Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Denz

Publications and source records attributed to C Denz.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

[Equipment of physician-staffed ambulance systems in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg].

BACKGROUND: Laws regulating emergency medical systems in the federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg call for equipment of physician-staffed ambulances that is based on current knowledge in emergency medicine. The grade of implementation is determined using single issue complexes. METHODS: A total of 127 emergency physician bases were located and each received a questionnaire regarding the equipment of the physician-staffed ambulances and helicopters and planned supplementation of the equipment, deadline was 30 June 2001. RESULTS: Of the 127 stations 116 (91.3%) participated. A 12-lead ECG is available in 52.6%, out-of-hospital fibrinolysis is possible in 15 bases (12.9%). Alternatives to endotracheal intubation are carried in 53.3% (cricothyroidotomy: 83.3%) and 31 bases provide capnometry or other devices for verifying correct tube placement. A mobile phone is available in 88 bases (75.9%). CONCLUSIONS: When comparing equipment of physician-staffed ambulances statewide, striking differences can be found.

Ambulances↗

Generation of higher-order optical (2+1)-dimensional spatial vector solitons in a nonlinear anisotropic medium.

We investigate the generation of higher-order optical vector solitons in two transverse dimensions in anisotropic nonlinear media consisting of an incoherent superposition of a Gaussian beam and a higher-order laser mode with a complex internal modal structure. We demonstrate both numerically and experimentally various examples of these stable self-trapped light structures and show that vortex modes carrying topological charge always decay into multiple-humped structures that remain self trapped during propagation. Furthermore, we demonstrate the mutual stabilization of a triple- and a double-humped transverse light structure leading to the formation of a two-dimensional vector soliton without a stabilizing fundamental Gaussian mode.

Journal Article↗

Hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions decrease cardiac troponin I concentrations in peripheral blood in a porcine ischemia-reperfusion model.

In this study we addressed the question of whether the measurement of cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is able to reflect beneficial effects of hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions after transient cardiac arrest. Ten pigs were anaesthetized and cardiac arrest was induced by electric fibrillation. After 5 minutes of global ischemia, cardiac arrest was reversed by electric defibrillation. Upon return of spontaneous circulation 5 animals received hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions (10% Hydroxyethylstarch 200/0.5 and 7.2% NaCl). The other animals received equivalent volumes of physiological saline. We observed that cTnI serum levels of animals treated with hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions were significantly lower than those treated with saline. We conclude that hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions may have cardioprotective effects.

Animals↗

Observation of dipole-mode vector solitons

We report on the first experimental observation of a novel type of optical vector soliton, a dipole-mode soliton, recently predicted theoretically. We show that these vector solitons can be generated in a photorefractive medium employing two different processes: a phase imprinting, and a symmetry-breaking instability of a vortex-mode vector soliton. The experimental results display remarkable agreement with the theory, and confirm the robust nature of these radially asymmetric two-component solitary waves.

Journal Article↗

Cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T increases in pigs during ischemia-reperfusion damage.

In this study we addressed the question of whether the measurement of cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is able to detect myocardial cell damage in an ischemia-reperfusion model in pigs. To answer the question 3 pigs were anaesthesized and a cardiac arrest was induced by electric fibrillation. After 5 minutes of global ischemia the cardiac arrest was reversed by electric defibrillation until normal perfusion was restored. We could clearly demonstrate an increase of cTnT and cTnI 30 minutes after reperfusion indicating myocardial injury during ischemia and subsequent reperfusion. The cTnT as well as the cTnI serum levels increased till 180 minutes after reperfusion. This ischemia-reperfusion injury is likely induced by oxygen radicals generated during hypoxia and subsequent reperfusion We conclude from our first results that troponin measurements with commercial available test kits may also reflect myocardial cell damage in pigs as it was recently demonstrated in rats. Further studies are needed for correlation of troponin serum levels and histopathological damage in this model especially if it is used to test beneficial or toxicological effects of radical neutralizing drugs.

Animals↗

[Horizontal deceleration trauma with diffuse decollement bleeding--a casuistry].

