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Biomedical subjects

M Solca

Publications and source records attributed to M Solca.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Net protein utilization during total parenteral nutrition of injured critically ill patients: an original approach.

Traumatized critically ill patients with either a moderate or severe catabolic response were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous solution which was either protein-free or contained protein and hypertonic glucose. The overall energy intake in both groups was equivalent to each patient's daily requirement. In both the moderately catabolic and severely catabolic patients the urinary nitrogen loss with the protein-free solution was negatively correlated to the energy intake/energy need ratio (p less than 0.01, moderate catabolism; p less than 0.001, severe catabolism). The ratio of energy intake/energy need was correlated with the nitrogen loss. From the resultant straight line, the obligatory nitrogen loss was determined for those patients receiving the protein containing solution (test diet). The net protein utilization was subsequently calculated using this value of the obligatory nitrogen loss. The net protein utilization was inversely correlated with the severity of trauma. It was significantly (p less than 0.005) greater in the patients with a moderate catabolic response. In the acute postinjury phase, the net protein utilization of infused amino acids was similar to that for protein fed orally to normal healthy subjects.

Adolescent↗

Influence of total parenteral nutrition on protein metabolism following acute injury: assessment by urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion and nitrogen balance.

The use of total parenteral nutrition after acute injury, either surgical or accidental, is widely accepted for its important benefits, although it is not yet completely understood whether a reduction of body protein catabolism can be effectively achieved. We applied total parenteral nutrition to 14 critically ill patients after either trauma or major surgery. Their daily nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine and creatinine excretion, and molar 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio, during initial 24-hr fasting period, were respectively -0.19 +/- 0.01 (SEM) g kg-1, 5.46 +/- 0.47 mumol kg-1, 27 +/- 4 mg kg-1, and 0.030 +/- 0.005. Daily nonprotein calorie intake of 31.11 +/- 0.58 kcal kg-1, as glucose, and administration of nitrogen 0.350 +/- 0.004 g kg-1, as 10% crystalline L-aminoacids solution, and insulin 1 IU every 5.03 +/- 0.14 g of glucose, resulted in progressive decline of urinary 3-methylhistidine (4.21 +/- 0.43 mumol kg-1, p less than 0.001), creatinine (22 +/- 2 mg kg-1, NS), and their molar ratio (0.022 +/- 0.002, NS). Mean nitrogen balance resulted in 0.032 +/- 0.008 g kg-1. Since urinary 3-methylhistidine role as a marker of protein catabolism is well established, its decrease under total parenteral nutrition together with greatly improved nitrogen balance, demonstrates that our treatment can effectively quench protein catabolism, meanwhile enhancing protein synthesis.

Adult↗

Single lung transplantation for emphysema. Lessons learned on the field. The Lung Transplant Group of the Ospedale Maggiore of Milan.

Emphysematous patients that were once treated with double lung transplantation can now also be treated with single lung transplantation. However, single lung transplantation in emphysematous patients presents problems in lung size matching, choice of side to transplant and post-operative assistance. Analysing their own experience of three single lung transplants performed on emphysematous patients, the Authors evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, the results and the difficulties encountered. Single lung transplantation is a good therapeutic option for end-stage emphysematous patients. In these patients right lung transplantation is preferable and the donor organ should be oversized. Positive and expiratory pressure in the native emphysematous lung should be applied with extreme caution.

Adult↗

Multidisciplinary approach to extracorporeal respiratory assist for acute pulmonary failure.

A case of acute post-traumatic pulmonary failure was treated by extracorporeal respiratory assist, after conventional therapy had failed. Veno-venous bypass was established, with low extracorporeal blood flow (1.6-2 l min-1), and high exchange surface area membrane lungs (7 m2), according to the technique of low-frequency positive-pressure ventilation with extracorporeal carbon-dioxide removal. After a first disconnection, the evolution of the lung disease necessitated a second surgical procedure, during which a chest tube perforated the patient's right lower, pulmonary lobe. A two-stage right thoracotomy was performed, with the patient connected to the extracorporeal system, and receiving full heparinization. Massive bleeding and severe hypoxia were encountered, but successfully overcome. The patient is now a long-term survivor.

Acute Disease↗

Restoration of blood 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels in multi-transfused patients: effect of organic and inorganic phosphate.

Blood stored in acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) shows a progressive decrease in 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) content. Since the decrease in DPG increases hemoglobin oxygen affinity, which in turn may reduce tissue and venous PO2 and peripheral oxygen delivery, many efforts have been made to preserve or restore DPG levels in stored blood. An in vivo rejuvenating technique, employing fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) at a mean dosage of 1 mmol kg-1 day-1 of phosphate, to increase the DPG circulating level in multi-transfused patients is proposed. Eighteen patients, who received at least one-third of their estimated blood volume (3990 +/- 480 (SEM) ml of ACD stored blood) in blood transfusion, were treated: nine with inorganic phosphate, and nine with FDP. Basal DPG was very low in both groups: 12.61 +/- 1.34 (SEM) and 10.42 +/- 0.98 (SEM) mumol g-1, respectively (normal value is 14.5 mumol g-1, at pH 7.40). However, DPG values increased significantly and promptly in patients receiving FDP, whereas in cases of inorganic phosphate administration, it was not significantly raised over the basal value until the third day. Phosphatemia remained normal and constant with FDP, but it rose significantly on the third day of treatment with inorganic phosphate. FDP appears to consistently and rapidly increase DPG levels after transfusion with blood stored in ACD, and to be particularly safe.

2,3-Diphosphoglycerate↗

[Anesthetic care for fibrobronchoscopy in patients with chronic terminal respiratory insufficiency undergoing evaluation for isolated lung transplantation].

During the first 18 month operation of the isolated lung transplantation program at or Institution, eight patients with terminal chronic respiratory failure underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy and broncho-alveolar lavage as part of their evaluation for isolated lung transplantation. Four patients had severe obstructive, three restrictive, and one mixed, obstructive and restrictive, disease; all of them were on continuous supplemental oxygen. Procedures were performed under topical anaesthesia, with either light sedation or simple monitored anaesthesia care. Monitoring included non-invasive blood pressure measurement, pulse oximeter and precordial stethoscope. No adverse events were recorded, except in one case, when pulse oximeter reading precipitously dropped below 80%, to a minimum of 68-69%. The procedures was terminated short of its completion, and the patient was briefly assisted with manual bag ventilation on oxygen 100%. Pulse oximeter quickly returned to normal levels (above 90%), and the patient promptly recovered, without complications. The importance of monitored anaesthesia care during fiberoptic bronchoscopy (a usually benign procedure) in critically ill patients is greatly emphasized.

Adult↗