Biomedical subjects

J A Meadows

Publications and source records attributed to J A Meadows.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1988

Outcome of respiratory failure in hematologic malignancy.

We reviewed records of patients with hematologic malignancy requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) from 1976 to 1985 (excluding postoperative MV less than 48 hours). There were 119 episodes in 116 patients. In-hospital mortality was 82 percent. Of 21 (18 percent) episodes survived, median duration of survival was 12 months. Survivors did not differ from nonsurvivors in age, leukocyte count, or duration of MV. Survival for chronic lymphocytic leukemia was 42 percent, for other leukemias 16 percent, Hodgkin's disease 29 percent, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 6 percent. Bronchoscopy was performed in 28 patients, resulting in a diagnosis of infection, hemorrhage, or malignancy in 19 cases. Open lung biopsy (OLB) was obtained in 23 patients, yielding a diagnosis of interstitial inflammation or fibrosis (13 cases), drug effect (three), malignancy (two), hemorrhage (one), Pneumocystis (seven), aspergillosis (two), and Legionella (one). Only two patients survived following OLB. Despite intensive management and adequate diagnosis, respiratory failure in patients with hematologic malignancy carries a high mortality. Although these data may help identify groups with a limited prognosis for long-term recovery, patient care must be individualized.

Female↗

PubMed1986

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Evidence for eosinophil degranulation and release of major basic protein.

A patient with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia associated with ulcerative colitis and asthma is described. Exacerbations and remissions of these disorders paralleled each other. Pleural fluid and lung tissue contained high levels of eosinophil granule major basic protein, a substance with toxic effects on cells and tissues. The results indicate that eosinophils degranulate in the lung in eosinophilic pneumonia and point to the possibility that granule constituents damage lung tissue in the course of the disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Clinical outcome of respiratory failure in patients requiring prolonged (greater than 24 hours) mechanical ventilation.

Patients requiring prolonged (greater than 24 hours) mechanical ventilation have various conditions that result in respiratory failure. All patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation were subdivided into the following six groups: uncomplicated acute lung injury; respiratory failure complicated by multisystem failure; previous lung disease; trauma; other medical causes; and routine postoperative ventilation. During a one-year period, 327 patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation; acute lung injury and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the predominant conditions. Sepsis was both the major predisposing factor for and complication of acute lung injury. Mortality for patients with acute lung injury was 40 percent in the uncomplicated group and 81 percent in patients with acute lung injury complicated by multisystem failure. Acute respiratory failure in association with acute renal failure had a mortality of 89 percent. Number of organ systems involved also correlated with mortality. In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonitis or retained secretions, mortality was lower (30 percent), but a significant percentage of these patients (43 percent) became ventilator-dependent. Ventilator dependence did not significantly increase mortality during the course of respiratory failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Effect of resection of the sternum and manubrium in conjunction with muscle transposition on pulmonary function.

We recorded the changes in pulmonary function that occurred after removal of the sternum and manubrium and repair by pectoralis major muscle transposition in six patients. Of these patients, three had osteomyelitis of the manubrium and sternum, two had osteosarcoma of the sternum, and one had osteomyelitis and radionecrosis of the manubrium and sternum. Body plethysmography and the rebreathing, hypercapnic ventilatory response test with inductive plethysmographic recordings of chest-wall motion were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperatively, four of the six patients had evidence of mild to moderate chest-wall restriction. Pulmonary function was normal in the other two patients. Postoperatively, total lung capacity was unchanged but the vital capacity decreased 11.5% in the overall group. Static compliance, retractive force, and the steady-state diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide decreased modestly but significantly postoperatively. The expiratory flow rates and maximal voluntary ventilation remained unchanged. Preoperatively, the slope of the hypercapnic ventilatory response was less than that predicted. Postoperatively, the slope did not change. In three patients, however, increased dependence on the abdomen for breathing suggested a dynamic restriction of rib-cage motion. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that surgical removal of the sternum and manubrium in conjunction with muscle flap repair is a well-tolerated procedure. Any postoperative changes in pulmonary function are minor.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979