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Biomedical subjects

R A Schoenenberger

Publications and source records attributed to R A Schoenenberger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Impact of comorbidity on ischemic stroke outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of comorbidity on stroke outcome of patients admitted to a general ward (GW) and a stroke unit (SU). METHODS: Data of 266 patients with acute ischemic stroke (GW: 103, SU: 163) were collected prospectively for 13 months. Clinical and radiological findings, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were recorded. Predictors of outcome 4 months after stroke were analyzed. Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of < or = 2, unfavorable as mRS >2. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 67.2 years (SD = 14.4), the mean CCI 1.2 (SD = 1.4). In univariate analysis, small artery disease predicted favorable outcome (P < 0.001) and age (P = 0.022), high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (P < 0.001), high CCI (P < 0.001), treatment in a GW (P = 0.004), coronary artery disease (P = 0.02), dementia (P = 0.009), diabetes (P = 0.005) and atrial fibrillation (P < 0.001) unfavorable outcome after 4 months. In multivariate analysis, high NIHSS score (P < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (P = 0.004), coronary artery disease (P = 0.012) and diabetes (P = 0.031) were predictors of unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity has a significant impact on stroke outcome. In addition to stroke severity, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and diabetes were predictors of outcome after stroke, but not the sum of the CCI.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Severe bronchiolitis in acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

We report on a 17-year-old patient with severe bronchiolitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Despite an early 10-day course of clarithromycin, she developed progressive dyspnea, cough, fever, and severe obstructive ventilatory impairment. Sixteen days after onset of the disease a severe hemolytic anemia developed with only cold agglutinins positive at serologic screening. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy revealed diffuse bronchiolitis with suppurative intrabronchiolar inflammation, lymphohistiocytic "cuffing" of the bronchioli, and foam cell aggregates within neighboring alveoli. The infiltrate consisted mainly of CD3+, CD8+ lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages. The diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis was based on repeated complement fixation tests, which turned strongly positive only at day 74 after onset of the disease. Pulmonary function improved slowly under long-term prednisone treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Drug dosage in patients with renal failure optimized by immediate concurrent feedback.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of immediate concurrent feedback on dose adjustment in patients with renal failure. DESIGN: Prospective 12-month study in patients with various degrees of renal failure, with comparison to a retrospective control group. SETTING: A 39-bed unit of a university hospital providing primary and tertiary care. PATIENTS: Patients with renal failure (estimated creatinine clearance < or = 50 mL/min) receiving at least 1 pharmacologically active drug. INTERVENTIONS: Education of physicians and immediate concurrent feedback on the ward giving estimated creatinine clearance and dose recommendations for renally eliminated drugs adjusted to individual renal function. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The percentage of dosage regimens adjusted to renal function and cost assessment of drug therapy were calculated. Overall, 17% of the patients had at least 1 estimated creatinine clearance < or = 50 mL/min. In the intervention group, the dose of 81% of renally eliminated drugs was adjusted to renal function, compared with 33% in the control group ( P <.001). The mean difference in cost between standard and adjusted dose of renally eliminated drugs in the intervention and control groups was 5.3 +/- 12.3 and 0.75 +/- 2.8 Swiss francs (approximately US$3.5 and US$0.5), respectively ( P <.001), accounting for 16.5% and 2.8%, respectively, of daily medication costs of all drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of doses of renally eliminated drugs adjusted to renal function can be substantially increased by immediate concurrent feedback. This saves drug costs and has the potential to prevent adverse drug reactions.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Conviction as a basis for compliance and strategies for improving compliance].

The aim of the present study was to correlate statements made by 100 patients of an internal medicine ward regarding their compliance before hospitalization, with their personal knowledge of an convictions about their own pharmacotherapy. Data were collected in structured interviews of 9 questions carried out by a medical person not involved in current treatment. The patient sample (mean age +/- SE: 6.8 +/- 1.3 years) included 42 women and 58 men whose mean number of prescribed medications before hospitalization was 4.7 +/- o.22. Good treatment compliance was reported by 78% of the patients, while 13% admitted non- compliance. Knowledge about the drugs they had been prescribed ranged from perfect (30%) to none (34%) and was significantly different between compliers and non-compliers, with patients who know their medications at least by name being fairly compliant (p = 0.048). Independently of the statement about compliance, the patients used three main strategies to ensure regular intake of daily medication: visual aids (69%), coupling to a ritual (26%) or supervision by a third person (6%). Criteria such as gender, the number of prescribed medications, personal perseverance, or personal definition of the sense of the prescribed pharmacotherapy, or the arguments expected to be used by a physician when recommending a pharmacotherapy did not differ between compliers and non-compliers. Thus, compliance appears to have its roots mainly in the conviction level of each patient : intention will be transformed into action when deemed correct according to the individual's personal criteria. This may lead to both compliance and to non-compliance with medical recommendations. This study, which is based on patient reports, supports the conclusion that drug compliance may be enhanced by increasing patient's knowledge about their own pharmacotherapy and by having patients use specific strategies to guarantee regular daily intake of drugs. Prospective studies should therefore address the question of whether providing specific information according to a patient's convictions will untimately translate into improved compliance.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome. 2 case reports and an overview].

