Recognition and management of phaeochromocytoma

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours. These tumours may be identified incidentally, as part of a work-up for multiple endocrine neoplasia or following haemodynamic surges during unrelated procedures. Advances in preoperative management and improved management of intraoperative haemodynamic instability have significantly reduced surgical mortality from around 40% to less than 3%. Surgery is the definitive treatment in most cases and laparoscopic resection where possible is associated with improved outcomes. Anaesthetic management of PPGL cases represents a unique haemodynamic challenge both before, during and after tumour resection. In this article we describe the physiology of these tumours, their diagnosis, preoperative optimization methods, intraoperative anaesthetic management and management of postoperative complications.     

Treatment strategies for hypertension in patients with type 1 diabetes

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that is characterized by total absence of insulin production. Hypertension is a common comorbidity in T1DM with complex pathophysiology, while it is also a well-recognized risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as other microvascular diabetic complications.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Aging changes agonist induced contractile responses in permeabilized rat bladder

Aging alters bladder functions where a decrease in filling, storage and emptying is observed. These changes cause urinary incontinence, especially in women. The aim of this study is to examine how aging affects the intracellular calcium movements due to agonist-induced contractions in permeabilized female rat bladder. Urinary bladder isolated from young and old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Small detrusor strips were permeabilized with β-escin. The contractile responses induced with agonists were compared between young and old groups. Carbachol-induced contractions were decreased in permeabilized detrusor from old rats compared to young group. Heparin and ryanodine decreased carbachol-induced contractions in young rats where only heparin inhibited these contractions in olds. Caffeine-induced contractions but not inositol triphosphate (IP₃)-induced contractions were decreased in old group compared to youngs. The cumulative calcium response curves (pCa 8–4) were also decreased in old rats. Carbachol-induced calcium sensitization responses did not alter by age where GTP-β-S and GF-109203X but not Y-27632 inhibited these responses. Carbachol-induced contractions decrease with aging in rat bladder detrusor. It can be postulated as IP₃-induced calcium release (IICR) is primarily responsible for the contractions in older rats where the decrease in carbachol contractions in aging may be as a result of a decrease in calcium-induced calcium release (CICR), rather than carbachol-induced calcium sensitization.     

改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤的疗效分析

目的：探讨改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤的疗效。方法方便选择自2009年12月—2014年11月该院收治的重型颅脑损伤病例70例,随机分为改良组和对照组2组,每组35例,改良组施行改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术,对照组按标准大骨瓣开颅、硬脑膜一次性全切开,对比分析两组的并发症发生率及预后。结果改良组发生迟发性颅内血肿、大面积脑梗塞及弥漫性脑肿胀等并发症9例(25.7％,9/35),预后良好者23例(65.7％,23/35),对照组发生并发症19例(54.3％,19/35),预后良好者14例(40.0％,14/35),两组并发症发生率和预后差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论改良大骨瓣联合软通道微创介入逐渐减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤,效果良好,显著降低死亡率。     

Iron Deficiency Anemia Associated With Acid-Modifying Medications: Two Cases and Literature Review

Iron deficiency anemia is often listed among potential adverse effects of gastric acid-suppressive medications, given that gastric acidity promotes intestinal absorption of nonheme iron. Additionally, the antacid calcium carbonate can inhibit iron absorption. However, there is little direct clinical evidence that proton-pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, or calcium carbonate cause iron deficiency anemia. Most case reports have had substantial limitations (e.g., minimal follow-up and presence of other causes of iron deficiency), and retrospective cohort studies have lacked sufficient patient-specific detail to make strong causal inferences. We present 2 cases—both with detailed, prospective 10-year follow-up—in which combinations of proton-pump inhibitors, histamine-2 receptor antagonists and calcium carbonate were clearly associated with development of iron deficiency anemia. Overt iron-deficiency anemia is probably uncommon in patients who use acid-modifying medications and who have no other conditions that predispose to iron deficiency. Nevertheless, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication, given widespread use of these agents.     

尿毒清颗粒治疗慢性肾功能衰竭临床研究

目的:观察尿毒清颗粒治疗慢性肾功能衰竭(CRF)的临床疗效及其对钙磷代谢、结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)的影响。方法:选取120例CRF患者,按随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组各60例。对照组采用常规治疗,包括控制饮食、纠正酸碱、水电解质平衡;观察组在对照组的基础上加用尿毒清颗粒治疗。2组均连续治疗2个月,观察比较2组肾功能[肌酐(SCr)、血尿素氮(BUN)]、血磷(P3-)、血钙(Ca2+)、甲状旁腺激素(PTH)、CTGF指标水平变化,并评定2组临床疗效及不良反应情况。结果:观察组总有效率为80.00%,对照组为61.67%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组SCr、BUN水平均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且观察组SCr、BUN水平均低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组PTH、CTGF、P3-水平较治疗前降低(P<0.05),Ca2+水平较治疗前升高(P<0.05);观察组PTH、P3-、CTGF水平均低于对照组(P<0.05),Ca2+水平高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组不良反应发生率为3.33%,对照组为16.67%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:尿毒清颗粒治疗CRF临床疗效显著,可有效调节钙磷代谢、CTGF平衡,改善肾功能,且安全性较高。     

Cerebrovascular and neurological perspectives on adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating pharmacotherapies

Adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating medications are widely used in clinical practice for acute neurological and systemic conditions. It is generally assumed that the cerebrovascular effects of these drugs mirror that of their systemic effects – and this is reflected in how these medications are currently used in clinical practice. However, recent research suggests that there are distinct cerebrovascular-specific effects of these medications that are related to the unique characteristics of the cerebrovascular anatomy including the regional heterogeneity in density and distribution of adrenoceptor subtypes and calcium channels along the cerebrovasculature. In this review, we critically evaluate existing basic science and clinical research to discuss known and putative interactions between adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating pharmacotherapies, the neurovascular unit, and cerebrovascular anatomy. In doing so, we provide a rationale for selecting vasoactive medications based on lesion location and lay a foundation for future investigations that will define neuroprotective paradigms of adrenoceptor and calcium channel modulating therapies to improve neurological outcomes in acute neurological and systemic disorders.     

Current treatment of hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease recommended by different guidelines

Introduction: It is important to know how to treat hypertension in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The reason for the review was to update this treatment and to discuss the 2015 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/American Society of Hypertension 2015 guidelines of treatment of hypertension in patients with CAD.

Areas covered: Studies between 1968 and 2015 were reviewed on treatment of hypertension in patients with CAD using a Medline search, and studies between 1977 and 2015 were reported. Hypertension should be treated with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Long-acting nitrates are effective antianginal and anti-ischemic drugs. Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may be added if angina persists despite beta blockers and long-acting nitrates. The 2015 guidelines recommend that the blood pressure should be < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged ≤ 80 years and the systolic blood pressure < 150 mm Hg if they are ≥ 80 years.

Expert opinion: Hypertension in patients with CAD should be treated with beta blockers and ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Long-acting nitrates are effective antianginal and anti-ischemic drugs. CCBs may be added if angina persists despite beta blockers and long-acting nitrates. The blood pressure should be < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged < 80 years and the systolic blood pressure < 150 mm Hg if they are ≥ 80 years.