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F A Shaheen

Publications and source records attributed to F A Shaheen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The impact of long-term cyclosporin-A therapy on hematological and biochemical profile in renal transplant patients.

With over a decade of extensive clinical use of cyclosporin A (CsA), assessment of its long-term safety implications is due. In this study the impact of long-term continuous use of CsA on a number of hematological and biochemical parameters in renal transplant patients was evaluated. Two groups of 13 patients each, one on conventional therapy (azathioprine + prednisolone) and the other on triple therapy (azathioprine + prednisolone + CsA) for 4 to 15 years post-transplantation were compared with respect to their current and overall laboratory values and clinical outcome. Laboratory values were also compared with those of 23 matched healthy subjects. No significant difference in the clinical outcome was found between conventional and triple therapy groups, however, the triple therapy group had significantly less favorable mean values compared to the conventional therapy group with respect to hemoglobin (12.1 +/- 2.2 vs 13.3 +/- 2.1 g/dl, p < 0.02), hematocrit (0.36 +/- 0.06 vs 0.42 +/- 0.03 l/l, p < 0.05), urea (13.0 +/- 3.7 vs 6.7 +/- 4.3 mmol/l, p < 0.01) and uric acid (460.0 +/- 112 vs 330 +/- 88 mumol/l, p < 0.05). The increase in serum uric acid levels in the triple therapy group was progressive throughout the post-transplant period. For the 19 other parameters measured corresponding mean values in the 2 groups were comparable. Mean laboratory values for many parameters in both groups, however, still differed from those in the control group. These results showed that kidney transplant patients on long-term triple therapy have more hematological and biochemical abnormalities and no better clinical outcome than those on conventional therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Increased silicon levels in dialysis patients due to high silicon content in the drinking water, inadequate water treatment procedures, and concentrate contamination: a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Although silicon is considered as an essential element, little is known about the basic effects and clinical significance of increased concentrations of the element in dialysis patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a multicentre study we found silicon levels in haemodialysis (HD) patients to be markedly increased. In these patients silicon concentrations were significantly higher than those noted in subjects with normal renal function as well as in patients with chronic renal failure not yet in dialysis and patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Moreover we noted that in both HD and CAPD patients mean silicon levels differed from one centre to another. Also, was there in the HD population a significant difference in serum silicon levels among patients from different countries. In HD patients differences in serum silicon levels were either due to the use of silicon contaminated dialysis fluids or an increased oral intake of the element mainly originating from the high silicon content of the drinking water. Silicon contamination of the dialysis fluid was found to be due to either the use of reverse osmosis membranes that insufficiently retain the element during water treatment or by the addition of concentrates containing high amounts of silicon. Using a recently developed high-performance liquid chromatographic/atomic absorption spectrophotometric (HPLC/ETAAS) hybrid technique, we found silicon in serum to be present as a low-molecular-weight non-protein-bound component, which in the presence of a low silicon dialysate is adequately removed during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical relevance of increased serum silicon levels is not yet known and as such deserves further investigation. In view of the controversy that exists on the element's assumed protective as well as toxic role in the development of some (aluminium-related) neurodegenerative diseases and its vital role in bone formation, monitoring of the silicon levels in serum, tap water, and dialysis fluids might become important.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1994

The coagulopathy of heat stroke: alterations in coagulation and fibrinolysis in heat stroke patients during the pilgrimage (Haj) to Makkah.

Haemostatic measurements were undertaken in 132 patients diagnosed with heat stroke during the pilgrimage to Makkah, in two successive summers of 1989-90. The control group comprised 49 patients, all pilgrims, with a wide range of clinical conditions, but without hyperpyrexia or deranged haemostasis. Heat stroke patients showed (i) significant prolongation of the prothrombin (PT), activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT) and thrombin times (TT) but normal reptilase time (RT); (ii) significant reduction in plasma levels of antithrombin III (AT-III), factor V, proteins C and S, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and platelet count; (iii) increase in plasma factor VIII, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and serum FDP; (iv) no significant changes in plasma fibrinogen, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin and factors VII and X. Heat stroke patients were then grouped into those with and those without bleeding symptoms. Bleeders showed greater prolongation of the PT, aPTT and TT and significant reductions in fibrinogen, AT-III, factors V, VIII and X, plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin and platelet count. Logistic regression and discriminant analysis showed that AT-III was the parameter associated most with heat stroke and reliable enough to predict its occurrence, whether or not bleeding occurred. The results indicate that activation of the haemostatic mechanism, consumptive in nature, regularly accompanies heat stroke and highlights the physiological role of AT-III in checking this activation process.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Residual renal function after living related kidney donation. Is it enough? An early report.

The utilization of living's kidneys as renal replacement for Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) patients was debated for long time. However, the lack of renal pool in one hand and the proper employment of modern investigatory armamentarium in another hand could justify such donation. Living related donors (LRD) are subjected to extensive non invasive investigations to assess their general fitness for donation and split renal function. The impact of uni-nephrectomy on the renal function was studied in 25 LRD. Serum Creatinine (S. Cr.) Creatinine Clearance (Cr. Cl.) and renographic clearance tests for total and split renal function and renal volume using ultrasound were determined before and 3 months after donation. An initial increase in s.cr was seen in 76% of donors, but all levels are within normal range. Total kidney function by cr.cl showed significant drop by 36% of the pre donated value. Remaining kidney clearance increased by 5% to 64% with an average of 34% of the pre donated level as measured by Tc 99m DTPA renography. Following nephrectomy, compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney attributed to an increase in the renal volume of 15%. In conclusion, kidney donation from living's is safe. Cr. clearance using the chemical method is a good screening test for potential LRD and for monitoring the renal function after donation. Renographic clearance using Tc 99m DTPA is as excellent useful test for split renal function in LRD work up. Long-term follow up might be needed.

Adult↗