Massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an arteriovenous malformation of the stomach

Arteriovenous malformations of the stomach are rare; blood loss may be manifested either by chronic anemia or by massive recurrent hemorrhage. We report a patient with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a gastric arteriovenous malformation. Emergency operation to control hemorrhage precluded the performance of angiography; diagnosis was made from the appearance of the lesion and dilatation of the veins draining the involved area. Complete operative excision of the lesion was curative.     

Plasma levels of gastrointestinal regulatory peptides in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

The fasting plasma levels of 9 gastrointestinal regulatory peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay in 13 stable patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis treatment regularly and compared with those of 10 healthy controls. The plasma concentrations of gastrin-releasing peptide, motilin, neurotensin, pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, somatostatin, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal peptide were increased. The plasma level of gastrin was not statistically different from that of the controls (p = 0.077). We conclude that patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis treatment regularly have increased concentrations of eight of nine measured gastrointestinal regulatory peptides. The elevated levels of gastrointestinal peptides in patients with chronic renal failure may contribute to uremic gastrointestinal symptoms and dysfunctions. It is necessary to make a renal function evaluation before interpreting measured plasma levels of gastrointestinal regulatory peptides.     

Removal of toxic levels of N-acetylprocainamide with continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration or continuous arteriovenous hemodiafiltration

Two patients with renal failure developed N-acetylprocainamide toxicity while receiving procainamide. Treatment consisted of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in one and hemodialysis followed by continuous arteriovenous hemodiafiltration in the other. The efficacy of these treatments was compared with the efficacy of three-times-weekly hemodialysis as used in two patients on chronic hemodialysis who had elevated N-acetylprocainamide levels. Continuous methods produced a more rapid reduction in N-acetylprocainamide levels than intermittent hemodialysis.     

Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition with eptifibatide: prolongation of inhibition of aggregation in acute renal failure and reversal with hemodialysis.

We report the time course to the restoration of normal platelet aggregation in three patients who were treated with eptifibatide in the setting of severe renal failure. There was prolonged platelet inhibition in the first patient who developed acute renal failure. The second patient with acute on chronic renal failure developed an intracerebral hemorrhage. Normal platelet aggregation was restored after acute hemodialysis. In a third patient with end-stage renal disease, platelet function returned to the normal range following hemodialysis. There is a prolonged time course to the restoration of normal platelet aggregation in patients with severe renal dysfunction who are treated with eptifibatide. Acute renal hemodialysis may reverse the inhibitory effect of eptifibatide on platelet aggregation in these patients.     

Acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with chronic renal disease

In order to reassess the role of duodenal ulcers as a cause of acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with chronic renal failure, 20 consecutive patients with moderate to severe chronic renal failure and a comparison group of patients without renal disease who were seen for acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage were reviewed. Gastric bleeding sites (gastric ulcer in 35 percent and gastritis in 20 percent) rather than duodenal ulcers were the most common sources of bleeding and were significantly associated with the use of ulcerogenic drugs. Patients with renal disease in whom acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage developed had significantly more morbidity and a trend toward higher mortality than the comparison group of patients without renal disease. It is concluded that gastric mucosal lesions, at least in part due to the use of ulcerogenic drugs, are the most common cause of significant acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Massive hemorrhage due to nodular hyperplasia of Brunner's glands in antiphospholipid syndrome

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is an exceptional complication of antiphospholipid syndrome and most reported cases are secondary to ischemic lesions. Brunner's gland hyperplasia is an infrequent and usually asymptomatic condition that has been associated with chronic renal failure. We report a patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome who, after mechanic heart valve replacement and while in a state of drug-induced anticoagulation, experienced a life-threatening upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to nodular hyperplasia of Brunner's glands. This entity may be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, most of whom are treated with oral anticoagulatory drugs, and particularly in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Concomitant coronary and subclavian steal caused by ipsilateral subclavian artery stenosis and arteriovenous fistula in a hemodialysis patient.

