Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · Jun 1999
Clinical TrialActivity of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis during and after hydroxyethyl starch (HES) colloidal volume replacement.
To examine the effect of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch on protein C levels and the changes in the activation state of blood platelets, coagulation and fibrinolyis during and after 5 day of its infusion. ⋯ The lowering effect of medium molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch on factor VIII:C would not be attributed to increased proteolytic activity of protein C on this coagulation cofactor because there is a nonsignificant change in protein C levels.
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Clinical biochemistry · Apr 1999
Corticosteroid-binding globulin and free cortisol in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery.
To characterize concentrations of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), total and free serum cortisol, and free urinary cortisol in patients during the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. ⋯ Extremely high concentrations of free serum cortisol are typically found in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery; under these conditions the mere consideration of total cortisol does not appropriately display the activation of the adrenal cortex.
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Clinical biochemistry · Apr 1998
ReviewOn-line arterial blood gas analysis with optodes: current status.
To summarize the rationale for and the principles of blood gas and pH measurement with photochemical sensors (optodes) placed in the arterial line--either intravascularly (in vivo) or extravascularly (ex vivo). To review the specific problems that occur with in vivo measurement; the clinical data that have been obtained with continuous intravascular and on-demand extravascular systems; and, the role of this technology in the intensive care unit. ⋯ Before intravascular monitors can be used routinely for clinical care, reliability, consistency and accuracy will have to be demonstrated in large and widely divergent patient groups. Extravascular on-demand blood gas analysis is accurate, allows trend monitoring of blood gases and decreases the risk of infection, the therapeutic decision time and patient blood loss. As large patient studies are lacking the clinical role of on-line blood gas analysis cannot be clearly delineated.
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Clinical biochemistry · Aug 1997
Clinical TrialAnalytical performance and clinical utility of a sensitive immunoassay for determination of human cardiac troponin I.
To determine the serum and plasma level of human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) resulting from myocardial damage, we have developed a sensitive and specific one-step enzyme immunoassay to measure cardiac troponin I. ⋯ Results from normal and clinical samples assayed in house for cTnI concentrations indicate that the Spectral EIA is a highly sensitive means of quantifying cTnI levels in serum and plasma for acute cardiac syndrome. The cardiac specificity of cTnI over other well-known cardiac markers is reflected in experimental results and parallel clinical diagnosis.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jul 1997
Evaluation of i-STAT portable clinical analyzer in a neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit.
To evaluate the Point-of-Care (POC) i-STAT system for measuring blood gases (pH, pCO2, pO2) and whole blood electrolytes (sodium, Na+, potassium, K+ and ionized calcium, iCa2+) in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. ⋯ The POC testing analyzer i-STAT is a reliable alternative to the traditional blood gas analyzers and provides marginal improvement in turnaround time when compared with the service received from the PICU/NICU laboratory. Costs need to be carefully controlled.