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M Peric

Publications and source records attributed to M Peric.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The treatment of advanced cardiac allograft rejection.

Severe cardiac allograft rejection remains a serious problem despite the advances of cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. This study analyzes our experience with 202 recipients of cardiac allografts who were treated primarily with cyclosporine and prednisone. Failure of such therapy in 86 patients (43%) resulted in 105 episodes of advanced cardiac allograft rejection as diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy. Of 101 rejection episodes that were initially treated with intravenous pulse therapy, 48 (48%) were successfully resolved, yet 60% of these successes were associated with major infections. Patients in whom steroid therapy failed or was contra-indicated received intravenous antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or intravenous monoclonal antibody (OKT3). ATG and OKT3 successfully reversed severe rejection in 26 (81%) of 32 and in 13 (93%) of 14 episodes, respectively. Infectious complication rates were 54% and 21%, respectively. Because the majority (87%) of these rejection episodes occurred within the first 30 days after treatment, many of them may have resulted from inadequate immunosuppressive induction therapy. Based on our results, we believe that advanced cardiac allograft rejection may be managed best by individualizing immunosuppressive therapy, thus enhancing prevention, and by adding OKT3 to the regimen when rejection occurs.

Adolescent↗

Cyclosporine A pharmacokinetics in a cardiac allograft recipient with a jejuno-ileal bypass.

A 41-year-old man with a 13-year history of JI bypass for morbid obesity developed idiopathic cardiomyopathy. A pretransplant CsA pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated inadequate PO absorption with no appreciable enterohepatic recirculation. Inadequate levels occurred after three hours and became undetectable after 18 hours. The patient's status did not permit JI bypass reversal before transplantation. IV CsA was administered before cardiac transplantation, and a continuous IV CsA infusion was maintained for 72 days through episodes of CMV reactivation infection and complications common to the immunosuppressed patient. JI bypass reversal was subsequently performed and IV CsA converted to oral form as intestinal function improved. A repeat PO CsA pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated a threefold rise in peak concentration, delayed smaller peak concentrations representing enterohepatic recirculation, and a steady-state blood level that persisted for 23 hours. We have found that pretransplant CsA pharmacokinetic analysis predicts CsA bioavailability and serves as a guide for achieving optimal CsA serum concentrations; adequate PO absorption and enterohepatic recirculation of CsA depends on the anatomical and functional integrity of the jejunum and ileum; continuous IV CsA infusion can be precisely adjusted for optimal therapeutic efficiency; and long-term CsA infusion can benefit critically ill transplant patients without increased morbidity.

Adult↗

Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide hormone from right atria is correlated with cardiac depression in septic patients.

N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [proANP(1-98)] has been extensively investigated in patients with chronic heart failure and ishemic heart disease. It is found to be a better marker of cardiac dysfunction than atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The possible involvement of proANP(1-98) in cardiac depression caused by sepsis has not been studied yet. Therefore, we analyzed atrial plasma concentration of proANP(1-98) in 17 septic patients with hemodynamic variables measured or calculated using pulmonary artery catheter. The results of altogether 96 measurements show a significant negative correlation of proANP(1-98) and cardiac index (p<0.024), oxygen delivery (p<0.03) and oxygen consumption (p<0.03). There is also a positive correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (p<0.03). ProANP(1-98) is significantly higher in patients who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (p<0.001). This study implies that proANP(1-98) is a possible novel hormone marker of cardiac depression caused by sepsis that could be used for prediction of ARDS.

Acidosis↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and perioperative ERCP.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Study of acceptance of simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for treatment of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis. METHODOLOGY: There were 25 patients. Ten patients had acute pancreatitis of biliary etiology, accompanied by transitory icterus. In 15 patients, choledocholithiasis was suspected preoperatively both on ultrasonography and i.v. cholangiography. In all patients laparoscopic cholecystectomy with perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy were performed for the treatment of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. RESULTS: Simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was successfully done in all patients. The patients were discharged home on the 4th day after the surgery. Concerning early complications, there where 3 early complications, e.g., prolonged hemorrhage after papillotomy in a patient with choledocholithiasis with stenotic papillitis. Conservative therapy (fresh frozen plasma, local hemostats) was used in this patient. In 4 patients with choledocholithiasis, transitory hyperamylasemia was observed, with no clinical symptoms of pancreatitis. The symptoms disappeared with conservative therapy 3 days after the beginning of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for treatment of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis is a safe and acceptable treatment.

Ampulla of Vater↗