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Biomedical subjects

L Flancbaum

Publications and source records attributed to L Flancbaum.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Changes in patients' taste acuity after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for clinically severe obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for clinically severe obesity often report an aversion to sweet foods and meat. This study was designed to determine whether changes in taste acuity occur after RYGB. DESIGN: This prospective, repeated measures trial evaluated acuity for sweet (sucrose) and bitter (urea) tastes, zinc status, and reported changes in taste perceptions in patients undergoing RYGB for weight reduction. SUBJECTS: Taste acuity and serum zinc level were measured in 14 subjects, 6 men and 8 women (mean preoperative body mass index [calculated as kg/m2] = 60.8 +/- 11.8 and mean age = 38.4 +/- 6 years), before surgery and 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Inquiries regarding taste preferences were made at each postoperative visit with specific reference to sweets and meat. Serum zinc level was measured at the same visit. A noncontrolled comparison group of 4 subjects who were consuming a very-low-calorie diet also underwent taste acuity testing at similar intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were recognition taste thresholds, serum zinc levels, and taste preference changes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance with repeated measures over time, Pearson correlation coefficients, and post hoc analysis of variance were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Mean recognition thresholds for sucrose were 0.047 +/- 0.03 mol/L preoperatively and fell significantly to 0.024 +/- 0.01 and 0.019 +/- 0.01 mol/L at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Overall, there were no significant differences in taste thresholds for urea over time; a significant difference was noted, however, in the pattern of change for urea between patients who reported an aversion to meats and those who did not. Zinc concentrations did not change during the study. APPLICATION/CONCLUSIONS: At 6 weeks postoperatively, all patients reported that foods tasted sweeter, and they modified food selection accordingly. Six patients reported an aversion to meats associated with increased nausea and vomiting. Acuity for sweet and bitter tastes may need to be considered when planning dietary modifications for patients undergoing RYGB.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Increased incidence of nosocomial infections in obese surgical patients.

Obesity has long been considered a potential risk factor for poor outcome following surgical procedures. However, controversy exists regarding the clinical impact of this problem because of a paucity of data regarding the incidence and risk of nosocomial infections in obese surgical patients. This retrospective study was undertaken to compare the nosocomial infection rate in obese and normal weight surgical patients. All patients undergoing general, urologic, vascular, thoracic, or gynecologic surgical procedures between October 1 and December 31, 1991, were reviewed. Nosocomial infection data were obtained from the Department of Hospital Epidemiology. A total of 849 patients were evaluated, of which 536 (63%) were normal weight (BMI < 27 kg/m2), 175 (21%) were obese (BMI 27-31 kg/m2), and 138 (16%) were severely obese (BMI > 31 kg/m2). Age, mortality, and American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) risk scores did not differ among the three groups. There were significant increases in the number and percent of nosocomial infections in the obese populations, with rates of 0.05 per cent in normal weight, compared to 2.8 per cent and 4.0 per cent in obese and severely obese groups (P < 0.01). Infections consisted of seven wound infections, five C. difficile infections, one pneumonia, and three bacteremias. No differences in distribution between groups were evident. Mortality was similar among the groups. These data support the hypothesis that obesity is a significant risk factor for clinically relevant nosocomial infections in surgical patients.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed1995

