Comparison of endoscopic ligation and propranolol for the primary prevention of variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We compared propranolol therapy and endoscopic ligation for the primary prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices. This prospective, controlled trial included consecutive eligible patients who had large varices (>5 mm in diameter) that were at high risk for bleeding. The patients were assigned to either propranolol therapy, at a dose sufficient to decrease the base-line heart rate by 25 percent, or variceal ligation, to be performed weekly until the varices were obliterated or so reduced in size that it was not possible to continue treatment. RESULTS: Of the 89 patients, 82 of whom had cirrhosis of the liver, 44 received propranolol and 45 underwent variceal ligation. The mean (+/-SD) duration of follow-up in each group was 14+/-9 and 13+/-10 months, respectively. The mean time required to achieve an adequate reduction in the heart rate was 2.5+/-1.7 days; the mean number of sessions needed to complete variceal ligation was 3.2+/-1.1. After 18 months, the actuarial probability of bleeding was 43 percent in the propranolol group and 15 percent in the ligation group (P=0.04). Twelve patients in the propranolol group and four in the ligation group had bleeding. Three of the four in the ligation group had bleeding before their varices had been obliterated. Nine patients in the ligation group had recurrent varices, a mean of 3.7 months after the initial treatment. Five patients in each group died; bleeding from the varices was the cause of death of four patients in the propranolol group and of three in the ligation group. There were no serious complications of variceal ligation; in the propranolol group, treatment was stopped in two patients because of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high-risk esophageal varices, endoscopic ligation of the varices is safe and more effective than propranolol for the primary prevention of variceal bleeding.     

肝炎后肝硬化性脾动脉瘤的CT表现与手术方式选择的相关研究

目的探讨肝炎后肝硬化性脾动脉瘤的CT征象与手术方式选择的关系。方法回顾性分析61例肝硬化门脉高压性脾动脉瘤的CT表现(部位、数量、大小、门静脉改变、曲张静脉团、门体分流血管网和脾脏改变)、临床特征和手术方式,并进行统计。结果 4例主瘤体位于脾动脉远端、直径1.0~2.0 cm、存在脾肾分流和脾大的患者行主瘤体旷置术+分支小动脉瘤分期栓塞。瘤体切除+脾脏切除+曲张血管团离断术15例中,主瘤体位于脾动脉中段4例和脾动脉远端11例,主瘤体直径大于2.0cm的15例和1.0~2.0 cm的13例,门静脉海绵样变4例、脾胃静脉曲张5例,食管胃底静脉曲张15例,脾胃肾静脉分流4例,巨脾15例和脾梗死4例。瘤体切除+分支小动脉瘤分期栓塞7例,主瘤体位于脾动脉近段7例,主瘤体直径1.0~2.0 cm 7例,食管胃底静脉曲张2例,脾大7例。4例单发、瘤体直径1.0~2.0 cm、脾大患者行瘤体切除+重建脾动脉连续性,其中脾动脉近端1例、中段2例和远端1例。结论可根据脾动脉瘤的部位、数量、大小、门静脉改变、曲张静脉团、门体分流血管网和脾脏改变结合患者年龄、性别、体重指数及病史选择手术方法。     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy as compared with endoscopic ligation for bleeding esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is an accepted treatment for bleeding esophageal varices, but it is associated with substantial local and systemic complications. Endoscopic ligation, a new form of endoscopic treatment for bleeding varices, may be safer. We compared the effectiveness and safety of the two techniques. METHODS. In this randomized trial we compared endoscopic sclerotherapy and endoscopic ligation in 129 patients with cirrhosis who had proved bleeding from esophageal varices. Sixty-five patients were treated with sclerotherapy, and 64 with ligation. Initial treatment for acute bleeding was followed by elective retreatment to eradicate varices. The patients were followed for a mean of 10 months, during which we determined the incidence of complications and recurrences of bleeding, the number of treatments needed to eradicate varices, and survival. RESULTS. Active bleeding at the first treatment was controlled by sclerotherapy in 10 of 13 patients (77 percent) and by ligation in 12 of 14 patients (86 percent). Slightly more sclerotherapy-treated patients had recurrent hemorrhage during the study (48 percent vs. 36 percent for the ligation-treated patients, P = 0.072). The eradication of varices required a lower mean (+/- SD) number of treatments with ligation (4 +/- 2 vs. 5 +/- 2, P = 0.056) than with sclerotherapy. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the sclerotherapy group (45 percent vs. 28 percent, P = 0.041), as was the rate of complications (22 percent vs. 2 percent, P less than 0.001). The complications of sclerotherapy were predominantly esophageal strictures, pneumonias, and other infections. CONCLUSIONS. Patients with cirrhosis who have bleeding esophageal varices have fewer treatment-related complications and better survival rates when they are treated by esophageal ligation than when they are treated by sclerotherapy.     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus portacaval shunt in patients with severe cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage

Fifty-two patients with severe cirrhosis (Child Class C) and variceal hemorrhage requiring six or more units of blood were randomly assigned to either sclerotherapy or portacaval shunt. Of 38 pretreatment characteristics, only the frequency of active alcoholism differed significantly between the groups. During the initial hospitalization, the patients in the shunt group required significantly more blood (21.5 +/- 3.1 units) than did those in the sclerotherapy group (12.3 +/- 1.3 units), although the latter had significantly more rebleeding during hospitalization after the procedure (14 of 28 vs. 5 of 24 patients). There was no difference in short-term survival, with 13 patients in the sclerotherapy group discharged alive, as compared with 10 patients in the shunt group. Patients were followed for a mean of 263 days after the initial discharge (range, 8 to 1117). The sclerotherapy group required significantly more days of hospitalization for rebleeding, but we failed to demonstrate any significant difference in long-term survival between the sclerotherapy and shunt groups. Total health-care costs per patient were significantly higher for the shunt group (+23,957 +/- +3,111) than for the sclerotherapy group (+15,364 +/- +2,220). We conclude that sclerotherapy is less costly than portacaval shunt and as effective for the treatment of esophageal varices associated with severe cirrhosis.     

A comparison of paracentesis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting in patients with ascites

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis and ascites, creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may reduce the ascites and improve renal function. However, the benefit of this procedure as compared with that of large-volume paracentesis is uncertain. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites (Child-Pugh class B in 42 patients and class C in 18 patients) to treatment with a transjugular shunt (29 patients) or large-volume paracentesis (31 patients). The mean (+/-SD) duration of follow-up was 45+/-16 months among those assigned to shunting and 44+/-18 months among those assigned to paracentesis. The primary outcome was survival without liver transplantation. RESULTS: Among the patients in the shunt group, 15 died and 1 underwent liver transplantation during the study period, as compared with 23 patients and 2 patients, respectively, in the paracentesis group. The probability of survival without liver transplantation was 69 percent at one year and 58 percent at two years in the shunt group, as compared with 52 percent and 32 percent in the paracentesis group (P=0.11 for the overall comparison, by the log-rank test). In a multivariate analysis, treatment with transjugular shunting was independently associated with survival without the need for transplantation (P=0.02). At three months, 61 percent of the patients in the shunt group and 18 percent of those in the paracentesis group had no ascites (P=0.006). The frequency of hepatic encephalopathy was similar in the two groups. Of the patients assigned to paracentesis in whom this procedure was unsuccessful, 10 received a transjugular shunt a mean of 5.5+/-4 months after randomization; 4 had a response to this rescue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with large-volume paracentesis, the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt can improve the chance of survival without liver transplantation in patients with refractory or recurrent ascites.     

部分脾栓塞对门脉高压血流动力学及脾亢的影响

目的探讨部分脾动脉栓塞对门脉高压血流动力学及脾动脉亢进的影响。方法20例肝硬化门脉高压并脾亢患者,采用Seldinger技术,插管至脾动脉,注入明胶海绵颗粒 欧乃派克6-7ml。分别于术前、术后1月、6月用彩色多谱勒超声检查门脉血管参数,并查血常规变化。结果行2次栓塞8例,其余均一次栓塞,栓塞面积占脾脏40-70%,门静脉(PV)、脾静脉(SV)横径明显缩小,其中SV最大流速与流量均显著下降(P<0.001),外周血白细胞、血小板在术后1月、6月、12月均明显高于术前。结论部分性脾栓塞术后可明显降低门脉压力及改善脾功能亢进。     

Clinical application value of preoperative selective partial splenic embolization before splenectomy plus portal-azygous disconnection

