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Biomedical subjects

J Fritsch

Publications and source records attributed to J Fritsch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Methodologic and clinical comparison of four different ergospirometry systems].

The clinician who uses cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPX) systems relies on the technical informations from the device producers. In this paper, the practicability, the accuracy and the safety of four different, available CPX systems are compared in the clinical area, using clinically orientated criteria. The exercise tests were performed in healthy subjects, in patients with cardiac and/or pulmonary disease as well as in young or old people. The comparison study showed, that there were partially large differences in device design and measurement accuracy. Furthermore, our investigation demonstrated that beneath repetitive calibrations of the CPX systems a frequent validation of the devices by means of a metabolic simulator is necessary. Problems in calibration can be caused by an inadequate performance or by unclean calibration gases. Problems in validation can be due to incompatibility of the CPX device and the validator. The comparison study of the four different systems showed that in the future standards for CPX testing should be defined.

Adult↗

[Comparison of four different methods for respiratory determination of the anaerobic threshold in normal people, and heart- and lung patients].

We analyzed 128 cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX), performed in normal subjects (n = 31), in patients with coronary artery disease (n = 41), with chronic heart failure before (n = 14) and after (n = 14) application of oral PDE-inhibitors and in patients with HIV-infection on a bicycle-ergometer in semi-supine position using a ramp-program (dependent on study-population with 15, 20 or 35 Watt/min increases) with respect to the ability to determine the respiratory anaerobic threshold non-invasively, using the main criteria described by Wasserman et al.: the V-slope-method according to Beaver, the increase of the ventilatory equivalent for O2 (VE/VO2), the increase of the end-tidal PO2 (PETO2) and the increase of the respiratory quotient (RQ) during exercise. In the different study-populations we calculated the detection rates of the AT for each criteria separately. The typical changes in the end-tidal PO2 (124/128 = 96.9%) and the V-slope-method (119/128 = 92.9%) were the most reliable parameters to detect the anaerobic threshold. The characteristic changes of the ventilatory equivalent for O2 (VE/VO2) and of the respiratory quotient (RQ) we found in 100/128 (= 78.1%) and in 107/128 (= 83.6%) of the tests respectively. 86/128 tests (67.2%) showed typical changes in all four mentioned criteria. In another 24/128 tests (19.8%) three of four criteria were fulfilled. Therefore, our investigations showed that in 110/128 cases (85.9%) the AT could be determined by typical changes by means of at least three of the four described parameters. In 15/128 (11.7%) tests only two of four criteria were fulfilled.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anaerobic Threshold↗

[Cardiopulmonary capacity in patients with coronary heart disease].

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) allows a non-invasive control of the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. In this study, we wanted to investigate if the CPX can be securely, practicably, and accurately performed in patients with invasively documented coronary heart disease (CHD). Furthermore, we wanted to find out the clinical value of CPX in CHD diagnosis. The CPX measurements (symptom-limited; ramp program with 20 Watts increase/min; semi-supine position; continuous registration of the cardio-circulatory parameters (HR, RR, ECG), of the gas exchange parameters (O2, CO2) and of the ventilation) in 101 patients have shown that CPX is secure, accurate, and practicable. The day-to-day reproducibility is high (r > 0.8). The respiratory anaerobic threshold can be manually evaluated by means of the PET O2 criterion in 95% of the cases. The CCS-classification of angina pectoris could not accurately describe the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity as compared to the Weber-classification. The disadvantage of the Weber-classification is that it does not respect the age-, sex- and weight-dependent differences of the normal values. Our own data and results from the literature demonstrate that the anaerobic threshold, the maximum VO2 and the maximum O2-pulse are the more reduced the more coronary arteries are involved, the more reduced the left ventricular function is. But, nevertheless, the range of values shows large overlaps so that an exact differentiation, based upon these parameters, is not possible. Patients with similar functional results or degree of reduced exercise capacity have different morphological alterations. Most patients demonstrated typical ischemic cascade with anaerobic threshold, ST-segment alterations, angina pectoris and, finally, reduced max. VO2. In conclusion, CPX does not replace the traditional methods of non-invasive and invasive ischemia detection, but enables secure, practicable, and accurate measurements of the individual cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and the interaction between muscles, heart, circulation, and lungs. Possibly, CPX can be used in the near future for identifying CHD patients with low, medium or high risk.

