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Biomedical subjects

S Visudhiphan

Publications and source records attributed to S Visudhiphan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ketoconazole and Flutamide in the treatment of disseminated intravascular clotting from prostate cancer: a case report and review.

Disseminated intravascular clotting (DIC) is a well-recognized complication of malignancy. Prostatic cancer can produce chronic DIC as well as acute severe DIC. Treatment of DIC are general supportive measures including heparin, transfusion of blood, platelets and clotting factors, but the most important aspect is correction of underlying malignant diseases i.e. cancer of the prostate gland. For metastatic prostatic cancer presenting with an emergency oncologic condition, the treatment of choice is surgical orchiectomy, but surgery may not be possible in the presence of severe DIC. Ketoconazole and Flutamide are drugs with different mechanisms for hormonal manipulation of this cancer. Due to severe DIC, we combined both drugs trying to put maximum therapeutic effect on this life threatening profound DIC patient.

Antifungal Agents↗

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, and interferon-gamma in beta(o)-thalassemia/HbE and their clinical significance.

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were estimated by conventional ELISA kits in 60, 42, and 58 Thai patients, respectively, with beta(o)-thalassemia HbE and found to be above the normal range in 13%, 21%, and 33% of the patients, respectively. Using high-sensitivity ELISA systems, an additional 10 beta(o)-thal/HbE patients were compared with 9 controls for concentrations of circulating TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, and 9 and 5 patients, respectively, but only 1 and none of the controls, respectively, showed values above the normal ranges. In patients with abnormally high IFN-gamma levels, basal hemoglobin values were significantly lower than in those with normal levels of the cytokine (mean +/- SEM: 6.03+/-0.24 vs. 7.08+/-0.18, p < 0.05), although circulating concentrations of soluble transferrin receptors (sTrF) and absolute reticulocyte counts were similar in the two groups. Patients with raised or normal levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, or IL-1beta had similar basal hemoglobin values. In a phagocytosis assay, monocytes of patients with raised serum levels of IFN-gamma showed significantly more attached or ingested IgG-coated red cells than those of patients with normal concentrations of the cytokine (mean +/- SEM: 192+/-22 vs. 140+/-14 per 100 monocytes, p < 0.05). Moreover, in 3 of 4 of the former patients, the number of attached or ingested IgG-coated red cells per 100 monocytes was above the 95% reference limit for the latter patients. The results suggest that IFN-gamma aggravates the anemia of beta(o)-thal/HbE by activating mononuclear phagocytes for destruction of red cells but not by inhibiting erythropoiesis. The elevated serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 could contribute to complications of the disease, such as cachexia and thromboembolic phenomena.

Adolescent↗

Significance of blood coagulation and platelet profiles in relation to pulmonary thrombosis in beta-thalassemia/Hb E.

In beta-Thalassemia hemoglobin E (beta-thal Hb E), hypoxemia with abnormal lung function was described and postmortem examination in these patients showed organized pulmonary trombi with thickened arterial wall, particularly in post-splenectomized cases. Coagulation and platelet profiles were studied in 58 beta-thal Hb E patients. In 35 cases with intact spleen, the fibrinolytic activity was significantly decreased with high antithrombin III activity, while coagulation tests revealed mild abnormality. The platelet aggregation to ADP, adrenaline, collagen and ristocretin were defective and platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine content was lower than normal. Twenty-three patients who had been splenectomized for 5-18 years, decreased fibrinolytic activity and high antithrombin III activity were also observed. The coagulation profiles and platelet aggregation in response to ADP, adrenaline and collagen showed better results. Fourteen cases exhibited thrombocytosis and their thrombin generation was in the hypercoagulable range. Platelet aggregation in response to ristocetin remained defective and platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine content was lower than in cases with intact spleens. Defective aggregation to ristocetin would indicate abnormal von Willebrand's factor (vWF). Decreased fibrinolysis should very likely have a role in the occurrence of thrombosis and the better hemostatic profiles in post-splenectomized cases would contribute to the more frequent thrombotic incidence in these cases.

Adolescent↗

Factor VIII, factor IX and fibrinogen content in cryoprecipitate, fresh plasma and cryoprecipitate-removed plasma.

