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Biomedical subjects

J Ducas

Publications and source records attributed to J Ducas.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Effects of reduced resistive afterload on left ventricular pressure-volume relationship.

In seven anesthetized, beta-blocked dogs, we investigated the effects of a reduction in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) on left ventricular (LV) systolic mechanics. LV pressure and volumes (scintigraphic techniques) were measured in base-line condition, after opening one and then two arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). Volume was infused to maintain LV end-systolic pressure (LVESP). Despite a constant ESP, the mean end-systolic volume (LVESV) fell from 42 to 31 ml (P less than 0.025) when the SVR fell from 81 to 48 units (P less than 0.0025), and the LVESV fell further to 24 ml (P less than 0.0025) when the SVR was decreased to 30 units (P less than 0.025). In six similarly prepared dogs, aortic flow was measured, and when resistive afterload decreased, instantaneous flow increased. Since end-diastolic volume was not significantly changed when resistive afterload decreased, instantaneous LV volume decreased despite constant systolic LV pressure. In two of these dogs, LV pressure-volume (PV) trajectories were drawn for the ejection period. When SVR decreased there was a marked leftward shift of the PV trajectory as the end of ejection was approached. It is concluded that at a given contractile state and ventricular pressure, alterations in resistive load directly affect rate and extent of ventricular shortening.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Direct effects of nitroprusside do not alter gas exchange in canine oleic acid edema.

The authors investigated why intrapulmonary shunt (QS/QT) increases with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in canine oleic acid pulmonary edema. To determine the effects of flow alone on QS/QT, a peripheral arteriovenous fistula with a variable resistor was employed to increase cardiac output (Q) 26 and 52% above base line in a stepwise fashion (P less than 0.01). To examine the direct effects of SNP, distinct from changes in flow, the drug was given to produce matched increments in Q in each dog (P less than 0.01). To control for time, base-line measurements were obtained before and after each intervention, the sequence of which was alternated. At each increment in Q, SNP and the arteriovenous fistula increased QS/QT a similar amount. The mixed venous O2 tension (P-vO2) followed Q similarly in each group. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) fell more (P less than 0.01) with SNP than with the arteriovenous fistula at identical Q and P-vO2. The authors conclude that, in this model, a direct pharmacological effect of SNP does not contribute to the deterioration in QS/QT. In fact, SNP exerts a pulmonary vasoactive effect that does not adversely affect gas exchange.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1983

Validity of the hepatojugular reflux as a clinical test for congestive heart failure.

This study describes observations designed to test the validity of the hepatojugular reflux as an indicator of actual or incipient heart failure. The central venous pressure (CVP) could be predicted from the height of the jugular venous pulsations in 44 of 48 comparisons. In the remaining comparisons, discrepancies ranged from 5 to 7 mm Hg. In patients with normal resting cardiac function, abdominal compression did not cause an increase in CVP of greater than 2 mm Hg (2.7 mm H2O). In 16 of 19 patients with impaired function, CVP increased by greater than or equal to 3 mm Hg. The increase in CVP was estimated from neck veins to within 2 mm Hg in all but 3 instances. CVP stabilized by 10 seconds and did not change over the subsequent 60 seconds. Abdominal compression caused no consistent change in cardiac output. Changes in venous pressure could not be attributed to changes in esophageal pressure or to compression of the heart by elevation of the diaphragm. Observations were consistent with the hypothesis that an increase in right-sided cardiac filling pressures resulting from abdominal compression carried out as described here, reflects both the volume of blood in the abdominal veins and the ability of the ventricles to respond to increased venous return, and constitutes a useful clinical test for detecting congestive cardiac failure. An increase of 3 cm in the height of neck vein distention is a reasonable upper limit of normal.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1983

Thoracicoabdominal mechanics during resuscitation maneuvers.

The importance of intrathoracic pressure in generating blood flow during cardiopulmonary resuscitation has recently been emphasized. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors involved in generating intrathoracic pressure. Studies were performed in anesthetized paralyzed dogs with the circulation intact. Balloon-tipped catheters were placed in the abdomen and esophagus for measurement of intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressures and cannula placed in the airway for airway pressure. The following four maneuvers were studied: (1) chest compression with open airway; (2) chest compression with closed airway; (3) pulmonary inflation to transpulmonary pressure (TP) of 30 cm H2O (TP = 30); and (4) chest compression plus pulmonary inflation (TP = 30). We found that under static conditions, chest compression alone produced small positive intrathoracic pressures (9 +/- 8 cm H2O), but these could be increased by closing the airway pressure (18 +/- 6 cm H2O) or inflating the lungs (15 +/- 7 cm H2O). The combination of inflating the lung and compressing the chest produced the highest intrathoracic pressure (48 +/- 18 cm H2O; p less than 0.001). The pressure developed was highly variable and the distribution of pressures within the thorax was not uniform. As the intrathoracic pressure became large, a pressure gradient developed from thorax to abdomen, and the diaphragm everted; this pressure gradient could divert blood from the brain.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1981

Cerebrospinal fluid penicillin levels during therapy for latent syphilis.

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum penicillin levels were determined in patients with latent syphilis. Mean serum concentration one week after the third weekly dose of 2.4 million units penicillin G benzathine was 0.32 units/mL. Concurrent administration of probenecid orally produced a mean serum penicillin level of 0.41 units/mL. Doubled penicillin doses without and with daily orally administered probenecid resulted in mean serum concentrations of 0.75 and 1.00 units/mL, respectively. Two of six patients in the last group had CSF penicillin concentrations greater than 0.03 units/mL.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Adolescent medicine in private practice ].

Out of 13,455 private practice examinations performed over 6 months by 3 pediatricians and 2 general practitioners 4.2% concerned adolescents, aged 10 to 19, while they represent 16% of the population of the area. Pediatricians see less adolescents than general practitioners, and only adolescents under 14. Adolescents from workers' families seem to seek less medical advice than one would expect from their number in the population. Among the causes, respiratory infections come first, followed by requests for various medical certificates. For general practitioners, gynecologic and obstetrical problems represent one third of the reasons for consultations in girls and two thirds after 15 years.

Adolescent↗