Treatment of severe haemorrhage caused by multiple trauma is a serious challenge to preclinical as well as clinical management. This is a case report of a motorcycle accident in which a patient sustained total amputation of both legs. Following adequate preclinical care, vital indication led to the patient's immediate surgical treatment. After initially successful haemodynamic stabilisation, the patient developed a horizontal deceleration trauma which resulted in an extended decollement of the muscles of the back and buttock. During the further clinical course, soft tissue bleeding occurred that affected the whole torso. Due to its extent, the bleeding could not be treated surgically, nor did it allow of haemodynamic stabilisation despite continuous massive transfusion. Retrospectively, the impressing amputation injury was treated successfully. In spite of all available surgical and intensive care efforts, however, the slowly demasking monstrous decollement with diffuse tissue bleeding proved to be an injury pattern leading to the patient's death.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Dynamics of formation and interaction of photorefractive screening solitons.

An experimental and numerical investigation of the dynamical, time-dependent effects accompanying the formation and interaction of two-dimensional spatial screening solitons in a photorefractive strontium barium niobate crystal is performed. These effects include initial diffraction, collapse to the soliton shape, the oscillation of beam diameters, beam bending, and the rotation, twisting, and turning of soliton pairs. The dynamics of complex spiraling of two incoherent solitons is considered in more detail.

Journal Article↗

Active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation does not improve survival in patients with prehospital cardiac arrest in a physician-manned emergency medical system.

OBJECT: To examine the efficacy of a new method of cardiac resuscitation, active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ACD CPR), in prehospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Physician-manned Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of a university hospital, serving a population of 200,000. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients with prehospital nontraumatic cardiac arrest treated by the MICU. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to standard chest compression according to American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations (group 1, 30 patients) or to the new technique (group 2, 26 patients). ACD was performed by use of a hand-held suction device. In both groups, advanced life support was performed as recommended by the AHA. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Rate of patients regaining a spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hospital discharge rate, and mean carbon dioxide content during resuscitation were recorded. ROSC rates in groups 1 and 2 were 40% and 38.5%, respectively. Four patients (13.3%) in group 1 and three patients (11.5%) in group 2 were discharged (group 1 v group 2: n.s.). Anatomic conditions precluded the application of ACD CPR in 5 patients. The new technique was found to impose greater physical efforts than STD CPR. Capnography was performed in 23 patients (mean value: STD CPR: 11.9 +/- 4.7 mmHg, ACD CPR: 13.7 +/- 4.9 mmHg [n.s.]). CONCLUSIONS: ACD CPR did not improve, outcome and practical performance was complicated. Therefore, this technique should not be performed routinely, or without strict supervision in prehospital cardiac arrest.

Adult↗

[Randomized use of an active compression-decompression technique within the scope of preclinical resuscitation].

INTRODUCTION: Despite its worldwide propagation, external chest compression is of limited efficacy. Recently a new method of cardiac resuscitation, active compression-decompression (ACD), was presented. In animals and a small series of patients resuscitated within the hospital ACD proved to augment blood flow during cardiac resuscitation as a result of greater intrathoracic pressure gradients. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated whether ACD does provide superior survival in patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: Doctors and paramedics of the mobile intensive care unit at Mannheim University Hospital were trained in the new method. 56 patients were randomly assigned to either standard chest compression according to recommendations of the American Heart Association, AHA (Group I, 30 patients) or to ACD (Group II, 26 patients). ACD was performed by use of a hand-held suction device (CardioPump, Ambu Int.). Compression (30-50 kp) and decompression (10-15 kp) were alternately applied to the patients' chest with a frequency of 80/min. Duration of compression was 50% of the cycle. In both groups advanced life support was performed according to AHA standards. RESULTS: In Group I, 40% of the patients could be resuscitated; and 13.3% were discharged from hospital. In Group II, 38.5% of the patients regained spontaneous circulation, and 11.5% of the patients were discharged. (Group I vs. Group II: n.s.). One patient in each group survived with a severe neurological deficit. ACD caused greater physical efforts than standard chest compression. Furthermore ACD was difficult to perform in patients with ventricular fibrillation once electrode gel had been used. ACD was not feasible in five patients because of large breast (four women) and kyphoscoliosis (one patient). The rate of serious complications was lower in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Methods to verify the efficacy of ACD in dummy training should be developed. Paramedics performing ACD should relieve each other every 5 minutes. In patients resuscitated by ACD self-adhesive defibrillation paddles instead of electrode gel should be used. Modifications in the design of the CardioPump are desirable to enhance the efficacy of ACD. With regard to future multicentre trials all paramedics should be skilled in the new technique to reach more patients in a shorter period of time.

Adult↗