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Biomedical subjects

A Codina

Publications and source records attributed to A Codina.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Computed tomography in reversible ischaemic attacks: clinical and prognostic correlations in a prospective study.

Two hundred and nineteen patients admitted with reversible atherothrombotic ischaemic attacks were prospectively evaluated by computed tomography. Of these patients, 122 were diagnosed as suffering from transient ischaemic attacks, 58 from reversible ischaemic neurological deficits and 39 from reversible ischaemic neurological deficits with incomplete resolution. In 133 cases the ischaemic event affected the carotid system, in 63 the vertebrobasilar system and in 23 cases the system could not be determined. Brain infarctions were observed in 64 patients (29.2%), cerebral atrophy in 96 (44.4%) and dilatation of a ventricle in 17 (7.8%). The frequency of brain infarction was related to the duration of the neurological deficit, being 20.5% in those with transient ischaemic attacks, 37.9% in those with reversible ischaemic neurological deficits and 43.6% in patients with reversible ischaemic neurological deficits with incomplete resolution (P = 0.005). Ischaemic lesions were closely correlated with abnormalities on supra-aortic trunk angiography or Doppler ultrasonography. During an average follow-up period of 21 months, a higher percentage of recurrence was found in those patients with CT infarctions, but the difference was not significant.

Cerebral Infarction↗
PubMed1987

Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) plus dipyridamole versus dipyridamole alone in the prevention of stroke in patients with reversible ischemic attacks.

A total of 243 patients who had reversible ischemic attacks (RIA) were submitted to clinical trial to determine whether dipyridamole (400 mg/day) (D) or aspirin (100 mg/48 hours) + dipyridamole (300 mg/day) (ASA + D) would produce significant reduction in the subsequent occurrence of RIA and completed stroke. One hundred and fifteen were selected for Group ASA + D and 71 were treated with dipyridamole only. The treatment groups were similar in relation to age, sex, risk factors, duration and presumed vascular territory of RIA, incidence of alterations of arterial supra-aortic trunks, cerebral infarct (CT scan), and platelet function. Patients were followed for a mean time of 21 months. At the end of the study, 21.7% of the ASA + D group and 19.7% in the D group had suffered new episodes of RIA or completed stroke (p = 0.88). Frequency of stroke (reversible ischemic neurologic deficit or completed stroke) was 7.8% in the ASA + D patients and 9.8% in the D patients (p = 0.83). Subgroup analysis did not show significant differences either. It is concluded that ASA + D has no significantly greater beneficial effect than that observed with D alone in the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic cerebral ischemia. However, a statistical Type II error cannot be excluded by the reduced number of recurrences.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of myelin basic protein and creatin kinase BB as index of active demyelination.

Radioimmunoassay-determined myelin basic protein (MBP) shed to CSF during active demyelination, has been found to be a useful but non-specific test for MS. CSF creatin kinase BB (CK-BB), as measured by radioimmunoassay, is increased in a variety of neurological diseases, and has been considered a useful indication of brain damage but not of demyelinating diseases. Taking into account that the mean concentration of CSF CK-BB should not be increased in patients during the acute phase of MS, we suggest that the CSF MBP/CK-BB ratio could be a more specific index to demyelination than CSF-MBP alone. We also defined a laboratory demyelination pattern (CSF MBP greater than mean control MBP + 2 S.D. and CK-BB less than MBP). CSF levels of MBP and CSF levels of CK-BB were determined by radioimmunoassay in 232 patients with several neurological disorders and 33 control subjects. Patients diagnosed as having MS with clinical exacerbation had significantly higher values of CSF-MBP/CSF-BB ratio than control subjects. Our study showed a significant presence of demyelination pattern in CSF of patients with MS. We conclude that the CSF MBP/CK-BB ratio and the CSF demyelination pattern may be new and reliable tests for the diagnosis of MS.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1986

Cranial CT scan in transient global amnesia.

The occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with transient global amnesia (n = 43) was evaluated by CT scan and compared to that of patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (n = 58) and with no neurological disease (n = 52). Significant differences were demonstrated between TGA and TIA patients in relation to the control group, but no differences were found between patients with TGA and TIA. Our study suggests a vascular mechanism for TGA and that TGA could be considered a low risk TIA in most cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Myelin basic protein and creatine kinase BB isoenzyme as CSF markers of intracranial tumors and stroke.

In patients with intracranial tumors (ICT) and acute cerebral infarctions (CI), both necrosis and reversible changes occur in central nervous system (CNS) tissue. The damaged CNS cells release specific substances into the cerebrospinal fluid (CFS). Radioimmunoassay (RIA)-determined myelin basic protein (MBP) and RIA-determined creatine kinase BB (CK-BB) are markers of damage to CNS specific structures. The elevated CSF level of MBP is considered a marker of myelin damage and the increased concentration of CSF CK-BB may be of combined neuronal and astrocytic origin. CSF was collected from 57 patients with the diagnosis of CI (n = 30) and ICT (n = 27) and the concentration of MBP and CK-BB were measured by RIA. Our study shows increased CSF levels of MBP and CK-BB in patients with CI and patients with ICT. We have also found a linear correlation between MBP and CK-BB in both CI and ICT, and for a given CK-BB level, MBP was significantly higher in patients with ICT than in patients with CI. These facts suggest that lesion markers behave differently in the different pathologic processes affecting the CNS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

5-Hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Randomized clinical trial.

One hundred and twenty-four migraineurs were treated randomly with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or with methysergide (M). The two groups were homogeneous without significant statistical differences with respect to age, sex, pill use, type of migraine and frequency of attacks before entry. A significant improvement was observed in 75% of the patients treated with M and in 71% of the cases treated with 5-HTP. The most beneficial effect of 5-HTP appears to be felt with regard to the intensity and duration rather than the frequency of the attacks. Side effects were more frequent in the M group than in the 5-HTP group. These results suggest that 5-HTP could be a treatment of choice in the prophylaxis of migraine.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