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Florence Wong

Publications and source records attributed to Florence Wong.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The North American Study for the Treatment of Refractory Ascites.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The clinical utility of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) vis-à-vis total paracentesis in the management of refractory ascites is unclear. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed in which 109 subjects with refractory ascites were randomized to either medical therapy (sodium restriction, diuretics, and total paracentesis) (n = 57) or medical therapy plus TIPS (n = 52). The principal end points were recurrence of tense symptomatic ascites and mortality. RESULTS: A technically adequate shunt was created in 49 of 52 subjects. TIPS plus medical therapy was significantly superior to medical therapy alone in preventing recurrence of ascites (P < 0.001). The total number of deaths in the 2 groups was identical (TIPS vs. medical therapy alone: 21 vs. 21). There were no significant differences in the 2 arms with respect to overall and transplant-free survival. There was a higher incidence of moderate to severe encephalopathy in the TIPS group (20 of 52 vs. 12 of 57; P = 0.058). There were no significant differences in the number of subjects who developed liver failure (7 vs. 3), variceal hemorrhage (5 vs. 8), or acute renal failure (3 vs. 2). There were also no significant differences between the 2 groups in the frequency of emergency-department visits, medically indicated hospitalizations, or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Although TIPS plus medical therapy is superior to medical therapy alone for the control of ascites, it does not improve survival, affect hospitalization rates, or improve quality of life.

Ascites↗
PubMed2003

A vasopressin receptor antagonist (VPA-985) improves serum sodium concentration in patients with hyponatremia: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Hyponatremia in advanced cirrhosis and ascites or congestive heart failure (CHF) is the result of an inappropriate increase in vasopressin secretion, which acts through activation of specific V(2) receptors in the distal renal nephron to increase water reabsorption. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of 3 different doses of the V(2) receptor antagonist, VPA-985, in correcting hyponatremia over a 7-day inpatient study period. Forty-four hospitalized patients (33 patients with cirrhosis, 6 with CHF, and 5 with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) were studied on a constant sodium intake, with VPA doses of 25, 125, and 250 mg twice daily or placebo. Serum sodium measurements were repeated after every daily dose, and the next dose withheld for excessive serum sodium rises. Fluid intake was adjusted according to previous 24-hour urinary outputs. Adverse events were based on clinical signs of dehydration or encephalopathy. VPA-985 produced a significant overall aquaretic response compared with placebo, with significant dose related increases in free water clearance (P <.05) and serum sodium (P <.05), without significant changes in orthostatic blood pressure or serum creatinine levels. Five patients (50%) on 250 mg twice daily had to have medication withheld on multiple occasions. End-of-study plasma vasopressin levels increased significantly in the 2 larger dose groups. In conclusion, VPA-985 appears effective and safe in appropriate doses in correcting abnormal renal water handling and hyponatremia in conditions associated with water retention. Higher doses of VPA-985 may produce significant dehydration and will require close monitoring with their use.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed2003

The management of ascites in cirrhosis: report on the consensus conference of the International Ascites Club.

Ascites is a common complication of cirrhosis, and heralds a new phase of hepatic decompensation in the progression of the cirrhotic process. The development of ascites carries a significant worsening of the prognosis. It is important to diagnose noncirrhotic causes of ascites such as malignancy, tuberculosis, and pancreatic ascites since these occur with increased frequency in patients with liver disease. The International Ascites Club, representing the spectrum of clinical practice from North America to Europe, have developed guidelines by consensus in the management of cirrhotic ascites from the early ascitic stage to the stage of refractory ascites. Mild to moderate ascites should be managed by modest salt restriction and diuretic therapy with spironolactone or an equivalent in the first instance. Diuretics should be added in a stepwise fashion while maintaining sodium restriction. Gross ascites should be treated with therapeutic paracentesis followed by colloid volume expansion, and diuretic therapy. Refractory ascites is managed by repeated large volume paracentesis or insertion of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS). Successful placement of TIPS results in improved renal function, sodium excretion, and general well-being of the patient but without proven survival benefits. Clinicians caring for these patients should be aware of the potential complications of each treatment modality and be prepared to discontinue diuretics or not proceed with TIPS placement should complications or contraindications develop. Liver transplantation should be considered for all ascitic patients, and this should preferably be performed prior to the development of renal dysfunction to prevent further compromise of their prognosis.

Ascites↗
PubMed2003

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: does it contribute to chronic fatigue and decreased health-related quality of life in cirrhosis?

