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Biomedical subjects

S Hood

Publications and source records attributed to S Hood.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Association between antibodies to heat shock protein 65 and coronary atherosclerosis. Possible mechanism of action of Helicobacter pylori and other bacterial infections in increasing cardiovascular risk.

INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence that the immune response is involved in atherosclerosis. Antibodies to heat shock protein 60/65 have been shown to be a risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis and been proposed as a diagnostic marker of atherosclerosis. In addition, it has been suggested that the immune response to heat shock protein 60/65 may be a link between exposure to microorganisms and increased cardiovascular risk. AIMS: (1) To investigate the association between anti-shock protein 65 titre and coronary atherosclerosis. (2) To assess whether anti-mhsp65 titre is a useful diagnostic marker of atherosclerosis; (3) To examine the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on anti-heat shock protein 65 titre. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the first study we measured anti-heat shock protein 65 titres in 136 consecutive male subjects admitted for routine coronary angiography. Anti-heat shock protein 65 titres correlated with both the severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis and the relationship remains statistically significant for the presence of atherosclerosis (P = 0.012) after adjustment for possible confounding influences. However the association had insufficient sensitivity to be a useful clinical test. In the second study we recruited 100 patients with confirmed active H. pylori infection and double blindly randomized them to eradication therapy or placebo. Successful eradication of H. pylori led to a significant fall in anti-heat shock protein 65 titres (from a mean of 256.4 AU.ml-1 to 137.5 AU. ml-1. P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: These results raise the possibility that exposure to H. pylori and other micro-organisms lead to an increased risk of clinically manifest coronary artery disease by an autoimmune process.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis in HIV-infected patients with oral amphotericin B suspension.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is the most frequent opportunistic infection associated with HIV infection. Therapies such as topical clotrimazole and nystatin, as well as oral azoles, which had previously been effective prior to the advent of HIV, are increasingly only partially effective in OPC in HIV infection. The effectiveness of oral amphotericin B suspension for OPC is described in 17 HIV-infected patients whose response to other therapies had been unsatisfactory. Three patients yielded isolates of Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to fluconazole of >/=16 microg/mL. Eleven patients received amphotericin B suspension monotherapy. Of the 17 patients, the symptoms of six resolved entirely, seven patients partially responded, and four failed therapy. These data suggest that amphotericin B suspension may be a useful additional therapy for OPC in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1998

Effect of ketanserin on central haemodynamics and coronary circulation.

Ketanserin is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2) antagonist with vasodilator properties in the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Ketanserin also can inhibit serotonin-induced coronary artery vasoconstriction during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The in vivo effect of ketanserin on the coronary arteries of patients with stable angina has not previously been reported. The effects of intravenous ketanserin on cardiac haemodynamics and coronary artery diameter were measured in 10 patients with stable angina undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. Ketanserin (10 mg, i.v.) was associated with significant reductions in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.05) and total systemic (SVR) and pulmonary (PVR) vascular resistance (p < 0.05). No significant change in mean coronary artery diameter or coronary artery stenotic index was evident after ketanserin. Vasodepressor responses in the systemic and pulmonary arterial circulation were observed after ketanserin injection. We assume these responses to be a direct effect of ketanserin, although non-drug-induced changes over time cannot be excluded. No significant effect on coronary artery diameter was observed, presumably because circulating serotonin levels are low in patients with stable anginal symptoms.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1998

Outcomes of transposition of the great arteries in the ear of atrial inflow correction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine long term morbidity and mortality following atrial inflow corrective procedures for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and to investigate factors that influence morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from a single centre. SETTING: Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgical unit in a large tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: All 130 patients who had TGA diagnosed between August 1972 and May 1988 and were considered suitable for atrial inflow correction; 109 of these underwent surgery (operative cohort: 84 Mustard operations and 25 Senning operations); 95 survived to hospital discharge (hospital surviving cohort). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Death and cardiac events. RESULTS: There were relatively good long term results from atrial inflow correction for TGA with 5, 10, and 15 year survivals of 77.3%, 75.9%, and 71.3%. However, there was an appreciable incidence of late cardiac death and events, with 5, 10, and 15 year cardiac event-free survivals of 74.5%, 67.1%, and 39.6%. Supraventricular tachycardia was the only significant risk factor for late cardiac death (relative risk 8.72, 95% confidence interval, 2.86 to 26.64). Senning patients had better event-free survival (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial inflow correction for TGA has a reasonably good 15 year survival (71.3%), but there is an appreciable incidence of late cardiac deaths and events (15 year event-free survival 39.6%). The Senning procedure is preferable to the Mustard procedure for cases unsuitable for arterial switching.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The haemodynamic effects of subcutaneous sumatriptan, a 5HT1-receptor agonist.

AIMS: Previous in vivo studies with sumatriptan, a 5HT1-receptor agonist, have demonstrated vasopressor responses in the pulmonary and systemic arterial circulation. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) also increases after sumatriptan injection, raising the possibility of an additional venoconstrictive action or a negative inotropic effect. The mechanism for the rise in PAWP was investigated in the study. METHODS: Ten patients undergoing diagnostic coronary arteriography underwent haemodynamic monitoring. RESULTS: There was a significant rise (P < 0.05) in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure and total systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. There was a similar rise (P < 0.05) in PAWP and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). There was no change in cardiac output nor in peak rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dP/dt). CONCLUSIONS: The sumatriptan induced rise in PAWP and LVEDP appears consequent upon increased afterload although a negative inotropic effect cannot be excluded.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Successful retrieval of a knotted pulmonary artery catheter trapped in the right ventricle using a dormier basket.

