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Biomedical subjects

U Schick

Publications and source records attributed to U Schick.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effect of a mechanical vs a pharmacologic increase in aortic pressure on coronary blood flow and thrombolysis induced by IV administration of a thrombolytic agent.

This study was designed to compare the effect of a mechanical vs a pharmacologic increase in BP on coronary artery blood flow and thrombolysis induced by IV administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. We employed a canine model of coronary thrombosis induced by injection of radioactive blood clot in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Subsequently, all dogs underwent phlebotomy to decrease systolic BP to 75 mm Hg and this decreased coronary blood flow by 50%. BP was increased to 130 mm Hg by norepinephrine (NE) infusion or by inflation of a Fogarty catheter placed in the descending aorta. Interventions with NE or with a Fogarty balloon catheter increased coronary artery blood flow to similar values and rates of coronary thrombolysis were similar. However, cardiac output was significantly higher with NE. These results indicate coronary clot lysis is dependent on perfusion pressure and coronary blood flow, not cardiac output.

Animals↗

Indications for surgery in upper cervical spine injury.

20% of all spine injuries are cervical spine injuries. Surgical treatment of these injuries must take into account the great mobility of this part of the spinal column. Therefore, biomechanical aspects must be considered, especially in the upper cervical spine-C1 and C2. Describing our own therapeutical regimen in 35 patients with unstable upper cervical spine injuries we explain the biomechanical back-ground and review the literature. It becomes evident that ventral approaches are superior to dorsal techniques for decompression, reposition, and stabilization with minimal loss of mobility.

Adolescent↗

Long-term evaluation of EC-IC bypass patency.

The EC-IC Bypass Study Group could not detect any benefit from surgery compared to medical management in the prevention of stroke in 1985 [15]. During the past years surgical revascularization was re-evaluated and considered as an appropriate treatment for a small subgroup of patients with recurrent focal cerebral ischaemia and impaired haemodynamics. This retrospective study examines the long-term benefit and patency rate of bypass. We present a follow-up of 5.6 years of 47 patients, all of whom underwent bypass surgery after 1985. Forty patients suffered recurring transient ischaemic attacks due to uni- or bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Examination included neurologic status, TCD with CO2 or Diamox challenge, angiography, CT and SPECT scans. Neurological improvement was seen in 23% of patients with better results after early surgery, a worsening in 22% suffering further ischaemic events on a postoperative average of 2.8 years. Patency rate for vein graft material was 50%, for the STA-MCA procedure 91%. Occlusion of the vein graft occurred on an average after 1.4 years, other anastomosis after 2.7 years. We conclude that only few patients derived long-term benefit from EC-IC bypasses. Functioning of the bypass worsens over time, suggesting a role for surgery predominantly in the first year of ischaemic events due to insufficient collateral supply. Actual indications for bypass surgery may be patients with failure of maximal medical therapy and progressive ischaemia and haemodynamic compromise.

Adult↗

Optimizing coronary thrombolysis with i.v. administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Single bolus vs double bolus vs front-loading.

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of coronary thrombolysis obtained with i.v. administration of three dose regimens of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). Although many studies have confirmed the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in treatment of acute myocardial infarction, few prospective studies have been designed to determine which dose regimen optimizes the rate of coronary thrombolysis. A canine model was used. Coronary thrombosis was induced by injection of radioactive, autologous blood clots through a catheter placed in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Subsequently, 15 dogs were randomized into 3 groups of 5 dogs each. In group 1 dogs, 1.25 mg/kg of rtPA was administered i.v. as a bolus; in the group 2 dogs, 1.25 mg/kg of rtPA was administered over 60 min. The administration was "front loaded" so that 15% was administered as a bolus, 60% over 30 min, and 25% over 30 min; in group 3, 1.25 mg/kg of rtPA was divided into two i.v. boluses and administered 15 min apart. Coronary thrombolysis was assessed with a gamma camera. Despite differences in rate of administration of rtPA, at 15, 30, and 90 min after onset of treatment, extent of clot lysis was similar between groups. These results indicate that despite differences in dose regimens, rates of thrombolysis are similar when i.v. rtPA is relatively rapidly administered. Further, the similar rates of clot lysis over time between groups suggest both an effective upper limit to the dose-thrombolytic rate relationship and relatively high, sustained steady-state plasma concentrations of rtPA.

