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Biomedical subjects

R Ray

Publications and source records attributed to R Ray.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Comparison of home hemodialysis to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

We evaluated prospectively various outcome measurements of patients assigned initially to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and home hemodialysis (HHD) from February 1979 to August 1981 and the causes for failures of the techniques. Morbidity was assessed by time in hospital/time on dialysis. Fifty-six patients were trained for CAPD and 37 for HHD. Those assigned to CAPD experienced an increased frequency of hospitalization (7.5% CAPD, 2.8% HHD, respectively) primarily due to episodes of peritonitis. There was also a higher modality failure rate (43% vs. 16%). However, the groups were not comparable in all respects. For example, the CAPD population included 21 patients with major cardiovascular diseases versus only three in the HHD group. The demographic characteristics of both populations including race, sex, age, income, place of residence, marital status, and education were similar. At the time of this study there is no direct evidence showing that healthy patients otherwise able to perform HHD may be maintained with less morbidity for a prolonged period utilizing CAPD. Therefore, we suggest that HHD is the home method of choice for patients able to proceed with this technique. CAPD may be indicated for patients in whom the period of home dialysis is expected to be relatively short and who would be otherwise unable to carry out home dialysis, for example, patients awaiting transplantation and those unable to be maintained on hemodialysis because of impaired cardiac function. To fully evaluate CAPD as a long-term maintenance therapy, a prospective trial must be performed.

Adult↗

Clinical assessment and follow-up of functional capacity in patients with chronic congestive cardiomyopathy.

The presumption that the results of left ventricular systolic function tests performed at rest are related to the symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure or to exercise capacity is unproved. Thirty-three patients with chronic congestive cardiomyopathy underwent serial exercise tests, determinations of ejection fraction and systolic time intervals, echocardiograms, assessment of symptom score, chest roentgenogram, and physical examination over a mean ( +/- standard deviation) of 24.8 +/- 14.1 months. Maximal exercise performance achieved correlation with symptoms (r = 0.66) but not with indexes of left ventricular function. Edema, elevated jugular venous pressure, rales and radiologic evidence of pulmonary venous hypertension were more common in patients with severe limitation of exercise capacity. in 17 patients whose functional capacity changed during the follow-up period, congruent changes in left ventricular function measured at rest were not consistently observed. Thus the findings on history, physical examination and radiologic examination correlate with exercise capacity, but indexes of left ventricular performance at rest do not and therefore are of limited use in assessing treatment. The clinical course of patients with chronic congestive cardiomyopathy can be followed up safely, effectively and economically by simple clinical observations. Serial laboratory testing of left ventricular function can be reserved for specific indications, research and patients with valvular heart disease.

Adult↗

Walk-in clinic drop-outs.

Data were collected among 159 consecutive new patients in a walk-in clinic. Patients were given an appointment for a subsequent visit after the initial clinical diagnostic interview, and 61% completed their referral. A long waiting list and a diagnosis of depressive neurosis were significantly associated with drop-out. Possible forms of follow-up are suggested.

Adult↗

Peritoneal abnormalities during infectious episodes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Exchanges were performed in 1-hour and 3- to 5-hour cycles when patients were noninfected and during episodes of peritonitis. The hourly exchange dialysate effluent volume decreased with the occurrence of peritonitis. These exchanges were associated with increased glucose absorption from dialysate, diminished sodium removal and augmented clearances of urea and creatinine. Protein losses were increased in the dialysate effluent of patients during an episode of peritonitis during the hourly exchanges. In the long-dwell exchanges obtained after clinical improvements of peritonitis, only protein losses were increased over control. Clearances, sodium loss in dialysate and glucose absorption were not altered from control.

Adult↗

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Treatment of dialysis-related ascites.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is a new dialysis technique. It is unknown at this time which patient would be served best by this therapy. Two cases of dialysis-related ascites were successfully treated by this technique. We suggest that the continuous control of salt and water balance possible with this technique, as well as frequent drainage of the peritoneal cavity to prevent fluid reaccumulations, contributed to successful treatment. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis may be used to treat dialysis-related ascites.

Adult↗

Lower limb anomalies in the thrombocytopenia absent-radius (TAR) syndrome.

We report a case of the TAR syndrome with severe abnormalities of the lower limbs. The syndrome of thrombocytopenia and radial deformities occasionally presents diagnostic difficulties when severe limb anomalies are present. Based on this case and 2 additional cases from the literature, reduction anomalies of the lower limbs should be considered part of the TAR syndrome.

Female↗

Failure of serology in diagnosing chlamydial infections of the female genital tract.

Chlamydia trachomatis was recoved from 20% (36/180) of women attending a venereal disease clinic. All infected women had chlamydial antibodies in their serum and cervical secretions. However, the background rates of chlamydial antibody in chlamydia-negative women were very high. Measurement of antibodies in serum (complement fixation or immunoglobulin G [IgG] and IgM by microimmunofluorescence) or cervical secretion (IgG, IgM, IgA or secretory IgA classes) did not result in predictive values of greater than 32%. It is concluded that the detection of chlamydial antibodies in serum or cervical secretions cannot be substituted for agent isolation in diagnosing these infections.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