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Biomedical subjects

D Green

Publications and source records attributed to D Green.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Mesenteric venous thrombosis.

Sixteen patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis were reviewed retrospectively during a period from 1983 to 1987. Twelve patients had progressive abdominal pain, three had gastrointestinal bleeding, and one had general malaise. Seven of these 16 patients had previous deep-vein thrombosis. After negative routine gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary evaluation, 11 patients underwent an infusion computerized tomographic scan. Of these, 10 had superior mesenteric vein thrombosis; three of these 10 patients had portal vein thrombosis. Selective arteriography was done in two patients because of gastrointestinal bleeding, and a diagnosis of mesenteric vein thrombosis was made on the venous phase of the examination. The remaining four patients developed acute abdominal symptoms requiring surgical exploration, at which time mesenteric venous thrombosis was discovered. An identifiable coagulopathy was detected in nine patients (protein C deficiency in six, protein S deficiency in two, and factor IX deficiency treated with factor IX concentrate in one). No case of congenital antithrombin-III deficiency was identified. Six of these nine patients had a past history of deep venous thrombosis. Of five patients who underwent surgical exploration, all required bowel resection. In follow-up, two patients died of intestinal necrosis and a third died of associated pancreatic cancer. Thirteen patients were discharged from the hospital. Treatment of coagulopathy was by heparin in three patients and sodium warfarin (Coumadin) in four patients. Long-term anticoagulation was not instituted because of gastrointestinal bleeding in three and cirrhosis in three patients. Mesenteric venous thrombosis can occur without gangrenous bowel. Diagnosis should be suspected when acute abdominal symptoms develop in patients with prior thrombotic episodes and a coagulopathy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Fixed- vs adjusted-dose heparin in the prophylaxis of thromboembolism in spinal cord injury.

Thromboembolism is a common and occasionally catastrophic complication in patients with spinal cord injury and complete motor paralysis. We, therefore, evaluated the efficacy and safety of two prophylactic regimens, using heparin in either fixed doses of 5000 U given subcutaneously twice daily or in doses adjusted to prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to approximately 1 1/2 times control. Patients were monitored with daily clinical examinations, serial impedance plethysmography, and Doppler flow studies. All events suspected to be thromboembolic were confirmed by venography, ventilation-perfusion scans, or pulmonary angiography. Seventy-five patients were randomized, and 58 (29 in each group) either remained in the study for more than seven weeks or experienced a thrombotic or hemorrhagic event. Patients on the adjusted-dose regimen received a mean (+/- SD) of 13,200 +/- 2200 U of heparin per dose and had an APTT 1 1/2 times higher than those on the fixed-dose regimen. Thromboembolism was detected in nine (31%) of 29 patients randomized to the fixed-dose regimen and two (7%) of 29 on the adjusted-dose regimen. While no patient who received the adjusted dose and whose APTT reached the target level had a thrombosis, bleeding occurred in seven patients. No patient on the fixed-dose regimen bled. We conclude that patients with spinal cord injury who can be maintained on doses of heparin sufficient to prolong their APTT to 1 1/2 times control values will be spared thromboembolic complications, but these patients are at high risk of bleeding, especially if they have trauma to other tissues in addition to their spinal cord injury.

Adolescent↗

Arthropathy and surgery in congenital factor VII deficiency.

A 35-year-old woman with severe (less than 1 percent) factor VII deficiency had recurrent hemarthroses involving the left knee, leading to deformity, pain, and virtually complete loss of function. It was elected to perform a total knee replacement. In preparation for surgery, the patient received heat-treated prothrombin complex concentrate containing 870 units of factor VII per vial. A dose of 50 U/kg raised the factor VII level to 115 percent. At surgery, dense adhesions were found within the joint, the articular cartilage was overgrown with pannus extending out to the lateral patella, and there was extensive deformity of the femoral condyle and tibial plateau. The joint was excised and replaced by a cemented Microloc prosthesis. Postoperatively, factor VII levels were maintained above 10 percent by six-hourly infusions of concentrate. Beginning on Day 4, single daily infusions of 25 U/kg were given prior to physical therapy. No bleeding occurred, and the patient was ambulating at the time of discharge 20 days postoperatively. This experience indicates that despite its short half-life (less than four hours), factor VII levels sufficient to prevent bleeding can be maintained in factor VII-deficient patients undergoing major operative procedures.

