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Biomedical subjects

H Morr

Publications and source records attributed to H Morr.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Surfactant alterations in severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and cardiogenic lung edema.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were analyzed for surfactant abnormalities in 153 patients with acute respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation. Diagnoses were acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the absence of lung infection (n = 16), severe pneumonia (PNEU; n = 88), ARDS and PNEU (n = 36), and cardiogenic lung edema (CLE; n = 13). The PNEU group was subdivided into groups with alveolar PNEU (n = 35), bronchial PNEU (n = 16), interstitial PNEU (n = 18) and nonclassified PNEU (n = 19). Comparison with healthy controls (n = 20) was undertaken. Total phospholipids (PL), proteins, PL classes (HPTLC) and surfactant apoproteins SP-A and SP-B (ELISA) were quantified in the original BALF. The 48,000 x g pellet from centrifugation of the BAL was used to assess the percentage of large surfactant aggregates (LSA) and the biophysical properties of the surfactant (pulsating bubble surfactometer). All groups with inflammatory lung injury (PNEU and/or ARDS) showed some decrease in the lavageable PL pool, a reduced LSA content in BALF, and a manifold increase in alveolar protein load. Marked changes in the PL profile were noted throughout the groups (a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and an increase in phosphatidylinositol [PI] and sphingomyelin [SPH]). Concentrations of SP-A but not of SP-B in BALF were reduced. Minimum surface-tension values approached 0 mN/m in controls, and ranged from 10 to 25 mN/m in the absence of supernatant protein and from 20 to 35 mN/m in recombination with leaked protein in the groups with ARDS and/or PNEU. Abnormalities in alveolar PNEU surpassed those in bronchial PNEU, and interstitial PNEU presented a distinct pattern with extensive metabolic changes. All surfactant changes were absent in CLE except for a slight inhibition of surface activity by proteins. We conclude that pronounced surfactant abnormalities, comparable to those in ARDS in the absence of lung infection, occur in different entities of severe PNEU, but not in CLE.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Bronchoalveolar and systemic cytokine profiles in patients with ARDS, severe pneumonia and cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines discriminate between different entities of patients with acute respiratory failure. BAL and circulating concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in 74 mechanically-ventilated patients and 17 healthy controls. Patients were classified as cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (CPO), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), primary severe pneumonia (PN) and a combined group (PN+ARDS). In all patients with ARDS and/or PN, markedly elevated BAL levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were detected, which were significantly greater than levels in CPO and healthy controls. Absolute quantities and time-course of these cytokines did not differentiate between the absence and presence of lung infection, or different categories of PN. Similarly, circulating IL-6 levels were comparably elevated in patients with ARDS and/or PN, whereas circulating IL-8 concentrations were inconsistently increased. TNF-alpha was rarely detected in BAL samples, but increased serum concentrations were measured in ARDS and/or PN patients. Bronchoalveolar lavage levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, but not tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and serum concentrations of interleukin-6 are consistently elevated in acute respiratory distress syndrome and/or severe pneumonia, discriminating these entities from cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Alveolar and systemic cytokine profiles do not differentiate between acute respiratory distress syndrome in the absence of lung infection and states of severe primary or secondary pneumonia, which evidently present with comparable local and systemic inflammatory sequelae.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Tumor dissemination after thoracoscopic resection of malignant pulmonary coin lesions].

We report about two cases of tumor dissemination after thoracoscopic wedge resection of malignant nodules of the lung. In the first case, a metastasis at the extraction site was observed after thoracoscopic resection of a metastasis of the lung. In the second case we diagnosed a pleural carcinosis after thoracoscopic wedge resection (and additional open lobectomy and lymph node dissection) of a pT2 N0 lung cancer. The patient died 12 months after the operation. The indication for thoracoscopic resection of malignant nodules of the lung should be restricted for peripheral tumors smaller than 2 centimetres.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula in the adult].

Congenital esophago-tracheal and esophago-bronchial fistulae are rare. Symptoms are recurrent pneumonia, cough, dysphagia and pain. The diagnosis is made by bronchoscopy or esophagoscopy. Every time the diagnosis is certain, the fistula has to be exstirpated by means of a thoracotomy and plastic reconstructive flap surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Three cases of a fulminant course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Hamman-Rich syndrome)].

