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Biomedical subjects

T O Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to T O Wagner.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Preoperative corticosteroids. A contraindication to lung transplantation?

Regular preoperative application of corticosteroids has been considered as a contraindication to lung transplantation for fear of an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Recently, however, we have accepted patients for transplantation in whom treatment with steroid medication could not be terminated preoperatively. Up to February 1991, 27 unilateral and bilateral transplantations in 26 patients were analyzed. Corticosteroid therapy was discontinued at least three months prior to transplantation in 13 patients (group 1), whereas in 14 cases, the patients continued their daily corticosteroid therapy to the time of transplantation (prednisolone, 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg/day; group 2). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to sex, age, diagnosis, or type of transplantation. One limited bronchial dehiscence occurred; the incidence of postoperative bronchial stenosis was identical in both cohorts; one patient died in each group. In conclusion, no increased morbidity or mortality could be found following lung transplantation with regular preoperative administration of prednisolone up to 0.3 mg/kg/day. Thus, patients who cannot be weaned from their steroid medication but who otherwise are acceptable candidates should not be excluded from lung transplantation.

Adolescent↗

[Lung transplantation].

In the past 10 years, three different types of lung transplantation were introduced into clinical practice, the combined transplantation of the heart and both lungs (HLTx), unilateral single lung transplantation (SLTx), and bilateral sequential lung transplantation (DLTx). At present, the indications for the various procedures have not been ultimately defined. Through 1991, a total of about 1,100 HLTx, 460 SLTx, and 160 DLTx was performed worldwide. One- und 3-year survival rates amount to 75-60% resp. in HLTx, to 80-70% resp. in SLTx, and to 70-60% resp. in DLTx. In our own experience with 24 HLTx, 32 SLTx, and 18 DLTx patients, global survival rates at one and 3 years are 85 and 80%, resp. The vast majority of surviving patients is able to lead a near normal life both physically and socially.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Fulminant pulmonary embolism: symptoms, diagnostics, operative technique, and results.

Fulminant pulmonary embolism associated with cardiac arrest has an extremely high mortality. The feasibility of pulmonary embolectomy initiated during resuscitation is still under discussion. Between January 1975 and January 1991, pulmonary embolectomy was performed in 27 patients, 21 to 79 years old. The diagnosis was established primarily by clinical findings in 18 patients, by angiography and ventilation-perfusion mismatch in 4 patients, and by transesophageal echocardiography in 1 patient seen recently. Eleven patients did not require resuscitation (group 1); 5 patients had to be resuscitated and underwent operation after circulation was reestablished without need of further cardiac massage (group 2); and 11 patients were connected to extracorporeal circulation devices during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (30 to 210 minutes) (group 3). Embolectomy was performed using extracorporeal circulation with the heart beating (n = 2) or fibrillating (n = 15) or using cardioplegia (n = 10). Fifteen patients received a caval clip or ligature at the end of the procedure. Twelve patients died early postoperatively; the mortality rates were 36%, 60%, and 45% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Eight patients died of right heart failure, and 2 patients each died of brain death and sepsis. Of the surviving patients, only 1 showed ischemic brain damage. Mean stay in the intensive care unit was 5.1, 7.0, and 9.75 days for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no recurrent embolisms during the 15-year follow-up (mean follow-up, 4.6 years). This experience demonstrates that even with subtotal obstruction of the pulmonary arteries, effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation with maintenance of uncompromised brain function is possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation.

The occurrence of severe graft failure after lung transplantation which appears refractory to conventional treatment represents a difficult situation with regard to the therapeutic strategies available. Of 17 patients undergoing single lung transplantation at our center, 2 developed early graft failure. In both, temporary artificial cardiopulmonary support by means of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation became necessary as a bridge to retransplantation. Both patients were successfully retransplanted after 8 h and 232 h, respectively, of extra-corporeal support. Postoperatively, there was a variety of complications. The first patient completely recovered from temporary severe cerebral dysfunction diagnosed as "locked-in syndrome". She was discharged from hospital on the 93rd postoperative day and remains alive and well 10 months after her operation. The other patient recovered well early after retransplantation. Later, however, airway problems developed, requiring the implantation of endotracheal stents. Cachexia and several episodes of viral pneumonia contributed to the progressive deterioration of her clinical status. She finally died after being hospitalized for 5 months after the original operation. These two cases illustrate the feasibility of using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to pulmonary transplantation.