We report the case of a 71 year old patient in whom a pulmonary artery catheter (Swan Ganz) formed a knot which was fixed within the right ventricle in the region of the tricuspid valve annulus. The catheter was successfully dislodged to the right atrium, subsequently snared by a dormier basket advanced from the right femoral vein and retrieved by localised cut down of the femoral vein.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Does the National Health Service want hospital-at-home?

There has been increasing interest in the development of hospital-at-home within the National Health Service (NHS) as a way of shifting resources from secondary to primary care. We describe the development of hospital-at-home schemes in London and draw on data from an evaluation of five such schemes to discuss support for hospital-at-home within the NHS. The study has identified a small but important group of patients who do not want hospital-at-home, as well as resistance to it from some health care professionals and managers, particularly in hospitals. These organizational issues must be taken into account in any evaluation of hospital-at-home, along with issues of quality, outcome and cost. Feasibility studies are needed to identify possible organizational barriers to hospital-at-home and the development work that is required. This service innovation should not be considered in isolation from other services, but rather within the context of a wider debate about the pattern of acute care.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of fungal infection in AIDS.

Fungal infections affect virtually all patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Superficial infection (seborrheic dermatitis, tinea capitis, tinea corporis and tinea cruris) is more common than in the general population and can be difficult to eradicate. Mucosal disease (oropharyngeal, oesophageal and vaginal candidosis) is very common and often recurs. In advanced AIDS, patients usually fail to respond to topical therapy and often to systemic therapy and isolates of Candida spp. from these patients are frequently resistant in vitro to fluconazole and other azoles. Systemic fungal infection is less common but life threatening. The commonest such infection is Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) although prophylaxis is usually successful in preventing either the first episode or recurrent episodes. Histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and Penicillium marneffei infections are common in endemic areas. Cryptococcal meningitis and invasive aspergillosis occur worldwide. The prophylaxis and treatment of all these except PCP are discussed and reviewed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Does hospital-at-home make economic sense? Early discharge versus standard care for orthopaedic patients.

Hospital-at-home has been promoted as a potentially effective means of replacing costly inpatient care with cheaper domiciliary care. We studied three hospital-at-home schemes in West London providing intensive home care for early discharge orthopaedic patients, comparing their costs with those of standard inpatient care. Although costs per day of hospital-at-home care were lower than those of inpatient care, the schemes appeared to increase the total duration of orthopaedic episodes, so that the costs of standard care, per episode, were lower than those of hospital-at-home. While hospital-at-home may offer considerable future potential, substitution of home care for inpatient care will not necessarily save resources.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Wide variation in the use of thrombolytic therapy among junior doctors in south and central Scotland.

OBJECTIVES: (a) To assess the practice of junior doctors who administer thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction. (b) To assess whether wider implementation of current guidelines is indicated. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire survey. Each questionnaire was followed by a reminder. SETTING: Teaching and district general hospitals in Central and Southern Scotland. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and twelve junior doctors (excluding JHO's) regularly involved in the early assessment and management of patients with acute myocardial infarction. RESULTS: One hundred and ten questionnaires were returned (response rate 52%). There was wide inter-individual variation in clinical practice regardless of whether subjects worked in teaching or district general hospitals or as cardiologists or non-cardiologists. As many as 12% of respondents administer thrombolytic therapy in the absence of ST elevation or bundle branch block on the presenting ECG. A high percentage of subjects considered diabetic retinopathy, but not a previous history of cerebrovascular disease, a contraindication to thrombolytic therapy. Only 29% and 32% respectively worked in institutions where formal policies existed for streptokinase readministration and rt-PA administration in preference to streptokinase. The administration of thrombolytic therapy in Accident and Emergency departments is not a popular strategy, and the full efficacy of rt-PA is not realised due to inappropriate use or failure to use intravenous heparin. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variation in clinical practice among junior doctors who administer thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Wider implementation and firmer current national guidelines would ensure that patients presenting with suspected acute myocardial infarction receive optimal therapy.

Contraindications↗
PubMed1995

Antimycobacterial hsp65 and rheumatoid factor titres in a population of normal twins: evidence of genetic control of rheumatoid factor.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease and rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-IgG, has been implicated in the pathogenesis, but the exact etiology remains unclear. There are data to suggest and infectious trigger to the autoimmune process, and mycobacteria are considered a candidate. Immunization of various animals with mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (mhsp65) protects against subsequent autoimmune arthritis in a number of experimental models. Elevated anti-mhsp65 titres have been demonstrated in RA patients, together with specific T cells isolated from inflamed synovium. Mycobacterial hsp65 has also been implicated in other autoimmune disease and in atherosclerosis. The anti-mhsp65 and RF (IgG, IgM and IgA isotypes) titres were assayed by ELISA in 123 pairs of normal twins (61 monozygotic and 62 dizygotic, age 14-79 years), to examine the population distribution and inter-relationship of these antibodies. In addition, we studied the effects of age, sex, genetics and environment on antibody titres. IgG-RF and IgM-RF were detectable in all subjects and IgA-RF in 41 subjects. None of the RF isotypes showed any significant dependence on age or sex. There was a statistically significant correlation between twins for the IgG-RF and IgM-RF, and a positive but not significant correlation for the IgA-RF. All three correlations were stronger for monozygotic than dizygotic twins, reaching statistical significance for IgM-RF (P < 0.001), and this indicates that there is a genetic influence on RF titres. Anti-mhsp65 titres were detectable in 90.5% of the study group with a range of 0.15-19.7 AU/ml. There were weak correlations between twins, stronger for dizygotic than monozygotic twins. This suggests that familial influences on anti-mhsp65 titres are very small, with no evidence of any genetic influence at all. There was no significant relationship of anti-mhsp65 titre with age, sex or RF titres.

Adolescent↗