Biomedical subjects

Jacques Somma

Publications and source records attributed to Jacques Somma.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Changes in hematocrit based on incremental blood sampling: mathematical models perform poorly.

PURPOSE: Excessive blood sampling, with its inherent risks, is of growing concern among clinicians. We performed this study to measure the changes in hematocrit (Hct) during a laboratory investigation where multiple blood samples are collected. The performance of a simple mathematical model, used in clinical practice to predict Hct changes, is evaluated. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers participated in this study. The equation Hct(f) = Hct(i)*(EBV-BL)/EBV is used to predict changes in Hct. Where Hct(f) and Hct(i) are, respectively, the final and initial Hct, EBV is the estimated blood volume and BL is the blood loss. RESULTS: Thirty-five pharmacokinetic samples per subject were collected totalling 314 mL of BL. The Hct decreased from 44.2% +/- 2.2% to 39.9% +/- 2.5% (P = 0.001). On average, model predictions tended to have a discrete tendency to underestimate the Hct changes (-0.5% points of bias). While the predictions of the Hct were very accurate in 50% of the subjects, the discrepancy of the Hct predictions was clinically significant in the other 50% of the subjects. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the model prediction, this study demonstrated a significant reduction in the Hct values in healthy subjects undergoing incremental phlebotomy. On average, the model successfully predicted the decrease in Hct. However, the inter- and intra-individual variabilities in the Hct changes are clinically significant. In clinical settings, which are not well controlled environments, the variability is likely to be greater and the clinical use of the model cannot replace the need to monitor the Hct.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Predicting postoperative pain by preoperative pressure pain assessment.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative pressure pain sensitivity testing is predictive of postoperative surgical pain. METHODS: Female subjects undergoing lower abdominal gynecologic surgery were studied. A pressure algometer was used preoperatively to determine the pressure pain threshold and tolerance. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess postoperative pain. A State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess patients' anxiety. Subjects received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain control. The preoperative pain threshold and tolerance were compared with the postoperative VAS pain score and morphine consumption. RESULTS: Forty women were enrolled. Their preoperative pressure pain threshold and tolerance were 141 +/- 65 kPa and 223 +/- 62 kPa, respectively. The VAS pain score in the postanesthesia care unit and at 24 h postoperatively were 81 +/- 24 and 31 +/- 10, respectively. Highly anxious patients had higher VAS pain scores in the postanesthesia care unit (P < 0.05). Pressure pain tolerance was significantly correlated with the VAS at 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.001, r = -0.52). Pressure pain tolerance after fentanyl administration (mean, 272 +/- 68 kPa) correlated significantly with morphine consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.002, r = -0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of preoperative pressure pain tolerance is significantly correlated with the level of postoperative pain. Pain tolerance assessment after fentanyl was administered and fentanyl sensitivity predicted the dose of analgesics used in the first 24 h after surgery. The algometer is thus a simple, useful tool for predicting postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Dexmedetomidine pharmacodynamics: part I: crossover comparison of the respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist used for short-term sedation of mechanically ventilated patients, has minimal effect on ventilation. METHODS: This study compared the respiratory effect of dexmedetomidine to that of remifentanil. The authors measured and compared respiratory responses of six healthy male volunteers during (1) a stepwise target-controlled infusion of remifentanil, (2) a stepwise target-controlled infusion of dexmedetomidine, and (3) a pseudonatural sleep session. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, remifentanil infusions resulted in respiratory depression as evidenced by a decrease in respiratory rate and minute ventilation, respiratory acidosis, and apnea episodes resulting in desaturations. Remifentanil disturbed the natural pattern of breathing and flattened the distribution of ventilatory timing (inspiratory time/ventilatory cycle time). The respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine markedly contrasted with those of remifentanil. When compared with baseline, during dexmedetomidine infusions, the respiratory rate significantly increased, and the overall apnea/hypopnea index significantly decreased. The distribution of inspiratory time/ventilatory cycle time showed an increased peak. In addition, dexmedetomidine seemed to mimic some aspect of natural sleep. While the subjects were breathing a 5% CO2 mixture, hypercapnic arousal phenomena (documented by the Bispectral Index, the electroencephalogram, and sudden increase in the minute ventilation) were observed during dexmedetomidine infusions. Similar phenomena during natural sleep have been reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with remifentanil, dexmedetomidine infusions (1) did not result in clinically significant respiratory depression, (2) decreased rather than increased the apnea/hypopnea index, and (3) exhibited some similarity with natural sleep.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Dexmedetomidine pharmacodynamics: Part II: Crossover comparison of the analgesic effect of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist used for short-term sedation of mechanically ventilated patients. The analgesic profile of dexmedetomidine has not been fully characterized in humans. METHODS: This study was designed to compare the analgesic responses of six healthy male volunteers during stepwise target-controlled infusions of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine. A computer-controlled thermode was used to deliver painful heat stimuli to the volar side of the forearms of the subjects. Six sequential 5-s stimuli (ranging from 41 degrees to 50 degrees C) were delivered in random order. The recorded visual analog scale was used to fit an Emax model. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, remifentanil infusions resulted in a right shift of the sigmoid curve (increased T50, the temperature producing a visual analog scale score of 50% of the maximal effect, from 46.1 degrees C at baseline to 48.4 degrees and 49.1 degrees C during remifentanil infusions) without a change of the steepness of the curve (identical Hill coefficients gamma during baseline and remifentanil). Compared to baseline, dexmedetomidine infusions resulted in both a right shift of the sigmoid curve (increased T50 to 47.2 degrees C) and a decrease in the steepness of the curve (decreased gamma from 3.24 during baseline and remifentanil infusions to 2.45 during dexmedetomidine infusions). There was no difference in the pain responses between baseline and after recovery from remifentanil infusions (identical T50 and gamma). CONCLUSION: As expected, dexmedetomidine is not as effective an analgesic as the opioid remifentanil. The difference in the quality of the analgesia with remifentanil may be a reflection of a different mechanism of action or a consequence of the sedative effect of dexmedetomidine.

Adult↗