The aim of this study is to explore the clinical application value of preoperative selective partial splenic embolization before splenectomy plus portal-azygous disconnection. 158 cases of liver cirrhosis combined with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage patients were selected, which were randomly divided into splenic embolization group (S, n=77) and the non-splenic embolization group (U, n=81). Group S patients were firstly performed partial splenic embolization (PSE), and then underwent splenectomy plus portal-azygous disconnection, and the group U patients were directly performed splenectomy plus portal-azygous disconnection. Statistical analysis was used SAS8.0 statistical analysis software. One week after partial splenic embolization, the platelet of group S returned to normal, and the rise of white blood cells and hemoglobin, and shorten of prothrombin time in group S were much better than that in group U (P<0.01, P<0.05); the indexes, such as the intraoperative blood loss, the blood transfusion amount, the amount of platelet infusion, and the incidence of complications in group S were more superior than that in group U (P<0.05). Preoperative selective splenic artery embolization before splenectomy plus portal-azygous disconnection can restore the spleen function, and reduce the risk of surgery and incidence of complications.     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus portacaval shunt in patient with severe cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage. Long-term follow-up

In a continuation of a trial for which preliminary results were reported in the Journal two years ago, a total of 64 patients with Child Class C cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage requiring six or more units of blood were randomly assigned to receive either a portacaval shunt (32 patients) or endoscopic sclerotherapy (32 patients). The duration of initial hospitalization and the total amount of blood transfused during hospitalization were significantly less in the patients receiving sclerotherapy (P less than 0.001). There was no difference in short-term survival (50 percent of the sclerotherapy group were discharged alive, as compared with 44 percent of the shunt-surgery group). Both groups were followed for a mean of 530 days after randomization. Rebleeding from varices, the duration of rehospitalization for hemorrhage, and transfusions received after discharge were all significantly greater in the sclerotherapy group (P less than 0.001). Forty percent of the sclerotherapy-treated patients discharged alive (7 of 16 patients) ultimately required surgical treatment for bleeding varices, despite a mean of 6.1 treatment sessions. Health care costs and long-term survival did not differ significantly between the groups (P greater than 0.05). We conclude that although endoscopic sclerotherapy is as good as surgical shunting for the acute management of variceal hemorrhage in poor-risk patients with massive bleeding, sclerotherapy-treated patients in whom varices are not obliterated and bleeding continues should be considered for elective shunt surgery.     

The role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with portal hypertension: Advantages and pitfalls

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective interventional procedure to relieve portal hypertension, which is a main mechanism for the development of complications of liver cirrhosis (LC), such as variceal hemorrhage, ascites, and hepatorenal syndrome. However, the high incidence of adverse events after TIPS implementation limits its application in clinical practice. Esophageal variceal hemorrhage is one of the major indications for TIPS. Recently, preemptively performed TIPS has been recommended, as several studies have shown that TIPS significantly reduced mortality as well as rebleeding or failure to control bleeding in patients who are at high risk of treatment failure for bleeding control with endoscopic variceal ligation and vasoactive drugs. Meanwhile, recurrent ascites is another indication for TIPS with a proven survival benefit. TIPS may also be considered as an effective treatment for other LC complications, usually as an alternative therapy. Although there are concerns about the development of hepatic encephalopathy and hepatic dysfunction after TIPS implementation, careful patient selection using prognostic scores can lead to excellent outcomes. Assessments of cardiac and renal function prior to TIPS may also be considered to improve patient prognosis.     

The diameter of the originating vein determines esophageal and gastric fundic varices in portal hypertension secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the diameter of the vein that gives rise to the inflowing vein of the esophageal and gastric fundic varices secondary to posthepatitic cirrhosis, as measured with multidetector-row computed tomography, could predict the varices and their patterns.

METHODS:

A total of 106 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis underwent multidetector-row computed tomography. Patients with and without esophageal and gastric fundic varices were enrolled in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Group 1 was composed of Subgroup A, consisting of patients with varices, and Subgroup B consisted of patients with varices in combination with portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts. The diameters of the originating veins of veins entering the varices were reviewed and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS:

The originating veins were the portal vein in 8% (6/75) of patients, the splenic vein in 65.3% (49/75) of patients, and both the portal and splenic veins in 26.7% (20/75) of patients. The splenic vein diameter in Group 1 was larger than that in Group 2, whereas no differences in portal vein diameters were found between groups. In Group 1, the splenic vein diameter in Subgroup A was larger than that in Subgroup B. A cut-off splenic vein diameter of 8.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 58.1% for predicting the varices. For discrimination of the varices in combination with and without portal vein-inferior vena cava shunts, a cut-off diameter of 9.5 mm achieved a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 60.0%.