Anticonvulsants with aromatic ring structure such as phenytoine, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and lamotrigine can induce a drug hypersensitivity syndrome ("anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome", AHS). Though the incidence of AHS is low, correct and early diagnosis are crucial to stop further progression by immediately withholding the causative drug. AHS usually starts within the first 2-8 weeks after initiation of therapy with fever, followed over the next 1-2 days by a cutaneous reaction and lymphadenopathy. The skin reaction is usually exanthematous but can also manifest itself as Stevens-Johnson or Lyell syndrome. AHS is commonly associated with symptomatic or asymptomatic internal organ involvement usually affecting the liver, although haematologic, renal or pulmonary impairment may also occur. We report two cases illustrating the clinical course and discuss theories about the potential pathogenesis and the treatment of AHS.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Academic detailing improves identification and reporting of adverse drug events.

In a prospective, crossover study, we assessed the impact of a clinical pharmacist on identification and reporting of adverse drug events (ADEs) in hospitalized patients. The study was conducted on four units of a medical ward of a university hospital, with two units serving as test, the other two as control units. After 12 months, test and control units were switched. In the test units, a pharmacist participated in daily ward rounds, solicited additional information from physicians and nurses, and reviewed the charts of all patients. In control units, information on ADEs was based solely on voluntary reports from physicians and nurses. A total of 1,959 patients (941 in test, 1,018 in control units) were hospitalized during the study period. In 137 test units patients, 224 ADEs (14.6%; 95%-CI: 12.3%-16.9%) were detected (8 severe, 60 moderate, 156 mild), while 25 ADEs (1 severe, 11 moderate, 13 mild) occurring in 21 patients (2.1%; 95%-CI: 1.2%-3.0%) were reported from the control units (p < 0.0001). Of the ADEs in the test units, 51% were reported spontaneously, 39% were identified on rounds, and 10% by chart review. After changing the status of test and control units, the number of identified ADEs returned to preintervention levels. Clinical pharmacists as part of the medical care team can improve the identification of ADEs which may ultimately translate into improved quality of care.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗
PubMed1998

[Dealing with errors in medicine].

Iatrogenic disease is probably more commonly than assumed the consequence of errors and mistakes committed by physicians and other medical personnel. Traditionally, strategies to prevent errors in medicine focus on inspection and rely on the professional ethos of health care personnel. The increasingly complex nature of medical practise and the multitude of interventions that each patient receives increases the likelihood of error. More efficient approaches to deal with errors have been developed. The methods include routine identification of errors (critical incidence report), systematic monitoring of multiple-step processes in medical practice, system analysis, and system redesign. A search for underlying causes of errors (rather than distal causes) will enable organizations to collectively learn without denying the inevitable occurrence of human error. Errors and mistakes may become precious chances to increase the quality of medical care.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed1996

Variation in the management of deep vein thrombosis: implications for the potential impact of a critical pathway.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential impact of a practice guideline in the form of a critical pathway on variation and quality of care in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: Goals were identified for key steps and processes that were believed to be important for meeting a length-of-stay (LOS) goal of 5.5 days, and for improving quality of care for patients with DVT. Data collected via chart review were used to determine the percentage o patients with uncomplicated DVT admitted in the year after October 1, 1992, whose management would have met these goals. RESULTS: Only 11 (12%) of 92 eligible patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of DVT met the LOS goal. In 30%, the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was >60 seconds within a target of 12 hours after admission. The goals for the initiation of warfarin (within 12 hours after aPTT >60 seconds) and the achievement of a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) level (within 120 hours) were met in 51% and 58% of patients, respectively. The target duration of intravenous heparin therapy was achieved in 78% of patients. Only 18% of patients, however, were discharged within 12 hours after 96 hours of heparin therapy had been given and a therapeutic INR had been achieved. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate considerable variation in management of uncomplicated DVT at a single hospital, suggesting that a critical pathway could have impact on both LOS and quality of care.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of pulmonary artery catheters. Prospective evaluation in an intensive care unit].

