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Biomedical subjects

G Martens

Publications and source records attributed to G Martens.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gestodene: clinical experience with an innovative progestogen used in a combination oral contraceptive preparation.

The contraceptive efficacy, tolerance, and safety of a new monophasic oral contraceptive that combines 75 mcg gestodene (delta-15- levonorgestrel) and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol were studied in 75 women (944 cycles) currently at risk for pregnancy. 20 women were nulliparous. No woman became pregnant during the trial, nor were vital signs of body weight affected by the drug. Cycle control was excellent, with no bleeding irregularities in 92% of the cycles. Serious complications did not occur. The low incidence of side effects, e.g. headache (9%) and breast tenderness (8%), indicated that the gestodene combination was well-tolerated. In a subgroup of 10 women, no changes in routine laboratory tests could be demonstrated after 12 cycles of treatment.

Belgium↗

[Decision support].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Decision Making, Computer-Assisted↗

[ISA--Information System Anesthesia. Decision support by a computer-based information system].

"ISA"-Information System Anesthesia-will support the anesthesiologist by presenting information concerning the anesthesia approach. In addition to computing patient data (monitoring), there are three special fields where computers are used in anesthesia: (1) simulation systems for anesthesia training (preventing critical incidents); (2) critiquing systems to comment on the planned anesthesia decisions; and (3) reference systems for rapid information gathering. Simulation and critiquing systems are mainly useful for personal training. Reference systems present information concerning the anesthesia problems to aid in decision-making. ISA is a reference system designed to support the decision process for neurosurgical operations; a new method of presenting information by personal computer in the surgical working area. For each neurosurgical operation there is a graduation of condensed and detailed information with the option of also obtaining general anesthesia knowledge.

Anesthesiology↗

[Direct transfer of obstetrical data by magnetic means in a randomized multicenter trial of the subjective count of fetal movements by the mother-to-be].

Ten Belgian maternity hospitals have collaborated in an international clinical multicenter trial: Multicenter Fetal Movement Trial. Nine maternity hospitals were already managing a computerized data bank before their participation in the trial. In seven of these centers the local team was able to write a program for direct transmission of data, using standard sequential ASCII files. This procedure presents many advantages: there is a gain in time and money, since it is no longer necessary to fill out data collecting forms, or coding at a central level. Transcription errors are avoided, adhesion to strict and standard definitions is guaranteed, the micro-systems are performing in a suitable fashion in each center, modifications of parameters (and corrections) are done very quickly and, automatically carried out, on the basis of clinical data as well as "research" data, transmission by telecommunication is immediately and easily feasible.

Belgium↗

[Perspectives of an electronic data processing-controlled anesthesia protocol].

There are two ways to introduce electronic data processing in anesthesia recording, which should be combined in the future: (1) computer-aided data collection (during anesthesia) and (2) data analysis. Both procedures have their own advantages and disadvantages. The first step in data collection is a system whereby the on-line registered data are automatically plotted and the discrete data are noted by hand (semi-automatic recording). The second step is to keep the minutes on a display screen instead of on paper, thus producing a protocol in digital form (automatic recording). We discuss the problems of these computer-aided recording systems and future trends, in particular the problems caused by the "human-computer interface" and by uncertainty with respect to the validity of the stored data. For computer-aided data analysis of anesthesia records, one has to select appropriate data in order to build up data bases. This selection is necessary whether the protocol is in analogical or in digital form, and we attempt to develop some general rules, the concrete selection depends, of course, on the aim of the evaluation. As an example we discuss evaluations for administrative purposes. Evaluations for scientific questions are even more affected by the quality of data definitions, and the efforts involved in data management are considerably higher. At the end of this paper we sketch a hybrid information system for computer-aided anesthesia recording that combines data collection and data analysis.

Anesthesiology↗

A double-blind trial of single-dose ciramadol for the treatment of post-episiotomy pain.

A randomized double-blind trial was carried out in 54 women to evaluate the effectiveness of ciramadol in a single (60 or 30 mg) oral dose regimen, compared with 60 mg codeine and placebo, in the treatment of post-episiotomy pain. Ciramadol gave a significantly better analgesic effect, at both 2 and 6 hours, and produced negligible side-effects. Codeine did less well than placebo in this study.

Amines↗

[Enzymatic lecithin determination in amniotic fluid for antepartal diagnosis of lung maturity - a multi-center study (author's transl)].

A new test-combination for the enzymatic determination of lecithin in amniotic fluid for the assessment of fetal lung maturity has been developed by Boehringer Mannheim. This test was evaluated by 12 hospitals and has been compared with the L/S ratio, the foam-test or the densitometric determination of lecithin. The assay is based on the hydrolysis of lecithin by phospholipase C which starts an enzymatic chain reaction in which NADH consumption if measured photometrically. The intra- and interassay precision were characterized by CV values below 10%. Average recoveries of lecithin were 95-102%. It is recommended to centrifuge the samples (10 min, 700 g) and to start the analysis as soon as possible after receipt of the specimen. The total amount of time required is 2 hours for a single determination. Batches of up to 10 samples require little extra time. An opened test-combination can be used for a maximum of 30 single determinations. Comparison of the quantitative enzymatic lecithin determination with other methods showed that the critical value for lecithin is 5.0 mg/100 ml. Above 5.1 mg/100 ml no case respiratory distress syndrome was observed. The good precision accuracy and the simple handling make the enzymatic lecithin determination suitable for routine use.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2 gel vs. amniotomy for elective induction of labour.

A randomized study was performed to compare three methods of labour induction in 143 clinically normal women (43 nulliparas) at term: amniotomy with or without intravenous oxytocin, extra-amniotic prostaglandin (PG) E2 gel, and extra-amniotic PGE2 gel plus an indwelling catheter. The three methods appeared to be comparable in effect and all of them were perinatally safe. Thus, if preference is given to keeping the ovular sac intact during the early phase of induced labour, extra-amniotic PGE2 in viscous gel, either with or without an indwelling catheter,. can replace the classical induction technique.

Amnion↗

The effect of locally administered estrogens on the human cervix.

A randomized study to evaluate the effect of natural estrogens on the unripe uterine term cervix was conducted. One hundred and five term gravidas were studied, of whom 70 were treated with 180 mg 17 beta-estradiol or 250 mg estriol (treated women) and 35 were treated with gel only (control group). In all subjects the distented Foley catheter used for the instillation was left in situ. Twelve hours after the instillation there was no apparent difference in mean cervical progress between treated women and controls and the rather unexpected degree of cervical ripening is atributed to the intra-uterine balloon catheter. The procedure could not be shown to have any untoward effect on the mother or the fetus.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Gray scale ultrasound for the investigation of early pregnancy.

73 early gestations (6-14 wk) were investigated with gray scale ultrasound. 7 of them ended in spontaneous first-trimester abortion, and in all of these the findings were characteristic for spontaneous interruption of pregnancy. The remaining 66 continued to term. Regression analysis was performed with respect to the diameter of the gestation sac, the fetal crown-rump length, and the placental surface and thickness. The method is considered appropriate for the diagnosis of early abortion and the study of placental morphology and morphometry. On the basis of the results obtained with gray scale techniques, various concepts derived from B-scan observations (e.g. implantation locus and early twin observation) will have to be corrected.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Ultrasound assessment of puerperal uterine involution.

Echographic measurement of the early postpartum uterus was performed, mainly to investigate whether involution patterns correlate with parity, the administration of oxytocin during labor, and lactation. Our findings suggest that these factors do not have a marked effect on uterine involution.

Female↗