PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

U Cillo

Publications and source records attributed to U Cillo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Physiological and clinical implications of proANP(1-98) circulating levels in the perioperative phase of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: ProANP(1-126), the prohormone synthesized and secreted by atrial myocites, generates an ANP peptide family, the main forms of which are proANP(1-30), proANP(31-67), proANP(1-98) and proANP(99-126). These molecular circulating forms are involved in hemodynamic and electrolyte homeostasis. In cirrhotic patients, volume homeostasis is almost impaired due to abnormal sodium retention, which results in ascites formation and hemodynamic changes, including high cardiac output and low systemic vascular resistance. During liver transplantation, in the anhepatic phase, hemodynamic instability may occur because of decreased venous return due to surgical manipulation of inferior vena cava, considerable blood loss or cross-clamping. Moreover, marked hemodynamic instability is often observed at the reperfusion of the graft. AIMS: The aims of present study are to investigate the changes of ANP during the perioperative phases of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLTx) in end-stage cirrhotic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July to September 1999, 11 cirrhotic patients undergoing to OLTx were included in the study: seven males and four females (average age 46+/-10.4 years) affected by post-alcoholic cirrhosis [Hypertension 15 (1990) 9], post-hepatitis cirrhosis [D.G. Gardner, M.C. Lapointe, B. Kovacic-Milivojevic, C.F. Deschepper, Molecular analisys and regulation of the atrial natriuretic factor gene, in: A.D. Struphers (Ed.), Frontiers in Farmacology and Therapeutics: Atrial Natriuretic Factor, Blackwell, Oxford, England, 1991, pp. 1-22], Wilson disease [Life Sci. 28 (1981) 89] and polycystic disease [Life Sci. 28 (1981) 89], autoimmune cirrhosis [Life Sci. 28 (1981) 89]. In each patient, a hemodynamic assessment was achieved using a Swan-Ganz catheter. Periferical venous samples were performed during and immediately after OLTx for the determination of ANP(1-98) and other biohumoral parameters. RESULTS: Mean ANP(1-98) (pmol/ml mean+/-SD) basal levels resulted higher than that recorded in the group of healthy subjects. A significant correlation between 24-h post-reperfusion ANP and intra-operative RBC and RIS requirement was found (p<0.05). The basal values resulted significantly higher than that observed at phase II degrees (p<0.04) and lower than that at phase VI degrees (p<0.05); the anesthetic induction values were significantly lower than that observed at phase VI degrees (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP(1-98) values may represent a useful marker of hemodynamic derangements during and after OLTx. Further clinical correlations will need a larger patient basis.

Adult↗

Histological features after liver transplantation in alcoholic cirrhotics.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Though alcoholic cirrhosis is a common indication for liver transplantation, it carries the risk of alcohol recidivism and consequent graft failure. This study aims to evaluate the effect of alcohol recidivism on survival rates and histological parameters in patients transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis, with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: Fifty-one out of 189 consecutive transplanted patients underwent psychosocial evaluation and liver biopsy at 6 and 12 months, then yearly after transplantation. RESULTS: The cumulative 84 month survival rate was identical in patients transplanted for alcoholic (51%) and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (52%). No difference emerged between anti-HCV negative vs. positive alcoholic cirrhosis patients. Psycho-social evaluation revealed alcohol recidivism in 11/34 long-term survivors, but this did not affect overall survival rate in patients with or without HCV. In anti-HCV negative cases, fatty changes and pericellular fibrosis were significantly more common in heavy drinkers than in occasional drinkers and abstainers. When HCV status was considered regardless of alcohol intake, fibrosis was significantly more frequent in patients with HCV. CONCLUSION: Alcohol recidivism after transplantation in alcoholic cirrhosis patients does not affect survival, irrespective of HCV status. Fatty changes and pericellular fibrosis are the most relevant histological signs of heavy alcohol intake.

Adult↗

Long-term medical and psycho-social evaluation of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease.

The major concern in transplanting patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the high rate of alcohol recidivism. Our aim was to assess the long-term outcome of liver transplantation (OLT) in a group of ALD patients in terms of post-OLT alcohol recidivism and its relationship with pre-OLT psychosocial variables and medical follow up. Fifty-one ALD patients underwent strict medical and psychosocial evaluation before and after OLT. Alcohol abuse was recorded in 60% and alcohol dependence in 40% of patients before OLT. The 5-year survival was similar to the one observed in non-ALD transplanted patients (64 vs 56%). Alcohol recidivism was observed in 33% of transplanted patients, 64% of whom were occasional and 36% were heavy drinkers. The admission of alcoholism by the patient and his/her family prior to OLT significantly predicted abstinence after OLT. A multidisciplinary approach evaluating medical and psycho-social variables before OLT and a close follow up after OLT are mandatory for ALD patients.

Alcoholism↗

Impact of severe infections on the outcome of major liver surgery: a pathophysiologic and clinical analysis.

Although major progress has been achieved, particularly in the field of patient selection and postoperative intensive care, morbidity and mortality rates after major liver surgery are still significant. In fact, the mortality rate in major series reaches 30% of patients undergoing complex liver procedures, mostly related to postoperative septic events. Among these, although extra-abdominal infectious localizations are also frequently reported, intra-abdominal sepsis and abscess formation are probably the most frequent infective clinical presentations. The literature reports that the magnitude of the resection and duration of surgery are associated with a significantly higher postoperative morbidity and mortality rate. Severe postoperative infectious events cause a high proportion of this morbidity and in the presence of a septic evolution of the clinical picture the mortality rises dramatically. Such a tight association between severe infections and mortality after major hepatic surgery gives account to the fundamental role played by the liver in the metabolic homeostasis of the patient and also to the central hepatic function in the immune response to microorganisms of gastroenteric origin. After major liver surgery these central hepatic functions may by significantly impaired, thus leading to higher susceptibility to infections, in particular in the elderly. On these bases the improvement in prophylaxis protocols, in the early diagnosis and in the treatment of these postoperative infectious events can help optimize clinical results after major hepatic surgery.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Energy expenditure (EE) and substrate utilization (SU) in the perioperative period in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTX).

12 patients were investigated with IC (Datex, Deltatrac) preoperatively and during the surgical procedure of OLTX, VO2, VCO2 were continuously measured and RQ, EE and SU were calculated considering the different periods of the procedure: preoperative resting EE: (PREE), anaesthesiological procedures (ANEE), liver preparation EE (LPEEE), liver removal EE (LREE), anhepatic phase EE (APEE), reperfusion, EE (RPEE) and end of operation EE (EOEE). EE were expressed as % respect value calculated with H.B. (Harris-Benedict) formula. Data were analyzed with Student T-test and p < 0.01** or < 0.05* PREE is typical in end stage liver disease with low RQ values and increased EE. Energy production depends on lipid utilization since liver gluconeogenesis and glycogen stores are impaired. Anesthesia reduces energy needs and production up to 50% of the preoperative values, reducing VO2 more than VCO2 and therefore an augmented RQ value over 1.0. SU analysis indicates an increased glucose and aminoacid utilization coupled with high nitrogen catabolism that continues in the postoperative period (from 0.08 0.01 gN/kg b.w. to 0.20 0.06 gN/kg b.w.). When the new liver is reperfused, VO2 increases more than VCO2 indicating the risk of reperfusion injury.

Calorimetry, Indirect↗

Administration of hepatic stimulatory substance alone or with other liver growth factors does not ameliorate acetaminophen-induced liver failure.

Sixty-two beagle dogs were given three doses of acetaminophen over a period of 24 hr in a fulminant liver failure model that is 70% lethal in 72 hr. Treatment of the animals with hepatic stimulatory substance alone or in a mixture with insulin, transforming growth factor-alpha and insulin-like growth factor II had no effect on mortality. Evidence of maximum regeneration with a mitotic index 20 to 25 times resting was the same in treated and untreated animals. Similarly, the biochemical and hematological indexes of liver injury were unaffected by therapy. These studies illustrate the futility of treating fulminant liver failure with exogenous growth factors that apparently are already present in large amounts in the natural response to liver injury. The results suggest that on-going liver injury by mechanisms other than lack of growth factors is the central problem of fulminant liver failure. If so, provision of regeneration-stimulating substance is an inappropriate therapeutic strategy.

Acetaminophen↗

Effect on the canine Eck fistula liver of intraportal TGF-beta alone or with hepatic growth factors.

Transforming growth factor-beta canceled the hepatocyte proliferation caused by transforming growth factor-alpha when the two substances were mixed and administered through a disconnected central portal vein branch after creation of an Eck fistula. In contrast, transforming growth factor-beta had no antidotal action on the stimulatory effects of insulin or full test doses of insulinlike factor-2, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor or triiodothymanine. A minor antidotal effect on hepatic stimulatory substance activity could be detected, but only with hepatic stimulatory substance was given in doses smaller than those known to cause maximum stimulatory response. These results suggest a highly specific pharmacological and physiological interaction between transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta in the modulation of liver growth control.

Animals↗