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Biomedical subjects

A Reber

Publications and source records attributed to A Reber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Status asthmaticus with rhabdomyolysis of the respiratory muscles].

A 40-year-old roofer called the medical emergency team because of sudden dyspnea and chest constriction. He was suffering from bronchial asthma that exacerbated probably due to the inhalation of a solvent while at work. Because of status asthmaticus he was intubated immediately after arrival in the hospital and breathing had to be assisted artificially for ten hours. After extubation he complained of chest pain. In view of an elevated creatinkinase of 4368 U/1 this was interpreted as rhabdomyolysis of the respiratory muscles due to the status asthmaticus. As a cause of chest pain and elevation of creatinkinase after severe respiratory work under hypoxic conditions rhabdomyolysis of the involved musculature has to be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Low Y chromosome variation in Saudi-Arabian hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas hamadryas).

It is important to characterise the amount of variation on the mammalian Y chromosome in order to assess its potential for use in evolutionary studies. We report very low levels of polymorphism on the Y chromosome of Saudi-Arabian hamadryas baboons, Papio hamadryas hamadryas. We found no segregating sites on the Y, despite sequence analysis of 3 kb noncontiguous intron sequence in 16 males with divergent autosomal microsatellite genotypes, and a further analysis of 1.1 kb intron sequence in 97 males from four populations by SSCP. In addition, we tested seven human-derived Y-linked microsatellites in baboons. Only four of these loci were male-specific and only one was polymorphic in our 97 male sample set. Polymorphism on the Y chromosome of Arabian hamadryas appears to be low compared to other primate species for which data are available (eg humans, chimpanzees and bonobos). Low effective population size (Ne) of paternal genes due to polygyny and female-biased adult sex ratio is a potential reason for low Y chromosome variation in this species. However, low Ne for the Y should be counterbalanced to some extent by the species' atypical pattern of male philopatry and female-biased dispersal. Allelic richness averaged over seven loci was not significantly different between an African and an Arabian population, suggesting that loss of variation during the colonisation of Arabia does not explain low Y variation. Finally, in the absence of nucleotide polymorphism, it is unclear to what extent selection could be responsible for low Y variation in this species.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Impact of spinal anaesthesia on peri-operative lung volumes in obese and morbidly obese female patients.

Although obesity predisposes to postoperative pulmonary complications, data on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and peri-operative respiratory performance are limited. We prospectively studied the impact of spinal anaesthesia, obesity and vaginal surgery on lung volumes measured by spirometry in 28 patients with BMI 30-40 kg.m(-2) and in 13 patients with BMI > or = 40 kg.m(-2). Vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, mid-expiratory and peak expiratory flows were measured during the pre-operative visit (baseline), after effective spinal anaesthesia with premedication, and after the operation at 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h (after mobilisation). Spinal anaesthesia and premedication were associated with a significant decrease in spirometric parameters. Spinal anaesthesia and premedication were associated with a significant decrease in spirometric parameters; mean (SD) vital capacities were - 19% (6.4) in patients with BMI 30-40 kg.m(-2) and - 33% (9.0) in patients with BMI > 40 kg.m(-2). The decrease of lung volumes remained constant for 2 h, whereas 3 h after the operation and after mobilisation, spirometric parameters significantly improved in all patients. This study showed that both spinal anaesthesia and obesity significantly impaired peri-operative respiratory function.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema after routine extubation successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma.

Non-allergic angio-oedema is a potentially life-threatening condition typically seen in patients with hereditary or acquired angio-oedema caused by C1 inhibitor deficiency or an adverse drug reaction to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. We report a case of sudden angio-oedema in a patient who developed severe swelling of the tongue and neck after routine extubation requiring resuscitative re-intubation. The oedema was refractory to conventional allergy treatment. Shortly thereafter, the patient was treated with fresh frozen plasma, and within a few hours his condition improved, allowing extubation. Familial history and exposure to potentially angio-oedema causative drugs were not evident. The serum complement status was normal, and no IgE sensitisation was detected. We therefore concluded that the patient was suffering from idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an acute, life-threatening attack of idiopathic non-histaminergic angio-oedema that was successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2005

[Airways and respiratory function in obese patients. Anaesthetic and intensive care aspects and recommendations].

