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Biomedical subjects

W D Carey

Publications and source records attributed to W D Carey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Neurological complications following liver transplantation.

Neurological complications occurred in 4 (19%) of 21 consecutive patients (Group II) undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation, compared with a 47% (9/19) incidence in our initial series (Group I). In Group II, the neurological problems included new recurrent headaches and delayed intracerebral hemorrhage (1 patient), partial third nerve palsy and brachial plexopathy (1 patient), and ataxic dysarthria with encephalopathy (2 patients). Seizures, noted in 8 of 9 neurologically affected Group I patients, were not encountered in Group II. Of the 4 patients in the entire series with the cerebrocerebellar syndrome, 2 had partial recovery after stopping treatment with cyclosporine, 1 stabilized when cyclosporine was discontinued but later worsened when rechallenged, and 1 had full recovery but died following a second transplantation. Brain magnetic resonance images appeared normal in 3 of the 4 patients. Complications affecting vision included cortical blindness in 2 patients and occipital lobe hemorrhage in 1. All completely recovered. Survival was comparable for patients with and those without neurological complications (69% and 63%, respectively). Immediate withdrawal of cyclosporine at the onset of a change in mental status or dysarthria and improvement in intra- and postoperative management may have contributed to the decreased incidence of neurological complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The effect of cimetidine on cyclosporine A levels in liver transplant recipients: a preliminary report.

Both cimetidine and cyclosporine (CsA) are metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 system. Thus, coadministration of cimetidine and CsA may alter CsA metabolism. Because isoenzymes with the cytochrome P-450 system have variable drug-metabolizing effects, it is unclear whether a clinically significant drug-drug interaction will occur. We studied the acute effects of oral cimetidine administration on CsA metabolism in five orthotopic liver transplant patients and the chronic effects of oral cimetidine administration on CsA trough levels and liver and renal function in two. Cimetidine administration was associated with significantly higher CsA levels 60 and 120 min after an oral CsA dose (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). Cimetidine had no effect on CsA levels drawn 240 and 480 min after the CsA dose or on trough levels. Cimetidine was found to have no effect on CsA trough levels when given over a 4-wk study period. Liver tests during the 4-wk period remained unchanged. Although there was a slight rise in serum creatinine, there was no change in blood urea nitrogen or renal clearance of [125I]iothalamate. We conclude that oral cimetidine administration significantly alters early CsA metabolism, but does not appreciably change CsA trough levels. Cimetidine appears safe to use in orthotopic liver transplant patients on CsA over at least a 4-wk period.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Reduction of intrapulmonary shunt and resolution of digital clubbing associated with primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation.

This report describes a patient with marked hypoxemia caused by intrapulmonary shunt associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Liver transplantation resulted in resolution of digital clubbing and reduction of intrapulmonary shunt as demonstrated by normalization of room air arterial blood gases, reduction in shunt fraction and normalization of the indocyanine-enhanced echocardiogram and perfusion lung scan. This patient's course challenges the conventional notion that intrapulmonary shunting associated with chronic liver disease does not reverse after liver transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A multivariate analysis of risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection in liver-transplant recipients.

Thirty-three consecutive liver-transplant recipients were prospectively studied over a 37-mo period for evidence of cytomegalovirus infection. Sixteen (48%) episodes of cytomegalovirus infection were identified; 9 were primary infections and 7 were recurrent infections. Beginning with patient 8, gamma-globulin prophylaxis was routinely administered to most patients. Twelve potential risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection were evaluated and included pretransplant cytomegalovirus serological status of donor and recipient; recipient's age, sex, race, and liver disease; number and type of blood products transfused; type and intensity of immunosuppression; and occurrence of rejection. The Cox proportional hazards model identified positive donor cytomegalovirus serology as the single most important risk factor for subsequent development of cytomegalovirus infection, regardless of recipient cytomegalovirus serological status. In addition, use of gamma-globulin prophylaxis seemed to be protective against the occurrence of disseminated cytomegalovirus disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Sarcoidosis of the eyelid skin.

A 64-year-old white woman presented with nodular lesions on the arms and face, including both medial canthi and the left upper eyelid. Histopathological examination of the biopsied eyelid lesion and other facial lesions disclosed the presence of noncaseating granulomas strongly suggestive of sarcoidosis. No other evidence of ocular sarcoidosis was present. The patient had clinical, radiologic and laboratory findings consistent with a diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. Therapy with chloroquine phosphate led to regression of the cutaneous lesions.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1989

Science and public policy.

Politicians generally do not look to scientists to help them get votes. But issues of science policy become extremely important when politicians and scientists, together, grasp the degree to which science and technology are transforming the business of the president and Congress. The author discusses the uneasy relationship of two institutions--political governance and the progress of science--that, while possibly irreconcilable, have an ongoing alliance of convenience. The author indicates issues confronting the Bush presidency in which scientific and technical factors are crucial, raises questions about the future relationship of science and government, defines the political framework for this relationship, and documents the encouraging and significant science-policy commitments made by president-elect Bush.

Government↗
PubMed1988

Neurologic complications of liver transplantation.

