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Biomedical subjects

R West

Publications and source records attributed to R West.

292 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of nebulized albuterol on serum potassium and cardiac rhythm in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the metabolic and cardiopulmonary effects of nebulized albuterol in patients suffering moderate to severe exacerbations of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: Open-label, prospective study. SETTING: The emergency department of a university medical center. PATIENTS: Ten patients with moderate to severe exacerbation of asthma. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient received nebulized albuterol 2.5 mg for approximately 10 minutes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Serum potassium, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and pulmonary function were measured before treatment and every 15 minutes for 2 hours after treatment. Serum potassium concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.05) within 75 minutes after initiation of treatment, from a baseline value of 4.5 +/- 0.6 mEq/L (range 3.5-5.5 mEq/L) to 3.7 +/- 0.5 mEq/L (range 2.8-4.4 mEq/L) at the end of the collection period (120 minutes). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second significantly increased over time in patients with asthma (p < 0.05). No statistically significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or corrected QT intervals occurred. Pre-emergency department use of a beta 2-agonist by metered-dose inhaler was not associated with a decreased serum potassium on admission. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized beta 2-agonists are generally efficacious and safe in patients with acute bronchospasms. However, close monitoring of serum electrolytes, heart rate, and rhythm in patients at risk (elderly, those with pre-existing cardiac disease) is advised before these individuals receive repeat doses by continuous aerosol administration.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measles immunization strategy: measles antibody response following MMR II vaccination of children at one year of age.

Measles antibody levels were determined by the plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) test in 580 one-year-old children before vaccination and four to six weeks after MMR II vaccination. Fifty-one (8.8%) had maternally derived measles antibody at prevaccination, and this was more common among children of women born before 1967 (10.6%) vs. 4.3%; p < 0.01). Among those with maternal antibody, only 22 (43.1%) responded with a protective PRN titre of over 120, in contrast to 463 (87.5%) of the 529 without maternal antibody at prevaccination (p < 0.0001). Also, the geometric mean titre was significantly lower for the former (114.1 vs. 378.5; p < 0.0001). Overall, 15 (2.6%) of the 580 children had no antibody response after vaccination, and a further 80 (13.8%) had a subprotective response (PRN titre < 120). This lack of response could not be attributed entirely to the presence of maternal measles antibody at the time of vaccination. The MMR II vaccine may not be sufficiently immunogenic in inducing adequate measles antibody response after a single dose given at one year of age.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunity against measles in school-aged children: implications for measles revaccination strategies.

Measles serum antibody levels were determined by plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) test in 1,075 children in the age bracket of 5 to 17 years who received a single dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR II) vaccine at one year of age. Of these, 297 children (28%) had measles PRN titres < 120 which may not be protective against measles infection. The proportion of susceptible children by age ranged from 14 to 35%; however, there was no consistent age-dependent trend in susceptibility rates. The study data indicate the decline in protective immunity occurs before five years of age, and the proportion susceptible increases only slightly thereafter. This supports the current move towards a two-dose immunization strategy in the control and elimination of measles, with the second dose being given before school entry. The present data also underscore the need to consider a mass catch-up immunization program in the interim to prevent potential outbreaks of measles in school settings. The combination of the above approaches, if implemented as soon as possible, can potentially eliminate indigenous measles in Canada by the year 2000, the target date set by the Pan American Health Organization.

Adolescent↗