CONCLUSION:

The diameter of the splenic vein can be used to predict esophageal and gastric fundic varices and their patterns.     

Paracentesis with intravenous infusion of albumin as compared with peritoneovenous shunting in cirrhosis with refractory ascites

BACKGROUND. There is no satisfactory treatment for refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Both peritoneovenous shunts and paracentesis have been used, but there is uncertainty about their relative merits. METHODS. We studied 89 patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites who were randomly assigned to receive either repeated large-volume paracentesis plus intravenous albumin or a LeVeen peritoneovenous shunt. Patients in the paracentesis group in whom recurrent tense ascites developed during follow-up were treated with paracentesis, and those in the peritoneovenous-shunt group with diuretic agents or by the insertion of a new shunt if there was shunt obstruction. RESULTS. During the first hospitalization, ascites was removed in all 41 patients in the paracentesis group and in 44 of the 48 patients in the peritoneovenous-shunt group. The mean (+/- SD) duration of hospitalization in the two groups was 11 +/- 5 and 19 +/- 9 days, respectively (P less than 0.01). There were no significant differences in the number of patients who had complications or died. During follow-up, 37 patients in each group were hospitalized again. In the paracentesis group, the number of rehospitalizations for any reason (174 vs. 97 in the peritoneovenous-shunt group) or for ascites (125 vs. 38) was significantly higher, and the median time to a first readmission for any reason (1 +/- 1 vs. 2 +/- 2 months) or for ascites (2 +/- 2 vs. 8 +/- 17 months) was significantly shorter than in the peritoneovenous-shunt group. The total times in the hospital during follow-up, however, were similar in the two groups (48 +/- 49 and 44 +/- 39 days, respectively). Three patients had obstructions of their peritoneovenous shunts during their first hospitalizations, and 15 patients had a total of 20 obstructions during follow-up. Survival was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS. The LeVeen shunt and paracentesis are equally effective in relieving refractory ascites. The former may provide better long-term control of ascites, but shunt occlusion is common and survival is not improved.     

套扎环、组织胶及硬化剂治疗食管胃底静脉曲张的方案选择及其效果

背景：目前经内镜硬化剂、经内镜套扎、组织胶栓塞治疗食管胃底静脉曲张的疗效已经获得公认,但各种方法的疗效存在差异。 目的：通过阐述套扎环、组织胶、硬化剂的材料学特征及其生物相容性,探讨食管胃底静脉曲张内镜下套扎、硬化及组织胶栓塞的治疗效果。 方法：采用电子检索的方式,在中国期刊全文数据库(CNKI：1989/2009)及Medline数据库(1989/2009)中检索有关套扎环、组织胶、硬化剂生物相容性及其治疗食管胃底静脉曲张的文献,以“食管胃底静脉曲张,套扎环,硬化剂,组织胶,治疗”及“cerebrovascular disease,stent,therapy”为检索词。排除重复研究、动物试验类基础研究或Meta分析类文章,筛选纳入17篇文献进行评价。 结果与结论：内镜下套扎与硬化治疗在控制急性出血和预防早期出血方面疗效确切,已经成为治疗食管胃底静脉曲张出血破裂出血的金标准。临床常用硬化剂包括5%鱼肝油酸钠、1%乙氧硬化醇、5%油酸氨基乙酸等。目前应用的组织胶均属α-氰丙烯酸酯类胶,在微量阴离子存在的情况下,能产生瞬间聚合反应而固化。硬化剂治疗时拔针后血管穿刺点会有出血现象,注射组织胶后可见曲张静脉向注射部位两侧增粗、发白,拔针后组织胶会封堵穿刺点而无渗血,即刻控制曲张静脉急性出血。内镜下治疗食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血近期疗效显著,但远期疗效仍然是研究的重点。     

