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Biomedical subjects

L Stigendal

Publications and source records attributed to L Stigendal.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A comparison between effects of estradiol valerate and low dose ethinyl estradiol on haemostasis parameters.

Ethinyl estradiol (EE) is still used to some extent as hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in the climacteric period. As regards oral contraception, it is well known that the induced increase in cardiovascular disease is related to the estrogen component (invariably EE) in a dose-related fashion. Considerably lower doses of EE are needed in HRT compared to oral contraception. To delineate and compare effects of EE and estradiol valerate (E2V) in doses needed in HRT on haemostasis parameters, 24 postmenopausal women were engaged in a study with an open cross-over design. The doses compared (10 micrograms EE and 2 mg E2V daily) are the lowest which eliminate climacteric symptoms in a majority of women. Unlike E2V, EE caused increased levels of factor VII:Ag, factor VIII:C and beta-thromboglobulin, which may be changes towards hypercoagulability. Both estrogens decreased the AT III activity. Long-term administration (6 + 12 w) of the estrogens induced further changes in haemostatic parameters. 10 micrograms EE increased factor VII:Ag in contrast to 2 mg E2V. Furthermore both estrogens increased factor VIII:C and factor II-VII-X. A decrease in platelet count was induced by both EE and E2V. Oral contraception and adjuvant estrogen therapy in men with prostatic carcinoma are known to imply an increased cardiovascular risk. It is noteworthy that the pattern of changes in haemostatic parameters induced by as little as 10 micrograms of EE is the same as seen after the administration of combined oral contraceptives or the substantially higher doses of EE given as adjuvant therapy to men with prostatic carcinoma.

Adult↗

Clinical experience with isolated hyperbilirubinemia.

Experience from 73 consecutive patients with non-hemolytic, isolated hyperbilirubinemia indicates that such patients almost without exception have increased serum levels of unconjugated bilirubin (greater than 17 mumol/l) and a conjugated bilirubin of less than 30% of total. Normal total bilirubin values were observed in 15% of 500 determinations, although some subjects never had normal values. The reduced caloric intake test had a low 'sensitivity' as a test for diagnosing Gilbert's syndrome, particularly in females. Long-term (9-29 years) follow-up study demonstrated that hyperbilirubinemia is lifelong and not associated with increased morbidity or deficiency of coagulation factors II, VII, and X. The data suggest that no further medical study is necessary in subjects with moderate isolated hyperbilirubinemia and normal blood reticulocyte count.

Adolescent↗

Incidence of symptoms and AIDS in 146 Swedish haemophiliacs and blood transfusion recipients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

The times from infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) to the onset of the first clinical symptom and the development of AIDS were studied prospectively in 98 haemophiliacs and 48 blood transfusion recipients infected with the virus. Patients were followed up for a median of 61 months after infection, the dates of infection being either known exactly or estimated from the interval between the last negative and first positive HIV antibody test result. The rate of progression to AIDS was significantly higher for the transfusion recipients than for the haemophiliacs. The difference in time to the occurrence of the first clinical symptom was less pronounced between the two groups, though pointing in the same direction. The results suggest that on average roughly half of all patients positive for HIV will develop some clinical sign or symptom within five to six years after infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Heparin and fibrinolysis--comparison of subcutaneous administration of unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin.

The effects on the fibrinolytic system after a single s.c. bolus injection (at 9 a.m.) of either 5000 IU conventional heparin or 5000 anti-Xa U of a fractionated low molecular weight heparin (Fragmin, KabiVitrum, Sweden) were investigated in 9 healthy volunteers. The effects were compared to those of an injection of normal saline in 6 volunteers. Samples for biochemical analyses were taken regularily during 6 hours after drug or placebo administration. In the coagulation system the following parameters were measured: Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), anti-Xa activity, thrombin time and fibrinogen. The fibrinolytic system was monitored by analysing: plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP), euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity, t-PA antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity. Injection of the 2 drugs was followed by elevations in APTT and anti-Xa activity, and were more pronounced for Fragmin than heparin. The fibrinolytic system exhibited a diurnal variation with decreasing PAI activity and increasing t-PA activity during the day. Volunteers receiving normal saline (placebo) showed a similar pattern. The results were unrelated to heparin. It is concluded from this study that neither heparin nor Fragmin had any significant effect on the fibrinolytic parameters when measured after a single s.c. bolus injection since the observed variations were within the diurnal range.

Adult↗

Ultrastructure and function of thrombocytes in a family with congenital bleeding tendency.