Adult↗

[Psychosocial problems of adolescents and adults with congenital heart defects].

Despite successful medical treatment and hemodynamic good results after surgical correction, relevant psychosocial problems occur in adult patients with congenital heart disease. 146 patients in Germany with simple but also with complex congenital heart defects were examined by means of a questionnaire to look into these problems. Although most of the patients belonged to Ability Index I or Ability Index II of J. Somerville, almost 60% felt not healthy and impaired. The level of education was above average. 98% had attended a regular school, 23% a secondary school, and 15% had attended university. The congenital heart disease negatively affected the choice of occupation for 25% of the patients, but only 8.6% had difficulties when they applied for a job. The majority of patients was employed and satisfied with their occupation. Most of them were working in physically less demanding jobs. Sporting activities were widespread, although half of the patients felt impaired by the congenital heart disease when performing sports. All patients had some kind of health insurance. Most of them were enrolled in the common public health insurance plan. The insurers paid for almost all expenses caused by the congenital heart disease. More than 30% were not accepted by life insurance companies. Only 1.4% were members of a self-help-group for congenital heart disease. The knowledge of these occurring problems may help to improve the treatment of adult patients with congenital heart disease and, moreover, infants and adolescent patients who still have to reach adulthood may later benefit from this information.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Potassium currents and effects of vitamin D-3 metabolites and cyclic GMP in rat osteoblastic cells.

A K+ current (IK1), activated by depolarization above -20 mV, showing voltage-dependent inactivation within a few seconds and reduced by 40% by 1 mM TEA, was observed in all cells. In a few cells, we also observed a progressive K(+)-current increase during cell dialysis. The developing current (IK2) was not sensitive to 1 mM TEA and did not inactivate. It was detectable over the whole voltage range and slowly increased during 10 s depolarizations. 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 did not affect IK1, but induced a small K(+)-current increase in some cells showing no IK2. This effect was not mimicked by cyclic GMP analogs which, on the contrary, induced a K(+)-current decrease. 24,25-(OH)2D3 (even at 10(-11)M, but not 1,25-(OH)2D3, strongly reduced IK2. The results further document the diversity of voltage-gated currents of osteoblastic cells, confirm the existence of immediate effects of vitamin D-3 metabolites, which are independent of classical 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

[Palliative treatment by endoprosthesis of icterus caused by distal biliary tumoral obstruction].

Between March 1982 and December 1987, 466 patients (256 women, 210 men, mean age 73 years) with tumor obstruction of the common bile duct were referred to our department. The causes of obstruction were carcinoma of the pancreas (298 patients), carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (32 patients) and carcinoma of the common bile duct (136 patients). Endoscopical insertion of a biliary prosthesis was initially possible in 377 patients (81%). In case of failure, patients were referred to the radiologist for percutaneous drainage. Successful drainage was obtained in 58 patients with an overall success rate of 93% (435 patients). Endoscopic replacement was necessary in 170 cases for 114 patients and was successful in 155 (91%). Pruritus was relieved in 89% of the patients. Serum bilirubin levels decreased more than 75% after initial endoscopic endoprosthesis, repeated endoscopic endoprosthesis and percutaneous prosthesis insertion in 80%, 79%, and 62% of the patients, respectively. Short term complications of endoscopic endoprosthesis occurred in 28% of patients with a mortality rate of 8%. Percutaneous prosthesis complications occurred in 33% of patients with a mortality rate of 11%. In the long term, cholangitis was the main complication and occurred in 27% of patients with a delay of 103 +/- 105 days. Intestinal obstruction was observed in 7% of patients. The average life expectancy of endoscopic endoprosthesis and percutaneous prosthesis was 109 +/- 157 and 92 +/- 101 days, respectively. The average life expectancy of patients was 163 +/- 224 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Septicemias after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Risk factors and antibiotic prophylaxis].

