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Biomedical subjects

T Duke

Publications and source records attributed to T Duke.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The cardiopulmonary effects of placing fentanyl or medetomidine in the lumbosacral epidural space of isoflurane-anesthetized cats.

The cardiopulmonary effects of fentanyl (4 micrograms/kg) or medetomidine (10 micrograms/kg) in saline injected epidurally were measured for 2 hours in 15 isoflurane (2.4%)-anesthetized cats. One milliliter of saline without drug was used to control for saline and volume of injection. Baseline was taken as preinjection time 0. Medetomidine significantly increased (P < .05) mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) 5 to 20 minutes postinjection (PI) compared with baseline. MAP significantly decreased 30 to 120 minutes PI compared with baseline. Fentanyl significantly decreased MAP 5 to 120 minutes PI compared with baseline. Heart rate and respiratory rates significantly decreased in the medetomidine and fentanyl groups 5 to 120 minutes PI compared with baseline. Arterial pCO2 significantly increased while arterial pH significantly decreased 15 to 120 minutes PI in the fentanyl and medetomidine groups compared with baseline. Blood bicarbonate concentration significantly increased 90 to 120 minutes PI in the medetomidine group compared with baseline.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Cardiopulmonary effects of using carbon dioxide for laparoscopic surgery in dogs.

Cardiopulmonary effects of laparoscopic surgery were investigated in five crossbred dogs (21 +/- 1.9 kg). Premedicated dogs were anesthetized with thiopental and maintained with halothane at 1.5 times minimum alveolar concentration in oxygen. Controlled ventilation maintained partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 at 40 +/- 2 mm Hg. Vecuronium was used for skeletal muscle relaxation. After instrumentation and stabilization, baseline measurements were made of cardiac output (thermodilution technique), mean systemic, mean pulmonary arterial and pulmonary wedge pressures, heart rate, saphenous vein and central venous pressures, and minute ventilation. Baseline arterial and mixed venous blood samples were drawn for analysis of pH, PaO2, PaCO2, PvO2, PvCO2, and bicarbonate concentrations. Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances, oxygen delivery and consumption, shunt fraction, and dead space ventilation were calculated using standard formulas. Abdominal insufflation using CO2 to a pressure of 15 mm Hg for 180 minutes resulted in significant (P < .05) increases in heart rate (15 to 180 minutes), minute ventilation (75 to 135 minutes), and saphenous vein pressure (15 to 180 minutes), and decreases in pH (60 to 180 minutes) and PaO2 (60 to 180 minutes). For 30 minutes after desufflation, there was a significant decrease in PaO2, and increases in cardiac output, O2 delivery, and heart rate, compared with baseline. There was a significant increase in shunt fraction and decrease in pH at 15 minutes after desufflation only. The changes were within physiologically acceptable limits in these healthy, ventilated dogs.

Abdomen↗

Comparison of plasma fentanyl concentrations by using three transdermal fentanyl patch sizes in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma fentanyl concentrations attained after the application of three transdermal fentanyl patch sizes (50, 75, and 100 micrograms/hour) in dogs. DESIGN: Repeated Latin square controlled study. ANIMALS: Six intact, mixed-breed adult dogs (2 males, 4 females) weighing 19.9 +/- 3.4 kg. METHODS: Each dog was randomly assigned to receive each of three treatments: 50 (P50), 75 (P75), or 100 (P100) micrograms/hour transdermal patches. Patches were left in place for 72 hours. Jugular venous blood was collected at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after patch application and for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours after patch removal. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were measured using a radioimmunoassay technique. After a 96-hour washout period, each dog was moved to another treatment group and received a different patch size. RESULTS: The following results were obtained (mean +/- SD): average plasma fentanyl concentration from 24 to 72 hours, 0.7 +/- 0.2 ng/mL (P50), 1.4 +/- 0.5 ng/mL (P75), 1.2 +/- 0.5 ng/mL (P100); the total area under the concentration versus time curve (0 hours to infinity), 46 +/- 12.2 ng/h/mL (P50), 101.2 +/- 41.4 ng/h/mL (P75), 80.4 +/- 38.3 ng/h/mL (P100); and the apparent elimination half-life, 3.6 +/- 1.2 hours (P50), 3.4 +/- 2.7 hours (P75), and 2.5 +/- 2.0 hours (P100). There was a high degree of variability in plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved. Plasma fentanyl concentrations declined rapidly after patch removal. CONCLUSIONS: The attainment of steady-state plasma concentrations takes up to 24 hours, and there is a great deal of variability in the final concentrations reached in different individuals. In this study, the 100 micrograms/hour patches did not provide statistically increased plasma concentrations when compared with the 50 micrograms/hour patches. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because of the interindividual and intraindividual variation in plasma fentanyl concentrations, patches should be applied 24 hours before the anticipated time that analgesia will be required. Adequacy of analgesia and potentially deleterious side effects, such as sedation and respiratory depression, should be monitored while the patches are in place. Skin reactions may occur, and the patches should be removed if such skin irritation is seen. After the patch is removed, it is expected that analgesia will wane rapidly because of the brief elimination half-life.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Thoracoscopic versus open partial pericardectomy in dogs: comparison of postoperative pain and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative pain and morbidity in dogs undergoing open thoracotomy and partial pericardectomy versus thoracoscopic pericardectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Research study in normal dogs. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Fourteen mixed breed healthy dogs. METHODS: Seven dogs had a partial pericardectomy through a standard left lateral thoracotomy at the fifth intercostal space. The remaining seven dogs underwent selective lung ventilation and thoracoscopic partial pericardectomy. Surgery sites in both groups were bandaged and each dog received a single postoperative dose of morphine (0.2 mg/kg, intramuscularly [i.m.]). Postoperative pain was evaluated using a standard pain score table at 1, 5, 9, 17, 29, and 53 hours after surgery. Dogs receiving a pain score of six or greater received an additional dose of morphine. At each observation point, blood samples were taken to measure blood glucose and plasma cortisol concentrations. Pain scores, blood glucose, and plasma cortisol concentrations were compared between the two groups using two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Blood glucose concentrations, plasma cortisol concentrations, and pain scores were significantly different between the two groups, with the thoracotomy dogs having higher values at 1, 5, and 9 hours postoperatively. Three of the open thoracotomy dogs required additional analgesia after the initial dose of morphine. In addition, two dogs that underwent open thoracotomy were lame in the left forelimb and two others developed dehiscence of their wounds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thoracoscopic partial pericardectomy has several advantages over open partial pericardectomy including decreased postoperative pain, fewer wound complications, and more rapid return to function.