Patients with chronic renal failure, because of concomitant conventional cardiovascular and uremia-associated risk factors, are at risk of developing diffuse and accelerated atherosclerosis involving both the coronary and peripheral territories. We report an end-stage renal failure patient with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery who developed both angina and dizziness during hemodialysis via a left forearm arteriovenous fistula. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed the presence of significant subclavian artery stenosis. The patient then underwent successful percutaneous stenting of the left subclavian artery. His angina and dizziness symptoms resolved subsequently.     

Embolization of a duodenal arteriovenous malformation in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: case report and review of the literature.

A 68-year-old man with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia presented with recurrent, intermittent gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Transfusion of a total of 27 units of red blood cells was required over the three months before admission. Upper and lower endoscopy did not reveal a source of bleeding and a technetium-labelled red blood cell scan was noncontributory. Angiography demonstrated a duodenal arteriovenous malformation originating from a superior mesenteric artery branch. Embolization of the arteriovenous malformation was performed with resolution of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and reduced requirement for blood transfusion. The utility of trans-catheter embolization in the management of duodenal arteriovenous malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is discussed.     

Esophageal mucosal desquamation with hemorrhage in bullous pemphigoid: a case report]

Bullous pemphigoid is a subepidermal blistering skin disease, usually occurred in the elderly. It is an autoimmune disease associated with circulating autoantibodies directed against structural components of hemodesmosome. Rarely, it can involve the esophagus, which can be complicated by upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We report a case of bullous pemphigoid with esophageal mucosal desquamation and hemorrhage in patient with chronic renal failure.     

Infective tricuspid valve endocarditis with septic pulmonary emboli due to puncture of an endogenous arteriovenous fistula in a chronic hemodialysis patient

BACKGROUND: Patients on chronic hemodialysis are at high risk for infectious endocarditis due to prosthetic access devices such as cuffed venous catheters and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Right-sided endocarditis without any predisposing factors is rare in dialysed patients. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old man with chronic renal failure was referred to hospital due to febrile temperatures. Hemodialysis was performed via an autogenous arteriovenous fistula. He had neither any recognized underlying valve disease nor any percutaneous interventions previously. Chest radiography and computed-tomography revealed numerous lung abscesses caused by tricuspid endocarditis detected by transesophageal echocardiography. Antibiotics were given for 5 weeks curing the infection without necessity of surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Primary arteriovenous fistulas have the lowest rates of infections and are the access of choice for chronic hemodialysis patients. However, repeated vascular punctures even of autogenous grafts expose dialysis patients to bacteremia and imply a higher risk of infectious endocarditis.     

Review of Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure patients receiving hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis often encounter gastrointestinal troubles over their long treatment period. Helicobacter pylori infection has close association with development of peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma, and is thought to be one of the major risk factors for gastrointestinal troubles in dialysis patients. However, it is unclear whether H. pylori infection is directly associated with progression of renal dysfunction and prognosis of chronic renal failure patients. Recent consensus shows that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in chronic renal failure patients is significantly lower than in subjects with normal renal function. In the natural history of H. pylori infection in hemodialysis patients, the prevalence of infection decreases as dialysis periods progressed, in particular within the first four years after the start of treatment. However, the chance of natural eradication becomes rare for patients receiving dialysis treatment for a long time. Moreover, chronic renal failure patients with H. pylori infection have a higher incidence of gastroduodenal diseases, and therefore, are recommended to receive eradication therapies, especially for those receiving treatment for a long time and with higher risks of complication. Intensive endoscopic check-ups for the prevention of gastrointestinal events and the discovery of peptic ulcer and neoplastic diseases at an early phase may be required.     

