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At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Comparison of embolization protection device-specific technical difficulties during carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: Embolic protection devices (EPDs) consisting of an internal carotid artery (ICA) filter or balloon occlusion are typically used during carotid artery stenting (CAS). This study compares the technical difficulties encountered using these two types of EPD. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing CAS using a balloon occlusion EPD (balloon group: PercuSurge GuardWire) or filter EPD (filter group: Accunet, AngioGuard, or FilterWire). Complications were defined as minor stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH) stroke scale <3; major stroke, NIH stroke scale > or =3; transient ischemic attack (TIA), reversible focal neurologic impairment; technical, reversible neurologic compromise during EPD deployment, inability to cross lesion, ICA spasm requiring treatment, EPD-related factors that prolonged CAS. RESULTS: CAS (n = 141) was performed in 133 patients (82% men) with a mean age of 72 of years. Comorbidities included diabetes, 35%; coronary artery disease, 75%; hypertension, 82%; and renal insufficiency, 15%. Indication was previous cerebrovascular accident in 10%, TIA in 29%, and asymptomatic >80% stenosis in 61%. Primary lesions were treated in 83% vs restenosis in 17%. The 30-day event rate was 1.4% major stroke, 2.1% minor stoke, 1.4% myocardial infarction, and 0.7% death. The overall combined 30-day stroke, death, and myocardial infarction rate was 5.6%. The 30-day stroke and death rate was 4.0% in the balloon group (n = 99) and 4.6% in the filter group (n = 42, P = .51). EPD-related technical difficulties occurred in 15% of the balloon group and 31% of the filter group (P < .05). Technical difficulties included a 10% incidence of reversible neurologic compromise during balloon deployment compared with 0% in the filter group (P = .002) and 12% incidence of inability to cross the lesion before predilation in the filter group compared with 0% in the balloon group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: During CAS, both balloon occlusion and filter devices provide acceptable results and appear complimentary. Filters can be used preferentially to avoid a 10% incidence of reversible neurologic compromise associated with balloon occlusion, except in critically narrowed or tortuous lesions when balloon occlusion may be preferred because of a 12% need for unprotected predilatation with filters.

Aged↗

Phenomenology of self-restraint.

Self-restraint is often reported in individuals with mental retardation who show self-injurious behavior (SIB). In this study, the phenomenology and prevalence of self-restraint in individuals showing self-injury and wearing protective devices and those showing self-injury but not wearing protective devices were compared. A high prevalence of self-restraint in the whole sample of individuals showing self-injury was identified (67/88, 76.1%), and self-restraint was more prevalent in a group showing self-injury but not wearing protective devices (43/47, 91.5%) than in a group showing self-injury and wearing protective devices (24/41, 58.5%). Individuals not wearing protective devices showed a greater number of topographies of self-restraint than those who did wear them. Results are discussed with reference to the purely topographical definition of self-restraint employed and the potential equivalence of protective devices and self-restraint.

Adolescent↗

Color vision deficits and laser eyewear protection for soft tissue laser applications.

PURPOSE: Laser safety considerations require urologists to wear laser eye protection. Laser eye protection devices block transmittance of specific light wavelengths and may distort color perception. We tested whether urologists risk color confusion when wearing laser eye protection devices for laser soft tissue applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were tested with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test without (controls) and with laser eye protection devices for carbon dioxide, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), neodymium (Nd):YAG and holmium:YAG lasers. Color deficits were characterized by error scores, polar graphs, confusion angles, confusion index, scatter index and color axes. Laser eye protection device spectral transmittance was tested with spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Mean total error scores plus or minus standard deviation were 13+/-5 for controls, and 44+/-31 for carbon dioxide, 273+/-26 for KTP, 22+/-6 for Nd:YAG and 14+/-8 for holmium:YAG devices (p <0.001). The KTP laser eye protection polar graphs, and confusion and scatter indexes revealed moderate blue-yellow and red-green color confusion. Color axes indicated no significant deficits for controls, or carbon dioxide, Nd:YAG or holmium:YAG laser eye protection in any subject compared to blue-yellow color vision deficits in 8 of 8 tested with KTP laser eye protection (p <0.001). Spectrophotometry demonstrated that light was blocked with laser eye protection devices for carbon dioxide less than 380, holmium:YAG greater than 850, Nd:YAG less than 350 and greater than 950, and KTP less than 550 and greater than 750 nm. CONCLUSIONS: The laser eye protection device for KTP causes significant blue-yellow and red-green color confusion. Laser eye protection devices for carbon dioxide, holmium:YAG and Nd:YAG cause no significant color confusion compared to controls. The differences are explained by laser eye protection spectrophotometry characteristics and visual physiology.

