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Biomedical subjects

D Harrington

Publications and source records attributed to D Harrington.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Bone marrow necrosis obscuring the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Bone marrow necrosis is a rare and ominous complication of hematologic malignancy which is often associated with bone pain in the lower back and extremities. Widespread marrow necrosis makes a definitive diagnosis through bone marrow biopsy difficult. An accurate diagnosis is imperative in patients with promyelocytic leukemia (FAB-M3) because disseminated intravascular coagulation and hemorrhage secondary to release of tissue thromboplastins from the malignant cell population requires prompt and anticipatory therapy. The following case report describes a patient with acute leukemia and massive bone marrow necrosis which obscured the correct diagnosis of promyelocytic leukemia.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Peripheral hepatic arterial embolization with crosslinked collagen fibers.

Hepatic artery embolization with a nonimmunogenic, crosslinked microfibrillar collagen preparation (Angiostat, Collagen for Embolization, Target Therapeutics, Los Angeles, CA) was studied in mongrel dogs. Flow-directed technique was used to achieve complete distal arterial occlusion. Serial liver function evaluation demonstrated marked alterations at 48 to 72 hours, partial correction at one week, and resolution of abnormalities by one month. Restoration of large vessel blood flow was angiographically demonstrable at one week. Follow-up arteriograms showed no persistent arterial occlusion. Collagen was demonstrated in vessels of 20 to 250 micron. Recanalization was achieved by migration of endothelial cells around the collagen, development of a new vascular channel within an endothelial cell cleft, and subsequent complete removal of the collagen over a three- to four-month period. Three months after embolization with a single dose, normal hepatic vascular and tissue anatomy and hepatic function were restored completely. Repeated embolization at two weekly intervals was well tolerated.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A comparative study of electroencephalography and computed axial tomography in recent cerebral infarction.

In order to re-assess the present role of electroencephalography in the investigation of cerebral infarct, we prospectively studied 50 adults with recent supratentorial cerebral infarction over a ten-month period. All 50 patients had EEG's and CT scans within the first two weeks of the apoplectic event. The time span between the two procedures was one week or less in all patients. We monitored the following EEG parameters: characteristics of alpha rhythm (depressed, unchanged, or enhanced); prevalence, type, rhythmicity, and topography of focal slowing; and presence or absence of FIRDA. We grouped the patients on the basis of CT findings as follows: depth of the infarct (cortical-subcortical, deep white matter, or lacunar); size of the infarct (large, medium, or small); and presence or absence of mass effect. Statistical analysis revealed no differences with regard to the EEG parameters between the groups. However, when patients were categorized according to topography of the infarct, the group with parietal infarct showed a significantly higher incidence of depressed alpha rhythm compared with the groups with frontal or occipital infarct. Of the 50 patients, four patients whose history and clinical presentation suggested infarct had normal CT scans despite the presence of EEG abnormality. On the contrary, in two patients, the EEG was normal, whereas the CT confirmed the infarct. Our data suggested that physiological factors may play a major role in the pathogenesis of EEG abnormalities in cerebral infarct, thus accounting for the discrepancies between the EEG parameters and CT findings observed in our population. It was also suggested that EEG's be included routinely in the investigation of cerebral infarct.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The impact of transtelephonic documentation of arrhythmia on morbidity and mortality rate in sudden death survivors.

A post hospital follow-up system based on predetermined antiarrhythmic strategies and telephone transmitters used to record ECGs was helpful in managing post hospital course and improved survival in patients with a history of out-of-hospital sudden death. All patients underwent therapy guided by serial electrophysiologic testing. Of the 47 patients, 19 used the telephone transmitter system and 28 did not. During follow-up, residual symptomatic and silent ventricular arrhythmia was documented in 78% of patients using telephone transmitters. Ventricular tachycardia was transmitted in six patients--all survived. During an average 15-month follow-up, 1 of 19 patients using the telephone transmitter system died vs 12 deaths among the 28 patients who did not use the system (p less than 0.005). These results were independent of ejection fraction, presence of congestive heart failure, amiodarone therapy, and the outcome on electrophysiologic therapy. Thus, patients with a history of out-of-hospital sudden death, discharged following electrophysiologic guided therapy, require repeated antiarrhythmic dose titration for side effects or residual ventricular arrhythmia. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of potentially fatal arrhythmia is crucial and feasible, especially with regular ECG checks through telephone transmission.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗
PubMed1985

Psychological, nutritional and physical status of olympic road cyclists.

