C Falco

Publications of C Falco

• Experience of computer-aided management of hemapheresis unit.

  Authors: N Scarpato, C Falco, G Nappi, S Formisano

  The International journal of artificial organs. 01/1994; 16 Suppl 5:152-4.

  Several programs are available for blood banks management but none of them is particularly made for hemapheresis. We studied a data base application able to manage any aspect of hemapheresis unitSeveral programs are available for blood banks management but none of them is particularly made for hemapheresis. We studied a data base application able to manage any aspect of hemapheresis unit activity. The programming general criteria were: 1) easiness of use even for people without any previous experience in using Personal Computers; 2) maximum saving time in operating; 3) easily modifiable system in reply to problems or new needs; 4) automatic checks in order to have the highest automation together with the smallest error risk; 5) quick view on state of activity and on material consumption; 6) simplification of donor recruitment. After a three year long experience, we describe our program structure in order to give a basis for the development of a standardized management system which is useful for different needs and open to future applications of blood cell separators.

• Organization and technical problems of LDL-apheresis.

  Authors: N Scarpato, C Falco, G Nappi, S Formisano

  The International journal of artificial organs. 01/1994; 16 Suppl 5:165-7.

  The Authors consider problems related to technique and organization of LDL-Apheresis with respect to some particular aspects. They evaluate: a) Technical complexity of procedures both in devices toThe Authors consider problems related to technique and organization of LDL-Apheresis with respect to some particular aspects. They evaluate: a) Technical complexity of procedures both in devices to use and in staff preparation; b) Length of treatment which conditions the other fields of activity; c) Problems in management treatments periodicity; d) Usually high cost of this kind of procedures; e) Problems related to vascular accesses; f) Problems related to pediatric patients, both for their low weight and vascular accesses; g) Management of cardio-vascular complications; h) Difficulties in evaluation of regression of vascular lesions. Finally, it is particularly difficult the management of psychological aspects related to somatic symptoms of the disease and to the acceptance of treatment.

• Project of computer-aided management of therapeutical apheresis.

  Authors: C Falco, N Scarpato, G Nappi, S Formisano

  The International journal of artificial organs. 01/1994; 16 Suppl 5:185-6.

  The great increase in hemapheresis units activity that occurred during the last years caused the need for a computer-aided management (1, 2). We present a project for a data base system able toThe great increase in hemapheresis units activity that occurred during the last years caused the need for a computer-aided management (1, 2). We present a project for a data base system able to manage therapeutical apheresis (3). The program consists of five sections. a) Patient's file card: it allows to record anamnesis, examination and blood test results easily and under computer's guidance. b) Choice of therapeutic protocol: Therapeutic protocol is fixed in this section (device to be used, apheretic method, plasma volume to be processed, blood tests before and after apheresis). c) Procedures: It provides procedure's data entry and guides the operator during the treatment on the ground of therapeutical protocol. d) Data processing: It allows statistics on data placed in the data base. e) Registers: It includes both a general register and the possibility of search by disease, device and method.

• Treatment of severe hypercholesterolaemia by LDL-apheresis.

  Authors: N Scarpato, A Gnasso, G Nappi, C Falco, A Postiglione, S Formisano, M Mancini

  Biomaterials, artificial cells, and immobilization biotechnology : official journal of the International Society for Artificial Cells and Immobilization Biotechnology. 02/1991; 19(1):53-60.

  The most severe forms of hypercholesterolaemia scarcely respond to diet and conventional drugs administration and need, therefore, alternative treatments. Terapeutic Plasma Exchange demonstrated anThe most severe forms of hypercholesterolaemia scarcely respond to diet and conventional drugs administration and need, therefore, alternative treatments. Terapeutic Plasma Exchange demonstrated an improved survival of subjects with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in spite of its limitations. Semi-selective and selective techniques have been developed in order to remove LDL cholesterol alone. We studied the efficiency in LDL removal both of membrane filtration as of dextrane sulphate adsorption on 14 FH patients, performing 302 procedures. Cholesterol extraction with the different methods was in the range of 40-65%. Mean cholesterol level was reduced from 7% to 64% depending on the protocol used. The procedures were all performed on an outpatient basis. Side effects occurred rarely and were always of not serious degree. The short and the middle term clinical effects of LDL-Apheresis are then evaluated.

• LDL-apheresis by dextran sulfate cellulose adsorption columns: two methods.

  Authors: C Falco, N Scarpato, G Nappi, A Postiglione, A Gnasso, C Motti, S Montefusco, S Formisano

  Beiträge zur Infusionstherapie = Contributions to infusion therapy. 02/1988; 23:191-4.