Sympathetic nervous system and chronic bladder pain: a new tune for an old song

Chronic bladder pain (CBP) patients present with pelvic pain or discomfort during bladder filling, for at least a period of 6 months, which may be accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, and urgency. However, both the etiology of CBP and pathophysiological mechanisms are not well described. A number of clinical and basic animal model findings support involvement of sympathetic nervous system in chronic pain syndromes such as CBP. Examples include sympathetic overactivity and high plasma or urinary catecholamine levels that have a high correlation with nociceptive symptoms. In this review, we explored the current evidence in support of the involvement of sympathetic overactivity in CBP. As bladder inflammation often occurs among subgroups of CBP patients, we discuss the possible role of sympathetic nervous system in mastocytosis as well examples examples of animal models that further support the involvement of sympathetic dysfunction in CBP. As there is substantive evidence for cross-organ sensitization in the pelvis can lead to co-morbidity of genitourinary and gastrointestinal dysfunctions, we also include how sympathetic dysfunction may play a role in a number of co-morbid chronic pain syndromes.     

Recombinant-activated factor VII as hemostatic therapy in eight cases of severe hemorrhage from esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are several treatment options for gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage. In severe cases, bleeding persists and is associated with a dismal outcome. The coagulation disorders might be correlated with risk of bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. The administration of activated recombinant factor VII corrects prothrombin time transiently in nonbleeding patients with cirrhosis as well as in bleeding ones. The aim of this study was to assess the hemostatic efficacy of activated recombinant factor VII in bleeding esophageal varices. METHODS: Between May 2001 and September 2002, 112 patients with cirrhosis and an episode of acute esophageal variceal bleeding were admitted. On an open basis with a single intravenous dose of 4.8 mg of recombinant factor VII, we treated 8 patients experiencing severe and active hemorrhage from esophageal varices unresponsive to pharmacologic therapy, endoscopic therapy, or balloon tamponade. RESULTS: Eight (7%) of 112 patients met entry criteria. Hemostasis was achieved in all the cases after recombinant activated factor VII therapy. Rebleeding and mortality rates were 25% and 50% (2 and 4 patients), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, recombinant activated factor VII achieves hemostasis in bleeding esophageal varices unresponsive to standard treatment.     

Late mortality in survivors of autologous hematopoietic-cell transplantation: report from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study

We assessed late mortality in 854 individuals who had survived 2 or more years after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematologic malignancies. Median age at HCT was 36.5 years, and median length of follow-up was 7.6 years. Overall survival was 68.8% +/- 1.8% at 10 years, and the cohort was at a 13-fold increased risk for late death (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 13.0) when compared with the general population. Mortality rates approached those of the general population after 10 years among patients at standard risk for relapse at HCT (SMR = 1.1) and in patients undergoing transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia (AML; SMR = 0.9). Relapse of primary disease (56%) and subsequent malignancies (25%) were leading causes of late death. Relapse-related mortality was increased among patients with Hodgkin disease (HD; relative risk [RR] = 3.6), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL; RR = 2.1), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; RR = 6.5). Total body irradiation (RR = 0.6) provided a protective effect. Nonrelapse-related mortality was increased after carmustine (RR = 2.3) and with use of peripheral blood stem cells (RR = 2.4). Survivors were more likely to report difficulty in holding jobs (RR = 9.4) and in obtaining health (RR = 7.7) or life insurance (RR = 8.4) when compared with siblings. Although mortality rates approach that of the general population after 10 years in certain subgroups, long-term survivors of autologous HCT continue to face challenges affecting their health and well-being.     

Celiac disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in one patient: a family study.

We discuss the case of a 17-year-old male who at the age of 7 was diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) together with ulcerative colitis (UC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The patient was treated with gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine), and currently remains asymptomatic. The patient's younger, 12-year-old sister was diagnosed with CD when she was 1.5 years old, and at 7 years she developed type-I diabetes mellitus, which was difficult to control. A family study was made, and both parents were found to be affected with silent CD. All were DQ2 (+). In relation to the case and family study, we provide a series of comments related to CD and its complications.     

Evaluación prospectiva del desarrollo de nefropatía inducida por contraste en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo tratados con angiografía coronaria rotacional vs. angiografía coronaria convencional: Estudio CINERAMA

Introduction and objectives

Rotational coronary angiography (RCA) requires less contrast to be administered and can prevent the onset of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) during invasive coronary procedures. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of RCA on CIN (increase in serum creatinine ≥0.5 mg/dl or ≥25%) after an acute coronary syndrome.