Animals↗

An increase in low aortic pressure increases coronary artery flow and coronary thrombolysis induced by intravenous administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

PURPOSE: Our study investigated the effects of an increase in aortic pressure, induced by norepinephrine (NE) administration on coronary artery flow in a clotted artery, and rate of coronary thrombolysis induced by intravenous (i.v.) administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). METHODS: A canine model of coronary thrombosis, induced by intracoronary injection of radioactive autologous blood clots, was used to test the hypothesis that an increase in aortic blood pressure will increase coronary artery flow and the rate of clot lysis induced by i.v. administration of rtPA. RESULTS: After clot injection, 11 dogs were phlebotomized to decrease systolic aortic pressure to 75 mm Hg. Subsequently, .25 mg/kg of rtPA was administered intravenously over two 15-minute intervals, one during hypotension, and the other after NE infusion had increased systolic blood pressure to 130 mm Hg. In six dogs the hypotensive condition was studied first, and in five dogs the NE-induced normotensive condition was studied first. In all dogs, coronary artery flow and the rate of clot lysis were significantly increased in the normotensive condition. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an increase in a low coronary artery perfusion pressure may enhance coronary artery flow and the rate of thrombolysis.

Animals↗

Effects of progressive vascular occlusion on slope and intercept of the pulmonary artery pressure-flow relationship.

Pulmonary hemodynamics may be described by mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)-cardiac output (CO) plots. The slope of the PAP-CO relationship may define the incremental resistance (IR), and the extrapolated pressure intercept (P(I)), the effective outflow pressure. The authors investigated the effects of progressive pulmonary vascular occlusion on the IR and P(I) of the PAP-CO plot. Nine experimental and nine time control dogs were studied. In the former group, PAP-CO plots were obtained in three conditions: (1) Baseline, (2) following occlusion of the right pulmonary artery, and (3) following occlusion of the right pulmonary artery and blood flow to the left upper lobe. Following progressive occlusion, there was a corresponding increase in the IR of the PAP-CO plot, from 1.95 to 3.62 to 5.16 mmHg.1-1.min (all P < 0.05). In contrast to the increase in IR, P(I) remained constant. Over the same interval, there were no changes in IR or P(I) in the time control group. These findings indicate that changes in the slope of the PAP-CO plot correspond to changes in the number of parallel vascular units.

Animals↗

Intravenous administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Optimizing the rate of coronary thrombolysis.

Although many studies have confirmed the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in treatment of acute myocardial infarction, few studies have been designed to determine which dose regimen optimizes the rate of coronary thrombolysis. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of coronary thrombolysis obtained with intravenous administration of three dose regimens of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). The same total dose was administered as a bolus, over 30 min, or over 90 min. A canine model was employed. Coronary thrombosis was induced by injection of radioactive blood clot through a catheter placed in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Subsequently, 18 dogs were randomized into 3 groups of 6 dogs each. In group 1 dogs, 0.5 mg/kg of rtPA was administered intravenously as a bolus; in the group 2 dogs, rtPA was administered intravenously over 30 min (rtPA30); in the group 3 dogs, the drug was administered over 90 min (rtPA90). Coronary thrombolysis was assessed with a gamma camera. While at 100 min, the extent of clot lysis was similar between groups, 15 and 30 min after the start of rtPA administration, coronary thrombolysis was significantly less in the rtPA90 group. These results indicate that for a given total dose of rtPA, the rate of intravenous administration may significantly affect the rate of coronary thrombolysis.

Animals↗

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation enhances coronary thrombolysis induced by intravenous administration of a thrombolytic agent.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that in the presence of moderate hypotension, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation would enhance coronary thrombolysis induced by intravenous administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). BACKGROUND: Although many studies have confirmed the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction, few have systematically investigated the effects of alterations in aortic pressure on coronary thrombolysis, and none have previously investigated the effects of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation on thrombolysis. METHODS: The effects of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation on aortic pressure, coronary blood flow and coronary thrombolysis were studied in a canine model. Coronary thrombosis was induced in eight dogs by injection of radioactive blood clot through a catheter placed in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Subsequently, dogs underwent phlebotomy to decrease systolic aortic pressure to approximately 90 mm Hg. After phlebotomy, during a 15-min interval of intravenous administration of rt-PA, coronary thrombolysis and coronary flow were determined during and in the absence of counterpulsation. RESULTS: Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation significantly increased aortic diastolic pressure. Corresponding to the increase in pressure, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation significantly increased the rate of rt-PA-induced coronary thrombolysis. Although not statistically significant, peak diastolic coronary flow tended to increase with counterpulsation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in the presence of moderate systemic hypotension, intraaortic balloon counterpulsation enhances the rate of rt-PA-induced coronary thrombolysis.

Animals↗

Effect of rate of administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator on efficacy of coronary thrombolysis.

