Biomedical subjects

Miltiadis P Vassiliou

Publications and source records attributed to Miltiadis P Vassiliou.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Echocardiographic evidence of posteromedial hypokinesis of the left ventricle in relation to mitral regurgitation in cardiac sarcoidosis.

We describe herein the case of a 49-year-old female patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis (stage II) with cardiac manifestation. This consisted of systolic dysfunction without dilatation of the left ventricle and severe mitral insufficiency, possibly due to thinning of the posteromedial left ventricular free wall, based on our echocardiographic observations.

Echocardiography↗

PubMed2006

Long-term oxygen therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the use of concentrators and liquid oxygen systems in north-western Greece.

BACKGROUND: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is the cornerstone mode of treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to investigate the effect of two oxygen sources (concentrator and liquid oxygen) on quality of life, exercise tolerance and compliance to LTOT in patients with COPD. METHODS: The survey included 104 patients with COPD (31 on concentrator treatment and 73 on liquid oxygen). Patients were subjected to pulse oximetry, basic spirometry, measurement of health-related quality of life by the St. George's Hospital respiratory questionnaire instrument and assessment of dyspnoea severity by the modified Borg category scale. Exercise tolerance was evaluated by the S(a)O(2) value after 3 min of walking. S(a)O(2) was measured before and after treatment with each device. Compliance with therapy was defined by the daily duration of oxygen use. RESULTS: The two LTOT groups did not differ significantly concerning pulmonary function tests (p = 0.49 for FEV(1), 0.98 for FVC, 0.15 for FEV(1)/FVC% and 0.38 for FEF(50%)), S(a)O(2) before (p = 0.28) and after (p = 0.80) O(2) treatment and after the 3-min walking trial (p = 0.47), and St. George's Hospital respiratory questionnaire score (p = 0.45). The liquid oxygen group was less dyspnoeic before treatment (p = 0.02), but this difference disappeared after treatment (p = 0.95). A highly significant difference (p < 0.001) was noted concerning the daily oxygen use. Complete compliance to LTOT (> or =15 h/day) was observed in 12.9 and 42.5%, respectively (p < 0.005). Noise disturbance was noted only in the concentrator group (80%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that stationary liquid oxygen seems to be a satisfactory alternative mode for LTOT treatment in COPD patients, with higher patient compliance to therapy in comparison with concentrators.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term oxygen therapy in Ioannina.

BACKGROUND: Long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT) is very important, especially in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its efficacy is closely related to patient compliance. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the compliance of patients under LTOT in the Prefecture of Ioannina (north-western Greece) and to identify factors that might be involved. METHODS: The study included 249 patients treated with LTOT during a 1-year period. They were visited at home by the investigating staff (a chest specialist and a primary care nurse). Compliance to therapy was defined by the daily use of the O2 concentrator (in hours). Patients underwent pulse oximetry, basic spirometry, and trial inhalation of bronchodilators. RESULTS: Only 67 patients (26.9%) complied with therapy, while the daily concentrator use lasted 9.7 +/- 6.09 h. SaO2, FEV1 and FVC were negatively correlated to patient compliance. No significant differences concerning LTOT compliance were noted between men and women, urban and rural population, and between smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. A chest physician recommended LTOT for the majority of patients (86.3%), while COPD was the main reason for LTOT prescription (74.7%). Nevertheless, compliance to LTOT was not significantly higher when prescribed by a respiratory physician. No specific medical instructions and information was recorded for the majority of the study patients treated with LTOT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an organized home care program establishing the relative guidelines is necessary for substantial improvement in patient compliance to LTOT in Greece.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Postoperative changes on pulmonary function after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We examined 28 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute or chronic cholecystitis and/or cholelithiasis in order to evaluate the effect of surgical technique on respiratory functional parameters. METHODOLOGY: We compared lung volume, flow parameters and blood gas indices in two groups of patients, eighteen of which underwent laparoscopic and ten of which open cholecystectomy, specifically on the 2nd and 8th postoperative day lung function indices were compared to preoperative values. The same anesthetic protocol was administered for all patients. No underlying illness other than the cholecystitis and/or cholelithiasis was present. RESULTS: From the results of lung volume parameters, ERV (%pred) data indicate a better expiratory ability for the Open Cholecystectomy [preop.: 93.10 (38.80), 8th day: 116.90 (63.69) compared to the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group (preop.: 105.39 (31.51), 8th day: 98.72 (35.80). For IC (%pred.) parameter, in the Open Cholecystectomy group a marked but not statistically significant decrease remained into the 8th day (preop.: 86.70 (16.40). 8th day: 68.40 (16.98)] whereas for the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group, IC %pred value reflected a better respiratory performance [preop.: 92.83 (17.87), 8th day: 82.50 (18.82)]. For RV and RV/TLC parameter measurements a marked increase in the %pred value was observed for the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group on the 8th postoperative day as compared to preoperative data [RV: 122.94 (42.80), 109.22 (33.23) respectively, RV/TLC: 122.68 (31.10), 109.14 (21.56) respectively]. From the analysis of the flow parameters, a distinct difference was evident for PEF between the preoperative and 8th postoperative day data with the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group showing statistically significant better flow rates [preop.: 93.72 (15.91), 8th day: 84.33 (20.67)] as compared to the Open Cholecystectomy group [preop.: 82.30 (22.98), 8th day: 59.10 (15.23)]. CONCLUSIONS: Having compared the 8th postoperative day with preoperative data for the two surgical methods, open cholecystectomy presented a better expiratory performance as compared to the laparoscopic method. However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy resulted in an overall better postoperative respiratory function.

Adult↗