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Biomedical subjects

P T Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to P T Andersen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Constitutional predisposition to vasovagal syncope: an additional risk factor in patients exposed to electrical injuries?

An hour after a 220 V electric shock a patient who was susceptible to mild vasovagal symptoms in response to emotional stress had a severe episode of cardiac arrest in response to insertion of a cannula. No myocardial damage or conduction abnormalities were detected by serial 12 lead electrocardiograms. Patients with a history of vasovagal reactions may be at high risk of developing lethal sinus node or conduction disturbances after electrical injuries. Psychological stresses should be avoided in the management of such patients.

Adult↗

[Effects of induction and supplementary doses of atracurium. Dose-response relationship, spontaneous reversion period, cardiovascular effect and clinical signs of histamine liberation].

The effects of an induction dose of atracurium 0.6 mg/kg and supplementary doses of 0.2 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg were investigated in 20 patients undergoing non-urgent laparotomy while anesthetized with halothane-N2O-O2. Atracurium was the only muscle relaxant used. Complete neuromuscular block was achieved in all patients, lasting an average of 37 min. Following a supplementary dose of 0.2 mg/kg or 0.1 mg/kg the neuromuscular block was extended on average for a further 25 min (range 13-37 min) or 15 min (range 5-30 min), respectively. The time to spontaneous reversion of complete neuromuscular block at TOF = 0.75 was 39 min (mean). Neither blood pressure nor pulse rate changed significantly following injection of the induction dose. In 3 patients (15%) there was a brief period of erythema with no simultaneous change in pulse rate or blood pressure after administration of the induction dose. The erythema did not recur in the same patients following the supplementary doses. Transitory rises in AST and LDH were noted in 1 patient.

Adult↗

Hypermyoglobinemia after successful arterial embolectomy.

Myoglobin concentrations in serum and urine were measured in eight patients who underwent successful arterial embolectomy in the femoral or iliac arteries. Median serum myoglobin levels significantly increased after revascularization to a maximum of 4741 micrograms/L (reference range: 0 to 80 micrograms/L) 2 hours postoperatively, with a concomitant and correlated increase in the urine myoglobin concentration. Three days after the operation, serum myoglobin concentrations were still substantially elevated in three patients. None of our patients suffered permanent renal damage, but transient renal impairment was noted in five patients, as evaluated from the serum and urine beta 2-microglobulin concentrations. We found an association between the concentrations of myoglobin in serum and urine (Spearman's rho: 0.66; p less than 0.001) and between the concentrations of myoglobin in urine and beta 2-microglobulin in urine (Spearman's rho: 0.65; p less than 0.001). Our results indicate a transient renal impairment associated with hypermyoglobinemia and myoglobinuria, even after successful arterial embolectomy.

Aged↗

Nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis during diabetic ketoacidosis.

The frequency of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis in diabetic ketoacidosis was investigated by serial measurements of the serum levels of myoglobin and the serum activity of creatine kinase isoenzyme MM in 12 consecutively admitted ketoacidotic patients. In 5 patients (Group 1) we found hypermyoglobinaemia and elevated activity of creatine kinase isoenzyme MM on admission to hospital, whereas these two variables were normal in 7 patients (Group 2). On admission significantly higher median blood glucose levels and higher median serum osmolality were found in Group 1 than in Group 2 (for blood glucose: 49.6 mmol/l versus 19.0 mmol/l, p less than 0.02; for serum osmolality: 360 mosm/kg H2O versus 315 mosm/kg H2O, p less than 0.05). Decreased renal function was found in Group 1 as reflected by significantly higher beta 2-microglobulin serum concentrations in Group 1 compared with Group 2 on admission (median values 4.1 mg/l versus 1.7 mg/l, p less than 0.01) and during the first 3 days of therapy. The serum concentration of hypoxanthine (an indicator of the cellular energy state) was elevated in all patients on admission, with no difference between patients with or without hypermyoglobinaemia. In conclusion, our findings suggest that nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis with hypermyoglobinaemia and elevated serum activity of creatine kinase isoenzyme MM may be a hitherto unrecognized common feature of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Adult↗

A comparative study of 'Op-site' and 'Nobecutan gauze' dressings for central venous line care.

