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Biomedical subjects

A Pedro

Publications and source records attributed to A Pedro.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Clinical manifestations and therapeutic of isolated infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve].

We reviewed the records of patients admitted to our centre with the diagnosis of isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis and analysed the clinical presentation, etiopathogenic agent, echocardiographic features and therapeutic approach, namely the indication for cardiac surgery. Between 1988 and 1996, 11 cases of confirmed tricuspid valve endocarditis were identified, corresponding to 5% of the cases of endocarditis admitted to our centre in the same period. A predisposing factor was found in ten of the patients, half of them intravenous drug addicts and Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent agent isolated. Fever and pleuro-pulmonary manifestations were predominant clinical features. Transthoracic echocardiography had a crucial role in the diagnosis and transesophageal echocardiography was important to characterize vegetations. Four patients underwent cardiac surgery, for persistent infection. In two cases, excision of the vegetations and ring annuloplasty was performed. In two patients not addicted to drugs, the tricuspid valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis, since the extension of the damage to the valve did not allow repair. One patient, with early endocarditis of a tricuspid bioprosthesis died before surgery was attempted.

Endocarditis, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

[Biological prostheses in the tricuspid position. The immediate and follow-up results].

The results of bioprostheses in the tricuspid position were analysed in 42 patients. 79% were in NYHA class III-IV and 43% had previous cardiac surgery. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 86% of the cases. Surgical mortality was 14.3%. Mean follow-up was 54 +/- 31 months. Eight patients were reoperated (5.1%/patient/year), but only 3 for the tricuspid prosthesis. Four patients, with left-sided mechanical prostheses, had systemic thromboembolic events (3.8%/patient/year) and 3 on oral anticoagulation had major haemorrhage (2.8%/patient/year). Primary tricuspid valve dysfunction occurred in two patients (1.2%/patient/year). There were no cases of tricuspid valve thrombosis. For hospital survivors, 5 and 8 years survival was 91.4 +/- 10.3% and 76.2 +/- 10.4%, respectively. The only preoperative predictor of decreased survival was pulmonary artery systolic pressure > or = 50 mmHg. Tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthesis was usually performed in the set of multiple-valve operation, with previous cardiac surgery in a high percentage of patients, carrying a significant surgical mortality. However, the long-term survival and the low rate of events related to the tricuspid bioprosthesis favours its use, when conservative surgery is not feasible.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1997

Simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of losartan and E-3174 metabolite in human plasma, urine and dialysate.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of losartan and its E-3174 metabolite in human plasma, urine and dialysate. For plasma, a gradient mobile phase consisting of 25 mM potassium phosphate and acetonitrile pH 2.2 was used with a phenyl analytical column and fluorescence detection. For urine and dialysate, an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 25 mM potassium phosphate and acetonitrile (60:40, v/v) pH 2.2 was used. The method demonstrated linearity from 10 to 1000 ng/ml with a detection limit of 1 ng/ml for losartan and E-3174 using 10 microl of prepared plasma, urine or dialysate. The method was utilized in a study evaluating the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of losartan in patients with kidney failure undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1992

[Palliative care in cancer patients. Frequency and priority of symptoms].

BACKGROUND: The presence of multiple symptoms is very frequent in patients with advanced cancer disease. In this situation in which cure is not a realistic aim, the goal is to achieve symptom control and to give support to the patient and family. This study was designed to identify the most common and priority symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Patients were given a questionnaire with a list of symptoms and were asked to underline those they presented, and also number those they considered most distressful from 1-3. Physicians and nurse independently answered the same questionnaire. RESULTS: Asthenia was the most frequent symptom (patient evaluation 84%, nurse 82% and doctor 93%). Psychopathological disturbances showed a high prevalence. Regarding patient evaluation, dry mouth was the third symptom in frequency (73%), but it was detected by nurses in 39% and by physicians in 16%. Priority symptoms for the three groups were pain, asthenia, anorexia and anxiety. Pain was controlled in 19/22 patients (86%), while psychopathological symptoms were only controlled in 7/19 patients (27%). CONCLUSIONS: In order to optimize treatment patient participation is mandatory. An interdisciplinary team (physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists) is necessary to take care of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Spinal cord metastasis of carcinoma of the lung: evaluation of magnetic resonance and computed tomography in its diagnosis].

A patient with lung adenocarcinoma had progressive myelopathy. Computed tomography of spinal cord with intravenous contrast and magnetic resonance scan were negative. At autopsy, a spinal cord metastasis was found. In patients with cancer and clinical suspicion of spinal cord metastasis, palliative treatment with radiotherapy is indicated in spite of negative radiological investigations, so as to prevent the progression of myelopathy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of radioinduced cystitis by orgotein: a randomized study.

On the basis of previous experiences indicating that the anti-oxidant agent Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an effective drug in reducing acute and late radiation-induced tissue injury, in the Center of Radiotherapy and Oncology of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain in 1990 we implemented a randomized prospective study to analyze the incidence and grade of side effects in a group of bladder cancer patients. After surgery patients were randomly allocated to receive either: Option A: Radiotherapy or Option B: Radiotherapy + SOD 8 mgr/IM/day, after each radiotherapeutic application. Between January 1990 and January 1995 a total of 448 patients were included (226 A/ 222 B). Apart from cutaneous side effects, a highly significant incidence of radioinduced acute cystitis and rectitis was detected in patients not treated by SOD. Which was similar to the delayed side effects. From our data we can conclude that SOD is effective in decreasing acute radioinduced damage, and also in preventing the appearance of more delayed disorders.

Aged↗