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Biomedical subjects

M Zach

Publications and source records attributed to M Zach.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Modification of pediatric lung function measurement by antibacterial filters].

The risk of cross-infection by contaminated lung function equipment can be reduced by the use of antibacterial filters. These filters, however, should have no significant influence on flow measurements. We investigated the effect of a new filter (Pall PF 30) on lung function measurements in 92 children and adolescents with bronchial asthma and cystic fibrosis. In randomized sequence, flow-volume curves and spirometry were registered in the whole body plethysmograph. Values measured with filter correlated closely to those registered without; individual values remained close to the line of identity. With high flow rates, however, there was a minimal tendency towards lower measurements with filter; this damping effect was flow-dependent and remained of a clinically insignificant dimension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Frequency of delta F508 and haplotype association in Austrian cystic fibrosis families.

The frequency of the major mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene was analyzed for 113 Austrian cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. An overall frequency of 55% for delta F508 was found with values of 72% and 13% for patients with pancreatic insufficiency (CF-PI) and those with pancreatic sufficiency (CF-PS), respectively. Furthermore, the distribution of the alleles of the closely linked DNA markers XV2c/KM19/MP6d-9 in our families is described.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[Modification of pediatric lung function measurement by antibacterial filters].

The risk of cross-infection by contaminated lung function equipment can be reduced by the use of antibacterial filters. These filters, however, should have no significant influence on flow measurements. We investigated the effect of a new filter (Pall PF 30) on lung function measurements in 92 children and adolescents with bronchial asthma and cystic fibrosis. In randomized sequence, flow-volume curves and spirometry were registered in the whole body plethysmograph. Values measured with filter correlated closely to those registered without; individual values remained close to the line of identity. With high flow rates, however, there was a minimal tendency towards lower measurements with filter; this damping effect was flow-dependent and remained of a clinically insignificant dimension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Mucoviscidosis screening with immunoreactive trypsin. Initial experiences in Austria].

Up to now, 16.338 IRT-measurements have been carried out on dried blood spot specimens; 15.505 of them were taken in the first week of life. Related to a provisionally chosen cut-off point of 750 ng/ml, 134 newborns (= 0.86%) showed an elevated IRT-value and subsequently were recalled between the fourth and sixth week of life for a second IRT-determination. Twenty-five out of 116 reinvestigated children again showed an elevated value, as based on likewise provisional, age-dependent reference values. Four of these children subsequently were identified as CF patients by sweat testing. So far, we did not encounter any false-negative IRT values. We also commenced to establish a profile of reference values for the first twelve weeks of life; as yet, there are not enough data for definitely defining these limits of normality. In conclusion, IRT-screening appears to be a reliable method for identifying CF patients in the newborn period. Our preliminary results indicate an incidence of CF of 1 to 3880 in the southeast of Austria.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[Pediatric tracheostomy care].

Long term tracheostomy has become a rare caregiving problem in Paediatrics, but remains the only therapeutic strategy for a spectrum of complex anomalies of the paediatric airway. The present state-of-the-art article describes the practical routine of tracheostomy care as developed in the Paediatric Department of Graz. Commencing with indications for tracheostomy and a brief comment on relevant operations, it discusses routine and special tracheostomy tubes, valves, and other accessory devices. One chapter on specialised care is focussed on the paediatric airway, another more general one is concerned with the tracheostomized child. Then follows teaching tracheostomy care to parents; the article ends with a discussion of control investigations and decannulation.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1992

[Combined heart defects: tetralogy of Fallot, common atrium and a single atrioventricular valve diagnosed by echocardiography].

We present a case of the rare coincidence of three mechanisms leading to development of congenital heart disease in intrauterine life: intrinsic defect of the development of the cardiac loop (dextrocardia), failure of normal expansion of the subpulmonary infundibulum (Fallot syndrome) and endocardial cushion defect (common atrium and common atrioventricular valve ). It was associated with partial viscera inversion. A 31-year old man with congenital cyanotic heart disease, and Blalock-Taussig anastomosis was admitted to the hospital due to symptoms of severe cardiac failure. On physical examination: systolic murmur, hepatomegaly, ascites, leg's edema and cyanosis were found. In ECG--atrial fibrillation with 3-d degree a-v block. Standard echocardiography revealed: dextrocardia, a large single atrium with ostia of pulmonary and systemic veins, single atrio-ventricular valve , large ventricular, Fallot-like septal defect. The papillary muscles were not visible in the left ventricle. Aorta and pulmonary trunk arose from morphological right ventricle. The patient died on the 3-rd day of hospitalization in the course of cardiac and respiratory insufficiency. Postmorten examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1991

[Inspiratory stridor as the only symptom of esophageal foreign body].