In obese patients, perioperative pulmonary complications have an increased frequency and are associated with higher morbidity and mortality compared with non-obese patients. The management of surgical procedures in these patients is a challenge for the anaesthetist. Knowledge of pathophysiological and pharmacological aspects of the obese patients' condition is essential for their care during preoperative assessment, intra-operative management and, if necessary, postoperative intensive care. Special information on airway and lung protection as well as cases involving laparoscopic surgery, obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia in obese patients are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of perioperative spirometric data following spinal or general anaesthesia in normal-weight and overweight gynaecological patients.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data comparing the impact of spinal anaesthesia (SA) and general anaesthesia (GA) on perioperative lung function. Here we assessed the differences of these two anaesthetic techniques on perioperative lung volumes in normal-weight (BMI < 25) and overweight (BMI 25-30) patients using spirometry. METHODS: We prospectively studied 84 consenting patients having operations in the vaginal region receiving either GA (n = 41) or SA (n = 43). Both groups (GA and SA) were further divided into two subgroups each (normal-weight vs. overweight). We measured vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), midexpiratory (MEF25-75) and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) at the preoperative assessment (baseline), after premedication, after effective SA, and 20 min, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h after the operation (last measurement after patient mobilization). RESULTS: Premedication was associated with a small but significant decrease in lung volumes in direct correlation with BMI (-5%). Spinal anaesthesia resulted in a significant reduction in lung volumes in overweight as opposed to normal-weight patients. Postoperatively, lung volumes were significantly more reduced following GA than SA as indicated by differences in mean VC (SD) of -12 (6)% vs. -6 (5)% 20 min after the end of the operation in the normal-weight and -18 (5)% vs. -10 (5)% in the overweight patients. There was a significant impact of BMI on postoperative respiratory function, which was significantly more important in the GA group than in the SA group, and recovery of lung volumes was more rapid in the normal-weight patients than in the overweight patients, particularly in the SA group. CONCLUSION: In gynaecological patients undergoing vaginal surgery, the impact of anaesthesia on postoperative lung function as assessed by spirometry was significantly less after SA than GA, particularly in overweight patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effect of obesity and thoracic epidural analgesia on perioperative spirometry.

BACKGROUND: Lung volumes in obese patients are reduced significantly in the postoperative period. As the effect of different analgesic regimes on perioperative spirometric tests in obese patients has not yet been studied, we investigated the effect of thoracic epidural analgesia and conventional opioid-based analgesia on perioperative lung volumes measured by spirometry. METHODS: Eighty-four patients having midline laparotomy for gynaecological procedures successfully completed the study. Premedication, anaesthesia and analgesia were standardized. The patients were given a free choice between epidural analgesia (EDA) (n=42) or opioids (n=42) for postoperative analgesia. We performed spirometry to measure vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, mid-expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in 1 s at preoperative assessment, 30-60 min after premedication and 20 min, 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after extubation. RESULTS: Baseline values were all within the normal range. All perioperative spirometric values decreased significantly with increasing body mass index (BMI). The greatest reduction in VC occurred directly after extubation, but was less in the EDA group than in the opioid group: mean of -23(sd 8)% versus -30(12)% (P<0.001). In obese patients (BMI>30) the difference in VC was significantly more pronounced than in patients of normal weight (BMI<25): -45(10)% versus -33(4)% (P<0.001). Recovery of spirometric values was significantly quicker in patients receiving EDA, particularly in obese patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that EDA should be considered in obese patients undergoing midline laparotomy to improve postoperative spirometry.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Subarachnoid haemorrhage after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section].

This case report describes a cortical subarachnoid bleeding in a 29-year-old woman who presented with headache and left-sided hemiplegia 7 days after spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a parietal subarachnoid bleeding on the right side. The patient recovered completely. Recognized causes of subarachnoid haematoma following a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Effect of obesity and site of surgery on perioperative lung volumes.

BACKGROUND: Although obese patients are thought to be susceptible to postoperative pulmonary complications, there are only limited data on the relationship between obesity and lung volumes after surgery. We studied how surgery and obesity affect lung volumes measured by spirometry. METHODS: We prospectively studied 161 patients having either breast surgery (Group A, n=80) or lower abdominal laparotomy (Group B, n=81). Premedication and general anaesthesia were standardized. Spirometry was measured with the patient supine, in a 30 degrees head-up position. We measured vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in 1 s at preoperative assessment (baseline), after premedication (before induction of anaesthesia) and 10-20 min, 1 h and 3 h after extubation. RESULTS: Baseline spirometric values were all within the normal range. All perioperative values decreased significantly with increasing body mass index (BMI). The greatest reduction of mean VC (expressed as percentage of baseline values) occurred after extubation, and was more marked after laparotomy than after breast surgery (23 (SD 14)% vs 20 (14)%). Considering patients according to BMI (<25, 25-30, >30), VC decreased after surgery by 12 (7)%, 24 (8)% and 40 (10)%, respectively. VC recovered more rapidly in Group A. CONCLUSION: Postoperative reduction in spirometric volumes was related to BMI. Obesity had more effect on VC than the site of surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The effect of epidural analgesia in labour on maternal respiratory function.

