Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D A Ellis

Publications and source records attributed to D A Ellis.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Subacute massive pulmonary embolism treated with plasminogen and streptokinase.

Major pulmonary embolism occurring insidiously over several weeks (subacute massive pulmonary embolism) has a high mortality and may not respond well to standard anticoagulant or thrombolytic treatment. A priming dose of plasminogen was used to enhance thrombolysis produced by a streptokinase infusion in five consecutive patients with subacute massive pulmonary embolism. In each patient a dramatic clinical improvement occurred with a substantial increase in pulmonary blood flow. All five patients survived to leave hospital. Malignant disease was the underlying cause of embolism in three patients, two of whom died of their malignant disease in the six months after treatment of their pulmonary embolism. The third patient with malignant disease had a choriocarcinoma; at least some of the pulmonary obstruction may have been tumour tissue but this obstruction was dramatically cleared by the treatment. The use of a combination of plasminogen with streptokinase should be considered in severely ill patients with subacute massive pulmonary embolism, particularly if other treatment, including streptokinase alone, has failed.

Adult↗

Role of lung scanning in assessing the resectability of bronchial carcinoma.

Ventilation and perfusion lung scans were performed in 58 patients before operation for bronchial carcinoma to determine in which patients the lung scan was most useful for assessing mediastinal spread and resectability of the tumour. Perfusion of the affected lung was less with larger and more centrally situated tumours. Perfusion was also less for left-sided than for right-sided tumours but this is explained by the normal differential perfusion of the right and left lungs. The lung scan was unhelpful in predicting resectability of peripheral tumours, but with central tumours if perfusion of the affected lung was less than 25% of the total perfusion the lesion was likely to be non-resectable because of spread to the mediastinum. Airways obstruction was present in 67% of the patients but did not interfere with the interpretation of the scans. In most cases ventilation scans provided no additional information, and the use of krypton-81 m as a sensitive indicator of regional ventilation did not improve on the predictive value of the perfusion scan.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗

Effect of oral salbutamol and slow-release aminophylline on exercise tolerance in chronic bronchitis.

In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 24 patients fulfilling the MRC criteria for chronic bronchitis, oral salbutamol 4 mg and slow-release aminophylline (Phyllocontin) 450 mg produced similar and significant (p less than 0.05) mean increases in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). A significantly greater increase in mean FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) was seen when both drugs were given although there was no statistical evidence of synergistic interaction. Salbutamol significantly increased the mean distance walked in 12 minutes (12MD) (p less than 0.02) by 56 metres and a similar increase of 54 metres (p less than 0.001) was seen after Phyllocontin. With both drugs in combination mean 12MD increased by 51 metres (p less than 0.02 cf placebo), a change not significantly different from that observed with either drug alone. Oral salbutamol and Phyllocontin improve exercise tolerance in chronic bronchitis. The significantly greater changes in FEV1 and FVC resulting from simultaneous administration of the two drugs are not associated with further improvement in exercise tolerance.

Adult↗

Present outlook in bronchiectasis: clinical and social study and review of factors influencing prognosis.

One hundred and sixteen patients with proven bronchiectasis diagnosed at least five years previously were studied to determine the clinical outcome, change in pulmonary function, and degree of social disability. Twenty-two patients had died and the mean duration of follow-up in the survivors was 14 years. The patients who died were characterised by a poorer initial ventilatory capacity than the survivors and cor pulmonale was present in 37% at the time of death. The survivors showed a tendency for improvement in symptoms whether treated surgically or medically. Thirty per cent were better than at diagnosis while only 11% were worse. Measurements of FEV1 and FVC were made at diagnosis and at review, mild airways obstruction being the predominant abnormality. The change in pulmonary function was expressed as the decline in FEV1 in ml/yr. The decline in FEV1 was no greater than expected in 80% of patients and in a further 15% was of the order seen in cigarette smokers with mild airways obstruction. Poor ventilatory capacity was therefore not an important limitation in these patients. Of the survivors 77% had a good work record with less than two weeks loss of work annually from chest illness. The spouses of all married patients were interviewed at home by a trained social worker. Fifty per cent reported no social problem but 46% of spouses found the patient's cough distasteful and 29% of couples had experienced difficulties with normal sexual life. Seven per cent of the patients were severely disabled. While the overall prognosis of our patients was good a minority still have severe physical and social problems as a result of bronchiectasis.

Adolescent↗

Use of the fascial plane system in the facelift operation.

