Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “HOSPITALS, CONVALESCENT”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,495 records · Page 83Linked to original sources

Thrombolytic therapy: adjuvant mechanical intervention for acute myocardial infarction.

Following successful pharmacologic thrombolysis, early coronary angiography frequently shows a tight residual stenosis in the infarct-related artery at the site of recent occlusion. Approaches to the management of the residual stenosis have undergone a gradual evolution from an aggressive strategy of immediate balloon dilation to a more conservative approach. Randomized, controlled trials have indicated that immediate percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is associated with no greater recovery in regional or global left ventricular function, and a tendency toward an increased incidence of complications, including the need for emergency coronary artery surgery and blood transfusion. The role of immediate rescue PTCA for failed thrombolysis has not been as rigorously investigated, but selected patients, including those with evidence of ongoing myocardial ischemia or hemodynamic instability, may benefit from this approach. A major source of current controversy is the value of routine coronary angiography after uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Two carefully conducted trials have indicated that a conservative strategy of clinically indicated, predischarge cardiac catheterization may be associated with an increased need for readmission and late, elective cardiac catheterization when compared with a more invasive strategy of routine coronary angiography, but that the conservative approach is not associated with an increased incidence of death or reinfarction. Provision was not made in these studies, however, for evaluating the positive economic and psychologic impact of early coronary angiography, early hospital discharge, and early return to work of patients with a favorable postinfarction prognosis. It is concluded that early mechanical revascularization following thrombolysis should be considered for ongoing myocardial ischemia, but should otherwise be deferred pending the results of predischarge functional studies. For most patients, routine coronary angiography is likely to remain an important diagnostic tool and an integral component of the management of the convalescent phase of acute myocardial infarction.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Results of a multidisciplinary strategy for management of mediastinal parathyroid adenoma as a cause of persistent primary hyperparathyroidism.

Persistent primary hyperparathyroidism due to mediastinal parathyroid adenoma was effectively treated by either angiographic ablation or median sternotomy in this study of 49 patients managed at the National Institutes of Health since 1977. Each patient presented here with symptomatic persistent primary hyperparathyroidism after failed initial surgical procedures done at other institutions. Each patient underwent extensive parathyroid localization procedures, including selective angiography, and most had a parathyroid adenoma localized to the mediastinum. Angiographic ablation, the deliberate injection of large doses of contrast material into the artery that selectively perfuses the adenoma, was initially successful in 22 of 30 procedures (73%) in 27 patients. Long-term control of persistent primary hyperparathyroidism was achieved in 17 of 27 patients (63%) by angiographic ablation. Each unsuccessful ablation could be easily salvaged by surgical resection. Surgical resection of the parathyroid adenoma by median sternotomy achieved immediate success in 24 of 24 procedures (p2 less than 0.02 versus ablation), and long-term cure in 23 of 23 evaluable patients (p2 less than 0.001 versus ablation). However, ablation did have benefits for the patients in whom it was successfully performed. It was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay (median, 6 days versus 9 days for sternotomy, p2 less than 0.003), much less pain, and easier recuperation. Complications of each procedure were transient and similar in both groups. Operative resection is the most effective single means to eradicate mediastinal parathyroid adenoma; however, angiographic ablation can provide similar long-term control of hyperparathyroidism in 63% of patients with less pain and shorter convalescence than that seen in patients after median sternotomy. Our results suggest that angiographic ablation should be attempted as the initial procedure for patients with persistent primary hyperparathyroidism caused by an angiographically identified mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Operation can be reserved for those who fail ablation.

Adenoma↗

[Extraperitoneal cesarean section--an alternative or routine?].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the importance of extraperitoneal Caesarean section in contemporary obstetrics. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: Gynaecological and Obstetrics Department, Bata Hospital Zlín. SUBJECT: A historical review of views on the approach to the lower uterine segment in Caesarean section and definition of some myths associated with extraperitoneal Caesarean sections. Retrospective analysis of the development of indications for this operation in 1977-1999 and their possible advantages. RESULTS: Analysis of 318 operations proved possible advantages of the operation during the perioperative period as well as during convalescence. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal Caesarean section can be considered an alternative of other surgical methods and procedures in infected cases and also an operation which can be implemented under all conditions except peracute states. The limiting factor is in particular the surgeon not familiar with the extraperitoneal technique. It is an operation with reduced invasiveness.

