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Biomedical subjects

R McLoughlin

Publications and source records attributed to R McLoughlin.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach): long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare but well-recognised cause of occult gastrointestinal bleeding. Various endoscopic treatments have been tried in this condition. We report our experience with argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with endoscopically proved gastric antral vascular ectasia were included. All patients received argon plasma coagulation with power of 40 W at a median interval of 4 weeks. The pre-treatment haemoglobin and transfusion requirements were compared with the post-treatment values. RESULTS: There was a sustained increase in mean haemoglobin levels post-treatment. The mean haemoglobin levels pre- and post-treatment were 8.13 +/- 0.70 and 12.2 +/- 0.32 g/dl, respectively (P = 0.008). All patients were anaemic and 58.3% of the patients were transfusion dependent. The mean number of units of blood transfusion in the period 6 months prior to treatment was 11.3 +/- 5.68. Following argon plasma coagulation, the number of transfusions decreased significantly to 1.1 +/- 0.57 units (P = 0.018). No significant procedure-related complications were identified. CONCLUSION: Argon plasma coagulation is a safe and effective alternative to the currently available endoscopic modalities of treatment for gastric antral vascular ectasia.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Lansoprazole triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori--is 5 days enough?

BACKGROUND: Seven-day proton pump inhibitor triple therapy is currently the treatment of choice for Helicobacter pylori infection. It is unclear whether triple therapy for less than 7 days might preserve efficacy while at the same time improving patient acceptability and compliance. AIM: To evaluate the Helicobactericidal efficacy, ulcer healing capacity and patient acceptability of a 5-day lansoprazole-based triple therapy regimen. METHODS: Sixty-nine consecutive patients with H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer received lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily in combination with metronidazole 400 mg twice daily and clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily for 5 days. Ulcer healing medication was not continued after the 5-day regimen. H. pylori status was assessed before and at least 4 weeks after therapy by rapid urease test and histology. Adverse events and compliance were assessed by direct questioning. RESULTS: All 69 patients attended for repeat endoscopy and 63 were H. pylori-negative after therapy giving a cure rate of 91%, (95%, Cl: 85-98%). Of the 59 patients with active ulcers, 58 were healed at repeat endoscopy giving an ulcer healing rate of 98% (95% Cl: 92-100%). All patients fully complied with therapy and mild adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal, were reported by 11 patients (16%). CONCLUSIONS: Five-day lansoprazole triple therapy is an effective regimen for H. pylori infection which combines a high cure rate and ulcer healing efficacy with the advantages of excellent patient acceptability and compliance.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed1994

Acute pneumothorax: a comparison of elderly with younger patients.

This report compares the presentations and outcome of pneumothorax in 11 patients aged over 65 with 15 patients aged 20-35 years. Information was retrospectively collected from the charts regarding modes of presentation and the course of the illness. A questionnaire was sent to the general practitioners of the older group asking about the long-term outcome relating to functional status. Older patients were more likely than younger to present primarily with dyspnoea. The classical symptom of acute onset of pleuritic chest pain was present in ten of the 15 younger patients but in only two of the older patients. There were also statistically significant associations of the elderly patients with the following: radiological evidence of pre-existing lung disease; absence of pleuritic chest pain on admission; atypical or absent pain; a major delay from symptom onset to presentation; the diagnosis being clinically missed prior to chest radiography; and prolonged hospitalization. Nine of the 11 elderly patients were eventually independent at home.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

The effect of distal anastomotic site on PTFE graft patency in lower extremity bypass.

The site of distal anastomosis of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) lower extremity bypass grafts may significantly affect results. We examined patency in 144 cases; 45 femoro-popliteal above knee (AK), 55 femoro-popliteal below the knee (BK) and 44 femoro-distal (D) PTFE bypasses, the groups being comparable with regard to other risk factors studied. Cumulative graft patency at 3 years was 71.3% for AK, 36.7% for BK, 16.4% for D and overall 35%. The site of distal anastomosis is an important determinant, of PTFE lower extremity bypass patency. We have abandoned the use of PTFE for BK and D, but feel that AK PTFE is a suitable alternative to autogenous reversed saphenous vein.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Slipped upper femoral epiphysis: internal fixation using single central pins.

Eighteen patients with slipped upper femoral epiphyses were treated by internal fixation using single pins in the centre of the femoral head. In 15 patients, prophylactic pinning of the unaffected side was performed; therefore, 33 hips were pinned. Results were encouraging in that no slip progressed following fixation, no pins broke, and no late reslips occurred. The optimum position for a pin is in the centre of the femoral head, with subsequent pins in suboptimal sites. The method of single pinning is simple and, theoretically, minimizes the risk of joint penetration.

Adolescent↗