Six members of the Irish Olympic Road Cycling Squad underwent a comprehensive medical, nutritional, psychological and biochemical assessment in January 1983. They were given specific medical and dietary recommendations and were reassessed in January 1984 after a period spanning the competitive racing season. The cyclists' diets at both sessions were comparable and generally conformed with recommended daily intakes. Supplementary ingestion was unnecessary to attain recommended daily intakes of vitamins. Serum levels of HDL-cholesterol increased and triglyceride decreased during the period of the study. The squad had characteristics indicating traits of self-sufficiency, toughness and practical mindedness. At the second assessment there was evidence of heightened ambition and competitiveness and an improvement in mood states with reduced ratings for confusion and tension.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Mural thrombus of the aorta: an important, frequently neglected cause of large peripheral emboli.

The association between white thrombus in the aorta and multiple embolic occlusions of peripheral vessels was made 22 years ago. However, mural thrombus has been neglected as a major cause of embolus because the process was attributed to paradoxical effects of heparin. Our recent experience indicates it is a more generalized problem. During the past five years, AP and lateral abdominal aortograms demonstrated the presence of large filling defects within the lumen of the aorta in 20 of 39 patients with sudden occlusion of a distal artery. Thirteen patients were not on heparin. These 3.4 X 1-2 cm defects were present anywhere from T-10 to the aortic bifurcation and were suprarenal in ten patients. The 20 patients had a total of 36 separate embolic events, with five patients experiencing seven occlusions of renal or superior mesenteric arteries. Serious medical problems coexisted, and all patients had at least two of five important "risk factors." These were heart disease, recent thrombophlebitis, heparin therapy, abdominal atherosclerosis and postoperative status. Catheter embolectomy alone was associated with recurrent embolization in four of six patients. Three patients died and two required amputation. Of 12 patients treated by embolectomy combined with open aortotomy, recurrent embolization occurred in none, death in one and amputation in two. All patients with visceral artery occlusions survived with normal function of the previously occluded structure. We urge wider application of abdominal angiography in order to treat more appropriately a sizable proportion of patients whose distal emboli originated from large chunks of white thrombus in the abdominal aorta.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Surgical management of congenital pulmonary valve dysplasia.

Pulmonary valvular stenosis secondary to congenital valve dysplasia differs markedly from the classic variety of pulmonary stenosis. The reported mortality of patients treated by standard commissurotomy is 38 to 66%. The clinical features and operative management of 14 patients with dysplastic pulmonary valves are reviewed. Three groups of patients were studied. Group 1 consisted of 5 patients treated by commissurotomy. Group 2 comprised 3 patients treated by partial excision of the valve. In neither group were there operative deaths, but 5 of the 8 patients developed recurrent stenosis; 3 required reoperation. In 1975, because of the high incidence of recurrent stenosis, total valvectomy was begun. Ten patients (Group 3) have undergone valvectomy with 1 death. Nine patients were doing well at 3 to 15 months of follow-up. Based on the reported mortality and present findings, total excision of the valve is recommended for relief of stenosis in pulmonary valve dysplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A follow-up study of behavior problems associated with child sexual abuse.

The objectives of this study were to examine: (a) behavior in children evaluated for sexual abuse, (b) the stability of their behavior over 4 months, and (c) the relationship between aspects of the abuse and the children's behavior. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was completed by parents of 93 prepubertal children evaluated for sexual abuse and 80 nonabused children matched on age, gender, and race. A follow-up CBCL was completed after 4 months by 45% of parents of abused children. Sexually abused children had significantly more behavior problems than comparison children, including depression, aggression, sleep and somatic complaints, hyperactivity, and sexual problems. At follow-up, only those children who initially had externalizing behavior in the clinical range improved significantly. During the initial evaluation, behavior problems were associated with the child's disclosure of abuse and during follow-up, behavior problems were associated with abnormal physical findings. However, behavior problems were not related to characteristics of the abuse or perpetrator, likelihood of abuse, or therapeutic services. The persistence of behavior problems suggests that children suspected of having been sexually abused should receive an assessment of their psychological status and careful follow-up.

Analysis of Variance↗