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Biomedical subjects

M A Zamorski

Publications and source records attributed to M A Zamorski.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

NHBPEP report on high blood pressure in pregnancy: a summary for family physicians.

The National High Blood Pressure Education Program's Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy recently issued a report implicating hypertension as a complication in 6 to 8 percent of pregnancies. Hypertension in pregnancy is related to one of four conditions: (1) chronic hypertension that predates pregnancy; (2) preeclampsia-eclampsia, a serious, systemic syndrome of elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and other findings; (3) chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia; and (4) gestational hypertension, or nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy. Edema is no longer a criterion for preeclampsia, and the definition of blood pressure elevation is 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Patients with gestational hypertension have previously unrecognized chronic hypertension, emerging preeclampsia or transient hypertension of pregnancy, an obstetrically benign condition. Because distinguishing among these conditions can be done only in retrospect, clinical management of gestational hypertension consists of repeated evaluations to look for signs of emerging preeclampsia. Women with chronic hypertension should be followed for evidence of fetal growth restriction or superimposed preeclampsia. Management options for chronic hypertension in most women include discontinuing antihypertensive medications during pregnancy, switching to methyldopa or continuing previous antihypertensive therapy.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

Management of suspected fetal macrosomia.

Fetal macrosomia, arbitrarily defined as a birth weight of more than 4,000 g (8 lb, 13 oz) complicates more than 10 percent of all pregnancies in the United States. It is associated with increased risks of cesarean section and trauma to the birth canal and the fetus. Fetal macrosomia is difficult to predict, and clinical and ultrasonographic estimates of fetal weight are prone to error. Elective cesarean section for suspected macrosomia results in a high number of unnecessary procedures, and early induction of labor to limit fetal growth may result in a substantial increase in the cesarean section rate because of failed inductions. Pregnancies complicated by fetal macrosomia are best managed expectantly. When labor fails to progress as expected, the possibility of fetopelvic disproportion should be considered within the context of the best estimate of the fetal weight.

Cesarean Section↗

Preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Hypertensive conditions encountered during pregnancy are classified as preeclampsia, transient hypertension and chronic hypertension. The pathophysiology, consequences and management of these disorders differ, but their clinical presentations overlap substantially. Preeclampsia is a syndrome of the second half of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, edema and proteinuria, but all three findings are not required to make the diagnosis. Preeclampsia can progress unpredictably to a variety of crises, including eclamptic seizures, and contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal mortality. Management consists of prompt delivery for a mature fetus. Management of preeclampsia at earlier stages of gestation requires balancing the risks of immediate delivery of an immature fetus against the risks to both mother and child of a complication of preeclampsia. Transient hypertension is a clinically benign condition characterized by isolated high blood pressure in late pregnancy; its significance lies in the difficulty of distinguishing it from early preeclampsia. Chronic hypertension is a risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine fetal demise, as well as for preeclampsia. The management strategy consists of control of maternal blood pressure, ongoing antepartum assessment of fetal well-being and surveillance for superimposed preeclampsia.

Female↗

Advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis.

Deep venous thrombosis of the leg is associated with hospitalization in up to 600,000 Americans each year. Prevention is possible; the preventive strategy varies according to the degree of risk. Noninvasive techniques, especially impedance plethysmography, have revolutionized the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and should be the diagnostic methods of first choice. Patients with suspected calf vein thrombi but negative impedance plethysmography studies need not receive anticoagulation therapy as long as serial studies remain negative. Five days of intravenous heparin constitutes adequate treatment, and warfarin can be initiated on the first day of heparin therapy. Intravenous heparin will most likely be replaced by the subcutaneous, low-molecular-weight form once it becomes widely available. Bleeding is the principal side effect of anticoagulation therapy; careful attention to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics can minimize this side effect. Use of the prothrombin time international normalized ratio allows safer, more reproducible anticoagulation with oral agents.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Subcellular distribution of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, pertussis-toxin substrate and adenylate cyclase in human platelets.

The subcellular distribution of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor, pertussis-toxin substrates (Gi, the inhibitory G-protein) and adenylate cyclase was determined in human platelets. The alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and pertussis-toxin substrate activity codistribute with surface membranes identified by a novel fluorescent-lectin method. The platelet granule fractions did not contain detectable Gi. Only 2-4% of the total pertussis-toxin substrate activity appears in soluble fractions, and this amount was not increased upon addition of purified beta gamma units or after pretreatment of platelets with adrenaline. There is no evidence for compartmentation of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor or Gi to account for the low-affinity component of agonist binding to the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in human platelet membranes. Translocation of Gi from plasma membrane to platelet cytosol or granules does not appear to play any significant role in the mechanism of alpha 2-receptor-mediated platelet activation.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Social anxiety disorder: common, disabling, and treatable.

BACKGROUND: Social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) is characterized by extreme fear, avoidance, or both of one or more social or performance situations, such as making a presentation, meeting new people, or eating in front of others. This condition is common, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 13%, and one third of affected persons have major dysfunction. METHODS: The English-language literature on social anxiety disorder indexed on MEDLINE was searched using the phrases "social phobia" or "social anxiety disorder;" this search was supplemented with other data sources, such as recent textbooks, to determine common clinical symptoms, differential diagnosis, and management in the primary care setting. RESULTS: Recognition and treatment of social anxiety disorder is poor; only a small minority of patients with this condition have it appropriately diagnosed or treated. Primary care physicians should suspect social anxiety disorder in patients who have specific symptoms and signs (such as hyperhidrosis, flushing, tremor, and white-coat hypertension), in patients who have symptoms of anxiety (such as chest pain, palpitations, or dizziness), or in patients who have another known anxiety disorder, depression, or substance abuse. Drug treatment consists of serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or high-potency benzodiazepines. A specific type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy is another effective treatment, but it is not acceptable or accessible to most patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because social anxiety disorder is common, disabling, and treatable, primary care physicians should intensify their efforts to recognize it.

Adolescent↗