Adult↗

[Unilateral lung transplantation in terminal pulmonary emphysema].

Early attempts of single lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mostly failed due to a ventilation-perfusion mismatch between the allograft and the contralateral native lung. We performed unilateral lung transplantation in a 39-year-old female with severe pulmonary emphysema and could demonstrate in a one year follow-up that the transplanted lung will be given preference for both--ventilation and perfusion in approximately the same ratio (80%/90%). With improvement of pulmonary preservation, individual adjustment of immunosuppression and detailed monitoring of the transplanted lung unilateral lung transplantation becomes a therapeutical option in patients with severe emphysema.

Adult↗

Physiological regulation of circadian and pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in normal man and woman.

The circadian and pulsatile TSH secretion profiles were investigated in 5 females at the time of menstruation and 21 healthy males by sampling blood every 10 min for 24 h. Computer-assisted analysis, i.e. the Cluster and Desade programs, revealed means of 9.9 +/- 1.7 (Cluster) and 11.4 +/- 3.9 (Desade) pulses/24 h. More than 50% of the TSH pulses were detected between 2000-0400 h. Male and female subjects showed no significant difference in the basal mean and pulsatile secretion of TSH or in the TSH response to TRH (200 micrograms). Repetition of the TSH secretion analysis in 4 healthy subjects after 1, 2, and 6 months (2 subjects) revealed a significantly better cross-correlation within than between individuals (P less than 0.0001). We modulate the circadian TSH secretion pattern by acute sleep withdrawal or prolonged sleep after a night of sleep withdrawal in six healthy male volunteers. Sleep withdrawal augmented the nightly TSH secretion (mean serum TSH, 2.1 +/- 1.3 mU/L; mean TSH in sleep, 1.3 +/- 0.5 mU/L; P less than 0.05), whereas sleep after sleep withdrawal almost completely suppressed the circadian variation (mean TSH, 1.1 +/- 0.7 mU/L; P less than 0.01). This modulation is due to a significant decrease in pulse amplitude, but not to an alteration in the frequency or temporal distribution of TSH pulses.

Adult↗

[Paraneoplastic syndromes--the endocrine system and the lungs].

By the term "paraneoplastic syndrome" is meant a constellation of symptoms and findings that can be traced back to a tumor, but which are not caused by local or metastatic mechanisms. Such paraneoplastic syndromes can suggest the diagnosis of a tumor, or serve to chart the course of known tumor disease. When the pathophysiology is known, the mediators (hormones) may replace the clinical syndrome as useful parameters. With respect to the pathobiology of tumors, an analysis of paraneoplastic syndromes would seem to be highly promising, and might possibly form the basis for the development of new therapeutic concepts.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Unilateral lung transplantation--a new perspective in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis].

In patients with pulmonary fibrosis and progressive respiratory failure despite conservative treatment, unilateral lung transplantation offers a new therapeutic alternative. At the Medical School in Hannover, five patients--the first to be thus treated in Central Europe--with terminal pulmonary fibrosis of the lung have so far been successfully treated with unilateral lung transplantation. All five patients are still alive, and all experienced a marked improvement in their pulmonary function parameters, such that they have been enabled to lead a normal life again.

Adult↗

First-time treatment with steroids in bronchial asthma: comparison of the effects of inhaled beclomethasone and of oral prednisone on airway function, bronchial reactivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

In a double-blind cross-over study of 12 asthmatic patients the effects of 1,000 micrograms.day-1 beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) on airway function, bronchial reactivity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been compared to those of 15 mg.day-1 oral prednisone (PRD). None of the patients had ever received corticosteroids before. Fourteen days treatment with either of both steroids improved airway function, both subjectively and objectively. Both steroids slightly reduced the responsiveness to histamine. PRD suppressed the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulated cortisol release more than BDP did, whereas there was no significant change in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) release. The results indicate that short-term treatment with 1,000 micrograms.day-1 BDP reduces bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in asthmatic patients, whilst having subtle effects on HPA axis.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Embolectomy in fulminant lung embolism and persistent electromechanical uncoupling--a case report and review of the literature].