Determinants of gastrointestinal complications in cardiac surgery

We designed this study to define determinants of gastrointestinal complications after cardiac surgery. From January 1992 through December 2000, 11,058 patients underwent cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass at our institution. Data were prospectively collected and univariate and multivariate analyses conducted. A total of 147 gastrointestinal complications occurred in 129 patients (129/11,058; 1.2%) including gastroesophagitis (18, 12.2%), upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (42, 28.6%), perforated peptic ulcer (7, 4.7%), cholecystitis (10, 6.8%), pancreatitis (13, 8.8%), intestinal ischemia (17, 11.5%), colitis (18, 12.2%), diverticulitis (5, 3.4%), intestinal occlusion (2, 1.1%), lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1, 0.7%), and mixed gastrointestinal complications (14, 9.5%). Patients with gastrointestinal complications were significantly older and had significantly higher comorbidity (unstable angina, chronic renal failure, and peripheral vascular disease), morbidity (prolonged mechanical ventilation, intraaortic balloon pumping, bleeding, acute renal failure, stroke, and infection), and mortality rates (22.5% vs 4%, P < 0.0001). They also had longer cardiopulmonary bypass times and higher valvular surgery rates. Multivariate analysis identified 6 independent predictors for gastrointestinal complications: prolonged mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 5.5), postoperative renal failure (OR, 4.2), sepsis (OR, 3.6), valve surgery (OR, 3.2), preoperative chronic renal failure (OR, 2.7), and sternal infection (OR, 2.4). Factors such as mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and sepsis are the stronger predictors for GI complications, causing splanchnic hypoperfusion, hypomotility, and hypoxia. Furthermore, excessive anticoagulation after valve replacement may lead to GI hemorrhage. Valve surgery, often requiring anticoagulation, increases bleeding. Monitoring mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic parameters, adopting early extubation and mobilization measures, preventing infections, and strictly monitoring renal function and anticoagulation may prevent catastrophic abdominal complications.     

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation treated by transcatheter embolization

Arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas is a rare condition that may cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A 58-year-old man with an arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas is described. The patient had recurrent episodes of melena. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiographic study and color Doppler ultrasonography. Therapeutic embolization of the arteriovenous malformation was successfully carried out. In conclusion, transcatheter arterial embolization should be chosen for the patient with the pancreatic arteriovenous malformation.     

Causes of unplanned hemodialysis initiation

Half of patients starting chronic hemodialysis used a transient vascular catheter as a vascular access (unplanned initiation). An objective of the Quality Management Group of the Spanish Society of Nephrology is to achieve that 80% of the patients starting hemodialysis do it with an arteriovenous fistula. We want to review the causes of non-planned hemodialysis nowadays. In 2010, 43 patients had started chronic hemodialysis in the Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid (Spain). Mean age was 61 years, 79% were men, the most frequent cause of chronic renal disease was the diabetes (23%) and Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6.3 ± 2.6. The unplanned hemodialysis occurred in 20 patients (47%), without any differences with the 23 patients who began planned hemodialysis, in none of the clinical or demographic parameters analyzed. The main cause of unplanned hemodialysis was the acute exacerbation of chronic kidney disease stage 3 or 4, previously stable, secondary to an unforeseeable intercurrent process (8 patients, 40% of the cases). One patient began after a non-recovery acute renal failure and in other 6 patients, the reason of unplanned hemodialysis initiation was not attributable to the operation Health System (in 3 cases unknown kidney chronic disease and in the other 3 cases it was patient′s responsibility). Only in 5 cases (25%), the cause could be corrigible. Most causes of unplanned hemodialysis does not come from the healthcare organization and therefore not easy to resolve it. Consequently, the objective of the Quality Group will be difficult to be achieved.     

Splenic hematoma in acute pancreatitis. Role of coagulation disorders.

