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Biomedical subjects

A Gallardo

Publications and source records attributed to A Gallardo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

New resorbable polymeric systems with antithrombogenic activity.

The synthesis and application as resorbable coatings of vascular grafts of a new polyacrylic derivative of Triflusal (2-acetyloxy-4-trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid, a commercial drug with antithrombogenic properties, are described. The high-molecular-weight polyacrylic system is rather stable in physiological conditions and provides a chemical support for the slow release of the pharmacologically active compound, Triflusal, or its main metabolite (2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (HTB). Experiments of deposition and retention of platelets in static basal conditions using plasma-rich medium from blood of sheep, seem to indicate that the polymeric coating of the polyacrylic derivative of Triflusal improves the antiaggregating character for platelets of the surface of small-diameter vascular grafts without the application of other antithrombogenic drugs.

Journal Article↗

[Warthin's tumor in the neck].

Papillar lymphomatous cystoadenoma on the neck as first stage of development. Other lesions of this nature in atypical areas as larynx, minor salivary glands or oropharynx has been described, but is not frequent on heterotopic location so peculiar. In that case the real diagnostic problem was the differential with neck masses. Description of the case and review of the literature.

Adenolymphoma↗

Preparation and in vitro release studies of ibuprofen-loaded films and microspheres made from graft copolymers of poly(L-lactic acid) on acrylic backbones.

The present article describes the preparation of films of various thickness and microspheres from new resorbable graft copolymers of polyacrylic (methyl methacrylate, MMA, or methyl acrylate, MA), or polyvinylic (vinyl pyrrolidone, VP) chains and poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) side blocks charged with 15-20% of ibuprofen (IBU) (a non-steroidic antiinflammatory agent). In the case of MMA-LLA and MA-LLA graft copolymers the release of IBU in buffered solution is modulated by the flexibility of the copolymer chains in a first step of one to two days and in a second step by the diffusive properties of the system as well as by the biodegradation of the polymers. The VP-PLLA graft copolymers are highly hydrophilic and the release of IBU is modulated by the diffusion of the drug through the swollen system. Specific interactions between the IBU molecules and the pyrrolidone rings also participate in the kinetic behaviour of the release process.

Acrylates↗

Controlled release of NSAIDs bound to polyacrylic carrier systems.

The synthesis, characterization and properties of new acrylic "polymeric drugs" derived from the NSAIDs agents ibuprofen and ketoprofen are described. The swelling behavior in hydrated medium and the controlled release from hydrophilic copolymers of the NSAIDs derivatives and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, HEMA, are discussed, considering the hydrolytical reactivity of the acrylamide or acrylic ester functional groups, the aromatic or aliphatic structure of the spacer side groups, and the hydrophilic character of the copolymer systems. The results obtained demonstrated that the swelling degree of copolymers depends on the average composition of copolymers, decreasing with the increase of the average fraction of the corresponding acrylic derivative of ibuprofen or ketoprofen in the copolymer system. In addition, polymers which support the NSAIDs active component through aromatic amide links, are more sensitive to hydrolytical processes than those of alkyl ester functions. The results obtained demonstrate that these supports could be applied for direct administration, transdermal, systemic or intra-articular injection, as well as in the form of films on wounds.

Journal Article↗

[Pharyngeal tuberculosis: a clinical case].

A case of pharyngeal tuberculosis secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis is reported. The importance of biopsy for the histopathological and microbiological diagnosis is emphasized.

Humans↗

Time-dependent changes of serum gastrin and gastrin receptors in the rat oxyntic mucosa after proximal gastric vagotomy.

Proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) is a first-choice approach for the surgical treatment of duodenal peptic ulcer. However, a high percentage of recidivism takes place after this surgical strategy. To study the possible involvement of gastrin in ulcer recidivism, serum gastrin levels and gastrin receptors in gastric mucosa were determined at several times after PGV in rats. Gastrin concentration was determined using a commercial radioimmunoassay kit and gastrin receptors were analyzed in oxyntic mucosa membrane preparations using 125I-labeled 15-Leu-gastrin-17 as label. Our results show a significant, time-dependent increase in serum gastrin concentration, reaching highest values at 12 weeks after PGV. Similarly, a significant increase in the number of gastrin receptors (Bmax) and in the dissociation constant (Kd) occurred from 1 to 12 weeks post-PGV. Since gastrin exerts a positive feedback effect on its receptors, the PGV-dependent increase in serum gastrin concentration explains the up-regulation of the gastrin receptors in the rat oxyntic mucosa. Furthermore, an increase in the number of gastrin receptors after vagotomy may be at least partially responsible for the recidivism in duodenal peptic ulcers after this surgical approach.

Animals↗

Angiographic predictors of neointimal thickening after successful coronary wall healing following percutaneous revascularization.

This study was undertaken to characterize, by intracoronary ultrasound technique, the neointimal thickening at follow-up of treated coronary segments after successful arterial wall repair and to compare the findings with serial angiographic studies. We selected for study 81 patients with single-vessel coronary disease successfully treated by percutaneous revascularization who were angiographically and ultrasonically reevaluated at a mean follow-up time of 22 +/- 21 months; 23 had been treated by balloon angioplasty, 27 by directional atherectomy, and 31 by elective Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation. The late maximal neointimal thickness varied between 0.1 and 1.5 mm (mean 0.65 +/- 0.31 mm), and the neointimal area ranged between 0.97 and 14.9 mm2 (mean 5.19 +/- 3.14 mm2). The neointimal repair was thinner in patients who obtained a better acute angiographic result immediately after treatment and in stented (3.4 +/- 1.8 mm2) versus dilated (7.8 +/- 4.1 mm2) or resected (5 +/- 1.6 mm2, p < 0.001) segments. On the contrary, the repaired neointimal layer was thicker in those patients who angiographically exhibited less late luminal loss or even expansion and in those evaluated after a longer time since treatment. The acute gain and the time influence resulted in independent predictors of the degree of neointimal thickness. These findings suggest that two reparative mechanisms of the coronary wall may operate in close relation.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Experimental study of the antithrombogenic behavior of Dacron vascular grafts coated with hydrophilic acrylic copolymers bearing salicylic acid residues.

The objective of the present work was study of the behavior of active coatings of hydrophilic acrylic polymers bearing salicylic acid residues linked covalently to the macromolecular chains, after their application to woven and knitted Dacron vascular grafts. In vitro tests were carried out under dynamic flow conditions using equipment especially designed to reproduce physiologic conditions, to determine the retention of the coating using a saline solution. Ex vivo tests were carried out in an extracorporeal circuit using the dog as an animal model. The study of the deposition of platelets was followed by labeling of autologous platelets with 111In-oxine, as well as by analysis of the surfaces of the prostheses by scanning electron microscopy. An application of thin coatings of hydrophilic acrylic copolymers improves the antithrombogenicity of the vascular grafts with respect to the uncoated prosthesis. The presence of relatively small amounts of units bearing salicylic acid residues in the copolymer chains (5-20 wt %) gives good results when they are applied to woven and knitten Dacron meshes which have been quantified by analysis of the percentage of radiotracer on the surface of the vascular grafts tested in ex vivo experiments. The salicylic acid residues are released slowly to the medium by hydrolysis of the reversible covalent bonds of this compound to the acrylic macromolecular chains, which provides an additional antiaggregating effect for platelets. The polymeric coating forms a thin active film which improves the antithrombogenic properties of the surface of woven or knitted Dacron vascular grafts in ex vivo experiments.

Animals↗

Polymeric drugs derived from ibuprofen with improved antiinflammatory profile.

