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Biomedical subjects

H Abu-Aisha

Publications and source records attributed to H Abu-Aisha.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Dual-lumen femoral vein catheterization as vascular access for hemodialysis--a prospective study.

Prospectively from January 1991 to January 1993, the efficacy and complications of 104 polyurethane, double-lumen femoral vein catheterizations (FVC) in 96 renal failure patients were studied. Ambulation was allowed in the hospital as well as at home while the catheter was in. There were 53 males and 43 females, with ages ranging from 13 to 87 (mean, 48.3 +/- 19.7) years. Forty-eight patients had chronic renal failure and 48 had acute renal failure. The catheters were used for 1 to 26 days (mean, 8 +/- 5 days). Fifty-two (50%) of the FVC were used for 2 weeks and 14 (13.5%) for 3 weeks or longer. The various complications encountered were infection (n=31), poor blood flow (n=8), displaced catheter (n=6), thrombosis of the catheter (n=4), hematoma (n=4), bleeding (n=3), exit site infection (n=3), ileofemoral vein thrombosis (n=2), and tear in the catheter wall (n=2). On removal, bacterial colonization was present in 34 out of 93 catheter tips (36.5%); Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=12) was the commonest organism grown. There was no significant difference of infection between diabetic and nondiabetic chronic renal failure patients. The duration of catheterization was found to have no relation with either thrombosis or infection. Femoral vein catheters can be used for hemodialysis for 2 to 3 weeks and ambulation during cannulation may be allowed.

Adolescent↗

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on lymphocyte phenotyping and phagocyte activity in hemodialysis patients.

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHmEPO) on lymphocytic phenotyping as well as on the phagocyte activity of polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes was evaluated in 16 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The mean age of the patients was 38.2 +/- 16.2 years. There were seven men and nine women. All patients were started on 50 U/kg of rHmEPO intravenously three times per week, and the dosage was increased gradually to achieve target haemoglobin of 12 g/dL. Predialysis blood samples were taken monthly for 3 months, and phagocyte respiratory burst as well as lymphocyte subsets were studied. Healthy blood donors were taken as controls. By 3 months of rHmEPO treatment, there was no significant increase in total T and B cells, but there was a significant increase in both CD4 (P < 0.001) and CD8 (P < 0.005): however, there was no significant change in the CD4/CD8 ratio. There was significant reduction in the natural killer cells (P < 0.005). The phagocyte activity studies showed a significant increase in the respiratory burst in whole blood (P < 0.001) and opsonized zymosan (P < 0.001) as well as improvement in the suppressed polymorphonuclear cell and monocyte activity by uremia. Phagocytosis studied by yeast uptake showed significant improvement from the pretreatment suppressed phagocytes to normal activity posttreatment. In conclusion, treatment with rHmEPO increases CD4 and CD8 cell counts without affecting the CD4/CD8 ratio, decreases the natural killer cells, and improves the impaired phagocyte activity in hemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

Serum ionic fluoride levels in haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

High serum fluoride (F-) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with risk of renal osteodystrophy and other bone changes. This study was done to determine F- in normal healthy controls and patients with ESRD on haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Seventeen healthy controls (12 males, 5 females) and 39 ESRD patients on dialysis (17 males, 22 females) were recruited in the study in a community with 47.4 +/- 3.28 microM/l (range 44-51 microM/l) of F- content in drinking water. Control subjects showed a mean serum F- concentration of 1.08 +/- 0.350 microM/l. Males in control group showed slightly higher F- levels (1.15 +/- 0.334, range 0.55-1.9 microM/l) than females (0.92 +/- 0.370, range 0.6-1.5 microM/l). Mean serum F- concentration did not correlate significantly with age and sex among control subjects, whereas such correlation was observed in patients with ESRD on dialysis. Mean serum F- concentration was significantly higher in patients on dialysis (2.67 +/- 1.09, range 0.8-5.2 microM/l) than normal controls. When grouped according to sex, the mean serum F- concentration in males (3.05 +/- 1.04, range 1.8-5.2 microM/l) was significantly higher than females (2.38 +/- 1.08, range 0.8-5.2 microM/l). When patients were grouped according to age, it was observed that F- concentration was significantly higher in patients with age groups 21-70 (2.86 +/- 1.05) than those with age group 13-20 years (1.42 +/- 0.531). Thus F- concentration correlated with age and sex, being higher in males and above 20 years. Despite appreciable clearance of F- (39-90%) across the peritoneum, patients on CAPD showed higher serum F- concentration than those on HD (3.1 +/- 1.97 vs 2.5 +/- 1.137 microM/l). Of the total 39 patients on dialysis 39% had their serum F- concentration above 3.0 microM/l, posing the risk of renal osteodystrophy.