Freshly isolated blood from controls and from three members of a family with congenital bleeding tendency were examined with respect to ultrastructure of platelets. The fixation protocol, which included tannic acid, permitted the visualization of substructures in the marginal bundle. Whereas nearly all platelets from the controls had a discoid shape, those from one of the patients (mother of the other two cases) were mostly flat or else roundish with two or three marginal bundles in different orientations. One portion of the thrombocyte fraction of each person was briefly exposed to adenosine diphosphate in order to activate the platelets and thereby to induce shape changes. Most platelets from the controls reacted as expected by rounding up and by projecting some pseudopods. A certain percentage (between 10 and 20%) of the microtubules in these activated platelets had 14 or even 15 protofilaments. The platelets from patients (and in particular the mother) either reacted by an abnormal bulging of the cytoplasm or did not react visibly at all. The microtubules retained their 13-subunit composition or in the abnormally reacted ones often had an open C-shaped cross-sectional profile. The bleeding tendency in this family might be due to a defect in the cytoskeleton of the platelet making it unable to react properly to stimuli.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Haemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications versus intensity of treatment of venous thromboembolism with oral anticoagulants.

In order to assess the recommended therapeutic interval with the prothrombin complex analysis, using Stago Prothrombin-complex Assay (SPA) as the reagent, a retrospective multicentre study was performed to obtain clinical documentation. All thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications during secondary prophylaxis after venous thromboembolism in 272 patients were recorded and related to the intensity of the oral anticoagulation. Six thromboembolic complications in patients without a malignant disease occurred at SPA levels greater than or equal to 28%, confirming that the limit of the therapeutic range, determined by the risk of thromboembolic recurrences, should be set at an SPA level of 25% (international normalized ratio, INR = 2.0), at least in venous disease. Major haemorrhages occurred mainly at SPA levels less than 10% (INR greater than 4.0), unless underlying risk factors were present, thus setting the other limit of the therapeutic range. However, an adjustment of this limit to SPA = 15% (INR approximately 3.0) is suggested, since it would lead to further reduction of haemorrhage and is advisable in most patients with venous thromboembolism.

Adult↗

HIV-serology and lymphocyte subsets in relation to therapy and clinical development in haemophiliacs.

389 Swedish patients with haemophilia A, B or von Willebrand's disease were examined for HIV-1 antibodies. T-cell subsets were measured in 260 of them. HIV-1 antibodies were found in 98 of these patients. Of the 199 patients with severe or moderate haemophilia A, 44% were seropositive. They had seroconverted between 1979 and 1983. HIV-1-seropositive patients had significantly decreased numbers of CD4 cells and increased numbers of CD8 cells. The seronegative haemophilia A patients had significantly increased numbers of CD8 cells. The T-cell subsets were followed for a median of 40 months in 73 seropositive patients. All groups of patients, at different clinical stages, showed decreasing numbers of CD4 cells. The most pronounced decrease was seen in the patients who developed AIDS, followed by the group which developed HIV-related signs or symptoms. HIV antigen in serum and antibody pattern in Western blot and ELISA were followed in 89 patients. HIV-1 antigen was present and p24 antibodies were lacking in 11% and 13% of asymptomatic subjects, in 13% and 20% of patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, in 33% and 38% of patients with other HIV-related signs or symptoms and in 5/6 of the AIDS patients, respectively. In conclusion, the decrease of CD4 cells and the presence of HIV antigen and/or absence of p24 antibodies were found to be prognostic markers for HIV disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Fibrinopeptide A and fibrinogen fragment B beta 15-42 and their relation to the operative trauma and post-operative thromboembolism in neurosurgical patients.

In an earlier study on post-operative thromboembolism in neurosurgery the incidence of deep vein thromboses (DVT) diagnosed by the fibrinogen uptake test and phlebography was reduced to the same extent by two different prophylactic methods (low dose heparin or calf muscle stimulation + dextran). However, patients with lower limb paresis due to a brain lesion experienced relatively often a less successful prophylaxis compared to patients with spinal lesions. There are few reports on successful clinical methods for haematological screening of post-operative DVT. The aim of this study was to examine possible haematological indicators for post-operative thromboembolism and secondarily to elucidate whether there exist some special coagulatory or fibrinolytic characteristics in patients who had been operated upon for brain lesions. We have studied two specific coagulatory factors (FPA reflecting thrombin generation and B beta 15-42 reflecting plasmin activity) in connection with neurosurgical operations. Patients in the above-mentioned study on post-operative DVT operated upon for malignant cerebral tumours or intracranial vascular disease exhibited post-operatively higher values for FPA compared to other neurosurgical diagnoses. B beta 15-42 was higher in the malignant tumour group and almost significantly higher in the intracranial vascular group (p less than 0.065). These differences could not be ascribed to the occurrence of DVT. Another 15 patients divided into a minor and a major lesion group were investigated with determination of both parameters pre- and post-operatively. Concerning FPA an increase was noticed post-operatively compared to pre-operatively in the major lesion group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain Diseases↗

Haemostatic disorders in habitual nose-bleeders.

Ninety-one habitual nose-bleeders were screened for haemostatic disorders. 46 screening results in 38 nose-bleeders were outside the normal range. After extended investigation, it was found that 25 (27 per cent) habitual nose-bleeders had haemostatic disorders, all except one in the primary haemostasis. The disorders found could be classified as mild bleeding disorders (MBD) and compared to the estimated frequency of MBD in the population there was an increased incidence of haemostatic disorders in the habitual nose-bleeders. Abnormal vessels in the nasal mucosa were present in 85 per cent of the investigated nose-bleeders, equally distributed between nose-bleeders with and without haemostatic disorders. This indicates that abnormal vessels and haemostatic disorders in habitual nose-bleeders, it is possible to detect previously unknown but clinically important disorders.

