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Biomedical subjects

R Alvarez-Sala

Publications and source records attributed to R Alvarez-Sala.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Breathing pattern and central ventilatory drive in mild and moderate generalised myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis is a specific autoimmune disease characterised by weakness and fatigue. Respiratory muscle weakness has been studied using the determination of maximal respiratory pressures, but the response of respiratory centres is not well characterised. This study was undertaken to determine the breathing pattern and the central ventilatory drive in patients with mild and moderate generalised myasthenia gravis. METHODS: Twenty four patients with myasthenia gravis were studied, divided into two groups. Group 1 included 13 subjects (eight women and five men aged 23-64) with mild generalised myasthenia gravis, and group 2 was composed of 15 patients (11 women and four men aged 23-69) with moderate generalised myasthenia gravis. A control group comprised 15 healthy persons with a similar age and sex distribution. Spirometric measurements and maximal respiratory pressures were performed under basal conditions in all subjects, and the rate and depth of breathing and the inspiratory occlusion pressure in the mouth in the first 0.1 second (P0.1) were measured. RESULTS: No difference was detected for parameters of breathing pattern between patients in group 1 and control subjects, although P0.1 was higher in those in group 1. Subjects in group 2 had a lower tidal ventilation, shorter inspiratory time, and a higher frequency with a higher P0.1 than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Mild myasthenia gravis causes increased neuromuscular drive with a normal breathing pattern. Moderate myasthenia gravis is characterised by a more rapid shallow breathing pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Nasal CPAP during wakefulness increases intraocular pressure in glaucoma.

Few important side-effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) have been reported. No increase of intraocular pressure (IOP) complicating this treatment has previously been described. The goal of our study was to analyse the influence of nCPAP on IOP. We evaluated 18 patients previously diagnosed as having glaucoma and 22 normal subjects. nCPAP was used during wakefulness, at +12 cmH2O for 15 min. The results showed that nCPAP significantly increases IOP in patients with glaucoma (before nCPAP 20.3 +/- 6.3 mmHg) (mean +/- SEM); after nCPAP 22.3 +/- 5.7 mmHg. We believe that nCPAP might be relatively contraindicated in difficult to manage glaucoma patients, if these results are corroborated.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Dissection of ascending aorta. A new cause of alveolar hemorrhage?

Alveolar hemorrhage is an entity caused by different etiologies. We report the case of a male who was admitted in our Service due to hemoptysis secondary to an alveolar hemorrhage diagnosed by chest X-ray and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Thirty six hours after the admission the patient died and his necropsy showed dissection of ascending aorta and alveolar hemorrhage.

Aortic Dissection↗
PubMed1993

[Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives].

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease of unknown etiology affecting alveolo-interstitial structures. It is clinically characterized by progressive dyspnea and dry cough. In the physical exploration, crakles at the pulmonary bases and acropachies are usually detected. Its diagnosis has been a major clinical problem. Currently, a definitive diagnosis can be established with high resolution computerized axial tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and open pulmonary biopsy. The next clinical problem is the assessment of activity, since it allows to differentiate subsidiary patients for receiving treatment. The description of new therapeutical alternatives has brought new perspectives in the management of these patients. Corticotherapy associated to immunosuppressors has allowed to reduce side effects and to obtain dramatic improvements. Lung transplantation, currently under study, will be the therapy of the future.

Female↗
PubMed1993

[Prevention of tuberculosis infection].

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a mycobacterium, whose incidence has increased in the past years. This increase is related to the adquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Due to its high prevalence, Spain is considered a developing country. The tuberculous infection depends on the degree of functionality of the alveolar macrophages that stimulate the lymphocytes and isolate the bacillus. The infection by mycobacterias can be quantified by means of the cutaneous reaction against tuberculin and mantoux, allowing us to select the subjects that must receive prophylaxis. For its correct interpretation, it is currently recommended to avoid BCG vaccination of children, except in countries with high prevalence of TB.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1992

[Bronchoalveolar lavage in respiratory pathology].

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) offers great opportunities in the study of pulmonary diseases. It is safe and noninvasive technique, with similar possibilities than other invasive diagnostic methods and allo-wind repetitions. With the obtained sample, we can assess what happens at the bronchial level as well as the alveolar structures. The introduction of new study methods has increased its profitability in several respiratory pathologies: analysis of tumoral markers in lung cancer, monoclonal antibodies in histiocytosis X, and so on. The BAL can be considered a technique of diagnosis, follow-up, prognosis and evaluation in pulmonary diseases.

Adult↗