PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

W H Tooley

Publications and source records attributed to W H Tooley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Outcome of very-low-birth-weight infants exposed to beta-sympathomimetics in utero.

In this study we examined neonatal and early childhood outcomes after intrauterine exposure to beta-sympathomimetic agents on infants with birth weights less than or equal to 1500 gm. The hospital courses and anthropomorphic, developmental, and neurologic development of 201 infants exposed to one or more beta-sympathomimetic agents (isoxsuprine, 33; ritodrine, 70; terbutaline, 43; combination, 55) were analyzed and compared with those of 130 control infants of similar birth weight. One hundred and seventy-seven infants had follow-up to 1 year of age, 101 to age 3, and 58 to age 4. When treatments consisting of a single beta-sympathomimetic or no treatment were compared, there were no statistically significant overall differences found in growth and development or in most of the short-term measures of infant well-being. However, significant overall differences with no evidence of confounding by time-related effects were found for the following; mortality, none greater than terbutaline; maximum positive inspiratory pressure when respiratory distress syndrome was present, none greater than terbutaline; neonatal trauma, terbutaline greater than ritodrine. Other differences were found in conjunction with evidence of time-related confounding, or within specific time intervals. It should be noted that these differences are not necessarily due to effects of the different treatments, as the data are observational.

Female

Initial clinical trial of EXOSURF, a protein-free synthetic surfactant, for the prophylaxis and early treatment of hyaline membrane disease.

EXOSURF is a protein-free surfactant composed of 85% dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, 9% hexadecanol, and 6% tyloxapol by weight. A single dose of 5 mL of EXOSURF per kilogram body weight, which gave 67 mg of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine per kilogram body weight, or 5 mL/kg air was given intratracheally in each of two controlled trials: at birth to neonates 700 through 1350 g (the prophylactic trial, n = 74) or at 4 to 24 hours after birth to neonates greater than 650 g who had hyaline membrane disease severe enough to require mechanical ventilation (the rescue trial, n = 104). In both studies, time-averaged inspired oxygen concentrations and mean airway pressures during the 72 hours after entry decreased significantly (P less than .05) in the treated neonates when compared with control neonates. Thirty-six percent of the treated neonates in the rescue study had an incomplete response to treatment or relapsed within 24 hours, suggesting the need for retreatment in some neonates. In the rescue trial, risk-adjusted survival increased significantly in the treated group. There were no significant differences in intracranial hemorrhages, chronic lung disease, or symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus between control and treated infants in either trial.

Administration, Inhalation

Antenatal prediction of graduated risk of hyaline membrane disease by amniotic fluid foam test for surfactant.

We measured amniotic fluid surfactant by the semiquantitative foam stability test within 24 hours before delivery of 410 infants, 64 of whom developed HMD diagnosed by standard criteria. When surfactant titers were ranked in eight categories, they predicted graded risks of HMD. On this basis we defined five "risk groups" with significantly different incidences of HMD (I = 0.5%; II = 10%; III = 25%; IV = 41%; V = 79%). Infants in Groups I and II were heavier and more mature than those in Groups III to V. However, among infants of equivalent GA or birth weight, the incidence of HMD still correlated significantly with the foam test results. Within each risk group the incidence of HMD was equal among infants delivered by vagina and by cesarean section, slightly greater among males than females, and inversely proportional to GA. In Group V the incidence of HMD was 100% among infants at less than 33 weeks' GA. We used this relationship to devise a system that improved prediction of HMD by combining the foam test results with GA.

Amniocentesis

Tracheal fluid in fetal lambs: spontaneous decrease prior to birth.

We studied tracheal fluid (TF) production in 14 fetal lambs: 6 controls, 6 receiving atropine on 1 or more of the last 7 days before birth, and 2 with bilateral section of the cervical vagosympathetic trunk. A cannula diverted all TF into an intrauterine bag; we collected TF intermittently and measured its volume. All ewes delivered spontaneously at 128-150 days' gestation. TF production decreased before birth in all fetuses except one control. TF production decreased before birth in all fetuses except one control. TF production did not correlate with fetal arterial blood gas tensions, hematocrit, or plasma proteins. In controls only, TF production correlated with fetal arterial pH (P less than 0.02); however, the pH range was small and the correlation has questionable physiological significance. For all fetuses, TF production during the 7 days before birth correlated inversely with the plasma cortisol concentration of 48 h previously (n = 36; r = -0.603; P less than 0.001). We conclude a) TF production in fetal lambs decreases before spontaneous term or preterm labor; b) this decrease is not affected by atropine or by section of the cervical vagosympathetic trunk; and c) the decrease in TF production may be related to increased secretion of cortisol.

