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Biomedical subjects

F Pavicić

Publications and source records attributed to F Pavicić.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pulmonary function in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Two groups of patients, with an average age of 15 years, have been studied to establish the improvement in pulmonary function after surgical correction in relation to the amount of correction achieved. The first group of 33 patients were treated surgically; an average Cobb angle of 72 degrees was reduced to 32.6 degrees. The second group of 30 patients with an average Cobb angle of 33 degrees were not operated on. Results of tests undertaken have shown that pulmonary function was improved by surgical correction, but the improvement does not match the degree of correction achieved. Statistical analysis of the two groups shows a difference in cardiopulmonary function to the advantage of those who were not operated on. This suggests that there is partial irreversibility of ventilation and perfusion in those who are treated surgically.

Adolescent

Cardiorespiratory function in surgically treated thoracic scoliosis with respect to degree and apex of scoliotic curve.

We studied the relationship of deterioration of cardiorespiratory function with respect to degree and localisation of apex of spinal curvature. The study comprised 33 patients (27 females and 6 males) aged 15 (11-21) years, surgically treated for an average scoliotic angle of 72 degrees (55-129 degrees, after Cobb) which was postoperatively reduced to 32.6 degrees (13-74 degrees). The static and dynamic cardiorespiratory function parameters were tested (pre-operatively and 24 months after surgery) by spirometry and plethysmography, arterial blood gas analysis, and the exercise tolerance test. In terms of the site and apex of the thoracic curve as determined by spine X-ray, patients were divided into two groups: upper thoracic scoliosis with the apex between T5 and T8 and lower thoracic scoliosis with the apex between T9 and T11. Only upper thoracic scoliosis with Cobb angle of more than 70 degrees correlated (r = -1) with restrictive ventilation disorder (vital capacity 68%) and latent hypoxaemia (uptake O2 ml/kg/min 63%) demonstrated during the exercise tolerance test (p > 0.05). The results of the test have demonstrated that surgically obtained 54% correction of the scoliotic curve improves pulmonary function (p < 0.05). However, the improvement does not match the degree of achieved scoliotic curve correction, what means that even in surgically treated high-angled thoracic scoliosis exists an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent

[Evaluation of ventilatory function of the small airways].

The results of functional tests and the values of flow-volume and spirometric parameters were reevaluated in 1174 randomly selected patients with no evidence of heart disease. There were 533 patients with normal ventilation and 327 patients with no restrictive disorders. In the latter group 11% of the patients had normal FEV1 and lowered FEF50 and FEF75 values. In those patients obstructive changes would not have been found if expiratory flow rates had not been taken into account as one of the criteria for evaluating airway obstruction. In further 13% of the patients a mild airway obstruction would have been found had only FEV1 been evaluated without taking account of expiratory flow rates. It is concluded that expiratory flow rates along with anamnestic data and clinical status are important indicators of obstructive changes of ventilation, especially as they serve to identify functional disorders while these are still reversible and therapy can be useful.

Forced Expiratory Flow Rates

[How should pharmacodynamic tests for respiratory tract obstruction be evaluated?].

The factors that could influence the results of pharmacodynamic testing with beta 2 agonists in lung function diagnostics are discussed. These are: hypersecretion of the mucus, acute respiratory infection, tachyphylaxis of the adrenoceptors, therapy in the past 48 hours, patient's cooperation, and ambient or environmental pollution. The correct application, by inhalation, of selective sympathomimetics is described and differences between the basic values of lung function parameters and those following the salbutamol test are discussed.

Asthma

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) and changes in the joints. Clinical, X-ray, scintigraphic, arteriographic and histologic examination of 19 patients.

Nineteen patients with PHO with onset in childhood are presented. In 7 cases the syndrome was found in other family members too. In clinical, X-ray scintigraphic, arteriographic, and plethysmographic investigations, joint affection was found in 14 patients. Clubbing of the fingers and toes was seen in all the patients and a periosteal reaction was found in the long bones in 11 patients. Arteriography was carried out in 5 patients and showed hypervascularization and arteriovenous anastomoses in the clubbed fingers. The gas analysis of the arterial blood did not show any pathological changes. The histological finding showed poorly vascularized and oedematous periarticular tissue and ossification in the periosteal area, while in the synovial membrane, slight, nonspecific inflammatory changes were seen.

Adult

[The effect of cigarette smoking on pulmonary diffusing capacity in asymptomatic smokers].

Ninety-seven subjects of which 72 smokers and 25 nonsmokers attending the Laboratory for Respiratory Functional Diagnostics of the University Hospital for Lung Diseases, Jordanovac, Zagreb were examined. The selection criteria were normal standard spirometric test values (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) in asymptomatic healthy, young smokers/nonsmokers who showed no signs of hematological, cardiovascular and chronic or acute pulmonary symptoms or diseases (according to a standardized questionnaire), and were not exposed to harmful environmental factors. The single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity was measured in all patients. The results of our study confirm the findings of those authors who report reduced values of DLCO and DL/VA in smokers in comparison with the nonsmokers. A linear value diminution has been noticed in smokers and nonsmokers with increasing age, with the values being much lower in smokers. Our results also demonstrate a significant correlation between DLCO and DL/VA in young healthy smokers vs the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day (p < 0.01). The possibility to detect early reversible damages of lung function in young healthy smokers is an important contribution to the prevention of all diseases in which causal consecutive relation with cigarette smoking is confirmed.

Adult

[Pharmacokinetic testing of patients with bronchial asthma].

The study represents the investigation on pharmacodynamic lung function testing in 40 patients (21 with extrinsic asthma and 19 with intrinsic asthma). Skin prick tests on common inhalation allergens, IgE antibodies, spirometry, flow-volume curve, body plethysmography and pharmacodynamic testing with salbutamol spray were performed in each person. The greatest changes after beta 2 agonist were established by plethysmographic parameters SGaw (mean increase 117%) and Raw (mean decrease 45%), than by the expiratory flow rates from flow-volume curve: FEF25%-75% and FEF50% (mean increase 26%), than the FEV1 (+ 15%), the PEF (also + 15%), the RV (mean decrease 17%) and the FVC (mean increase 8%). The aim of this study was to represent the necessity of the complex analysis and interpretation of the results of pharmacodynamic testings because of many factors that might change the values of the tests.

Adult

[Rare causes of bronchial asthma].

Historical perspectives, incidence, clinical presentation, immunopathogenesis, aspirin challenge and sulfiting provocation test are presented together with the hyposensitization, complications, diagnosis and differential diagnosis and treatment of these forms of bronchial asthma. Many patients with aspirin bronchial asthma can tolerate acetaminophen. Over 90% of patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have extrinsic form of bronchial asthma. Criteria for the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are described. About 5-10 percent of all asthmatic patients may have some degree of sulfite sensitivity. The principle of etiologic differentiation is reasonable when the therapy is indicated by confirmed bronchial asthma. In some cases the invasive methods of diagnostics should be applied (provocation, BAL, transbronchial biopsy, transthoracic biopsy).

Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary