Control of colonic variceal haemorrhage with a somatostatin analogue

A 64 year old caucasian male with known alcoholic liver disease presented with rectal bleeding. The patient bled repeatedly despite resuscitation. A sigmoid colectomy was performed following an angiogram. Large colonic, rectal and mesenteric variceal vessels were noted at surgery. Further bleeding postoperatively was rapidly controlled with octreotide infusion. Octreotide may be as useful in the control of colonic variceal bleeding as it is in the control of oesophageal variceal bleeding.     

Metabolism of apolipoprotein A-I in healthy young adults.

The metabolism of 125I-labeled apolipoprotein A-I bound to high-density lipoproteins by an in vitro transfer procedure was studied in 10 healthy young adults (5 males and 5 females). Both sexes handled the labeled apolipoprotein similarly, and no statistically significant differences were found in the derived kinetic data. The mean (+/- 1 SD) plasma apolipoprotein A-I concentrations (males, 105 +/- 19 mg/dl; females, 111 +/- 13.8 mg/dl) and half-lives (males, 4.46 +/- 0.45 days; females, 4.64 +/- 0.70 days) were similar, as were the fractional rates of catabolism (FCR) of the apoprotein derived from the above data (FCR in males, 27% of intravascular pool/day; FCR in females, 25% of intravascular pool/day). The absolute catabolic rate of the apoprotein, equivalent under steady-state conditions to the synthetic rate, was 12.1 +/- 1.6 mg/kg/day in males and 11.9 +/- 2.4 mg/kg/day in females.     

A prospective randomized trial of tocainide in patients following myocardial infarction

One hundred forty-six patients with recent acute myocardial infarction were grouped at random into those treated with tocainide, an oral analogue of lignocaine, or placebo and followed up for 6 months. In addition to standard investigations, a 24-hour ambulatory taped ECG recording was obtained prior to randomization and thereafter at 2, 8, 16, and 24 hours after discharge. The ECGs were analyzed by means of an automated, computerized reporting system. Forty-two patients had significant ventricular arrhythmias, 10 of whom had effective plasma levels of tocainide compared with 27 patients on placebo (P < 0.005). In the placebo patients with increasing mobilization there was a consistent rise in the number of ventricular ectopic beats per day. There was no such increase in the tocainide patients (p < 0.01). Side effects were few and the incidence of central nervous system side effects was similar in both the tocainide and placebo groups. There was no conclusive evidence of myocardial depression, heart rate and blood pressure being unchanged over the 6-month period. Although ventricular arrhythmias were suppressed, the number of patients in the study was too small to draw conclusions regarding the mortality rate.     

Beta-adrenoreceptor blockade in hypertension.

There is good evidence from many sources that beta-adrenoreceptor blockade is an effective form of therapy in mild, moderate and severe hypertension either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Although a number os such beta blocking compounds are now available, they appear to have a hypotensive effect of approximately equal magnitude. This hypotensive effect is obtained in both the supine and standing positions thus avoiding postural hypotension. The maximum hypotensive effect may take some time to become apparent. Despite considerable work the mode of action remains uncertain, reduction in cardiac output, resetting of baroreceptors, reduction in plasma renin and a central nervous system effect have been suggested but remain unproved. There is evidence to suggest that these compounds can control, to some degree, the surges in blood pressure resulting from either mental or physical stress. A low incidence of serious side effects has been reported by many workers. Only the long-term use of these compounds in comparison with other antihypertensive agents will determine their place in the management of hypertension.     

Apolipoprotein B metabolism in normal,type IV,and type V hyperlipoproteinemic subjects

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) metabolism was investigated in four normal, three type IV, and three type V hyperlipoproteinemic subjects. Following injection of autologous radioiodinated very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) the rate of clearance of the apoprotein from this particle and its subsequent appearance in low density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured by frequent apoB specific activity determinations over an 11-day period. The resultant data were analyzed using the SAAM 27 computer program. In the normal subjects, more than 95% of the injected VLDL apoB was rapidly transferred to the LDL density range and accounted for all LDL apoB synthesis in that group. The plasma VLDL apoB concentration in the type IV group was, on average, five times the normal level. This resulted primarily from a doubling of the VLDL apoB synthetic rate associated with a defective or saturated catabolic mechanism. Only 60% of this material subsequently appeared in LDL, while the remainder was catabolized via an LDL-independent pathway. The turnover parameters of LDL apoB were normal in the type IV patients. Type V hyperlipoproteinemic subjects exhibited a 12- to 35-fold increase in plasma VLDL apoB concentration over normal. This again derived from increased VLDL apoB synthesis in the presence of defective removal of the apoprotein; the fractional catabolic rate of VLDL apoB in this group was 14% of the normal value. However, in contrast to the type IV patient data, more than 85% of the apoB in type V VLDL eventually appeared in LDL whose turnover rate was raised as a result of an increase in its catabolism; the fractional catabolic rate of LDL apoB in type V patients was four-fold above normal. The plasma LDL apoB pool size was substantially reduced in these subjects. This study shows that in hyperlipoproteinemic pheno-types IV and V there exist multiple anomalies of apoB metabolism affecting both VLDL and LDL.     

