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Biomedical subjects

M Bilodeau

Publications and source records attributed to M Bilodeau.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Transjugular intrahepatic portacaval stent shunt as a rescue treatment for life-threatening variceal bleeding in a cirrhotic patient with severe liver failure.

Variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with severe liver failure that is not controllable by endoscopic sclerotherapy is a life-threatening situation. We report the case of a patient with decompensated cirrhosis (Pugh class C) who bled repeatedly from gastric varices despite multiple sessions of sclerotherapy. The portal vein was catheterized by a transjugular approach. A tract between a hepatic vein and the portal vein was created after balloon dilatation, and this opening was stented with an expandable stainless steel Palmaz stent. The portal vein pressure decreased from 35 mm Hg to 19 mm Hg after shunting. Gastric varices also were embolized. Two months later, bleeding had not recurred; the shunt remained opened and the marked decrease in portal pressure still persisted. Endoscopy showed the disappearance of gastric varices. This procedures could become a life-saving therapeutic option for such critically ill cirrhotic patients.

Catheterization↗
PubMed1991

EMG power spectra of elbow extensors during ramp and step isometric contractions.

The goal of the present study was to compare electromyogram (EMG) power spectra obtained from step (constant force level) and ramp (progressive increase in the force level) isometric contractions. Data windows of different durations were also analysed for the step contractions, in order to evaluate the stability of EMG power spectrum statistics. Fourteen normal subjects performed (1) five ramp elbow extensions ranging from 0 to 100% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and (2) three stepwise elbow extensions maintained at five different levels of MVC. Spectral analysis of surface EMG signals obtained from triceps brachii and anconeus was performed. The mean power frequency (MPF) and the median frequency (MF) of each power spectrum were obtained from 256-ms windows taken at 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80% MVC for each type of contraction and in addition on 512-, 1024- and 2048-ms windows for the step contractions. No significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were found in the values of both spectral statistics between the different window lengths. Even though no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were found between the ramp and the step contractions, significant interactions (P less than 0.05) between these two types of contraction and the force level were found for both the MPF and the MF data. These interactions point out the existence of different behaviours for both the MPF and the MF across force levels between the two types of contraction.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Clinical significance of the V-shaped space in the subluxed shoulder of hemiplegics.

Recently, it has been proposed that shoulder subluxation in hemiplegia is accompanied by 1) the appearance of a V-shaped articular configuration occurring between the humeral head and glenoid fossa and 2) the presence of chronic pain. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of these statements. We evaluated 40 hemiplegic subjects over 3 months. Radiographs of the affected and nonaffected shoulders were taken at both a frontal plane (0 degree) and a 45 degree incidence. From these patients, subluxed (n = 19) and nonsubluxed (n = 21) groups were formed. Pain was evaluated using the Present Pain Intensity index of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. On these x-ray films, measurements were taken of the V-shaped space, abduction of the arm, and rotation of the scapula. The statistical analysis (analysis of variance for repeated measures) contrasted the results obtained from the nonaffected side with those from the affected side over the 3 months studied. At the 45 degree angle, which better exposes the articular configuration of the shoulder, the difference in the V angle between the affected and nonaffected shoulders was significant for the subluxed group (p less than 0.01), indicating that such a V-shaped space can be identified. The measures taken also indicate that a downward subluxation of the humeral head occurs relative to the scapula without any systematic abduction of the humerus or downward rotation of the scapula. None of the results obtained from the frontal plane x-ray films was significant. Finally, no significant relation was found between subluxation and shoulder pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The influence of an increase in the level of force on the EMG power spectrum of elbow extensors.

It has been proposed that the mean power frequency (MPF) of the electromyogram (EMG) power spectrum increases gradually with force of contraction and that this increase is a function of the fiber-type content of the muscle investigated and the inter-electrode distance (IED) used when recording the EMG signals. In order to test these hypotheses, the values of the MPF of two elbow extensor muscles, triceps brachii (TB, 65% fast twitch fibers) and anconeus (AN, 65% slow twitch fibers), were compared at different levels of contraction. Subjects (n = 13) produced ten static ramp elbow extensions [0-100% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)]. EMG signals of each muscle were recorded with two pairs of surface miniature electrodes having IEDs of 6 mm and 30 mm respectively. MPFs were obtained at each of the following levels: 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% MVC. Statistical analyses indicated that the MPF of AN increased significantly (P less than 0.05) up to 60% MVC. In contrast, the MPF values for TB showed no significant change across different levels of contraction (P greater than 0.05). Since skinfold was on average 3.2 times thicker over TB than over AN it is suggested that the low-pass filtering effect of the skin could have prevented the observation of an increase of the MPF for TB. It thus appears that changes of the MPF with the level of force, as disclosed by surface electrode recordings, is specific to each muscle. Consequently one has to account for factors such as thickness of the skinfold when it comes to the determination of the fiber-type content of different muscles within a subject.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Modulation of chylomicron remnant metabolism by an hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor.

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that in patients with elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apolipoprotein-apoB, chylomicron remnant clearance can be modulated by therapy with a hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. Accordingly, chylomicron triglyceride and remnant clearance were determined following a vitamin-A fat load in 12 such patients, before and after therapy with Lovastatin (Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Rahway, NJ). Such therapy had no significant overall effect on plasma triglyceride clearance, although there was a trend to lower levels of Sf greater than 400 triglycerides at the later time points. By contrast, retinol clearance in plasma and Sf greater than 400 lipoproteins was markedly increased (30% and 40%, respectively). The data indicate, therefore, that following therapy with Lovastatin in this group of patients, chylomicron plasma remnant clearance was significantly enhanced. The exact mechanisms responsible remain to be explicated.

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1967

Study of the use of lincomycin aerosols in dogs.

This paper reports studies on different aspects of the administration of lincomycin by aerosol in dogs.The purpose of the study was to determine the depth of penetration of the drug into the lungs and its transfer into the blood, urine and tissues when administered as an aerosol.Special consideration was given to the possibility of side effects at the level of the bronchial mucosa, since this study was viewed as preliminary to the use of the antibiotic in humans.

Aerosols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dyslipoproteinemias after heart and heart-lung transplantation: potential relation to accelerated graft arteriosclerosis.

Plasma lipid, lipoprotein lipid, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels were measured in 34 patients who had undergone heart transplantation and in two patients who had undergone heart-lung transplantation. In contrast to initial reports, atherogenic dyslipoproteinemias were common, with 14% of patients having increased LDL cholesterol levels, 16.7% increased triglyceride levels, 8.3% decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and 22.2% increased LDL Apo B levels. Of interest, 14% of patients had an HDL cholesterol level greater than the 95th percentile of the general population. In four patients coronary arteriosclerosis developed after transplantation. All had an atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia. One had type II hypercholesterolemia, and one had isolated low HDL cholesterol levels. Two had hyperapobetalipoproteinemia, one of whom also had low HDL cholesterol levels. The results establish that atherogenic dyslipoproteinemias are frequent in patients after heart transplantation and suggest that these dyslipoproteinemias, along with rejection, may play a role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis after transplantation.

Adult↗