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Biomedical subjects

M Vilardell

Publications and source records attributed to M Vilardell.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Effect of transcutaneous nerve stimulation on esophageal motility in patients with achalasia and scleroderma.

It has been suggested that low-frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) alleviates the dysphagia produced by achalasia and scleroderma of the esophagus. The present study was conducted to elucidate whether TENS treatment improves dysphagia because of changes it induces on esophageal motility. We studied nine achalasia patients before forceful dilatation of the cardias, nine achalasia patients after dilatation, and nine patients with scleroderma. High-frequency TENS was applied to the hand for 30 min while esophageal motility was monitored by manometry. In none of the groups did TENS produce any change in the basal tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, or esophageal body wave amplitude. Low-frequency TENS, used in another seven untreated achalasia patients, also did not improve esophageal motility. Our data indicate that high- or low-frequency TENS does not induce detectable changes in esophageal motility in patients with achalasia or scleroderma.

Adolescent↗

[Multi-infarct dementia associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Presentation of 2 cases].

Two patients with positive antiphospholipid antibody and early multi-infarction dementia as a presenting feature of their illness are reported. One was included in the so called primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, while the second one met the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. We point out to the presence of aortic regurgitation in one of the patients and its possible relation with these antibodies. Although the precise mechanism of thrombosis is incompletely known, the recognition of this type of dementia is of paramount importance as it is a potentially treatable condition.

Adult↗

Fetal loss treatment in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies.

A group of seven young women with antiphospholipid antibodies, histories of recurrent fetal loss, and no live births is reported. Two patients had systemic lupus erythematosus, and the other five fulfilled criteria for the primary antiphospholipid syndrome. A false Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was present in four of the patients, three had a previous episode of arterial or venous thrombosis, or both, and two had thrombocytopenia. Prednisone and acetylsalicylic acid were given, and monthly controls of lupus anticoagulant activity were carried out. The dose of acetylsalicylic acid was fixed while the dose of steroids was adjusted according to the degree of lupus anticoagulant activity. A fetal survival was obtained in 7/9 (78%) of the pregnancies. Three of the newborn infants had transitory lupus anticoagulant activity. A search for antiphospholipid antibodies should be carried out in patients with otherwise unexplained fetal losses, falsely positive VDRL tests, thrombosis, or thrombocytopenia as the treatment of such patients with prednisone and acetylsalicylic acid is highly effective.

Abortion, Habitual↗