Adult↗

Explaining Mexican American workers' hearing protection use with the health promotion model.

BACKGROUND: Mexican American workers are vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss, the most common occupational disease in the United States. OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to test the applicability of the Health Promotion Model to Mexican American workers' use of hearing protection devices. METHOD: A correlational descriptive design and path analysis were used to determine the relationships between cognitive-perceptual factors, modifying factors and use of hearing protection devices. A questionnaire was completed by a total of 119 workers in three garment manufacturing plants. Interviews were conducted with the occupational health nurse or safety director in each plant to determine the policy regarding hearing protection also. RESULTS: Factors that directly influenced the use of hearing protection devices were a clinical definition of health, benefits of and barriers to use of hearing protection devices, self-efficacy in the use of hearing protection devices and perceived health status (R2 =.25, p <.01). An exploratory analysis allowing a direct relationship of modifying factors with the dependent variable explained additional variance in use of hearing protection devices through the contribution of situational factors (R2 =.55, p <.01). CONCLUSIONS: Important factors related to Mexican American workers' use of hearing protection devices were identified to provide direction for nursing interventions. Future research should further test the explanatory capabilities of the Health Promotion Model, explore the importance of situational influences on health behavior, and ensure reliable measures of all model components for this population.

Adult↗

Factors influencing use of hearing protection among farmers: a test of the pender health promotion model.

BACKGROUND: Most farmers are exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels through many of their work activities, such as operating tractors, grain dryers, and chain saws. Rates of noise-induced hearing loss in this group are high. Although this condition is preventable through the use of hearing protection, rates of protective device use are low. Understanding factors influencing the use of hearing protection devices will provide direction for programs to increase their use and decrease risk of noise-induced hearing loss. OBJECTIVES: A study was designed using the Pender Health Promotion Model to identify factors affecting farmers' use of hearing protection devices. METHOD: Model testing was conducted with a convenience sample of 139 farmers. Prior to model testing, existing instruments designed to measure concepts from the Health Promotion Model were modified for use with farmers through interviews, validity testing with an expert panel, and reliability testing with first a small (n = 36) then a second larger (n = 139) convenience sample of farmers. Instruments measuring cognitive and affective factors related to hearing protection device use were administered to farmers at a regional farm show in the Midwest. RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis identified interpersonal support, barriers, and situational influences as statistically significant predictors of this health behavior, correctly predicting 78% of the cases. Results of model testing were consistent with results of previous studies of Health Promotion Model variables with other worker groups' use of hearing protection. CONCLUSIONS: Information from this study can be used to design and evaluate interventions to promote hearing protection device use among farmers and reduce the level of noise-induced hearing loss in this high-risk and underserved worker group.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

Do N95 respirators provide 95% protection level against airborne viruses, and how adequate are surgical masks?

BACKGROUND: Respiratory protection devices are used to protect the wearers from inhaling particles suspended in the air. Filtering face piece respirators are usually tested utilizing nonbiologic particles, whereas their use often aims at reducing exposure to biologic aerosols, including infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. METHODS: The performance of 2 types of N95 half-mask, filtering face piece respirators and 2 types of surgical masks were determined. The collection efficiency of these respiratory protection devices was investigated using MS2 virus (a nonharmful simulant of several pathogens). The virions were detected in the particle size range of 10 to 80 nm. RESULTS: The results indicate that the penetration of virions through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified N95 respirators can exceed an expected level of 5%. As anticipated, the tested surgical masks showed a much higher particle penetration because they are known to be less efficient than the N95 respirators. The 2 surgical masks, which originated from the same manufacturer, showed tremendously different penetration levels of the MS2 virions: 20.5% and 84.5%, respectively, at an inhalation flow rate of 85 L/min. CONCLUSION: The N95 filtering face piece respirators may not provide the expected protection level against small virions. Some surgical masks may let a significant fraction of airborne viruses penetrate through their filters, providing very low protection against aerosolized infectious agents in the size range of 10 to 80 nm. It should be noted that the surgical masks are primarily designed to protect the environment from the wearer, whereas the respirators are supposed to protect the wearer from the environment.

