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Biomedical subjects

G A Grindlinger

Publications and source records attributed to G A Grindlinger.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Is respiratory failure a consequence of blood transfusion?

The pulmonary entrapment of microaggregates, platelets, and white cells in stored blood is thought to contribute to abnormalities in lung function. Washing of red cells removes these potentially damaging elements. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compares the pulmonary function of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy who received either washed or unwashed red cell concentrates. Both groups received equivalent volumes of blood, albumin, and balanced salt solution duing surgery. Postoperatively, no differences were observed in the physiologic shunt, QS/QT, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, or effective dynamic compliance. The cardiac index at equivalent left ventricular filling pressures was the same. The results indicate that it is unlikely that microaggregates or other formed elements in stored blood lead to compromised pulmonary function.

Aged↗

Intrapulmonary clotting and fibrinolysis during abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

Intravascular clotting and fibrinolysis (C and F) are events which often accompany major surgical trauma. Their role in inducing cardiopulmonary failure is debated and prompted this study of 13 patients undergoing elective AAA. Following intubation, anesthesia and pressure breathing fibrinolytic activity (FA) in arterial blood exceeded that in mixed venous blood (p < 0.001) indicating pulmonary secretion of proteolytic activity. Fibrinogen, plasminogen and fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were normal. During surgery, fibrinogen and plasminogen fell (p < 0.001) while nonplasmin mediated FA and FDPs rose (p < .001). Despite heparinization (5000 U IV) aortic clamping (avg 56 min) led to evidence of C and F within the lungs. Arterial fibrinogen was 33.2 mg/ml lower than mixed venous blood (p < 0.01) and plasminogen was 0.47 Sherry units lower (p < 0.001). Soluble fibrin monomer appeared in arterial blood (p < 0.01). At the same time nonplasmin mediated FA was consumed within the lungs (p < 0.01) and FDPs were produced (44.6 microg/ml higher in arterial blood, p < 0.001). Similar changes were noted after aortic declamping. The transient 5.3 ml/cm H(2)0 fall in dynamic compliance was unrelated to C and F. Pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial pressure were unchanged. During wound closure intrapulmonary C and F ceased. Postoperatively (6 h), the physiologic shunt of 15.1% was similar to tbe preoperative value of 13.3%. All C and F factors returned to normal except FDPs which remained elevated. An average of 0.2 U blood was given prior to aortic clamping and 3.1 U during clamping. Neither the volume nor the type of blood (7 patients received washed RBCs) influenced pulmonary C and F. The results show that pressure breathing will alter pulmonary metabolism from clearance to secretion of fibrinolytic activity. Surgery leads to systemic C and F while intrapulmonary C and F is triggered by aortic clamping despite IV heparin. Delayed functional consequences of C and F are possible. Immediate postoperative effects are not apparent.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Importance of oxygen transport in clinical medicine.

One or more of the several components of the oxygen transport system may function abnormally in critical illness. Arterial hypoxemia is an important feature of acute respiratory failure. Its prominence may obscure other limitations in oxygen availability such as low cardiac output, anemia, or an increased red cell affinity state. These several components of the oxygen transport system can be influenced by therapeutic maneuvers, but the result may not necessarily be a net benefit. For example, red blood cell transfusion therapy may correct anemia, but increase the red blood cell affinity state so as to adversely affect cardiac function. Treatment programs require consideration of the interaction of these several variables affecting oxygen transport.

Aged↗

Presence of negative inotropic agents in canine plasma during positive end-expiratory pressure.

Application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) will reduce cardiac output (CO). Humoral mediation of this event by circulating negative inotropic agents was examined using a rat papillary muscle bioassay. Twenty-seven dogs were anesthetized with an iv pentobarbital infusion. Plasma was obtained before and after 30 minutes of PEEP. The plasma was oxygenated in a small (4.5-ml) papillary muscle chamber using a diffusion membrane. An average PO2 of 416 mm Hg was achieved. PEEP plasma reduced developed tension (Tpd) from 2.16 +/- 1.0 to 1.90 +/- 1.05 g (P less than 0.0001). A fall in Tpd was observed whether or not CO was maintained constant with fluid infusion. Resting tension was unchanged. The percent reduction in Tpd correlated with the fall in CO (r = 0.63, P less than 0.01) when fluid was not infused to maintain CO. Reapplication of control plasma restored Tpd. Barbiturate levels in anesthetized dogs rose from 17.3 to 19.4 microns/ml during PEEP (P less than 0.1). Addition of pentobarbital to normal plasma led to a slight decrease in Tpd only when the concentration exceeded 99 microns/ml. In three experiments on ex vivo perfused hearts, application of PEEP led to lowering of peak systolic pressure (PSP) within 5 minutes. Removal of PEEP restored PSP in a similar time. The results support the hypothesis that the decline in CO with PEEP is mediated in part by a circulating negative inotropic agent.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Clinical characteristics of nosocomial sinusitis.

Paranasal sinusitis is an important source of sepsis and morbidity in head injury victims and requires aggressive pursuit and therapy. Of 208 head-injured patients, 24 developed paranasal sinusitis. The Glasgow Coma Scale score of the sinusitis patients was 7.1 +/- 3.9. Nineteen patients were intubated nasotracheally, and five were intubated orally. Sinus air fluid levels, indicative of bleeding into the sinus, were seen on 17 initial computed tomographic scans. Maxillary sinus suppuration occurred in 23 patients; in 20 it was the initial sinus involved. Twenty-one patients developed polymicrobial sinusitis. Coexisting infections were common. In 15 patients with concurrent tracheobronchitis or pneumonia, organisms identical to those in sinus aspirations were recovered from the sputum. Seven patients had associated bacteremia. Meningitis in six patients shared a common pathogen with their sinusitis. Nonoperative management successfully resolved sinus infection in 19 cases. Five patients required open sinusotomy.

Adult↗

A matter of law?

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Consensus↗