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Biomedical subjects

J Rodés

Publications and source records attributed to J Rodés.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Portal hypertension in acute liver failure.

Twenty five patients with acute liver failure were measured for hepatic venous pressure gradient as an index of portal pressure during the course of a transjugular liver biopsy. Hepatic venous pressure gradient ranged from 4 to 24.5 mm Hg with a mean of 12.8 (5.3) mm Hg (normal values less than 5 mm Hg). All patients but one had increased portal pressure gradient. Portal hypertension correlated with the degree of architectural distortion of the liver, as suggested by a direct correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient and the area of reticulin collapse, evaluated by means of a morphometric analysis on Sirius red stained liver slides (r = 0.43, p less than 0.05). Hepatic venous pressure gradient was significantly higher in patients with ascites (15.1 (5) mm Hg, n = 15) or renal failure (14.4 (5.3) mm Hg, n = 16) than in those without (9.3 (3.4) mm Hg and 10.1 (4) mm Hg, respectively; p less than 0.05). Portal hypertension was associated with systemic vasodilation and a hyperkinetic circulatory state, with decreased arterial pressure, and peripheral resistance and increased cardiac output.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1992

Limitations of laser-Doppler velocimetry and reflectance spectrophotometry in estimating gastric mucosal blood flow.

This study investigated the accuracy of laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDV) and reflectance spectrophotometry (RS) measurements as an index of blood flow in the gastric mucosa of the rat, in experimental conditions such as pharmacologically induced vasoconstriction, hypoxia, hyperoxia, and acute normovolemic anemia. Hydrogen gas clearance was used as a reference method. After vasopressin infusion, LDV signal and indexes of hemoglobin (IHb) and oxygen (ISO2) content in the gastric mucosa estimated by RS significantly decreased in parallel with the reduction of gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF). Neither hypoxia (5% O2 administration) nor hyperoxia (100% O2) affected GMBF or LDV signal. However, both IHb and ISO2 significantly decreased or increased after hypoxia or hyperoxia, respectively. Acute normovolemic anemia induced a significant increase in GMBF, while LDV signal and ISO2 remained unchanged. IHb significantly decreased in linear relationship with the decrements in the hematocrit. It is concluded that 1) in pharmacologically induced GMBF changes, LDV and RS correlate with GMBF; 2) when changes in hemoglobin saturation are induced, LDV but not RS reflects GMBF; and 3) in acute normovolemic anemia, neither LDV nor RS reflects changes in GMBF.

Anemia↗
PubMed1992

Validity of self-reported alcohol consumption in the emergency room: data from the United States, Mexico and Spain.

The validity of self-reported alcohol consumption within 6 hours prior to injury based on breath-analyzer readings obtained at the time of emergency room (ER) admission is compared among probability samples of ER patients in Contra Costa County, California (n = 450), Mexico City (n = 500) and Barcelona, Spain (n = 864). The same questionnaire, study design and methods were used in all three countries to maintain comparability for comparative analyses. The analysis was restricted to those breath analyzed within 6 hours of injury occurrence who reported no drinking following the event. Validity of self-reports was high in all three samples. The proportion of those reporting not drinking prior to injury who had positive breath-analyzer readings was .5% in the U.S., 1.5% in Spain and 3.3% in Mexico. Validity of self-reports was not associated with cause of injury in the United States. In Mexico those injured in motor vehicle accidents or by violence were most likely to deny drinking, while in Spain those injured in violent situations were most likely to report not drinking. Validity of self-reports in these studies is much higher than that found in other U.S. studies, but this may be partly due to the fact that self-reports were obtained after the patient had been breath analyzed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Pharmacotherapy of ascites associated with cirrhosis.

