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Biomedical subjects

A Gullo

Publications and source records attributed to A Gullo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Plasmapheresis in the critically ill patient.

Despite the wide number of diseases currently or previously treated with plasma exchange and plasmapheresis, the clinical effectiveness of these treatments has been established by large, controlled clinical trials only in few clinical conditions. The firmly accepted and the possible indications for these techniques in critically ill patients are reviewed and discussed, as well as their complications and possible side effects.

Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease↗
PubMed1997

Metabolic response to injury and sepsis: changes in protein metabolism.

The metabolic response to trauma and sepsis involves an increased loss of body proteins. Specific sites of changes of protein and amino acid metabolism have been identified. In skeletal muscle, the rate of proteolysis is accelerated greatly. The rate of protein synthesis also may be increased but not enough to match the increase in degradation. Intramuscular glutamine concentration is decreased because of increased efflux and possibly decreased de novo synthesis. In the liver, the rate of synthesis of selected proteins (i.e., albumin, transferrin, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and fibronectin) is decreased, whereas acute phase protein synthesis is accelerated. Tissues characterized by rapidly replicating cells, such as enterocytes, immune cells, granulation tissue, and keratinocytes, exhibit early alterations in the case of decreased protein synthesis capacity. In these tissues, glutamine use is accelerated. Increased stress hormone (cortisol and glucagon) and cytokine secretion, as well as intracellular glutamine depletion, are potential mediators of altered protein metabolism in trauma and sepsis. However, the relative importance of these factors has not been clarified. Therapy of acute protein catabolism may include the use of biosynthetic human growth hormone, possibly in combination with insulin-like growth factor-1, and the administration of metabolites at pharmacologic doses. We recently studied the effects of carnitine and alanyl-glutamine administration in severely traumatized patients. We found that both carnitine and the glutamine dipeptide restrained whole-body nitrogen loss without affecting selected indices of protein metabolism in the skeletal muscle.

Carnitine↗
PubMed1997

Hemodynamic effects of plasma exchange in septic patients: preliminary report.

To assess the effects of plasma exchange on the hemodynamic performance of septic patients, we studied 12 septic patients (11 males and 1 female, age range 19-64, mean 39 +/- 17 years). After cardiovascular stabilization, plasma exchange was performed in the spontaneous mode via a femorofemoral arteriovenous shunt; during the treatment the infusion rate of cardiovascular drugs and the mechanical ventilation setting were not modified. Heart rate, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, and peripheral vascular resistance did not change significantly. The stroke volume index increased significantly (from 49 +/- 9 to 60 +/- 9 ml/min/m2; p < 0.05) as well as the cardiac index (from 5.5 +/- 1.2 to 6.3 +/- 0.8 liters/min/m2, the oxygen delivery (from 785 +/- 166 to 872 +/- 118 ml/min/m2; p < 0.05), and the left ventricular stroke work index/pulmonary artery occlusion pressure ratio (from 4.03 +/- 1.92 to 5.07 +/- 2.54; p < 0.05). The oxygen consumption did not change. Four patients survived. In conclusion, in our patients plasma exchange was associated with an improvement in cardiac function, possibly due to the elimination of some sepsis mediator(s) with negative inotropic properties.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Ingredients of organ dysfunction or failure.

The simultaneous dysfunction of several organs (MODS, or multiple organ dysfunction) represents the most challenging task for the intensivist. In recent years more and more patients have been diagnosed as suffering from MODS due to several causes, including better immediate treatment of injuries that only a few years ago would have been considered incompatible with life or with consequent reduced organ reserve. Even if initially MODS has been associated with infections and sepsis, because of its similarity with a generalized inflammatory reaction mediated by a wide array of mediators, it is now clear that noninfectious insults, such as multiple trauma, acute pancreatitis, and retroperitoneal bleeding, can start a chain reaction ultimately leading to the onset of MODS. A specific trigger factor has not yet been identified, but experimental and clinical evidence suggests that the gut, endothelium, and immune system interact to produce the altered metabolic and cardiorespiratory patterns commonly observed in patients with MODS. It is thus possible that a target-oriented approach, including rapid correction of intestinal underperfusion, supply of specific nutrients, and down-regulation of the inflammatory cascade, can act as either a preventive measure for subjects at risk or as a main treatment for patients with full-blown MODS.

Bacterial Translocation↗
PubMed1996

Traumatic blunt carotid injury: clinical experience and review of the literature.

To evaluate the symptoms, the associated lesions, the treatment and the outcome of patients with blunt carotid injury (BCI), we reviewed the records of all patients admitted to our intensive care unit with head trauma between May 1991 and May 1995. A patient's assessment included the commonly used severity scores and cranial computed tomography (CT). Other diagnostic investigations were performed according to the clinical setting. Four patients (2 males, 2 females, age 29 +/- 13 years) out of 145 were diagnosed to have BCI. At admission, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was > or = 12 in all patients, and was associated with hemiparesis in three of them; the fourth became paretic 48 hours later. No pathological elements were demonstrated at the initial CT scan, whilst subsequent examinations showed signs of ischaemia after a variable interval from admission. In every patient the radiologic investigations demonstrated a thrombotic obstruction of the internal carotid artery (ICA), associated with an intimal dissection in two cases. Three patients were discharged with only minor neurologic symptoms. The fourth patient was referred to our ICU after the development of a massive hemispheric infarction, and died 3 days after admission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Use of the laryngeal mask in general anesthesia. Clinical experience].