Splenic hematomas are infrequent complications of acute pancreatitis. In some cases, local factors that may play a role in the pathogenesis of the hematoma (thrombosis of the splenic artery or veins, intrasplenic pseudocysts, perisplenic adhesions, enzymatic digestion) are found. In the absence of local factors, the etiology of splenic hemorrhage remains unknown. We report two cases of splenic hematoma occurring during an acute necro-hemorrhagic pancreatitis associated with renal failure that required renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis). In both cases, more than half of splenic parenchyma was affected by multiple infarctions. No local factors responsible for the splenic abnormalities were detected in either case. Thrombosis of the splenic arterial microcirculation and a coagulation disorder consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation was detected in one patient. In the second patient, coagulation disorders secondary to either liver disease, pancreatitis and its septic complications, or extracorporeal circuit heparinization for renal replacement therapy were present. Coagulation disorders should be considered whenever a splenic hematoma is found in a patient with acute pancreatitis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation may be the etiology of a splenic hematoma in acute pancreatitis.     

Octreotide in the treatment of angiodysplasia in patients with advanced chronic renal failure

Angiodysplasia is an important cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic renal failure. Octreotide, a long-acting synthetic somatostatin analogue that reduces splachnic blood flow have been used to treat esophageal varicose hemorrhage, but its efficacy for bleeding vascular ecstasies is awaiting support. We present three patients with chronic renal failure (two with diabetic nephropaty and the third with mesangiocapilar glomerulonephritis and hepatic cirrosis), seric creatinine 3-4,5 mg/dl, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to diffuse angiodysplasia and vascular ecstasies, diagnosed by oral endoscopy, colonoscopy and video capsule. They all were treated with octreotide, administered subcutanesly 0.1 mg twice a day for six months, with significantly decreased blood requirements in all of them, as well as the occurrence of bleeding episodes. It was well tolerated and none side-effects occurred in any subject. In our experience, octreotide is an effective and safe drug in bleeding angiodysplasia and ecstasies vascular of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with chronic renal failure, and it may be a good option especially in patients who are not candidates for surgery or endoscopic treatment due to inaccessible sites, spread of the lesion, old age and/or concomitant disorders.     

Congenital arteriovenous malformation rupturing into a true jejunal diverticulum

Massive hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract of an elderly patient due to a hitherto unreported cause is described. A congenital arteriovenous malformation located in the submucosa of a true jejunal diverticulum ruptured into the lumen. Both selective angiographic demonstration and histologic documentation of the bleeding point are presented. The simultaneous presence of these two entities is probably not a coincidence and is discussed.     

单核细胞与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值是慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者2年内死亡的独立影响因素

目的： 探讨单核细胞与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇比值(MHR)对慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者预后的预测价值。方法：收集112例行维持性血液透析（MHD）治疗的慢性肾衰竭患者的临床资料，于MHD治疗当天开始进行随访，记录患者2年内生存情况。采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评价MHR预测患者死亡的最佳截断值及其灵敏度和特异度，根据ROC曲线所得MHR最佳截断值，将研究对象分为高MHR组和低MHR组；采用多因素Cox回归法分析慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者2年内死亡的独立预测因素。结果：Cox回归分析显示年龄、合并糖尿病或脑卒中、白细胞计数、单核细胞计数、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL C）、MHR是慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者2年内死亡的独立预测因素；ROC曲线结果显示MHR预测慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者2年内死亡的曲线下面积为0.821（95%CI：0.752~0.890），最佳截断值为0.37，其灵敏度为65.8%，特异度为93.1%。结论：MHR是慢性肾衰竭血液透析患者2年内死亡的独立预测因素，临床医师需注意患者血液透析前MHR水平。     

Upper gastrointestinal mucosal lesions in chronic renal failure.

The upper gastrointestinal mucosa was studied endoscopically in 182 patients (140 males, 42 females) with chronic renal failure prior to hemodialysis. Endoscopy revealed normal mucosa in 77 patients (42.3%), inflammatory mucosal lesions in 88 (48.4%), peptic ulcer in 16 (8.8%; duodenal 15, gastric 1) and Barrett's ulcer in one patient. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was noted at presentation in 16 (8.8%) cases and was associated with erosive gastritis, duodenitis and duodenal ulcer in 11, 3 and 2 patients respectively. Thus patients with chronic renal failure had a high prevalence of inflammatory mucosal changes.