Cesarean Section↗

An outbreak of multidrug resistant Salmonella typhimurium in Delhi (India).

A total of 85 patients with multidrug resistant S. typhimurium were isolated between May and September 1991 at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India. Fifty eight (72.5%) patients out of 80 stool culture positives suffered from enteritis and 23 (39.6%) of them settled with oral rehydration therapy alone. All strains were sensitive to 4 aminoquinolones (oflaxcin) but five were resistant to third generation cephalosporin (Cefotaxime; MIC between 50-75 micrograms/ml) whereas 88-96 per cent isolated were resistant to most of the other antibiotics. The convalescent carrier rate was prolonged with the use of antibiotics. The phage type of S. typhimurium isolated from the index and other cases was 178 and multidrug resistance strains had seven plasmids (1.2 to 16 kb). Barrier nursing and sodium hypochlorite disinfection helped in limiting the outbreak.

Adult↗

A randomized controlled trial comparing surgical termination of pregnancy with and without continuous ultrasound guidance.

CONTEXT: Approximately 50 million abortions are performed worldwide each year, and the majority of them are surgical terminations of pregnancy (STOP). Therefore, the safety of this procedure is a global public health concern. It is not known whether routine use of intraoperative ultrasound guidance improves the outcome of first trimester STOP. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether surgical termination of pregnancy in the first trimester with continuous ultrasound guidance is safer than the conventional procedure without ultrasound guidance. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A teaching hospital in London, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Women undergoing STOP in the first trimester. INTERVENTION: PARTICIPANTS were randomized to have the procedure with or without continuous ultrasound guidance. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were intraoperative and short-term complications (anaesthetic complication, haemorrhage, ongoing pregnancy, cervical trauma, uterine perforation, need for laparoscopy and/or laparotomy, repeat evacuation, and infection). The secondary outcomes were the blood loss, procedure time, and convalescence time. RESULTS: A total of 230 women (115 in each arm of the trial) participated in the study. Follow-up data were available for analysis in all but 15 (8 in control group and 7 in intervention group) cases. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The overall complication rate was 9.8 percent. STOP under ultrasound guidance had a complication rate of 3.7% (4/108) in comparison to 15.9% (17/107) without ultrasound (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.67). Intraoperative ultrasound guidance also had a statistically significant beneficial effect in reducing the blood loss, procedure time, and convalescence time. CONCLUSION: STOP in the first trimester under continuous ultrasound guidance was associated with a lower rate of complications than the conventional procedure without ultrasound.

Abortion, Induced↗

Nonspecificity of assaying for IgG antibody to pneumolysin in circulating immune complexes as a means to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia.

Detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to pneumolysin (PLY) in precipitated circulating immune complexes (CICs) has been used to diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia. With care to include appropriate controls, we precipitated and dissociated CICs and then assayed for IgG antibody to PLY. We detected IgG antibody to PLY in CICs that were precipitated from serum samples that were obtained at the time of admission to the hospital from 5 (23%) of 22 healthy adults, 7 (44%) of 16 subjects with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 10 (63%) of 16 subjects colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 9 (60%) of 15 patients with nonbacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia. Of the 16 patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, 4 (25%) had IgG antibody to PLY at the time of admission, and 8 (50%) had IgG antibody to PLY in convalescence. Levels of IgG antibody in CICs closely correlated with serum levels of IgG antibody to PLY, implicating precipitation of free serum antibody in tests with false-positive results. Detection of IgG antibody to PLY in precipitated CICs is not a reliable method for diagnosing pneumococcal pneumonia.

Adult↗

Altered reactivity to measles virus in previously vaccinated children.