Adult↗

Long-term effect of intravenous calcitriol on the treatment of severe hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid gland mass and bone mineral density in haemodialysis patients.

We conducted this study on 15 chronic haemodialysis patients to evaluate the efficacy of i.v. calcitriol over a 1-year period in the treatment of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), in particular its effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and parathyroid gland mass. Mean age was 39 +/- 11.9 (20-65) years and dialysis duration was 58 +/- 3 (19-130) months. i.v. calcitriol was given at a dose of 1 microg post-dialysis 3 times/week for 3 weeks; the dose was then adjusted to maintain the total serum calcium at less than 2.88 mmol/l. The maximum dose was 3 microg 3 times/week. Serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were determined prior to treatment, then weekly for 6 weeks and every 2 weeks thereafter. Skeletal survey, dual photon densitometry and parathyroid ultrasound (US) were done prior to treatment and after 1 year. Bone biopsy was done in 10 patients at the beginning of treatment. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in pre-treatment mid-region serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) from 1,476 +/- 895 to 489 +/- 485 P mol/l, as well as alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.04) from 236.5 +/- 221 to 116.3 +/- 49 U/l. This was without a significant increase in serum Ca (2.15 +/- 0.25 to 2.44 +/- 0.26 mmol/l, p = 0.08). Three patients had recurrent hypercalcaemia which responded to reduction of Ca in dialysate. There was a significant increase in BMD over the spine from 1.071 +/- 0.25 to 1.159 +/- 0.22 g/cm2 (p < 0.003) with a percent increase of 9.3 +/- 8.9% as well as over the femoral neck from 0.834 +/- 0.002 to 0.89 +/- 0.09 g/cm2 (p < 0.001) with a percent increase of 7.45 +/- 6.81%. Five patients had enlarged parathyroid glands by US and in 3 of these, there was a significant reduction to normal with treatment. Bone biopsy was done in 10 patients. Six patients had predominant hyperparathyroid bone disease and 4 had mixed uraemic osteodystrophy. In conclusion, long-term i.v. treatment with calcitriol is effective in the treatment of severe secondary HPT. PTH decreased without a significant increase in serum Ca. BMD also increases during this therapy.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Pattern of glomerular disease in Saudi Arabia.

Clinical data and renal biopsy study of 186 adult patients found to have nephropathy and seen at the Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, over a 5-year period (1989 to 1994) were reviewed. Primary glomerular disease accounted for more than three fourths of all patients (79%), and the most common histological lesion was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (40.8%) associated with a high incidence of hypertension (86.7%), nephrotic syndrome (61.7%), hematuria (48.8%), and renal impairment (33.3%). Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis was the second most common lesion (21.1%), followed by membreous glomerulonephritis (13.6%), immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) (13.6%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (9.5%), and minimal change disease (1.4%). Although not as common as in most other developed countries, IgAN is being increasingly recognized in Saudis. Lupus nephritis remained the commonest cause of secondary glomerulonephritis (48.5%), whereas amyloidosis was conspicuously absent. There is no evidence, at least in this series, that chronic infection such as hepatitis B virus infection has a major role in the development of glomerulonephritis.

Adult↗

Efficacy and safety of once-daily amikacin in combination with ceftazidime in critically ill adults with severe gram-negative infections.

