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Biomedical subjects

P Schenk

Publications and source records attributed to P Schenk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Relationship between perceived exertion and mean power frequency of the EMG signal from the upper trapezius muscle during isometric shoulder elevation.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between a fatigue-induced increase of perceived exertion in the neck with a decrease of mean power frequency (MPF) in the surface electromyography (sEMG) signal during repeated shoulder elevation endurance tasks. About Thirty-two healthy women (age range 20-62) performed two maximum 6-min shoulder elevation endurance tasks at 30% of their maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) level, separated by a rest of 6 min. During these exercises, perceived exertion was estimated using the Borg scale (range 0-10), whereas the MPF of the sEMG signal from the upper trapezius was simultaneously detected. Linear regression analysis was applied over time for each trial and subject for both MPF and Borg scale rating values. The MPF was normalized by the intercept of the linear regression analysis. The resulting slopes of normalized mean power frequency (nMPF) and Borg scale rating were correlated with each other by linear regression for both trials. In order to investigate the individual behavior of fatigue effects between trials, Delta (trial 2-trial 1) slopes of nMPF and Borg scale ratings were calculated for each subject. These slopes of nMPF and Borg scale ratings were correlated with each other as well by linear regression. The increase of Borg scale ratings, as well as the decrease of nMPF, were significantly higher in trial 2 than trial 1 (P<0.01). The results show a linear correlation between slopes of nMPF and Borg scale ratings for both trials 1 and 2 (r=0.76, P<0.01). Trial-to-trial slopes (Delta (trial 2-trial 1)) of nMPF and Borg scale rating, were also significantly correlated (r=0.68, P<0.05). Thus, the individually sensed increase of perceived exertion in the neck during trial 2 was accompanied by a simultaneously higher detected decrease of nMPF. These findings indicate a close relationship between subjective perception of exertion in the neck and objectively assessed muscle fatigue of the upper trapezius.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Cardiac manifestations of Friedreich's ataxia].

Friedreich's ataxia is one of the most frequent ataxias of childhood. The disease is inherited in autosomal recessive mode. It is caused by deficiency of mitochondrial protein frataxin, which is responsible for the degenerative impairment of the spinocerebellar and corticospinal tracts and posterior columns of the spinal cord and for the heart damage. We present a case report of a patient with a complete clinical syndrome. Patient experienced slowly progressive neurological symptomatology from the age of 6 years, which consisted of instability, gait abnormalities, tremor and ataxia. Adult patient became immobile with severe quadruparesis and dysarthria. Cardiac involvement presented in adulthood with multifocal atrial tachycardia became the chief symptom. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. Diagnosis of Friedreich's ataxia was confirmed by genetic analysis. Pharmacotherapy with coenzyme Q10 and carnitine was introduced with effort to slow down progression of cardiac impairment. Causal treatment is still impossible.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Controlled prospective randomised trial on the effects on pulmonary haemodynamics of the ambulatory long term use of nitric oxide and oxygen in patients with severe COPD.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension is a frequent complication of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this condition. Based on the improved survival of these patients due to long term oxygen therapy and the potent and selective pulmonary vasodilation by inhaled nitric oxide, the safety and effectiveness of the combined inhalation of these two gases over a 3 month period was assessed. METHODS: Forty patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension due to COPD were randomly assigned to receive either oxygen alone or "pulsed" inhalation of nitric oxide with oxygen over a period of 3 months. "Pulsed" inhalation of nitric oxide was used to reduce pulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatch and formation of toxic reaction products of nitric oxide and oxygen. RESULTS: Compared with oxygen alone, the combined inhalation of nitric oxide and oxygen caused a significant decrease in mean (SE) pulmonary artery pressure (from 27.6 (4.4) mm Hg to 20.6 (4.9) mm Hg, p<0.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (from 569.7 (208.1) to 351.3 (159.9) dyne x s(-1) x cm(-5) x m(-2), p<0.001) without decreasing arterial oxygenation. Cardiac output increased by 0.5 litres (from 5.6 (1.3) l/min to 6.1 (1.0) l/min, p=0.025). Systemic haemodynamics and left heart function remained unchanged during this period and no increase in toxic reaction products of nitric oxide was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first controlled trial indicating that the "pulsed" inhalation of nitric oxide together with oxygen may be safely and effectively used for the long term treatment of severe COPD.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2002

Hepatopulmonary syndrome: prevalence and predictive value of various cut offs for arterial oxygenation and their clinical consequences.