Animals↗

Excitatory movements in a dog following propofol anesthesia.

A two-year-old, neutered male Labrador retriever was anesthetized with intravenous propofol for bronchoscopy to remove a bronchial foreign body. The dog previously had been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. During anesthetic recovery, the dog exhibited excitatory movements characterized by forelimb extensor rigidity, opisthotonos, generalized tremors, paddling, horizontal nystagmus, and facial twitching. Intravenous administration of pentobarbital temporarily stopped the motor activity. The excitatory movements persisted for 20 hours. The dog went on to recover completely, although he remained an epileptic, having one brief, generalized grand mal seizure every three-to-four months.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

Congenital syphilis at Goroka Base Hospital: incidence, clinical features and risk factors for mortality.

A prospective study of all cases of congenitally acquired syphilis diagnosed at Goroka Base Hospital was conducted between January 1998 and December 1999. 67 affected neonates and children were seen, of whom 19 died during the first admission and 3 died during the period of follow-up. Congenital syphilis caused 5.5% of 994 neonatal admissions, but 22% of all neonatal deaths. The major risk factor for death in affected babies was low birthweight. A birthweight of less than 2 kg had an odds ratio for death of 30.0 (95% confidence interval 6.90-131.1). During the time of the study 5385 women attended antenatal care at Goroka Base Hospital, of whom 382 had both positive VDRL and TPHA tests. The incidence of syphilis in women attending antenatal care was 7.1%. Syphilis is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity and a major cause of morbidity among women of childbearing age in the Eastern Highlands Province. Current antenatal screening is inadequate, covering less than 30% of pregnant women. New ways to extend syphilis screening and treatment to all affected pregnant women are urgently required and must be formally assessed.

Birth Weight↗

The effect of introduction of minimal standards of neonatal care on in-hospital mortality.

A retrospective study was done to assess the effect on in-hospital neonatal mortality of a series of interventions in neonatal care in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Between 1995 and 1997, prior to the interventions, the mortality among neonates admitted to the Goroka Hospital Special Care Nursery was 18% and two-thirds of very low birthweight (1-1.5 kg) neonates died. The interventions began in December 1997 and were aimed at reducing mortality among all neonates and particularly among those with very low birthweight. Compared to the 30-month period prior to the interventions, the in-hospital neonatal mortality in the 30-month period after the interventions began was 44% lower (relative risk (RR) 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.69). After adjustment for a higher number of neonates <1500 g in the pre-intervention period, the relative risk was 0.59 (0.48-0.74). The mortality in the intervention phase for very low birthweight babies was 56% lower (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.30-0.65) and for moderate low birthweight (1.5-2 kg) 50% lower (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.90). Mortality was also significantly lower in the intervention phase in neonates with a diagnosis of septicaemia or pneumonia (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.67), but there were no differences in mortality from birth asphyxia, meconium aspiration or extremely low birthweight (<1 kg). We estimate that in the 30 months after beginning the interventions 82 neonatal deaths that would previously have occurred were avoided. The costs of the improvements in technology described are estimated at US$445 (K1000) per life saved, but substantial training and improved supervision of staff and other human factors may have been more important than equipment. Apnoea monitors were the single most important technology introduced. A similar evaluation of the effect of minimal standards should be done without the use of incubators and overhead heaters, as these are costly and may be dangerous when used by less experienced operators. The 33 neonatal deaths that we estimate were avoided each year because of the interventions represent less than 10% of all neonatal deaths in the province. Although this study provides justification for increasing the technology for supportive neonatal care and training in medium-sized hospitals in rural areas in developing countries, estimates of cost-effectiveness must be compared with other interventions that will effectively lower neonatal mortality, both in and out of hospitals.