Adult↗

Ovarian carcinoma: abdominopelvic irradiation following reexploration.

Twenty patients with ovarian cancer, who following reexploration were left with residual disease nodules of less than 2 cm diameter, received abdominopelvic irradiation. Of these patients 18 had previous chemotherapy. Fifteen patients completed treatment, 13 of whom had prior chemotherapy. Six of the 18 patients with invasive tumors were alive and disease free 18-53 months postradiotherapy, while only 4 patients had died at the time of follow-up. No patient with residual nodules greater than 1 cm remained disease free. There was no difference in outcome between patients with microscopic or macroscopic less than 1 cm residuum. Complications were acceptable with 3/20 (15%) developing treatment-related intestinal obstruction.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Resisting the stigma of incest: an experiment in personal construct psychotherapy.

This paper describes a psychotherapeutic attempt to help an adolescent girl, incestuously assaulted by her father for over a decade, rebuild a satisfactory sense of self and escape to some degree the debilitating and stigmatizing effects of her experience. The course of events described was primarily determined by the young woman's own sense of what she needed from psychotherapy but was also informed by the theoretical framework of Personal Construct Theory. In terms of methodology the paper is a personal account of a personal experience and draws on a narrative rather than experimental tradition in clinical psychology. The paper ends with an uncertain picture of outcome and prognosis with which most clinicians will be familiar.

Adolescent↗

Evidence for a role of oxygen derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of caerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

The effects of a polyethylene glycol linked oxygen free radical scavenger enzyme, superoxide dismutase (PEG:SOD) on caerulein induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats were examined. Pancreas weights and serum amylase concentrations in rats given a three hour continuous intravenous infusion of caerulein (7.5 micrograms/kg/h, n = 18) for induction of AP followed by a three hour infusion of normal saline were significantly raised by approximately 25% (p less than 0.005) and 750% (p less than 0.001), respectively, compared with values obtained in control rats (n = 7) infused for six hours with normal saline alone. A single intraperitoneal injection of either 1 X 10(4) U/kg (n = 6), 2 X 10(4) U/kg (n = 5), or 4 X 10(4) U/kg (n = 5) of PEG:SOD immediately before caerulein infusion did not significantly alter pancreas weights, serum amylase content, or pancreatic histopathology compared with rats given caerulein alone. By contrast, a single intravenous bolus injection of 4 X 10(4) U/kg (n = 9) of PEG:SOD before caerulein treatment significantly reduced serum amylase content by approximately 25% (p less than 0.05) and a continuous six hour intravenous infusion of 4 X 10(4) U/kg/h of PEG:SOD (n = 5) produced significant reductions of approximately 25% (p less than 0.001), 35% (p less than 0.05), and 50% (p less than 0.01) in pancreas weights, serum amylase concentrations, and acinar cell vacuolisation (p less than 0.01), respectively, compared with values in rats given caerulein alone. In studies using bovine serum albumin linked to polyethylene glycol and infused for six hours at protein concentrations identical to high dose PEG:SOD (n = 6), no beneficial effects against caerulein induced AP were observed. These data suggest that (a) oxygen derived free radicals are involved in the early pathogenesis of caerulein induced AP in rats, and (b) the greatly extended circulating half life of polyethylene PEG:SOD ( > 35 hours in rats compared with less than six minutes for native superoxide dismutase) may make this compound more suitable than native superoxide dismutase as a potential therapeutic agent in AP.

Acute Disease↗

Stroke rehabilitation outcome: impact of coronary artery disease.

The frequency of clinically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) among stroke patients and the impact of CAD on stroke rehabilitation were studied in 132 patients with first thrombotic or embolic stroke who participated in comprehensive rehabilitation. Sixty-one patients (46%) had a history of CAD, and 16 of the 61 also had congestive heart failure (CAD-CHF). Patients with CAD, and especially those with CAD-CHF, had significantly longer intervals from stroke onset to rehabilitation admission (p less than 0.001), and once in rehabilitation they experienced three times as many cardiac complications (p less than 0.001). While all patient groups improved function during rehabilitation, those with CAD and CAD-CHF improved significantly less than did those without CAD (p less than 0.01). Patients with CAD did least well with rolling, moving in bed, transferring from a wheelchair to bed, and walking. CHF not only adversely influenced overall function and mobility task performance but also affected the potential for achieving functional gains. These data suggest that specific measures of function and rehabilitation are affected by CAD and that the levels of achievement for patients with CAD-CHF are limited.