Functioning and well-being of patients before and after elective surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Recent changes in health care delivery and financing have prompted interest in medical outcomes research. This study was performed to assess the effect of general surgical procedures on the health status of patients over time. STUDY DESIGN: The functional health status of patients undergoing elective surgical procedures was measured preoperatively, in the immediate postoperative period, and three and six months after surgery. Complete data were collected for 82 patients presenting to the general surgery service at the Ohio State University Medical Center for symptoms related to gallbladder disease (21), hemorrhoids (10), inguinal and incisional hernias (37), and clinically severe obesity (14). The Short Form-36 health status questionnaire was administered before the surgical procedure, at the first postoperative visit, and by telephone three months and six months following surgery. Hospital records were reviewed following the procedures, and preoperative anesthesiologist's risk status, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, and complications were noted. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire developed by Ohio State University. RESULTS: For all four elective procedures, a significant improvement in health status was demonstrated when preoperative function was compared to measurements three and six months postoperatively. Improvement was significant in all eight categories assessed, encompassing physical, social, mental, emotional, and general health, and pain relief. Dramatic improvement was reported by patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for clinically severe obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The Short Form-36 health status questionnaire proved to be a useful tool in assessing patient outcomes following elective surgical procedures. The general health status assessment will be especially useful for documenting the effectiveness of routine and innovative therapies.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Morphine cholescintigraphy in the evaluation of hospitalized patients with suspected acute cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined if the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis can be accurately made or reliably eliminated by the use of morphine-augmented radionuclide cholescintigraphy (morphine cholescintigraphy [MC]) in hospitalized patients in whom the diagnosis is in doubt. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND DATA: Diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, calculous or acalculous, may be difficult in patients hospitalized for abdominal pain or other illnesses. Clinical signs often are obscure, and routine imaging studies are nonspecific or associated with a high incidence of false-positive tests. The authors report the use of MC in the evaluation of 163 hospitalized patients for acute cholecystitis over an 8-year period. METHODS: All patients suspected to have acute cholecystitis initially had standard cholescintigraphy performed, which showed nonvisualization of the gallbladder, and then were given morphine sulfate (0.05-0.1 mg/kg, intravenously). Patients were divided into the following three groups: I--acute abdominal pain (N = 53); II--hospitalized for associated illness (N = 49); and III--critically ill (N = 61). RESULTS: Overall, MC confirmed the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in 75 patients (46%), including 23 cases of acalculous cholecystitis. Visualization of the gallbladder occurred within 60 minutes of intravenous administration of morphine sulfate in all patients. Cystic duct obstruction and, presumably, the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was excluded in 79 patients, including 38 who were critically ill. There were eight false-positive and one false-negative studies. Morphine cholescintigraphy had a sensitivity of 99%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 0.9, a negative predictive value of 0.99, and an overall accuracy of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: In hospitalized patients with nonvisualization of the gallbladder after standard cholescintigraphy, MC is highly accurate, especially in predicting the absence of acute cholecystitis in patients with known risk factors.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1994

Quantitative effects of low-dose dopamine on urine output in oliguric surgical intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the magnitude and time course of the effect of low-dose dopamine (2.5 micrograms/kg/min) infusions on urine output in oliguric patients. DESIGN: A prospective, clinical study. SETTING: A surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 19 surgical ICU patients with oliguria (< 0.5 mL/kg/hr) after resuscitation to pulmonary artery occlusion pressures > 10 mm Hg, mean arterial pressures > 65 mm Hg, and cardiac index > 2 L/min/m2. Patients with acute renal failure and those patients receiving diuretics were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Urine output was monitored hourly before and after dopamine was instituted for the treatment of oliguria. Spot urine electrolyte determinations and urine specific gravity measurements were obtained. Patients with urine output improvement (> 50% increase) had dopamine stopped after 4 hrs. If urine output decreased to < 0.5 mL/kg/hr, dopamine was resumed. There were no dopamine-induced changes in heart rate, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, mean arterial pressure, or cardiac index. Mean urine output increased from 0.29 to 1.04 mL/kg/hr (p < .001) while patients were receiving dopamine. Time-to-peak response to dopamine was 7 hrs. Urine output increased to > 0.5 mL/kg/hr in 95% of patients, doubled in 89% of patients, and exceeded 1.0 mL/kg/hr in 84% of patients. After dopamine was stopped, urine output decreased to < 0.5 mL/kg/hr in 79% of patients and responded to resumption of dopamine in 100% of patients. There were no significant changes in urine sodium concentration or specific gravity. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose dopamine infusion alone produces a drug-dependent increase in urine output in oliguric, euvolemic ICU patients. Maximal effect is temporally variable.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

An automatized computer-method utilizing Procomm Plus and DataEase (4.2) PC and SAS (6.06) mainframe software for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies.