Forty critically ill adult patients with severe Gram-negative infection were treated with once-daily amikacin combined with ceftazidime. The mean age was 56.6 +/- 19 years and mean APACHE II score was 22.7 +/- 6.6. Forty percent of patients required mechanical ventilation. The mean creatinine clearance at onset of therapy was 59.4 +/- 28 ml/min. All bacterial isolates were sensitive to amikacin. Fixed doses of amikacin 15 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, and 8 mg/kg body weight were given once daily to patients with estimated creatinine clearance of > 80 ml/min., 50-80 ml/min., and < 50 ml/min, respectively. Forty-two causative gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 40 patients. The most common bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18), and Escherichia coli (10). Overall clinical success and bacteriological eradication occurred in 85% and 87.5% of patients; 78.9% and 79% of patients with hospital-acquired infections; 90.5% and 95.2% of patients with community-acquired infections; and 62.5% and 81.3% of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, respectively. Therapeutic failure was documented in 15% of patients. Death due to infection was scored in two patients. The remaining were all due to persistence of the initial causative bacteria in patients with hospital-acquired infections. Persistence was documented with Ps. aeruginosa (2), Serratia spp. (1), and Acinetobacter spp. (1). Overall mortality occurred in 22.5% patients. Death unrelated to infection occurred in 7 patients. There was no clinical evidence of ototoxicity in any of our patients, however, nephrotoxicity was documented in 5%. In conclusion, once-daily amikacin combined with ceftazidime is practical, efficacious and probably safe in critically ill infected patients.

APACHE↗

Prevalence of infection from subclavian dialysis catheters with two different postinsertion catheter cares: a randomized comparative study.

A comparison of the outcome of two different protocols concerning the postinsertion catheter care are reported and the literature of the subject is reviewed. Forty patients had the "Quinton" double-lumen catheter in the subclavian vein for hemodialysis. These catheters were kept in place for a total of 1392 days. The patients were divided randomly into two groups (A and B), each consisting of 20 patients. The care of group A catheters was done by the hospital intravenous (IV) team using heparin flushing three times/day. The care of group B catheters was done by dialysis nurses using heparin 1 mL of 2500 units in each lumen only after dialysis, ie, three times/week. The bacteremia rate of group A was 15% while that of group B was 5%. In conclusion, flushing the catheter with heparin 1 mL/2500 units in each lumen of the catheter at the end of dialysis, ie, three times/week along with changing the dressing once per week were found valuable in decreasing the rate of bacteremia from catheter infection.

Adult↗

Prevalence and significance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among Saudi haemodialysis patients.

Seventy-four patients who were maintained on chronic haemodialysis in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were tested using the recently available ELISA to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in a haemodialysis unit. The prevalence rate of anti-HCV antibodies of 41.9% in the haemodialysis patients was significantly higher than the rate of 3.9% detected in 488 asymptomatic blood donors who were similarly tested. In the haemodialysis patients, anti-HCV positivity was related to previous blood transfusion (greater than 5 units of blood) and to the duration of haemodialysis (greater than 4 years); but was unrelated to sex, age, positive HBV markers or to past or current elevation of serum ALT. The results indicate a relatively higher prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in our patients compared to rates of 1-20% reported from Europe and the U.S.A. An effective control strategy for HCV infection in this high risk group is urgently indicated.

Adolescent↗

Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) on the hemostatic system in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Hemostatic measurements were undertaken in eight chronic hemodialysis uremic patients on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo). Same measurements were repeated in another seven patients in whom anemia was corrected by the transfusion of red blood cells. The correction of the anemia by rHuEpo therapy was accompanied by 1. correction of the prolonged Simplate Bleeding Time (BT) to normal less than 10.0, minutes after 16 weeks of rHuEpo treatment; 2. significant increases in the levels of fibrinogen, clotting FVIII:C, vWF:antigen, vWF:ristocetin cofactor and platelet count; 3. enhanced aggregation responses to ADP, adrenaline, arachidonic acid, collagen and ristocetin. There was no significant fluctuation in other coagulation parameters PT, APTT, TT, reptilase time and antithrombin III and plasma fibrinogen. In patients who were treated with RBC transfusion and despite the correction of the anemia, the bleeding time shortened significantly but not corrected, mean BT before and after RBC transfusion was 17.1 +/- 1.4 and 11.6 +/- 1.9 minutes respectively. Besides there was significant elevation of vWF:Ricofactor levels but not FVIII:C, vWF:Ag or platelet count. Platelet aggregation responses to ADP remained unchanged. It is concluded that significant elevations of FVIII:related activities, plasma fibrinogen, improved platelet aggregability and correction of the BT are salient hemostatic changes that follow rHuEpo therapy in uremic patients.