An eleven month old infant girl presented with a two-month history of inspiratory stridor. Analysis of her symptoms indicated airway obstruction located in the middle of the trachea; a barium esophagogram revealed an esophageal foreign body with tracheal compression. By endoscopy, a chestnut shell was extracted from the esophagus. In infancy, esophageal foreign bodies may cause mainly respiratory symptoms.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1990

Air pollution and pediatric respiratory disease: croup.

The question of a causative interrelation between air pollution and croup has received considerable attention by the mass media. A series of epidemiological studies has tried to establish a scientific basis for these speculations. Some studies have compared the occurrence of croup with locally measured concentrations of pollutants, while others have observed differences in the incidence of croup between populations subjected to different levels of pollution. Results have so far remained contradictory, most studies have failed to control for other variables, and thus clear-cut evidence for the etiologic role of air pollution has yet not been established on an epidemiological basis. On the other hand, simple croup is caused by viral infection, while recurrent croup is associated with allergy and airway hyperreactivity. Animal studies have documented that air pollution can reduce resistance against viral infections, increase the risk of allergic sensibilization, and induce airway hyperreactivity. Conceivably, air pollution could thus have a supportive role in the development of croup, but this possibility requires further investigation.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1990

[Determination of theophylline serum level: comparison between a rapid test (enzyme-immuno-chromatography) and conventional fluorescence polarization immunoassay].

To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of a rapidly performed enzyme immunochromatography method for measuring the serum concentration of theophylline, we compared it with a conventional technique (fluorescence-polarisation immunoassay). We investigated 103 venous blood samples from children and adolescents with bronchial asthma, medicated with sustained-release theophylline preparations. There was a highly significant correlation of the measured values; with a few exceptions, the individual values scattered only narrowly around the regression line. Based on this close correlation, the investigated enzyme immunochromatography test can be recommended for rapid theophylline serum level determinations in clinical practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Therapy of bronchial asthma].

Asthma stems from chronic inflammatory changes in the bronchial mucosa: its long-term treatment is mainly based on the antiinflammatory action of the employed substances. Topical (aerosol) treatment is considered as the most effective route of medication; availability of new substances and new aerosols in Austria requires a revision of previously established treatment strategies. Such revised strategies are presented for schoolchildren, babies and toddlers respectively; they follow the same principles, but differ in respect to the preferred method of topical medication. In addition, coexistent allergy has to be evaluated and treated on an individualized basis; occasionally, so-called "tertiary strategies" of asthma treatment are employed as well.

Asthma↗
PubMed1990

[Bronchial reactivity in clinically symptom-free adolescent patients with asthma].

More than half of the pediatric asthma population will become symptomfree during adolescence. We evaluated non-specific airway reactivity by cold air challenge in 42 symptomfree asthma patients, age 8 to 18 years, one year after termination of their anti-asthmatic medication. Twenty-one patients showed a normalized bronchial reactivity, 16 were found to be hyperreactive, and 5 presented with a borderline response. When compared to the normoreactive group, the hyperreactive subjects showed the following statistically significant differences: 1) more allergy by RAST and history (16/16 vs 14/21, p less than 0.05); 2) a significant reduction of mid- and endexpiratory flowrates in baseline lung-function measurements (% pred); maximum expiratory flow at 50% vital capacity: 75% vs 96%, p less than 0.01; maximum expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity: 71% vs 102%, p less than 0.005). In conclusion, more than one third of our clinically symptom-free patients showed persisting bronchial hyperreactivity; 50% presented with a normalised bronchial response.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Respiratory insufficiency in acute bronchiolitis in infancy].

Forty-one infants with acute viral bronchiolitis were hospitalized in our paediatric intensive care unit during the seven year period from 1980 to 1987. In 14 out of 27 evaluated patients, Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) was detected in the nasal secretions. Twenty-three children required only supportive care and monitoring. Eighteen infants had to be ventilated because of respiratory failure. The major indication for mechanical ventilation was an arterial or capillary pCO2 of more than 64 mmHg; other criteria were repeated apnoea, respiratory acidosis, and clinical deterioration. In all cases the type of the mechanical ventilation was an intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) with flow and time cycled respirators; muscle relaxation was not required in any case. The average duration of mechanical ventilation was 40 hours. All the children recovered uneventfully. These data suggest that even the most severe cases of acute bronchiolotis can be treated successfully, and that the mortality rate of this disease entity can be reduced to zero.

Bronchiolitis, Viral↗