An analysis of electrocardiographic,radiographic, and vectorcardiographic findings in patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers

In patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers, the radiological appearances, and the configuration of the 12-lead ECG have been conventionally used both to locate the site of the electrode implantation and to diagnose electrode placement errors. These techniques have limitations, and in the present study vectorcardiographic data derived from the pacemaker stimulus and the spread to ventricular depolarization has been added to improve accuracy. Three hundred patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers were studied. Unusual QRS complexes as determined from the 12-lead ECG were found in 37 (12%) and the position of the pacemaker electrodes determined from the lateral chest x-ray was outside normal (R.V. apex) in 61 patients (20.3%). A combined interpretation of the ECG, chest x-ray, and the vectorcardiogram agreed on positioning (correct or incorrect) in all but 17 patients (5.6%). Three patients had a perforated right ventricle, while further study of the other 14 suggested malpositioning of the catheter electrode in the right ventricle or in the coronary venous system. An analysis of the ECG patterns, x-ray appearances, and vectorcardiograms is presented with respect to the diagnosis of pacemaker electrode placement errors and a logical tree for establishing the position of the pacemaker is introduced.     

Impact of body mass index in liver transplantation for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease

Background

This study evaluates long-term outcomes and body mass index (BMI) following liver transplantation (LT) for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in comparison with alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

Predictors of a variceal source among patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND:

Patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) require an early, tailored approach best guided by knowledge of the bleeding lesion, especially a variceal versus a nonvariceal source.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify, by investigating a large national registry, variables that would be predictive of a variceal origin of UGIB using clinical parameters before endoscopic evaluation.

METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted in 21 Canadian hospitals during the period from January 2004 until the end of May 2005. Consecutive charts for hospitalized patients with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of UGIB were reviewed. Data regarding demographics, including historical, physical examination, initial laboratory investigations, endoscopic and pharmacological therapies administered, as well as clinical outcomes, were collected. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to identify clinical predictors of a variceal source of bleeding.

RESULTS:

The patient population included 2020 patients (mean [± SD] age 66.3±16.4 years; 38.4% female). Overall, 215 (10.6%) were found to be bleeding from upper gastrointestinal varices. Among 26 patient characteristics, variables predicting a variceal source of bleeding included history of liver disease (OR 6.36 [95% CI 3.59 to 11.3]), excessive alcohol use (OR 2.28 [95% CI 1.37 to 3.77]), hematemesis (OR 2.65 [95% CI 1.61 to 4.36]), hematochezia (OR 3.02 [95% CI 1.46 to 6.22]) and stigmata of chronic liver disease (OR 2.49 [95% CI 1.46 to 4.25]). Patients treated with antithrombotic therapy were more likely to experience other causes of hemorrhage (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.35 to 0.78]).

CONCLUSION:

Presenting historical and physical examination data, and initial laboratory tests carry significant predictive ability in discriminating variceal versus nonvariceal sources of bleeding.     

肝硬化合并贲门区曲张静脉破裂出血134例内镜诊疗分析

目的回顾性分析急诊内镜治疗肝硬化合并贲门区曲张静脉破裂出血的疗效。方法以内镜下硬化术、套扎术和组织粘合剂栓塞术等手段治疗134例肝硬化合并贲门区曲张静脉破裂出血。结果 134例中,121例(90.3%)止血成功,内镜下硬化术和组织粘合剂栓塞术的止血率分别为89.8%和95.8%。死亡4例,72 h内病死率为4.5%,原因为失血性休克、肝性脑病和多脏器功能衰竭。胃镜操作过程中未见死亡病例。结论肝硬化合并贲门区曲张静脉破裂出血,以内镜下硬化术和栓塞术治疗可获得较好的近期效果。     

