Alpha1-acid-glycoprotein protects against trauma-hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that the acute phase protein alpha(1)-acid-glycoprotein (AAG) directly modifies endothelial cell responsiveness and is a crucial factor for maintaining endothelial barrier function. We hypothesized that the addition of AAG to the resuscitation fluid will prevent edema formation, increases circulating blood volume, and reduces tissue inflammation following soft tissue trauma and hemorrhagic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (338 +/- 28 g) underwent a 5-cm midline laparotomy (i.e., induction of soft tissue trauma) and were bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 35 mm Hg for 90 min. The rats were then resuscitated with four times the shed blood volume with Ringer's lactate containing 200 mg/kg AAG or the same amount of albumin. At 6 h after resuscitation, organ wet-to-dry weight ratios and circulating blood volume (Evans blue dilution) were determined. Neutrophil accumulation (myeloperoxidase activity, MPO) and tissue lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were also measured in the lungs, liver, and intestine. RESULTS: Administration of AAG during the resuscitation significantly increased circulating blood volume and reduced edema formation, neutrophil accumulation, and lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, concomitant plasma IL-6 levels increased while TNF-alpha levels were not significantly affected. CONCLUSIONS: Since addition of AAG to the resuscitation fluid increased circulating blood volume, reduced edema formation, and neutrophil accumulation following trauma and hemorrhagic shock, supplementation of this acute phase protein appears to be a potential adjunct to prevent capillary leakage in patients undergoing major traumatic injury.     

Obstructive symptoms associated with the Lap-Band in the first 24 hours

Background: The Lap-Band is a gastric restrictive procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity. We review the etiology of obstructive complications that present in the first postoperative 24 h. Methods: Fifty-six Lap-Band procedures were performed by one surgeon between January and September 2002. Results: Six patients presented with obstruction within 24 h of surgery: gastric slippage in three patients, gastric edema in one patient, and esophageal hypomotility in two patients. Conclusions: Placing the band in an esophagogastric position as per Belachew and Weiner reduced our incidence of gastric slippage to none. Endoscopy with placement of a nasogastric feeding tube can relieve obstruction caused by esophageal hypomotility. Gastric edema with no clinical signs of obstruction will resolve with time. Clinicians must be aware of the unique complications that come with the advent of this new procedure.     

Idiopathic edema is associated with obstructive sleep apnea in women

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to clarify whether idiopathic edema is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), independent of level of obesity, in patients with normal left ventricular function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight ambulatory, obese, adults, 44 with bilateral, pitting pre-tibial edema, and 34 without edema, from an inner city family practice and a suburban family practice enrolled from July 1995 until March 2003. Edematous subjects, but not non-edematous subjects, underwent echocardiography, urinalysis, and blood test evaluations to ensure that cardiac, renal, hepatic, and thyroid functions were normal. All subjects underwent spirometry, pulse oximetry on room air, and polysomnography evaluations. RESULTS: Compared to the non-edematous subjects, the edematous subjects were more obese (body mass index=47.0+/-9.3 versus 36.5+/-4.6 kg/m2, P=0.002), had more severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)=34.1+/-27.7 versus 17.0+/-19.4, P=0.002), and had lower oxygen saturations (96.2+/-2.0 versus 97.1+/-1.5%, P=0.05). Using an AHI > or = 15 as the criteria for diagnosing OSA, there was an association between edema and OSA in women (P=0.02) but not men. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with normal left ventricular function, idiopathic edema is associated with OSA in women.     

Acute peritoneal dialysis as both cause and treatment of hypernatremia in an infant

This report describes a 4-month-old infant with multisystem organ failure who developed severe hypernatremia (sodium 168 mEq/l) due to rapid free water removal associated with acute peritoneal dialysis instituted for fluid overload. The current report describes the pathophysiology of the hypernatremia, and its correction by low-sodium hypertonic peritoneal dialysis without compromising ultrafiltration or supplementing with free water. Although peritoneal dialysis can cause hypernatremia, a modified solute concentration in the dialysate can treat the hypernatremia successfully. Received: 2 January 2001 / Revised: 24 April 2001 / Accepted: 24 April 2001     

连续性血液净化治疗重症急性胰腺炎的临床分析

目的 探索连续性血液净化（CRRT）对重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的治疗作用，提高重症急性胰腺炎的抢救成功率。方法 选择15例SAP患者给予CRRT治疗，观察治疗前、后患者血液生化指标、血常规、血气分析，并进行动态急性生理学及慢性健康状况评分（APACHEII）、简化急性生理学评分（SAPSII）和多脏器功能障碍综合征（MODS）评分。结果 与治疗前相比，CRRT治疗第2日晨和CRRT治疗结束后次日晨患者APACHEII、SAPSII和MODS评分比治疗前降低，治疗后氧合指数（PO2/FiO2）有明显改善。CRRT治疗次日晨PO2/FiO2和CRRT脱水量呈正相关；CRRT治疗第2日晨，脱水量与MODS评分呈负相关。CRRT治疗过程中血BUN、Cr和尿酸均降低，治疗时间越长，降低越明显。结论 CRRT治疗后心、肺功能的改善与脱水后组织器官间质水肿减轻有关，但并非脱水越多越好。从清除BUN、Cr来看，CRRT治疗时间似乎越长越好；但对BUN、Cr正常的患者，治疗时间可以缩短。连续性血液净化能改善、维持重症胰腺炎患者心、肺、肾、脑等重要脏器功能，提高其抢救成功率，对重症急性胰腺炎有较好的治疗作用。     

