Liver and spleen volume variations in patients with hepatic fibrosis

AIM： To study the liver and spleen volume variations in hepatic fibrosis patients at different histopathological stages.
METHODS： Multidetector computed tomography （MDCT） scan was performed in 85 hepatic fibrosis patients. Liver volume （LV） and spleen volume （SV） were measured. Fifteen healthy individuals served as a control group （SO）. The patients were divided into stage 1 （S1） group （n = 34）, stage 2 （S2） group （n = 25）, stage 3 （S3） group （n = 16）, and stage 4 （S4） group （n = 10） according to their histopathological stage of liver fibrosis.
RESULTS： The LV and standard LV （SLV） had a tendency to increase with the severity of fibrosis, but no statistical difference was observed in the 5 groups （LV： F = 0.245, P = 0.912; SLV： F = 1.902, P = 0.116）. The SV was gradually increased with the severity of fibrosis, and a statistically significant difference in SV was observed among the 5 groups （P 〈 0.01）. The LV/SV ratio and SLV/SV ratio were gradually decreased with the aggravation of hepatic fibrosis, and statistically significant differences in both LV/SV and SLV/SV were found among the 5 groups （P 〈 0.01）.
CONCLUSION： The absence of obvious LV reduction in patients with chronic liver disease may be a morphological index of patients without liver cirrhosis. The SV is related to the severity of fibrosis, and the spleen of patients with advanced fibrosis is enlarged evidently. The LV/SV ratio and SLV/SV ratio are of a significant clinical value in the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis.     

Blood volume measurement in pseudopolycythaemia—when and why?

Summary Upper reference limits for packed cell volume (PCV) for a hospital population were established by analysis of 14000 consecutive blood count profiles. These were 0.50 for men and 0.45 for women. In 86 patients, pseudopolycythaemia was identified by an increased PCV with red cell mass (RCM) < 125% of predicted normal. We have proposed a modified classification of pseudopolycythaemia and identified three subsets on the basis of RCM and plasma volume (PV) values. Although all patients had raised PCV at the time of referral, by the time of blood volume study a lower PCV value was noted in a proportion of patients. Patients with a low PV (< 80% predicted normal, Group 1) and those with a ‘high normal red cell mass’ (RCM 113–125% predicted normal, Group 2) had higher and more persistently elevated PCV values on repeated measurement, compared with the patients in Group 3 (‘transient pseudopolycythaemia’). These latter patients have a normal RCM and PV, and although initially fulfilling the criteria for pseudopolycythaemia on the basis of a raised PCV and normal RCM, a high proportion subsequently showed fluctuation in PCV which often fell below the upper reference limit. It is important to diagnose pseudopolycythaemia because of the associated increase in morbidity and mortality, and our observations suggest that whereas a blood volume study is essential to diagnose pseudopolycythaemia reliably, this investigation need only be performed when a patient shows a persistently increased PCV on repeated measurement.     

Respiratory changes in vasovagal syncope

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory changes accompany the cardiovascular changes during head-up, tilt test-induced vasovagal syncope. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the 45-minute 60 degrees head-up Westminster protocol, 29 patients were studied (mean age 53.9+/-20.0 years; 19 females). Two groups resulted: tilt-induced vasovagal syncope positive and negative. The cardiorespiratory parameters blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), tidal volume, and minute volume were measured. Comparisons of the cardiorespiratory parameters were made within the positive group and negative group, and then between the two groups. There were 14 in the positive group and 15 in the negative group. Baseline measurements were normalized to 1.0. Comparing the late tilt periods between the positive and negative groups, there were differences in BP (P < 0.002), HR (P < 0.002), tidal volume (P < 0.05), and minute volume (P < 0.002). In the positive group comparing early with late intervals: BP 1.11+/-0.09 versus 0.49+/-0.17, P < 0.0001; HR 1.18+/-0.12 versus 0.85+/-0.35, P < 0.009; tidal volume 1.39+/-0.34 versus 2.17+/-1.00, P < 0.015; and minute volume 1.24+/-0.26 versus 3.3+/-2.03, P < 0.0025. There were no comparable cardiorespiratory changes in the negative group. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the respiratory and cardiovascular parameters measured between those who were positive and those who were negative for tilt-induced vasovagal syncope. Within the positive group, in addition to the falls in HR and BP, there were significant increases in minute volume and tidal volume during late tilt. This suggests that there may be a role for respiratory sensors in vasovagal syncope that may permit earlier and hence possibly more effective therapy for selected patients.     

