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Biomedical subjects

W D Mattern

Publications and source records attributed to W D Mattern.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reversal of skin test anergy during maintenance hemodialysis by protein and calorie supplementation.

The effect of protein and calorie supplementation on the immune function of two maintenance hemodialysis patients was assessed. Before nutritional supplementation, both patients were anergic to four skin test antigens and had low relative percentages and absolute number of T lymphocytes. After 3 months of nutritional supplements both patients responded to in vivo skin testing to at least two antigens and in both patients, the relative percentage and absolute number of T lymphocytes increased. These two cases illustrate that the defect in cell-mediated immunity and impaired delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity which is known to occur in hemodialysis patients may be a reversible manifestation of protein-calorie malnutrition.

Food, Fortified↗

Acute renal failure in Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Review of clinical and pathologic data from ten fatal cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) revealed the importance of acute renal failure in the clinical course and of multifocal perivascular interstitial nephritis as the principal pathologic lesion. In nine cases, Rickettsia rickettsii were demonstrated by immunofluorescence in the areas of vasculitis. Evidence was lacking for the role of disseminated intravascular coagulation, glomerulonephritis, or myoglobinuria in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure in these cases. Rickettsia-induced vascular injury led to acute renal failure by several mechanisms. Hypovolemia early in the course resulted in reversible, prerenal azotemia. Transient hypotension in midcourse produced acute tubular necrosis. In fulminant cases, preterminal circulatory collapse was associated with coma and oliguria. The interstitial nephritis could not be demonstrated conclusively to contribute to the acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Vascular access in a University transplant and dialysis program. Results, costs, and manpower implications.

Vascular access has become the most common operation performed at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill. Three hundred vascular access procedures performed between 1971 and 1975 were reviewed as to results, costs, and manpower commitment. Subcutaneous radial arterial venous fistula was the procedure of choice, with a 67% two-year patency and the lowest incidence of complications. An average of 1.7 operations per patient was necessary to maintain access. Patients used an average of 19 hospital days per year of dialysis for vascular access and an average of 35 hospital days per year of dialysis for all medical problems. Cost of hospitalization averaged $6,818 per patient per year of dialysis, and for vascular access alone averaged $3,452 per patient per year of dialysis. To create and maintain vascular access, 1,000 hours of operating room time were required, at an expense of $200,000. Vascular access in support of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis requires a massive commitment of dollars, time, and personnel.

Animals↗

Failure of successful renal transplantation to reverse the dialysis-associated encephalopathy syndrome.

A patient is described who had been on home dialysis for two years before receiving a cadaver kidney transplant. In retrospect, minor speech difficulties were noted two weeks before the transplant. A week after the transplant the characteristic speech, movement and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities of the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome abruptly presented. Relentless neurological deterioration ensued ending in death three months later despite excellent function in the transplant. The significance of this observation is related to current theories of pathogenesis.

Adult↗

Formaldehyde-induced hemolysis during chronic hemodialysis.

We investigated an outbreak of hemolytic anemia among patients on hemodialysis shortly after the installation of a new water-filtration system. Using in vitro technics, we demonstrated that a water-soluble inhibitor of red-cell metabolism could easily be extracted from the intact filters. Subsequent experiments showed this toxic substance to be formaldehyde, a potent reducing agent whose mechanism of action involves conversion of NAD to NADH. This alteration of the redox state of the erythrocyte leads to inhibition of glycolysis at the level of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and rapid decline in cellular energy (ATP) stores. Because formaldehyde is widely used as a preservative for dialysis equipment, the toxicity of this agent for red blood cells is of clinical importance.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. Diagnosis and treatment.