A powerful, time sharing and automatized method of a comprehensive data analysis for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies is described. Data are collected using DataEase PC software (version 4.2) into forms with data fields specified for vital parameters consistently recorded in isolated, perfused heart studies (HR, CBF, PEAKPRESSURE, DPDT, MVO2). After running, DataEase reports the data and information is uploaded to an IBM 3081D mainframe computer on each day of heart experiment and data collection. The uploading process, the data archival and the statistical analyses are automatized by Procomm Plus commands written in Aspect Source Program (.ASP) Files for logging, data transforming and file management procedures. The ASPCOMP.EXE compiler compiles these .ASP files into Aspect Script eXecutable (.ASX) programs, which run on the PC in our laboratory and activate WYLBUR (IBM 3081D Batch-job service and Command file processor) edited files in the mainframe's electronic devices then upload, backup and save data into these files. SAS EXE files containing program instructions for the data analyzing system are then forced by Procomm Plus to operate over the data just uploaded. SAS reads the DATA files by its INFILE facility and performs comprehensive statistical analyses and produces hard output including graphics and JOB reports of dose-response- and logaritmic scale curves for delivery to team members. This computerized and automatized method developed for isolated, perfused guinea-pig heart studies is capable of performing multiple file transfer, sophisticated statistical analyses and graphic procedures after one keystroke on the PC (Alt-F5 in Procomm Plus section) and also facilitates a consistent and convenient method for planning, controlling and standardizing experiments. The method is based on an interactive computer conversation between the PC in the laboratory and the remote's WYLBUR editor. No human presence is needed; however, in case of failure, Procomm Plus gives one of the team members supervising the system a phone call in order to get human help.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Diagnostic laparoscopy as an adjunct to selective conservative management of solid organ injuries after blunt abdominal trauma.

To investigate the efficacy of diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) as an adjunct in patient selection for conservative management of solid organ injuries (SOI) following blunt abdominal trauma, 15 patients with injuries documented by computed tomographic (CT) scanning were prospectively evaluated. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in an attempt to characterize SOI, to evaluate the abdomen for associated occult injuries, and to select patients for conservative management or laparotomy. The 15 patients had CT evidence of 17 SOIs (nine spleen, eight liver), and DL allowed adequate visualization of 15 of the 17 injuries. Occult hollow viscus injury was discovered in 2 of 15 patients (one colon, one small bowel) and required laparotomy. In the remaining 13 patients, DL revealed ongoing hemorrhage in four patients and poor visualization in one patient that prompted laparotomy (four splenorrhaphy, one hepatorrhaphy). Conservative management was employed in the treatment of eight patients with findings of minor injury or adequate hemostasis on DL. The average transfusion requirement in this group was 1.8 U. No patient failed conservative management. There were no complications attributable to DL. These data demonstrate that DL may become an effective adjunct in patient selection for conservative management of SOI following blunt abdominal trauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1993

The significance of a positive test of morphine cholescintigraphy in hospitalized patients.

Morphine-augmented radionuclide cholescintigraphy (MC) is a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool for the identification of acute cholecystitis (AC) in patients who are hospitalized and critically ill with occult sepsis. The results of previous studies have demonstrated a reduction in false-positive rates, that is, nonvisualization, from 40 percent with standard radionuclide cholescintigraphy to 5 percent with MC in these high-risk patient groups, with an overall accuracy of 92 percent. This study was performed to determine the significance of a positive test result from MC in patients with occult sepsis. We reviewed the records of all 20 patients at high risk in whom MC was positive during the 35-month period ending 31 May 1992. AC was confirmed by laparotomy in all 16 patients who underwent surgical treatment. There were two patients who recovered with antibiotic therapy alone (considered false-positives) and two additional patients who died without operation or a confirmed diagnosis of AC (excluded from analysis). Thus, in this series, MC was associated with a positive predictive value of 0.89, confirming that it is a valuable adjunct in establishing the diagnosis of AC in patients who are seriously ill and hospitalized with occult sepsis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Extracorporeal venovenous recirculation for the treatment of hypothermia during elective aortic surgery: a phase I study.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia caused by massive transfusion or prolonged exposure during operation is difficult to reverse and is associated with adverse side effects. This prospective, randomized study evaluated a technique using extracorporeal venovenous recirculation (EVR) through a roller pump-driven device with a commercial countercurrent heat exchanger used for treatment of hypothermia (temperature < 35.5 degrees C) occurring during elective aortic operation. METHODS: Patients undergoing aortic operation had routine prophylaxis against hypothermia including ventilator cascades, warming blankets, and low-velocity fluid warmers. When core temperature was less than 35.5 degrees C, patients were randomized to continue existing therapy (control, n = 7) or EVR (n = 8), performed through two large-bore venous lines. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, sex, weight, body surface area, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, fluid replacement, length of operation, blood lost or given, induction temperature, red blood cell or platelet structure, hemolysis, length of intensive care unit or hospital stay, complications, or mortality rates. EVR was associated with increased final core temperature (35.5 degrees +/- 0.8 degrees [EVR] vs 33.8 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees [control]; p < 0.005) and body heat content (-13.9 +/- 62.3 kcal [EVR] vs -118.2 +/- 62.2 kcal [control]; p < 0.01), with heat gained being proportional to flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that EVR provides a safe and effective method for the treatment of hypothermia.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

CD-ROM source data uploaded to the operating and storage devices of an IBM 3090 mainframe through a PC terminal.