Animals

Skin surface carbon dioxide tension in sick infants.

Skin surface PCO2 (PSCO2) was measured at 44 C in 17 sick infants using a Radiometer surface PCO2 electrode. Values obtained for PSCO2 were compared with simultaneous values for arterial PCO2 (PaCO2). PSCO2 was found to be linerarly related to PaCO2 by a regression line with a slope 1.37. PaCO2 could be predicted from PSCO2 to within 6 torr in all instances. The relationship was not affected by the patient's gestational age, postnatal age, weight, or blood pressure. This electrode is a valuable clinical tool in the management of sick infants.

Arteries

Stimulation of breathing movements in fetal sheep by inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis.

We studied the effects of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis on fetal breathing movements on 17 occasions in 11 lambs (gestational age 125-141 days). We gave 12 h infusions of sodium mechlofenamate (8.6-22.2 mg.kg-1) in 13 studies and indomethacin (21.8-38.8 mg.kg-1) in four studies. Results were similar with both agents and did not correlate with drug dosage. There were no changes in fetal arterial blood pressure, pH or blood gas tensions. We assessed fetal breathing movements by measurements of tracheal pressure for a control period of 224 h prior to and 208 h during the infusion of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis; their administration caused a marked stimulation of fetal breathing movements judged from the following four variables: (1) incidence of fetal breathing movements increased from 38.4 to 69.2% of the time (P < 0.001); (2) average amplitude of change in tracheal pressure during fetal breathing movements increased from 4.1 to 6.0 torr (P < 0.01); (3) maximal amplitude of change in tracheal pressure during fetal breathing movements increased from 8.8 to 13.4 torr (P < 0.01); and (4) the duration of the longest continuous episode of fetal breathing movements increased from 37 to 229 min (P < 0.05). Two fetuses had electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings. In control periods, fetal breathing movements occurred only during low voltage, high frequency ECoG activity; however, during infusions of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, fetal breathing movements occurred also during high voltage, low frequency ECoG activity. We conclude that inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis stimulate fetal breathing movement in fetal sheep. These results suggest that a component of the prostaglandin system is a factor which inhibits breathing movements during fetal life.

Animals

Clinical limitations and advantages of transcutaneous oxygen electrodes.

We investigated the clinical use and limitations of the transcutaneous oxygen electrode described by Huch, Lübbers and Huch in 30 sick infants. One hundred and fifty-nine measurements of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO2) were made. During the comparisons, arterial blood pressures, heart rate thoracic impedance were continuously recorded, skin axillary and environmental temperatures, hematocrit and skin thickness were measureed and the degree of peripheral perfusion noted. Despite a wide range of these variables, values of tcPO2 and PaO2 were similar (slope 0.963). Two groups of infants were identified in whom tcPO2 was lower than PaO2. These were infants receiving an intravascular infusion of tolazoline and infants with mean arterial blood pressures more than 2.5 s.d. below the predicted average value. Both of these situations represent extreme alterations in peripheral blood flow and give important information regarding the limitations of the method. Less extreme alterations in flow caused by mild hypotension, hypothermia, anemia, radiant warmers, and bilirubin lights did not adversely affect the transcutaneous PO2--arterial PO2 correlation. Advantages of transcutaneous oxygen monitoring over more conventional monitoring methods were assessed. We conclude that the transcutaneous oxygen electrode is safe, is easy to use, has few limitations and provides data which can help improve the management of most sick infants.

Blood Gas Analysis

Transcutaneous oxygen tension in sick infants.

The clinical usefulness of the transcutaneous O2 electrode was investigated in 30 sick infants; 159 simultaneous measurements of arterial PO2 and transcutaneous PO2 were made. During the comparisons, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and thoracic impedance were continuously recorded, and skin axillary and environmental temperatures and hematocrit were noted. Despite a wide range of arterial blood pressure and hematocrits, arterial PO2 and transcutaneous PO2 were similar (slope, 0.963), except for 2 groups of sick infants. Some infants with severe, persistent pulmonary hypertension who were receiving an intravascular infusion of tolazoline and infants with mean arterial blood pressures more than 2.5 SD less than the predicted average had values for transcutaneous PO2 that were lower than PO2. The surface O2 electrode is safe and relatively easy to use and provides data that can help in the management of most sick infants.

