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Biomedical subjects

W T Todd

Publications and source records attributed to W T Todd.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Left ventricular performance in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Normal plasma thyroid hormones with elevation of thyrotrophin levels in asymptomatic patients is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. Radionuclide angiography was used to study left ventricular function in 10 such patients before and after establishment of normal thyrotrophin levels with thyroxine. Resting left ventricular ejection fraction was similar in both states but exercise left ventricular ejection fraction was less in the subclinical hypothyroid (61 +/- 3 per cent) compared with the euthyroid (68 +/- 3 per cent; p less than 0.025) state. Sodium nitroprusside caused similar increases in resting cardiac output but in subclinical hypothyroidism this resulted from a large increase in heart rate (26 +/- 4 beats/min) and reduction in stroke volume (11 +/- 4 per cent) whereas in the euthyroid state, the heart rate increment was less (14 +/- beats/min) and stroke volume was unchanged. Analysis of left ventricular pressure-volume relationships at end-systole during exercise showed a steeper pressure-volume slope in the euthyroid compared with the subclinical hypothyroid state (p less than 0.05). Subtle impairment of left ventricular function is detectable in subclinical hypothyroidism and may justify use of hormone replacement.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A survey of antibiotic use in Harare primary care clinics.

A survey of antibiotic prescribing by nurses in primary care clinics was carried out in Harare, Zimbabwe. Of 1000 patients surveyed 543 were treated with antibiotics. Respiratory and soft tissue infections were the commonest reasons for prescribing an antibiotic. Procaine penicillin was the commonest antibiotic used. Because of the design of the survey audit of antibiotic use was difficult but antibiotic use was deemed inappropriate in 12.3% of patients. Viral upper respiratory tract infections accounted for the largest single source of error. The large (23.1%) assessor disagreement illustrates the difficulties encountered when applying accepted guidelines for antibiotic use to developing countries. The disagreements were consistent and highlight areas for local research and debate. The overall standard of antibiotic prescribing by ancillary medical staff is good. Clearly outlined policies, continuing education and permanent staff contribute to this.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1983

ECHO virus type 30 meningitis in Edinburgh.

Fifty-five patients with ECHO virus type 30 meningitis were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit, Edinburgh City Hospital between August and December 1980. There was a preponderance of males and patients aged 10-15 years. The peak admission rate was about two weeks earlier than that recorded for Scotland as a whole. Helpful diagnostic findings were headache, fever, photophobia, vomiting and nuchal rigidity but not Kernig's sign. Only one patient had a rash. The majority of patients were admitted within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The CSF pleiocytosis was high and tended to be polymorphonuclear in type. CSF glucose concentrations were all normal. There were no serious sequelae. The considerable morbidity reported after leaving hospital emphasises the importance of adequate convalescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Salmonella virchow: a cause of significant bloodstream invasion.

Salmonella virchow, a food poisoning strain previously only sporadically responsible for disease, has recently been isolated with increasing frequency in Scotland. The experience of infections due to this organism in 1980 in an infectious diseases unit is reported. Nine of 15 patients consecutively admitted with infection due to this organism were found to be septicaemic on blood culture thus highlighting the invasive propensity of this serotype.

Adolescent↗