Adolescent↗

Transmission of HIV infection to heterosexual partners but not to household contacts of seropositive haemophiliacs.

The prevalence of HIV antibodies in 44 heterosexual female partners and 56 nonsexual family household contacts of 61 HIV seropositive haemophiliacs (41 adults and 20 children or adolescents) was determined to evaluate the risk of transmission of HIV infection. HIV antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and positive reactions were confirmed by Western blotting. HIV antibodies were demonstrated in 4/40 (10%) regular heterosexual partners of 40 seropositive patients with haemophilia A. Four temporary heterosexual partners of one additional seropositive haemophiliac were seronegative. 56 nonsexual household contacts including 30 parents, 13 siblings and 13 children of 29 seropositive haemophiliacs were all negative for HIV antibodies. Thus transmission of HIV occurred from seropositive haemophiliacs to their heterosexual partners but not to nonsexual household contacts.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Blood group lewis phenotype on erythrocytes and in saliva in alcoholic pancreatitis and chronic liver disease.

The distributions of ABO, rhesus, and Lewis blood group antigens were studied in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic pancreatitis, chronic active hepatitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis. There were no differences in frequencies of ABO and rhesus blood group antigens between the groups or in comparison with a control group of blood donors. Lewis phenotype Le (a- b-), however, was more common on erythrocytes than in saliva in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic pancreatitis, and severe renal disease but equally common in saliva and on red blood cells in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. It is suggested that Lewis typing should be performed on saliva because blood typing may give misleading results in some patients.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Prevalence of markers of hepatotrophic viruses in alcoholics with symptomatic liver cirrhosis or pancreatitis.

The reason why similar amounts of alcohol consumption cause different types of organ damage in alcoholics is obscure. Recent studies indicate that hepatitis B virus infection may influence the development of liver cirrhosis in alcoholics. We investigated the prevalence of markers of viruses known to cause hepatitis (HAV, HBV, EBV, CMV) in two groups of patients, one with alcoholic pancreatitis without known liver cirrhosis and one with alcoholic liver cirrhosis without known pancreatitis. We found signs of past infection with HAV and HBV more often in alcoholics with liver cirrhosis than in patients with alcoholic pancreatitis or in age-matched controls.

Adult↗

Alcohol consumption pattern and serum lipids in alcoholic cirrhosis and pancreatitis. A comparative study.

Drinking and dietary habits and serum lipids were studied in two groups of chronic alcoholics, one with liver cirrhosis and the other with acute or recurrent pancreatitis, with the intention of investigating whether these factors could be of importance for the seemingly haphazard occurrence of different organ damages in chronic alcoholics. Our data show that patients with alcoholic pancreatitis have a more intermittent drinking pattern than patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. The amount of alcohol required to cause pancreatitis seems to be smaller than what is necessary to produce cirrhosis. Although none of the cirrhotics had clinical symptoms of pancreatitis, 58% of the autopsied cirrhotics had some pancreatic damage at autopsy. It may be that symptomatic pancreatitis prevents the patients from drinking the larger amounts of alcohol necessary to produce cirrhosis. Dietary habits or occurrence of lipid abnormalities during abstinence did not differ between the groups.

Adult↗

Treatment with a pure factor IX concentrate in a patient with moderate hemophilia B undergoing bilateral total hip replacement.

Recently, a pure factor IX concentrate, licensed in Sweden as Immunine, was prepared through ion exchange and hydrophobic chromotography. Virus inactivation included two steps of steam treatment. Reconstituted Immunine could be kept at room temperature for at least 7 days without any substantial loss of activity. A patient with moderate hemophilia B undergoing bilateral total hip replacement was continuously infused with Immunine by use of a pump. There were no bleeding complications or signs of thrombosis, and the operation markedly improved the patient's range of motion and quality of life.

Antithrombin III↗

Social support and the development of immune function in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

A psychosocial investigation offered to all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men with moderately severe or severe hemophilia in Sweden was made in 1986. Most of these men had been infected in the years 1980 to 1984 and told about their infections in 1985. Forty-nine subjects had answered questions in regard to sources of emotional support in their life situation. Based on the responses to these questions a score of "availability of attachment" (AVAT) was calculated, and two groups of patients were identified: one with high AVAT and one with low AVAT scores. The subjects were followed with regard to the state of their immune system, as reflected by CD4 counts, until 1990. The results indicated that a low AVAT score in 1985 was associated with a significantly more rapid progressive deterioration in CD4 count during subsequent years. The mechanism behind this association is unknown. Several possible confounders were not studied. However, if the association between a poor AVAT score and rapid CD4 deterioration after HIV infection is replicated in other samples, it could be important to the future clinical care of HIV-infected subjects.

Adolescent↗