Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to D J Thomas.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Metabolic effects of salbutamol infusion during premature labour.

Plasma electrolytes, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured and serial electrocardiograms performed during the intravenous infusion of salbutamol to five women in premature labour. The plasma potassium (mean +/- standard error) fell from 3-5 +/- 0-1 to 2-7 +/- 0-1 mmol/l, and the glucose and insulin rose by 4-2 +/- 0-7 mmol/l (75 +/- 13 mg/100 ml) and 26 +/- 5 mU/l respectively. The maximum fall in potassium, and the rise in glucose and insulin occurred two hours after starting the infusion. No changes in other electrolytes were found. Electrocardiograms showed no signs of hypokalaemia. Highest pulse rates (148 +/- 4 beats per minute) occurred at two hours but no arrhythmias were observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Disturbed oxidative metabolism in organic brain syndrome caused by bismuth in skin creams.

Two patients are described with an organic brain syndrome thought to be due to bismuth (Bi) absorbed from a skin cream. Both patients had intellectual impairment and memory loss punctuated by periods of confusion, tremulousness, clumsiness, difficulty in walking, and myoclonic jerks. A similar clinical picture has been reported from Australia and France in patients taking insoluble bismuth salts by mouth. Bi was found in cerebral venous blood in both patients and in the cerebrospinal fluid in one. It is suggested that bismuth can cross the blood/brain barrier and disturb oxidative cerebral metabolism, because increased lactate production was found with decreased consumption of oxygen and glucose and lowered cerebral blood-flow.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Detection of somatic muscle fasciculation on electrocardiograms.

Small discrete spikes appearing on the electrocardiogram (ECG) of a man with a pacemaker turned out to be fasciculation potentials picked up from leg muscles. To find out how common these spikes were all routine ECGs made in one month were reviewed. Spike potentials were found in six patients, and in each case they originated from somatic musculature. Spikes could nearly always be detected on ECGs that were recorded subsequently in patients known to have lower motor neurone lesions that produced fasciculation. Thus the presence of these fasciculation spikes may suggest underlying neuromuscular disease; this possibility should be recognised by those who record ECGs so that the spikes are not suppressed by overuse of the filter.

Arm↗
PubMed1976

Muscle potentials simulating pacemaker malfunction.

Interference spikes were noted on the electrocardiogram of a patient with an implanted demand pacemaker. Runaway malfunction was suspected and the generator replaced. Subsequent investigation showec that the interference originated from fasciculation in the left leg caused by underlying neuromuscular disease. Skeletal muscle potentials can produce an electrocardiographic appearance closely resembling 'runaway' pacemaker. Such abnormalities should prompt a search for occult neuromuscular disease.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1974

Nervous system involvement in ankylosing spondylitis.

In a review of 45 patients with ankylosing spondylitis 10 had neurological symptoms and signs and three of them had two separate neuropathological disorders. The neurological profiles fell into five main categories-multiple sclerosis, the cauda equina syndrome, focal epilepsy, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, and peripheral nerve lesions. An association between ankylosing spondylitis and multiple sclerosis is suggested, possibly due to an immunological defect or to one being a complication of the other.

Adult↗