Cirrhotic patients frequently develop ascites during the course of their disease. The appearance of ascites is the final consequence of profound disturbances in systemic and splanchnic haemodynamics, and in renal and hormonal function. The alterations in renal function consist of a decreased ability to excrete sodium and water, and in more severe cases, a reduction in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. No effective drug therapy is yet available for water retention and renal failure in these patients. Sodium retention, however, may be treated by the administration of diuretics. The diuretics most commonly used in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with ascites are loop diuretics, particularly furosemide (frusemide), and distal, or 'potassium-sparing' diuretics such as spironolactone. Although furosemide has a much greater natriuretic potency than spironolactone in healthy individuals, studies in cirrhotic patients with ascites have shown that spironolactone is more effective than furosemide in the elimination of ascites. Nowadays, however, therapeutic paracentesis associated with plasma expanders has replaced diuretic therapy as the initial treatment for cirrhotic patients hospitalised with tense ascites since it is more effective and is associated with a lower rate of complications than diuretic therapy. Diuretics should be given after the elimination of ascites by paracentesis to avoid the reaccumulation of the abdominal fluid. Only cirrhotic patients with mild ascites should be treated initially with diuretics. Cirrhotic patients with ascites frequently develop a spontaneous infection of the ascitic fluid which is usually caused by Gram-negative bacilli from enteric origin and has a great tendency to recur after therapy. The antibiotics of choice for this infection are third-generation cephalosporins. Long term administration of norfloxacin, which causes a selective elimination of Gram-negative bacilli from the intestinal flora, is effective in preventing the recurrence of ascites infection in these patients. Finally, cirrhotic patients with ascites are prone to develop renal failure when treated with a variety of pharmacological agents, particularly aminoglycosides and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The administration of the latter drugs may also cause dilutional hyponatraemia and refractory ascites since they induce water retention and impair the renal response to diuretics.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1992

Reduced spinal and femoral bone mass and deranged bone mineral metabolism in chronic alcoholics.

Prevalence and factors which may influence the development of osteoporosis have been assessed in 32 chronic alcoholic males by measuring the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual photon absorptiometry. Serum bone Gla-protein, as an index of bone formation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, testosterone and cortisol levels were also measured. Eleven patients (34%) had osteoporosis. In seven the lumbar BMD was below the fracture threshold. Lumbar and femoral neck age-matched BMD were below mean normal values in 20 and in 23 patients, respectively. Moreover, the age-matched BMD was significantly lower in the femoral neck (91.7 +/- 14.4%) than in the lumbar spine (100.1 +/- 17.1%) (P < 0.001). Duration of alcoholism was significantly higher in patients with age-matched BMD below 100% than in those with age-matched BMD above 100%. Bone GLA-protein and 25- hydroxyvitamin D were below normal levels in 67% and 56% of patients, respectively. Serum testosterone was normal in all but two patients, and cortisol was within normal values in all patients tested. In addition a direct correlation was found between the days of abstinence before the study and serum levels of bone GLA-protein (r = 0.64, P < 0.001). In conclusion, chronic alcoholics frequently have bone loss of the lumbar spine and femoral neck related with the duration of alcohol intake. The correlation between bone-GLA protein levels and the days of abstinence suggests that alcohol directly depresses bone formation. Likewise, the low levels of vitamin D also support that this deficiency may contribute to the development of osteopenia in chronic alcoholism.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Bile-duct hamartomas presenting as multiple focal lesions on hepatic ultrasonography.

Multiple bile-duct hamartomas are usually diagnosed at autopsy as an incidental finding. We report a case of a 50-yr-old male in whom multiple bile-duct hamartomas were suspected in an abdominal ultrasonography and confirmed by an echo-guided needle liver biopsy. The ultrasonography disclosed multiple scattered hyperechoic lesions with a diameter of up to 1 cm, associated with some anechoic lesions of a larger size and a cystic appearance. Computed tomography demonstrated multiple hypodense lesions that were not modified by the administration of contrast. Bile-duct hamartomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of multiple focal hepatic lesions at ultrasonography or computed tomography.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Incidence of non-A, non-B hepatitis after screening blood donors for antibodies to hepatitis C virus and surrogate markers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of screening blood donors for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) on the incidence of non-A, non-B hepatitis in recipients with that of screening blood donors for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. DESIGN: Cohort analysis of serum samples from donors and recipients. Recipients were followed for 12 months to determine the occurrence of non-A, non-B hepatitis. SETTING: The blood-transmitted viruses unit and the liver unit of a university teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 250 patients who had open heart surgery and their 3142 blood donors. MEASUREMENTS: Donor sera were tested for anti-HCV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and, in the event of a positive result, by recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). Antibodies to anti-HBc and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were also measured. Measurements of anti-HCV and ALT activity in recipients were done before transfusion and at regular intervals during follow-up. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 250 transfusion recipients, 40 developed non-A, non-B hepatitis. Of the 3142 donors, 70 were positive for anti-HCV by ELISA, 440 were positive for anti-HBc, and 177 had alanine aminotransferase levels between 0.67 and 1.33 mukat/L. The sensitivity (87%), specificity (89%), positive predictive value (59%), and negative predictive value (97%) of blood-donor screening were higher for anti-HCV than for anti-HBc (82%, 36%, 21%, and 91%, respectively) and 70%, 29%, and 91%, respectively). The expected number of donors excluded because of the presence of anti-HCV was considerably smaller than that of donors with positive results for surrogate markers of hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Screening blood donors for the presence of anti-HCV is more accurate than screening for surrogate markers (anti-HBc and ALT) and protects more effectively against post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1991

