Biomedical subjects

V F Martha

Publications and source records attributed to V F Martha.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

[Shock therapy in children]

OBJECTIVE: Review the theoretical bases of the therapeutic approach for volumetric resuscitation of the infant in shock and the evolutionary process that take to the pharmacological support to the circulationMETHODS: References were obtained from computerized searches on the National Library of Medicine (Medline), recent review articles and personal files. RESULTS: Shock and septic shock is the leading cause of mortality in critically ill patients. The septic shock is an extremely complex disease process leading to progressive multiple organ failure. Its presentation may be subtle or catastrophic. Successful management depends on an understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome, allowing rapid, appropriate resuscitation. Treatment often requires aggressive correction of volume deficit, maintenance of adequate perfusion pressure with inotropic and vasopressor, mechanical ventilation and others therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The management of the shock in children presents a challenge for the pediatrician. Hemodynamic and respiratory instability should be anticipated. Management requires multisystemic and careful intervention.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

[Acid-base balance disorders]

OBJECTIVE: Review the theoretical bases on the maintenance of the acid-basic balance, the pathophysiology of the disturbances and its therapeutics in the child.METHODS: References were obtained from computerized searches on the National Library of Medicine (Medline), recent review articles and personal files.RESULTS: Acid-basic disturbances are frequently found in critical ill children. Their pathophysiology and main causes are a complex and multifactorial process. The management depends on precocious diagnosis and of the understanding of the base cause. The treatment should be adjusted for each disturbance and its base cause. Frequently it requests an aggressive correction and continuous monitoring.CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the physiology of the acid-basic balance as well as the understanding of the pathophysiology of the main disturbances associated to the clinical situations represent a challenge for the pediatrician. The management of acid-basic balance demands appropriate and careful intervention.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1995

[Prenatal echocardiographic study of septum primum redundancy and its relationship to the genesis of atrial extrasystole in the fetus].

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that the redundancy of the septum primum is more pronounced in fetuses with atrial premature beats than in normal fetuses. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive fetuses with atrial premature beats detected by prenatal echocardiography as the sole alteration at a mean gestational age of 34 +/- 3.3 (26 to 38) weeks and a mean maternal age of 27 +/- 6.5 (18 to 39) years made up the study group. The control group was formed by 50 consecutive fetuses without rhythm disturbances and normal prenatal echocardiography, examined at a mean gestational age of 33.9 +/- 3 (26 to 39) weeks and a mean maternal age of 31 +/- 5.8 (18 to 43) years. A redundancy index (RI) was obtained as a ratio between the maximal septum primum excursion and the maximal left atrium diameter during atrial diastole, at the 4-chamber projection. Statistical analysis utilized the unpaired Student-Fisher's "t" test. RESULTS: The RI in the study group varied from 0.50 to 1.00 (mean = 0.758 +/- 0.127) and in the control group in ranged from 0.29 to 0.67 (mean = 0.449 +/- 0.080). These differences were statistically significant for p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Septum primum is more redundant in fetuses with atrial premature beats than in those with normal regular rhythm. Although it is still speculative that this feature may have a cause-effect relationship, the measurement of the RI during routine fetal echocardiography may allow detection of a potential risk factor FOR developing atrial arrhythmias.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Exogenous surfactant treatment for severe acute viral bronchiolitis: case report]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the possible clinical and laboratory effects of exogenous surfactant instillation into the tracheal tube of a child with severe acute bronchiolitis undergoing mechanical ventilation. CASE REPORT: a 2-month-old girl with clinical diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis underwent mechanical ventilation. She required high positive inspiratory peak pressure (35 to 45 cmH(2)O) and high inspiratory fraction of oxygen (FiO(2) = 0.9), but showed no clinical response or improvement in the arterial blood gas analysis. An exogenous surfactant (Exosurf(R), Glaxo - 50 mg/kg) was used to facilitate the use of a less aggressive ventilatory strategy. RESULTS: Four hours after surfactant administration, it was possible to reduce the positive peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) from 35 to 30 cmH(2)O, and FiO(2) from 0.9 to 0.6; and to increase the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 6 to 9 cmH(2)O. During this period the paO(2)/FiO(2) ratio increased from 120 to 266. At the end of 24 hours, FiO(2) could be reduced to 0.4. DISCUSSION: Surfactant inactivation may be a decisive factor in the unfavorable evolution of some severe cases of acute bronchiolitis. The tracheal instillation of exogenous surfactant, in these cases, allows us to adopt less aggressive ventilatory strategies, and promotes rapid clinical responses.

Journal Article↗