BACKGROUND: The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as the triad of liver disease, arterial deoxygenation, and pulmonary vascular dilatation. The reported prevalence of HPS in cirrhotic patients varies between 4% and 19%, and various threshold values defining arterial deoxygenation have been used and recommended previously. However, it is not known how the prevalence of HPS differs using different cut off values for arterial deoxygenation. METHODS: We studied 127 patients for the presence of HPS using transthoracic contrast echocardiography for detection of pulmonary vasodilation, pulmonary function tests, and blood gas analysis. RESULTS: Ninety eight patients were included in the study, of whom 33 (34%) had a positive contrast echocardiography. Using an increased alveolar-arterial difference for the partial pressure of oxygen (AaDO(2)) as an indication of hypoxaemia, the prevalence of HPS was considerably higher (>15 mm Hg, 32%; >20 mm Hg, 31%; and >age related threshold, 28%) than using reduced partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO(2)) as a threshold (<80 mm Hg, 19%; <70 mm Hg, 15%; and <age related threshold, 15%). For AaDO(2) as the cut off, the positive predictive value for a diagnosis of HPS was low (34%, 37%, and 53%, respectively). In contrast, PaO(2) as a cut off had considerably higher positive predictive values (44%, 93%, and 94%, respectively). Introducing PaO(2) <65 mm Hg as the cut off, the positive predictive value increased to 100%. Dyspnoea was more often present in patients with "clinically significant" HPS (57%) compared with "subclinical HPS" (8%), and patients without HPS (6%). The Child-Pugh score correlated significantly with the severity of HPS. Two of five liver transplanted patients with "subclinical HPS" had embolic brain infarcts, possibly induced by venous emboli passing through dilated intrapulmonary vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Defining arterial hypoxaemia in HPS by different, previously used, cut off values for arterial oxygenation leads to a wide variation in the prevalence of HPS in the same sample of cirrhotic patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Intravenous magnesium sulfate for bronchial hyperreactivity: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma. Conflicting data exist concerning the effect of magnesium on bronchial hyperreactivity. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate on bronchial reactivity to metacholine in 30 subjects with bronchial hyperreactivity. Two days after baseline metacholine provocation, 20 subjects received 0.3 mmol/kg/h of intravenous magnesium sulfate and 10 subjects received normal saline solution. Metacholine provocation was repeated 30 minutes after the initiation of the magnesium or placebo infusion. RESULTS: The difference of the postinterventional minus the baseline provocative dose of metacholine required to decrease the forced expiratory volume in 1 second by 20% (PC20) was significantly higher in the magnesium group compared with the placebo group (0.48 +/- 0.46 mg/mL versus 0.05 +/- 0.73 mg/mL, P = .028). In the magnesium group, the PC(20) significantly increased (from 0.83 +/- 0.54 mg/mL to 1.31 +/- 0.66 mg/mL, P = .0001), whereas there was no change in the placebo group (0.86 +/- 0.52 mg/mL to 0.91 +/- 0.54 mg/mL, P = .83). CONCLUSIONS: In the magnesium group, 30% of the subjects reached a normal PC(20) compared with 10% in the placebo group. We conclude that intravenous magnesium sulfate significantly improved bronchial hyperreactivity and may serve as an adjunct to standard treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Aerosolised iloprost improves pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension receiving continuous epoprostenol treatment.

