Articles: prospective-studies.
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Syphilis remains a major cause of premature birth, fetal and perinatal death, and congenital syphilis in South Africa, despite systematic antenatal screening by rapid plasma reagin and treatment with 2.4 million U of benzathine penicillin G. ⋯ One intramuscular injection of 2.4 million U benzathine penicillin G or treponemicidal concentrations lasting 3 weeks or less is not sufficient therapy for pregnant women with syphilis. Although fetal outcome is clearly improved at birth with more than one injection, without follow-up of the neonates, complete cure cannot be predicted from these data. To obtain treponemicidal activity for longer than 3 weeks, the authors recommend administration of two injections of 2.4 million U benzathine penicillin at least 1 week apart, if possible at 4 weeks or more before delivery. This therapy is especially important for patients who attend prenatal care before 28 weeks of pregnancy or when the rapid plasma reagin titer is higher than 16.
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To review the mechanism and cause of hemostatic defects following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and determine the safety and efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents for use in cardiac surgery and patients likely to benefit. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966 to present) of the English-language literature pertaining to aminocaproic acid (ACA), tranexamic acid (TA), and aprotinin was performed. Additional literature was obtained from reference citations of pertinent articles identified through the search. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: While all articles of relevance were considered for inclusion, this review evaluates only clinical trials with emphasis on prospective, randomized, controlled studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: In reported trials, ACA and TA each reduce mediastinal blood losses by about one-third, while transfusion needs remain unchanged. ACA and TA dosing inconsistencies, omission of transfusion criteria, and unidentified surgical risk factors prevent optimal findings. Thromboembolic complications could not be ascribed to either ACA or TA in more than 950 patients studied. Aprotinin decreased mean mediastinal blood losses by 42%, 67% and 48% in primary coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), reoperative CABG, and in CABG patients receiving aspirin, respectively. Transfusion needs were reduced 42% in primary CABG patients and 55% to 88% in high-risk patients. Patients at high risk of bleeding (i.e., reoperative CABG and patients on aspirin) demonstrated greater transfusion needs and blood loss than primary CABG patients. As blood conservation measures may eliminate the need for transfusions among primary CABG patients, patients at higher risk may benefit most from the addition of antifibrinolytic prophylaxis. ⋯ The efficacy of all antifibrinolytic agents in cardiac surgery has been established, but comparative data is inconclusive to suggest an agent of choice. Thromboembolic complications have been rare and difficult to ascribe to antifibrinolytic agents. Future trials comparing efficacy of agents in high risk patients and rigorously evaluating thromboembolic events will allow unconditional recommendations.
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The benefits of surgical treatment for patients with congenital heart disease in relation to pregnancy are still controversial. We studied 48 pregnant women (mean age = 25 years) with surgically-corrected congenital heart diseases (Group 1). This included 15 cyanotic diseases: Fallot's tetralogy (11 cases); Ebstein's anomaly (2 cases); transposition of the great arteries (1 case); and double outlet of the right ventricle (1 case). ⋯ Spontaneous abortion (4 vs. 10 percent), Caesarean deliveries (48 vs. 66 percent) or growth retardation (13 vs. 28 percent) did not present any significant differences between these groups. Surgical treatment in patients with heart diseases is associated with a better maternal and fetal prognosis. Therefore, surgery must be considered when counseling patients with congenital heart diseases.
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PCEA is an attractive concept with special benefits in the obstetric population. It provides a safe and valuable alternative to other approaches to labour analgesia, with demonstrable advantages when used appropriately by motivated women. ⋯ Despite promising initial results, the full potential of PCEA remains to be explored, and this may be encouraged by ongoing developments in PCA pump technology. Comprehensive comparative studies and large prospective clinical series, further defining its role and safety in various settings, are awaited.
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Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo · Jan 1996
Aerobic bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, Pneumocystis carinii and Cytomegalovirus as agents of severe pneumonia in small infants.
The authors studied 58 infants hospitalized for pneumonia in a semi-intensive care unit. Age ranged from 1 complete to 6 incomplete months. The infants were sent from another hospital in 20 cases and from home in a further 38. ⋯ The investigation was carried out prospectively on the etiological agents associated with respiratory infection to look for evidence of aerobic bacteria (blood cultures), Chlamydia trachomatis and Cytomegalovirus (serology), and Pneumocystis carinii (direct microscopy of tracheal aspirated material). The following infectious agents were diagnosed in 21 children (36.2%): Aerobic bacteria (8), Chlamydia trachomatis (5), Pneumocystis carinii (3), Cytomegalovirus (3), Cytomegalovirus and Chlamydia trachomatis (1), Aerobic bacteria and Cytomegalovirus (1). Seven cases of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Cytomegalovirus were diagnosed out of the 12 cases with pulmonary interstitial involvement.