Air Microbiology↗

Prevention of sports-related eye injury.

Sports-related eye injury is an important cause of vision loss. Many eye injuries can be prevented through the supervision of play, the enforcement of game rules and the use of eye protective devices. State-of-the-art eye protective devices incorporate highly impact-resistant optical material, usually polycarbonate lenses, in a sturdy frame. Protective devices are available for use in racquet sports, baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey and other sports.

Adolescent↗

A dual-purpose device for protecting brain implants of baboons.

A device is described which is relatively easy to construct and which can be used to protect brain implants affixed to the skull of large primates. The device is essentially a stainless steel ring cemented around the brain implant. A plexiglass dome can then be attached to the ring to protect the implant. Further, a second device can be constructed which attaches to the ring and which provides gentle leverage to the brain implant to remove adhered obturators.

Animals↗

[The concept of ergotherapy: joint protection and remedial device].

Joint protection is an important, unfortunately often neglected method of treatment for various rheumatological conditions. With theoretical and practical working methods, the occupational therapist conveys valuable information regarding the successful treatment of threatening joint deformity and efficient pain reduction.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Effects of exercise using industrial respirators.

Respirators (respiratory personal protective devices), used for protection against occupational toxic exposures, may impose flow resistance and dead space respiratory loading. Effects of exercise level, a 300 mL deadspace and single respirator cartridge inspiratory load were determined in ten healthy volunteers. Subjects tended to limit peak work rate (pressure generated and pressure X flow) and to prolong the inspiratory portion of the respiratory cycle due to respirator use. O2 consumption and heart rate were not significantly affected. The qualitative response was not affected by exercise level. During submaximal exercise, normal subjects did not reach their compensation limits for the variables studied.

Heart Rate↗

Disposable protective eyewear devices for health care providers. How important are they and will available designs be used?

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of five types of disposable protective eyewear devices, to determine variables affecting compliance with the use of protective eyewear, and to determine the frequency of subclinical eye splatter. One hundred volunteer health care providers were assigned to one of five study eyewear groups and given a protective eyewear device to use for 2 weeks in an urban teaching referral center. Questionnaires were used to survey eyewear habits and other variables before the study. The devices were determined to be 88% effective overall, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups. The incidence of subclinical splatter was 50%. Even though disposable eyewear devices providing full frontal and lateral eye coverage are effective in preventing eyesplatter, the incidence of eyesplatter among health care providers working in nonsurgical areas is more common than previously assumed because of the lack of recognition of splatter (subclinical splatter) by the workers.

Adult↗

Effects of booster interventions on factory workers' use of hearing protection.

BACKGROUND: The provision of reinforcements or boosters to interventions is seen as a logical approach to enhancing or maintaining desired behavior. Empirical studies, however, have not confirmed the effectiveness of boosters nor assessed the optimum number of boosters or the timing for their delivery. OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled trial contrasted the effect of four booster conditions (a). 30 days; (b). 90 days; (c). 30 and at 90 days; and (d). no boosters of the intervention to increase the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). METHODS: A total of 1325 factory workers completed a computerized questionnaire and were randomly assigned to one of three computer-based (tailored, nontailored predictor-based, or control) multimedia interventions designed to increase the use of hearing protection devices. After the intervention, colorful boosters specific to the type of training received were mailed to workers' homes. Posttest measures of use were administered at the time of their next annual audiogram 6 to 18 months after the intervention. RESULTS Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant main effect for the booster (after 30 days) in the group that received tailored training (F[3442] = 2.722; p =.04). However, in the assessment of the interaction between time (pretest and posttest) and boosters (four groups), the ANOVA did not find significant differences in hearing protection device use for any of the training groups. To assess for significant differences between groups, post hoc comparisons were conducted at the pretest and posttest for the total sample and for the subsample of workers who reported using hearing protection devices less than 100% of the time needed. Sheffé contrasts by intervention group, gender, ethnicity, and hearing ability found no significant changes in the mean use of hearing protection devices for the booster groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the provision of boosters represented a considerable commitment of resources, their use was not effective in this study. However, it would be premature to eliminate boosters of interventions. Further study is needed to explore the effects of different booster types for increasing the use of hearing protection devices, and to assess carefully the effects of boosters on other health behaviors in studies with controlled designs.