Nineteen adult patients underwent 21 orthotopic liver transplants at the Cleveland Clinic between November 1984, and August 1986. Eight of 19 (42%) patients developed seizures. One patient suffered a single seizure, and seven patients had multiple, generalized seizures. Two of these seven patients became comatose after several days of seizure activity. Over several weeks, both of these patients regained consciousness--however, they exhibited a cerebellar-type syndrome, manifested as severe ataxia, weakness, and dysarthria. Both patients have improved, but remain neurologically impaired. Laboratory evaluation included serum electrolytes, magnesium, osmolality, and cyclosporine levels. Neurologic testing consisted of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, computed tomographic (CT) scanning, and electroencephalography (EEG). Although the CSF protein was mildly elevated in two patients, all cultures remained sterile. None of the CT scans demonstrated any abnormalities. In five patients, the EEG showed generalized slowing consistent with diffuse encephalopathy. Other factors associated with seizures in transplant patients were analyzed, including fluid retention, hypertension, high-dose steroids, hypomagnesemia, graft dysfunction, and demyelinization. Many of our patients had the first three of these factors, since all but one developed their seizures within the first ten postoperative days. Only one patient had mild hypomagnesemia. Trough cyclosporine levels (whole blood, HPLC) were not in the toxic range (greater than 500 ng/mL). The serum osmolality was elevated in all four patients in whom it was measured, ranging from 309 to 341 mOsm/kg. Only three patients exhibited graft dysfunction--two moderate and one severe. The cause of neurologic toxicity following transplantation is unclear. Although many factors have been implicated, no common denominator has emerged. Several reports have linked cyclosporine with seizures and other neurologic problems, such as the cerebellar-type syndrome exhibited in two of our patients. Future studies should include magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head and measuring osmolality and cyclosporine levels in the blood and CSF.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

When is endoscopic polypectomy adequate therapy for colonic polyps containing invasive carcinoma?

We correlated the histopathology with outcome for all patients with endoscopically removed colonic polyps containing invasive adenocarcinoma seen at our institution over a 10-yr period. Invasion was defined as infiltration of malignant cells into the submucosa. Of a total of 1523 adenomatous polyps, 41 polyps (2.7%) in 39 patients contained invasive adenocarcinoma. One patient was excluded from further analysis because of a synchronous colonic carcinoma. Fourteen patients (37%) had favorable histologic features (grade I or grade II carcinoma with free margin of resection and absence of lymphatic invasion), and none developed metastatic carcinoma during the follow-up period (mean 6.5 yr, range 4-10.6 yr). Twenty-four (63%) had unfavorable histologic features (grade III tumor with tumor at or near the margin of resection or lymphatic invasion), and 10 of these (42%) had either residual local or metastatic carcinoma in subsequent operations or during the follow-up period. This difference in outcome was statistically significant (p less than 0.05) when compared with the outcome of the group with favorable histology. We conclude that endoscopic polypectomy is adequate therapy for colonic polyps containing invasive carcinoma, provided that the favorable histologic features are present.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of suction capsule and endoscopic biopsy of small bowel mucosa.

Small bowel mucosal biopsy specimens were studied in 52 consecutive patients. Twenty-six patients underwent biopsy by a suction capsule and 16 patients by endoscopy using an 8-mm forceps. Additionally, 10 patients were asked to undergo biopsy by both techniques in the same morning. Material was obtained in 81% of attempts by suction and 100% by endoscopy. Tissue obtained was excellent in 58%, good in 28%, and poor in 14% of suction biopsy specimens. Corresponding grades for endoscopy were 65%, 31%, and 4%. The frequency of abnormal findings was not different by either technique. In the 10 patients who had both procedures, mean time to completion was 43 min by suction and 12 min by endoscopy. Intravenous premedication was used in endoscopy, and patient comfort was judged as excellent in 60% with endoscopy, whereas 60% judged suction biopsy as very uncomfortable. The mean fluoroscopy time of 3.9 min necessary for suction biopsy was eliminated with endoscopy. Biopsy with an 8-mm forceps through the endoscope is the preferred way to obtain tissue from the proximal small bowel.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1986

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: clinical and laboratory features with reference to hospital-acquired cases.

A review of a large secondary and tertiary care hospital's experience with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) over 7 yr revealed that in most cases this complication emerges after the patient is admitted to the hospital. Compared with a hospitalized control group, SBP patients were more likely to have gastrointestinal bleeding and renal failure and to require invasive procedures or therapies. Thus, hospitalized cirrhotics with ascites who develop SBP are more debilitated before development of SBP. The clinical signs and symptoms of this disorder are diverse; simple tests of ascitic fluid properties (white blood cell count, polymorphonuclear cell count, and lactate dehydrogenase) correlate closely with positive cultures, affording the clinician a chance to make an early presumptive diagnosis. Recognition of nosocomial SBP has important implications for the management of hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Further study is needed to determine if invasive procedures actually cause some cases of SBP or if the apparent association is simply due to identification of a sicker, more debilitated group of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Drug and treatment efficacy of chenodeoxycholic acid in 97 patients with cholelithiasis and increased surgical risk.

Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who represent higher than normal surgical risks may be the most suitable candidates for medical dissolution of gallstones. Chenodeoxycholic acid was given to 97 patients in a dosage of 15 mg/kg of body weight per day for a period of two years. Complete gallstone dissolution occurred in 27 of 97 patients (28%). If dropouts are excluded then the success rate is 27 of 64 patients (42%). Diarrhea was a common but manageable side effect for most. Thirty-two percent of patients developed chemical liver test abnormality; however, in only 13% was the degree of abnormality sufficient to require temporary (3%) or permanent (10%) cessation of therapy. Although better chemotherapeutic agents are needed, chenodeoxycholic acid is a reasonable choice for patients with non-calcified cholelithiasis in a functioning gallbladder if the patient is a heightened surgical risk. Because of the prolonged treatment period and the possibility of hepatotoxicity this treatment program requires a substantial commitment on the part of both the patient and the physician.

Chenodeoxycholic Acid↗