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value and the therapeutic impact of pulmonary artery catheters have been repeatedly challenged. As part of a quality assurance project we compared clinical assessment with invasive measurements of hemodynamic parameters in critically ill patients and assessed changes in therapy following catheter insertion. METHODS: In 47 consecutive patients (age 31-79 years; mean APACHE-II score 19 +/- 8) of a medical intensive care unit both physicians and intensive care nurses independently estimated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPm), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and cardiac output (CO) prior to pulmonary artery catheterization based on available clinical and radiological information. The physician-in-charge had to specify a presumptive treatment strategy in case hemodynamic measurements were not available. RESULTS: In 19% minor complications due to catheter insertion occurred, only one requiring intervention (intravenous adenosine). Overall, PAPm was correctly predicted in 56%, PCWP in 51% and CO in 50% of the patients (Z > 2.6; p < 0.01 for all 3 parameters). There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of correct predictions between physicians of different training levels or between physicians and nurses. In patients with sepsis the clinical prediction of PAPm (37% correct) and of PCWP (37%) was probably not better than by chance alone (Z = 1.53; p = 0.06). In 21% there was a major change in treatment after obtaining the invasive hemodynamic values compared to the preinsertion plan. CONCLUSIONS: Although randomized trials have not yet shown pulmonary artery catheterization to decrease mortality in critically ill patients, possible useful effects on intermediate outcomes cannot be excluded in view of the high numbers of misjudgements based on clinical information alone and the considerable number of changes in therapy following catheter insertion. Reducing uncertainty in clinical judgement may not in every case lead to a beneficial strategy, but it may prevent potentially harmful decisions.

APACHE↗
PubMed1994

Survival after failed out-of-hospital resuscitation. Are further therapeutic efforts in the emergency department futile?

BACKGROUND: Because of extremely poor outcomes, the practice of continuing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospital emergency departments after unsuccessful out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been strongly questioned. Before revising our institutional guidelines according to previous pessimistic reports we wished to review our own experience with this practice. METHODS: The case histories of 141 consecutive victims of witnessed cardiac arrest brought to the emergency department with ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation were reviewed. The emergency medical system was two-tiered and was based on the emergency department of a single university hospital. The first tier, staffed with emergency medical technicians, provided only basic cardiac life support. The second, physician-staffed tier provided advanced cardiac life support and was allowed to terminate resuscitation in the field. Rates of successful resuscitation, survival to discharge and after 1 year, and the cerebral performance of resuscitated and surviving patients were determined. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients (65%) died in the emergency department; 50 (35%) were resuscitated and admitted. Thirty-two patients (23%) died in the hospital, 18 (13%; 95% confidence interval, 8% to 20%) survived to discharge. Sixteen survivors showed no or only mild neurologic impairment at discharge. Seventeen patients were alive 1 year later. Bystander resuscitation, short intervals to initiation of resuscitation, and ventricular fibrillation at emergency department entry were significantly associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Institutional guidelines for the decision whether to continue resuscitation after failed out-of-hospital efforts should be based on an analysis of the characteristics and results of the local emergency medical system. Continuing efforts in the hospital may not be inevitably futile.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Indication for computed tomography of the brain in patients with first uncomplicated generalised seizure.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the yield of emergency computed tomography of the brain in patients with a first generalised epileptic seizure and to evaluate a four item screening questionnaire on alcohol misuse (CAGE questionnaire) as a triage tool to avoid unnecessary scans in cases of seizures related to withdrawal from alcohol. DESIGN: Prospective, observational. SETTING: Medical casualty unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 119 adult patients presenting to casualty within one hour of a generalised seizure. MEASUREMENTS: A clinical examination focusing on focal neurological symptoms, the CAGE questionnaire, and computed tomography of the brain with contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Computed tomography showed a focal, structural lesion of the brain in 40 patients (34% (95% confidence interval 25% to 42%)). In 20 patients (17% (10% to 24%)) an important therapeutic intervention resulted. The presence of a focal neurological deficit had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 89% in predicting focal lesions on computed tomography. Answering "yes" to fewer than two CAGE questions had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 44% in identifying patients with focal computed tomography lesions. Focal lesions were not detected on computed tomography in any of the 35 patients (0% (0% to 10%)) who showed no focal neurological symptoms and answered "yes" to two or more CAGE questions. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic yield of computed tomography of the brain in adults after a first generalised seizure is high. Combined with the clinical examination, the CAGE questionnaire can reliably identify patients with uncomplicated seizures related to withdrawal from alcohol, in whom computed tomography may not be absolutely necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity: concentration-side effect relationship in acyclovir overdose.