We are reporting the first case, to our knowledge, of a venous embolus to a transplanted kidney. The embolus occurred five days after transplantation of a cadaver kidney in a 31-year-old woman who was receiving estrogen-progesterone therapy for menorrhagia. Five hours after acute onset of left flank pain and anuria, the embolus was identified at the anastomosis of the donor renal vein to the external iliac vein. The embolus was manipulated distally in the external iliac vein and excluded by proximal division of the vein. Recovery was eventually complete, despite two major postoperative complications, acute tubular necrosis and a perirenal hematoma secondary to heparin sodium therapy. Radionuclide scanning was critically important in establishing the diagnosis and in assessing the potential for the kidney to recover from acute tubular necrosis. On the basis of this experience, we believe that prompt surgical intervention is indicated for acute venous occlusion.

Adult↗

Use of radionuclide imaging in the early diagnosis and treatment of renal allograft rejection.

Data are presented on the clinical application of radionuclide imaging to evaluate changes in cadaver transplant function in the immediate postoperative period. The method uses orthoiodohippuric acid (hippuran) administered IV, with scintillation imaging, and curve analysis by a digital computer. An initial study is always obtained 24 hours after transplantation. Serial studies are then obtained, as needed, to interpret the clinical course. Selected cases are presented which illustrate the use of this protocol in various clinical settings. In the oliguric patient serial studies have been of particular value. They have identified ATN so that over-enthusiastic treatment for rejection could be avoided. They have also identified acute rejection complicating ATN so that high dose steroid therapy could be administered appropriately. In the non-oliguric patient they have frequently contributed to the early diagnosis of acute rejection, and they have been useful in monitoring the effect and duration of treatment for severe rejection crisis. It is concluded that radionuclide imaging studies, when carefully applied and interpreted, are a valuable adjunct to the management of patients in this complex clinical setting.

Acute Disease↗

The effect of chronic hypotonic volume expansion on the renal regulation of acid-base equilibrium.

Balance studies have been carried out to evaluate the influence of vasopressin-induced volume expansion on acid-base equilibrium in normal dogs and in dogs with steady-state metabolic acidosis induced by the administration of 5-7 mmoles/kg per day of hydrochloric acid.Hypotonic expansion in dogs with metabolic acidosis (mean plasma bicarbonate concentration 14 mEq/liter) produced a marked increase in renal acid excretion that restored plasma bicarbonate concentration to normal (20-21 mEq/liter) despite continued ingestion of acid. When water was restricted during the vasopressin period, and fluid retention thus prevented, no increase in acid excretion or plasma bicarbonate concentration occurred. From these findings we conclude that hypotonic expansion is a potent stimulus to renal hydrogen ion secretion and greatly facilitates the renal removal of an acid load. Normal dogs subjected to expansion demonstrated no change in net acid excretion or in plasma bicarbonate concentration even in the face of a marked diuresis of sodium and chloride and a reduction in plasma sodium concentration to approximately 110 mEq/liter. The animals did, however, regularly lose potassium, a finding that clearly indicates an acceleration of distal sodiumcation exchange. On the basis of these observations, and the findings in the expanded acidotic dogs, we suggest that in the expanded normal dogs acceleration of sodium-hydrogen exchange was responsible for preventing a bicarbonate diuresis and for stabilizing plasma bicarbonate concentration. These studies clearly demonstrate that chronic hypotonic expansion exerts a major influence on the renal regulation of acid-base equilibrium. The exact nature of the mechanism responsible for the increase in sodium-hydrogen exchange during hypotonic expansion remains to be determined.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Treatment of peritonitis due to Curvularia and Trichosporon with amphotericin B.

Fungal infection is a rare cause of peritonitis among patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Most cases of fungal peritonitis are secondary to candida infection. Two uncommon agents of fungal peritonitis are Curvularia species and Trichosporon beigelii. We report on two patients receiving peritoneal dialysis who presented for medical evaluation within a 1-week period. Fungal culture of the dialysis catheter was positive for Curvularia species in one case and for T. beigelii in the other. Both patients probably had acquired their infections through environmental contamination. Successful treatment of these infections includes removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter and administration of intravenous amphotericin B.

Adult↗