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Biomedical subjects

W Mauritz

Publications and source records attributed to W Mauritz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Malignant hyperthermia in Austria. III. Anesthesia in susceptible patients].

Anesthesia in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) is generally considered to be very risky, although - with one notable exception - there are no prospective studies about anesthetic management in a large number of such patients. The prophylactic use of dantrolene has been recommended in MH patients, although there is no strong evidence supporting this - despite the fact that dantrolene may have serious side effects. We therefore decided to report the results of our own anesthetic technique for MH patients, as our technique does not include the prophylactic use of dantrolene. From 1981 to 1988, 19 operations on 16 MH-susceptible patients were performed. Patients 1-4 were pediatric survivors of an MH episode, where MH susceptibility was confirmed by muscle biopsy and in vitro contracture tests in at least one parent; patients 5-7 were survivors of an MH crisis, and they later underwent diagnostic muscle biopsies themselves; all other patients (nos. 8-16) were relatives of MH survivors with positive in vitro contracture tests. Diazepam, pentobarbital, pethidine, and chlorprothixene were used for premedication; no prophylactic dantrolene was given. Anesthesia was induced by thiopentone and was continued by nitrous oxide/oxygen, fentanyl, and droperidol; alcuronium, atracurium, and vecuronium were administered as necessary. Pyridostigmine, atropine, and naloxone were used if appropriate. New or disposable tubings were used for ventilation, and the vaporizers were removed from the anesthesia machines. ECG and body temperature were recorded in all patients; blood pressure was monitored invasively if indicated; end tidal CO2 was monitored whenever possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Malignant hyperthermia in Austria. II. A comparison of the results of diagnostic test procedures].

During the last 4 years different diagnostic procedures for the detection of malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility have been used at the authors' clinical unit; this study was designed to compare the results of these tests. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Since March 1983, 158 patients have been referred for the following reasons: group A: probands (n = 17) who had had symptoms of MH during anesthesia; group B: patients of probands (n = 48) if the latter were not tested because of age (n = 24) or death (n = 2); group C: relatives from MH families (n = 86); group D: patients (n = 5) who developed fever during stress and/or physical activity (n = 3), had myotonia (n = 1), or developed rhabdomyolysis during intensive care (n = 1); group E: controls (n = 2). Two static halothane and two static caffeine tests according to the European protocol were performed in all patients (n = 158). Histological examinations of skeletal muscle (fixed in glutaraldehyde, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Gieson, and toluidine blue) were done in the first 100 patients; all specimens were scored by the same investigator (E.S.). Score 0: normal; 1: increased number of sarcolemma cores; 2: 1+cores forming groups; 3: 1+2+fiber degeneration; 4: specific changes-myopathies. Plasma levels of creatine kinase (CK) were determined in the first 50 patients. Complete neurological examinations, including electromyography (EMG), were done in ten patients who had increased CK levels as well as histological scores of 3 or 4 (Table 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Comparative review of various resuscitation procedures].

During the last 10 years many experiments have confirmed the theory that blood flow during CPR likely occurs as a result of manipulation of intrathoracic pressure. In order to improve vital organ perfusion by increasing intrathoracic pressure many different techniques of CPR have been developed. These include "new CPR" (simultaneous ventilation and compression), asynchronous ventilation, prolonged compression, and continuous or interposed abdominal compression. Other methods like open chest CPR and the use of mechanized CPR or even cardiopulmonary bypass have also recently been proposed. All these techniques are reviewed in detail.

Heart Arrest↗
PubMed1987

[Results of cardiopulmonary and cerebral resuscitation in the area of surgical intensive care].

In intensive care units specially trained staff and sophisticated technical equipment are confronted with extremely critically ill patients. In this patient population multiple organ failure is mostly established thus requiring application of all therapeutic facilities. During a study period of 40 months in 203 (86.4%) out of 235 patients with cardiac arrest a decision not to resuscitate ("DNR order") was made. In 32 patients cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted. Although spontaneous circulation could be maintained for at least 12 hours in 40.6% (13 patients), 6 died within the first day and 3 other patients died during the first week. Only 4 patients resuscitated could be discharged. Our data suggest that, despite further development of technical and therapeutic methods, the underlying disease has to be considered as the limitation of long-term survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

[Plasma exchange in acute abdomen with multiple organ failure--a case report].

