. Caution seems necessary before recommending HPN in these patients.
Journal Article↗
Optimal correction of acidosis changes progression of dialysis osteodystrophy.
To investigate an eventual role of acidosis on hemodialysis osteodystrophy we prospectively studied 21 patients who were dialyzed with different amounts of bicarbonate in the dialysate for 18 months. According to the level of bone formation rate (BFR) on a prestudy bone biopsy, patients were split in two subgroups. Inside these two subgroups patients were randomly allocated to two therapeutics groups: 10 patients (group A) were dialyzed with the conventional amount of bicarbonate (33 +/- 2 mmol/liter) in the dialysate; the rest of the patients (group B, N = 11) had 7 to 15 mmol/liter sodium bicarbonate added to the dialysate to obtain 24 mEq predialysis bicarbonate plasma levels. An effective correction of acidosis was shown in group B by a higher predialysis plasma bicarbonate level (15.6 +/- 1 group A vs. 24.0 +/- 0.6 mEq/liter group B, P less than 0.005), which was reached three months after start of the study. Compared to the prestudy bone biopsy, osteoid and osteoblastic surfaces increased in group A but not in group B on the bone biopsies performed at the end of the study. Parathormone plasma level (iPTH), measured with an antiserum which cross reacts with the 44-68 region of PTH molecule, increased during the study in group A but not in group B. This finding suggested progression of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) only in group A patients. Osteocalcin plasma values increased in both groups during the 18 months of the study. Consequently the two subgroups of patients formed on the basis of BFR level were evaluated separately.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acidosis↗