Propranolol compared with propranolol plus isosorbide-5-mononitrate for portal hypertension in cirrhosis. A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether isosorbide-5-mononitrate (Is-5-Mn) given with propranolol reduces hepatic portal pressure more than does propranolol alone in patients with cirrhosis. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS: Fifty patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices entered and 42 completed the study. INTERVENTION: Twenty-one patients received oral propranolol at increasing doses until their resting heart rate was reduced by 25%, and 21 patients received oral propranolol (on the same schedule) plus oral Is-5-Mn, 40 mg twice a day. MEASUREMENTS: Hepatic vein pressure gradient, liver function, and splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics before and after 3 months of continuous therapy. MAIN RESULTS: At 3 months, the hepatic venous pressure gradient decreased more (P less than 0.01) in patients given propranolol plus Is-5-Mn (19%, from 18.4 +/- 3.9 to 14.9 +/- 3.8 mm Hg; 95% CI, -2.4 to -4.5 mm Hg) than in those given propranolol alone (10%, from 18.2 +/- 3.5 to 16.3 +/- 3.1 mm Hg; CI, -1.1 to -2.7 mm Hg). The hepatic venous pressure gradient decreased by more than 20% of the baseline value in 10% of patients receiving propranolol, but in 50% of patients receiving combined therapy (P less than 0.02). There were statistically significant decreases in hepatic blood flow and the intrinsic clearance of indocyanine green after propranolol therapy, but not after combined therapy. The treatments caused similar reductions in azygos blood flow and cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term combined administration of propranolol plus Is-5-Mn reduces portal pressure more than propranolol alone without adverse effects on hepatic perfusion and liver function. Whether this greater hemodynamic effect translates into better clinical efficacy should be determined in randomized controlled trials.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Effects of H2-receptor antagonists on gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity.

Inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity by cimetidine results in elevated blood levels of ethanol after moderate consumption. To search for alternative H2-blockers lacking such an effect, we compared cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine, and famotidine. They inhibited rat gastric ADH noncompetitively, with a Ki for ethanol oxidation of 0.68 mM for cimetidine, 0.5 mM for ranitidine, 1 mM for nizatidine, and 4.5 mM for famotidine. These concentrations are higher than therapeutic plasma levels, but intracellular concentrations in the gastric mucosa (assessed with [3H]cimetidine and [14C]famotidine) were at least 10- and 2-fold greater than in the blood, respectively. These results suggests that, given at therapeutic doses in vivo, the degree of inhibition by cimetidine and ranitidine should be significant and comparable, that by nizatidine should be smaller, and that by famotidine should be negligible. These drugs also exerted either mixed or competitive inhibition of rat hepatic ADH, but the effects of cimetidine and famotidine were observed at concentrations unlikely to occur in vivo. Thus, in alcoholics and in social drinkers who require treatment with H2-receptor antagonists, famotidine might be preferable to the other H2 blockers tested.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1991

Effect of V1-vasopressin receptor blockade on arterial pressure in conscious rats with cirrhosis and ascites.

Angiotensin II blockade with saralasin in human cirrhosis with ascites is associated with a significant reduction in arterial pressure, indicating that endogenous angiotensin II plays an important role in the maintenance of systemic hemodynamics in this condition. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether vasopressin also contributes to the maintenance of arterial pressure in cirrhosis with ascites. The study was performed using three groups of cirrhotic rats with ascites and three groups of control animals. The administration of d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, a selective antagonist of the vascular effect of vasopressin, to 10 cirrhotic rats induced a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (from 94 +/- 4 to 85 +/- 4 mm Hg; P less than 0.001) and a significant increase in plasma renin activity (from 24.3 +/- 4.9 to 34.3 +/- 5.9 ng/mL.h; P less than 0.02) and plasma norepinephrine concentration (from 1474 +/- 133 to 2433 +/- 253 pg/mL; P less than 0.01). Similar results were observed following saralasin administration in a second group of 5 cirrhotic rats [mean arterial pressure decreased from 97 +/- 4 to 85 +/- 5 mm Hg (P less than 0.0001); and plasma renin activity and norepinephrine concentration increased from 18.4 +/- 5.8 to 40.3 +/- 5.7 ng/mL.h (P less than 0.02) and from 1383 +/- 70 to 2312 +/- 334 pg/mL (P less than 0.05), respectively]. The simultaneous blockade of angiotensin II and vasopressin in a third group of cirrhotic rats resulted in a significantly greater reduction of mean arterial pressure (from 97 +/- 6 to 74 +/- 6 mm Hg; P less than 0.05). No changes in arterial pressure were observed in the three groups of control rats. These findings indicate that endogenous vasopressin is as important as angiotensin II in the maintenance of arterial pressure in cirrhotic rats with ascites and support the contention that arterial hypotension is the initial event leading to the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system and vasopressin in this animal model of cirrhosis.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