Aged↗

Autotransfusion after cardiac operation. Assessment of hemostatic factors.

Reinfusion of mediastinal blood after coronary bypass grafting reduces the need for homologous transfusion with its hazards. To determine the efficacy of autotransfusion using the cardiotomy reservoir used during operation as a postoperative collection system, we studied the characteristics of reservoir blood (minimum 500 ml, mean 810 ml) and compared the hematologic profiles of 21 patients before and after blood infusion. The mean hematocrit value of the shed blood was 25% +/- 7%, platelet count 60,000 +/- 39,000/microliter, fibrinogen 19 +/- 25 mg/dl, and factor VIII 11% +/- 7%. The fibrinopeptide A concentration was 400 ng/ml, and the B beta 15-42 peptide was 28 +/- 14 pmol/ml. These values indicate defibrination of the blood before collection (no clots were found in the reservoirs), and no significant differences were detected between the types of reservoirs used (Bentley, n = 10, Shiley, n = 11). Infusion of reservoir blood between 500 and 1860 ml did not significantly affect the factor VIII, fibrinopeptide A, or B beta 15-42 peptide levels. Fibrinogen levels increased from 254 to 395 mg/dl (p less than 0.001). Only six of 21 patients received bank blood before discharge. These findings indicate that extensive coagulation occurs within the mediastinum before the blood is collected, that mediastinal blood can be safely infused without inducing fibrinolysis or disseminated intravascular coagulation, and that use of the cardiotomy reservoir is a safe and inexpensive method of autotransfusion after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗

Plasma estrogens, androgens, and von Willebrand factor in men on chronic hemodialysis.

The role of sex hormones in atherogenesis has not been well defined. Since hemodialysis patients show signs of feminization and an increased propensity for atherosclerosis they are particularly suited to probe the relationship between estrogen, testosterone, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, we measured plasma total, free, and protein-bound estradiol (E2), testosterone (Te), and prolactin in 28 hemodialysis patients and in 30 age-matched controls. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were also assayed. Total and free E2 as well as Te were significantly decreased in the patients (p less than 0.001). However, the E2/Te ratio was elevated in the patients (p = 0.05), as was vWF (p less than 0.01). No correlations were found between hormone levels and vWF, gynecomastia or vascular disease, but vWF and vascular disease were highly correlated. We conclude that in hemodialysis patients absolute estrogen levels are lower than normal, but that the estrogen/androgen ratio is shifted in favor of estrogen because of the coexistence of androgen deficiency. These findings suggest that an elevation in the estrogen/androgen ratio, rather than an increase in estrogen per se, may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

Successful intravenous immune globulin therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-associated thrombocytopenia.

High-dose intravenous (IV) immune globulin was used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated thrombocytopenia four times in three patients. The average platelet count at initiation of therapy was 12 x 10(9)/L (12 x 10(3)/mm3), and the platelet count after therapy was 159 x 10(9)/L (159 x 10(3)/mm3), giving a mean increase of 147 x 10(9)/L (147 x 10(3)/mm3) (1225%). The conditions of two of these patients were refractory to corticosteroids, but giving IV immune globulin along with steroids appeared to enhance the response to IV immune globulin. A review of the literature revealed that 53 (88%) of 60 patients with HIV-associated thrombocytopenia responded to IV immune globulin with platelet counts greater than 50 x 10(9)/L (50 x 10(3)/mm3). We conclude that IV immune globulin therapy achieves transient elevations in platelet counts to levels that control bleeding and permit surgery in patients with severe, HIV-associated thrombocytopenia.

Adult↗

An acquired factor VIII inhibitor responsive to high-dose gamma globulin.

A 55-year-old previously well woman noted easy bruising and developed a swollen, painful leg after minimal trauma. A compartment syndrome was diagnosed, and medial and lateral fasciotomies were performed with evacuation of a massive hematoma. However, blood rapidly reaccumulated in the wound. The VII:C level was 2%, and 4 Bethesda units of factor VIII inhibitor were detected. After initial treatment with clotting factor concentrates and corticosteroids failed to control bleeding or reduce inhibitor titers, gamma globulin, 25 g daily for 5 days, was administered. The inhibitor became undetectable, VIII:C levels rose, and bleeding stopped. However, 5 days later VIII:C levels were again low and bleeding recurred. A second course of gamma globulin, 50 g daily for 2 days, was accompanied by a prompt increase in VIII:C, and uneventful recovery. In conclusion, in this patient with an autoantibody to VIII:C, a response to gamma globulin was observed on two occasions, and the second response came when steroids were being tapered and the patient was on no other medication.