A new methacrylic monomeric compound bearing Ibuprofen (MIA) and the respective polymethacrylic macromolecular derivative (polyMIA) were evaluated for antiinflammatory properties in order to study their pharmacological activity profile. The macromolecular drug is constituted of Ibuprofen residues linked covalently to a polymethacrylic support, as a side substituent of the repeating unit, by means of a spacer group (p-aminophenoxy) that, in addition, is the most representative metabolite of Paracetamol. The Ibuprofen is slowly released from the polymeric support by hydrolysis of the ester bond in a biological medium. Different antiinflammatory testing methods were used; and the results obtained indicate that the monomeric and polymeric forms display higher potency to inhibit acute inflammatory processes than the traditional Ibuprofen form, even doubling the power of Ibuprofen. In addition, they present higher activity against chronic experimental processes, as well as an excellent antinociceptive behavior to inhibit the pain associated with arthritic diseases. According to previous reports and results presented in this article, we can conclude that the new polymethacrylic structures show higher analgesic, antipiretic, and antiinflammatory activities due to the possible activity of the macromolecular drug as well as to the controlled Ibuprofen release from the macromolecular delivery system. After releasing of the side active residue, a derivate of poly(sodium methacrylate) is formed, which is cleared from the body easily by the normal pathway of kidney metabolism.

Analgesics↗

Reduction of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications after stent implantation.

This study compared two consecutive antithrombotic strategies after Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation and involved 918 patients. Patients treated between May 1991 and May 1994 (group 1; n = 379) received aspirin, dipyridamole, and intravenous unfractionated heparin until oral anticoagulation was effective, between June 1994 and August 1995, 539 patients (group 2) were treated for 1 month with subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (Fragmin), ticlopidine, and aspirin. There were no differences between the groups in terms of sex, clinical condition, vessel diameter, and severity and location of stenosis. Patients in group 1 were younger than those in group 2 (4% were > 70 years old compared with 12%, respectively; p < 0.01). Group 1 patients had more frequent unplanned stenting (48% vs 18%, respectively; p < 0.01) and fewer endoprostheses in the same artery than those in group 2 (1.1 +/- 0.5 vs 1.2 +/- 0.5, respectively; p < 0.01). Among group 2 patients, there was a significant reduction in thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications compared with group 1 patients. No subacute thrombosis occurred in patients in group 2 in contrast with a 5.8% incidence in patients in group 1 (p < 0.01). In addition, a lower incidence of groin and systemic bleeding was observed in patients in group 2 compared with patients in group 1 (2.6% vs 15%, respectively; p < 0.01). The association of low-molecular-weight heparin and antiplatelets provides a simpler antithrombotic strategy in patients treated with intracoronary stents and reduces the incidence of stent thrombosis and hemorrhagic complications. Our findings suggest that this antithrombotic regimen may prevent or completely avoid stent thrombosis.

Acute Disease↗

[Directional coronary atherectomy in ostial lesions of the anterior descending coronary artery].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary stenoses at ostial level, when treated by balloon angioplasty, show a primary success rate much lower than those located in other parts of the coronary tree. Balloon dilation of lesions located at the left anterior descending ostium is associated with a high degree of restenosis, elastic recoil and the possibility of retrograde dissection to the left main coronary artery. Simpson atherectomy may be considered a percutaneous alternative in this particular location, since this technique produces fewer incidents of elastic recoil than balloon dilation. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate directional atherectomy in the treatment of patients with symptoms deriving from severe to stenosis at the origin of the left anterior descending artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a total number of 302 patients treated by Simpson atherectomy, we have analyzed 45 with severe stenosis at the left anterior descending ostium (less than 3 mm from its origin). The mean age was 54 +/- 12 years. Eighty two percent of the patients were male. The clinical condition was stable in unstable in 34; eleven had had a previous myocardial infarction. Six had multivessel coronary disease, all of them underwent combined balloon angioplasty of other segments. The treated lesion was native in 41 patients and previously dilated by balloon (restenosis) in 4. Two patients needed balloon predilation with 2 and 2.5 mm to facilitate the pass of the atherocatheter. The size of the Simpson atherocatheter was mainly 7F (78%). The weight of the resected arteriosclerotic material was 11 +/- 7 mg. RESULTS: Primary success (residual stenosis < 40% without major complications) was obtained in 42 out of 45 patients (93%); 3 patients (7%) had major complications (1 death, 1 emergency surgery, and 1 non-Q wave myocardial infarction). A follow-up angiography study was available in 31 patients 7 +/- 8 months later. Restenosis was evidenced in 12 (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Simpson atherectomy for left anterior descending artery ostial lesions is an effective transluminal alternative in selected patients providing a high rate of primary success (93%) and an acceptable restenosis rate (39%).