A powerful method of processing MEDLINE and CINAHL source data uploaded to the IBM 3090 mainframe computer through an IBM/PC is described. Data are first downloaded from the CD-ROM's PC devices to floppy disks. These disks then are uploaded to the mainframe computer through an IBM/PC equipped with WordPerfect text editor and computer network connection (SONNGATE). Before downloading, keywords specifying the information to be accessed are typed at the FIND prompt of the CD-ROM station. The resulting abstracts are downloaded into a file called DOWNLOAD.DOC. The floppy disks containing the information are simply carried to an IBM/PC which has a terminal emulation (TELNET) connection to the university-wide computer network (SONNET) at the Ohio State University Academic Computing Services (OSU ACS). The WordPerfect (5.1) processes and saves the text into DOS format. Using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP, 130,000 bytes/s) of SONNET, the entire text containing the information obtained through the MEDLINE and CINAHL search is transferred to the remote mainframe computer for further processing. At this point, abstracts in the specified area are ready for immediate access and multiple retrieval by any PC having network switch or dial-in connection after the USER ID, PASSWORD and ACCOUNT NUMBER are specified by the user. The system provides the user an on-line, very powerful and quick method of searching for words specifying: diseases, agents, experimental methods, animals, authors, and journals in the research area downloaded. The user can also copy the TItles, AUthors and SOurce with optional parts of abstracts into papers under edition. This arrangement serves the special demands of a research laboratory by handling MEDLINE and CINAHL source data resulting after a search is performed with keywords specified for ongoing projects. Since the Ohio State University has a centrally founded mainframe system, the data upload, storage and mainframe operations are free.

CD-ROM↗
PubMed1992

Blunt cardiac trauma: clinical manifestations and management.

In conclusion, blunt cardiac trauma is the leading cause of fatalities following motor vehicle accidents. Although many of the patients with anatomic cardiac injuries die at the scene, with improved prehospital care these patients have more likelihood of surviving the first hour and presenting to an emergency room alive for definitive treatment. Prompt recognition of the injury based on the mechanism and a high index of suspicion must lead to immediate surgical intervention in order for these patients to survive. Patients with functional cardiac injuries (myocardial contusion/concussion) usually present a much less urgent scenario. They should be triaged early on the basis of admission ECG and severity of pre-existing or associated injuries to appropriately monitored units. This will allow better allocation of scarce hospital resources rather than blindly pursuing "routine" (expensive) work-ups. The sequelae of these injuries are generally nonfatal. If serious sequelae do arise in the ICU or in the OR, prompt treatment with inotropic support is usually successful.

Coronary Vessels↗
PubMed1992

Long bone fractures predispose to pulmonary dysfunction in blunt chest trauma despite early operative fixation.