In children vaccinated with killed measles vaccine, exposure to natural rubeola within two to four years can result in a clinical syndrome of altered measles reactivity.During a small epidemic of measles in Edmonton, Alberta, 51 children who had received their last killed measles vaccination 27 to 45 months before, were admitted to hospital with this syndrome.The syndrome consists of a prodromal cough and high fever followed by a maculopapular rash appearing on the extremities and progressing centrally. Pulmonary consolidations with or without pleural effusions were evident, but these cleared rapidly in four or five days. Initial WBC and ESR values suggested a bacterial etiology, but no pathogens could be isolated.Complement fixation titres for rubeola are present in acute and convalescent sera and indicate a definite measles infection.Previous killed measles vaccination excites a delayed hypersensitivity which is activated by the natural measles infection to account for this syndrome.It is recommended that killed measles vaccine be no longer used in routine vaccinations.

Child↗

[Review of 850 cases of cadaveric renal transplantation].

In cadaveric renal transplants for 818 cases, 850 times were completed in our hospital within 14 years. The survival rates of recipients/grafts of 1, 3, 5 years were 87.5%/77.4%, 78.2%/70.7% and 62.12%/50.8% respectively. Eight cases survived for more than 10 years. Factors affecting improvement of survival rate varied: high quality procuration and transplant of the donor kidneys; ABO typing and lymphocyte toxicity test prevention of infection before, during and after operation; Postoperative follow-up and patient convalescence.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Efficacy and safety of aerosolized ribavirin in young children hospitalized with influenza: a double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.

We randomly assigned children hospitalized with influenza who had been ill < or = 48 hours and who had a temperature > or = 37.8 degrees C to receive either ribavirin or placebo. All patients had evaluations performed for fever reduction, use of acetaminophen for temperature > or = 38.3 degrees C, duration and severity of influenza symptoms, and feeding behavior. Sixty-two patients (35 in the placebo group, 27 in the ribavirin group) had a diagnosis of influenza confirmed by laboratory study. The groups did not differ significantly in age, initial signs and symptoms, or in distribution of influenza A or B infections. The time to reduction of temperature < or = 38.3 degrees C for the ribavirin group was 8.9 hours compared with 22.6 hours for the placebo group (p = 0.04). The mean duration of acetaminophen use was 7.4 hours in the ribavirin group and 16.3 hours in the placebo group (p = 0.14). There were no significant differences between the groups in outcome of respiratory rate, pulse rate, cough, or level of consciousness. Convalescent influenza antibody geometric mean titer for the placebo group was 9.8 compared with 3.6 for the ribavirin group (p = 0.04). Ribavirin was more effective than placebo in accelerating normalization of temperature but there were no other significant differences.

Acetaminophen↗

Evidence of rotavirus AU32 like G9 strains from nontypeable fecal specimens of Indian children hospitalized during 1993-1994.

Serotyping of 432 rotavirus positive fecal specimens collected from hospitalized children during 1990-1997 was carried out at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, India, using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against VP7 determinant of serotypes G1-G4, G6, G8, and G10. However, significant number of specimens, that is, 47.92% remained nontypeable. The aim of the present study was to culture adapt the nontypeable specimens and to characterize them further. Since the fecal specimens were not tested by MAb to G9 serotype, which has emerged as an important serotype infecting humans recently, presence of G9 serotype was expected in nontypeable specimens. Therefore, we selected specimens from those children, who showed higher neutralizing antibody (NAb) titer in their convalescent serum samples to G9 serotype than their mothers. Out of six isolates having long electropherotype, five isolates showed subgroup II, and one showed subgroup I, II. The isolates were confirmed as G9 by MAb based ELISA, neutralization assay, and PCR. The G9 specific nested PCR products of four isolates showed 96-99% identities to AU32 G9 strain reported from Japan. P type of four isolates was determined as P8. Besides isolates, four additional nontypeable fecal specimens were confirmed as G9 by MAb based ELISA. Thus, 10 (28.57%) out of 35 nontypeable specimens were identified as rotavirus serotype G9. The results indicate that serotype G9 may represent significant proportion of specimens, which were previously nontypeable.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Patients' and carers' perceptions of factors influencing recovery after cardiac surgery.