Clinical Protocols↗

The role of non-government organizations in supporting and integrating interventions to improve child health.

In Papua New Guinea there are many organizations providing sparsely spread and fragmented health services. Government health facilities are often relatively well functioning in urban and periurban areas, but sporadic or nonexistent in rural areas. In some remote areas churches are the major health service providers. Increasingly other community groups are providing village-based health services. Much financial support is now pledged by major international donors for community-based health services, but few people working at a district or community level have the management skills to access the funds or plan programs effectively, and few of the major donors have any significant presence in rural areas. Such a management skill gap also exists at the level of many provincial health offices and this seriously limits the effectiveness of all major donor projects. There is need for integration of health services to avoid replication and to extend services to areas where no effective services are currently provided. There is also a great need to train people at a community and district level in program planning and management. Non-government organizations (NGOs) working at a district or community level have the potential to bridge this skill gap and to help integrate community-based services with government institutions. This paper reports, as an example, the activities of Save the Children, an international NGO in Papua New Guinea. Essential for the success of community-based health projects is the development of local management skills, reliable funding, integration with established health institutions, objective evaluation and community support. Skilled NGOs working at a community, district or provincial level can have important roles in assisting local people to run effective and sustainable health programs.

Child↗

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial sepsis in Papua New Guinea.

Infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially gram-negative bacteria, are a common cause of child mortality in Papua New Guinea. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria include the enteric gram-negative bacilli, especially Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, a major respiratory tract pathogen and cause of meningitis. Among these bacteria there is now high-level resistance to standard antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, amoxycillin and cotrimoxazole. Reasons behind the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are the widespread unregulated use of antibiotics and the very large burden of bacterial infections. Risk factors for development of resistant enteric gram-negative infections include village births, prolonged hospital stay, kwashiorkor in adopted children and previous treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Cost-effective strategies to combat these pathogens will need to be broad and must focus on reducing the use of antibiotics for trivial illnesses, reducing the need to use antibiotics and reducing the risk factors for resistant bacterial sepsis. There must be stricter regulation of commercial pharmacies, education of health workers on how to avoid inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, a focus on the prevention of pneumonia by immunization with new vaccines, improvements in the quality and uptake of formal maternal care services and public health measures within villages. In addition there is a need for better surveillance for antibiotic-resistant bacteria within hospitals; this will require substantial improvements in laboratory facilities and carefully planned research collaboration. A national committee should be established to advise on these matters and coordinate interventions.

Bacterial Infections↗

Control measures and the outcome of the measles epidemic of 1999 in the Eastern Highlands Province.

In the Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) measles outbreaks have occurred regularly every 3 to 4 years since 1980. The latest was between September 1998 and March 2000. Between July 1999 and March 2000 314 children with measles were reviewed at Goroka Base Hospital. The majority of these children were very young: 55% were under 1 year and 27% under 6 months. The median age of the measles cases was 11 months (range 10 days to 13 years). 40% of the children had a verifiable history of having received at least one dose of measles vaccine. The majority were vaccinated during the epidemic and included many children who either were below 6 months of age or who developed measles within 2 weeks of vaccination. Measles complications occurred in 82% of the children, the most common being pneumonia. Serious complications, particularly severe pneumonia, were more common among the unvaccinated children than in those who had received at least a single dose of the measles vaccine. No deaths occurred among 82 children who had received measles vaccine more than 2 weeks before the onset of clinical measles, compared with 10 deaths in 206 children who had never been vaccinated against measles or were vaccinated in the 2 weeks before presentation (p=0.067). The overall case fatality was 4%: 14% among the hospital-acquired and 2.5% in community-acquired measles. Improvement in the measles vaccination coverage and supplementary vaccination campaigns are required to prevent measles outbreaks in PNG. Intensified measles vaccination campaigns, such as the one conducted in EHP in 1999, are recommended during epidemics to minimize deaths due to measles and to rapidly control outbreaks. The efficacy of measles vaccination can only be measured in total mortality, not in the prevention of clinical measles.

Adolescent↗