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Biomedical subjects

G Mari

Publications and source records attributed to G Mari.

87 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Protein C: a new plasma protein related to postoperative hypercoagulability.

Protein C is a vitamin-K dependent plasma protein, whose activation is catalyzed by alpha-thrombin. Unlike vitamin-K dependent coagulation factors, activated Protein C is an anticoagulant enzyme. Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the pathophysiology of Protein C in patients undergoing minor and major elective surgery. A third group of patients were operated for cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Protein C levels have significantly decreased in all patients in third postoperative day, while this decrease occurred since the first postoperative day in the case of cancer patients. This suggests that Protein C is consumed after surgery in its anticoagulant and profibrinolytic activity. The acquired Protein C deficiency may be related to postoperative hypercoagulability and increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Adolescent↗

Increase of fetal hematocrit decreases the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in pregnancies complicated by rhesus alloimmunization.

Our hypothesis for this study was that an increase in fetal hematocrit would decrease the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity. Seventeen pregnancies complicated by Rh alloimmunization were included in this study. Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was studied by Doppler ultrasound before and after intrauterine transfusion with adult packed red blood cells (hematocrit = 80-85%). Mean gestational age at time of study was 27 weeks. Paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The fetal hematocrit ranged from 5.9% to 30% prior to the procedure, and it was 24.8-53.4%, following the procedure. Mean middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was 46.2 +/- 10.7 cm/s prior to the procedure, and it decreased to 31.7 +/- 9.5 cm/s following the procedure (P < 0.01). The increase of fetal hematocrit significantly decreases the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity supporting data that this Doppler measurement may be useful for the diagnosis of fetal anemia.

Anemia↗

Superior mesenteric artery flow velocity waveforms in small for gestational age fetuses.

The objective of this study was to analyze the superior mesenteric artery flow velocity waveforms in small-for-gestational-age fetuses and to compare its contribution in their management with that already provided by the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms. Middle cerebral artery, umbilical artery, and superior mesenteric artery flow velocity waveforms were prospectively obtained in 41 small-for-gestational-age fetuses with color Doppler ultrasonography. The pulsatility index was used to quantify the waveforms. Poor perinatal outcome was defined by cesarean section for fetal distress, perinatal death, need for assisted ventilation, and necrotizing enterocolitis. In the small-for-gestational age fetuses, the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index was abnormal in 22/41, the umbilical artery in 26/41, and the superior mesenteric artery in 17/41. Coincident with abnormal umbilical and middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms were greater occurrences of poor perinatal outcome. The abnormality of an increased pulsatility index in the superior mesenteric artery velocity waveforms of small-for-gestational-age fetuses suggests greater vascular resistance and an overall reduction in visceral perfusion. However, the study of the superior mesenteric artery only seemed to support the information already provided for by the middle cerebral and umbilical arteries.

Adult↗

Fetal heart rate influence on the pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery.

In 1300 Doppler assessments performed on the fetal cerebral arteries, 5 cases of heart rate deceleration were recorded while studying the middle cerebral artery. There were 3 normal fetuses (mean menstrual age +/- standard deviation: 28.6 +/- 2.1 weeks), one growth-retarded fetus (34 weeks, menstrual age) and 1 fetus with red cell alloimmunization (27 weeks, menstrual age). The magnitude of decline in the heart rate during the deceleration ranged from 44 to 93 bpm (67 +/- 18 bpm). Pulsatility index values were calculated on 44 waveforms and correlated with the heart rate. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between the heart rate and the pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery of 4 fetuses. These results indicate that heart rate will affect the pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery.

Cerebral Arteries↗

Reduction in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index after decompression of polyhydramnios in twin gestation.

Amniotic fluid decompression was performed for symptomatic polyhydramnios complicating four sets of discordant twin gestations. Doppler ultrasound waveforms of the middle cerebral artery were determined before and after the procedure in seven of the eight fetuses. After amniocentesis, the pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery (PIMCA) was reduced in all fetuses (p < 0.01). When one considers only the larger twin in each set, the magnitude of the change in PIMCA was relatively consistent among the different sets (-0.60 +/- 0.14; p < 0.01; range, -0.45 to -0.79). The smaller twins showed a much more variable response (-0.82 +/- 0.70; range, -0.05 to -1.75). The pulsatility index of the umbilical artery (PIUA) showed no consistent trend in the five subjects in which it was determined. In principle, the cerebrovascular dilation indicated by the PIMCA measurements may in part be due to acute increases in maternal and fetal carbon dioxide tensions following relief of maternal restrictive lung dysfunction. More importantly, the acute fall in amniotic fluid pressure--the external pressure to which the fetoplacental unit is exposed--leads to pooling of blood in fetal and placental veins, and thereby reduces the effective blood volume of the fetoplacental unit. This effective hypovolemia, functionally analogous to that produced by fetal hemorrhage, elicits changes in regional vascular resistances that favor cerebrovascular perfusion. The impact of acute amniotic fluid decompression on the fetal circulation reflected in the marked changes in PIMCA suggests a role for monitoring to avoid large acute changes in pressure during therapeutic amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗

A new kind of rehabilitation after Neer capsuloplasty: results.