Adult↗

Long-term ureterostomy with suprapubic intravesical drainage used to bypass severe schistosomal obstructive uropathy--preliminary report.

Severe obstructive uropathy due to infection with S. hematobium often requires reconstructive surgery. Recent reports, have emphasized that many lesions will disappear after specific chemotherapy given the necessary time. Time for effective chemotherapy may be impossible to allow in severe obstruction. The necessary surgical procedures range from ureteric dilatation to ureteric resection with ileal loop replacement. We suggest that temporary long-term bypass of the diseased ureter using silastic tubes may offer an alternative to resection in many cases while the effect of specific chemotherapy is awaited. One case is described in which ureterostomy with suprapubic intravesical drainage adequately bypassed the diseased and obstructed lower two thirds of the left ureter. In the following six months specific chemotherapy had encouraging effects on the bypassed area.

Adult↗

Exposure to sunlight and vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabian women.

Plasma 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol (25-OH vitamin D) concentrations were measured in 31 adult Saudi Arabian women who presented with acute minor illness. Patients with chronic diseases, malignancy and overt metabolic bone disease were excluded from this study. The median plasma 25-OH vitamin D concentration was 6 ng/ml (range: 2-18 ng/ml). Only three subjects had a concentration within the normal range (10-55 ng/ml). Plasma 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in subjects living in apartments than in those living in villas or rural areas (P less than 0.02). When direct questioning was used to assess exposure to sunlight, plasma 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were significantly lower in those subjects whose average exposure was less than 30 min daily than those whose exposure was more than 30 min daily (P = 0.002). Our findings confirm the importance of inadequate exposure to sunlight in the aetiology of vitamin D deficiency. Social customs may contribute to this deficiency in spite of abundant sunshine. Direct questioning to assess the adequacy of sunlight exposure is an essential part of history taking in cases of suspected vitamin D deficiency.

Adult↗

Cardiac arrest after intravenous chloroquine injection.

In cases of severe malaria chloroquine phosphate is frequently given--diluted or undiluted--by the intravenous route. It is known that cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension may complicate such therapy, but cardiac arrest is not a well recognised hazard. In this report we describe such a tragic complication, and advocate that undiluted chloroquine should not be administered intravenously in severely ill patients since such patients usually have associated electrolyte disturbances which may render the heart vulnerable to toxic drugs. Chloroquine may be given diluted in normal saline infused over several hours with a close watch over the blood pressure.

Adult↗

One-year experience of very low doses of subcutaneous erythropoietin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and its effect on haemostasis.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) is now well established in the management of the anaemia associated with chronic renal failure. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of low doses of subcutaneous (s.c.) erythropoietin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and particularly its effects on haemostasis. Seven CAPD patients were given s.c. erythropoietin for more than 1 year. Their mean age was 36.2 +/- 9.2 years and their mean pretreatment haemoglobin (Hb) was 7.05 +/- 0.53 g/dl. All patients were started on 20 U/kg, 3 times/week, to be doubled every 4 weeks if no response was obtained. Five patients had a good response and attained the target Hb of 10-12 g/dl and were maintained on low doses of rHuEpo (20 U/kg s.c., twice a week). A marked improvement in haemostatic function was noted when comparing the pre- with the post-treatment measurements. There was a significant reduction in the bleeding time, significant increases in fibrinogen and factor VIII clotting activity but not in von Willebrand factor antigen or ristocetin cofactor. There was also simultaneous enhancement of the platelet aggregation responses to adrenalin, collagen, arachidonic acid and ADP. In conclusion, long-term treatment with small doses of s.c. rHuEpo is safe, convenient and effective in correcting anaemia in patients on CAPD, rHuEpo caused significant improvement of bleeding time which can be explained partly through the correction of anaemia and in part by the improvement in haemostatic function.

Adult↗