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Biomedical subjects

R H Elliott

Publications and source records attributed to R H Elliott.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Sustained release metoclopramide for prophylaxis of post-operative nausea and vomiting.

Oral metoclopramide may be given as a premedicant to reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting, but there is little evidence that it is effective. We studied the anti-emetic action of a sustained release formulation of metoclopramide (Gastromax 30 mg) in 39 fit women undergoing inpatient laparoscopy under general anaesthesia with a standardized anaesthetic technique in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. No benefit was demonstrated. (Incidences: nausea: 13 of 20 patients [placebo] and 13 of 19 [metoclopramide]; vomiting: 13 of 20 and 12 of 19.)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Peripartum changes in gastric emptying.

Applied potential tomography was used to measure changes in gastric emptying during the peripartum period. Gastric emptying was measured sequentially in each of 10 healthy patients at 37-40 weeks gestation, 2-3 days postpartum and after the 6-week postnatal assessment (control). Mean (SD) times to 50% emptying were 15 (6.05), 11 (5.9) and 15 (5.5) min, respectively. There was no statistically significant change in gastric emptying as a result of pregnancy in this group of women. Retrospective power analysis (assuming alpha = 0.05 and beta = 0.20) shows the study design was adequate to detect a difference of 8 min.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Gastric fluid volume and pH in elective surgical patients: triple prophylaxis is not superior to ranitidine alone.

The effect of oral ranitidine alone was compared with sequentially administered ranitidine, metoclopramide, and sodium citrate on gastric fluid volume and pH in 196 healthy, elective surgical inpatients, each of whom was randomly assigned to one of four groups. Patients in all groups received oral ranitidine 150 mg 2-3 hr before the scheduled time of surgery. Those in Group 1 also received oral metoclopramide 10 mg one hour before surgery, and sodium citrate 0.3 M 30 ml on call to the operating room; Group 2 received sodium citrate but no metoclopramide; Group 3 received metoclopramide but no sodium citrate; Group 4 received ranitidine alone. Following induction of anaesthesia a #18 Salem sump tube was passed into the stomach and all available gastric fluid was aspirated. Volumes were recorded and pH measured. In all groups mean pH was greater than 5.8, although at least one patient in each group had pH less than 2.5. Mean volumes were significantly greater in patients who received citrate (Groups 1 and 2: 22 and 19 ml) than in those in those who did not (Groups 3 and 4: 10 and 8 ml). One patient in Group 2 and one in Group 3 had pH less than 2.5 with volume greater than 25 ml. Our results do not demonstrate any advantage of double or triple prophylaxis over ranitidine alone. The practical difficulty of correctly administering two or even three medications, each at different but exact preoperative intervals, is emphasized.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Amphetamine ingestion presenting as eclampsia.

A case of amphetamine abuse in late pregnancy is reported. The presenting features of convulsions, confusion, agitation with hypertension and proteinuria led to a diagnosis of eclampsia for which a caesarean section was performed. Investigations and differential diagnosis of convulsions in late pregnancy are reviewed. A general urinary drug screen gives results after 24 hr whereas, if amphetamine abuse is suspected, this can be confirmed within three hr if a specific test for urinary amphetamines is performed. The sympathomimetic effects of a single dose of amphetamine are contrasted with the depression of the sympathetic nervous system which occurs after long-term use. Implications for anaesthesia are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Field bioassay to evaluate contact and residual toxicities of insecticides to carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae).

A 2-yr field study evaluated the effects of selected insecticides on Bembidion obscurellum Motschulsky and Bembidion quadrimaculatum L., carabid predators of the wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin). A bioassay method using caged beetles indicated that insecticides differed significantly in their contact and residual toxicities when applied at maximum recommended field rates. Deltamethrin, the least toxic insecticide, caused approximately 30% mortality in both beetle species, but its residual toxicity on the soil remained constant for 1 wk. Dimethoate was initially more toxic (73% mortality) than deltamethrin but less toxic after 1 wk (12% mortality). Carbofuran and chlorpyrifos, the most toxic contact sprays, caused 83 to 100% mortality. After 1 wk, the residual toxicity of carbofuran had declined markedly (5% mortality) whereas the toxicity of chlorpyrifos remained high (82% mortality). Pitfall trapping was an inconclusive method of evaluating the toxicity of insecticidal sprays to carabid adults. In plots treated with carbofuran, pitfall catches of Bembidion species were not significantly different from those in control plots during a 6-wk period after spraying. In plots treated with chlorpyrifos, catches of Bembidion species were significantly lower than those in control plots 3-16 d after spraying, but not thereafter. Results suggested that adult immigration and residual toxicity influence pitfall catches and recovery of carabid populations after spraying.

Animals↗