Sunday, February 21, 2010
About Intrathecal Baclofen Pump
ITB Therapy (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) for the management of severe spasticity uses an implantable infusion system to deliver precise amounts of Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection) directly to the intrathecal space via a surgically implanted pump and catheter.
The precise mechanism of action of baclofen as a muscle relaxant and antispasticity agent is not fully understood. Baclofen inhibits both monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level, possibly by decreasing excitatory neurotransmitter release from primary afferent terminals, although actions at supraspinal sites may also occur and contribute to its clinical effect. Baclofen is a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and may exert its effects by stimulation of the GABAB receptor subtype.
Lioresal Intrathecal, when introduced directly into the intrathecal space, permits effective CSF concentrations to be achieved with resultant plasma concentrations 100 times less than those occurring with oral administration.
The precise mechanism of action of baclofen as a muscle relaxant and antispasticity agent is not fully understood. Baclofen inhibits both monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level, possibly by decreasing excitatory neurotransmitter release from primary afferent terminals, although actions at supraspinal sites may also occur and contribute to its clinical effect. Baclofen is a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and may exert its effects by stimulation of the GABAB receptor subtype.
Lioresal Intrathecal, when introduced directly into the intrathecal space, permits effective CSF concentrations to be achieved with resultant plasma concentrations 100 times less than those occurring with oral administration.
Intrathecal Baclofen Pump
An intrathecal pump is a medical device used to deliver very small quantities of medications directly to the spinal fluid of a human being. Medications such as baclofen or morphine may be delivered in this manner to minimize the side effects often associated with the higher dosages commonly found in oral medications of the same type.
People with spastic diplegia or other forms of spasticity , or people in intolerable pain and nociception , who cannot tolerate side effects of the higher-dose oral medications of the same medication type, are potential candidates for that medication being administered via an intrathecal pump.
The intrathecal pump consists of a metal pump which stores and delivers the medication, and a catheter which delivers the medication from the pump to the intathecal space in the spine where the medication takes effect. Two types of pumps are available: a constant rate pump delivers the medication at a constant rate, and a programmable pump delivers the medication according to a rate determined by a programmable computer program.
People with spastic diplegia or other forms of spasticity , or people in intolerable pain and nociception , who cannot tolerate side effects of the higher-dose oral medications of the same medication type, are potential candidates for that medication being administered via an intrathecal pump.
The intrathecal pump consists of a metal pump which stores and delivers the medication, and a catheter which delivers the medication from the pump to the intathecal space in the spine where the medication takes effect. Two types of pumps are available: a constant rate pump delivers the medication at a constant rate, and a programmable pump delivers the medication according to a rate determined by a programmable computer program.
Monday, February 8, 2010
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