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Biomedical subjects

J A Read

Publications and source records attributed to J A Read.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Vaginal breech delivery: a five-year prospective evaluation of a protocol using computed tomographic pelvimetry.

In 1983 a protocol was established at our institution that used computed tomographic pelvimetry to evaluate patients presenting with a singleton term frank breech fetus for an attempt at vaginal delivery. The criteria for a trial of labor were singleton fetus, term gestation (37 to 42 weeks' gestation from the first day of the last menstrual period), frank breech presentation, estimated fetal weight 2000 to 4000 gm, non-extended fetal head, and adequate computed tomographic pelvimetry. Two digital radiographs and a tomographic cross-section were taken of each patient, i.e., an anteroposterior view, a lateral view, and an axial section through the femoral head at the level of the fovea capitalis. Adequate pelvimetry was defined as: anteroposterior diameter of the inlet greater than or equal to 10.0 cm, transverse diameter of the inlet greater than or equal to 11.5 cm, transverse (interspinous) diameter of the midpelvis greater than or equal to 9.5 cm, and posterior sagittal diameter of the midpelvis greater than or equal to 4.0 cm. The purpose of this prospective analysis was to determine the obstetric and perinatal outcome of those breech fetuses that were evaluated with these criteria during the study period of January 1984 through July 1989. During this period the incidence of breech deliveries at our institution was 2.71% (394/14,542). Of these 394 breech deliveries, 122 patients underwent computed tomographic pelvimetry. Eighty-five patients had adequate pelvimetry, fulfilling the protocol criteria, and formed the study group. Eighty-one percent (69/85) of the study group had successful vaginal deliveries (group 1). Nineteen percent (16/85) required cesarean delivery after a trial of labor (group 2) (10 with fetal distress and six with arrested labor disorders). Of the 37 patients who had inadequate computed tomographic pelvimetry and underwent cesarean delivery without a trial of labor (group 3), 54% (20/37) had an extended fetal head, 21.6% (8/37) had an inadequate transverse diameter of the inlet, 13.5% (5/37) had an inadequate midpelvic posterior sagittal measurement, and 10.8% (4/37) had an inadequate interspinous diameter. Perinatal outcome including Apgar scores, cord gases, length of hospital stay, neonatal complications, was evaluated. No difference in infant complications was noted between the group delivered vaginally and the groups delivered abdominally. The only maternal complications in our study group were chorioamnionitis, endomyometritis, and postpartum anemia. There were no significant differences in the incidence of chorioamnionitis among the three groups of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Reduced concentrations of IgG antibodies to Pneumocystis carinii in HIV-infected patients during active Pneumocystis carinii infection and the possibility of passive immunisation.

The relationship between Pneumocystis carinii antibody concentrations and acute Pneumocystis infection was investigated by testing sequential samples of serum from HIV antibody-positive patients with respiratory symptoms and HIV-negative immunocompromised patients by means of an indirect immunofluorescence assay for specific IgG antibodies to P. carinii. Loss of circulating antibody at the time of active Pneumocystis infection was observed in five patients with proven infection. Three others showed recovery of antibody coinciding with treatment and clinical recovery from infection. Concentrations of specific IgG antibody against P. carinii were measured in 40 blood donors and in six different batches of an intravenous immunoglobulin (IV Ig) preparation. Titres greater than 128 were found in the IV Ig batches examined. The use of IV Ig, either alone or in conjunction with other therapeutic agents, should therefore be considered in patients suffering from acute infection with P. carinii.

Antibodies, Fungal↗
PubMed1989

Reliability of fetal buttock blood sampling in assessing the acid-base balance of the breech fetus.