BACKGROUND: Continuous intravenous treatment with epoprostenol significantly improves pulmonary haemodynamics and survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Its beneficial effect, however, may be blunted due to adverse effects such as catheter sepsis and systemic hypotension. Recent investigations have shown that inhaled iloprost is effective in the treatment of PPH. Based on their different pharmacokinetics, we hypothesised that the combination of intravenous epoprostenol and inhaled iloprost would be more efficacious than epoprostenol alone during acute testing in patients with PPH. METHODS: The effect of a single dose of inhaled iloprost (30 microg total over 15 minutes) on pulmonary haemodynamics was examined in eight patients with PPH (initial non-responders to nitric oxide) who had considerable adverse effects during treatment with epoprostenol. RESULTS: The combination of inhaled iloprost and intravenous epoprostenol significantly improved mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), cardiac index (CI), mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), and systemic arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) compared with epoprostenol treatment alone. Mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary vasoreactivity shown by additional iloprost inhalation during effective epoprostenol treatment suggests that an improvement of treatment for pulmonary hypertension may be possible by combining vasoactive substances.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Long-term treatment of pulmonary hypertension with aerosolized iloprost.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), defined as elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance, is an end-point of a variety of conditions. The only therapy that has been shown to improve both quality of life and survival is intravenous prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), epoprostenol). The effect of long-term aerosolized iloprost (Ilomedin, Schering, Berlin, Germany and Vienna, Austria), a stable prostacyclin analogue and potent vasodilator, on haemodynamics and functional status was investigated in 12 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Haemodynamic measurements and vasodilator testing by right heart catheterization were performed prior to and after long-term iloprost inhalation therapy. Haemodynamic improvement or increased exercise tolerance was not observed in any of the patients. After a mean+/-SD treatment period of 10+/-5 months, mean+/-SD pulmonary vascular resistance had increased from 11+/-3 Wood Units (mmHg.L(-1).min) to 13+/-4 Wood Units, with unchanged arterial oxygen saturation (92+/-4%, versus 91+/-4%). Within the study period, three patients went into right heart failure and had to be placed on intravenous epoprostenol. The authors conclude that inhaled iloprost in addition to conventional therapy in the presently recommended dose of 100 microg.day(-1) delivered in 8-10 2 h portions, is not an efficient vasodilator therapy in severe pulmonary hypertension. It remains to be shown whether dose increases and/or combination protocols will be effective, or whether inhalation of iloprost may be safe for selected cases of pulmonary hypertension.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Aerosolized iloprost therapy could not replace long-term IV epoprostenol (prostacyclin) administration in severe pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To switch patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and previous life-threatening catheter-related complications from long-term IV epoprostenol therapy to aerosolized iloprost therapy. DESIGN: Open, uncontrolled trial. SETTING: Medical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Two patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and one patient with pulmonary hypertension after surgical closure of atrial septal defect (mean pulmonary artery pressure > or =50 mm Hg). All were classified as New York Heart Association class II under treatment with continuous IV epoprostenol for 4 years. INTERVENTIONS: Stepwise reduction of IV epoprostenol (1 ng/kg/min steps every 3 to 10 h) during repeated inhalations of aerosolized iloprost (150 to 300 microg/d with 6 to 18 inhalations/d). Continuous pulmonary and systemic arterial monitoring were performed. RESULTS: Aerosolized iloprost reduced pulmonary artery pressure by 49%, 49%, and 45%, respectively, and increased cardiac output by 70%, 75%, and 41% in the three patients. The effect lasted for 20 min and was similar at different doses of IV epoprostenol. Persistent treatment change to inhaled iloprost could not be achieved because all patients developed signs of right heart failure. After termination of iloprost inhalations, return to standard epoprostenol therapy led to clinical and hemodynamic restoration. CONCLUSIONS: Although aerosolized iloprost demonstrated short-term hemodynamic effects, it could not be utilized as alternative chronic vasodilator in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2000