PURPOSE: To investigate the concentration-side effect relationship in a patient with severe acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity and to summarize the information available in the literature about central nervous system side effects due to acyclovir. METHODS: Repeated blood samples were drawn in a patient with severe acyclovir overdose who developed coma and nonoliguric renal failure. The acyclovir levels measured by radioimmunoassay were related to the level of consciousness. RESULTS: We measured the highest acyclovir serum levels reported so far (229.9 mumol/L = 51.8 mg/L). Impairment of consciousness developed with a remarkable temporal delay of 24 to 48 hours after occurrence of peak serum concentrations and resolved with a comparable delay after reaching the therapeutic range (anticlockwise hysteresis). Six days after discontinuation of the drug, central nervous system symptoms had resolved, and, 4 days later, renal function returned to pretreatment values. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that neurotoxicity developed with a delay of 24 to 48 hours after acyclovir peak serum concentrations could explain the wide range of acyclovir levels reported in similar cases. Single drug level measurements may therefore be of little diagnostic value. Since toxicity develops with a remarkable delay, early removal of the drug (by hemodialysis) could possibly prevent central nervous toxicity.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of conventional chest tube therapy for iatrogenic pneumothorax.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess conventional, large chest tube therapy in iatrogenic pneumothorax and to determine the optimal moment when to use more invasive procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-seven patients with needle-induced iatrogenic pneumothorax. Twenty-four patients had an underlying pleural or pulmonary disorder. INTERVENTIONS: After insertion of a 20- to 24-French plastic chest tube connected to an underwater seal, suction was maintained until gas egress stopped or up to 10 days in patients with a persisting gas leak. RESULTS: In 96 percent, a definite occlusion of the pneumothorax was achieved. In all patients without an underlying lung disorder, gas egress stopped definitely after 72 h. In the presence of an underlying lung disorder, 92 percent of the pneumothoraces were healed after 10 days of continuous suction therapy. At 72 h, only 71 percent of the latter group were healed (p < 0.05 vs patients without lung disease). No major complication of chest tube therapy occurred. CONCLUSION: Conventional chest tube therapy is a safe and effective treatment for iatrogenic pneumothorax. In patients with an underlying lung disease, gas egress may last for up to 10 days. In these patients, the earlier use of a more invasive approach may be justified if the air leak persists.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Possible risk for cardiac arrhythmia related to intravenous erythromycin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of prolongation of the rate-corrected electrocardiographic QT interval (QTc) and of ventricular arrhythmia associated with intravenous administration of erythromycin lactobionate. DESIGN: A consecutive series of 7 critically ill patients treated with intravenous erythromycin for severe pneumonia. SETTING: A medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Registration of QTc duration before and after intravenous administration of erythromycin as a short infusion. Blood chemistry, hemodynamic variables, arrhythmias, and co-medications were recorded. Evaluation of at least 10 ECG intervals by 2 experienced investigators who were blinded as to the time of drug administration. If several measurements were performed in the same patient, only the mean value was used for further analysis. During 12 of 13 drug administrations studied in 7 patients QTc prolongation was observed. The extent of QTc prolongation was significantly correlated with the infusion rate (mg/min, r = 0.765, p = 0.05). In 3 patients ventricular arrhythmia occurred in close temporal relation to the erythromycin infusion; two of them developed ventricular fibrillation shortly after the first and second dose of erythromycin, respectively, and died within 3 h. CONCLUSION: In critically ill patients erythromycin-induced QTc prolongation is a frequent pharmacologic effect correlated with erythromycin infusion rate. To avoid changes in electrocardiographic intervals and thereby possibly potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia administration with the lowest possible infusion rate and close cardiac rhythm monitoring are advisable in these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Absence of nitroglycerin-induced heparin resistance in healthy volunteers.

A previously described nitroglycerin-induced heparin resistance could not be verified by in-vitro experiments or in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial in healthy volunteers. A clinically relevant attenuation of the anticoagulant effect of a heparin bolus (40 U.kg-1) by a concomitant infusion of nitroglycerin (100 micrograms.min-1) was absent. Activated partial thromboplastin time was not significantly different under nitroglycerin infusion as compared to placebo after heparin injection. Concentrations and activities of antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II remained unchanged during nitroglycerin infusion. An interaction of these two frequently combined drugs in patients with active thromboembolic disease or after a prolonged concomitant intravenous administration cannot be ruled out. Since this is of clinical importance, further studies must clarify a possible nitroglycerin-induced heparin resistance.

Adult↗