The shoulder joint constitutes a sophisticated compromise between stability and movement: trauma such as dislocation and the surgery that follows to restore anatomical integrity, may cause a change in this balance, resulting in myofascial retraction, neuromotorial inhibition, and a deviation in motorial programming with the appearance of compensation. It is the purpose of this study to report the results obtained with a specific rehabilitation program in 18 patients submitted to Neer capsuloplasty to treat anterior shoulder instability. An objective and subjective study with pre-established stages, and a 12-month follow-up was done, to evaluate the results obtained based on the Rowe scale.

Adolescent↗

Rehabilitation treatment in cemented and cementless prostheses.

Rehabilitation after hip arthroplasty is aimed at improving the results obtained with surgery and allowing the elderly patient to resume a normal daily life as quickly as possible. The correct use of the prosthesis positively influences its duration. Full weight-bearing on the limb submitted to surgery is allowed at different times: days 7-8 if the prosthesis is cemented. When the prosthesis is cementless the proper time for full weight-bearing is established by the orthopaedist, and it is usually allowed on days 30-40. Walking initially makes use of a walker, followed by parallel, and finally antibrachial support.

Aged↗

Prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients. A randomized trial with low molecular weight heparin (CY 216).

Sixty-one consecutive patients were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial of thromboprophylaxis with a low molecular weight heparin (Seleparina, CY 216) in major abdominal oncological surgery. Thirty patients received 2 x 3,825 anti-Xa international units of CY 216 subcutaneously on the day of surgery followed by a single daily 3,825 anti-Xa international units injection for 7 days; thirty-one patients did not receive any form of prophylaxis. The occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected by 125I-labelled fibrinogen leg scan. Postoperative DVT developed in 2 patients in the CY 216 group and in 11 patients in the control group (6.8% vs 35.4%, p < 0.01). Although there was a higher postoperative transfusional requirement in the group receiving CY216 (p < 0.05), the total number of patients transfused was similar in the two groups (14 vs 13). On day 1 after surgery, the two patients who later developed DVT in the CY216 group had plasma anti-Xa activity significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the remaining patients. As a good relationship was found between plasma anti-Xa activity and body weight, adoption of a personalized dosage schedule might improve efficacy of CY 216 prophylaxis.

Abdomen↗

"Pseudo" twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and fetal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the fetal outcome, in a tertiary center, in pregnancies with suspected twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) not confirmed using ultrasonographic examination, diagnosis of pathology, or both. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-four pregnancies with suspected TTTS were followed longitudinally using ultrasonographic examination until delivery. The minimal criteria for the diagnosis of TTTS were: (1) suspicion of monochorionicity gleaned from ultrasound examination (to be confirmed at birth); (2) presence of polyhydramnios in one gestational sac (either assessed subjectively--or, finding that the largest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid was >8 cm in diameter before 20 weeks' gestation and >10 cm in diameter thereafter); and (3) presence of oligohydramnios in the other gestational sac (finding either that there was a "stuck" twin complication or that the largest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid was <1 cm in diameter). When one of the above criteria was not present, the pregnancy was defined as "pseudo" TTTS. Fetal outcome in "pseudo" TTTS was analyzed according to the relative size of the neonate (large or small) and whether the cord insertion was normal or velamentous. RESULTS: There were 18 cases of "pseudo" TTTS. No treatment in utero was necessary in any of the 18 pregnancies. The mean gestational age was 21.9 +/- 3.7 (1 SD) weeks at diagnosis and 33.0 +/- 3.0 weeks at delivery. The average weight discrepancy between the twins at birth was 34.3 +/- 14.8%. There were three fetal demises of the small twin and one neonatal demise of the large twin (p > 0.05). Large twins developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) more often than small twins (p < 0.05). Five percent of the large twins and 50% of the small twins had a velamentous insertion of the cord (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated by "pseudo" TTTS our data indicate that: (1) small twins have abnormal cord insertion more frequently than large twins, (2) large twins develop RDS more frequently than small twins. Our data suggest that the perinatal mortality in these pregnancies appears to be lower than that reported for the classical TTTS.

Amniocentesis↗