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Biomedical subjects

M Frass

Publications and source records attributed to M Frass.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Results of critical care management of patients after bone marrow transplantation].

In a retrospective study we investigated the clinical course of patients who required intensive care support after bone marrow transplantation. Out of 25 patients only 5 (20%) survived treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) and this group showed a significantly lower age, lower APACHE III and organ-failure scores and higher serum albumin values, as well as a longer interval between bone marrow transplantation and admission to intensive care. However, no patient requiring mechanical ventilation primarily for pneumonia or other infections arising as a complication of bone marrow transplantation survived intensive care. All patients requiring ventilation for more than 24 hours died in hospital. Of the 5 patients surviving ICU treatment only 3 were eventually discharged from hospital and only one single patient was alive after 6 months. Hence, current intensive care management appears to be indicated in only a small group of patients after bone marrow transplantation.

APACHE↗
PubMed1995

Dexverapamil as resistance modifier in acute myeloid leukaemia.

In order to evaluate dexverapamil as a resistance modifier in acute myeloid leukaemia, we have added dexverapamil (4 x 300 mg/d orally) to DA chemotherapy (daunorubicin, cytosine arabinoside) in six patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Two patients (1 first and 1 second relapse) achieved complete remission and two patients (1 refractory disease, 1 third relapse) showed some improvement. One patient in first relapse died due to disease progression and one drug-refractory patient remained refractory. The peak plasma levels of dexverapamil and nordexverapamil ranged from about 600 to 4100 ng/ml and from 450 to 1130 ng/ml, respectively. Major sideeffects were hypotension and sinus bradycardia. These results show the need for further evaluation of dexverapamil as a resistance modifier in acute myeloid leukaemia.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1995

Emergency intubation with the Combitube in two cases of difficult airway management.

The airway was managed successfully in two cases of difficult intubation using the Combitube, a new device for emergency intubation, which combines the functions of an oesophageal obturator airway and a conventional endotracheal airway. One patient could not be intubated due to lockjaw; in the other patient, the vocal cords could not be seen because of continued vomiting. The cases illustrate the benefit of the Combitube during emergency intubation for different problems and its effectiveness as an alternative to traditional intubation techniques.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia with acute respiratory insufficiency].

A 22-year-old woman was hospitalized because of fever of 39 degrees C and increasing dyspnoea. The chest radiograph demonstrated coarse confluent opacities bilaterally. Despite antibiotic treatment the condition deteriorated acutely after 2 days. All efforts to find an infectious agent, including immunological tests, were unsuccessful. Artificial ventilation became necessary because of increasing respiratory failure with an arterial oxygen partial pressure of 56 mm Hg, CO2 of 41 mm Hg and a respiratory rate of 60/min. Histological examination of a transthoracic lung biopsy revealed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, which was treated with prednisolone. The initial dose was 500 mg/d, gradually reduced to 12.5 mg/d over 2 weeks. The clinical and radiological findings improved markedly after 2 days and the patient discharged herself after 3 weeks and there was no follow-up.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[Emergency intubation with the Combitube in a patient with persistent vomiting].

Prompt establishment of a patient airway and effective ventilation are the major goals during initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with cardiac arrest. Endotracheal intubation is the definitive method to maintain an optimal airway. However, endotracheal intubation is not always possible, even for the skilled physician. The Combitube has been developed to overcome this disadvantage. Studies have proved the effectivity of ventilation with this device. A case is reported where a patient suffered from acute respiratory failure and attempts at endotracheal intubation failed due to continued vomiting rendering fibre-optical visualisation of the vocal cords impossible. Blind insertion of the Combitube led to successful ventilation, and hence replacement by an endotracheal airway could be performed without danger of aspiration.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Comparison of the Combitube with the endotracheal tube in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the prehospital phase].

A prospective controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of the Combitube, a combined endotracheal and esophageal obturator airway adjunct, in prehospital cardiac arrest patients. The Combitube and a standard endotracheal tube were utilized on alternate days as the initial airway of choice by paramedics. Of altogether 86 patients treated during the study period, intubation was possible in 80 cases, 38 receiving a Combitube as initial choice of airway. 11 out of 14 patients who could not be intubated with a standard endotracheal tube were then successfully managed with a Combitube. Survival following cardiac arrest after insertion of a Combitube was comparable to conventional endotracheal intubation. Of the 6 patients who survived 2 had received a Combitube, 2 a standard endotracheal tube and 2 an oropharyngeal tube. While visualized endotracheal intubation remains the preferred method of airway control, the Combitube is an effective airway as backup to the endotracheal tube, as well as a primary airway, especially outside hospital. Contraindications are listed.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

Emergency intubation with the Combitube: comparison with the endotracheal airway.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Combitude as used by ICU nurses under medical supervision compared with endotracheal airway established by ICU physicians during CPR. DESIGN: Prospective study of ICU patients over a seven-month period. SETTING: Medical ICU. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven patients suffering from cardiac arrest. INTERVENTIONS: Emergency intubation with either the Combitube by nurses or the endotracheal airway by physicians and subsequent mechanical ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Evaluation of blood gases after 20 minutes of mechanical ventilation. Intubation time was shorter for the Combitube (P < .001). Blood gases for each device showed comparable results; PaO2 was slightly higher during ventilation with the Combitube (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The Combitube as used by ICU nurses was as effective as establishment of the endotracheal airway by intensivists during CPR. The Combitube may be used whenever endotracheal intubation cannot be performed immediately.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Atrial natriuretic peptide release in response to different positive end-expiratory pressure levels.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of different positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven patients who were mechanically ventilated due to acute respiratory failure. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The patients were randomized into three groups: in each group, a defined PEEP level (5, 10, or 15 cm H2O, respectively) was applied, alternating with zero PEEP (0 cm H2O) in consecutive order (reversal experiment). Blood samples for the determination of atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations were drawn from the pulmonary artery and the radial artery catheters. There were no decreases in atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations with a PEEP of 5 cm H2O, but significant decreases could be shown for PEEP values of 10 and 15 cm H2O. The patients of all groups were subjected to PEEP levels of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm H2O in randomized order (step experiment). The data demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between changes in PEEP levels and changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the release of atrial natriuretic peptide is influenced by a PEEP of > or = 10 cm H2O, while a PEEP of < or = 5 cm H2O does not disturb this cardiac endocrine function.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Generalized clostridial infection in a 60-year-old patient with massive soft tissue emphysema on thoracic radiography].

We report a case of a 60-year-old patient with progressive soft tissue emphysema caused by infection with clostridium septicum. In contrast to a rather linear spread of air in non infectious soft tissue-emphysema, in this case a mainly vesicular spread of air in the soft tissue is noted on plain films. Together with the clinical history, this finding may indicate an infectious cause. The radiological interpretation is an important step in the diagnostical workup.

Clostridium Infections↗
PubMed1993

[Successful intubation with the Combitube of two patients with bull neck].

Endotracheal intubation is without doubt the optimal method for emergency airway management. Rapid intubation and effective ventilation are the major aims during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. As an alternative, the Combitube can be used whenever endotracheal intubation is not immediately possible. We report the successful use of the Combitube during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in two patients with bull-neck. The patients could be oxygenated and ventilated adequately with the Combitube. This case report shows that the Combitube may be a valuable tool for emergency intubation in difficult situations.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