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Biomedical subjects

G Freed

Publications and source records attributed to G Freed.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Cost implications of event recordings in apnea/bradycardia home monitoring: a theoretical analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the financial impact of incorporating event recordings as an integral component of home apnea/bradycardia monitoring. STUDY DESIGN: This theoretical analysis examines the cost of home monitoring when medical decisions are based on an evaluation of the cardiorespiratory waveforms surrounding each apnea/bradycardia monitor alarm (documented monitoring) compared to those based on parental observations. Data for both approaches were obtained from 155 infants referred within the first 10 days of life, because a sibling died of sudden infant death syndrome. All were followed on an impedance type apnea/bradycardia monitor with an attached event recorder. The monitor settings were 20 seconds for apnea and 80 beats per minute (bpm) for bradycardia. Parents were taught how to use the equipment, resuscitative techniques, and to complete an alarm log. The clinical protocol provided for home monitoring until there were no "episodes" (prolonged apnea or prolonged bradycardia) for 16 consecutive weeks. A polysomnogram would be obtained if an "episode" occurred. For each infant two independent approaches were used to judge the occurrence of an "episode": (1) parental report of an apnea alarm occurring during sleep or a physiologic alarm associated with skin color change or resuscitative intervention and (2) apnea > or = 20 seconds long or bradycardia > or = 10 seconds. The cost was calculated assuming a 4-week monitor rental fee of $350, a 4-week waveform interpretation fee of $180, and a $600 fee for performing and interpreting a polysomnogram. RESULTS: Episodes defined from an interpretation of the cardiorespiratory waveforms resulted in fewer diagnostic studies, a shorter period of home monitoring, and lower per patient treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Despite the increased monthly cost, incorporating event recordings as an integral component of home monitoring resulted in a lower average per patient cost.

Apnea↗
PubMed1991

Effect of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunization on prolonged apnea or bradycardia in siblings of sudden infant death syndrome victims.

To determine whether the incidence of apnea or bradycardia increased after the first diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) immunization in 100 subsequent siblings of victims of sudden infant death syndrome, we examined data obtained from floppy disk recordings attached to apnea-bradycardia monitors for episodes of apnea lasting 15 seconds or longer and episodes of bradycardia lasting 10 seconds or longer. The data were divided into three periods: (1) 10 days before the first DTP immunization was received (pre-DTP period), (2) 10 days immediately after the DTP (DTP period), and (3) 10 days after the DTP period (post-DTP period). Seventeen infants had at least one episode of prolonged apnea or prolonged bradycardia either before or after the 30-day study period (eight before only, eight after only, and one before and after). None of the infants had episodes of apnea lasting 15 seconds or more or bradycardia lasting 10 seconds or more during the pre-DTP or DTP period. One episode of apnea, 16 seconds long, and one episode of bradycardia lasting 11 seconds occurred in the post-DTP period. These results failed to confirm the clinical impression that DTP immunizations are associated with an increased frequency and severity of prolonged apnea. They also place in question the utility of assessing an infant's response to a DTP immunization to determine continued risk of apnea and bradycardia before home monitoring is discontinued.

Apnea↗
PubMed1988

Nasal airway blockage caused by displaced premaxilla mimicking posterior pharyngeal flap obstruction.

Signs of nasal airway obstruction, ranging from hyponasality, snoring, and inability to blow the nose to cardiorespiratory compromise, have been reported after posterior pharyngeal flap surgery. In some cases the symptoms are severe enough to require take-down or revision of the flap. Polysomnography has been used to document obstruction to nasal airflow and may be a guide in selecting patients for flap revision. This case report points out that in certain patients a particular coexisting anatomic abnormality--the locked-out premaxilla--may predispose patients to this symptom complex. In such patients flap revision may not relieve the symptoms, and careful evaluation of the lateral pharyngeal ports is recommended.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1988

Polysomnographic indications for surgical intervention in Pierre Robin sequence: acute airway management and follow-up studies after repair and take-down of tongue-lip adhesion.

The major concern for neonates with Pierre Robin sequence is the stability of the airways. The accepted management has been close clinical observation followed by surgical intervention if the airway was felt to be unstable. Six newborns with this diagnosis were admitted for evaluation in a 7-month period. Each underwent transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring in a resting state. Each infant then was evaluated with infant polysomnography to ascertain the presence of obstructive apnea. Pulse-oximetry was utilized to document the oxygen saturation of each child during the polysomnography. On the basis of these studies, four of the neonates required a tongue-lip adhesion to stabilize the airway. These four infants were reassessed with polysomnography postoperatively, prior to cleft palate repair, following palatoplasty, and after their tongue-lip adhesion was released. This method of evaluation allows early testing of the stability of the airway in a way that augments and confirms the clinical assessment of the infant, allowing appropriate surgical intervention when necessary. This method of evaluation also allows the safe prediction of airway stability following palatoplasty and release of the tongue-lip adhesion.

Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous↗