Comparison of streptozotocin and alloxan-induced diabetes in the rat,including volumetric quantitation of the pancreatic islets

Summary Diabetes was induced in rats with equal molar dosages of either streptozotocin or alloxan. The clinical course of the diabetes (mortality, hyperglycemia, weight loss, polydipsia, hyperphagia, polyuria, glycosuria and diabetic indices) was recorded for six weeks before the animals were sacrificed for volumetric quantitation of the pancreatic islets. No significant differences in the pancreas (islet volumes of pancreas; beta, alpha and non-granular cell volumes and vessel volumes of both islet and total pancreas) were seen between the two groups, although differences in the clinical parameters were observed. The diabetic index at three and four weeks post injection was the clinical parameter which best reflected the terminal pancreatic beta cell volume. Analysis of the scanning data adds further empirical support for the accuracy of the linear scan method of quantitation.Supported by USPHS Training Grant No. GM 114.     

Blood lymphocyte volumes and diameters in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and normal controls

Summary The electronic modal lymphocyte volumes of 151 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 305 normal controls were determined by the hydrodynamically focused multi-channel Coulter TF analyser. The mean volumes of the normally distributed groups were 166±19.3 (range 126–216) fl in patients with CLL and 206±14.4 (range 126±246) fl in normal controls. The calculated cell diameters were 6.8 (6.2–7.4) m and 7.3 (6.8–7.8) m respectively. Our data do not support previous reports about relations between cell size and clinical stages of the Rai and Binet classifications.Supported by grants from Hamburger Stiftung zur Förderung der Krebsbekämpfung     

左心房容积指数对急性心肌梗死患者直接经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的预后评价

目的研究左心房容积指数与急性心肌梗死患者直接经皮冠状动脉介入（percutaneouscoronaryintervention,PCI）治疗的预后关系。方法回顾性分析116例确诊为急性心肌梗死的患者的资料,记录其入院后一般情况及PCI治疗后3d内和12个月后左心室射血分数（1eftventrieularejectionfraction,LVEF）、左心房容积（1eftatrialvolume,LAV）、左心房容积指数（1eftatrialvolumeindex,LAVI）等。根据LAVI变化分为两组：Ⅰ组为降低组,Ⅱ组为升高组,并对两组相关资料进行比较。结果两组术前基线资料比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。Ⅰ组LVEF、LAV、LAVI的基础值和12个月后的随访值均比Ⅱ组低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。Ⅰ组12个月后LAV、LAVI较基础值降低,LVEF值升高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。而Ⅱ组12个月后LAV、LAVI较基础值升高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;LYEF与基础值比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。Ⅱ组心房颤动发生率、因心力衰竭再住院率明显高于Ⅰ组,差异有统计学意义[14．8％（9／61）vs. 1.8％（1／55）,P〈0．05;16．4％（10／61）vs. 1．8％（1／55）,P〈0．05]。结论急性心肌梗死患者在直接PCI治疗后,LAVI升高预示随后发生不良后果。     

The effects of diuresis and transfusion on pulmonary function in children with thalassemia major.

