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Biomedical subjects

H B Kinard

Publications and source records attributed to H B Kinard.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Development of a scoring system to predict mortality from upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Despite the widespread application of endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, there is little evidence of improved survival among those who undergo the procedure. To select high-risk patients who might benefit most from diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, the authors developed and validated a scoring system based on prognostic indicators of increased mortality. The scoring system was developed from the best clinical predictors of mortality, determined in a prospective study of consecutive bleeding patients. The model was then tested in a prospective validation phase at three hospitals. Three main factors in the model predict mortality: bleeding, including hematochezia, drop in hematocrit of 5%, short duration of bleeding, absence of melena, and hypotension; liver disease, manifested by prolonged prothrombin time and encephalopathy; and renal disease. Patients determined to be at high risk for death using the scoring system might be candidates for aggressive management and for therapeutic endoscopy.

Adolescent

Esophageal potential difference measurements in esophageal disease.

To determine if esophageal transmural electrical potential difference measurements are of use for evaluating esophageal disease, we recorded potential difference in 129 patients with one or more of the following: heartburn, dysphagia, and chest pain. All potential difference studies were performed at the time of esophageal manometry using a Ringer-perfused catheter technique which yields accurate and reproducible results in healthy subjects. In 103 of the 129 patients, esophageal potential difference measurements could be correlated with findings at manometry, endoscopy, and biopsy. The remaining 26 patients had primary esophageal motor disease and were not biopsied. The results of this investigation showed: (a) that 94% of patients with gross endoscopic lesions have an abnormal esophageal potential difference, (b) that an abnormal esophageal potential difference (found in only 1 of 24 patients with normal mucosa) is highly specific for the presence of esophageal mucosal disease, (c) that the type of potential difference abnormality may suggest the nature of the mucosal abnormality, for example high potential difference with Barrett's esophagus and low potential difference with esophagitis or invasive carcinoma, and (d) that while an abnormal esophageal potential difference is highly sensitive for detecting gross esophagitis (38 of 40 patients), it is less sensitive for diagnosing microscopic esophagitis (8 of 16 patients). Based on these findings we conclude that the measurement of esophageal potential difference at the time of manometry can provide additional valuable information about the state of the esophageal mucosa.

Action Potentials

A current approach to rectal bleeding.

The source of bleeding from the rectum is extremely difficult to specify in many patients with moderate to severe bleeding. Lesions may be located anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. On the basis of the available literature and reported clinical data, we conclude that moderate to severe rectal bleeding originates from the upper gut in up to 10% of patients, from the small bowel in up to 5%, and from the colon in the remaining 85%. Diverticulosis and vascular dysplasia account for 30-50% of colonic bleeding, and inflammatory bowel disease and ischemic colitis for another 5-15%. No diagnosis is made in 20-30% of patients with moderate to severe rectal bleeding. Patients with rectal bleeding can be classified as those whose bleeding stops spontaneously, those whose bleeding stops and then recurs, and those whose bleeding continues despite conventional treatment. Based on these classifications, we present an approach to the diagnosis and therapy of rectal bleeding.

Colonic Diseases

A current approach to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The mortality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding has not changed in the past quarter century in spite of the introduction of new modes of therapy and treatment. In this review we address the possible reasons for a lack of change in mortality and the implications raised for the use of new techniques. We review the factors that affect the mortality of acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and the diagnostic accuracy of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based on this information, we present guidelines for the therapy of the major causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. These guidelines should be useful until new therapies have been assessed and become generally available.

Age Factors