Blood Pressure

Radioimmunoassay of pulmonary surface-active material in the tracheal fluid of the fetal lamb.

We measured pulmonary surfactant antigen by radioimmunoassay and phospholipid by lipid phosphorus assay in fluid collected during 12-hour periods from the trachea of lambs in utero between 102 and 147 days of gestation. Both phospholipid and antigen were detectable at 114 days and were present at low concentrations until 137 days. The concentrations then increased rapidly and reached 5- to 10-fold higher concentrations before parturition. The ratio of lipid phosphorus to antigen increased approximately 5-fold as the lungs passed from canalicular to alveolar architecture and approximated the adult ratio only during the alveolar stage of development.

Animals

Pneumothorax in the respiratory distress syndrome: incidence and effect on vital signs, blood gases, and pH.

We determined the incidence of pneumothorax in 295 infants (mean birthweight, 1,917 gm) with the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) treated according to the same protocol. Fifty-five infants (mean birthweight, 1,594 gm) developed pneumothorax (incidence, 19%); incidence varied with severity of RDS and intensity of respiratory assistance. Pneumothorax occurred in 3.5% (2 of 58) of infants who received no assisted ventilation and in 11% (14 of 124) of infants who received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as the only form of assisted ventilation; the difference between these two groups is not significant. Forty-nine infants initially treated with CPAP later required mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Pneumothorax occurred in 12 of the 49 (24%) and in 21 of 64 (33%) of those infants initially treated with PEEP; the incidence of pneumothorax for both these groups was significantly higher than for those treated with no assisted ventilation or CPAP only. To assess the value of frequent measurement of vital signs, blood gas tensions, and pH in the recognition of pneumothorax, we analyzed these variables by the cumulative sum statistical technique. We noted the following significant changes associated with pneumothorax: arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate decreased in 77% of cases; pulse pressure narrowed in 51% of cases; Po2 decreased in 17 of 20 cases in which ventilatory settings were constant for at least three hours prior to pneumothorax. However, pH and Pco2 showed consistent changes. Frequent measurements of vital signs and Po2 aid in the early diagnosis of pneumothorax.

Blood Pressure

Cardiorespiratory status of erythroblastotic newborn infants: III. Intravascular pressures during the first hours of life.

We measured aortic and central venous pressures beginning soon after birth in 40 prematurely born infants with moderate or severe erythroblastosis fetalis, including 13 with severe and 10 with mild hydrops fetalis. All but four were asphyxiated at birth and this affected intravascular pressures. Before resuscitation, aortic or central venous pressure or both were elevated in more than one third. All but two of the remaining infants had normal initial pressures. Following resuscitation which relieved acidosis, hypoxia, and anemia, but did not reduce blood acidosis, hypoxia, and anemia, but did not reduce blood volume, the high pressures usually fell to normal and occasionally to subnormal levels, normal pressures fell to subnormal in almost one half, and those with initial subnormal pressures remained hypotensive. In all, 40% were hypotensive after resuscitation; treatment with blood volume expanders consistently returned these pressures to normal. Only two of the 13 severely hydropic infants and none of the mildly hydropic had findings indicative of hypervolemia and myocardial failure which persisted after treatment of asphyxia.

Animals

Continuous positive airway pressure and pulmonary and circulatory function after cardiac surgery in infants less than three months of age.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was used to support the ventilation of infants less than 3 months of age who had undergone thoractomy for cardiovascular surgery. The functional residual capacity, which was approximately 30 per cent of predicted at zero CPAP, increased 35 per cent in cyanotic and 33 per cent in acyanotic infants with the application of 5 mm Hg pressure. Increasing airway pressure from zero to 5 mm Hg increased PaO2 4 per cent in cyanotic and 13 per cent in acyanotic infants. There was no change in heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, pH or PaC02 under similar circumstances, but central venous pressure increased 1.5 mm Hg in cyanotic and 0.8 mm Hg in acyanotic infants.

Blood Circulation