Previous pulmonary function studies in subjects with thalassemia major (TM) who were on regular transfusion programs have demonstrated results ranging from small airway obstruction to a restrictive pattern. Ten subjects with TM were studied pre- and postdiuresis, and again 24 hr after transfusion, in order to evaluate the role of possible fluid overload in altering pulmonary function. Subjects underwent spirometry and had lung volume and flow volume curves (MEFVC) measured in a volume displacement plethysmograph while breathing air and a mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen (HeO2). Six patients had pulmonary mechanics measured with esophageal balloons in place. Baseline function was normal and no change occurred following diuresis. Following transfusion, the volume of isoflow (VisoV) decreased, but other parameters did not change. Subsequent analysis revealed 5 subjects with an initial VisoV greater than 20 (% FVC) but, paradoxically, less evidence of flow limitation in the small airways than those with a VisoV less than 20 (% FVC). Posttransfusion, in those subjects with an initially high VisoV, the Vmax25(air) tended to fall without a change of MEFVC in HeO2, resulting in a decreased VisoV. This was interpreted as evidence of subtle abnormalities in the small airways caused by volume expansion, raising doubts about the value of the VisoV as a measure of small airway disease. As a group, our subjects did not demonstrate any abnormalities in baseline function. Some subjects had mild flow limitation in small airway while other developed comparable levels of flow limitation following the volume expansion associated with transfusion.     

Left atrial conduit function for left ventricular filling dynamics in patients with myocardial infarction

This study observed the left atrial function in determining filling dynamics of the left ventricle in patients with myocardial infarction. The study consisted of eight control subjects and ten patients with myocardial infarction. The left ventricular filling volume is considered to be composed of the left atrial passive emptying, active emptying, and conduit volumes. The change of left ventricular filling volume was correlated with that of conduit volume (r = .87, P < .01). However, the change of left ventricular filling volume did not have any correlation to those of left atrial passive emptying and active emptying volumes. These results suggested that the left atrial conduit function was important in determining filling dynamics of the left ventricle.     

The effect of acute aortic regurgitation on the transthoracic impedance cardiogram

In nine anesthetized dogs, recordings of the first derivative of the transthoracic impedance cardiogram (ICG) were made during varying grades of acute aortic regurgitation. Acute aortic regurgitation was induced using a specially designed umbrella catheter, passed retrograde across the aortic valve into the left ventricle. The RF_A (representing the fraction of the aortic reverse flow to the aortic forward flow) was computed using an electromagnetic flow probe implanted around the ascending aorta. Both the peak of the scalar ICG, dz/dt_max, which occurs at peak systolic ejection, and the nadir of the scalar ICG, X, which marks the closing of the aortic valve, increased with aortic regurgitation. The planimetered areas of the ICG during systole (S?), and in early-diastole (X?) increased during aortic regurgitation. These areas, S? and X?, correlated with the electromagnetic normalized aortic stroke volume (r = 0.90) and the regurgitant volume (r = 0.78), respectively. The ICG ratio X?/S? was correlated directly with the electromagnetic aortic regurgitant fraction (r = 0.86). This study demonstrates that the ICG waveform is consistently modified by experimental aortic regurgitation. Furthermore, these changes can be quantitatively related to the degree of aortic regurgitation.     

Pulmonary function following mild respiratory tract infections ("common cold") in teenagers

Ventilatory function--forced vital capacity (VC)--forced expiratory volume (in 1-sec forced expiratory flows) static lung volumes, closing volume, and phase III slope (single-breath N2 test) were compared in 94 children with and 436 children without a history of recent mild acute respiratory infection. Their age ranged from 10 to 16 years; subjects with symptoms on the day of the study were excluded. We found no difference in lung function between the two groups, with the exception of a slight (inconsistently significant) increase in closing volume (CV) and the CV/VC ratio. Although the influence of a persistent increase in interstitial lung pressure leading to early small airways closure cannot be ruled out, this isolated functional abnormality probably represents a spurious positive result, arising by chance when a large number of statistical tests are done.     

用力吸气流量在COPD和支气管哮喘中的应用

目的 评价用力吸气流量指标在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)和支气管哮喘中价值。方法 观察COPD80例和支气管哮喘20例在吸入支气管扩张剂后用力吸气流量指标的前后变化。结果 轻度COPD患者和支气管哮喘患者FEV1,FIV1，PEF，PIF，FEF50％，FIF50%指标，在吸入支气管扩张剂前后均有明显的差异。但用力吸气流量指标与用力呼气流量指标在统计学无差别。而中、重度COPD患者FIV1％较FEV1％有显著差异性。结论 在COPD中，在评价支气管的可逆性方面，用力吸气流量具有用力呼气流量同样的效果。甚至在重度COPD患者中．FIV1%比用力呼气流量可能更加敏感。     