Stress and anxiety experienced by patients following myocardial infarction are well documented. Moreover, partners feel distress when they realize that they must assume responsibility for day-to-day care once the period of hospitalization is over. However, despite the trend towards early hospital discharge and the role which carers appear to be expected to undertake during the recovery of patients who have had cardiac surgery, few studies have been undertaken with this group outside the United States of America. This omission was filled by a descriptive survey with 60 patients and carers following cardiac surgery. Data were obtained during early recovery (1 week after hospital discharge) and 6 weeks later. The results indicated that carers assumed a heavy burden once the patient had left hospital and were less satisfied with the timing of discharge than the patients. Information provided by nurses was consistently rated more highly than information provided by doctors or physiotherapists but there was scope for increasing input with both groups. High levels of satisfaction with the information provided by health professionals were associated with lower scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. More qualitative, in-depth studies to explore the precise needs of patients and their carers are needed to ensure that in future both groups are better prepared.

Adolescent↗

Transverse myelitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

A 14-year-old boy developed acute transverse myelitis with severe abdominal pain, bladder dysfunction, weakness, and sensory loss of the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a segmental expanded central edema affecting parts of the spinal cord, including the caudal medulla oblongata. Antibody response to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was negative in microparticle agglutination assays (1:40 in the acute serum and 1:160 in the convalescent serum) and complement fixation tests (1:20 and 1:10). However, analysis of acute-phase serum revealed a specific IgA and IgG response but no IgM response. Detection of M. pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid by nested polymerase chain reaction and in nasopharyngeal aspirate by culture confirmed an M. pneumoniae infection. Treatment with doxycycline (100 mg daily) was started on the second day after admission to the hospital and continued for 14 days; the patient recovered completely and was discharged 20 days after onset of the disease, with no signs of neurological deficits.

Adolescent↗

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to characterize dengue infections where dengue and Japanese encephalitis co-circulate.

The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of detection of anti-dengue IgM by antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was investigated in dengue infections in a variety of clinical settings. Sera from uninfected controls were uniformly negative. Serial specimens from experimental and natural infections showed that viremia and fever terminated as anti-dengue IgM became detectable. Anti-dengue IgM appeared in most cases by the 3rd afebrile day of illness and declined to undetectable levels after 30-60 days. Assay sensitivity was 78% in admission sera (924/1,183; 95% CI = 75-81%) and 97% in paired sera (1,030/1,062; 95% CI = 96-98%) thus exceeding or matching the performance of the hemagglutination-inhibition assay. Measurement of the anti-dengue IgM to anti-Japanese encephalitis IgM ratio correctly identified all sera from 112 patients with strictly defined Japanese encephalitis and 98% (307/312; 95% CI = 96-99%) of sera from patients whose dengue infections were confirmed by virus isolation. Dengue infections could be classified as primary or secondary by determining the ratio of units of dengue IgM to IgG antibody. We propose that measurement of dengue and Japanese encephalitis IgM and IgG antibodies upon admission and discharge from hospital care should replace the hemagglutination inhibition assay as the standard dengue serologic technique in regions where these 2 viruses co-circulate.

Acute Disease↗

[Vaginal hysterectomy for non-prolapse uterus].

Vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of non prolapsed uterus without malignant disease is a well codified technique. Per operative complications, post operative morbidity are less frequent and less serious than by abdominal surgery and convalescent time is less extended. Financial cost is lower compared with laparoscopic hysterectomy. The successful result of the vaginal way is determined by anatomic factors: volume and mobility of the uterus, accessibility of the vagina, but above all by the training of the surgeons. A rate of seventy per cent of hysterectomies performed by the vaginal way in the case of this indication is a realistic aim in a hospital center.

Adult↗

The etiology of acute hepatitis in adults in Egypt.