In order to provide accurate information for physicians, factor VIII, factor IX and fibrinogen content were determined in 40 bags of cryoprecipitate, fresh plasma and cryoprecipitate-removed plasma. A cryoprecipitate bag with a volume of 21.8 +/- 5.3 ml contained 139.5 +/- 42.9 units of factor VIII and 200.0 +/- 80.0 mg of fibrinogen. Fresh plasma with a volume of 208.0 +/- 22.5 ml contained 180.9 +/- 45.3 of factor IX, significantly higher than in cryoprecipitate-removed plasma. It was also found in this study that group O blood showed a significantly lower level of factor VIII.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Therapy of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults: experiences from Thailand.

Results of different types of treatment in 416 adults with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analyzed. Of 368 patients treated with corticosteroids, 278 (77%) achieved complete response (CR ie, normalization of platelet count). However, only 18% of patients had continued complete response (CCR). Results of splenectomy was analyzed in 126 patients, 49% of them achieved CCR and 76% of them had beneficial effects from the operation. Emergency splenectomy was a life saving procedure in 8 of 11 patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. Vinca alkaloids gave a 50% transient CR. Immunosuppressive agents (cyclophosphamide, azathioprine) resulted in only 11% CCR.

Adult↗

Outcomes of pregnancy in adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The outcomes of 39 pregnancies in 36 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients were analysed. Among the 36 pregnant patients, 23 had active ITP (platelet count < 100,000 per mm3), 12 had inactive ITP, during pregnancies, while one patient had active and inactive ITP during each of her two pregnancies. Maternal bleeding during delivery occurred more commonly in thrombocytopenic patients and was more frequent by cesarean section than by vaginal delivery. There was a 56 per cent incidence of neonatal thrombocytopenia. Maternal platelet count had no predictive value for neonatal thrombocytopenia. There was no serious bleeding among neonates born from thrombocytopenic mothers. In our experience, vaginal delivery was a relatively safe procedure for delivering small neonates from multiparous ITP mothers. Cesarean section should be used to deliver relatively big neonates especially from primigravida ITP mothers and splenectomy should be done at the same time.

Adult↗

Dark green pit viper (Trimeresurus popeorum) bite: clinical and serial coagulation profiles in 51 cases.

Trimeresurus popeorum, a dark green pit viper, is commonly found in Southeast Asia. This study describes the clinical picture and blood studies of 51 patients bitten by this snake. Affected limbs were swollen; and hemorrhagic blebs in fingers and toes were found in 12 patients. Lymphangitis was observed in 4 instances. Six individuals exhibited hypofibrinogenemia of 0-84 mg/dl, and 2 cases developed thrombocytopenia and bleeding. The presence of venom in the blood of these patients was demonstrated. Positive fibrin degradation products of 40-320 micrograms/ml were observed in 6 cases with hypofibrinogenemia, and in 8 other cases. Nineteen patients had short euglobulin lysis times of 51.8 +/- 24.7 min. Hyperfibrinogenemia of 626.7 +/- 288.9 mg/dl was found in 18 cases. Apart from bleeding, there were no systemic symptoms. Hypofibrinogenemia became normal in 3-12 days. The clinical course in all patients was uneventful, and none received antivenin.

Adolescent↗

Severe cases of green pit viper snake venom poisoning.

Two severe cases of green pit viper bites were reported. The clinical manifestations were severe bleeding and diarrhea. The first patient had acute renal failure complicated from severe diarrhea and hypovolemia. Hematological findings showed hypofibrinogenemia and thrombocytopenia. Renal biopsy performed in the first case showed a picture compatible with that of the recovery phase of acute tubular necrosis. Green pit viper antivenine serum together with symptomatic and supportive treatment was given. Both patients recovered uneventfully.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Emergency splenectomy in adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. A report of seven cases.

Seven adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura underwent emergency splenectomy. Six were female and one was a male, aged 16 to 61 years. All of them had a life-threatening episode. Six patients had progressive intracranial bleeding and one had postsurgical intra-abdominal bleeding. All patients were saved by surgery, except one for whom operation was delayed. There was no postoperative bleeding or surgical complication. Immediate splenectomy should be the treatment of choice in any patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated by life-threatening hemorrhage.