Recent reports have demonstrated a decreased incidence of pulmonary complications in patients who have undergone trauma after early operative fixation of long bone fractures. Few studies, however, have specifically examined the effect of associated long bone fractures and their management on pulmonary dysfunction in multiply injured patients with significant blunt chest trauma. We retrospectively reviewed 130 consecutive patients with major blunt chest injury as a component of multisystem trauma. Patients were assessed for overall injury severity and degree of pulmonary dysfunction after being categorized according to associated injury pattern (presence or absence of long bone fracture[s]) and treatment received (early operative fixation at less than 48 hours versus late fixation or nonoperative management). Patients with long bone fractures and concurrent blunt chest trauma had a higher incidence of pulmonary morbidity and death (p less than 0.05) than had patients with similar Injury Severity Scores without long bone fractures. Early operative fixation did not protect against pulmonary dysfunction or death in this group of patients. Despite early operative fixation, long bone fractures predispose patients with concurrent major blunt chest injury to increased pulmonary dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Early postlaparotomy percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a relatively new procedure, the indications for which are evolving. We have recently attempted PEG placement in 19 patients during the early postlaparotomy period (less than 14 days) for initiating enteral feedings or providing decompression of the gastrointestinal tract. All patients had unexpected postoperative complications, including neurologic catastrophe, recurrent obstruction of the small intestine, acute respiratory failure, enterocutaneous fistula or poor oral intake. Of 19 attempts, PEG placement was successful in 18 patients (94.7 per cent). There were no major complications; two minor complications (exit site infection) were associated with catheter placement. All PEG placed for enteral feedings were successfully used for nutritional support, and gastrointestinal decompression was accomplished in seven of eight patients requiring PEG. The results of this study demonstrate that PEG is technically feasible, safe and effective in the early postlaparotomy period in high-risk patients with complicated postoperative courses and the need for long term enteral access.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Experience with phenylephrine as a component of the pharmacologic support of septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of the selective alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine in the hemodynamic support of patients with septic shock. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical use of phenylephrine. SETTING: Surgical ICU in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients with septic shock (diagnosed by defined criteria) requiring pharmacologic support for the treatment of hypotension. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients underwent invasive hemodynamic monitoring followed by volume resuscitation and inotropic support to reverse flow-dependent oxygen consumption and lactic acidosis. Patients with persistent hypotension (mean arterial pressure [MAP] less than 65 mm Hg) and vasodilation (systemic vascular resistance index [SVRI] less than 1500 dyne.sec/cm5.m2 received phenylephrine at iv infusion rates of 0.5 to 9 micrograms/kg.min to maintain MAP greater than 70 mm Hg. MAP, SVRI, left ventricular stroke work index, and stroke volume index were significantly (p less than .05) increased after phenylephrine administration and at the time of highest oxygen consumption (VO2). Cardiac index was unchanged initially but increased at the time of highest VO2 (p less than .05). Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and heart rate were unchanged. Average baseline VO2 increased from 145 to 200 mL/min.m2 and oxygen delivery (DO2) increased from 447 to 597 mL/min.m2 during phenylephrine treatment (p less than .05). Blood lactate concentrations decreased and urine output increased significantly (p less than .05), while serum creatinine concentrations remained unchanged during phenylephrine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with phenylephrine was associated with beneficial hemodynamic effects when used to maintain perfusion, while increasing DO2 and VO2 in patients with septic shock.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Incidence and timing of hypothermia in trauma patients undergoing operations.

Hypothermia is a major problem in patients who have sustained trauma. We reviewed the cases of 100 consecutive trauma patients transferred directly to the operating room (OR) from the Emergency Department (ED) in a Level I trauma center; 26 cases could not be evaluated. Forty-two patients (57%) became hypothermic at some time between injury and leaving the OR. Fifty-five patients (74%) had a temperature (T) recorded on arrival to the ED; but only 7 (12%) were hypothermic (34.7 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees C). In contrast, 34 patients (46%) arrived in the OR hypothermic (34.8 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees C) and 26 (76%) of these left the OR hypothermic (34.8 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees C). Eight additional patients (20%) arriving in the OR with a T greater than 35.9 degrees C left the OR hypothermic (35.1 degrees +/- 0.4 degrees C). The mean T loss in the ED was significantly greater than that lost in the OR (-0.8 degrees +/- 0.7 degrees C vs. 0.0 degrees +/- 0.6 degrees C; p less than 0.0001, ANOVA). Ninety-two percent of the patients lost temperature in the ED, while 43% of the patients gained temperature in the OR. Hypothermia was associated with lower Trauma Scores, and those patients who were severely hypothermic received more intravenous fluids. However, the impact of fluid infusion was not independent from Trauma Score and did not fully explain the magnitude of the heat loss. These data suggest that hypothermia in trauma patients has a multifactoral etiology related to the magnitude of injury and that the major T loss occurs in the ED rather than in the OR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Mobilization of renal carnosine and histidine to histamine during compound-48/80-induced shock.

Recently the presence of carnosine in the kidney has been established, and several potential roles for histamine have been proposed in renal metabolism. Histamine is known to occur in relatively high concentrations in renal tissue of several species and has been implicated in the autoregulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of shock produced by compound 48/80 on the mobilization of renal carnosine to histamine and the effects of various blocking agents such as lodoxamide, diphenhydramine and cimetidine on this mobilization. Our results showed that compound-48/80-induced shock causes significant mobilization of renal carnosine and histidine to histamine and that this response can be blocked by administration of lodoxamide and diphenhydramine, but not cimetidine.

Animals↗