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Biomedical subjects

M Pini

Publications and source records attributed to M Pini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Dextran/aspirin versus heparin/dihydroergotamine in preventing thrombosis after hip fractures.

In a randomised trial we compared the effects of two different antithrombotic regimens on the incidence of venographically established deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in 83 patients undergoing surgery for fracture of the femoral neck. Group A received dextran 40 peroperatively plus 0.5 g aspirin a day beginning before operation and continuing for 10 days after. Group B received heparin calcium 5000 iu subcutaneously plus dihydroergotamine (DHE) 0.5 mg intramuscularly, given 8-hourly, beginning before operation and continuing for 10 days after. Two patients in Group A and three in Group B developed proximal DVT, while the incidence of all DVT was 33% in Group A and 29% in Group B, a difference which was not significant. Haemorrhagic complications were much more common in the dextran/aspirin group: the volume of drainage fluid, the number of patients transfused and quantity of blood transfused, and the drop in haemoglobin level were all significantly greater in Group A. We conclude that the DHE/heparin regime is preferable to dextran/aspirin because it is safer and no less effective.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Accuracy of strain-gauge plethysmography as a diagnostic test in clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis.

Strain-gauge plethysmography (SGP) is currently employed in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but its accuracy has not been adequately tested. In this study we evaluated SGP against venography in 209 consecutive patients referred to us because of clinically suspected DVT of lower limbs. Venography was performed bilaterally if symptoms or signs suggesting DVT were present in both limbs. It was always performed after SGP and independently assessed. A total of 269 limbs could be evaluated with both SGP and venography, which disclosed DVT in 128 limbs of 110 patients. There were 109 proximal and 19 distal DVT. Out of the 128 limbs with DVT, SGP was positive in 114 (sensitivity = 89%) using Maximal Venous Outflow (MVO) as the diagnostic parameter, and positive in 116 (sensitivity = 91%) using an index obtained multiplying MVO for Venous Capacitance (VC). Out of the 141 venographically negative limbs, there were 6 false positive results using MVO and 9 using MVO X VC (specificity = 96% and 94% respectively). SGP sensitivity in acute proximal venous thrombosis was 97%, while it was about 60% in distal DVT. Most false positive results occurred in patients with edema of cardiac origin. SGP appears to be a useful diagnostic test in suspected DVT of lower limbs, particularly when both MVO and the index MVO X VC are used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Correlation between changes induced by venous occlusion on factor VIII-von Willebrand factor components and fibrinolytic activity.

The effects of standardized venous occlusion (VO) on factor VIII-von Willebrand factor (F VIII-VWF) components (F VIII:C, F VIIIR:AG, F VIIIR:RCof) and on fibrinolytic activity were investigated in 45 healthy subjects, in 28 women on oral contraceptives, and in 78 patients with various chronic diseases (28 with peripheral arterial disease, 19 with liver cirrhosis, 13 with rheumatoid arthritis, and 18 with diabetes). All the three F VIII-VWF components showed highly significant increases, although not of the same magnitude, with consequent variations in the ratios between them. A significant activation of fibrinolysis was also demonstrated with both euglobulin lysis time (ELT) and diluted blood clot lysis time (DBCLT). A strong linear correlation between pre- and post-stasis values was recorded for all the F VIII-VWF components and for the two fibrinolysis tests. No significant relationship was, on the contrary, found between F VIII-VWF and fibrinolytic parameters.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗
PubMed1983

[Arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs. Epidemiological study of the risk factors].

Chronic arterial occlusive disease of lower limbs is recognized as a typical multifactorial disease, but the role of some risk factors is still debated, because contrasting results have been obtained in epidemiological studies. We investigated the prevalence of hypercolesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, smoking habits and diabetes in a population of 172 patients with peripheral arterial disease admitted to the III and V Medical Division of the "Ospedale Regionale" of Parma in the period January 1979 - April 1983, and in a control group of 174 subjects comparable for age and sex, free of clinical symptoms or signs of atherosclerosis. Statistically significant (p less than 0,005) increases in the prevalence of hypercolesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, smoking and hypertension were found in vascular patients compared with controls, the relative risk for the various considered factors being respectively: 6.40; 4.72; 4.03; 3.16.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Instrumental diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis. Prospective study with non-invasive methods].

