Wedged hepatic venous pressure in congential heart disease.

Seventy cases of congential heart disease including the most frequent types were studied, and wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) was measured in each. The mean pressure was determined in the "jammed position" and in the free hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, and low right atrium. The average mean WHVP was 7.0 mm Hg, 5.0 in inferior vena cava, and 3.4 in the right atrium. A direct relationship was found between wedge hepatic venous pressure of the inferior vena cava and the low right atrium, but not other parameters. Ten patients had a mean pressure above 10 mm Hg. We believe that in many circumstances in patients with congenital heart disease, liver function may be abnormal and high values of wedge hepatic venous pressure may also be found.     

Prekallikrein-Kallikrein conversion rate as a predictor of contrast material catastrophies

An in vitro is described that attempts to detect patients with a potential for adverse systemic reactions to contrast material. This test involves measuring the rate of conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein under certain standard conditions. In a preliminary retrospective study, the test could be used to identify such patients with a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 82%, and a predictive value of 79%.     

Long-acting insulin analogues (insulin glargine or determir) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus in the paediatric population

Despite many improvements in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), the non-physiological time-action profiles of conventional insulins remain a significant obstacle. In recent years, recombinant DNA technology has been used to design insulin molecules that overcome the limitations of regular and NPH insulin. The rapid insulin analogs used as prandial and the long-acting insulin analogs used as basal simulate physiological insulin profiles more closely than the older conventional insulins. The efficacy of insulin analogs now available for multiple daily injection (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in DM1 has been established in pediatric patients. Insulin pumps have improved since they were first introduced. CSII therapy may provide an effective alternative for selected pediatric patients with DM1. In most studies at pediatric age, CSII therapy resulted in a improvement in HbA1c, a decreased rate of hypoglycemia without an abnormal increase in BMI, and without adversely affecting psychosocial outcomes in children and adolescents with DM1.     

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of metoclopramide for the treatment of Tourette's disorder

OBJECTIVE: The pattern of dopamine antagonism by metoclopramide suggests benefits in the treatment of tic disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide in the treatment of children and adolescents with tic disorders. METHOD: Twenty-seven medication-free patients (age 11.9 +/- 2.7 years) with Tourette's disorder or a chronic tic disorder participated in an 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of metoclopramide. Metoclopramide was started at 5 mg daily and titrated as needed to a maximum dose of 40 mg daily. Tics were rated every 2 weeks, and adverse effects, including weight, cardiac, and laboratory measures, were monitored. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, subjects receiving metoclopramide showed a 39% reduction in their total tic score on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, while subjects receiving placebo showed only a 13% reduction in tic severity (p = .001). Metoclopramide was well tolerated with no significant laboratory or cardiac changes noted other than an increase in serum prolactin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this small controlled study suggest that metoclopramide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for children and adolescents with tic disorders. Further trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients and adults.