The authors employed a canine model of coronary thrombosis, induced by injection of radioactive blood clot, via a catheter placed in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, to compare effects of different rates of administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) on efficacy of coronary thrombolysis. In one group of dogs 0.75 mg/kg of rtPA was administered via the catheter placed in the LAD coronary artery over fifteen minutes. In a second group of dogs the same dose of rtPA was administered over forty-five minutes. Compared with the group in which the drug was administered over forty-five minutes, by thirty and forty-five minutes after onset of treatment, the extent of coronary thrombolysis was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the group who received the drug over fifteen minutes. These results demonstrate that the rate of intracoronary administration of rtPA may significantly affect thrombolytic efficacy.

Animals↗

Pulmonary vascular pressure-flow characteristics. Effects of dopamine before and after pulmonary embolism.

We compared the general hemodynamic effects of dopamine and dobutamine in dogs with acute pulmonary hypertension complicated by a decrease in cardiac output (CO). The pulmonary hypertension was induced by injection of autologous blood clot. Emboli markedly increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and decreased CO (both p < 0.001). Both dopamine and dobutamine increased CO 50% (p < 0.05) and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (p < 0.05), calculated as (PAP - left ventricular end diastolic pressure)/CO. Mean PVR (mm Hg/L/min) decreased from 16.1 to 12.4 with dopamine and from 16. to 11.9 with dobutamine, both p < 0.05. Ventricular filling pressures were not affected. In another 12 dogs we investigated the effects of both drugs on pulmonary pressure-flow (P-Q) characteristics. P-Q characteristics were determined in dogs with normal Ppa values and in those with embolic pulmonary hypertension. The slope of the P-Q relationship defines the incremental vascular resistance and the extrapolated pressure intercept, the effective vascular outflow pressure. All P-Q relationships were described well by a linear equation. Despite significant systemic effects in both groups and despite a decrease in PVR with both drugs in embolized dogs, neither drug significantly affected pulmonary P-Q characteristics. The discrepancy between PVR and incremental resistance is explained by an incorrect assumption in PVR that the left ventricular filling pressure is the effective vascular outflow pressure. We conclude that both before and after the induction of pulmonary hypertension, both dopamine and dobutamine improve CO without affecting pulmonary vascular tone.

Animals↗

Remarkable improvement of neuropsychiatric symptoms in HIV-infected patients after AZT therapy.

Treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms with AZT (Azidothymidine) seems to be effective in many AIDS patients. In earlier studies, 204 of 525 patients treated with AZT showed neuropsychiatric improvement. In this presentation, two patients with affective disorder and dementia are described. Both patients showed remarkable improvement of their severe psychiatric symptoms after AZT. The authors recommend treatment of AIDS-associated dementia and psychoorganic symptoms with AZT.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Effects of left atrial pressure on the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxic ventilation.

We investigated the effects of hypoxic ventilation on the pulmonary arterial pressure- (P) flow (Q) relationship in an intact canine preparation. Mean pulmonary P-Q coordinates were obtained during hypoxic ventilation and during ventilation with 100% O2 at normal and at increased left atrial pressure. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that, over a wide range, changes in left atrial pressure would alter the effects of hypoxic ventilation on pulmonary P-Q characteristics. Seven dogs were studied. When left atrial pressure was normal (5 mmHg), the mean value of the extrapolated intercept (PI) of the linear P-Q relationship was 10.9 mmHg and the slope (incremental vascular resistance, IR) of the P-Q relationship was 2.2 mmHg.l-1.min. Hypoxic ventilation increased PI to 18 mmHg (P less than 0.01) but did not affect IR. Subsequently, during ventilation with 100% O2, when left atrial pressure was increased to 14 mmHg by inflation of left atrial balloon, PI increased to 18 mmHg. IR was 1.6 mmHg.l-1.min. Again, hypoxic ventilation caused an isolated change in PI. Hypoxia increased PI from 18 to 28 mmHg (P less than 0.01). As in the condition of normal left atrial pressure, hypoxic ventilation did not affect IR. We conclude that, in an anesthetized intact canine preparation, hypoxic ventilation causes an isolated increase in the extrapolated pressure intercept of the pulmonary P-Q relationship. Furthermore the effects of hypoxic ventilation on pulmonary P-Q characteristics are not affected by the resting left atrial pressure.

Animals↗

Effects of flow on recombinant tissue plasminogen activator-induced pulmonary thrombolysis.