Glucagon hinders the effects of somatostatin on portal hypertension. A study in rats with partial portal vein ligation.

Whether the decrease of portal venous inflow and portal pressure induced by somatostatin is related to the effects of somatostatin in inhibiting the secretion of glucagon and other vasodilatory peptides that are increased in portal hypertension was investigated in the current study. Splanchnic vascular resistance and splanchnic blood flow were determined using radioactive microspheres in rats with portal hypertension caused by partial portal vein ligation. Somatostatin infusion significantly decreased portal pressure (from 13.1 +/- 1.9 to 12.1 +/- 2.2 mm Hg; P less than 0.05). This was associated with a significant decrease in portal venous inflow caused by splanchnic vasoconstriction, as evidenced by increased splanchnic vascular resistance, and with a marked suppression of glucagon secretion. The simultaneous infusion of somatostatin and glucagon (2.8 ng/min, a dose that prevented any decrease in circulating glucagon levels) abolished all the hemodynamic effects of somatostatin. This effect seems to be specific because no hemodynamic changes were noted in portal hypertensive rats receiving only the glucagon infusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas in a patient with hepatitis A.

Hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas were found in a 30-year-old patient with serologically confirmed hepatitis A. Other causes associated with the presence of fibrin-ring granulomas in the liver, such as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cytomegalovirus infection, visceral leishmaniasis, and consumption of allopurinol, were ruled out. It is suggested that hepatitis A must be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient with hepatic fibrin-ring granulomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of molsidomine, a long acting venous dilator, on portal hypertension. A hemodynamic study in patients with cirrhosis.

The present study investigated the effects of molsidomine, a predominant venous dilator which, contrary to organic nitrates, does not produce pharmacological tolerance on splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis. Twenty-seven cirrhotic portal hypertensive patients were studied prior to and up to 2 h after the oral administration of 2 mg of molsidomine (n = 11), 4 mg of molsidomine (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8). Molsidomine caused a significant reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient. The mean decrease at 60 min was -6.8 +/- 9% after 2 mg (p less than 0.05) and -15.4 +/- 12% after 4 mg (p less than 0.01). The decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient was maintained at 120 min: -11% after 2 mg (p less than 0.05) and -19% with 4 mg (p less than 0.01). This was associated with mild changes in azygos blood flow and with a significant decrease in hepatic blood flow (-17%, p less than 0.05). There was a moderate reduction in mean arterial pressure (-12.6% after 2 mg and -13.2% after 4 mg, p less than 0.01), which was due to a reduction in cardiac output, without any significant fall in systemic vascular resistance. Placebo administration did not change systemic or hepatic hemodynamics. This study shows that molsidomine causes a significant and sustained reduction in portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis, suggesting the potential role of this agent in the treatment of portal hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Drinking patterns and problems: a comparison of emergency room populations in the United States and Spain.

The association of alcohol consumption and casualties is compared in probability samples of two culturally diverse emergency room populations: Barcelona, Spain (N = 2972) and Contra Costa County, California (N = 3609). Similar methods and data collection instruments were used to breathalyze and interview patients regarding self-reported alcohol consumption 6 h prior to the injury, usual drinking patterns and alcohol-related problems. Breathalyzer reading was positively associated with injury in both Contra Costa and Barcelona, but at the legal level only in Barcelona. Self-reported alcohol intake within 6 h prior to the event was positively associated with injury only among females in Contra Costa. Frequent light drinking was associated with injuries in Barcelona while heavier drinking was associated with injuries in Contra Costa. Little association was found between social consequences of drinking and injuries in either sample, however, the Contra Costa sample reported significantly higher rates of these problems than Barcelona, among moderate and high quantity drinkers. Although few differences were found between the two samples, findings suggest that usual drinking patterns within a culture may influence the association of alcohol and casualties, and future studies should explore these differences by type and cause of injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Doses of endothelin have natriuretic effects in conscious rats with cirrhosis and ascites.

