Interactions between systemic hemodynamics and cerebral blood flow during attentional processing.

The study explored interactions between systemic hemodynamics and cerebral blood flow during attentional processing. Using transcranial Doppler sonography, blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) of both hemispheres were recorded while 50 subjects performed a cued reaction time task. Finger arterial pressure and heart rate were also continuously monitored.

Modulations of autonomic cardiovascular control following acute alpha-adrenergic treatment in chronic hypotension.

Chronic low blood pressure is typically accompanied with symptoms such as fatigue, reduced drive, dizziness, headaches and cold limbs. Alterations in autonomic cardiovascular regulation are assumed to be involved in the etiology of this condition, that is, increased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) as well as reduced sympathetic and augmented parasympathetic influences on cardiovascular regulation. In this study, the acute effects of the blood pressure-enhancing alpha-adrenergic agonist, midodrine, on autonomic cardiovascular control were investigated in 50 hypotensive persons (mean blood pressure 96/61 mm Hg) based on a placebo-controlled double blind design.

Hemodynamic determinants of chronic hypotension and their modification through vasopressor application.

Chronic low blood pressure is typically accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, reduced drive, dizziness, headaches and cold limbs. Reduced cognitive performance, diminished cerebral blood flow and autonomic dysregulation have been furthermore documented in this condition. The present contribution reports two studies exploring systemic hemodynamics in chronic hypotension and their modification through vasopressor application.

[Investigation on the identification and care of geriatric patients in regular hospitals for acute cases with respect to DRGs].

The aim of this pilot project, carried out over a period of 4 weeks, was to identify geriatric patients, hospitalised because of acute illness in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, by means of a data entry form. A preliminary survey was expected to show the extent of medical care of acutely hospitalised geriatric patients in this state with special reference to the DRG system introduced recently. In addition, a questionnaire was used to check on acceptance and practicability of the evaluation process for adequate geriatric medical care.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones: a comparison of outcome between acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is now a common method of treating symptomatic gallstones, and it is increasingly being requested by the informed general public. Our aim was to evaluate the role of LC for cholelithiasis and to establish its outcome and the effect of gender on the results.

Patients And Methods: Between September 1994 and June 1999, all patients who underwent LC for cholelithiasis were retrospectively reviewed.

[Speech therapy assessment: field study on psychometric properties, practicability, acceptance and process quality].

Objective: to investigate the internal consistency, responsiveness, discriminative validity, practicability, acceptance and process quality of a recently developed Speech Therapy Assessment (STA) under routine work conditions of speech and language therapists in German speaking countries. Since standardised, generic and ICF-oriented assessment tools for documentation and evaluation of speech therapy interventions for adult clients are missing in German speaking countries and existing tests cover only sub-areas, the STA has been developed in the years 1995 to 2002. By means of different domains, speech and language therapists assess client (1) communication, (2) aphasia, (3) speech apraxia, (4) dysarthria and (5) dysphagia as well as (6) her or his dealing with corresponding disabilities.

[Controlled trials on the efficacy of occupational therapy with elderly. Part II: Evidence for prioritized diseases and disabilities].

Objective: To identify the evidence for the efficacy of occupational therapy on prioritized diseases and disabilities of the elderly.

Method: Reviews, meta-analyses and clinical trials with control group design regarding "occupational therapy" were identified by an electronic search of pubmed and reviewed based on the CONSORT-Statement. The study results were summarised in regard to diseases and commented considering further literature.

[Controlled trials on the efficacy of occupational therapy with elderly. Part I: Research question, search strategy and methodological quality of trials].

Objective: To investigate how far controlled trials give evidence for the assumption that occupational therapy treatment improves or stabilises the competence, autonomy or satisfaction of elderly while performing every day activities.

Method: Clinical trials with randomised, quasi-experimental or crossover control group design and "occupational therapy" as the main subject were identified by an electronic search of the medline database. The criteria for the analysis were derived from the CONSORT-Statement and adapted for occupational therapy.

Effect of timing of surgery, type of inflammation, and sex on outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Background And Purpose: Studies have shown the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC). Our aim was to establish the outcome of LC in patients with AC on the basis of duration of the attack before surgery took place, the type of gallbladder inflammation, and patient sex.

Patients And Methods: All 204 patients at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital who underwent LC for AC by the authors between September 1994 and June 1999, were retrospectively reviewed.

[Effects of physical training and age-induced structural and functional changes in cardiovascular system and skeletal muscles].