This prospective investigation was undertaken to compare fetal buttock capillary blood pH and umbilical artery and vein pH in fetuses presenting by the breech. The study group comprised ten term patients with singleton fetuses in the frank breech presentation who met established criteria for vaginal breech delivery. All patients had a normal labor pattern. Eight fetuses had a normal fetal heart rate tracing and two had severe variable decelerations during the second stage of labor. We obtained capillary blood for pH measurement from the fetal buttock within 15 minutes of delivery. Immediately after delivery, we collected arterial and venous blood samples from the umbilical cord for measurement of pH. In all fetuses, there was a highly significant correlation between fetal buttock capillary blood pH and umbilical artery pH (r = 0.96; P less than .001) and umbilical vein pH (r = 0.88; P less than .001). We conclude that measurement of pH in capillary blood obtained from the fetal buttock provides accurate assessment of the acid-base status of the breech fetus.

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1989

Randomized comparison of oral terbutaline and ritodrine for preventing recurrent preterm labor.

We compared oral ritodrine and terbutaline for the prevention of recurrent preterm labor. Women between 20 and 35 weeks' gestation who successfully completed a course of intravenous tocolysis were eligible for inclusion. One hundred two patients were randomized to oral ritodrine (20 mg every four hours) or oral terbutaline (5 mg every four hours). The groups showed no significant differences with respect to recognized risk factors for preterm labor or prognostic factors for the failure of tocolysis. Initial treatment failures occurred more frequently in the ritodrine group (nine vs. two, P = .0527). There were no statistically significant differences in the treatment results or frequency of side effects. We conclude that ritodrine appears to be less effective than terbutaline upon the initiation of oral therapy and that oral ritodrine and terbutaline are equivalent in safety and efficacy when used on a long-term basis for preventing recurrent preterm labor.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

Outcome of trial of labor in patients with a single previous low transverse cesarean section for dystocia.

The purpose of this prospective investigation was to evaluate the outcome of trial of labor in women with a history of a single low transverse cesarean section for dystocia in comparison with the outcome in women with a history of cesarean delivery for a reason other than dystocia. During the study period, 89 of 131 patients (68%) with a history of dystocia had a successful trial of labor, compared with 78 of 96 women (81%) who had cesarean delivery for a reason other than dystocia (P less than .025). Within the former group, 79% of women who originally had surgery while still in the latent phase of labor had a successful trial of labor, compared with 61% (.05 less than P less than .10) of patients who had an arrest of dilation in the active phase of labor and 65% (not significant) of those who had an arrest of descent. The only serious complication among study patients was a single instance of uterine scar dehiscence (0.5%). We conclude that approximately two-thirds of patients with a previous cesarean delivery for dystocia will have a successful trial of labor. Of these women, those individuals whose initial operation was performed in the latent phase of labor appear to have the best prognosis for subsequent vaginal delivery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1987

Single-dose cefazolin versus cefonicid for antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean delivery.

The purpose of this prospective investigation was to compare a single intravenous dose of cefazolin to a single dose of cefonicid as prophylaxis for women having unscheduled cesarean delivery. In a double-blind, randomized design, 96 patients were assigned to receive a 1-g dose of cefazolin and 103 patients were designated to receive a 1-g dose of cefonicid. The antibiotics were administered after delivery of the infant. The two groups were comparable with respect to recognized risk factors for postcesarean infection. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in the incidence of standard febrile morbidity, endomyometritis, urinary tract infection, wound infection, and bacteremia. There were also no significant differences between the groups in the fever index or the duration of hospitalization. We conclude that cefazolin and cefonicid provide a similar degree of prophylaxis against infection in patients having unscheduled cesarean delivery.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1987

External cephalic version at term: is a tocolytic necessary?