Lumbar epidural analgesia during labour has gained widespread acceptance. The impact of epidural analgesia based on mixtures of low-dose local anaesthetic solutions and lipophilic opioids on most clinically relevant obstetric outcomes is minimal. Since the pregnant state per se is associated with important alterations in respiration, we assessed whether a subtle degree of motor blockade brought about by epidural analgesia might compromise respiratory function as assessed by spirometry. Sixty consenting parturients receiving epidural analgesia were consecutively included in this prospective study. We performed spirometry during the antepartum visit and in labour after effective epidural analgesia was established; at both assessments the women were pain-free. Values were within normal ranges but increased significantly after effective epidural analgesia; median (IQR [range]) increase for vital capacity 7.4 (3.0-13 [-12-27])% (p < 0.001); forced vital capacity 4.4 (1.7-9.8 [-13-26])% (p < 0.001); forced expiratory volume in 1 s 5.5 (1.7-8.6 [-14-28])% (p < 0.001); and peak expiratory flow rate 2.3 (-1.6-5.8 [-18-16])% (p = 0.01)). We conclude that epidural analgesia for labour significantly improved respiratory function.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Impact of spinal anaesthesia and obesity on maternal respiratory function during elective Caesarean section.

Spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section has gained widespread acceptance. We assessed the impact of spinal anaesthesia and body mass index (BMI) on spirometric performance. In this prospective study, we consecutively assessed 71 consenting parturients receiving spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine and fentanyl for elective Caesarean section. We performed spirometry during the antepartum visit (baseline), immediately after spinal anaesthesia, 10-20 min, 1 h, 2 h after the operation, and after mobilisation (3 h). Baseline values were within normal ranges. There was a significant decrease in all spirometric parameters after effective spinal anaesthesia that persisted throughout the study period. The decrease in respiratory function was significantly greater in obese (BMI > 30 kg x m(-2)) than in normal-weight parturients (BMI < 25 kg x m(-2)), e.g. median (IQR) vital capacity directly after spinal anaesthesia; -24 (-16 to -31)% vs. -11 (-6 to -16)%, p < 0.001 and recovery was significantly slower. We conclude that both spinal anaesthesia and obesity significantly impair respiratory function in parturients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Cataract surgery in a patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

This case report describes airway management during cataract surgery for a patient with known severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Surgery could not be performed using a pure local anesthetic procedure because of the psychological history of the patient. In consideration of the severity of the patient's sleep apnea syndrome, we chose an anesthetic procedure that would compromise the upper airway as little as possible. For respiratory strategy, the patient's own nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) equipment was used. Anesthesia was maintained with continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil while the patient was breathing spontaneously. The patient was transferred to the recovery room where nasal CPAP was continued for 1 h until the patient was returned to the ward.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2003

[Death on the operating table. Anesthesiologic and medicolegal aspects].

Since death on the operating table is a relatively rare incident, it raises a number of special medicolegal questions that are discussed in this article. One of the major concerns for medical personnel is being accused of malpractice during treatment, as it is an obvious presumption on the part of laymen that death was directly related to the medical treatment as compared with other in-hospital deaths. Questions such as who is responsible for issues of informed consent and liability are discussed. Other important aspects such as communication with the bereaved, transparent chronological documentation of the death circumstances, questions regarding certification of death, questions arising from autopsy done to determine the reason of death, questions about malpractice, legal requirements concerning confidential medical communication and information about what must be sent to the professional indemnity insurance company are elucidated. There is also some special information presented for cases that involve the deaths of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2001

