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Biomedical subjects

D M Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to D M Davidson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Effects of relaxation therapy on cardiac performance and sympathetic activity in patients with organic heart disease.

Six patients, with surgically implanted tantalum myocardial markers, were trained in deep muscle relaxation therapy. Analysis of individual responses and group means of blood pressure and ventricular dimensions during relaxation showed a decrease in plasma norepinephrine levels and indices of myocardial contractility compared to the control state. Heart rate changes in individuals during relaxation were directly correlated with changes in plasma norepinephrine levels, although group means for heart rate did not change significantly between control and relaxation periods. Base-line plasma norepinephrine levels were directly correlated with systolic blood pressure and were inveresly correlated with a measure of myocardial contractility. These data suggest that physiological changes during relaxation may be mediated through the sympathetic nervous system.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

The family and cardiac rehabilitation.

Family resources and needs are often overlooked in planning for rehabilitation of the individual following myocardial infarction. The acute ischemic event presents a massive disruption in the psychodynamic balance of the family, but it can provide an unparalleled opportunity for increased awareness and growth for all members of the family. An integrated program of emotional support, education, and physical activity is recommended to facilitate restoration of the individual's self-esteem. Formal family counseling provides a forum for resolution of fears and misconceptions and permits redefinition of roles within the family.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1975

Effects of hyaluronidase administration on myocardial ischemic injury in acute infarction. A preliminary study in 24 patients.

The effect of hyaluronidase on myocardial ischemic injury was examined in 13 patients with acute myocardial infarction, and the results were compared with 11 patients who did not receive hyaluronidase. A 35-electrode precordial mapping method was used to assess the rate of resolution of ST segment elevations. In the 11 control patients, the sum of ST segment elevations (sigmaST) fell after 2 hours to an average of 93.5% plus or minus 17.3% (SEM) and after 24 hours to 89.6% plus or minus 7.6% of the initial values, while the number of electrodes exhibiting ST segment elevations exceeding 0.1 mV (NST) fell to 98.0% plus or minus 12.3% and 94.3% plus or minus 10.4% of the initial values respectively. In the hyaluronidase-treated group, at the same time sigmaST fell significantly more (P less than 0.05), to 54.1% plus or minus 5.0% and 51.3% plus or minus 11.8% and NST was also more markedly reduced (P less than 0.05) to 50.7% plus or minus 7.8% and 50.1% plus or minus 12.4%, thus indicating that hyaluronidase can accelerate the reduction of myocardial ischemic injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plantar fibromatosis: most common sonographic appearance and variations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the most common sonographic appearances of plantar fibromatosis, thus enabling sonographic diagnosis of this benign, focally invasive fibrous neoplasm. METHODS: The medical records, pathologic reports, and sonographic reports and images of 22 patients with palpable plantar masses were reviewed retrospectively. The sonographic findings were used to characterize those masses with respect to location, shape, size, and echogenicity. Sixteen patients were included in this study because of the proximity of their lesions to the plantar fascia; 6 patients were excluded because their lesions were metatarsophalangeal bursae or ganglia. RESULTS: The 20 feet examined in the 16 patients studied contained 43 distinct lesions, all located on the surface of the plantar fascia. Thirty-seven (86%) of the 43 were 20 mm long or less. Thirty-seven (86%) of the 43 lesions were elongated; the remaining 6 (14%) were round or oval. Twenty-five (68%) of the 37 elongated lesions had tapered ends, and the other 12 (32%) had rounded ends. Thirty-one (72%) of the 43 lesions were hypoechoic; 25 (81%) of these 31 measured as long as 10 mm. Ten (83%) of the 12 lesions that had mixed echogenicity were longer than 10 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions of plantar fibromatosis were characteristically located on the surface of the plantar fascia, sagittally elongated, most often less than 20 mm long, fusiform, and hypoechoic. Lesions longer than 10 mm often exhibited mixed echogenicity. The superficial location and appearance should strongly suggest plantar fibromatosis, although careful examination is required to exclude other possibilities, such as sarcoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

School-based blood cholesterol screening.

Coronary artery disease, the major cause of death in developed countries, begins early in childhood. Elevated blood cholesterol, a major risk for coronary artery disease in adults, has been associated at autopsy with atherosclerotic disease in children. To explore the feasibility of mass screening of blood cholesterol levels in children, a school-based screening and education program for fourth-graders was carried out in a Southern California school district. Approximately 10% of the children had blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dl or more, the upper limit of desirable levels for adults. These children and their parents returned for repeat cholesterol testing and nutrition counseling. A family history of early coronary artery disease was present in only one third of the children with high cholesterol levels; this fact, coupled with consumable costs less than $2 per child, suggests that cholesterol screening is a practical, cost-effective addition to school health programs.

California↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cholesterol screening in children during office visits.

Elevated blood cholesterol levels, a major risk for coronary artery disease in adults, has been associated with atherosclerotic disease in children. More than 10% of North American children have blood cholesterol levels higher than the desirable levels for adults. Current guidelines recommend screening only in children who have a family history of hyperlipidemia or myocardial infarction at an early age; however, this method fails to identify most children with hypercholesterolemia. Office-based cholesterol screening is an effective means to identify children and family members for dietary assessment and counseling. Should these measures be insufficient to lower the child's cholesterol level, referral for pharmacologic treatment is indicated.

Adolescent↗