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Biomedical subjects

E M Cockerill

Publications and source records attributed to E M Cockerill.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide release in normal humans.

Atrial volume, pressure, and heart rate are considered the most important modulators of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release, although their relative role is unknown. Continuous positive-pressure breathing in normal humans may cause atrial pressure and atrial volume to go in opposite directions (increase and decrease, respectively). We utilized this maneuver to differentially manipulate atrial volume and atrial pressure and evaluate the effect on ANP release. Effective filling pressure (atrial pressure minus pericardial pressure) was also monitored, because this variable has been proposed as another modulator of ANP secretion. We measured right atrial (RA) pressure, RA area, esophageal pressure (reflection of pericardial pressure), and RA and peripheral venous ANP in seven healthy adult males at rest and during continuous positive-pressure breathing (19 mmHg for 15 min). Continuous positive-pressure breathing decreased RA area (mean +/- SE, *P less than 0.05) 13.6 +/- 1.1 to 10.5 +/- 0.8* cm2, increased RA pressure 4 +/- 1 to 16 +/- 1* mmHg, increased esophageal pressure 2 +/- 1 to 12 +/- 1* mmHg, and increased effective filling pressure 2 +/- 0 to 4 +/- 1* mmHg. RA ANP increased from 67 +/- 17 to 91 +/- 18* pmol/l and peripheral venous ANP from 43 +/- 4 to 58 +/- 6* pmol/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Enteroclysis in the evaluation of suspected small intestinal bleeding.

One hundred twenty-five consecutive enteroclysis studies performed for the indication of gastrointestinal bleeding were reviewed. The overall yield of positive studies was low (10%) but important lesions were found. Patients with unequivocally normal evaluations of the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon had the highest yield of positive enteroclysis studies (20%). Neither the specific type of bleeding, the presence or absence of abdominal symptoms or physical examination findings, nor the results of laboratory tests were associated with a positive or negative enteroclysis study.

Angiography

Atrial natriuretic peptide, renin and aldosterone in obstructive lung disease and heart failure.

Elevations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) are presumably due to atrial hypertension, while secondary hyperaldosteronism in these patients is thought to result from diminished renal perfusion. The responsiveness of the ANP and renin (PRA)-aldosterone (PA) systems to acute increases in right atrial pressure has not been studied in these patients, but in normals a reciprocal relationship between ANP with PRA and PA has been shown. The authors monitored venous pressure (VP, reflective of right atrial pressure), ANP, PRA and PA in 15 stable COLD patients, seven stable CHF patients and three normal controls at baseline and after elevation of VP by antishock trousers. Inflation of the trousers resulted in increased VP and ANP (p less than 0.05): control ANP, 84 +/- 17 to 108 +/- 23 pg/ml; COLD ANP, 176 +/- 5 to 200 +/- 7; and CHF ANP, 388 +/- 20 to 499 +/- 37. PRA and PA were not suppressed by increasing ANP levels and the delta ANP/delta VP ratio was similar among groups. No intergroup differences in resting PRA and PA were noted, but PRA was higher (p = 0.007) and PA tended to be higher (p = 0.08) in a sub-group of six edematous patients, as compared with non-edematous patients and controls. These findings: (1) confirm previously reported ANP differences between COLD and CHF; (2) indicate that the ANP system remains responsive to physiologic manipulations in COLD and CHF; and (3) demonstrate that ANP and the PRA-PA axis are not reciprocally related in either group.

Aged

Duodenal crypts.

During the course of 2,340 barium examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, four male patients were found to have multiple small outpouchings on the surface of the duodenal bulb. These findings, designated duodenal crypts, are considered to be asymptomatic and are not to be confused with inflammatory changes. The endoscopic and roentgenologic appearances are illustrated.

Diagnosis, Differential

Duodenal crypts.

During the course of 2,340 barium examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract, four male patients were found to have multiple small outpouchings on the surface of the duodenal bulb. These findings, designated duodenal crypts, are considered to be asymptomatic and are not to be confused with inflammatory changes. The endoscopic and roentgenologic appearances are illustrated.

Adult

Optimal visualization of esophageal varices.

Twelve patients with known esophageal varices and willingness to cooperate were included in the study. Medications administered were placebo, 2 mg of glucagon, and 30 mg of propantheline bromide. All medications were given double-blind and crossover. On the basis of this study the authors believe that for optimal visualization of esophageal varices the following is the procedure of choice: (1) the patient should remain horizontal (this is best done in the left lateral position for comfort and ease of expectoration) for ten minutes after swallowing high density barium; (2) the patient should "clear his throat" frequently and expectorate all saliva (barium sticks to the pharynx and makes the patient want to swallow and "clearing his throat" by forced expiration helps the patient to expectorate this coating and prevents swallowing); (3) filming should be done in expiration in the supine (left posterior oblique to table top) position; and (4) in equivocal cases the examination can be repeated with an anticholinergic drug if the patient has no contraindications to its use. The patient should empty his bladder just before administration of the drug. The intelligent use of these factors should result in a saving of both fluoroscopic time and film, and give the radiologist a safe optimal diagnostic yield.

Adult