Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P A Perry

Publications and source records attributed to P A Perry.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Relaxation technique and postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

A two-group pretest and posttest quasi-experimental design was used to determine the effectiveness of a slow, deep-breathing relaxation technique in relieving postoperative pain after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A convenience sample of 29 subjects was divided into an experimental group (n = 15), who received relaxation training on the evening before surgery and performed the technique after surgery, and a control group (n = 14), who did not receive relaxation training. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Significant decreases were demonstrated as a result of relaxation, in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and report of pain on the visual descriptor scale. No significant differences were seen in analgesic use or visual analogue scale scores. Eleven subjects (73.3%) said the technique was helpful in their pain management. All experimental subjects stated that the relaxation technique was simple to perform, and they would recommend it to others who have postoperative pain.

Adult↗

Cinnamon oil abuse by adolescents.

Reports in the literature about cinnamon oil toxicity are limited to allergic reactions and local irritant effects from dermatologic exposure. Cinnamon oil is easily obtained from pharmacies in 5-10 ml amounts for use as a flavoring agent and in craft items. Within a 5-mo period the Pittsburgh Poison Center (PPC) documented 32 cases of cinnamon oil abuse; all cases involved males aged 11-16 y and were reported to the PPC by school nurses. Sucking on toothpicks or fingers which had been dipped in cinnamon oil was the primary method of abuse. A rush or sensation of warmth, facial flushing, and oral burning were the experiences reported by the users. Some children complained of nausea or abdominal pain but no systemic effects were reported. Eight patients with dermal exposure had irritation ranging from erythema to welts, which resolved after thorough soap and water decontamination. Two ocular exposures resulted in mild irritation and were successfully treated with irrigation or dilution. The recent popularity of cinnamon oil abuse appears to be related to the ease with which it can be carried, engendering little fear of discovery or chastisement. Despite the relatively low toxicity of cinnamon oil, medical professionals should be aware of its potential for misuse.

Adolescent↗

Drug induced esophageal injury.

A 3-year-old child weighing 16 kg was given 1/2 of a Centrum Multivitamin tablet. He began choking and gagging and was taken to an emergency department. He was alert and speaking without difficulty but was drooling, gagging, coughing, and unable to swallow. He was transferred to a children's hospital where he continued to drool but had bilaterally clear and equal breath sounds and no stridor, cough, or wheeze. A lateral neck x-ray was negative. The following morning, esophagoscopy revealed tablet material identified as a granular paste at the level of the cricopharyngeus. A large amount of the paste was encountered at the crossing of the aorta where the mucosa was extremely erythematous and edematous. Smaller amounts of the paste were observed until a larger amount was found at the lower esophageal junction. The material was removed with NSS irrigation, suction, and optical peanut forceps. A significant circumferential burn was present. Repeat esophagoscopy 7 days postingestion showed mucosal edema and some scarring. Nine (9) days postingestion the child's diet was normal and he was discharged.

Burns, Chemical↗

Sensitivity and adrenoceptor affinity in the mesenteric artery of the deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertensive rat.

This study examines vascular reactivity to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in mineralocorticoid (deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA-salt) hypertensive and normotensive rats. The rats were anesthetized and the mesenteric artery was excised and cut helically into strips that were mounted in a muscle bath for the measurement of isometric force development. Addition of norepinephrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, methoxamine, or clonidine to the bath caused contractions in all arteries. Arteries from hypertensive rats were more sensitive (lower ED50 values) to each of the agonists than arteries from normotensive rats. alpha-Adrenoceptor affinity for phentolamine (Schild analysis; norepinephrine as the agonist) in hypertensive arteries was not significantly different from that in normotensive arteries. Maximal force generation to clonidine was greater in hypertensive arteries than in normotensive arteries. These results demonstrate an augmented vascular sensitivity to several alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in DOCA hypertensive rats. This change in sensitivity is independent of a change in affinity for the adrenoceptor antagonist, phentolamine. It may be that a change in receptor number or an alteration in a post-receptor activation event accounts for this enhanced adrenoceptor responsiveness in mineralocorticoid hypertension.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