Following four weeks of conservative treatment of acute pancreatitis a 43 years old female was admitted to our ICU in severe circulatory shock (MAP less than 50 mmHg despite dopamine and dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min, and norepinephrine 0.4 mcg/kg/min), respiratory failure, incipient renal failure and coma. Laboratory examination revealed thrombopenia (14 G/l) and leucopenia (0.5 G/l), as well as impaired prothrombine time (20%) and partial thromboplastine time (greater than 2 min). As abdominal sepsis was suspected to be the most likely cause of the patients multiple organ failure, a laparotomy was planned. To improve coagulation prior to surgery, plasmapheresis was performed exchanging 4.8 liters of plasma with fresh frozen plasma. In addition 3 units of platelets were transfused. The effects of the plasmapheresis were an improvement of circulatory as well as coagulatory parameters. Laparotomy revealed toxic megacolon, whereas the pancreas seemed to be normal; a coecostomy and a transversostomy were performed. The patient thereafter improved gradually; catecholamine doses were reduced, renal function recovered and five days postoperatively weaning from the ventilator was possible. Platelet substitution (6 more units), fresh frozen plasma administration (76 units à 200 ml) and AT III substitution (total 10,500 U) had to be continued throughout the first week. Five weeks after this operation, which would have been impossible without preoperative plasmapheresis, the patient was discharged in good health.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1986

Metabolic changes of patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

We carried out metabolic investigations of 26 patients with severe forms of acute pancreatitis which were evaluated by an organ score. We formed six groups from this data: survivors and deceased in the first week, the second week, and after a further two weeks of illness. The amino acid patterns in plasma and muscles deviated considerably from normal at all times in both the surviving and the deceased patients. In particular, changes in the concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and glutamine in the muscle tissue have a prognostic value. In the range two to four (normal range: above 20), the factor glutamine/VAL+LEU+ILE characterizes a prefinal condition in non-survivors. This factor increased in patients recovering from the illness from 6 to values over 20. Non-survivors (NS) had higher plasma levels of glucose and glucagon compared to surviving patients. Plasma glucagon concentrations in NS reached levels up to 4,000 pg/mL at admission, which declined gradually to normal range during the course of the illness.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

[Glucose-potassium-insulin in hypodynamic septic shock].

Haemodynamic and metabolic effects of glucose-potassium-insulin (GKI) were studied in 14 patients with peritonitis. Study entry criteria were: hypodynamic septic shock (mean arterial pressure less than 50 mmHg and cardiac index less than 3.5 l/min) despite a highly positive fluid balance (greater than +2,000 ml during the last 12 h) and use of catecholamines (greater than 15 mcg/kg/min Dobutamine). GKI (glucose 70% 1 g/kg + potassium 10 mval + insulin 1.5 U/kg) was infused within 15 min via a central venous catheter. Before and 10 min after GKI haemodynamic and metabolic measurements were performed. GKI led to significant increases in systolic (+53%) and mean (+61%) arterial pressures, cardiac index (+50%), right (+60%) and left (+109%) ventricular stroke work indices, and oxygen consumption index (+18%). Heart rate remained unchanged, pulmonary shunt fraction increased slightly, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances showed an insignificant decline. Serum glucose (p less than 0.01) and pCO2 (p less than 0.1) increased. The haemodynamic improvement lasted from 30 min or less (n = 3; 21%) to several hours. Nine patients (64%) survived more than 2 days, and two patients (14%) were eventually discharged from the hospital. We conclude, that in hypodynamic septic shock refractory to volume loading and catecholamine treatment GKI may be beneficial, although the mechanism of action remains unclear.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Malignant hyperthermia in Austria. I. Epidemiology and clinical aspects].