We employed a canine model of pulmonary embolism induced by injection of radioactive blood clots to investigate effects of changes in cardiac output (CO) on recombinant tissue plasminogen activator- (rtPA) induced pulmonary thrombolysis. Rate and extent of thrombolysis were assessed with a gamma camera. Eighteen dogs were studied. Emboli increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure and decreased CO from 2.6 to 1.9 l/min (P less than 0.001). Subsequently, dogs were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 received 0.5 mg/kg of rtPA over 30 min; 30 min before the same dose regimen of rtPA, in the six group 2 dogs, mean CO was increased to approximately 3.25 l/min by opening one systemic arteriovenous fistula; in the six group 3 dogs, before rtPA, mean CO was increased to approximately 4.5 l/min by opening two or three fistulas. After embolization, CO remained low in group 1; the mean 2-h time-averaged CO was 1.8 l/min. CO was much higher in groups 2 and 3 (3.3 and 4.6 l/min, respectively; both P less than 0.001 compared with group 1; and P less than 0.001, group 2 vs. group 3). Compared with group 1, corresponding to the increased flow in groups 2 and 3, rate and extent of pulmonary thrombolysis significantly increased. These results indicate that an increase in flow per se augments rtPA-induced pulmonary thrombolysis. Also, because thrombolysis was similar between groups 2 and 3, these results define an upper limit to the flow-thrombolytic relationship with rtPA.

Animals↗

Townes-Brocks syndrome.

A 2-week-old male is presented with the clinical findings of the autosomal dominant Townes-Brocks syndrome in an otherwise unaffected family. The patient showed the full spectrum of anomalies including imperforate anus, perineal fistula, triphalangeal thumb, preaxial polydactyly, pre-auricular tags, and microtia. As there is considerable overlap with the VACTERL association, careful examination of the parents is necessary with regard to the genetic counselling risk.

Anus, Imperforate↗

Pulmonary vascular pressure-flow characteristics in canine pulmonary embolism.

We tested the hypothesis that, in canine embolic pulmonary hypertension, upstream transmission of increased left atrial pressure (LAP) is inversely related to the level of the pressure intercept (PI) obtained by extrapolation from the linear pulmonary vascular pressure-flow (P-Q) plot. P-Q coordinates were obtained by varying Q through systemic fistulas. Seven group 1 dogs were embolized with autologous blood clot to produce marked pulmonary hypertension and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and PI increased from 15 to 41 mmHg (P less than 0.001) and from 8.8 to 31 mmHg (P less than 0.001), respectively. Before and after embolization we assessed effects of increased LAP, produced by inflation of a left atrial balloon, on PAP at constant Q. Embolization depressed the mean slope of this relationship from 0.78 to 0.16 (P less than 0.001). Subsequently, six group 2 dogs were embolized to produce moderate pulmonary hypertension with a mean PI of 22 mmHg. This value was significantly less than PI in group 1 (P less than 0.01). After embolization, the slope of the PAP-LAP relationship was greater in group 2 than group 1: 0.47 vs. 0.16 (P less than 0.01). We conclude that the upstream transmission of left atrial pressure is inversely related to PI and that marked embolic pulmonary hypertension produces an effective vascular waterfall.

Animals↗

Effects of altered left atrial pressure on pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationships.

We studied the effects of changes in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) on the slope (incremental resistance) and the extrapolated pressure intercept (PI) of the mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)-cardiac output (CO) relationship. Multipoint plots of PAP against CO were obtained in intact anesthetized dogs. Group 1 consisted of six dogs entirely in West zone 3 and group 2 of four dogs with mixed West zone 2-3. The four conditions studied were the following: 1) fixed low PCWP, 2) fixed high PCWP, 3) variable PCWP, and 4) time-control repeat of condition 1. The PI significantly exceeded PCWP at fixed low PCWP (group 1, 9.3 vs. 11.1 mmHg, group 2, 6.6 vs. 3.9 mmHg). PI became identical to PCWP only at fixed high PCWP in group 1 (19 +/- 2.0 vs. 19 +/- 1.1 mmHg). Thus PCWP reflects the effective vascular outflow pressure when PCWP is fixed and high. For both groups of dogs in condition 3, when PCWP was varied with CO, the slope of the resulting PAP-CO plot was significantly greater than when PCWP was constant. Also in 9 of 10 dogs, PI was less than PCWP when PCWP was varied. These findings demonstrate that when changes in PCWP are allowed to occur during the generation of a pulmonary artery pressure-flow plot, the resulting slope and intercept, as defined by a Starling resistor model, do not accurately represent the incremental resistance and outflow pressure of the pulmonary vasculature.

Analysis of Variance↗