Obstructive sleep apnea can be provocative for right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Under particular conditions, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) can potentially give rise to ischemic stroke by means of paradoxical embolization, due to right-to-left shunt. Our study aimed to evaluate the presence of right-to-left shunt in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and diagnosed PFO during sleep. DESIGN AND SETTING: Assessment of provocative-only PFO and concomitant OSAS. Evaluation of right-to-left shunting during sleep by means of transcranial doppler with contrast medium injected in the cubital vein. PARTICIPANTS: 10 consecutive patients affected by PFO detectable only under Valsalva maneuver during wakefulness and affected by OSAS (mean age 52.8 +/- 10.7 years). INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent transcranial doppler with injection of agitated saline solution mixed with air during normal breathing and during periods of apnea/hypopnea in nocturnal sleep. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Right-to-left shunt was present in 9 patients out of 10 and appeared during obstructive apneas longer than 17 seconds. In 1 out of 10 patients, only hypopneas occurred and no right-to-left shunt could be shown. The number of microembolic signals detected during periods of nocturnal apnea was positively correlated with the number detected during Valsalva maneuver in wakefulness (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the nocturnal sleep period, right-to-left shunt can occur during single obstructive apneas in patients with OSAS and concomitant presence of PFO. This can be a risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. This risk could probably increase proportionally to the respiratory disturbance index of these patients.     

A case of successful treatment of stomal variceal bleeding with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and coil embolization

Variceal bleeding from enterostomy site is an unusual complication of portal hypertension. The bleeding, however, is often recurrent and may be fatal. The hemorrhage can be managed with local measures in most patients, but when these fail, surgical interventions or portosystemic shunt may be required. Herein, we report a case in which recurrent bleeding from stomal varices, developed after a colectomy for rectal cancer, was successfully treated by placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with coil embolization. Although several treatment options are available for this entity, we consider that TIPS with coil embolization offers minimally invasive and definitive treatment.     

部分脾栓塞在肝癌伴脾亢介入治疗中的应用

目的:对原发性肝癌(肝癌)伴脾功能亢进(脾亢)患者行部分脾栓塞,使其血细胞恢复正常,以便能进一步行肝动脉化疗。方法:对46例不能行手术切除、且血细胞明显低于正常的肝癌伴脾亢的患者行部分脾栓塞术,栓塞面积控制在50%-70%,栓塞前后测定血细胞数量,并作方差分析和t检验。结果:脾栓术后24小时、48小时、72小时、1周、2周、4周的血WBC和PLT均较栓塞前明显升高(P<0.05和P<0.01)。结论:部分脾栓塞能治疗脾功能亢进,提高血细胞数量,使肝癌伴脾亢患者的肝动脉化疗能正常进行。     

Recurrent varicoceles: causes and treatment using angiography and magnification assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy

Purpose

To investigate the causes of varicocele recurrence and assess the use of embolization and subinguinal varicocelectomy in its treatment in patients with angiography and subinguinal varicocelectomy.

Materials and Methods

The present study involved 15 patients with recurrent varicoceles. The mean patient age was 21.2 years (range: 12-42 years). Preoperative angiography was performed in 11 patients. Embolization was used in patients with patent internal spermatic veins (ISVs). Patients without patent ISVs or preoperative angiography underwent magnification-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy which included testicular retrieval and ligation of all collateral veins except arteries and deferential veins.

Results

Seven among 11 patients (64%) which had preoperative angiography had patent ISVs and underwent embolization and 8 patients underwent subinguinal varicocelectomy. Of those 8 patients, 6 had dilated ISVs and external spermatic veins (ESVs), one had dilated ISVs and gubernacular veins, and one had dilated ISVs, ESVs and gubernacular veins. No patient experienced recurrence or testis atrophy.

Conclusion

Patent ISVs or collateral veins may be the cause of recurrence after varicocelectomy. Angiographic embolization was successful in 64% of recurrent varicoceles patients with patent ISVs. However, microscope-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy may be the best overall treatment for patients with recurrent varicoceles.     

Splenic haemodynamics and portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis and spleen enlargement

The relationships between portal hypertension and spleen enlargement, in patients with liver cirrhosis, are not clearly defined; as well as those between splenic haemodynamics and portal hypertension. In 25 cirrhotics with spleen enlargement and portal hypertension and in seven controls, the following parameters were determined: estimated splenic volume (ESV) from the radiographic view of the spleen, according to Blendis, Williams and Kreel (1969), specific splenic blood-flow (SSBF), total splenic blood-flow (TSBF), porto-hepatic gradient (PHG), specific splenic resistance (SSR) and total splenic resistance (TSR). Moreover, the size and extension of oesophageal varices, at oesophagoscopy, were classified according to Dagradi (1973). PHG, ESV and TSBF were increased in all subjects, SSBF was increased in two cases, SSR was increased in two cases and decreased in two cases, TSR was decreased in all cases and ESV was not correlated to the level of portal hypertension. Neither TSBF nor TSR were found to be correlated to the level of portal hypertension, as estimated by PHG or by oesophageal varices. It is concluded that, in patients with liver cirrhosis and spleen enlargement, splenomegaly is likely to be the consequence of pulp hyperplasia and not of passive congestion, and that increases in splenic blood-flow do not contribute significantly to portal hypertension.     