UNLABELLED: Diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue have been reported in patients with cirrhosis. The presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and the attendant poor cardiac response to physical stress may affect HRQoL and contribute to fatigue in these patients. AIMS: To evaluate the contribution of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy to HRQoL and fatigue in ambulatory cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Thirty ambulatory cirrhotic patients (14 preascitic, Child-Pugh score 5.6 +/- 0.3; 16 ascitic, Child-Pugh score 9.1 +/- 0.5) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and assessment of HRQoL, fatigue and depressive symptomatology. HRQoL and fatigue scores were correlated with liver disease severity, depressive symptomatology and parameters of cardiac function and exercise physiology. RESULTS: Subscales of all HRQoL measuring the effect of disease on the ability to perform physical, social and emotional roles were significantly impaired when compared with controls (P<0.001). The impact of fatigue, as assessed by the Fatigue Assessment Inventory, was greater in cirrhotics (4.46 versus 2.53 in healthy age-matched controls, P<0.01). Diminished HRQoL, impact of fatigue and vitality were related to depressive symptoms rather than to cardiac structural and functional abnormalities, which were present in cirrhotic patients. Poorer physical quality of life scores correlated with diminished mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Depression, rather than the presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, may have contributed to the diminished HRQoL and vitality in patients with cirrhosis with or without ascites.

Cardiomyopathies↗
PubMed2002

Liver and kidney diseases.

The spectrum of renal disease in patients with liver disease is expanding. The recognition of renal complications of liver diseases is essential in the management of these patients. As liver transplantation is a treatment option for many patients with chronic liver disease, the presence of renal complications impacts the decision regarding transplantation and influences the course of these patients after transplantation, especially with regard to the use of immunosuppressive therapy. The involvement of the liver and kidney in systemic conditions is common and adds to the morbidity and mortality of patients.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2002

The mechanism of improved sodium homeostasis of low-dose losartan in preascitic cirrhosis.

Renal sodium retention on standing is one aspect of the abnormal renal sodium handling in preascitic, well-compensated patients with cirrhosis. Recently, it has been shown that low doses (7.5 mg) of the angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist, losartan, can reverse renal sodium retention on high, 200-mmol sodium/d diet in these patients and restore them to sodium balance. Therefore, the effect of 7.5 mg of losartan on sodium excretion, when changing from supine to erect posture for 2 hours, was examined in 10 well-compensated patients with cirrhosis and 9 age- and sex-matched controls on the same sodium diet, under strictly controlled metabolic conditions. In contrast to control subjects, in whom sodium excretion was unaffected, single 7.5-mg doses of losartan again restored the preascitic patients with cirrhosis to sodium balance. In addition, it blunted the fall in erect posture- induced renal sodium excretion by a reduction in proximal and distal tubular reabsorption of sodium. These changes occurred without any significant changes in blood volumes, systemic and renal hemodynamics, or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and filtered sodium load compared with controls, and despite activation of the systemic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which was still within normal levels. In conclusion, the beneficial natriuretic effects of low-dose losartan on erect posture - induced sodium retention in preascitic cirrhosis supports the suggestion that the pathophysiology of sodium retention in preascites is in part caused by an intrarenal tubular effect of Ang II in that posture.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed2002

Radiofrequency ablation of malignant hepatic neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the liver. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients received RFA for primary or secondary hepatic malignancies. Patients were followed prospectively with computed tomography (CT) scanning to assess for therapeutic response, disease progression and complications. RESULTS: Eighty-eight lesions were treated, including 57 hepatocellular carcinomas, 28 metastases, 2 cholangiocarcinomas and 1 hepatic plasmacytoma. Mean tumour size was 2.7 cm (range 0.5-6.9 cm). A total of 101 ablations were performed (66 percutaneously, 35 intraoperatively). Over a mean follow-up period of 142 days, results were available for 85 lesions. Local tumour control was achieved for 61 (72%) lesions, but new distant lesions developed in 6 of these cases. Residual disease was present in 20 (23%) lesions, and 4 (5%) lesions developed local recurrence. There were 10 complications, including 1 death in a patient who developed a liver abscess and subsequently died from hepatic failure. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is safe and effective in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. Local tumour control can be achieved in most cases; however, careful surveillance is important for detecting recurrent disease, as well as new lesions distant from the treated site.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The natural history and management of hepatorenal disorders: from pre-ascites to hepatorenal syndrome.

In cirrhosis, the natural history of hepatorenal disorders starts with a pre-ascitic stage and is followed by the development of ascites; hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) begins with compensated renal sodium retention, or pre-ascites. In pre-ascites, the renal sodium retaining tendency leads to 'overfilling' of total blood volume, with increased glomerular filtration rates (GFR), overcoming the renal sodium retaining tendency possibly due to renal accumulation of angiotensin II. As peripheral vasodilatation increases, the vascular capacity (in effect the arterial blood volume) becomes inadequately filled, GFR falls, compensatory vasoconstrictors rise, and the resulting renal sodium retention results in diuretic-responsive ascites formation. Increasing proximal reabsorption of sodium results in ascites refractory to diuretic therapy. Repeated abdominal paracentesis will not prevent insidious progression to HRS type II, nor to the precipitation of HRS type I. In contrast, liver transplantation, or transjugular intrahepatic hepatoportal stent shunt (TIPS) in refractory ascites, may prevent the onset of, or reverse, HRS. However, recent non-controlled studies indicate exciting possibilities of medical therapy reversing HRS.

Ascites↗