The infection following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most severe complications. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and the prognosis of this complication, to look for the risk factors and to define bacterial ecology in order to put forward the most appropriate antibiotherapy. Two thousand and ten patients were included in this study. Among these, 51 (2.5%) had a septic complication following ERCP. Endoscopy biliary drainage was complete in 24 cases, incomplete in 19 and lacking in 8. Transhepatic biliary drainage was carried out in 17 cases. Sixteen patients (31%) with tumor obstructions died within 30 days after ERCP. Four risk factors were isolated when comparing infected patients with other patients: the completeness of biliary obstruction (90 vs 48%, P < 0.001); multiple cannulation attempts (1.76 +/- 1.12 vs 1.25 +/- 0.70, P < 0.001); the malignant nature of the obstruction (80 vs 23%, P < 0.002) and the lack of satisfactory drainage following endoscopy (53 vs 23%, P = 0.009). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated species, both from blood cultures (30%) and bile samples (23%). The preventive therapy of septic complications following ERCP must include strict rules concerning the disinfection of endoscopic material.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

[Endoscopic drainage of pseudocysts of the pancreas. Study of 26 cases].

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts has been proposed for several years as an alternative to surgical treatment. We report the results of 26 endoscopic cystostomies of pancreatic pseudocysts (13 cystoduodenostomies, 13 cystogastrostomies) performed in two specialized centres, from 1985 to 1991. The patients were divided into 3 groups (I, II, III) according to the pseudocysts' clinical presentation. The opening of the collection into digestive lumen was achieved in 22 cases; there were 3 puncture failures and 1 cystostomy was not performed because of a prior haemorrhagic puncture. Pain relief was obtained rapidly after cystodigestive drainage in 13 out of the 14 symptomatic patients. Three complications required surgery: 1 bleeding after cystoduodenostomy, 1 perforation and 1 peritonitis after cystogastrostomies. Two of them occurred after recutting a cystostomy. Two pseudocyst surinfections healed with antibiotic therapy. No deaths occurred due to the procedure. Among the 18 long-term followed-up patients (average = 33 months), 4 required surgery for persistence or relapse of pseudocysts. The results were excellent for the 14 other patients without any difference between cystoduodenostomies and cystogastrostomies, neither between the I, II and III groups. Each of the 5 cases with a digestive lumen-pseudocyst cavity thickness above 1 cm (measured on 20 CT scans) failed: 1 puncture failure, 3 complications, 1 relapse.

Adult↗

[Clinical experiences with four newly developed, surface modified stimulation electrodes].

Newly developed pacing electrodes with so-called porous surfaces promise a significantly improved post-operative pacing and sensing threshold. We therefore investigated four newly developed leads (ELA-PMCF-860 n = 10; Biotronik-60/4-DNP n = 10, CPI-4010 n = 10, Intermedics-421-03-Biopore n = 6) connected to two different pacing devices (Intermedics NOVA II, Medtronic PASYS) in 36 patients (18 men, 18 women, age: 69.7 +/- 9.8 years) suffering from symptomatic bradycardia. The individual electrode maturation process was investigated by means of repeated measurements of pacing threshold, electrode impedance in acute, subacute, and chronic phase, as well as energy consumption and sensing behavior in the chronic phase. However, with the exception of the 4010, the investigated leads showed largely varying values of the pacing threshold with individual peaks occurring from the second up to the 13th week. All leads had nearly similar chronic pacing thresholds (PMCF 0.13 +/- 0.07; DNP 0.25 +/- 0.18; Biopore 0.15 +/- 0.05; 4010 0.14 +/- 0.05 ms). Impedance measurements revealed higher, but not significantly different values for the DNP (PMCF 582 +/- 112, DNP 755 +/- 88, Biopore 650 +/- 15, 4010 718 +/- 104 Ohm). Despite differing values for pacing threshold and impedance, the energy consumption in the chronic phase during threshold-adapted, but secure stimulation (3 * impulse-width at pacing threshold) were comparable.

