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Biomedical subjects

R Mulcahy

Publications and source records attributed to R Mulcahy.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Unstable angina: natural history and determinants of prognosis.

One hundred one patients with unstable angina were treated conservatively without the routine use of beta receptor blocking agents, calcium antagonist drugs, anticoagulant agents or nitrates. Only two patients underwent arteriography and coronary arterial bypass surgery during hospitalization and one patient during the 1st year of follow-up study. The 28 day mortality rate was 4 percent and the total 1 year cardiac mortality rate 10 percent. Two patients died from carcinoma. The incidence rate of nonfatal myocardial infarction was 9 percent during the first 28 days and a further 3 percent for the 1st year. These results compare favorably with the immediate and 1 year prognosis reported from other studies using different treatment procedures, including modern intensive drug treatment and coronary arterial bypass surgery. Various factors studied during the acute stage of unstable angina were assessed in an effort to predict the immediate and long-term outcome. Only persistence of pain after admission to the hospital was found a significant indicator of an adverse prognosis. Modern medical treatment of unstable angina with beta receptor blocking agents, calcium antagonist drugs, anticoagulant agents, nitrates and antiarrhythmic agents is critically examined. The paucity of proper randomized controlled studies confirming the value of medication is underlined. There is little evidence to show that aggressive or intensive medical or surgical treatment is superior to a conservative approach to management in the coronary care unit. This approach includes bed rest until the pain has resolved, symptomatic drug treatment only, the minimal use of invasive investigations and careful risk factor intervention.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Trends in cigarette smoking among coronary patients between 1961 and 1975.

Between 1961 and 1975 the proportion of cigarette smokers among male patients with acute coronary heart disease showed a progressive decline from 87.1 to 66.1%. There was a corresponding increase in the proportion of ex-smokers and non-smokers. Factors which might have accounted for this trend were examined. Changing diagnosis, altered prevalence of other risk factors and social class changes in patient referral would not appear to have accounted for the observed smoking trends. It is suggested that the observed trends in cigarette-smoking habits may be real and that they may represent a change in the epidemiological pattern of coronary heart disease in Ireland.

Blood Pressure↗

The treatment of obesity with a new liquid formula diet.

The effect of a liquid formula diet (330 kcal) was studied in 23 moderately obese male and female patients at the hospital outpatient clinic. All subjects had a Quetelet index of at least 285 at entry. The patients (60.8 per cent) who appeared to adhere to the diet for a 4-week period had a mean loss of 7.9 kg (men) and 5.2 kg (women). Over the 8 weeks of the study, nine (19.1 per cent) patients continued to attend the clinic, with further weight loss. No serious adverse effects of treatment were recorded.

Adult↗

Outpatient treatment of obesity with a very-low-calorie formula diet.

Moderately obese male and female patients were treated with a very-low-calorie formula diet at the hospital outpatient clinic. All 23 subjects had a Quetelet index of at least 285 at entry. Sixty per cent of patients adhered to the diet for a four week period with a mean weight loss of 7.9 kg. Over eight weeks, 40 per cent had continued with the diet with continued weight loss. No serious side effect was noted.

Adult↗