The causes of acute hepatitis were prospectively studied in 141 patients admitted to Embaba Fever Hospital, Cairo, Egypt in 1983. Serologic diagnosis showed: hepatitis A (0.7%), hepatitis B (46.8%), dual infections with A and B (1.4%), acute hepatitis in HBsAg carriers (14.2%), drug induced hepatitis (5.7%), and hepatitis non-A non-B (NANB) (31.2%). Among hepatitis B patients tested for the following seromarkers, 40% had HBeAg, 8% anti-delta antibody, and 6 simultaneous presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs; in convalescence, a 9% HBsAg carrier rate was found. Clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical findings did not distinguish one cause of hepatitis from another. For 32% of NANB patients parenteral injection was a likely source of infection.

Adolescent↗

Coxsackie B virus epidemiology and neonatal infection in Belgium.

Outbreaks of Coxsackie B virus infection occur mainly in the warm spring and summer when enteroviruses are most prevalent. A study of five Coxsackie B virus serotypes was made over the last decade by collecting and typing nearly all enteroviruses isolated in Belgium. The study showed that Coxsackie B virus infection appeared in waves. We describe two outbreaks of Coxsackie B virus infection in our maternity unit. The first took place in 1988, when Coxsackie B 2 virus was the most prevalent serotype in the general population. One baby fell ill 6 days after birth and developed signs of meningitis. In a second baby the infection showed a diphasic pattern. The first phase was relatively mild but, after a period of recovery the child developed signs of myocarditis. After a period of low prevalence or complete absence from 1982 to 1988, Coxsackie B I virus reappeared in the summer of 1989. That summer, a small outbreak was seen in our maternity unit where one baby was infected from his mother and the infection spread from that baby to another one. Both babies developed meningitis but their convalescence was uncomplicated. A higher risk of outbreaks in nurseries was observed in summer when viruses are most prevalent. Measures to prevent such infections are discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Technology assessment of endoscopic surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is considered a milestone in the evolution of surgical technique in nearly all fields of surgery. However, the inappropriate use of the new technology in medicine has also been heavily criticised. Systematic technology assessment of endoscopic surgical techniques is mandatory to prove the real benefits and complications, so defining the indications for their appropriate use. This article describes methods of technology assessment suitable for endoscopic techniques with emphasis on relevant endpoints for surgeons and patients. The general stages of a comprehensive technology assessment include: 1. feasibility (safety and technical performance) 2. efficacy (patient benefits in pioneering places) 3. effectiveness (patient benefits in average hospitals in the community as a whole) and 4. economic evaluation (cost-benefit analyses). We used the example of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to describe the methods of technology assessment. A cohort study on 500 patients revealed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is as safe as the conventional standard open technique. The results on efficacy strongly support the hypothesis of more comfort and less trauma with the endoscopic technique. Major endpoints evaluated were postoperative pain, convalescence, fatigue and quality of life. Data on effectiveness and economics are still in a "premature" state and should be the subject of further analyses. It is concluded, that other disciplines such as neurosurgery should evaluate their endoscopic surgical techniques according to the rules of technology assessment outlined in this paper.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗

Characteristics of anti-Legionella antibodies in patients infected with Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1, 6, and 10.

Nosocomial infections with Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 and 10 in the Leiden University Hospital and infections with L. pneumophila serogroup 6 in neighboring hospitals gave us an opportunity to study the development of opsonizing antibodies against L. pneumophila serogroups 1, 6, and 10 in the serum of 13 patients. Seven of these patients were infected with L. pneumophila serogroup 1, two were infected with serogroup 6, and four were infected with serogroup 10. The opsonic cross-reactivity of antibodies against these serogroups of L. pneumophila and complement involvement in opsonization were also investigated. Convalescent-phase sera from patients infected with L. pneumophila serogroup 1 or 6 were able to promote ingestion of these serogroups by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, whereas ingestion of L. pneumophila serogroup 10 was enhanced only in the presence of convalescent-phase sera from patients infected with this serogroup. Opsonization of L. pneumophila serogroups 1, 6, and 10 was complement dependent.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