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Biomedical subjects

D MacDonald

Publications and source records attributed to D MacDonald.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

The use of methylphenidate in depressed patients after cardiac surgery.

A positive therapeutic response to methylphenidate is described in four depressed patients who developed cardiovascular complications after cardiac surgery that contraindicated the use of tricyclic antidepressants. There was a rapid remission of depressive symptomatology with no adverse side effects. This observation is consistent with the findings of other investigators. Further evaluation of the therapeutic role of psychostimulants in the treatment of medically ill depressed patients is recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Active management of labor as an alternative to cesarean section for dystocia.

There is general agreement that a solution to the problem of dystocia would go a long way toward resolving the contentious issue of high cesarean birth rates that have become such a prominent feature of obstetric practice in recent years. At the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, one of the largest obstetric units in Western Europe, this situation has been averted through a coordinated policy of early detection and effective treatment of abnormal uterine action over a period of 15 years. During 1980 the number of births was 8742, the incidence of cesarean section was 4.8%, and mothers were assured of delivery within 12 hours after admission to the labor unit. It is proposed that these results could be reproduced elsewhere.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Measurement of water-holding properties of fibre and their faecal bulking ability in man.

Experiments to measure the effect of a fibre source in the diet on stool bulk are difficult and lack precision. In vitro methods which would identify fibre sources that are effective for clinical and epidemiologic use would be valuable. One important property of fibre which influences the ability of fibre to increase stool weight is its water-holding capacity (WHC). WHC was measured using centrifugation, filtration, suction pressure and water flow-rate techniques using fibre concentrates of potato, cereal bran and gum arabic. Dietary supplementation of three preparations of potato fibre (20 g/d) had no significant effect on stool weight but 16 g bran/d increased stool weight from 107 (SE 44) g/d to 174 (SE 51) g/d. The effects of these fibres on stool weight can be related to the nature of the water-holding properties of fibre rather than absolute WHC.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Diphosphonates and painful feet.

Localised foot pain occurred in four patients with Paget's disease of bone or myositis ossificans who were treated with disodium etidronate (EHDP) in a dose of 10 to 20 mg/kg body weight/day for four to six months. There was localised tenderness and sometimes slight swelling at the painful areas. Bone x-rays were normal, but bone scans showed increased uptake of the isotope at these areas. The pain persisted for several weeks, causing considerable difficulty in walking. The symptoms were most likely due to diphosphonate-induced stress fractures. These cases emphasise the importance of administering EHDP in low dosage for short periods only.

Diphosphonates↗
PubMed1982

Haemodynamic effects of pregnancy in patients with heart failure.

Four patients, who were maintained on a constant regimen of treatment, developed congestive cardiac failure during pregnancy. They were examined regularly and carefully during the course of pregnancy to assess the progress of their failure. All four demonstrated unequivocal improvement during the third trimester attributable to obstruction of the inferior vena cava restricting venous return to the right side of the heart. This resulted in a fall in venous pressure in the neck and the resulting fall in right ventricular output could be very valuable in patients with left ventricular failure.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1981

Pregnancy complicated by maternal heart disease at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, 1969 to 1978.

Three hundred eighty-seven pregnancies (295 patients) complicated by maternal heart disease, managed at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, during the years 1969 to 1978, were reviewed. The incidence was 0.5%. Three hundred twenty-three (83.5%) were of rheumatic origin, 52 (13.4%) were congenital, and the remaining 12 (3.1%) were a miscellaneous group and included cases of cor pulmonale and coronary artery disease. There were two maternal deaths--one from congenital heart disease and one from postpartum suicide, unrelated to mild rheumatic heart disease. The perinatal mortality rate was 3.3%. Five pregnancies (three patients) were complicated by surgically uncorrected cyanotic congenital heart disease. One of the maternal deaths and three of the perinatal deaths occurred in this group. There were 38 episodes of cardiac failure (38 patients) in cases of rheumatic heart disease. The New York Heart Association grading was grade 1 in 15 (39%) of these before the onset of failure. Prophylactic antibiotics were not used and infective endocarditis did not occur. Therapeutic abortion was not practiced and a conservative approach was adopted in obstetric intervention and in all drug therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Traumatic intracranial haemorrhage in firstborn infants and delivery with obstetric forceps.

Exclusive of breech presentation, traumatic intracranial haemorrhage was demonstrated at necropsy on 27 occasions in 36 420 consecutive firstborn infants. All 27 were forceps deliveries. The main conclusion is that serious injury to the forecoming head at birth is almost invariably a direct effect of forceps. The relevance of this conclusion to some aspects of contemporary obstetric practice is discussed briefly.

Birth Weight↗