Adult↗

Perceptions of Chandigarh sports coaches regarding oro-facial injuries and their prevention.

Enthusiastic participation by the younger generation in sports exposes them to a high risk of injuries. In the present study, the perceptions of sports coaches regarding their knowledge and experience of such injuries is evaluated. The coaches considered helmet as the most common protective device followed by mouth guard and facemask. About 58% observed that boxing was associated with oro-facial injuries and protective devices were deemed mandatory by 68% in this event. About 45% saw over five injuries in the last year, mostly soft tissue facial injuries (47%) and tooth loss (33%). Most injuries were in hockey and 32% were due to hits by ball, stick or related hard objects. About 82% were related to nonuse of protective devices. The majority of coaches considered that oro-facial devices be made more popular among sportspersons for their safety while 28% felt they reduced efficiency. The author concludes that there is a need to popularize the use of oro-facial protective devices in a variety of sports events in our country by interacting with coaches, sports administrators and sportspersons as well as familiarizing the Indian dentists in this relatively new field.

Adult↗

Impact of safety devices for preventing percutaneous injuries related to phlebotomy procedures in health care workers.

BACKGROUND: Use of protective devices has become a common intervention to decrease sharps injuries in the hospitals; however few studies have examined the results of implementation of the different protective devices available. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of 2 protective devices in preventing needlestick injuries to health care workers. METHODS: Sharps injury data were collected over a 7-year period (1993-1999) in a 3600-bed tertiary care university hospital in France. Pre- and postinterventional rates were compared after the implementation of 2 safety devices for preventing percutaneous injuries (PIs) related to phlebotomy procedures. RESULTS: From 1993 to 1999, an overall decrease in the needlestick-related injuries was noted. Since 1996, the incidence of phlebotomy-related PIs has significantly decreased. Phlebotomy procedures accounted for 19.4% of all percutaneous injuries in the preintervention period and 12% in the postintervention period (RR, O.62; 95% CI, 0.51-0.72; P < .001). Needlestick-related injuries incidence rate decreased significantly after the implementation of the 2 safety devices, representing a 48% decline in incidence rate overall. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of these safety devices apparently contributed to a significant decrease in the percutaneous injuries related to phlebotomy procedures, but they constitute only part of a strategy that includes education of health care workers and collection of appropriate data that allow analysis of residuals percutaneous injuries.

Health Personnel↗

Techniques for carotid artery stenting under cerebral protection.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting is an alternative to carotid endarterectomy in the treatment of carotid artery stenosis. During the stenting process, however, distal embolization usually occurs, and the particles released may cause neurologic problems or death. Thus, the safety of carotid stenting depends partly on use of a cerebral protection device during the procedure. Three principal types of protection mechanisms have been developed: distal balloon occlusion, distal filtration, and proximal occlusion with or without reversal of flow. Products using these mechanisms have been manufactured by a variety of companies, and many are used routinely outside the United States (US). One distal filter, the RX Accunet, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use. Large clinical trials of most of the newest carotid stents and cerebral protection devices are under way, and some initial results have been reported. Several clinical series in which cerebral protection was employed have also been described. Each type of protection device has advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this review.

Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation↗

Color vision deficits during laser lithotripsy using safety goggles for coumarin green or alexandrite but not with holmium:YAG laser safety goggles.