TH胶在经皮经肝穿刺食管胃底静脉曲张栓塞治疗中的应用

目的评价TH胶在经皮经肝穿刺食管胃底静脉曲张栓塞中的应用价值。方法肝硬化门静脉高压并食管胃底静脉曲张患者20例，其中男性14例，女性6例。年龄25-72岁，平均年龄52岁。静脉曲张程度轻度2例，中度12例．重度6例。肝功能Child-Pau小分级A级15例，B级5例。采用经皮经肝门静脉穿刺途径，用TH胶灌注填塞曲张静脉，在拔出导管鞘时用1．2mlTH胶填塞肝脏穿刺通道。结果20例患者食管胃底静脉曲张即时闭塞率100％（20／20）．肝脏穿刺通道填塞良好，未出现肝包膜严重出血。肝功能各项指标在术后3d-过性升高，术后1个月恢复正常。17例患者随访6-12个月，随访期间无食管胃底静脉破裂出血。无死亡病例。结论TH胶能即时闭塞食管胃底的曲张静脉．治疗和预防曲张静脉破裂出血．也能够即时填塞肝脏穿刺通道，防止肝包膜下出血．在门静脉高压并食管胃底静脉曲张的介入栓塞治疗中具有重要的应用价值。     

Beta-adrenergic-antagonist drugs in the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices. An analysis of data and prognostic factors in 589 patients from four randomized clinical trials. Franco-Italian Multicenter Study Group.

BACKGROUND. The value of beta-adrenergic-antagonist drug therapy for the prevention of initial episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices is uncertain, both positive and negative study results having been reported. METHODS. In this study, we analyzed data on individual patients from four randomized, controlled trials to assess the efficacy of this treatment. Of the 589 patients studied, 286 received a beta-adrenergic-antagonist drug (propranolol in 203 and nadolol in 83) and 303 received placebo. RESULTS. After two years, the mean (+/- SE) percentage of patients who had had no upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 78 +/- 3 percent in the beta-adrenergic-antagonist treatment group and 65 +/- 3 percent in the control group (P = 0.002). The percentage of patients without fatal bleeding was 90 +/- 2 percent in the treatment group and 82 +/- 3 percent in the control group (P = 0.01). The percentage of patients surviving after two years was 71 +/- 3 percent in the treatment group and 68 +/- 3 percent in the control group (P = 0.34). After age and severity of cirrhosis were taken into account, the survival rate was better in the treatment group (P = 0.09). The percentage of surviving patients who had had no bleeding after two years was 62 +/- 3 percent in the treatment group and 53 +/- 3 percent in the control group (P = 0.04). Both propranolol and nadolol prevented a first episode of bleeding. Severe cirrhosis and especially the presence of ascites were associated with bleeding (P less than 0.001) and death (P less than 0.001) in both groups. The efficacy of beta-adrenergic-antagonist therapy in the prevention of bleeding (P less than 0.001) and of fatal bleeding (P = 0.004) and in the prevention of bleeding or death (P = 0.005) was the same after adjustment for cause and severity of cirrhosis, ascites, and size of varices. CONCLUSIONS. Propranolol and nadolol are effective in preventing first bleeding and reducing the mortality rate associated with gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis, regardless of severity.     

Patent ductus arteriosus in adults: surgical experience in Ivory-Coast

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus surgery is well documented. Hospital Mortality has reduced to almost 0%. Yet, with adults, this surgical cure is likely to be difficult and require some technical skills METHOD: A retrospective study of surgical procedures and results after surgery of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in adults. RESULTS: Since 1978 to 2000 we have reported 16 operated cases. The average age was 22.5 years. There was female predominance with a sex ratio of 2.3/1. All patent ductus arteriosus had been confirmed by two dimensional echocardiography (2D echocardiography) and cardiac catheterization. All hemodynamic types of Nadas classification were observed. Double or triple ligation supported on Teflon felt was the most frequent technique used (69%). This technique gave good results in view of the absence of hospital mortality and only 1 case of recanalisation after a long follow up of all patients from 1 - 7 years (mean 5 years). CONCLUSION: Double or triple ligation on Teflon felt according to Wright technique is a good technique.