Methylene blue improves the hepatopulmonary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The hypoxemia of the hepatopulmonary syndrome, seen in patients with severe chronic liver dysfunction, results from widespread pulmonary vasodilation. No established drug therapy is available for this condition. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of methylene blue, a potent inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, in patients with severe hepatopulmonary syndrome. DESIGN: Open, uncontrolled trial. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit at the university hospital in Vienna, Austria. PATIENTS: 7 patients with advanced cirrhosis and severe hepatopulmonary syndrome with PaO(2) of 60 mm Hg or less. INTERVENTION: Insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and an arterial indwelling catheter; intravenous administration of methylene blue, 3 mg/kg of body weight, over a 15-minute period. MEASUREMENTS: Serial measurements of gas exchange and hemodynamic variables. RESULTS: After methylene blue administration, PaO(2) increased in all patients (from a baseline mean +/- SD of 58 +/- 2.5 mm Hg to 74 +/- 11.5 mm Hg 5 hours after infusion; P = 0.006) and the alveolar-arterial difference for partial pressure of oxygen (PAO(2) - PaO(2) ) decreased in all patients, with a maximum effect achieved after 5 hours (from 49 +/- 3.3 mm Hg to 30 +/- 10.4 mm Hg; P = 0.003); even after 10 hours, PAO(2) - PaO(2) was still significantly reduced compared with baseline (P = 0.041). Oxygenation improved because of reduction in shunt fraction (from 41% +/- 3.1% to 25% +/- 4.5%; P < 0.001). Mean pulmonary artery pressure increased (from 20 +/- 5.2 mm Hg to 23 +/- 3.6 mm Hg; P = 0. 028), as did pulmonary vascular resistance (from 58 +/- 23 dyne/sec. cm(-5) to 115 +/- 56 dyne/sec. cm(-5); P = 0.012). Arterial blood pressure did not change significantly. Cardiac output decreased (from 10.6 +/- 2.2 L/min to 8.6 +/- 2.7 L/min; P = 0.008) and systemic vascular resistance increased (from 527 +/- 144 dyne/sec. cm(-5) to 729 +/- 222 dyne/sec. cm(-5); P = 0.037). Heart rate, central venous pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Intravenous methylene blue improved hypoxemia and hyperdynamic circulation in patients with liver cirrhosis and severe hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy and safety of cefdinir in the treatment of maxillary sinusitis.

Cefdinir is a new, extended-spectrum, orally active, third-generation cephalosporin that is resistant to bacterial beta-lactamase production. To evaluate efficacy and safety of the antibiotic in maxillary sinusitis, its use was compared with amoxicillin/clavulanate (amox/clav), which is a well-accepted beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotic. In this investigator-blinded multicenter phase III clinical study, 569 patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment regimens: one daily dose of cefdinir 600 mg (OD), cefdinir 300 mg every 12 h (BD), and amox/clav 500/125 mg every 8 h. All antibiotics were administered orally for 10 days. Maxillary sinusitis was documented by typical clinical signs and symptoms and was confirmed by X-ray imaging. Before treatment, the genus and species of any pathogens were determined from sinus aspirates. Cultures were tested for beta-lactmase production and in vitro resistance to cefdinir and amox/clav. The effectiveness of antibiotic treatment was evaluated 7-14 days after therapy and whether or not recurrent clinical symptoms or persistent infection was determined 21-35 days post-therapy. The appearance of any adverse events was classified as associated or not associated with the medication of the study. Present findings showed that the in vitro susceptibility of pathogens to cefdinir and amox/clav was similar. Cefdinir OD or BD was therapeutically as effective as or better than amox/clav, although cefdinir BD was not as useful as amox/clav clinically. Cefdinir OD and BD and amox/clav were well tolerated. The statistical incidence of adverse events was the same among the three treatment groups, although cefdinir OD treatment had significantly fewer treatment discontinuations due to adverse events than BD and amox/clav.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is a useful alternative to heparin in priming quinton permcath.