PURPOSE: Laser lithotripsy requires urologists to wear laser eye protection. Laser eye protection devices screen out specific light wavelengths and may distort color perception. This study tests whether urologists risk color confusion when wearing laser eye protection devices for laser lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urologists were tested with the Farnsworth Dichotomous Test for Color Blindness (D-15) and the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test (FM-100) without (control) and with laser eye protection devices for coumarin green, alexandrite and holmium:YAG lasers. Error scores were tabulated. The pattern of color deficits was characterized with confusion angles, confusion index (C-index), scatter index (S-index) and color axes. Laser eye protection devices were tested with spectrophotometry for spectral transmittance and optical density. RESULTS: The D-15 transposition errors (mean plus or minus standard deviation) for control, holmium:YAG, alexandrite and coumarin green laser eye protection were 0 +/- 0, 0 +/- 0, 0.3 +/- 0.5 and 6.4 +/- 1.6, respectively (p = 0.0000001). The FM-100 error scores (mean plus or minus standard deviation) were 20 +/- 15, 20 +/- 14, 91 +/- 32 and 319 +/- 69, respectively (p = 0.0001). The confusion index scores indicated a mild color confusion for the alexandrite and pronounced color confusion for the coumarin green laser eye protection. The confusion angles and scatter indexes mimicked a congenital blue-yellow deficit for coumarin green laser eye protection. Color axes showed no significant deficits for control or holmium:YAG laser eye protection in any subject, red-green axis deficits in 3 of 6 tested with alexandrite and blue-yellow axis deficits in 12 of 12 tested with coumarin green (p < 0.001). Spectrophotometry showed that laser eye protection for coumarin green blocks light less than 550 nm., alexandrite blocks light greater than 650 nm. and holmium:YAG blocks light greater than 825 nm. CONCLUSIONS: Laser eye protection for coumarin green causes pronounced blue-yellow color confusion, whereas alexandrite causes mild red-green color confusion among urologists, holmium:YAG causes no significant color confusion compared to controls. The differences are explained by laser eye protection spectrophotometry characteristics and visual physiology.

Adult↗

Mechanical protection of cardiac microcirculation during percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein grafts.

Saphenous vein bypass grafts permeability is one of the most important limitations of open heart surgery. The risks associated with surgical re-intervention are greater than those associated with the initial procedure. While native coronary arteries usually have fixed, fibrotic or calcified atherosclerotic plaques, the disease in the vein grafts contains soft material. When this material is compressed during percutaneous angioplasty, there is an unfavorable immediate outcome due to distal embolization of thrombus and plaque debris. In addition, the risk of post-procedure adverse events are higher when the grafts have a long time of implantation, due to a greater risk of branch occlusion or no-reflow at the adjacent microcirculation. The clinical consequence is a Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction that is reflected in the increased serum cardiac enzymes. It is because of this complication that the distal protection devices were developed. The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the current data on the distal protection devices available now for the treatment of degenerative saphenous vein graft disease. Currently, there are two distal protection devices approved in the United States: the Guardwire Balloon and Aspiration (Export) System and the Filter Wire EX. Other devices like the Triactiv System, Angioguard XP/ECW, DOW, MedNova Cardioshield, Medtronic-AVE DPD and the E-Trap Filter are still being studied. The first observational studies showed the safety and efficacy of the approved devices. A large randomized trial initially confirmed a significant decrease of in-hospital and 30-day cardiac adverse events, mainly Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction, when angioplasty was performed with the assistance of the Guardwire System. Subsequently, another randomized study showed an equivalence between the Guardwire System and the Filter Wire EX. Distal protection devices have an acceptable performance, however, further technological improvements are warranted for a quick preparation, delivery and/or retrieval of these devices.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

[Aerodynamic characteristics of crewman's arms during windblast].

OBJECTIVE: To study the aerodynamic characteristics of crewman's arms with or without protective devices in the status with raised legs or not. METHOD: The experiments were performed in an FL-24 transonic and supersonic wind tunnel, over Mach number range of 0.4-2.0, with 5 degrees-30 degrees angles of attack, 0 degrees - 90 degrees sideslip angles and Re number of (0.93-3.1) x 10(6). The test model was a 1/5-scale crewman/ejection seat combination. The aerodynamic characteristics of the various sections of crewman's arms were studied and analyzed. RESULT: The results showed that 1) The effect of raised leg on the aerodynamic characteristics of the crewman's arms was very evident, and was related to the status of leg raising; 2) The sideslip considerably increased aerodynamic loads on the crewman's arms, in particular when beta=50 degrees the loads was severe in the test; 3) The tested protective devices was valid, the effectiveness of wind deflector in protecting crewman's arms was evident; 4) A formula for calculating aerodynamic force acting on crewman's arms was presented. CONCLUSION: 1)The tested protective devices was valid, and the effectiveness of wind deflector in protecting crewman's arms was evident; 2) An aerodynamic basis for the development of crewman windblast protective device was presented; 3)The calculation formula presented is useful in estimating aerodynamic forces of crewman's arms.

Aircraft↗