Aged↗

[Current results of endoscopic sphincterotomy for lithiasis of the common bile duct].

Between January 1989 and June 1990, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 308 consecutive patients with common bile duct stones (mean age: 74 years). Complete clearance of common bile duct was achieved at the first attempt in 65% of cases. This rate was significantly related to the size and the number of biliary stones. The success rate reached 97 percent after repeated endoscopic sessions (127 patients), mechanical lithotripsy (20 patients), extracorporeal or intracorporeal lithotripsy (18 and 11 patients, respectively). During the month following the endoscopic sphincterotomy, 39 patients (13%) developed one or more complications and 11 patients (3.7%) died. The complication rate was related to the time elapsed between biliary opacification and endoscopic sphincterotomy (P = 0.04) and between endoscopic sphincterotomy and total common bile duct clearance (P = 0.0007). No patient younger than 75 years died, but death occurred in 4.5% of the patients older than 75 years. Thirty patients (10%) developed endoscopic sphincterotomy-related complications. Cholangitis and bleeding were the most frequent complications (4 and 2%, respectively). Cholangitis occurred more frequently among the patients older than 75 (P < 0.05) or when transhepatic guided endoscopic sphincterotomy or intracorporeal lithotripsy was used (P < 0.005). Cholangitis led to death in 2 patients, 86 and 87 years old (0.7%). Endoscopic sphincterotomy related complications developed within 48 hours in all but 4 patients (2 patients with pancreatitis and 2 patients with cholecystitis).

Acute Disease↗

[Effect of a single blood donation on ergo-spirometrically determined cardiopulmonary performance capacity of young healthy probands].

Autologous blood donation is an established method for an effective reduction of the blood-transfusion-associated infectious diseases (hepatitis, HIV infections, etc.) in elective surgical procedures. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a blood donation of 450 ml on the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in 16 apparently healthy young subjects. The 24 cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed on a bicycle ergometer (Ergoline 900) in a semisupine position, using a ramp program (+20 watt/min) 1-7 days before and 2 days after blood donation. By means of continuous breath-by-breath measurements of the gas exchange (VO2, VCO2) and ventilation parameters (minute ventilation VE), as well as of the routine parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, work rate) during incremental exercise the respiratory anaerobic threshold VO2AT, the maximum VO2 (VO2max and the maximal working capacity (max. WR) were determined. Serum hemoglobin concentration was significantly (p < 0.0005) reduced from 14.5 +/- 1.0 to 13.0 +/- 1.4 g/dl after blood donation. The ventilatory anaerobic threshold (before: 68.5 +/- 17.0; after: 52.0 +/- 20.3% pred. max. VO2), the max. VO2 (before: 124.2 +/- 21.3; after: 110.2 +/- 23.2% pred. max. VO2) and max. WR (before: 287.1 +/- 75.6; after 265.5 +/- 76.2 watt) fell significantly (VO2AT: p < 0.0005; max. VO2: p < 0.0005; max. WR: p < 0.025). Heart rate and minute ventilation showed a steeper increase (dHR/dWR: before: 0.31 +/- 0.06; after: 0.34 +/- 0.05 beats/min/watt; dVE/dWR: before: 0.29 +/- 0.05; after: 0.31 +/- 0.05 l/watt) in relation to the increase in WR after blood donation as compared to the test before.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Portal cavernoma compressing the bile duct. Apropos of three cases].

Three cases of biliary tract compression caused by a cavernous transformation of the portal vein are reported. Revealing symptoms of biliary disease were anicteric and asymptomatic cholestasis in one patient, and cholangitis and obstructive jaundice in one case each. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiograms showed that the compression was located in the common bile duct in two cases and in the main bile duct in one. The responsibility of the portal cavernoma was established by the disappearance of jaundice after splenorenal shunt in one case. Biliary consequences of a portal cavernoma are very uncommon. Compression by the turgescent venous network combined with a sclero-inflammatory reaction of the biliary tract are the most likely causes.

Aged↗