Adult↗

Incidence of specific etiology and role of methods for specific etiologic diagnosis of primary acute pericarditis.

To assess the incidence of a specific etiology and the role of methods for specific etiologic diagnosis in patients with primary acute pericarditis, we studied 100 patients with primary acute pericarditis consecutively admitted to our hospital between 1991 and 1993. A general diagnostic protocol was performed in all patients, whereas only pericardiocentesis was performed in patients with clinical cardiac tamponade or an unfavorable course with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgical drainage and pericardial biopsy was performed in patients with tamponade relapse. A specific etiology was discovered in 22 patients (22%) (neoplasms in 7, tuberculosis in 4, other infections in 3, collagen diseases in 3, thyroid disorders in 4, and dissecting aortic aneurysm in 1). The general diagnostic protocol led to a specific diagnosis in 15 patients (68% of all patients with specific acute pericarditis) and pericardiocentesis in the other 7 patients (32%). The role of a diagnostic protocol, therapeutic pericardiocentesis, and diagnostic pericardiocentesis was similar and complementary. Pericardial biopsy results were negative in the 5 patients in whom it was performed. Cardiac tamponade and an unfavorable clinical outcome were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the finding of a specific etiology; when both features were combined, sensitivity was 86% and specificity 85%, positive predictive value 63% and negative predictive value 96%. We conclude that the specific etiology in patients with primary acute pericarditis is about 20% to 25%, and that about 90% of these specific cases can be discovered by using the described systematic diagnostic protocol only in patients with an unfavorable outcome (cardiac tamponade or poor clinical course).

Acute Disease↗

Hemocompatible properties of polymeric derivative of paracetamol.

Copolymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and p-acryloyloxiacetanilide (AOA) was carried out at different mole ratios of the monomers to obtain copolymers of varying compositions. DMAA contents were very near to the corresponding monomer feed and varied between 0.20 and 0.80. Investigation of the protein adsorption of these polymer surfaces showed that copolymers with higher DMAA content adsorbed more albumin than fibrinogen. The scanning electron micrographs of the polymer-coated coverslips after contact with blood showed an antithrombogenic behaviour of these surfaces.

Acetaminophen↗

[Acute myocarditis with severe cardiac dysfunction in the pediatric population. The evolution and differential characteristics with respect to adult myocarditis].

AIMS: The aim of our study was to assess the spontaneous outcome of acute myocarditis associated with severe cardiac dysfunction in children, as well as to compare these features with those occurring in adult patients. METHODS: Fifty patients consecutively diagnosed of acute myocarditis during the last 7 years in our hospital were studied; 15 patients were children younger than 14 years, and 35 were adults. Immunosuppressive therapy was not used in any patient. RESULTS: Mean age was 2 +/- 3 years in children, ranging from 2 months to 12 years. One patient required temporary pacing for a third-degree atrioventricular block, while the remaining 14 children had severe congestive heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30 +/- 12% (16 to 44%). After a mean follow-up of 21 +/- 26 months, only 3 children died, at 1, 4 and 10 months after the initial diagnosis. Death was sudden in all 3 patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction rose to 45 +/- 14% at 1 month after diagnosis, and to 58 +/- 15% at the end of follow-up. Unfavorable evolution (death or evolution to chronic dilated cardiomyopathy, with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%) occurred in 6 children (40%) at 1 month after diagnosis and in only 4 (25%) at the end of follow-up. The 9 children with 1-month favorable outcome were alive and had an ejection fraction > 45% at long-term, while only 2 of the 6 children with 1-month unfavorable outcome were alive and had an ejection fraction > 45% at long-term. Only the 3 children who died had an ejection fraction < 30% at 1-month. Favorable outcome was more frequent in children that in adult patients with acute myocarditis (75% versus 46%). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of acute myocarditis with severe cardiac dysfunction was favorable in a majority of pediatric patients; this favorable evolution was less frequent in adults. Patients in whom left ventricular ejection fraction did not increase at short-term had a higher risk of death, and they should probably be considered for heart transplantation.