A comparative study of 'Op-site' and 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressings for central venous lines was performed. Seventy-seven long antebrachial and 68 infraclavicular subclavian catheters were studied. A statistically significant reduction in the incidence of positive cultures from the catheter tip and from the skin puncture site was found with the 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressing. No difference in the incidence of catheter-related septicaemia was found. The theoretical advantage of being able to observe signs of inflammation when 'Op-site' was used did not reduce the incidence of local infection at the skin puncture site. In conclusion we found that a 'Nobecutan-gauze' dressing was a satisfactory alternative to an 'Op-site' dressing.

Aged↗

Hypoxanthine and xanthine in stored SAGM-blood.

The concentration of xanthine and hypoxanthine was measured in 8 portions of SAGM red cell concentrates during 4 wk storage. The concentration of xanthine increased from 4.2 to 35.1 mumol/l and the concentration of hypoxanthine increased from 16.8 to 165.2 mumol/l (mean values). Previous studies have demonstrated several important effects of purine bases--among these a reduced cytotoxicity of purine antimetabolites. It is concluded that further studies are necessary to investigate the clinical role of purines in stored blood products.

Adenine↗

Comparisons between CK-B and other clinical indicators of cardiac contusion following multiple trauma.

The activity of creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase B(CK-B) was measured in 17 patients with injuries to multiple organ systems, including the chest. The patients were closely observed for clinical signs of disturbed cardiac function by means of serial ECG, continuous monitoring of cardiac rhythm, daily cardiac auscultation, serial chest roentgenography and monitoring of central hemodynamic parameters. No statistically significant difference in CK and CK-B activity was found between the group of patients with normal cardiac function and the group with disturbed cardiac function. The CK-B activity was markedly elevated, but CK-B activity relative to CK activity was normal in both groups during the first 7 days after the trauma. The authors conclude that the significance of these enzymes' serum activity, measured with the immunoinhibition method, is diagnostically doubtful not only as regards cardiac contusions, but also in other cardiopathy preceding or following major trauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Repetitive bleeding from a pheochromocytoma presenting as an abdominal emergency. Case report.

Recurrent abdominal pain was the only subjective manifestation in a case of pheochromocytoma with retroperitoneal bleeding. At emergency laparotomy the tumor, showing signs of fresh and earlier bleeding, was extirpated. Sinus-type tachycardia was treated with beta-blockade peroperatively, while the diagnosis was still obscure, but hypertension did not follow. Meta-oxedrine and dopamine infusion was continued for 48 hours to sustain the blood pressure. Recovery was uneventful.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Hyperamylasemia, specific pancreatic enzymes, and hypoxanthine during recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis.

The contribution of the exocrine pancreas to hyperamylasemia in diabetic ketoacidosis was investigated by measuring total amylase, salivary and pancreatic isoamylases, cathodic trypsin-like immunoreactivity, and pancreatic lipase in 12 consecutive patients recovering from diabetic ketoacidosis. Hyperamylasemia was present in six of the patients [50%; expected incidence: 21.1-78.9% (95% confidence limits)]--in five with simultaneously increased activities of all three specific pancreatic enzymes, and in one with only increased salivary isoamylase. The serum concentration of hypoxanthine--an indicator of the cellular energy state--was above normal in all patients at admission. We found no differences in concentrations of hypoxanthine in serum of patients with or without hyperamylasemia or in patients with or without increases in the specific pancreatic enzymes. In none of the patients was the clinical course or the time--concentration curves of the pancreatic enzymes consistent with acute pancreatitis. The pathogenic mechanism leading to hyperamylasemia in diabetic ketoacidosis remains uncertain.

Adolescent↗