Soft, cuffed, implantable central venous catheters such as the Quinton Permcath (Quinton Instrument Co, Seattle, WA) are increasingly used as permanent access in patients with end-stage renal disease. Their major limitations, besides infection, are thrombosis and inadequate blood flow. To prevent those complications, heparin is conventionally used for priming the Quinton Permcath between dialysis sessions. In this study, we compared recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) with heparin for priming the Quinton Permcath in a prospective, randomized, crossover design. Twelve patients were randomly assigned to receive 2,000 IU of heparin or 2 mg of rTPA injected into each catheter lumen at the end of each dialysis session over a period of 4 months, followed by a switch to the other substance. Blood flow rate (flow), venous pressure (VP), and arterial pressure (AP) were monitored at each dialysis session hourly. Flow was significantly greater (P = 0.0001) with rTPA (mean +/- SD, 237.7 +/- 18.1 and 231.6 +/- 12.4 mL/min for the first and second 2 months, respectively) compared with heparin (208.5 +/- 10.1 and 206.9 +/- 14.2 mL/min for the first and second 2 months, respectively). VP was significantly less (P = 0.0001) with rTPA (135.4 +/- 8.2 and 140 +/- 15.2 mm Hg for the first and second 2 months, respectively) compared with heparin (160.5 +/- 16.1 and 159.2 +/- 20.7 mm Hg for the first and second 2 months, respectively). AP was significantly greater (P = 0.0002) with rTPA (-113.5 +/- 11.8 and -115.9 +/- 12.7 mm Hg for the first and second 2 months, respectively) compared with heparin (-136.5 +/- 23.3 and -134.7 +/- 25.8 mm Hg for the first and second 2 months, respectively). In addition, fewer complications (flow problems, clotting, and need for fibrinolysis) occurred in the rTPA period. These results show that rTPA is superior to heparin for priming the Quinton Permcath between hemodialysis sessions and can be used as a valuable alternative to conventional heparin in selected patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Accuracy of echocardiographic right ventricular parameters in patients with different end-stage lung diseases prior to lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Because there are few data available on the accuracy of 2D-echocardiography to assess right ventricular (RV) size and function in patients with far-advanced lung disease, in this prospective study, we compared various echocardiographic RV parameters with RV volumes derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: In 32 patients (18 male, 17 female) presenting for lung transplantation, we measured RV end-diastolic and end-systolic area as well as derived RV fractional area change, long-axis diameter, short-axis diameter, tricuspid valve anulus diameter (using 2D apical or sub-costal 4-chamber view), and RV end-diastolic diameter (using M-mode in the parasternal short-axis view). These values were compared with RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes derived by MRI, serving as the gold standard. RESULTS: Right ventricular end-diastolic area was the most accurate echocardiographic parameter of RV size (correlation to MRI: r = 0.88, p < 0.001), followed by RV end-diastolic short-axis diameter (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), long axis diameter (r = 0.66, p < 0.001), and tricuspid valve anulus diameter (r = 0.63, p < 0.001). In contrast, M-mode measurement of RV end-diastolic diameter was possible in only 24/35 (68%) patients and showed a weak correlation to MRI-derived RV end-diastolic volume (r = 0.56, p = 0.004). Right ventricular fractional area change correlated well with MRI-derived RV ejection fraction (r = 0.84, p < 0.0001). In a sub-group analysis, patients with vascular lung disease showed best agreement between both methods for RV end-diastolic area and RV fractional area change compared with patients with restrictive or obstructive lung disease. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in patients with far-advanced lung diseases, RV end-diastolic area demonstrated the best correlation with MRI-derived measurement of RV end-diastolic volume, and RV fractional area change compared favorably with MRI-derived ejection fraction. Despite reduced image quality, especially in patients with obstructive lung disease, these parameters can yield clinically valuable information.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Biocompatibility of a cuprophane charcoal-based detoxification device in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy.

