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Biomedical subjects

G Splendiani

Publications and source records attributed to G Splendiani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Autologous protein reinfusion in severe ovary hyperstimulation syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most serious complications of ovulation induction by exogenous gonadotropins. The pathophysiologic factors of this syndrome are not well known. Increased capillary permeability causes third space fluid shift, which is responsible for ascites, pleural fluid, and edemas. Severe OHSS may result in renal failure, hypovolemic shock, thromboembolic disease, respiratory distress, and may cause death. It has been observed that paracentesis is efficacious, provided that care is taken to reinfuse protein lost in the peritoneal exudate. For this reason, in three patients with severe OHSS we have used a dialytic technique of reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid. STUDY DESIGN: We treated three patients with severe OHSS (grade 6). Through sonography-guided paracentesis, the ascitic fluid was concentrated by ultrafiltration and reinfused. This treatment was instituted and performed once only. Ultrafiltration was obtained with a common high-flow dialyzer (polyacrylonitryle membrane). The concentrated fluid was returned to the patient in a peripheral vein. We have limited further treatment to restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance, avoiding in particular potentially teratogenic drugs. RESULTS: In all three patients, a progressive increase of diuresis was evident during treatment and subjective improvement was almost immediate. Fifteen days after treatment, hematologic and biochemical parameters had returned within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: In treating severe OHSS, we have used the technique of reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid to avoid protein depletion induced by paracentesis. We have been able to successfully restore to normal the hematologic and biochemical imbalance with one treatment. Use of the technique described herein should be limited to carefully selected instances and treatment should be performed in an intensive care unit.

Adult

Semi-selective immunoadsorption treatment in myasthenia gravis.

We treated some patients with severe generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) with semi-selective adsorption by plasma perfusion(PP) on IM-T350 column. We studied efficiency and undesired effects of the employed material to verify the safety and effectiveness of methodology. Thus a treatment protocol has been prepared: 6 PP per treatment cycle; 3-7 days between PP sessions; plasma to treat per session 1,2 lt; only one adsorbent column for every cycle. Our experience, on 13 cycles of treatment, showed that PP in autoimmune MG has provided good clinical results without any improvement in genetic MG.

Adult

Myasthenia gravis (MG) treatment with immunoadsorbent columns.

We performed ten plasma perfusion (PP) treatments on eight patients affected by Myasthenia Gravis (MG) with high serum levels of autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors (anti AChR-AB), and one PP treatment on a patient with MG of probable genetic origin and without specific antibodies. All patients (Osserman group III-IV) had undergone thymectomy and immunosuppressive therapy. Each patient received a treatment cycle of six PP sessions. Clinical conditions were assessed before and after the treatment with evaluation of muscular strength, ventilatory function, and electromyographic testing. Immunologic markers were tested before and after each PP. The patient without specific antibodies showed no improvement with PP and was excluded from our study. All the other patients showed continued improvement, with increased muscle strength and improved respiratory function. Four patients (follow-up 16-24 months) still maintain the clinical improvement; two, unexpectedly relapsed 11-12 months after PP, received a new treatment successfully (follow-up 9-10 month).

Adolescent

Computerised monitoring of sodium and fluid during haemodialysis.

Four stable chronic haemodialysis patients were studied during two periods of 3 weeks: at first a 'standard' haemodialysis (S/HD) was used, followed by 'computer-modulated' haemodialysis (CM/HD). We used a monitor Hospal Monitral-S with Hospal DPM (Display Programmer Module) that allows the programming of 'weight loss rate' and 'dialysate osmolality'. During standard haemodialysis fluid was removed at a constant rate of 1 kg/h with constant sodium dialysate of 143 mmol/l. During computer-modulated haemodialysis the dialysate sodium concentration and the fluid removal of 4 kg per session was modulated by display programmer module.

Aged

Treatment of acute liver failure with hemodetoxification techniques.

