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Biomedical subjects

R W Light

Publications and source records attributed to R W Light.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Cefazolin vs penicillin. Treatment of uncomplicated pneumococcal pneumonia.

Cefazolin sodium, 500 mg intramuscularly twice daily, was compared with penicillin G procaine, 600,000 units intramuscularly twice daily, in the treatment of 82 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Patients were randomly assigned except when there was a history of penicillin allergy. The patients received treatment for five days or until they were afebrile for 48 hours. No patients experienced side effects or allergic reactions. All patients recovered satisfactorily without relapses. Cefazolin in the previously described dosage is as effective as penicillin in the treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Cefazolin↗
PubMed1979

Albuterol and isoproterenol in bronchial asthma. Efficacy and toxicity of drugs administered via intermittent positive pressure breathing.

This study compared the efficacy and side effects of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg of albuterol and isoproterenol hydrochloride administered by intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) to 12 patients with reversible airway obstruction. Equal doses of the two medications induced similar peak increases in pulmonary function, but the increase following albuterol persisted longer. The degree of bronchodilation was impressive; 15 mg of albuterol induced a mean increase over six hours of 82% in the forced expiratory volume in one second. Significant cardiovascular side effects were more common after isoproterenol than after albuterol. Albuterol is superior to isoproterenol as a bronchodilator when administered by IPPB because, for a given peak bronchodilation, cardiovascular side effects are fewer and bronchodilation persists longer with albuterol. The optimal dose of isoproterenol hydrochloride is 2.5 to 5.0 mg and the optimal dose of albuterol is 10 mg when these drugs are given by IPPB.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Hypoxemia during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Arterial oxygenation at rest and during maximal treadmill exercise was studied in a group of 17 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients who developed exertional hypoxemia (subgroup 1) were compared to others who did not (subgroup 2). There was no significant difference between the 2 subgroups at rest in terms of mixed venous PO2, cardiac output, or venous admixture. Subgroup 1 had more severe respiratory impairment than subgroup 2, but there was marked overlap of their respective lung volumes and flows. Both subgroups showed the same extent of desaturation of mixed venous blood during maximal treadmill exercise, so that exertional hypoxemia cannot be explained on the basis of low mixed venous O2. The marked difference between subgroup 1 and subgroup 2 was that the latter showed decreased venous admixture on exercise. Because of the relative constancy of mixed venous blood desaturation, arterial saturation was closely correlated with venous admixture both at rest (r = 0.931) and during exercise (r = 0.985).

Arteries↗
PubMed1979

Falsely high refractometric readings for the specific gravity of pleural fluid.

For 128 pleural fluids, the relationship between the protein content and the reading for the specific gravity obtained from a refractometer calibrated for urinary specific gravity was analyzed. The refractometer gave falsely high levels for the specific gravity of the pleural fluid. A reading for 1.019 (rather than 1.016) corresponded to a concentration of protein of 3.0 gm/100 ml, and each deviation of 0.005 (rather than 0.003) coresponded to a concentration of 1 gm/100 ml; however, determinations of the concentration of protein in the pleural fluid directly from the refractometer's scale for protein (calibrated for serum) was rapid and accurate. Calculation of the protein content of the pleural fluid from the reading for specific gravity on the refractometer is erroneous and sometimes misleading.

False Positive Reactions↗
PubMed1977

Pleural effusions.

Many different conditions result in the accumulation of pleural fluid. A diagnostic thoracentesis should be performed on all patients with pleural effusion from whom pleural fluid can be easily obtained. Empirically we have found that when the pleural effusion is more than 10 mm thick on the lateral decubitus roentgenogram, pleural fluid is easily obtained. At least 30 cc fluid should be obtained and distributed to the various laboratories as outlined in Table 2. The results of these tests will show whether the fluid is a transudate or an exudate. If the fluid is a transudate, no further diagnostic procedures need be directed towards the pleura. If the fluid is an exudate, the diagnosis will frequently be made by these original tests and therapy for the pleural disease can be instituted. If the diagnosis has not been made, the results of these tests should lead to a rational diagnostic attack.

Amylases↗
PubMed1977

Oral atropine in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Six adult patients with chronic asthma were treated with oral atropine sulfate 0.5 mg or placebo four times a day in a double-blind, crossover trial lasting eight weeks. Subjects returned at weekly intervals for spirometry and clinical evaluation. The baseline pulmonary functions did not differ significantly between the atropine and placebo periods. The only side effects noted were slight dryness of the mouth in three patients. The three patients who complained of mouth dryness felt that they were better while they were taking oral atropine in that they had fewer acute episodes of asthma. The administration of 0.5 mg oral atropine four times a day is ineffective in improving baseline pulmonary functions in chronic asthmatics, although it may decrease the incidence and severity of acute asthmatic episodes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1977

Comparison of albuterol and isoproterenol aerosols in bronchial asthma.

Albuterol and isoproterenol aerosols were compared with placebo in a double-blind manner in 18 patients with bronchial asthma. Both drugs elicited significant improvement in flow rates and vital capacity. Duration of action was longer with albuterol than with isoproterenol. Neither was associated with significant increases in heart rate or blood pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Late pulmonary function in survivors of adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Early recognition and improvements in treatment have brought an appreciable decline in mortality from the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Physiologic changes during the acute illness include restriction of lung volumes and a defect in gas transfer. Until recently, pulmonary function of long-term survivors has not been discussed. This report concerns the pulmonary function of two patients studied 19 and 22 months, respectively, after surviving an episode. No residual changes in lung volume or compliance were found. A mild decrease in diffusing capacity was noted, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradients were at the upper limit of normal in both.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1976

Clinical and roentgenographic manifestations of acute and chronic blastomycosis.

Roentgenograms and hospital records of 50 patients with blastomycosis proven by cultures were analyzed to determine possible differences between the acute and chronic forms of the illness. Six patients had acute blastomycosis with symptoms occurring three weeks or less prior to hospitalization. The remaining 44 patients had chronic illnesses with symptoms occurring up to six years (mean duration, ten months before hospitalization). The acute illness was characterized by toxic symptoms, chest pain without visible effusions, pneumonic-type consolidations on the chest films, and a relatively benign course. The chronic illness had less severe toxicity, but a high incidence of dissemination, with pleural reactions, hepatosplenomegaly, and cutaneous and osseous involvement. Sputum cultures were positive for Blastomyces dermatitidis in 36 of 46 patients; however, several specimens were frequently required for demonstration of the organism on wet preparations. Pleural fluid and material from skin lesions were also likely sources of the fungus. Skin tests and serologic studies were not helpful in most cases of either the acute or chronic form of the disease.

Acute Disease↗