This prospective investigation evaluates the benefit of a beta-mimetic tocolytic for external cephalic version. From July 1, 1984 to May 15, 1987, 58 patients who had breech presentations between 37-41 weeks' gestation were considered for external cephalic version. The patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: tocolytic or no tocolytic. An ultrasound examination, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Kleihauer-Betke test, and nonstress test (NST) were performed before and after the attempt at version. A version was not attempted if there was evidence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), oligohydramnios, or a nonreactive NST. Patients in the tocolytic group received 200 micrograms/minute of ritodrine hydrochloride for 20 minutes via continuous intravenous infusion before a version was attempted. Twenty of the 30 patients (66.7%) in the tocolytic group and 19 of the 28 patients (67.8%) in the no-tocolytic group had successful versions, a nonsignificant difference. The nine patients with unsuccessful version attempts in the group without a tocolytic then received intravenous ritodrine and underwent a second attempt. Only one of these nine attempts was successful. There were no serious maternal or fetal complications associated with the attempts at version. In our patient population, use of a tocolytic did not significantly increase the probability of a successful version.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Computed tomographic pelvimetry in the evaluation of breech presentation.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess computed tomographic (CT) pelvimetry in the evaluation of breech presentation for trial of labor. Thirty-two patients with singleton term breech deliveries formed the study group. Seventeen of the 32 (53.1%) patients fulfilled the criteria for attempted vaginal delivery. Fourteen of the 17 (82.4%) delivered vaginally. All infants so delivered had five-minute Apgar scores greater than or equal to 7. Three of the 17 patients required abdominal delivery: one for fetal distress and two for arrest of dilation. These results compare favorably with studies using conventional x-ray pelvimetry. The advantages of CT over conventional pelvimetry include ease of performance, ease of interpretation, and decreased radiation dose to the fetus.

Breech Presentation↗
PubMed1986

Randomized comparison of five irrigation solutions at cesarean section.

A randomized double-blind study was undertaken to determine which irrigation solution might be best at cesarean section. A saline placebo was compared with ampicillin sodium and one each of three generations of cephalosporins: cephapirin sodium, cefamandole nafate, and moxalactam disodium. A total of 360 cesarean sections were studied, and comparisons made between antibiotic and control groups relative to demographics, possible risk factors, and multiple measures of postoperative morbidity. The total group was further divided into high- and low-risk labor and repeat cesarean groups. Post-cesarean endometritis was diagnosed in the following frequencies for the group as a whole: placebo (24.6%), ampicillin sodium (8.5%), cephapirin sodium (11.4%), cefamandole nafate (4.6%), and moxalactam disodium (16.4%). Cefamandole nafate consistently demonstrated significant decreases in endometritis and other morbidity measures versus placebo both in laboring patients and the group as a whole.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1985

Serum unconjugated estriol level as a predictor of pulmonary maturity.

Lack of respiratory distress syndrome in infants delivered after the maternal serum estriol value attained greater than or equal to 15 ng/ml was investigated. In 91 cases after 34 weeks' gestation no lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio less than 2.0 was found where the serum estriol level was greater than or equal to 15 ng/ml and no respiratory distress syndrome in the patients delivered less than or equal to 3 days from amniocentesis.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1985

The scheduling of repeat cesarean section operations: prospective management protocol experience.

There are benefits to patients and a busy obstetric service if repeat cesarean section operations are performed on a scheduled basis. Optimum management avoids prematurity and reduces the need for amniocentesis. Over a period of 20 months repeat cesarean sections were performed at Tripler Army Medical Center while a protocol with the following elements was used: (1) known last menstrual period; (2) landmarks: positive urine human chorionic gonadotropin test by 6 weeks, Doppler fetal heart tone by 12 weeks, date determination by examination before 10 weeks, fetoscope fetal heart tone by 20 weeks, and date determination by size before 30 weeks; (3) date determination by midtrimester sonogram(s); (4) normal third-trimester glucose screening; (5) biparietal diameter of 9.2 or 9.5 cm before scheduling. With two or more clinical landmarks and one date by sonogram or one landmark and date by two sonograms, elective repeat cesarean section was scheduled at 39 weeks if the biparietal diameter was greater than or equal to 9.2 cm (127). If dates by sonogram were less than dates by last menstrual period but greater than 1 week or if last menstrual period was unknown, dates by sonogram and landmarks corresponding to dates by sonogram were used to electively schedule, with biparietal diameters of 9.2 or 9.5 cm respectively required (28). If protocol criteria were not met or earlier delivery was indicated (e.g., vertical scar or diabetes), amniocentesis was performed (42), except when not possible, advisable, or refused when patients either elected labor (20) or were scheduled if three or more criteria for 40+ weeks were met (18). Of 225 patients (70.5%) scheduled by protocol (173), amniocentesis (34), or medical indication (18), 188 (58.9%) were delivered without labor. In the 147 patients (46.1%) delivered electively by protocol without labor or amniocentesis, there were no cases of respiratory distress syndrome and the mean birth weight was 3517 gm. With early care and better patient compliance nearly all repeat cesarean sections can be safely delivered electively with the use of this protocol.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed1985

Value of a screening urinalysis in pregnancy.