[Atkinson's retrobulbar anesthesia. A quality control study].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Recognized local and systemic complications of retrobulbar anaesthesia (RA) are well known. The purpose of this study was to determine which clinical signs predict the success of the RA technique. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 500 consecutive patients scheduled for elective eye surgery for cataracts and for vitreoretinal procedures. Anaesthesia was administered using the Atkinson RA technique while for preoperative quality control, the following parameters were recorded: chemosis, eye motility, preservation of vision, active eyelid movement, and burning caused by disinfection. For analysis, a multidimensional model designed to be useful for forecasting results of the anaesthetic outcome was used. The RA was labeled as a "success" when no supplementary anaesthetics were required. "Partial success" was defined as an incomplete RA with supplementary subconjunctival anaesthetic requirement or an anaesthetic given in the form of eyedrops. In the case of "RA failure", the RA had to be repeated. RESULTS: The success rate for RA was higher for cataract operations than for glaucoma operations. The success rate was not associated with the choice of the local anaesthetic, the application of ocular, compression, or the anaesthetists and surgeons who performed the RA. Burning caused by disinfectant, lid opening and temporal eye motility were found not to be associated with a successful outcome. The presence of chemosis had no influence on the success of anaesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated that prognostic factors such as defined existing clinical signs, are early predictors of the success of the Atkinson RA.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The bronchial cast syndrome after the fontan procedure: further evidence of its etiology.

We describe a three-year-old boy who presented with recurrent expectoration of bronchial casts six months following creation of a fenestrated lateral tunnel Fontan circulation for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated elevated central venous pressure with two areas of stenosis within the Fontan circuit, specifically at the junction of the right superior caval vein and the right pulmonary artery, and between the atrial baffle and the right superior caval vein. Insertion of Palmaz stents in these areas resulted in a reduction in central venous pressure, and a transient reduction in production of casts. Eight weeks after catheterization, however, he produced further casts, which resulted in hypoxia, respiratory arrest and death. We reviewed the autopsied specimens obtained from patients with the Fontan circulation over an eleven-year period at our institution in order to ascertain the prevalence of subclinical production of bronchial casts. We found no casts in the thirteen patients examined. Hemodynamic assessment is vital in all patients who develop this syndrome, and should be the primary focus of investigation, rather than solely directing efforts at lysis of casts.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗
PubMed2001

Effect of jaw-thrust and continuous positive airway pressure on tidal breathing in deeply sedated infants.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the physiologic impact of the jaw-thrust maneuver or the administration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on tidal breathing in deeply sedated infants. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized study of infants undergoing elective fiberoptic bronchoscopy while sedated with intermittent doses of propofol. METHODS: Spontaneous tidal breathing was measured in the supine position by means of a spirometer attached to a bronchoscopy face mask. Tidal breaths were recorded under the following conditions: (1) neutral sniffing position, (2) jaw-thrust, (3) neutral sniffing position, and (4) CPAP of 5 cm H(2)O. Improvement was defined as a change of more than twice the coefficient of variation of repeated measurements of tidal volume and flows from baseline. RESULTS: Jaw-thrust increased tidal volume, minute ventilation, and peak tidal inspiratory and expiratory flows significantly in all 13 infants studied (mean +/- SEM age = 8 +/- 2 months). CPAP increased peak tidal inspiratory and expiratory flows by more than twice the coefficient of variation of baseline measurements in 6 patients and tidal volume and minute ventilation in 5 of 10 patients studied. CONCLUSION: Jaw-thrust and CPAP are effective techniques to improve ventilation of sedated infants undergoing interventions that compromise upper airway patency.

Bronchoscopy↗
PubMed2001

Effect of common airway manoeuvres on upper airway dimensions and clinical signs in anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing children.

Chin lift, jaw thrust and these manoeuvres combined with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be used to improve the patency of the upper airway during general anaesthesia. We used video endoscopy and measurement of stridor to compare the efficacy of these manoeuvres in 24 children (3-10 yr) with adenotonsillar hyperplasia. A bronchofibrescope was passed via the nose while the children were breathing spontaneously, to identify (i) the shortest transverse distance between the tonsils during inspiration and during expiration and (ii) the distance from the tip of the epiglottis to the posterior pharyngeal wall. Chin lift or jaw thrust lifted the epiglottis and, when combined with CPAP (10 cm H2O), there was a significant lateral displacement of the tonsils. Both chin lift plus CPAP and jaw thrust plus CPAP reduced stridor significantly compared with the unsupported condition. In conclusion, in spontaneously breathing children with large tonsils, chin lift plus CPAP is recommended, whereas jaw thrust plus CPAP is no better and may cause post-operative discomfort.

Adenoidectomy↗