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Biomedical subjects

M Morgan

Publications and source records attributed to M Morgan.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Amniotic fluid embolism.

The statement that amniotic fluid embolism is the most dangerous and untreatable condition in obstetrics appears to be true. It must be suspected in any patient who collapses or bleeds excessively during labour or the immediate post-partum period. Attempts should be made to secure a definitive diagnosis in life by examination of blood obtained from the right side of the heart and the sputum for elements of amniotic fluid. Lung scanning is a useful aid to diagnosis. The principal factors that have been implicated in the clinical syndrome of amniotic fluid embolism are anaphylaxis, vascular obstruction by particulate matter, vascular spasm due to prostaglandins and possibly some other vasoactive substances, and the possibility that all the changes could be explained by disseminated intravascular coagulation as a primary event. Further work is required to elucidate the relative contributions of these various factors. Due to the suddeness of the catastrophe and the very high mortality, haemodynamic data in humans is virtually non-existent. With improved methods of resuscitation it is to be hoped that the mortality rate will be reduced and that such data will become available. In this way it might become possible to apply the results of animal research and indicate the most effective method of treatment.

Adolescent↗

Amniotic fluid embolism. A report of three cases.

Three patients showing the typical features of amniotic fluid embolism are described. Two survived the insult, while in the third the diagnosis was confirmed by post-mortem histological examination of the lungs.

Adult↗

Methohexitone and etomidate for bronchoscopy.

General anaesthesia for bronchoscopy has been provided with either methohexitone or etomidate, with and without fentanyl. Recovery was faster following methohexitone and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications. Inclusion of fentanyl in the technique did not confer any benefits with either drug.

Anesthesia, General↗

Analgesic effects of sublingual buprenorphine.

The analgesic effects of sublingually administered buprenorphine 0.4 mg have been compared with morphine 10 mg given intramuscularly in patients following operation. The results indicate a slower onset of action for buprenorphine but of much longer duration than morphine. There were no serious side effects or difference in their incidence between the two drugs.

Administration, Oral↗

The nature and incidence of complications of peripheral arterial puncture.

Follow-up of the sites of 839 peripheral arterial punctures has confirmed the technique as safe and free from major sequelae. Minor complications, mainly bruising and tenderness, occurred at 39% of sites; this incidence is much less than that previously reported following short-term arterial cannulation. At only 2% of sites was there any significant pain or tenderness. There was a small incidence of pulse diminution particularly at the radial site but no case of arterial occlusion. The use of a smaller needle (23 s.w.g.) significantly reduced the overall incidence of complications.

Arteries↗

The effect of "cap" analogs on reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Evidence for enhancement of ribosomal binding via a preferred cap conformation.

A variety of compounds related to the 5'-terminal "cap" (m7GpppN) of eukaryotic mRNA's were chemically synthesized and tested as inhibitors of reovirus mRNA binding to wheat germ ribosomes. Under our conditions of mRNA binding to ribosomes, 7-methyl-, 7-ethyl-, and 7-benzyl-GDP, but not GDP, decreased stable initiation complex formation by 70 to 80% at a concentration of 0.1 mM indicating that 7-substitution, but not a specific substituent, was required for the effect. Elimination of the positive charge on the imidazole of the 7-substituted compounds by treatment with alkali destroyed their inhibitory activity. Similarly, reduction to 8-hydro-m7GDP reversibly decreased the activity of m7GDP. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that the positive charge resulting from 7-alkylation provides an active cap conformer for binding via interaction of phosphate oxygens with the positively charged imidazole moiety. In accord with this suggestion, 7-carboxymethyl GDP and 7,8-dimethyl GDP were found to be less inhibitory than m7GDP. A 2-amino group was also important since m7IDP was less effective than m7GDP and 0.1 mM m7XDP did not inhibit ribosome binding. Other poor inhibitors were 6-Cl-m7GDP and 1,7-dimethyl GDP but N2,7-dimethyl GDP, 2'-deoxy-m7GDP, and m7GppI had essentially the same activity as m7GDP.

Guanosine Triphosphate↗

Comparison of speed of onset of fazadinium, pancuronium, tubocurarine and suxamethonium.

Under light general anaesthesia the speed of onset of action of fazadinium, pancuronium, tubocurarine and suxamethonium has been assessed by measuring the decrease in the twitch height of the adductor pollicis muscle following administration of the drugs. Suxamethonium produced 95% depression of the twitch height significantly faster than any of the other drugs, while the onset of fazadinium was significantly more rapid than that of the other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs.

Humans↗

Some cardio-pulmonary effects of infra-renal clamping of the abdominal aorta.

No significant changes were found in heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, arterial blood gases or physiological deadspace: tidal volume ratio before and after clamping and unclamping the abdominal aorta below the renal vessels. Nevertheless, drugs should be available to reduct the afterload on the heart if any evidence of myocardial ischaemia appears during the period of aortic clamping. The importance of maintaining an adequate circulating blood volume at all times is stressed.

Adult↗

Respiratory effects of etomidate.

The respiratory effects of etomidate 0.3 mg/kg were studied in patients premedicated with either diazepam and atropine or papaveretum and hyoscine. The incidence of apnoea was 40% in those who received the non-narcotic premedication, compared with 27% in those who received the opiate. Those premedicated with diazepam and atropine showed a significant increase in respiratory frequency which was associated with a significant increase in minute volume 4 min after induction of anaesthesia. No such increase occurred in those premedicated with papaveretum and hyoscine. It would appear that the effects of etomidate on respiration are less than those of other i.v. induction agents, but involuntary muscle movement during induction remains a problem.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Analysis of possible factors influencing PaO2 and (PaO2--PaO2) in patients awaiting operation.

Data on arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and alveolar-arterial PO2 difference (PAO2--PaO2) have been obtained from 337 patients awaiting elective surgery. Statistical analysis of these data has assessed both the individual and the combined influence of various factors on PaO2 and (PAO2-PaO2). The factors of importance in relation to PaO2 include age, smoking habits, body build and PAO2. In relation to (PAO2-PaO2) the significant factors include age, PaCO2, weight and smoking habits.

Adult↗

Use of methohexitone, fentanyl and nitrous oxide for short surgical procedures.

An anaesthetic technique for unpremedicated patients undergoing minor surgery is described. After the administration of atropine and fentanyl, anaesthesia was induced with methohexitone and maintained with nitrous oxide supplemented when necessary by further small doses of methohexitone. This technique provided good operating conditions and was free from major complications. Recovery was rapid and pleasant.

Adolescent↗

Marital status and hospital use.

Published data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (1973) are used to examine the relationship between hospital use and marital state. Non-married men and women are shown to have higher discharge rates and longer mean durations of stay than married patients in the corresponding age groups, and to account, on average, for about 24 000 additional beds each day in non-psychiatric hospitals. Hospital Activity Analysis data from one region suggest that the higher rates of bed use by non-married patients as a whole are maintained for both single and widowed patients separately, and the differences are also observed in all types of non-psychiatric hospitals. Two possible modes of explanation are discussed: that the incidence and possibly the severity of conditions that are normally treated in hospital may be differentially distributed among marital status groups; and that non-clinical factors in decisions about admission and discharge may be associated more commonly with non-married than married patients. The results carry no normative implications for the uses to which hospital resources should be put.

Adult↗

Ketamine and paediatric radiotherapy.

Two hundred and seventy-two ketamine anesthetics have been given to sixteen children undergoing radiotherapy. Satisfactory conditions were provided in every case and the incidence of complications was low. At the present time ketamine would appear to be the most satisfactory agent in thos children who require sedation in order to undergo radiotherapy.

Anesthesia↗