In order to assess the value of a screening urinalysis in the detection of urinary tract infection, the results of routine urinalyses from 1,062 obstetric patients were compared to subsequent culture results. A positive urine culture was predicted by pyuria, bacteriuria and a positive nitrite test; the predictive values were 23%, 21% and 87%, respectively. If all the parameters were negative, 96% of the cultures were negative. These findings suggest that in the interest of cost effectiveness, the urine can be cultured only when the screening urinalysis shows pyuria, bacteriuria or a positive nitrite test.

Bacteriuria↗
PubMed1984

Significant fetal bradycardia during antepartum heart rate testing.

Reviewed were 800 patients who underwent antepartum fetal heart rate testing. Significant fetal bradycardia (less than 90 beats per minute for longer than 50 seconds or a decrease of 40 beats per minute below baseline for longer than 50 seconds) was evaluated relative to its relationship to fetal outcome. Twelve fetuses exhibited significant bradycardia during monitoring. All of these babies, when delivered within a short period of time after the tracing, showed manifestations of ongoing intrauterine jeopardy. The finding of significant fetal bradycardia during antepartum testing should prompt further evaluation and consideration for delivery.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1983

Heart rate and blood pressure in infants of pre-eclamptic mothers during the first hour of life.

Neonatal heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure (BP) were recorded continuously for the 1st hour of life in term newborn infants of normotensive (control group) and pre-eclamptic (study group) primiparous mothers. Infants were matched for gestational age, birth weight, method of delivery, and Apgar scores. In infants of pre-eclamptic mothers, the HR was significantly lower for the 1st 50 min of life, and their mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was significantly higher during the 1st 20 min of life.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1983

Practical use and efficiency of amniotic fluid OD 650 as a predictor of fetal pulmonary maturity.

Fetal pulmonary maturity evaluation was performed on 237 amniotic fluid specimens from 202 gravidas using: 1) optical density (OD) 650, 2) shake or foam stabilization test, and 3) lecithin: sphingomyelin ratio. One hundred thirty-one gravidas delivered within 48 hours of specimen collection, including nine of 11 women delivering respiratory distress syndrome-affected infants and 40 delivering premature infants. The efficiency of each test in predicting fetal pulmonary maturity status was calculated and showed that statistically, OD 650 was significantly better at predicting fetal pulmonary maturity in preterm infants and all infants. Twenty-six of 27 infants of diabetic mothers (classes A through R) had mature OD 650 values; none developed respiratory distress syndrome. The authors confirm that the OD 650 is reliable in most clinical settings and superior to the shake test. The authors recommended its primary use when sophisticated phospholipid studies are not immediately available.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1983

Plasma unconjugated estriol as an indicator of fetal dysmaturity in postterm pregnancy.

The role of twice-weekly plasma unconjugated estriol determinations in the prediction of fetal dysmaturity was studied in 663 patients seen at the Postdates Clinic of the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. The correlation between estriol and gestational age was - 0.055. According to the criteria of the Postdates Clinic protocol, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values of positive results, and those of negative results of estriol determinations in predicting fetal dysmaturity were 44.4, 80.6, 32.9, and 87.1%, respectively. The major deficiency of this test for the detection of fetal dysmaturity was in the less-than-ideal predictive value of a negative result: 13% of patients who had normal estriol values had dysmature infants. When estriol was less than 12 ng/ml and the value fell more than 20% from the previous level, the predictive value of fetal dysmaturity was 56%. In these circumstances, the termination of pregnancy is a reasonable consideration. Until a more sensitive test for fetal dysmaturity is developed, plasma unconjugated estriol determination will retain its role as a screening test in managing postterm pregnancies in a large obstetric population.

Estriol↗