The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS<Superscript>®</Superscript>) in the intensive care unit: a rescue therapy for patients with hepatic failure

Treatment in the intensive care unit of patients with end-stage liver disease has been limited. Liver transplantation has been a major improvement in this and has become standard in the management of these patients. However, many patients die awaiting liver transplantation, mainly due to the scarcity of organ donors. Conventional hemodialysis techniques have little or no effect on liver detoxification and do not improve the prognosis of these patients. In patients with acute hepatic failure, the majority of endogenous toxins leading to organ failure and accumulating in the blood are bound to albumin; therefore, the concept of albumin dialysis is of major interest. To date, the most widely developed system has been the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS^®), which is based on the selective removal of albumin-bound toxins from the blood. MARS^® enables simultaneous liver and kidney detoxification, improving the patient's clinical condition. It is a major improvement in the management of patients with hepatic failure that could permit, when appropriately indicated, recovery from an acute episode and enhance the chances of survival while waiting for an available organ donor.     

Antiplatelet effect of once- or twice-daily aspirin dosage in stable coronary artery disease patients with diabetes

The aim of this pilot study was to compare the effect of two different regimens of aspirin dosage on platelet of coronary artery disease (CAD) diabetic patients. Twenty-five CAD diabetic patients were included. Initially, all patients received aspirin 100 mg/day for 10 days. At day 10, aspirin antiplatelet effect was determined by measuring the collagen/epinephrine closure time (CT) 2 h after the last aspirin dosage and the next morning at 8 a.m.. The aspirin regimen was modified to 100 mg twice daily for patients showing a non-optimal platelet-inhibitory effect (CT < 298 s at 8 a.m.). Persistent high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined by a CT < 160 s. During the 100 mg/day aspirin regimen, the prevalence of HPR at 8 a.m. was 48%, and only 7 patients (28%) had showed an optimal platelet-inhibitory effect. Bridging to the twice-daily regimen, the HPR was significantly reduced (p = 0.025), and the optimal platelet-inhibitory effect was reached for 3 other patients. Our results showed that 100 mg aspirin twice-daily dosing rather than a once-daily dose significantly improves the aspirin effect on platelet of CAD diabetic patients. However, large prospective studies were needed to confirm whether this strategy will be clinically relevant and safe.     

Unopened colostomy in colorectal surgery: a renewal interest?

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic leak or disruption is a grave complication of colorectal surgery. Protection of an at-risk anastomosis by an upstream open diverting colostomy (OC) reduces this gravity. An unopened upstream loop colostomy is a surgical alternative which may diminish the unpleasant consequences of an open colostomy while maintaining the option of diversion in case of need. The aim of this study is to report the results of this approach and to define its indications. MATERIAL [corrected] AND METHODS: We report a retrospective series of 34 cases of unopened diverting loop colostomy to protect an at-risk colorectal anastomosis. Indications for this procedure were stool-laden bowel (59%), low serum albumin (11.5%), local inflammation (11.5%), and very low placed anastomosis (17.5%). RESULTS: The loop colostomy was eventually opened after surgery in six cases because of anastomotic leakage diagnosed clinically and/or detected by water soluble contrast opacification which was performed routinely on the sixth post-operative day. In all six cases, there was no need for an urgent surgical intervention. In 28 cases, the anastomosis healed without complication and the exteriorized loop was returned to the abdominal cavity seven days after the initial surgery. This was a short, simple procedure with an average operating time of ten minutes. Average hospital stay after returning the unopened colostomy to the abdomen was two days. CONCLUSION: Unopened loop colostomy offers the advantages of protection of a colorectal anastomosis without proper morbidity or mortality, shorter hospitalization, and improved psychological comfort for the patient. It's principal indication is to minimize the risks related to leakage from an at-risk colorectal anastomosis.     

Activité antidiarrhéique de Zygophyllum gaetulum

Résumé  La diarrhée représente un problème de santé publique dont la fréquence de la mortalitéet de la morbidité est très élevée, spécialement chez les enfants dans les pays en voie de développement. Au Maroc, la médecine traditionnelle décrit plusieurs plantes, dans le traitement des troubles digestifs comme la diarrhée, dont Zygophyllum gaetulum. Cette plante est utilisée traditionnellement comme antiinflammatoire, antidiabétique, antispasmodique et antidiar-rhéique, il est propos’e dans la présente étude d’en évaluer et d’en confirmer l’activitéantidiarrhéique chez l’animal. L’extrait a été préparé selon les méthodes traditionnelles, l’étude a été réalisée in vitro a` l’aide de la chambre d’Ussing.