Acute Disease↗

Application of new coatings for vascular grafts based on polyacrylic systems with antiaggregating activity.

A study has been made of the behaviour of knitted and woven Dacron mesh used in the preparation of vascular grafts when coated with either a layer of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or co-polymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with 5, 10 or 20 wt% of an acrylic derivative of salicylic acid, 2-methacryloyloxybenzoic acid. In vitro studies were carried out to quantify the loss of polymer under flow conditions, and ex vivo studies were done in dogs to quantify the deposition of 111In-oxine-labelled platelets. The treated materials showed a lesser deposition of platelet thrombi when compared with the control group.

Animals↗

[Infectious endocarditis in non-addict patients without predisposing heart disease. Differential features].

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Although uncommonly, infective endocarditis in non-addict patients may involve people without predisponente heart disease. The aim of our study was to assess the clinical and prognostic features of this type of endocarditis and to compare them with those of the more common type of endocarditis with underlying lesion. METHODS: With this aim, we have reviewed 71 consecutive cases of non-addict infective endocarditis diagnosed in our hospital in the last 7 years; there was no preexisting cardiac lesion in 9 patients (13% of all endocarditis and 21% of native valve endocarditis), while underlying heart disease, including mitral valve prolapse, was present in the remaining 62 patients. RESULTS: Mean age was significantly lower in 9 patients without preexistent lesion (28 +/- 18 versus 46 +/- 17 years, p < 0.01), while there was no differences for gender. Infection involved the aortic valve in 56%, the tricuspid or pulmonary valve in 33% and the mitral valve in only 11% of the patients without underlying cardiopathy (for 44%, 4% and 49%, respectively, in patients with cardiopathy). Staphylococcus aureus caused 67% of cases in patients without cardiopathy and only 9% in those with cardiopathy. Surgery was required in a similar proportion by both groups of patients (55% and 56%), although mortality was more than twice higher in patients with prior cardiac lesions (25% versus 11%). CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of non-addict infective endocarditis involves patients without predisponente heart disease. These cases have some differential features (younger age, aortic and right heart valves involvement, S. aureus as the main causative agent and lower mortality) in comparison to those of endocarditis in patients with underlying cardiopathy.

Adolescent↗

[The echocardiographic findings in patients with brain death. The implications for their selection as heart transplant donors].

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Brain death causes myocardial impairment by some mechanisms not yet well understood. The aim of this work was to assess the echocardiographic features found in these patients and their implication in donor selection for heart transplantation. METHODS: With this aim, we have studied 38 consecutive patients with brain death assessed as possible donors for heart transplant in our hospital in the last 3 years. Age was 23 +/- 13 years; 77% were male. No history of cardiac disease was present in any patient. An adequate transthoracic echocardiogram was obtained in 74% of patients; transesophageal view was used in the remaining 26%. RESULTS: Echocardiogram was strictly normal in only 14 patients (37%). Mild valvular alterations were found in 5 patients (13%); a dilated aortic root in 1 (3%); moderate concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in 5 (14%); mild pericardial effusion in 1 (3%); mild septal hypokinesia with normal left ventricular ejection fraction in 4 (10%); abnormal left ventricular diastolic function in 7 (18%); and diffuse hypokinesia with ejection fraction less than 60% in 14 (37%). In 7 patients (18%) ejection fraction was lower than 40% (one of them was cocaine-addict). Mean ejection fraction was 59 +/- 15% (23 to 83%). Only 2 of the 19 (10%) donor hearts implanted in our hospital showed early dysfunction after transplant, but no relation to pretransplant ejection fraction was found. Ejection fraction increased from 62% pretransplant to 73% at one week after transplant in the other 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Brain death commonly causes alterations of left ventricular function, and this impairment is severe in almost 20% of cases. These echocardiographic features must be known when selection of donors for heart transplantation is concerned.

Adolescent↗