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Biomedical subjects

W Petermann

Publications and source records attributed to W Petermann.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effect of low hemoglobin levels on the diffusing capacity of the lungs for CO. Investigations in persons with healthy lungs and in patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

The influence of the hemoglobin concentration in the peripheral venous blood on the diffusing capacity of the lungs for CO (DLCO) was tested with the single-breath method. 9 patients with histologically verified interstitial pulmonary fibrosis of varying etiology and 26 persons with healthy lungs with anemia requiring transfusions were investigated before and after compensation of the anemia. It was found that the true maximum diffusing capacity of the lungs measured in anemia patients was too low. In the test subjects with healthy lungs, there was a positive linear correlation between the hemoglobin content of the blood and DLCO. A correction factor to calculate the true DLCO in patients with healthy lungs but with anemia is specified. In the patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, the influence of the reduced diffusing capacity of the alveolocapillary membrane on the extent of the diffusion disorder was in each case greater than the effects due to the anemia.

Adult↗

[Long-term therapy of Ménière's disease. Comparison of the effects of betahistine dihydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide].

During the last few years betahistine-dihydrochloride has been used extensively in the conservative treatment of M. Ménière. The question has arisen as to whether betahistine-dihydrochloride is more effective than diuretics. The effect of betahistine-dihydrochloride was compared to that of hydrochlorothiazide on 32 M. Ménière-patients. The patients were initially kept under observation for 3 months without medication apart from symptomatic anti-vertigo agents. The patients were then assigned to 2 groups each of 16 subjects and received either 3 X 8 mg betahistine-dihydrochloride or 3 X 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide for 6 months under double-blind conditions. Before and during treatment subjective symptoms such as vertigo, attacks of dizziness, tinnitus, sensation of blockage in the ear and general well-being were assessed at 4-weekly intervals. Apart from this the objective symptoms as measured by pure tone audiograms, Frenzel-test and electronystagmography were recorded. At the moment betahistine-dihydrochloride seems to be the drug of choice for Ménière-patients with a fluctuating auditory threshold. During the 6 months treatment period an impressive reduction in the frequency, severity and duration of the attacks of vertigo as well as an improvement in the general condition was found in all patients. In contrast the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide seemed to show a distinct therapeutic effect on vertigo and general well-being principally during the first few months of treatment in patients with a constant auditory threshold.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗

Which are the parameters of choice from the evaluation of caloric nystagmus?

On hand of caloric tests on 202 healthy subjects, the coefficient of correlation between the currently most frequently used intensity parameters was established separately for each of the four irrigations, i.e. between maximum velocity of the slow phase, maximum amplitude, maximum frequency, total number of beats and duration of reaction. The maximum velocity of the slow phase is so closely correlated to the maximum amplitude, and the maximum frequency is so closely correlated to the total number of beats (r = always greater than 0.75) that it is sufficient to merely determine one of the two well correlated parameters in healthy subjects. However, the parameters maximum velocity of the slow phase and maximum amplitude are less closely correlated to the parameters maximum frequency and total number of beats (r = smaller, in part considerably smaller than 0.75). A better correlation exists between the nystagmus parameters nearly always by warm irrigations, as compared to cold ones. The findings speak for the fact that maximum velocity of the slow phase and maximum amplitude on one hand, and maximum frequency and total number of beats on the other, are an expression of various characteristics of the experimental nystagmus. In a consecutive publication, we are going to report in which way the various nystagmic parameters of patients are being changed by different lesions of the vestibular system.

Adolescent↗

[Normal values of the caloric test (author's transl)].

Normal values of the caloric test are reported in 202 healthy subjects; besides the absolute values, these comprise the degree of side-difference of excitability and of directional preponderence in percent of the total reaction. In addition to mean values with standard deviations, the median values and the interquantile areas 80, 90, 94 and 100% have been reproduced in tabular form, because, according to statistical calculations, there is no normal distribution of the values in the strict sense. The problematic nature of borderline values for the separation of physiological from pathological responses is discussed in detail. In vieu of the considerable scattering, a knowledge of normal distribution areas appears to be absolutely necessary for an accurate evaluation of the caloric test in patients.

Adult↗

[Mode of action and control of "low dose heparin" (author's transl)].

Investigating the mechanism of action of "low dose heparin" it could be shown that this type of anticoagulation--in addition to other mechanisms--inhibits the contact phase of the intrinsic coagulation system. Thus "low dose heparin" would be directed against the hypercoagulability that arises via increased contact activation of the intrinsic system by inflammatory or degenerative processes of the vessel walls. Further the biological significance of "low dose heparin" was demonstrated by a prolongation of the half life of 125J-fibrinogen. In general a laboratory control of "low dose heparin"-prophylaxis is not required. In patients with an increased "tolerance" for heparin, however, the determination of the thrombin time with a thrombin-solution of low concentration (1 N.I.H.-unit/ml) might be useful to indicate whether the dosage of heparin has to be increased or not.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

Influence of age on results of vestibular function tests. Review of literature and presentation of caloric test results.

Following a bibliographic review of currently known, age-dependent morphological and functional changes of the vestibular and auditory system, results are presented of our investigations concerning the influence of age on the outcome of the caloric test on 102 healthy subjects from six age groups ranging between the ages of 11 and 70 years. They prove, without any doubt, that the absolute values of nystagmic parameters in the caloric test are dependent upon age; but not in such a way that the intensity of reaction decreases with advancing age. On the contrary, they indicate that in awake, healthy subjects of middle and late middle-age, the most intensive reactions occur (maximum slow phase velocity, maximum amplitude, maximum frequency, total number of beats). In addition, based on the statistical analysis, it seems probable that the extent of the side difference of excitability depends upon age. Individuals in their middle years show side differences to a considerably lesser degree than children and elderly subjects. These represent findings which, to our knowledge, are reported here for the first time. Provided our results gain further substantiation, standard values for a true quantitative evaluation of the caloric test could only be determined as in the audiometric functional tests on the basis of larger test series of healthy subjects belonging to different age groups.

Adolescent↗

[Bronchoalveolar lavage in diseases of rheumatic origin].

The cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage reflect the cellular composition of the interstitial lung tissue. Inflammatory and fibrosing interstitial lung disorders, often accompanying rheumatic diseases, can be detected by this diagnostic procedure.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

[Early detection of fibrosing alveolitis in collagenoses].

Lung function tests during a five-year follow-up were performed on 29 patients with various collagen diseases. At the beginning of the study none of the patients had signs of any pulmonary dysfunction. The onset of fibrosing alveolitis was accompanied by a marked reduction of the diffusing capacity for CO and a more minor alteration of the static specific compliance. The vital capacity and the pO2 at rest changed only in cases of advanced pulmonary fibrosis.

Airway Resistance↗