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Biomedical subjects

C E Lucas

Publications and source records attributed to C E Lucas.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Altered coagulation after albumin supplements for treatment of oligemic shock.

Coagulation and need for postoperative blood and plasma therapy were studied in 94 injured patients requiring massive transfusions (average = 14.4); 46 patients, by random selection, received supplemental albumin. Albumin therapy increased total protein concentration (6.4 vs 5.8 g/dL), serum albumin level (4.2 vs 2.9 g/dL), and plasma volume (3,895 vs 3,579 mL) but not RBC volume (1,520 vs 1,530 mL). During the initial five postoperative days, patients receiving albumin required more transfusions (7.1 vs 3.8) and plasma (455 vs 317 mL). This increased need for blood and plasma correlated with a significant decrease in fibrinogen (238 vs 405 mg/dL) and prolongation of the prothrombin time (2.6 vs 1.4 seconds). The partial thromboplastin time was prolonged and the platelet concentration was decreased in albumin-treated patients, but not significantly. Deficiencies in specific coagulation factors have not yet been identified but are being studied. Impaired coagulation is another potential hazard of supplemental albumin therapy, which is probably contraindicated in injured patients.

Adult↗

The etiology of post-traumatic empyema and the role of decortication.

Decortication post-traumatic empyema (PTE) was performed in 27 patients from 1972 through 1977. All 27 patients had penetrating chest wounds and were refractory to antibiotics and tube thoracostomy. Factors associated with PTE included unrecognized diaphragmatic perforation, large hemothorax greater than 500 ml, pulmonary contusion, extrathoracic extension of hematoma within the chest wall, and incomplete expansion of the lung with initial tube thoracostomy. Prophylactic antibiotic usage did not prevent PTE nor lead to negative intrapleural cultures preoperatively. The timing of decortication varied with indication: two patients with infected pneumothorax had surgery within 1 week; 15 patients with infected pleural clot had surgery within 4 weeks; ten including nine who were readmitted to the hospital had surgery more than 4 weeks after injury. Prevention of PTE requires early recognition of hemo- or pneumothorax, early tube thoracostomy with complete evacuation of blood and expansion of lung, careful daily monitoring of subsequent fluid accumulation, and prompt evacuation when such fluid accumulates. Once PTE becomes well established and refractory to standard modalities, decortication with evacuation of the empyema cavity should be performed as soon as possible.

Adolescent↗

Negative inotropic effect of albumin resuscitation for shock.

The inotropic effects of albumin were studied in 94 seriously injured patients who received an average of 14.5 transfusions, 9.2 liters of crystalloid and 0.9 liters of plasma prior to end of operation; 46 patients, by random selection, received added albumin averaging 31 gm during operation, 198 gm during the early postoperative period of extravascular fluid sequestration, and 395 gm during the first 4 days of the later fluid mobilization period. Left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) was plotted against pulmonary wedge pressure (Ppw) in 22 patients who had indwelling thermistor pulmonary artery catheters at the time of the first study. Calculated heart work units (WU) were derived from the pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse rate, and central venous pressure (CVP) in patients without LVSWI measurements. Albumin supplementation increased serum albumin (4.2 vs. 2.9 gm%), plasma volume, CVP (15 vs. 9 cm H2O), but did not alter red cell volume (1,531 vs. 1,519 ml). The ratio of LVSWI/Ppw fell in albumin patients (1.9 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.8), and the ratio of WU/CVP was significantly depressed in albumin patients (4.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 7.3 +/- 2.1). The slopes of the LVSWI/Ppw and WU/CVP were shifted to the right in albumin patients. This negative inotropic effect was associated with impaired oxygenation, as reflected by an increased ratio of inspired oxygen per arterial oxygen tension (0.62 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.33 +/- 0.1). Finally, 24 of the 46 albumin-treated patients were digitalized for heart failure, compared to only 11 of the 48 nonalbumin patients. Pending subsequent studies, albumin should be considered a potentially negative inotropic agent.

Albumins↗

Pulmonary effects of albumin resuscitation for severe hypovolemic shock.

The effect of albumin when added to the resuscitation regimen of patients in hypovolemic shock was studied in a randomized prospective manner in 52 injured patients who received an average of 15.3 transfusions, 9.6 liters of balanced electrolyte solution, and 980 ml of fresh frozen plasma. Before and during operation, 27 patients received an average of 25 gm of albumin and 150 gm/day for three to five days. Patients who received albumin had greater dependence on respiratory support, averaging eight days while receiving ventilatory support with volume ventilator compared with three days in patients not receiving albumin. Furthermore, patients receiving albumin had forced inspiratory oxygen/Pao2 ratios that were statistically and significantly higher than those of patients not receiving albumin during all phases of their hospital course. These effects were associated with increased plasma volumes caused by the oncotic effects of albumin and by its interference with saline diuresis. On the basis of this preliminary report, albumin seems to have a detrimental effect on respiratory function.

Adult↗

Liver necrosis following hepatic artery transection due to trauma.

Hepatic artery ligation for control of bleeding liver wounds has gained widespread acceptance. Hepatic necrosis is rarely seen after this procedure has been performed. Recently, a patient with multiple organ injuries secondary to a gunshot wound to the abdomen underwent hepatic artery ligation and hepatic necrosis developed even though the portal venous system was normal.

Adult↗

Primary repair for closed lobar bronchus injury.

Primary repair in a 19-year-old male who sustained a closed injury to the right bronchus in an auto accident was performed successfully. A 1.5-cm tear was found at operation extending from the right lower lobe bronchus into its distal portion. Nine months later, the patient showed a patent airway with minimal granulation around one suture.

Adult↗

Factors influencing morbidity and mortality after liver injury.

The factors influencing morbidiy and mortality after liver injury were monitored prospectively in 637 patients. Death correlated with the number of associated injuries, severity of injury, presence of great vessel injury, active bleeding from liver at laparotomy, and severe shock on admission. Morbidity correlated most with presence of a colon injury, and the use of choledochostomy drainage. The first priority in treating liver injury is to stop bleeding. The simplest technique for this is multiple liver suture. Drainage is most safely achieved with soft rubber drains placed to the site of injury. Although several patients having no drainage may do well postoperatively, at least two patients in this series died because no drains were used. The use of choledochostomy drainage for decompression of the liver is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and is, therefore, contraindicated.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Mechanism of inappropriate polyuria in septic patients.

Inappropriate polyuria leading to hypovolemia and hypotension occurs frequently in severely septic patients. It's etiology was studied in three patients with polyuria and systolic hypotension. Glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow were measured by the standard renal clearance techniques. Renal blood flow distribution to the outer cortex, inner cortex-outer medulla, and the inner medulla were measured by radioactive xenon. The glomerular filtration rate, renal blood flow, and renal blood flow distribution were normal. Polyuria does not result from a maldistribution of renal blood flow. Antidiuretic hormone did not alter the polyuric syndrome. These data suggest that sepsis produces a blockade at either the distal tubule or the collecting duct, thereby preventing salt and water conservation. This blockade may be due to either a toxin or a toxic metabolic breakdown product of sepsis.

Adult↗