The shifting of skin and superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) fascia in the facelift procedure represents an important development in the improvement of the lax and sagging skin of the face and neck. The pathology of aging skin is reviewed, the anatomy of the SMAS fascia is described, and the use of SMAS fascia in surgery along with attendant potential hazards are discussed.

Aging↗

Major facial trauma--the effect of legislation.

In January 1976, new seat belt legislation was enacted and speed limits in Ontario were reduced from 70 to 60 miles per hour. This has led to a significant decrease in major facial trauma reducing the medical experience of the surgeons handling these problems. Major facial trauma, however, is often complex and may require the services of neurosurgery and ophthalmology. It compels the otolaryngologist to be aware of these complications so that effective and efficient treatment may be instigated. A recent case illustrates these complications.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Failure of propranolol and metoprolol to alter ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide and exercise.

Neither propranolol (80 mg) nor metoprolol (100 mg) give orally to eight normal subjects altered mean ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide or to moderate graded exercise. Incremental doses of the drugs to totals of 320 mg propranolol and 400 mg metoprolol also did not effect these ventilatory responses. Both drugs markedly decreased the heart rate response to exercise. Neither propranolol nor metoprolol are likely to cause CO2 retention by an effect on the ventilatory responses to inhaled carbon dioxide or to exercise.

Adult↗

Indications for internal maxillary artery ligation in the treatment of epistaxis.

Following a review of 13 cases of epistaxis treated by internal maxillary artery with anterior ethmoidal artery ligation over a three year period at the Toronto General Hospital certain indications for ligation have evolved. These are: 1) hospital stay longer than five days, 2) total number of nasal packs more than three, 3) concomitant disease aggravating control, 4) blood transfusion in excess of five units, 5) massive epistaxis.

Adult↗

The bite in the temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndrome.

After reviewing the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint, the soft tissue classification of this syndrome is divided into three groups: macrotrauma, microtrauma, and stress situation. In each group, the etiology, physical findings, pathophysiology, and treatment are discussed. Bite assessment is reviewed so that the otolaryngologists will have a fuller understanding of the role that occlusal status plays in this syndrome. Before contemplating surgery, this status should be assessed by a competent dental colleague.

Arthritis↗

Evaluation of the paralyzed face.

The face is a dynamic organ of expression and communication. It is the most important area for recognition and identification of an individual. Paralysis of the face disturbs these social factors deeply. An understanding of facial movment and anatomy is presented to allow for better cosmetic and functional analysis. Hence, medico-legal documentation and the selection of the appropriate techniques for surgical rehabilitation becomes a simpler task.

Communication↗

Exacerbations of chronic bronchitis: exogenous or endogenous infection?

Six male patients with chronic bronchitis, who were known previously to have excreted Streptococcus pneumoniae and/or Haemophilus influenzae, both at the times of exacerbations and during remission, were studied for 43 to 52 months. Sputum was examined fortnightly and at the time of exacerbations. Strains of Strep. pneumoniae were serotyped and those of Haemophilus species were typed by antibiograms along with other supporting methods. Sera collected before or at the time of an exacerbation and seven and 30 days afterwards were examined by complement fixation tests against respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In 18 out of 25 exacerbations there was evidence of a new type of Strep. pneumoniae and/or Haemophilus spp. or of a current virus infection, suggesting exogenous infection in the majority of these cases. There was a possible reason for failure to detect a new pathogen in three of the seven cases in which none was found. In five further exacerbations adequate investigation was not possible.

Aged↗

The effect of aerosol ipratropium bromide and salbutamol on exercise tolerance in chronic bronchitis.

In a double-blind placebo controlled trial in 24 patients fulfilling the MRC criteria for chronic bronchitis, ipratropium bromide 40 microgram and salbutamol 200 microgram produced similar and significant (P less than 0.001) increases in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). A greater increase in FEV1 and FVC was seen when both drugs were used together, but this increase did not differ significantly from that produced by either drug alone. Salbutamol increased 12-minute walking distance significantly (P less than 0.001) by 62 +/- 15 metres, whereas the increase of 43 +/- 15 metres observed after ipratropium was not significant (P less than 0.05). With both drugs in combination 12-minute walking distance increased by 72 +/- 15 metres, but this change was not significantly different from that observed with salbutamol alone. If aerosol bronchodilators in the doses used in this study are to be given with a view to improving exercise tolerance in such patients than salbutamol would appear to be the aerosol of choice.

Aerosols↗