GOAL OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the use of the laryngeal mask during general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively studied patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia in spontaneous breathing. ENVIRONMENT: Urologic and general surgical ward, with standard monitoring equipment. PATIENTS: We studied consecutively 100 patients (ASA 1-3, 80 males, 20 females, age 64 +/- 15 years, range 19-98 years); 59 patients had a preexisting cardiopulmonary or metabolic disease. Monitoring included ECG, the arterial pressure (noninvasive), the CO2 capnography (EtCO2), the pulsossimetry (SpO2), the respiratory rate (RR) and the tidal volume/kg (TVi). The double product (DP = heart rate X systolic arterial pressure) was used as an index of cardiac stress. These parameters were recorded at 10-minute intervals throughout the procedure. RESULTS: The heart rate, the systolic arterial pressure remained stable during the anesthesia, whereas the DP significantly decreased at t10, t20, t30 and t40. The EtCO2 decreased slightly (from 41 +/- 6 to a 36 +/- 4 mmHg; p.n.s.), SpO2 did not change (from 97 +/- 2% to 96 +/- 2%; p:n.s.). The RR significantly increased at t30 and t40 and the TVi significantly increased during the first hour. No relevant complications have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesia with laryngeal mask was not associated with any detrimental cardiovascular and respiratory effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Drug-induced hyperthermia in a patient with persistent vegetative state. Case report and review of the literature.

The case of posttraumatic patient with persistent vegetative state and severe and prolonged hyperthermia (T = 39-40 degrees C for more than 20 days), in absence of infection, is described. Diffuse muscular rigidity, treated with L-dopa, slightly preceded the onset of hyperthermia, which was treated with several antipyretics, including phenotiazines. The withdrawal of these drugs and the administration of dantrolene and bromocriptine was followed by the restoration of the normal body temperature.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Pregnancy in a sample of immigrants from Southeast Asia living in the Messina region].

Hundred-forty-eight pregnancies in immigrants from South-east Asia were analyzed. A high number of such patients underwent legal abortion; in the women who carried on pregnancy, the authors considered the course of pregnancy, delivery and puerperium and some neonatal parameters. The results have shown that pregnancy in immigrants presents a certain amount of risk.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1994

Impact of emergency medical helicopter service on mortality for trauma in north-east Italy. A regional prospective audit.

The hypothesis that high level on-the-field ATLS could influence mortality in severe trauma patients was tested by means of a prospective study. During a 7 month period, data of all the victims of severe involuntary trauma (road traffic accidents, work and sport accidents) in 3 Provinces of north-east Italy were entered in a database and analysed. The whole area is covered by a single emergency service which has direct control over all the ambulances and the Emergency Helicopter Service (EMHS). The area concerned by the study has a surface of 7,300 kmq with a population of 1 million inhabitants and is served by 12 first level hospitals and 4 second level institutions (trauma centres). All the patients who were still alive at the time of arrival of the first rescuers were considered, but only severe trauma patients with ISS > 15 were enclosed into the study. All the patients were followed up to their discharge from the ICUs (end point). There were three different rescue approaches: 82 Patients (GROUP A) were rescued by EMTs with BLS training, transported to the nearest level 1 hospital for stabilisation and subsequently transferred to a trauma center; 98 Patients (GROUP B) were rescued by EMTs and directly transported to a trauma centre which was the nearest institution; 42 Patients were rescued on the scene by the EMHS team including an anaesthesiologist with 10 years experience in trauma care and directly transported to a trauma centre after full on-the-field stabilisation (GROUP C) RESULTS: 222 severe trauma patients (ISS > 15) were considered. Mean ISS was 35.1 +/- 18.2 in group A, 33.4 +/- 19.6 in group B and 36.0 +/- 17.8 in group C. 67 patients died previous to ICU discharge (31%). 31 over the 82 pts in Group A (38%) died. 23 of them died even before reaching the trauma centre. The mean time elapsed between the first emergency call and the arrival at the trauma centre was 162 min (90'-300'). Mean ICU stay for patients who survived was 15 days. In Group B 31 over 98 patients (32%) died before ICU discharge. The mean time between the emergency call and hospital admission was 27'. Mean ICU stay for patients who were discharged, was 13 days. 5 over 42 patients rescued by the EMHS (Group C) died, none of them in the pre-hospital setting. Stabilisation included tracheal intubation in 34 cases (81%) and thoracic drainage in 6 (14%). All the patients arrived at the hospital with 2 i.v. line. The average amount of infused fluids were 600 mls of colloids and 810 mls of crystalloid. 13 patients with hypotension received and average of 1000 mls of colloids and 1200 mls of crystalloid. The average time elapsed between the emergency call and the final admission to the definitive care institution was 55'. Mean ICU stay was 11 days. Mortality rate in this group was 12%, significantly lower than in group A (p < 0.005) and group B (p < 0.05).

Air Ambulances↗