Adolescent↗

Serious complications following treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Six patients had serious complications as consequences of treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Five had splenectomy-related complications, one of them developed fatal intra-abdominal bleeding. Three patients acquired operation-related serious infection, two of them died. Serious neutropenia after vinblastine-loaded platelets occurred in one patient leading to pseudomonas septicaemia and panophthalmitis with permanent vision loss of left eye. Recurrence thrombocytopenia occurred in every case during serious complications. Early detection by awareness of the possibility of serious complications can reduce morbidity and mortality occurring after therapy of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Adult↗

Blood coagulation and platelet profiles in persistent post-splenectomy thrombocytosis. The relationship to thromboembolism.

To clarify the possible role of persistent thrombocytosis after splenectomy being a predisposing factor causing development of thromboembolism, blood coagulation profiles and platelet functions were studied in 34 cases being 1-18 years post-splenectomy from non-malignant diseases. Persistent thrombocytosis was observed in 16 with significant negative correlation between hemoglobin level and platelet count indicated the role of anemia on persistent post-splenectomy thrombocytosis. Blood coagulation profiles showed accelerated thrombin formation or hypercoagulability as measured by thrombin generation test especially in cases with thrombocytosis, together with decreased fibrinolytic activity and high fibrinogen, but in presence of high antithrombin III activity. Concerning the platelet, the aggregation to ristocetin was defective, the improved aggregation to ADP and adrenaline was achieved only in whom with intact spleen giving defective platelet aggregation. The finding indicated the role of spleen contributing to abnormal platelet aggregation. Another interesting observation was the decreased platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine content in splenectomized cases. The overall changes on blood coagulation and platelets post-splenectomy including those with persistent thrombocytosis did not thoroughly shift to hypercoagulable state, since a high antithrombin III activity and some platelet defect remained. These present findings, therefore, unlikely predisposed to the occurrence of thromboembolism even in those with persistent thrombocytosis.

Adolescent↗

The relationship between high fibrinolytic activity and daily capsicum ingestion in Thais.

Capsicum, a hot appetizer and seasoning, has been found to induce increased fibrinolytic activity and simultaneously cause hypocoagulability of blood when ingested or when retained in the mouth for a short time. The effect on fibrinolysis and blood coagulation of capsicum can be reproduced in the same subjects within a short time after the first stimulation. More investigations on this effect may lead to the discovery of some ideal drugs for both treatment and prevention of thromboembolism. Fibrinolytic activity measured by euglobulin lysis time in 88 Thai subjects (mean +/- SD = 167 +/- 66.84 min) was significantly higher than in 55 American whites (mean +/- SD = 254 +/- 126.70 min) residing in Thailand for a period of time (p less than 0.001). The Thai people consume capsicum with their meals. Their fibrinolytic activity, therefore, is activated several times during the day and this activation could be an important factor in causing high fibrinolytic activity. This customary habit of food ingestion is very likely a factor contributing to the racial difference in fibrinolysis. Furthermore, the Thais also have lower plasma fibrinogen and higher antithrombin III compared to Americans. These could certainly be additional factors, in addition to fibrinolytic activity, that play a role in the rarity of thromboembolism among Thais.

Adolescent↗

Prolonged defibrination syndrome after green pit viper bite with persisting venom activity in patient's blood.

Venom activity in citrated plasma from a patient with a green pit viper bite was demonstrated by measuring its ability to decrease fibrinogen levels in normal plasma for six days after the bite. By in-vitro study, the minimal amount of crude venom to induce hypofibrinogenemia was 0.5 microgram/ml of normal plasma. The findings explained the continuing defibrination with bleeding and especially the failure of fresh-frozen plasma transfusion to correct hypofibrinogenemia in this patient. The most beneficial therapy should therefore be the neutralization of venom by antivenin, for as long as abnormal coagulation profiles are present, to discontinue the defibrinating process. The preparation of potent antivenin must be encouraged.

Adult↗

Plasminogen levels in subjects with eosinophilia.

Plasminogen determinations were performed in 98 normal volunteers and 50 subjects with eosinophilia. There was no significant difference in the plasminogen levels between these two groups. Since, increased eosinophils in the bone marrow of those eosinophilic subjects were also demonstrated. This observation should raise a question as to whether the eosinophils would really be the site of systemic plasminogen synthesis.

Adolescent↗