Investigation of malignant hyperthermia (MH) was started in 1975; by March 1986, 79 suspected cases had been reported. In vitro contracture tests were performed in 66 probands or their parents; in 61 of these (92%), MH was confirmed and 5 (8%) proved negative. In 4 lethal crises, the parents refused biopsy, but because of well-documented clinical histories these were also included as confirmed MH reactions. We were able to analyse 65 cases of documented MH, and 9 patients are still to be investigated. About 18% of all Austrian hospitals (29 of 158) had reported 1-14 MH reactions (mean 2.7/hospital); it must therefore be assumed that a high number of crises are either not detected or not reported, and the total incidence of MH cannot be estimated. In our hospital (the University Hospital of Vienna), the incidence was 1:23,600 (including children and adults), whereas in Bludenz (Vorarlberg), the incidence was as low as 1:1,300 (in children only). This might partly be explained by genetic factors (such as inbreeding); we identified 3 families, all from Vorarlberg (which is a small, secluded mountain area), in which both parents were carriers of the MH trait. Fulminant crises (of which three times as many were rigid as were non-rigid) accounted for 58%, and masseter spasm for 26%, of all MH reactions. There was a significant influence of sex (72% males) and age (71% less than 20 years) on incidence. Neuromuscular symptoms or other signs reported to be associated with MH were found in only 5 patients (8%). During crises, cardiac symptoms (81%) and cyanosis (71%) were frequently observed; rigidity (45%) and body temperature above 39 degrees C (27%) showed remarkably low incidences. The overall mortality was 17% (11 of 65); it was significantly increased if the maximum temperature exceeded 39 degrees C, after acute surgery or anaesthesia lasting greater than 60 min, and in patients aged over 20 y. Most crises required no specific therapy; dantrolene was administered to only 10 patients. In the future, earlier detection via better monitoring, improved documentation, and mandatory reporting of suspected MH reactions should allow a more detailed description of MH and could further decrease the mortality associated with this condition.

Austria↗
PubMed1986

[Hemofiltration as therapy in acute pulmonary failure in cardiogenic shock].

In 29 cardiosurgical patients in cardiogenic shock after extracorporal circulation complicated by acute pulmonary failure, it was impossible to restore normal postoperative arterial oxygen tension, in-spite of optimal pharmacotherapy and ideal conditions with a conventional volume-controlled respirator. These patients were subject to continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration; in all of them the start of haemofiltration immediately led to a significant reduction of respiratory oxygen supply with an increase in arterial oxygen tension. Pulmonary shunt volume decreased. At the same time there was an increase in arteriovenous oxygen difference, arterial oxygen content and oxygen transport capacity. Pulmonary artery pressure as well as pulmonary vascular resistance decreased noticeably, whereas there was an increase in total peripheral vascular resistance. Starting haemofiltration with decreasing left ventricular filling pressure, accompanied by a rise in blood pressure and an increase in total peripheral resistance, led to an improvement of the haemodynamic situation as well as pulmonary oxygen diffusion, thereby ensuring oxygen perfusion of peripheral tissue. The results suggest a causal relation between the improvement of the clinical condition of the patient and the elimination of cardiopulmonary toxic agents like myocardial depressant factor (MDF) and shock mediators due to arteriovenous haemofiltration.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

[Acute renal failure in abdominal infection. Comparison of hemodialysis and continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration].

58 patients with peritonitis and acute renal failure (ARF) were treated either by haemodialysis (HD, n = 22), continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration (CAVH, n = 9), or continuous pump-driven haemofiltration (CPDHF, n = 27). In contrast to HD, which led to severe hypotension in 31.9% of procedures and to cardiac arrest in 3 cases, CPDHF caused neither haemodynamic nor metabolic alterations. Control of uraemia was most effective in the CPDHF group, too. Mean daily BUN and creatinine values fell significantly (p less than 0.005) and remained at 60 mg % and 2.0 mg %, respectively, whereas during HD no significant changes were found. During CAVH serum creatinine showed an insignificant decline, whereas BUN even increased. Despite higher costs CPDHF seems to be a promising alternative to HD or CAVH for treatment of ARF in septic patients, as mortality was lower in the CPDHF group and recovery of renal function occurred in 48.2%, whereas during HD only 27.3% recovered from ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1985

[Regional results of human liver transplantation in Vienna].

21 cases of transplantation of the liver are analysed for indication, anaesthesia, operative management, anhepatic period, immunological therapy and specific post-operative problems (jaundice and rejection episodes). Causes of death are noted and prediction of survival gives a rate of 55%/1st year in the 17 patients operated on since 1982 under a standardised management schedule. The transplantation programme in Vienna provides routine treatment for otherwise untreatable primary (57% cases) and secondary metastatic (14%) tumours of the liver, and, in the second place, for end-stage hepatic cirrhosis (14%) and certain rare liver diseases (14%).

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Problems of blood replacement in liver transplantation].

Liver transplantation often is accompanied with massive bleeding-blood losses up to 125 I have been reported. A survey of 21 transplantations describes the management for substitution of blood components. After an initial series of 18 patients including 4 cases with blood losses exceeding 100 units of blood, an attempt was made to optimize coagulation in 5 cases with NT-values below 40% by preoperative plasmapheresis. Platelet transfusion was performed in all cases with platelet values below 120 000. These measures led to a significant reduction in blood units substituted during the last 9 transplantations.

Adult↗