MAP, RPF, GFR, V and UNaV were measured in nine conscious control and in 11 conscious cirrhotic rats with ascites before and following two bolus injections (100 and 600 pmol/kg body wt) of endothelin (ET). PRA and plasma concentration of aldosterone and ANP were measured in basal conditions and following the high dose ET. ET induced similar increase in MAP and decrease in RPF and GFR in control and cirrhotic rats. High-dose ET produced a significant reduction in UNaV in control rats (from 2.22 +/- 0.46 to 1.14 +/- 0.28 microEq/min, P less than 0.01). By contrast, it induced marked natriuresis in cirrhotic rats (from 0.76 +/- 0.18 to 2.31 +/- 0.70 microEq/min, P less than 0.05). ET significantly increased aldosterone (control rats: 59.3 +/- 2.2 vs. 85.4 +/- 7.4 ng/dl, P less than 0.025; cirrhotic rats: 115.0 +/- 15.8 vs. 163.9 +/- 30.8, ng/dl, P less than 0.05) and ANP (control rats: 20.1 +/- 3.4 vs. 42.7 +/- 7.7, fmol/ml, P less than 0.025; cirrhotic rats: 107.5 +/- 17.3 vs. 214.2 +/- 41.1, fmol/ml, P less than 0.025) and significantly suppressed PRA (control rats: 2.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.04, ng/ml.hr, P less than 0.025; cirrhotic rats: 16.6 +/- 2.9 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.1, ng/ml.hr, P less than 0.01) in both groups of animals. These results indicate that ET has marked natriuretic properties in cirrhosis with ascites due to inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Molecular forms and biological activity of atrial natriuretic factor in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

Patients with cirrhosis and ascites show sodium retention and normal or increased plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor, a peptide with powerful natriuretic activity. To investigate whether this paradoxical observation could be related to a dysregulation in the process of synthesis and maturation of atrial natriuretic factor leading to abnormal molecular forms lacking biological activity, the chromatographic patterns of atrial natriuretic factor contained in plasma extracts from 10 patients with cirrhosis and ascites and 6 healthy subjects were compared. Atrial natriuretic factor from cirrhotic patients was also tested in two different radioreceptor assays, which detect the biologically active form(s) of this peptide. Patients with cirrhosis and ascites had higher plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (81.3 +/- 8.5 pg/ml, p less than 0.001) than control subjects (29.8 +/- 3.2 pg/ml). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of atrial natriuretic factor showed an identical chromatographic pattern in cirrhotic patients and control subjects. Three peaks related to the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone were observed in cirrhotic patients and control subjects, accounting for 64%, 23% and 11% of the total atrial natriuretic factor in cirrhotic patients and 63%, 18% and 8% of the total atrial natriuretic factor in control subjects. The main peak eluted at the same position of synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (Ser 99-Tyr 126), which represents the major active form of the circulating hormone. Cirrhotic atrial natriuretic factor displayed the same ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-atrial natriuretic factor to rat glomerular and bovine adrenal membrane receptors as synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effect of parenteral amino acid supplementation on short-term and long-term outcomes in severe alcoholic hepatitis: a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of parenteral amino acid administration on nutritional state, liver function and mortality was assessed in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Twenty-eight patients received 2 l/day of a solution of dextrose (65 gm/L) and amino acids (25.8 gm/L) for 1 mo, whereas 26 received only the dextrose solution. All patients were allowed to eat a standard hospital diet. During the month in the hospital, there were six deaths in the treatment group and five deaths in the control group. Nitrogen balance improved in the treated group, but not in the control group. Creatinine-height index, triceps skin fold measurement and levels of serum albumin and prealbumin increased similarly in both groups. Serum retinol binding protein increased more in the treatment group than it did in the control group, and transferrin was increased only in the treatment group. Serum bilirubin, type III amino-terminal procollagen peptide and aminopyrine clearance improved more in the treatment group than in the control group, whereas serum AST and prothrombin time improved in the treatment group but not in the control group. Cumulative 2-yr survival rates from the day of entry into the study were 42% and 38% in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Patients who survived 2 yr and patients in the treatment group who died during the 2-yr follow-up had continued improvement in serum retinol binding protein, transferrin, bilirubin and prothrombin time. These parameters were unchanged in patients in the control group who died during follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