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Biomedical subjects

L Haskell

Publications and source records attributed to L Haskell.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Metoprolol CR/XL in patients with heart failure: A pilot study examining the tolerability, safety, and effect on left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the tolerability, safety, and effect on left ventricular function of a new long-acting preparation of metoprolol, metoprolol succinate (CR/XL). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned with a 2:1 ratio, drug versus placebo, administered with a gradually increasing dose of 12.5 to 150 mg of blinded medication during an 8-week period and continued for 6 months. The average peak dose achieved was 99 mg and 132 mg in the metoprolol succinate and placebo groups, respectively. The drug was well tolerated and there was no significant difference in drug withdrawals, New York Heart Association class, or quality of life assessment. The increase in left ventricular ejection fraction measure at baseline and 6 months measured by radioisotopic ventriculography was greater in the metoprolol succinate group (27. 5% to 36.3%) than in the placebo group (26% to 27.9%) (P <.015). Examination of serial Holter electrocardiographic recordings indicate that metoprolol succinate therapy was associated with a significant (P <.05) decrease in total ventricular ectopy at 8 weeks of therapy and a decrease in ventricular couplets and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia at 8 through 26 weeks of therapy. No changes were observed in plasma norepinephrine during therapy except a transitory significant (P <.05) increase in N terminal proatrial natriuretic factor at 8 weeks in the metoprolol succinate group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that treatment with metoprolol succinate for a 6-month period is safe and well tolerated and is associated with an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and a decrease in ventricular ectopic beats.

Double-Blind Method↗

The ultrasound spectrum of emphysematous cholecystitis.

This report presents a gamut of ultrasound signs that may be seen in emphysematous cholecystitis. These can be summarized as follows: Intraluminal gas: (a) A dense band of hyper-reflective echoes with distal reverberations when gallbladder is full of gas. (b) A band of reverberations in the gas-filled portion of the gallbladder with the usual signs of cholecystitis in the bile-filled portion when the gallbladder is partially full of gas. Intramural gas: (c) An area of high reflectivity in the gallbladder wall with reverberations that may change position with change in position of patient. (d) A bright hyper-reflective ring emanating from the whole circumference of the gallbladder.

Acute Disease↗

Disseminated toxoplasmosis presenting as symptomatic orchitis and nephrotic syndrome.

Toxoplasma gondii is a common pathogen in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The most common modes of presentation are related to the central nervous system (CNS), usually with headache, fever, and focal neurological signs. Extra-neural manifestations are unusual in patients with AIDS. The authors present a patient with AIDS who had disseminated toxoplasmosis whose initial clinical presentation was symptomatic orchitis and the nephrotic syndrome (NS). Testicular involvement with toxoplasmosis has been described only rarely, predominantly as an incidental finding at autopsy. Toxoplasmosis is a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome, with the majority of cases associated with congenital infection. In this case, the nephrotic syndrome remitted only after orchiectomy and chemotherapy for toxoplasmosis, but recurred when the patient had a relapse of his CNS disease. Toxoplasmosis in AIDS may present with extra-neural manifestations and may be an etiologic agent for NS in some patients with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Polyarteritis nodosa and familial Mediterranean fever: a report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are reported. These and another 11 cases found in the literature suggest that PAN occurs more commonly in patients with FMF than would be expected in the general population. Perirenal hematoma, which is surprisingly high in patients with FMF, is a life threatening complication of PAN. The diagnosis of PAN in patients with FMF may be delayed due to the similarity of the clinical manifestations of both diseases.

Adolescent↗

Possible genetic predisposition to idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

HLA-A, B, and DR antigen frequencies were studied in a group of 57 patients to determine possible inborn susceptibility to idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). There were 34 white patients and 23 black patients, most of whom had nephrotic syndrome and later developed renal failure. HLA-DR4 was significantly increased in both patient groups when compared with their respective control groups. This association has not been previously reported. Of note, the association with DR4 was most striking in patients with adult onset disease (in blacks, relative risk equals 5.2; in whites, relative risk equals 5.8). No other antigen was increased in both patient groups but HLA-A28 was increased in blacks. These data support the notion of genetic predisposition to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in two different ethnic groups.

Adolescent↗

CT appearance of giant colonic diverticulum.

The plain film, barium enema, and CT findings in a case of giant colonic diverticulum with the atypical feature of marginal calcifications are presented. The value of CT in the diagnosis and evaluation of giant colonic diverticulum is discussed.

Calcinosis↗

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of splanchnic arteries: an alternative method to elective revascularisation in chronic visceral ischaemia.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of stenoses of superior mesenteric arteries was performed in 4 patients with abdominal angina. Repeat angioplasty had to be performed in 2 patients after restenosis revealed by angiography. Symptomatic relief was obtained in all patients. The patients were followed up for 8-42 months without acute mesenteric ischaemia syndrome. No surgical intervention was required.

Adult↗

Transluminal dilatation of the subclavian artery.

Transluminal dilatation of seven left subclavian arteries and one right subclavian artery was attempted in seven patients. Dilatation was successful in four left subclavian arteries and the single right subclavian artery treated. Five of the patients suffered from cerebral symptoms as well as ischemia of the upper limb, one had only cerebral symptoms and another had only arm claudication. All patients also had significantly reduced systolic blood pressures in the brachial artery. Standard techniques for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were employed, using the femoral route six times and the axillary route four times. No complications occurred. All patients were permanently given a maintenance dose of antiplatelet treatment with dipyridamole 75 mg tds after PTA. Follow-up of up to 36 months, indicates that angioplasty can be accomplished in the stenosed subclavian artery with relatively little hazard. Patients with hemodynamically significant stenoses should be considered for PTA if their symptoms and signs warrant such therapy.

Adult↗

Percutaneous transhepatic therapy of bile duct stones and strictures.

Two patients, one with bile duct stones above a strictured biliary-enteric anastomosis, and the second with posttraumatic intra- and extrahepatic bile duct strictures, were treated via the percutaneous transhepatic route. The stones were removed and the strictures dilated. Surgery was unnecessary in the first patient, and in the second, exploratory laparotomy confirmed the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic dilatation.

Adult↗

Bilateral symmetrical clavicular periosteal reactions in a child.

A case of bilateral symmetrical periosteal reactions of the lateral halves of the clavicles in a child with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is presented. The appearances correspond with no previously recorded condition. The differential diagnosis most likely lies between aborted Salmonella osteomyelitis or a form fruste of subacute symmetrical osteomyelitis.

Child↗