Extracorporeal detoxification has been proposed to treat patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) not responding to standard therapy. To investigate the biocompatibility of a cuprophane charcoal-based detoxification device, a prospective, randomized, controlled study was performed. Of 41 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HE grade II or III who did not improve with conventional treatment, 20 patients (median age, 56 years; range, 33 to 71 years; 13 men) were randomly assigned to either ongoing conventional treatment or one additional 6-hour treatment with a sorbent suspension dialysis system. Main outcome parameters were physiological function and blood parameters of biocompatibility. In the 10 patients undergoing combined conventional and sorbent suspension dialysis treatment, blood pressure remained unchanged and body temperature and heart rate increased (P: < 0.01). Platelet count decreased (medians, from 75 to 26 g/L; P: < 0.001) and international normalized ratio increased after combined treatment (2.0 to 2.2; P: < 0.001). Three patients developed bleeding complications during treatment or shortly after. Treated patients showed increases in levels of plasma elastase (104 to 586 microg/L; P: = 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (5.4 to 7.5 pg/mL; P: = 0.04), and interleukin-6 (118 to 139 pg/mL; P: = 0.04), but not interferon-gamma and E-selectin. No changes were observed in the 10 patients treated conventionally. In conclusion, despite technical refinements compared with charcoal hemoperfusion, biocompatibility of sorbent suspension dialysis is still very limited. Clinical complications were apparently caused by blood-membrane interactions and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We suggest further developments in design and appropriate strategies of anticoagulation to improve the biocompatibility of artificial liver support.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Treatment with epoprostenol reverts nitric oxide non-responsiveness in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether long term treatment with epoprostenol might restore primary non-responsiveness to nitric oxide (NO) in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Seven patients with primary pulmonary hypertension receiving intravenous epoprostenol continuously because of failure of NO to influence pulmonary haemodynamics during initial testing were followed over a period of 13-29 months. Afterwards, acute vascular reactivity towards NO was tested again during right heart catheterisation. RESULTS: Administration of NO after continuous epoprostenol treatment for a mean period of 18 months improved arterial oxygen saturation (p < 0.01) and cardiac index (p < 0.05), and decreased mean pulmonary artery pressure (p < 0.01) and total pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.01) in patients previously unresponsive to NO. CONCLUSIONS: Long term treatment with epoprostenol reverts initial refractoriness to NO in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Thus the addition of NO to epoprostenol treatment might cause further improvement in the course of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Hepatopulmonary syndrome.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis and is characterised by the typical triad of liver cirrhosis, arterial hypoxemia, and intrapulmonary vascular dilatation. Except for pleural effusions associated with liver cirrhosis no other disease of the lungs or the heart is detectable. The structural hallmark of HPS is dilatation of pulmonary precapillary vessels which impairs diffusion-perfusion and causes unequal ventilation-perfusion. The diagnosis of HPS is based on PaO2 measurements when breathing room air and 100% oxygen. The increased intrapulmonary vascular diameter allows microbubbles to traverse the lung capillaries when agitated saline is administered intravenously. Only on rare occasions is a patient limited by his pulmonary impairment, the leading morbidity is that of liver disease and its classical complications. Drug therapy is of no proven benefit, oxygen supplementation might improve dyspnea. Vascular embolisation of discrete arteriovenous shunts, if present, or liver transplantation may dramatically improve pulmonary function in selected patients.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMed1999

Inhalation of nitric oxide as a life-saving therapy in a patient after pulmonary embolectomy.

We describe a 54-yr-old man with cardiogenic shock caused by acute right heart failure after pulmonary embolectomy. Inhalation of nitric oxide led to immediate improvement in respiratory and haemodynamic variables. Inhaled nitric oxide can be used to reduce acute right heart failure until conventional therapy can provide successful haemodynamic stability.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1999

[Real-time ultrasonographic (B-mode) pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. 4. Results of a field study in Germany].

Between January 1993 and April 1998 in a total of 27,378 sheep an ultrasonographic early pregnancy diagnosis was done. The determined pregnancy rates (mean = 82.2%) were related to the mating systems, duration of mating season and time of the year. The benefits of scanning are described. If the pregnancy rate is lower than 97% the early pregnancy diagnosis is economical to flock management. Cases of uterine and fetal pathology (fetal mortality, maceration, hydrometra, pyometra) are presented.

Animals↗