Expansion of Blood Volume Increases the Primary Patency Rate of Arteriovenous Fistulas for Hemodialysis in Patients With Critical Arterial Quality

The aim of our prospective study was to find out if the expansion of blood volume can improve early arteriovenous fistula (AVF) function after construction in patients with marginal vessel quality. Before AVF construction, the arteries of the upper arm were examined by duplex sonography. Patients with critical values of internal artery diameter (IDA) <1.6 mm, resistance index (RI) at reactive hyperemia (RH) >0.7 and feeding artery blood flow (ABF) <24 mL/min were divided into two groups by random sampling. One group received plasma expander (hydroxyethyl starch) during surgery and the other did not. During the surgical procedures to construct 43 AVFs in 37 patients with critical artery quality, the patients received a mean volume of 720 mL (range 320–1000 mL) of plasma expander. The primary patency rate in this group was 86% (37/43). In the other group of 37 patients with critical artery quality, 42 AVFs were constructed and no plasma expander was given during surgery. The primary patency rate was 26.2% (11/42, P > 0.001). The two‐year survival of the AVF in the group given plasma expander was 66.3%, and in the other group it was 13.3%. In our study, the infusion of plasma expander in patients with critical artery quality increased the primary patency rate after AVF construction. Based on the morphological and functional characteristics of arteries determined by pre‐operative duplex sonography, the need for blood volume expansion could be predicted.     

Lung inflammation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: effects of ventilation with different tidal volumes

Ventilation with an inappropriate tidal volume (Vt) triggers lung inflammation, an important predisposing factor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. It still remains uncertain what the appropriate starting target Vt should be during the acute phase of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Our aim was to evaluate lung inflammation in preterm infants undergoing synchronized intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (SIPPV) with two different tidal volumes Vt during the acute phase of RDS. Thirty preterm infants (gestational age, 25-32 weeks) with acute RDS were randomly assigned to be ventilated with Vt = 5 ml/kg (n = 15) or Vt = 3 ml/kg (n = 15). Proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were determined in the tracheal aspirate on days 1, 3, and 7 of life. IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels collected on day 7 were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and mechanical ventilation lasted longer in the group with Vt = 3 ml/kg (16.8 +/- 4 vs. 9.2 +/- 4 days; P = 0.05). In conclusion, our data show significantly higher lung inflammation in preterm infants ventilated with Vt = 3 ml/kg, suggesting a role for Vt = 5 ml/kg in reducing both inflammatory response during the acute phase of RDS and the length of ventilation. Whether the use of this starting Vt prevents bronchopulmonary dysplasia requires further study.     

Electromagnetic inductance plethysmography to measure tidal breathing in preterm and term infants

Tidal breathing measurements which provide a non‐invasive measure of lung function in preterm and term infants are particularly useful to guide respiratory support. We used a new technique of electromagnetic inductance plethysmography (EIP) to measure tidal breathing in infants between 32 and 42 weeks postconceptional age (PCA). Tidal breathing was measured in 49 healthy spontaneously breathing infants between 32 and 42 weeks PCA. The weight‐corrected tidal volume (V_T) and minute volume (MV) decreased with advancing PCA (V_T 6.5 ± 1.5 ml/kg and MV 0.44 ± 0.04 L/kg/min at 32–33 weeks, respectively; 6.3 ± 0.9 ml/kg and 0.38 ± 0.02 L/kg/min at 34–36 weeks; and 5.1 ± 1.1 ml/kg and 0.28 ± 0.02 L/kg/min at term, V_T P < 0.001 and MV P < 0.01 for 32–33 weeks PCA vs. term; V_T P = 0.016 and MV P = 0.015 for 34–36 weeks PCA vs. term). Respiratory frequency and the phase angle decreased significantly with advancing PCA but the flow parameter t_PTEF/t_E did not change significantly. Using a new technique to measure tidal breathing parameters in newborn infants, our data confirms its usability in clinical practice and establishes normative data which can guide future respiratory management of newborn infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:160–167. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.