A 56-year-old patient with deep vein thrombosis shown by phlebography developed a massive pulmonary embolism during perfusion ventilation lung scanning with complete occlusion of the main pulmonary artery branch. 40 minutes after beginning of symptoms the patient suffered from persistent heart failure. Under external heart massage and controlled ventilation a cardio-pulmonary bypass was established after sterniotomy. After manual manipulations to express peripheral emboli pulmonary embolectomy and cava clipping was performed. The patient recovered without neurological damage.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

[The significance of endocrine, neurocrine and paracrine mediators in the regulation of bronchial reactivity].

Sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on the airway resistance under physiological and pathophysiological conditions have long been known. In recent years, this classical view had to be extended due to mounting evidence of neurocrine and paracrine peptide mediators. The term non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) nervous system was coined. Besides other effects the non-adrenergic mediators (e.g. VIP and PHI/PHM) give rise to bronchodilation, while the non-cholinergic modulators (SP, neurokinin A, and CGRP) induce bronchospasm. The axon-reflex theory postulates liberation of non-cholinergic peptide substances by afferent C-fibers exposed by bronchial epithelial cell damage as one important cause of bronchial obstruction. In addition to biogenic amines, such peptides as bombesin, leu-encephalin, beta-endorphin, calcitonin, doctrine cells of the bronchial epithelium. Our knowledge of the biological relevance of these mediators is at present very sketchy. Platelet activating factor (PAF) is released by alveolar macrophages, granulocytes, blood vessel endothelium, and platelets. The inhalation of PAF induces bronchospasm in healthy subjects and asthmatics and also prolonged bronchial hyperreactivity. The many factors influencing bronchial reactivity need to be classified by further investigations of the mode of interaction and interdependence of known and new mediators.

Airway Resistance↗

Exercise versus immersion: antagonistic effects on water and electrolyte metabolism during swimming.

Changes in blood composition, renal function, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) concentrations were investigated in 10 untrained male subjects when swimming (60 min at a heart rate of about 155 beats.min-1, water temperature 28 degrees C) and during the subsequent 3 h in a sitting position. Many specific effects of either exercise or immersion were abolished or attenuated; no significant changes in plasma aldosterone, [ADH], [K+], [Cl-], or of urinary volume, glomerular filtration rate, free water or osmolar clearance were observed. The urine was diluted resulting in lowered [Na+]. In blood some quantities which are only slightly influenced by immersion increased during swimming ([Na+], [Lac-], [H+], osmolality, [creatinine]). Exercise induced plasma volume loss, calculated from increasing [Hb], was small (110 ml), probably because interstitial fluid enters the vascular space during the initial phase of immersion. One might anticipate that the training effects on fluid and electrolyte metabolism and circulation are different when swimming and when performing endurance sports on land.

Adult↗

Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment in idiopathic delayed puberty.

Idiopathic delayed male puberty is defined as a delay of puberty beyond the age of 16, with prepubertal testosterone levels, normal gonadotropin responses to GnRH (excluding pituitary failure), and normal androgen responses to a single hCG injection (excluding testicular Leydig cell dysfunction), in absence of serious disease. Ten boys with this condition were evaluated as to their spontaneous LH, FSH, and PRL secretory patterns during a 24-h sampling period (20-min intervals). After this all patients were treated with pulsatile infusions of GnRH (25 ng/kg . pulse every 90 min for 10 days. Two groups could be distinguished by means of their pretreatment LH secretory pattern. Five patients had nighttime pulsatile elevation of LH levels, as usually occurs in early puberty. The other five patients did not have such a pattern (prepubertal type). The GnRH treatment resulted in increased LH and testosterone levels in both groups. All patients with pretreatment nighttime pulsatile LH secretion had steady pubertal development during the post-GnRH treatment observation period, whereas the other patients did not. In conclusion, among a number of tests, including chronic pulsatile GnRH treatment for 10 days, only the nocturnal LH secretory pattern differentiated delayed puberty from permanent hypothalamic hypogonadism in boys.

Adolescent↗