Biomedical subjects

D Heseltine

Publications and source records attributed to D Heseltine.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

High erythrocyte water content causes discrepancy between values of automated and micro-centrifuged haematocrit.

Erythrocyte water content, micro-haematocrit (micro-Hct) and haematocrit (Hct) as derived by Coulter Counter were determined on 41 subjects. Significant discrepancies were observed between manual and automated Hct which could not be explained by abnormal red cell morphology and abnormal plasma osmolality, but appeared to be related to high erythrocyte water content (r = 0.54, p less than 0.001). As human ageing is associated with increased erythrocyte water content, these results question the reliability of Hct readings in the elderly. Further studies need to be performed to evaluate which estimation of Hct should be applied for subjects with high erythrocyte cell water.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Loop diuretics cause less postural hypotension than thiazide diuretics in the frail elderly.

Seventy frail elderly patients attending a day hospital were studied to investigate the incidence of postural hypotension in control patients on no diuretic treatment (n = 30), patients on loop diuretics (frusemide) for mild cardiac failure (n = 20) and patients on thiazide diuretics for mild cardiac failure (n = 20). The results showed that patients on thiazide diuretics had a higher incidence of postural hypotension (reduction in systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mmHg on standing after 2 minutes) than patients on loop diuretics (12 out of 20 vs 4 out of 20, p less than 0.05). Mean plasma potassium levels were lower in the thiazide group than in the frusemide group (p less than 0.05) and this correlated significantly with change in systolic blood pressure from supine to standing position (r = -0.56, p less than 0.01). These findings indicate that a loop diuretic (frusemide) is as safe if not safer than thiazides in older patients and the latter have an unjustified reputation of being safer first-line drugs for the treatment of cardiac failure.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of postprandial hypotension on rehabilitation of the frail elderly with cerebrovascular disease.

A total of 15 elderly patients recovering from stroke were included in a random, observer-blind, crossover trial to investigate the effects of postprandial cardiovascular changes. Exercise capability, sitting and erect blood pressure and heart rate were recorded pre- and postprandially; a control group received water only. Exercise capability decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the control group, but not in the test group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the erect position post-exercise were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the test group 15 min after eating; in the control group there was no significant change. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in heart rate in the erect position was seen postprandially in the test group after exercise, but not in the control group. All other changes recorded did not reach statistical significance. No reduction in exercise capability occurred in patients exhibiting postprandial hypotension after food, as simultaneous increases in heart rate probably resulted in output being maintained.

Aged↗