The Hamman-Rich syndrome is defined as an acute pulmonary disease of unclear aetiology that takes a rapid and prognostically unfavourable, usually fatal course. We report on three patients admitted to the intensive-care ward during a period of 6 months in a state of mandatory artificial respiration, each patient dying within 3 weeks after admission. Basing on clinical and histological criteria these patients were diagnosed as suffering from Hamman-Rich syndrome. At the time of the clinically identifiable onset of the disease all the patients had fever (> 39 X), leucocytosis (> 20 x 10(3)/microliters) and dyspnoea. These signs and symptoms were at first, in conjunction with the radiological identification of diffuse pulmonary infiltrations, misdiagnosed as pneumonia. The patients had to be artificially respirated after a short time because of the foundroyant course of the disease. Despite optimised respiratory parameters it was already initially apparent that there was a severe disturbance of the gas exchange function (paO2/FiO2 < 150) and high respiratory pressures (> 40 mmHg). Polymorphonuclear neutrophilics dominated in the bronchoalveolar lavage. Lung biopsy showed marked fibrosing that was a decisive factor in diagnosing. An infectious agent as triggering cause of the disease could not be identified in any of the patients. Treatment was effected with antibiotics, steroids and cyclophosphamide. The patients died after 14, 17 and 21 days, respectively, from intractable respiratory insufficiency with increasing loss of compliance of the lungs (compliance of lungs and thorax < 20 ml/mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Clinical experiences with the Gianturco-Z stent in endotracheal and -bronchial stenoses].

We inserted Gianturco-Z stents in 17 patients with tracheobronchial stenoses on 18 occasions. Three patients had benign, all others malignant stenoses due to compression of the tracheobronchial tree by metastasising malignancies. In all cases the stents could be easily positioned and the patients experienced relief of their severe dyspnea. In one case there was fatigue breakage of the stent. The patient was therefore given a silicone tracheal stent.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Tumor cells in intraoperative pleural lavage. An indicator for the poor prognosis of bronchogenic carcinoma.

Fifty-nine patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and 21 patients with nonneoplastic lung diseases underwent intraoperative pleural lavage with 300-ml physiologic saline before (Lavage I) and after resection (Lavage II). The presence of tumor cells in the lavage fluid was established cytologically in 29 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Twenty-seven had positive findings in Lavage I and 23 of these also in Lavage II. Two patients had positive findings in Lavage II only. All controls were negative. In all 40% of patients with Stage I bronchogenic carcinoma had positive lavage results. The cumulative two-year survival rate of this group is 40%, which differs significantly (P less than 0.01) from the 97% survival rate of the patients with the same tumor stage whose lavage findings were negative. Detection of tumor cells in pleural cavity washings before resection proves that tumor cells have spread into the pleural cavity. Cytologic examination of an intraoperative pleural lavage should be done when assessing the tumor stage.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

[Oral therapy with beta-2-sympathomimetic drugs: comparative study of the bronchospasmolytic effect of tulobuterol and fenoterol in patients with reversible airway obstruction].

In a multicentre, single-blind study, the bronchospasmolytic effect of a single oral dose of tulobuterol 2.0 mg and of fenoterol 2.5 mg was compared in 26 patients suffering from reversible airways obstruction. The bronchospasmolysis achieved with the oral application of tulobuterol and fenoterol is qualitatively satisfactory and reliable, the effect of tulobuterol persisting for a longer period than that of fenoterol.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

[New technics for producing inhalation aerosols--initial experiences and results with the piezoelectric inhalation device].

In the treatment of chronic obstructive airway diseases, the inhalative application of medicaments with a bronchodilatory effect is given preference throughout the world. In addition to inhalation solutions and powder capsules, so-called metered-dose aerosols have formed an established part of the treatment plan for approximately 30 years now. With the piezoelectric inhalation device, a fully portable ultrasonic atomiser that is small enough to fit within the pocket, has been developed for the first time. In this device, the piezoelectric effect is utilised to produced, pressure-free, microfine aerosols. Within it, an accurately metered volume containing the therapeutic dose is applied to an atomising element oscillating in the ultrasonic range. The particle spectrum generated with the piezo-system corresponds, in terms of size, to that of metered aerosol devices, and the mean particle diameter is approximately 2.1 microns. The atomisation process takes approximately one second.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1989

[Determining the prognosis in bronchial carcinoma by intraoperative pleural lavage].

Pleural lavage with 300 ml physiological saline was undertaken at thoracotomy (before and after resection) in a prospective study of 59 patients (49 males and 10 females; average age 59.7 years, range 41-76 years) with first manifestations of a bronchial carcinoma. The aim was to find out whether, even at an early stage of the tumour, there are tumour deposits in the pleural cavity. The lavage fluid was centrifuged and the sediment then embedded in paraffin and prepared for cytological examination. Tumour cells were demonstrated before resection in 27 patients (45.8%), in 23 of them also after the resection. Among 38 patients, previously classified as being in stage I, the lavage material was positive in 15 (39.5%); tumour cells were demonstrated in 5 of 18 patients in stage pT1. The cumulative two-year survival rate of non-small-cell bronchial carcinoma in stage I (n = 32) was 39.9% if the lavage was positive, 97.4% if negative (P less than 0.01). The results indicate that a positive finding on pleural lavage corresponds to a pT4 stage with a poor life expectancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