Incidence Of Neurological Complications Research Articles

Depression of muscle spindle function with vincristine.

VINCRISTINE sulphate, a purified indole alkaloid of the periwinkle plant, has been used widely in clinical and experimental cancer chemotherapy since its activity in acute leukaemia was first described in 1962 (ref. 1). A prominent side effect which often limits therapy with this drug is a dose-related peripheral neuropathy, presenting with depression of the deep tendon reflexes and paraesthesias, and progressing to flaccid paralysis in advanced cases2. Careful monitoring of the early effects of vincristine and appropriate adjustment of the dosage schedule may reduce the incidence of neurological complications. In fact, the only prominent neurological effect which remains at the controlled dose levels used is markedly depressed or absent deep tendon reflexes. This change is so characteristic that we have quantitated the amplitude of the Achilles reflex in order to govern the use of the drug and in order to indicate the onset of its action3.

PERPHENAZINE (TRILAFON) METABOLISM IN PSYCHOTIC PATIENTS.

Introduction The discovery that chlorpromazine had marked therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of certain types of psychotic symptomatology stimulated the synthesis and clinical evaluation of many of its prototypes. A number of these have established places for themselves in psychiatric treatment. Comparative clinical studies have indicated differences in their sedative effects, potency (dosage), rapidity of action, and the incidence of neurological complications. 1-4 The factors responsible for these differences are as yet largely unknown. In the attempts to obtain further insight into these areas, investigations of the metabolism of the individual phenothiazines have been initiated. Chlorpromazine has had the largest amount of study to date. 5-12 Despite this, relatively little is known as to its metabolic pathway. Other phenothiazine compounds have also been investigated, but the resultant knowledge is even more limited. Some of these have been levomepromazine, 13 promazine, 14,15 thioridazine,

HEPARIN AND LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT DEXTRAN IN THORACIC AORTA OCCLUSION. EFFECT ON SEQUELAE.

Spinal cord damage secondary to clamping of the thoracic aorta may occur after surgical treatment for coarctation of the aorta or thoracic aortic aneurysm. Although the actual incidence of paralysis is not high, the problem does exist and is a serious complication in this field of surgery. The first mention of the neurological problem associated with aortic occlusion was in 1667 when Stenonius 2 and Swammerdam 3 reported paralysis of a rabbit's hindquarter after occlusion of the abdominal aorta. It is now believed that lower abdominal aortic surgery is not accompanied by the incidence of neurologic complications as are the more proximal aortic procedures; however, occasional reports continue to appear. 4,5 The time, extent, and site of occlusion are all important factors. In Adams' 6 excellent review of this subject, he determined that the minimum safe time of occlusion of spinal cord circulation was under 18 minutes. Eiseman 1 in

Incidence of neurological complications in congenital heart disease.

Introduction In the last few years there have been several papers on the association of cerebral abscess and cyanotic congenital heart disease.* Defects of the cardiac septum are a well-recognized feature of mongolism. 7 However, little or no emphasis has been placed on episodic loss of consciousness, convulsions, cerebrovascular accidents, and other neurological conditions. These are surprisingly common. It is the purpose of this paper to review the relative frequency of certain neurological complications of congenital heart disease as seen in the cardiac clinic of the Harriet Lane Home. Material Records of 1875 patients of the cardiac clinic at the Harriet Lane Home, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, were reviewed, covering the period from 1944 to 1955. Neurological complications following catheterization studies or operative intervention were not included. All diagnosed forms of malformations were included. However, such common types as patent ductus arteriosus and isolated septal defects were found to have