Involvement of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

To examine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the development of edema associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we exploited animal model systems to detect the activity that induces vascular hyper-permeability (VHP) using cultured AIDS-KS spindle cells. Cultured AIDS-KS spindle cells and conditioned medium (AIDS-KS-CM) that had been semi-purified through a heparin affinity column were tested for the ability to induce VHP in animals. The AIDS-KS spindle cells and AIDS-KS-CM induced VHP that was histamine-independent. The VHP-inducing activity was detected in the 0.5 M NaCl fraction from the heparin affinity column and was blocked by anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody. In addition, the production of VEGF was demonstrated in fresh AIDS-KS tissue as well as in cultured AIDS-KS cells, while control cells were negative for VEGF production. From these observations, we concluded that AIDS-KS cells produce a factor(s) that promotes VHP, and this factor could be VEGF.     

失代偿期肝硬化CT显示腹膜和腹膜后组织水肿的临床意义

目的　探讨失代偿期肝硬化腹膜和腹膜后水肿CT表现特点及临床意义。方法　 44例经临床和实验室检查证实为失代偿期肝硬化 (DCC)。根据腹膜和腹膜后水肿的范围 ,分为轻、中、重3级 ,并观察腹水及其量和静脉曲张的情况。将上述指标与血清白蛋白 (ALB)和透明质酸 (HA)水平进行相关分析。结果　腹膜和腹膜后水肿的程度与血清ALB降低的程度 (rs=0 70 88,P <0 0 0 1)、血清HA升高的程度 (rs=0 5 2 94,P <0 0 1)和腹水量 (rs=0 5 44 0 ,P <0 0 0 5 )有明显的相关性。而与静脉曲张形成无相关性 (rs=0 1335 ,P >0 .0 5 )。结论　DCC病人CT显示腹膜和腹膜后水肿 ,在一定程度上可反映肝硬化病变的程度。     

细粒棘球蚴致过敏性休克绵羊肺水肿及对血气影响的观察

为观察细粒棘球蚴致过敏性休克绵羊肺水肿及对血气的影响，探讨其发病机制，选用感染细粒棘球蚴的12只绵羊，随机分为两组，Ⅰ组用细粒棘球蚴粗制囊液抗原10mL攻击发敏，Ⅱ组用生理盐水作对照，确定休克的发生，记录血气pH,PaO2,PaCO2的变化，观察60min后处死绵羊，测定绵羊肺湿/干重量比值，观察绵羊肺部形态结构的变化，结果显示，攻击发敏后，和Ⅱ组比较，Ⅰ组的pH值、PaO2持续降低；PaCO2在休克初期增加，30min升至最高点后，逐渐恢复；肺湿/干重量比值明显升高；肺部形态结构观察，Ⅰ组均有明显的病理变化。说明：（1）休克早期形成广泛的弥漫性蛋白通透性肺水肿；（2）休克时血气变化剧烈，表现为明显的PaO2的持续降低以及PaCO2的增高，且反应迅速，消退较快。     

李志明治疗慢性肾小球肾炎

李志明教授认为慢性’肾炎发病多与肺、脾、肾、三焦及膀胱等脏腑功能失调有关,病机为本虚标实,本虚为肺、脾、肾等脏腑虚损,标实为湿热、血瘀互结为患。灵活运用中药,调理脾胃,平补阴阳,清热利湿,凉血止血,化瘀止痛,治疗效果显著,副作用小。     

Der Einfluß des Druckes in den Coronararterien auf die Druck-Volumen-Beziehung des linken Ventrikels

Summary The influence of coronary perfusion pressure on the pressure-volume relation of the left ventricle was investigated in isolated and arrested cat and dog hearts. The left coronary artery was separately perfused.The duration of the experiment, edema of the myocardium and the inflow through the Thebesian vessels complicate the measurement of the pressure-volume relation.Excluding these factors the experiments prove, that coronary perfusion pressure is a determinant of the pressure-volume relation of the heart. Increasing coronary pressure shifts the relation between pressure and volume upward and to the left (Figs. 3 and 4). increases with increasing coronary perfusion pressure, while the elasticity modulus is not changed (Fig. 5).