Age-related morphological changes in the cardiovascular system refer to a thickening of the arterial wall as well as a diffuse increase in the wall thickness of the myocardium. In terms of function, this leads to a decrease of the myocardial contractility in systole and to a delay of the diastolic myocardial relaxation. At the arterial wall, an impairment of wall elasticity as well as a decrease of the vasoreagibility can be observed.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis. Demographic, clinical and pathological findings.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis including the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic criteria and effective treatment of the disease.

Methods: This study was carried out at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Jordan, during the year 2001. Records of 15 patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis were retrospectively reviewed.

[Psychometric analyses of occupational therapy assessment].

Purpose: In German-speaking countries standardised assessments measuring the specific aspects of occupational therapy in adults are missing. The Occupational Therapy Assessment (OTA) was introduced by the authors during 2000 in the context of a field study regarding acceptance, practicability and the influence of the instrument on process quality. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the OTA.

[Ergotherapy assessment: field study of acceptance, practicability and process quality].

There is need for comprehensive assessment of patients suitable for occupational therapy. The "Ergotherapeutische Assessment" (EA) occupational therapy assessment instrument has been developed recently by a group of experts in the field. Its main purpose is to significantly support occupational therapists in diagnostics, planning, communication and evaluation of therapeutic outcome.

Biliary leakage following T-tube removal.

This study evaluates the incidence of biliary leakage following T-tube removal from the common bile duct (CBD) in 97 patients who underwent open CBD exploration. In 93 patients, this was following exploration for CBD stones, in two patient it was for obstructive jaundice due to hydatid disease and in a further two patients it was following CBD injury. T-tube cholangiography (TTC) was carried out 7-10 days postoperatively and, if the examination was normal, the T-tube was removed 12-14 days postoperatively (2 months for the CBD injury patients).

[Geriatric assessment].

The emerging procedures for geriatric assessments in various medical and therapeutical areas in Germany are still in an early phase. Tests for assessing elderly patients must be adopted mostly from the English literature; specific items and problem-orientated assessment contents have to be developed. This requires tremendous efforts and may require a long time because of its empirical and scientific complexities.

The effect of the partial beta-1-adrenoceptor agonist xamoterol on hemodynamics and myocardial energetics in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Xamoterol, a new partial beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist, was evaluated in respect to its hemodynamic and energetic effects when given acutely i.v. (0.

[Vasodilatation and positive inotropic effect of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor enoximone].

The comparison of two invasive studies using intravenous application of the phosphodiesterase enoximone demonstrated unchanged cardiac output in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy NYHA II-III, and increased cardiac output (from 3.22 +/- 1.15 to 5.

Reocclusion prophylaxis with dipyridamole combined with acetylsalicylic acid following PTA.

After primary successful PTA, 199 patients were randomized into one of three treatment groups, namely, placebo or a combination of 75 mg dipyridamole with either 330 mg (high dose) or 100 mg (low dose) acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tid. The duration of treatment was six months. Of the 199 patients admitted to the study, 156 completed the six-month trial period.

Repeat determination of left ventricular wall thickness from mass and volume during one cardiac cycle for the calculation of left ventricular wall stress parameters.

Left ventricular end-diastolic wall stress, end-systolic wall stress, and systolic stress-time integral are important parameters to characterize left ventricular load and function. To obtain these parameters, left ventricular pressure, volume, and wall thickness data must be determined at short time intervals throughout one cardiac cycle. However, the measurement of wall thickness at short intervals (i.

Influence of UDCG-115 on hemodynamics and myocardial energetics in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The influence of the new inotropic and vasodilating agent UDCG-115 on hemodynamics and myocardial oxygen metabolism was investigated in 11 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (New York Heart Association class II to III). After intravenous administration of UDCG-115, cardiac index increased from 3.03 +/- 0.

Myocardial energetics in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Influence of nitroprusside and enoximone.

Cardiotonic agents influence myocardial energy consumption by vasodilation, which may reduce energy demand, and by inotropism, which may increase it. To distinguish between the two effects, myocardial oxygen consumption must be analyzed in relation to its hemodynamic determinants. The coupling of myocardial oxygen consumption with its determinants was investigated in 22 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (NYHA Class II and III).

Influence of the calcium-sensitizer UDCG-115 on hemodynamics and myocardial energetics in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Comparison with nitroprusside.

UDCG-115 is a new cardiotonic agent which in vitro increases the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to calcium ions, inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase, and prolongs the duration of the action potential. The influence of UDCG-115 (i.v.