Biomedical subjects

L S Weilemann

Publications and source records attributed to L S Weilemann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Comparative clinical trial of ceftazidime and imipenem/cilastatin in patients with severe nosocomial pneumonias and septicaemias.

The efficacy and safety of ceftazidime and imipenem in patients with severe infections was compared in a randomized multi-centre trial. Patients on assisted respiration with clinical signs of pneumonia or septicaemia who had been in hospital for at least 3 days were studied. Twenty-one patients were treated with ceftazidime, 24 with imipenem. The mean duration of treatment was 9 days in both groups. At the end of the trial 17 patients (81%) of the ceftazidime group and 16 patients (67%) in the imipenem group were clinically cured or showed marked improvement. The bacteriological results showed an eradication of the causative pathogens in 17 of 21 cases in the ceftazidime group and 13 of 19 in the imipenem group.

Ceftazidime↗

PubMed1990

Hemodynamics during PEEP ventilation in patients with severe left ventricular failure studied by transesophageal echocardiography.

The effects of mechanical ventilation with PEEP were investigated in five patients with normal cardiopulmonary function (group A) and in 11 patients with severe left ventricular failure (group B). Cross-sectional area of the right and left atrium (RA/LA), left ventricle (LV), and right ventricle (RV) was determined at EDA/ESA using transesophageal echocardiography. Hemodynamic parameters and transesophageal pressure were measured simultaneously at PEEP levels 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 cm H2O. End-diastolic area of the right atrium decreased significantly in both groups. The RA pressure increased, while transmural pressure remained unaltered. The CI decreased in both groups. The decrease in cardiac output by PEEP ventilation was related to the decrease in RV filling volume by external compression. In patients with congestive heart failure, PEEP ventilation with 8 to 10 cm H2O did not worsen LV function.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Venous occlusive disease of the liver--a rare pregnancy complication].

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Adult↗

PubMed1989

[The therapeutic value of forced diuresis].

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Diuresis↗

PubMed1989

Inactivation of end-plate acetylcholinesterase during the course of organophosphate intoxications.

Blood organophosphate (OP) levels, serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and electrophysiological neuromuscular transmission following repetitive nerve stimulation at 10 Hz and 50 Hz were studied serially in five patients with severe acute organophosphate intoxication following suicide attempts. Eight to 45 hours after oral ingestion, blood OP levels were elevated, BChE activity was markedly reduced, while repetitive nerve stimulation studies showed no or only mild abnormalities. The latter attained the maximal abnormality 32-69 h after ingestion, when BChE was inactivated further but elevated OP levels had fallen. Recovery from these abnormalities at 10 Hz nerve stimulation occurred within 100-237 h after the intoxication and it was still incomplete at 50 Hz stimulation 48-80 h later. BChE activity varied within a wide range and showed even normal values at both times. Neuromuscular transmission studies proved to be the most useful indicator for determining the severity and time course of organophosphate intoxication.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1989

[Catabolism and artificial nutrition of the internal medicine intensive care patient].

Numerous investigations have been performed on catabolism in polytrauma and surgery. Comparable studies on the internal medical intensive-care patient are not available. Such patients have an increasing metabolism with a maximum attained on day 5, and the catabolic condition is associated with an increased muscle protein breakdown. Objective measurements of catabolism and nutritional status are important but difficult. The recovery of a patient after acute illness depends on the provision of sufficient and adequate nutrition in three steps: 1. quantity and quality of calories; 2. quantity and quality of protein; 3. vitamins and electrolytes. Glucose is one source of calories as are fructose, xylit, and fat. Quantity and quality of amino acids are relative to organ failure and disturbance of amino acid metabolism. Branched-chain amino acids may be helpful in hepatic failure and severe sepsis.

Critical Care↗

PubMed1989

End-plate dysfunction in acute organophosphate intoxication.

Acute organophosphate intoxication resulting from suicide attempts in 14 patients produced a series of electrophysiologic abnormalities that correlated with the clinical course. Spontaneous repetitive firing of single evoked compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) was the earliest and most sensitive indicator of the acetylcholinesterase inhibition. A decrement of evoked CMAP following repetitive nerve stimulation was the most severe abnormality. At the height of the intoxication no CMAP was evoked after the first few stimuli. The decrement-increment phenomenon occurred only at milder stages of intoxication and its features are characteristic of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. These electrophysiologic features proved to be the most useful for determining initial severity and clinical course of the acute organophosphate intoxication and differentiated this syndrome from those of myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, and botulism.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[Ultrasound scanning of thickening of the gallbladder wall and its diagnostic significance in critical care patients].

In a prospective study including 398 intensive-care patients, we analysed the ultrasonographic relevance of a gallbladder wall thickening. In 24 of 398 (6%) cases a wall thickening was found that could be differentiated into two types of walls. In 20.8% (5/24) the gallbladder wall thickening was an expression of an acute cholecystitis. In further differential diagnosis of a gallbladder wall thickening pathological states with hypoalbuminaemia occupy the prime position. The pathological mechanism has not yet been completely clarified. Hypoalbuminaemia without inflammatory alterations of the organ was found in 37.5% of the cases with gallbladder wall thickening. In 41.6% of the patients the wall thickening had to be taken as a non-specific ultrasonographic sign. On the whole, therefore, gallbladder wall thickening has thus to be valued primarily as non-specific sign. In a few cases only, it implies an autonomous affection of the gallbladder.

Adult↗

PubMed1988