Dr. Fleet studies the heart's response during emergencies, specifically looking at how changes in heart rate can affect its electrical conduction during a lack of blood flow. He also investigates treatments for viral infections, particularly in children, examining the effectiveness of medications like acetaminophen and rimantadine for influenza A. Additionally, he evaluates the safety and efficacy of vaccines for infants against respiratory viruses.
Key findings
In his heart research, Dr. Fleet found that increasing heart rate from 90 to 150 beats per minute led to a significant decrease in the speed of electrical conduction during acute ischemia.
In a study of influenza A in children, while rimantadine reduced the virus in the first two days, 20% of children experienced a delay in recovery, but overall, both treatments resulted in similar recovery times.
The vaccine trial for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants showed that 32% of vaccinated infants became infected with the vaccine strain, indicating an immune response.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Fleet study heart conditions?
Yes, Dr. Fleet studies how heart function is affected during emergencies like heart attacks.
What treatments has Dr. Fleet researched for flu in children?
He has compared the effectiveness of acetaminophen and rimantadine in treating influenza A infections in children.
Is Dr. Fleet's work relevant to infants with respiratory infections?
Yes, his research on vaccines aims to protect infants from serious respiratory infections like RSV.
What is the significance of Dr. Fleet's heart research?
His findings can inform how doctors manage heart emergencies, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Can Dr. Fleet's studies help with vaccine development?
Yes, his evaluation of vaccines helps in understanding their effectiveness, which is crucial for improving child health.
Publications in plain English
Effect of rate on changes in conduction velocity and extracellular potassium concentration during acute ischemia in the in situ pig heart.
1993
Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Harper JR, Johnson TA, Engle CL, Martin DG, Fleet W +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how the heart's electrical conduction slows down during a lack of blood flow and whether this slowdown depends on how fast the heart is beating. Researchers found that as the heart rate increased from 90 to 150 beats per minute, the conduction speed decreased more quickly, even though the rise in potassium levels outside the heart cells was consistent regardless of heart rate. This is important because it helps us understand how heart function is affected during emergencies like a heart attack, which can inform treatments and interventions.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors treating patients experiencing heart attacks or other forms of ischemia.
A comparison of acetaminophen and rimantadine in the treatment of influenza A infection in children.
1987
Journal of medical virology
Thompson J, Fleet W, Lawrence E, Pierce E, Morris L +1 more
Plain English The study looked at how well two medications, acetaminophen and rimantadine, worked in treating children with influenza A. Out of 63 kids, 49 had confirmed cases of influenza A, mostly the H1N1 strain. While rimantadine reduced the virus in the first two days, both medications led to similar recovery times, but some virus strains showed resistance to rimantadine after four days.
Who this helps: This helps children suffering from influenza A and their doctors.
Plain English This study focused on testing a new vaccine designed to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common viral infection. Researchers gave the vaccine to 25 infants aged 11 to 19 months and found that 8 of them (32%) became infected with the vaccine strain of the virus, which indicates how the body reacted to the vaccine. This is important because it helps scientists understand how well this vaccine might work to build immunity against RSV in young children.
Who this helps: This benefits infants at risk of RSV, their families, and healthcare providers.