The exact pathogenesis of hepatic coma is unknown and this fact has stimulated research in the field of hemodetoxification treatment. We studied 31 patients (19 M and 12 F) with acute hepatic failure and used different detoxification techniques such as hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, hemofiltration and plasmaferesis. We evaluated blood tests, degree of coma and serum levels of middle-molecular weight substances (by gel-chromatography) for each patient. Our results show that there was an improvement of consciousness and general clinical state in 40% of patients who underwent HD, in 50% of patients treated with HP, in 37.5% of those treated with PF and 78% of patients treated with HF. Unfortunately, the improvement did not last long. In conclusion we can say that artificial support improves hepatic coma and state of consciousness. This improvement could be due to the better regeneration possibilities of hepatic cells. For this reason hemodetoxification treatment should be started as soon as possible.

Adult

[Magnetic resonance study of renal function. Preliminary evaluation].

The amount of functioning renal parenchyma can be estimated by MRI by considering the ratio between the mean intensities of cortical and medullar zones of the kidney. Fifty-six patients and 5 healthy volunteers were studied by MRI in our department. Scanning was performed with a superconductive magnet system operating at 0.5 Tesla. Pulse sequence was Spin-Echo with TR 300/TE 30 ms. The cortico-medullary ratio (CMR) and differentiation (CMD) were standardized and related with creatine blood levels. CMR data ranged from 1.05 to 3.00, while CMD data ranged from 0.04 to 0.50. High values (good cortico-medullary contrast) were observed in subjects with normal renal function. Patients with renal diseases had low CMR and CMD, proportionally to the degree of renal failure, as proved by laboratory findings. Our preliminary study seems to demonstrate that MRI is an useful technique in the follow-up of patients with chronic renal disease.

Creatinine

Our experience with combined hemodialysis-hemoperfusion treatment in chronic uremia.

Hemodialysis can remove only substances that are highly diffusable, non protein bound and with small and middle-molecular weights. The combination of Hemodialysis-Hemoperfusion (HD-HF) takes advantage of both techniques. Uremic patient could reduce the number of weekly dialysis sessions. Fourteen uremic patients were submitted twice a week to a combined HD-HP treatment for 16 months. Polymethacrylate coated charcoal was inserted in the dialysis circuit before the dialyzer. The treatment resulted in improvement of: MNCV (30.5 + -6 to 38.7 + -5.6 m/sec.) subjective symptoms (disappearance of pruritus and insomnia) and hematological status (red blood cells 3.1 x 106 to 4.02 x 106; and hematocrits 28.3 to 36.1). Good control of serum biochemistries. Creatinine and urea clearances of 228 and 236 ml/min respectively. Significant removal of middle-molecules uremic toxins determinated by gel-filtration on Sephadex G15. In conclusion, we state that combined HD-HP improves the detoxication possibilities in chronic uremia.

Charcoal

Five-year trial of dialytic treatment for schizophrenia.

Thirty schizophrenic patients were treated with hemodialysis for 4-36 months. The clinical results were evaluated using two psychiatric scales: the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Inpatient Multidimensional Psychiatric Scale. In 13 schizophrenic patients psychiatric symptoms disappeared completely, and complete social reintegration followed. Eight patients showed no significant modification of schizophrenic disease after more than 30 dialysis sessions. Nine patients were not considered because their treatment was interrupted during the first month. Dialysis improved the psychotic attitude in one group of schizophrenic patients. The best results were obtained using polyacrylonitrile membranes.

Acrylic Resins

Dialysis treatment in schizophrenia: two years experience.

The authors summarize two years trial of dialysis treatment of schizophrenia. Twenty-five schizophrenic patients were treated with hemodialysis using PAN membranes. The dialysis schedule was: dialyzer; RP 610; blood flow: 250 ml/min; dialysate flow: 500 ml/min; time: 3 hr; vascular access: arteriovenous fistula, femoral vein, antebrachial veins. Dialysis was first performed for three days, repeated after one week, two weeks, three weeks, and one month, and then performed once a month. The drug regimen was never modified or interrupted. The results were evaluated with the Overall and Lorr scale. Nine patients interrupted the treatment early and were not considered; nine patients showed disappearance of psychiatric symptomatology (Overall and Lorr index decreased to 21.8 at 2); non-significant modifications of the main schizophrenic symptoms were observed in seven patients. According to our trial, dialysis with polyacrylonitrile membranes can modify the psychotic attitude in a group of schizophrenic "dialysis responders".

Acrylic Resins