内镜治疗与断流术治疗门静脉高压的效果比较

目的比较内镜治疗与断流术对门静脉高压的治疗效果。方法收集2010年1月-2012年1月沈阳军区总医院101例肝硬化合并食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者的临床资料,其中内镜下联合治疗53例(内镜组),断流术治疗48例(断流术组),比较两组患者肝功能、脾亢变化以及术后再出血率和并发症情况。计量资料采用均数±标准差(x±s)表示,计数资料采用例数或百分率表示,两组间比较计量资料采用t检验,计数资料采用χ2检验。结果内镜组术后肝脏储备功能较术前变化不明显(P值均0.05);断流术组术后白蛋白水平与术前比较下降,差异均有统计学意义(t=2.512,P0.05);内镜组术后白细胞、血小板与术前相比变化不明显(P值均0.05),断流术组术后白细胞、血小板与术前相比升高,差异均有统计学意义(P值均0.05);两组术后累计再出血率比较3个月7.5%和6.2%(χ2=0.066,P0.05),6个月7.5%和8.3%(χ2=0.021,P0.05)及1年9.4%和8.3%(χ2=0.038,P0.05);两组术后并发症发生率分别为24.5%和50%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.040,P0.05)。结论肝硬化门静脉高压内镜联合治疗与断流术相比,内镜治疗对患者损伤小,术后肝功能变化不明显,术后并发症发生率低;对肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血合并脾功能亢进明显的患者,可行断流术。     

Measuring ventricular extrasystoles

Uniform ventricular extrasystoles can be divided into three types: fixed coupling, parasystole, and variable non-parasystolic coupling. Frequency distributions of coupling intervals of ventricular extrasystoles were determined from long electrocardiographic recordings of 51 patients with variable coupling. These distributions were of five types: (a) two distinct coupling intervals, (b) a preponderance of extrasystoles with short coupling intervals and less frequent extrasystoles with progressively longer coupling, (c) a preponderance of long coupling intervals and less frequent extrasystoles with progressively shorter coupling, (d) an even distribution and (3) a central distribution. Interectopic intervals were measured in these electrocardiograms (ECGs). Parasystole was found only in three recordings. It is recommended that the diagnosis of parasystole be made only if the degree of variation of the ectopic cycle (both when it is manifest and when it is concealed) is less than the variation of the coupling intervals. When the ECGs with variable non-parasystolic coupling were compared with 44 ECGs with fixed coupling, it was found that variable coupling was associated with abnormalities of the basic electrocardiographic contour, multiformity of extrasystoles and repetitive extrasystoles.     

Glycosylated hemoglobin and its temporal relationship to plasma glucose in non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus

Total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAl) and random plasma glucose were measured at monthly intervals for 6 mo in 33 non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetics. The mean HbAl and mean plasma glucose in individual patients over the 6 mo showed a close correlation (p < 0.001). A significantly higher HbAl (p < 0.001) for a given plasma glucose was seen in those patients receiving combined chlorpropamide and metformin therapy (n = 14) than in those receiving chlorpropamide alone (n = 19). For each patient correlation coefficients were calculated between plasma glucose and HbAl with time lags of 0, 1 and 2 mo. The coefficients with no time lag showed a significant tendency to be positive (p < 0.01) whereas those with time lags of 1 or 2 mo were not significant. A constant proportional variability of both HbAl and plasma glucose over time was demonstrated, the mean coefficient of variation for HbAl being 8.4 ± 2.7% and for plasma glucose 22.3 ± 9.7%. We conclude that HbAl provides an index of plasma glucose control, not during the preceding few months as was previously thought but, during the previous few weeks. In terms of variability from month to month a single HbAl determination was equivalent to approximately the mean of 3 single plasma glucose values.     

内镜下预防食管胃静脉曲张再出血对门静脉系统血流动力学影响的研究

目的评价内镜下预防食管胃静脉曲张患者再出血（二级预防）对门静脉系统血流动力学的影响,以指导临床治疗方案的确定。方法运用超声检查对有出血史的食管胃静脉曲张患者的门静脉系统压力和血流压力包括血管内径、横截面积和平均血流速度进行评价,在二级预防静脉曲张根除后,再次用超声检查评价门静脉系统血流动力学。结果 42例患者在二级预防治疗后1-27个月的随访时间内,达到静脉曲张完全根除,治疗前后超声检查对门静脉系统血流动力学的评估显示,肝动脉内径和肝动脉横截面积显著增宽,其他评估指标治疗前后差异均无统计学意义。结论二级预防治疗静脉曲张再出血,可能使门脉压力有所升高,这需要更大的样本量和长期的跟踪随访来进一步证实。     

Effect of Silymarin on Chemical,Functional, and Morphological Alterations of the Liver

One hundred and six consecutive patients with liver disease were selected on the basis of elevated serum transaminase levels. The patients were randomly allocated into a group treated with Silymarin (treated) and a group receiving placebo (controls). Ninety-seven patients completed the 4-week trial—47 treated and 50 controls. In general, the series represented a relatively slight acute and subacute liver disease, mostly induced by alcohol abuse. There was a statistically highly significantly greater decrease of S-SGPT (S-ALAT) and S-SGOT (S-ASAT) in the treated group than in controls. Serum total and conjugated bilirubin decreased more in the treated than in controls, but the differences were not statistically significant. BSP retention returned to normal significantly more often in the treated group. The mean percentage decrease of BSP was also markedly higher in the treated. Normalization of histological changes occurred significantly more often in the treated than in controls.