Autoantibodies↗

Regional chemotherapy with the use of cisplatin and doxorubicin as primary treatment for advanced sarcomas in shoulder, pelvis, and thigh.

Eight patients who had large sarcomas in the hip, thigh, or shoulder girdle have been described. Three had osteogenic sarcomas, and one each had Ewing's sarcoma, biphasic synovial sarcoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma, undifferentiated spindling sarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. All eight tumors showed evidence of regression after intraarterial infusion of cisplatin and Adriamycin (doxorubicin) given over 48 hours at 3-week intervals, for a total of between three and seven courses. Tru-cut needle biopsy specimens of five of the lesions were normal after chemotherapy. However, after resection of the regressed fibrotic tumor in seven of the patients, four contained foci of probably viable malignant cells. These cell foci were intraosseous in three cases and in the wall of a cyst in one case. In the remaining case, tumor in the distribution of the infused artery regressed, but tumor in a region supplied by an artery that was not infused continued to enlarge. In one patient with osteogenic sarcoma in the pelvis, despite a good response to intraarterial chemotherapy that was followed by surgical resection and radiotherapy, tumor recurred in an adjacent area in tissues supplied by an artery not infused. A hindquarter amputation subsequently was required. With the exception of the two cases in which adequate tumor arterial infusion was not achieved, local primary tumor control was accomplished by intraarterial infusion chemotherapy followed by local resection or radiotherapy and local resection in all patients. Four patients are well without evidence of residual or metastatic sarcoma 3.5 years after presentation in the case of an osteogenic sarcoma of shoulder, 2.5 years after presentation in the case of a large pleomorphic liposarcoma of thigh and groin, 20 months after presentation in the case of lower-thigh malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and 1 year after presentation in a child with an osteogenic sarcoma of lower femur.

Adolescent↗

6-[Bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-6-deoxygalactopyranose hydrochloride (C6-galactose mustard), a new alkylating agent with reduced bone marrow toxicity.

We have previously reported that chloroethyl nitrosourea and nitrogen mustard bone marrow toxicity can be selectively reduced by placement of the cytotoxic group on specific positions of a glucose molecule. We have now synthesized and evaluated a new drug in which the mustard cytotoxic group is attached to the carbon-6 position of galactose (C6-GLM). C6-GLM, administered i.p. as a single 10% lethal dose of 15.5 mg/kg, produced a 121% increase in life span (ILS) in mice bearing the ascitic P388 leukemia, compared to a 60% ILS with a 10% lethal dose of nitrogen mustard (P less than 0.01). A single p.o. dose of C6-GLM, 16 mg/kg, produced an ILS of 58%. Against i.p.-implanted B-16 melanoma, i.p. C6-GLM produced a 56% ILS compared to 30% with an equitoxic dose of nitrogen mustard (P less than 0.01). The activity of the two drugs for Ehrlich ascites was comparable, with 60% survivors with the galactose mustard. A single 10% lethal dose of C6-GLM reduced the white blood cells to 74% of control; circulating granulocytes remained at 91% of initial values. With nitrogen mustard, the nadir white blood cell count was 57% of control with an absolute granulocyte count of 70% of initial values (P less than 0.01). The toxicity of melphalan was considerably greater, with a lower and more protracted while blood cell nadir and an absolute neutrophil count nadir of 49% of control. These findings paralleled the relative decrements in bone marrow DNA synthesis produced by the three drugs. Measurement of human bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units, following in vitro exposure to graded concentrations of the three mustards, confirmed the bone marrow sparing properties of C6-GLM. At the highest concentration, 1 X 10(-2) mM, the latter drug produced only a 33% reduction in colonies compared to a 75% reduction with nitrogen mustard and a virtual elimination of activity of colony-forming units with melphalan. The demonstration of antitumor activity, at least equivalent to nitrogen mustard, without the necessity of significant bone marrow toxicity supports the development of C6-GLM for clinical trials in humans.

Animals↗