The clinical diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis is unreliable and venography remains the best single method of investigation. In the last ten years several non-invasive procedures have been introduced in the vascular laboratories, sometime without adequate assessment of their reliability. We tested sensitivity and specificity of three different non-invasive procedures, namely phleboscintigraphy with 99Technetium, Doppler ultrasound technique and strain-gauge plethysmography in patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs or pulmonary embolism. A total of 288 patients entered the study. Venography was used as the reference standard and was assessed independently, without knowledge of the results of non-invasive methods. In the first 36 patients phleboscintigraphy and Doppler ultrasound were evaluated: sensitivity and specificity of phleboscintigraphy resulted only a little more than 50%; the method was therefore considered unreliable and subsequently abandoned. Doppler ultrasound could be evaluated upon a total of 81 patients, showing an unsatisfactory sensitivity (63%), but a quite reliable specificity (86%). Best results were obtained with strain-gauge plethysmography, using maximal venous outflow and venous capacitance as diagnostic parameters. 209 patients entered this study, and a sensitivity of about 90% with a specificity of about 95% was observed. If we consider only acute proximal deep vein thrombosis, sensitivity approaches 97%, while it is only 60% in distal deep vein thrombosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Multiple splenic and renal abscesses caused by Candida albicans: a new diagnostic and therapeutic method using intraoperative echography and closure of the residual cavities with biological glue].

The Candida albicans infection represents a rather frequent complication in immunodeficient patients, while the evolution towards the growth of multiple intraparenchymal abscesses constitutes a very rare event. The authors describe the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway chosen in a case regarding a young patient in treatment for leukemia , who was affected by multiple splenic and renal abscesses caused by Candida albicans. After a preoperative diagnosis through ultrasonography and C.A.T., a splenectomy was undertaken. Next the only healthy part of the spleen was removed and grafted into the omentum. By using the intraoperative ultrasonography on both kidneys, the abscess cavities were precisely located, aspirated and finally stuck with a human fibrin glue.

Abscess↗
PubMed1982

Normal prostacyclinlike activity and response to plasma exchange in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: report of 2 cases.

2 cases of acute idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura are reported. Both of them were treated with plasma exchange, antiplatelet drugs and prednisolone and both completely recovered. Plasma exchange appeared to be the critical treatment. In 1 of these cases the prostacyclinlike activity released from venous tissues and the ability of plasma to stimulate synthesis of prostacyclinlike activity from venous tissues exhausted after repeated washings were investigated. Both activities were detectable and comparable to those of a healthy control. These findings do not support the hypothesis of a major role played by the prostacyclin system in the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Predictive value of preoperative in vitro and in vivo studies for correct individual heparinization in cardiac surgery.

Heparin administration for operations with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) usually is performed following prefixed, standardized protocols. These regimens secure an adequate level of anticoagulation, but they often involve prolonged periods of overheparinization associated with an undue risk of hemorrhage. The predictive value of preoperative studies in the anticoagulant effect of heparin was investigated in 10 patients. The study was performed both in vitro and in vivo using the Xa inhibitor assay as an index of the anticoagulation induced by heparin. Adding variable amounts of heparin in vitro to patient's plasma resulted in straight (at least up to 7 U. per milliliter) and parallel, but not coincident, dose/response curves, so confirming a different individual sensitivity to heparin. Disappearance curves of the anticoagulant effect in plasma following intravenous administration of a single standard dose of heparin in the same patients showed an even greater patient-to-patient variability, with "half-life" times ranging from 30 to 150 minutes. No relationship was found between the parameters (in vitro sensitivity to heparin and clearance rate from plasma in vivo). Moreover, neither of them could be correlated with the response to heparin, subsequently observed during ECC in the same patients. Preoperative investigations with the methods presently available are not adequate to choose individual heparin administration regimens for cardiac operations.

Adult↗