Biomedical subjects

Young Ju Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Young Ju Kim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Paraoxonase gene polymorphism, serum lipid, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Human paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is thought to play a role in preeclampsia and atherosclerosis, mainly through a reduction in low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is very important in endothelial dysfunction of preeclampsia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between PON1 gene polymorphism and preeclampsia and to determine concentrations of serum lipid in preeclampsia patients. We aimed also to evaluate serum oxidized LDL levels in normal and preeclampsia patients. STUDY DESIGN: We performed the present study in 57 control women and 32 preeclampsia patients. PON-1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were measured. We also measured serum levels of oxidized LDL by ELISA method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in PON1 genotype frequencies between the control and preeclampsia patients. The levels of serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were significantly lower in preeclampsia patients compared with that of the control women (p=0.05, and p<0.01, respectively). The serum levels of oxidized LDL in preeclampsia patients were significantly higher than those in the control women (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the importance of the atherogenic lipid profile and oxidized LDL that is enhanced in preeclampsia, and these findings may be significant contributors to endothelial dysfunction.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗

PubMed2006

The effectiveness of embolotherapy for treatment of hemoptysis in patients with varying severity of tuberculosis by assessment of chest radiography.

The effectiveness of percutaneous embolotherapy in cases of hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis from increasing severity of lung parenchymal injury was compared. The pattern of pleural involvement, as seen on chest radiography and angiography, were comparatively analyzed in 230 patients who were available for follow-ups from March 1992 to December 2003. Chest radiography findings were classified into 4 types based on levels of complicated lesions and pleural involvement. Angiography findings were divided into 4 groups based on the level of blood supply to lesions. Early hemostasis with respect to radiographic group were as follows: Type I- 92% (73/79), Type II- 80% (52/65), Type III- 70% (42/60), and Type IV- 56% (52/92); there was an average success rate of 73% (219/296), and continued hemostasis was found in 80% of Type I patients (62/77), 77% of Type II patients (41/53), 62% of Type III patients (25/40), and 45% of Type IV patients (27/60), with an average long- term hemostatic rate of 67% (155/230). Increasing severity of pleural involvement and associated complications correlated with increasing development of systemic collateral arteries other than the bronchial artery. The severely increased circulation in systemic collateral arteries makes it difficult to predict good hemostatic results following embolization. Therefore, we recommend aggressive treatment, such as surgical intervention, after embolization in such instances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Paraoxonase gene polymorphism and vitamin levels during pregnancy: Relationship with maternal oxidative stress and neonatal birthweights.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between maternal oxidative stress and adverse birth outcome, and serum vitamin levels and paraoxonase (PON) polymorphism during pregnancy. We investigated 276 pregnant women who visited a hospital for prenatal care during gestational weeks 24 and 28. We measured serum Vitamins C and E levels and urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG). We determined the presence of a maternal PON polymorphism (Q-to-R substitution at a nucleotide located on 7q21.3) using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. High levels (relative to the median) of Vitamins C and E were associated with a reduced concentration of urinary 8-OH-dG, but increased birthweight and gestational age in subjects with the Q/Q and Q/R types of PON polymorphism. Even with the high-risk PON polymorphism (R/R), the results show that birthweight increased with high levels of Vitamins C and E. Our data demonstrate that oxidative stress and neonatal birthweight are affected by maternal levels of Vitamins C and E in subjects with a PON polymorphism.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

PubMed2006

Self-test software for PowerPoint: a tool for self-learning.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We developed self-test software to improve self-learning efficiency using Microsoft PowerPoint data files. CONCLUSION: This tool can be run on IBM-compatible computer under Microsoft Windows. It is a new useful and interactive tool for self-learning. This tool allows users to do view the cases in the PowerPoint data files by random or sequentially. Goal-oriented effective self-learning is possible from methods that conjecture the possible differential diagnosis without promptly seeing correct diagnosis. Thus effective and interactive self-learning is possible.

Computer Graphics↗

PubMed2006

Synthesis and evaluation of benzothiophene derivatives as ligands for imaging beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

The imaging of the distribution of beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques in the brain is becoming an important diagnostic modality in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we synthesized novel benzothiophene derivatives and labeled them with (18)F for the potential diagnostic imaging of AD patients using positron emission tomography. The K(i) values of benzothiophene derivatives were evaluated by competitive binding assay using 2-(3'-[(125)I]iodo-4'-N-methylaminophenyl)benzothiazole as a radioligand and Abeta(1-40) or Abeta(1-42) aggregates as receptors. All synthesized benzothiophene derivatives showed high binding affinities (K(i)=0.28-6.50 nM) to both Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42) aggregates. Binding affinities were increased by O-alkylation or N-alkylation of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiophene or 2-(4'-aminophenyl)benzothiophene. Biodistribution studies of 2-(4'-O-(2''-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)hydroxyphenyl)benzothiophene ([(18)F]) and 2-(4'-O-(3''-[(18)F]fluoropropyl)hydroxyphenyl)benzothiophene ([(18)F]) in normal mice were performed after intravenous injection through the tail vein. In biodistribution data, [(18)F] and [(18)F] showed high initial brain uptakes at 2 min (5.2+/-0.4% and 3.3+/-0.2% ID/g, respectively), and brain activities washed out to 2.0+/-0.2% and 0.5+/-0.1% ID/g at 4 h, respectively. In conclusion, benzothiophene derivatives showed excellent binding affinities for Abeta aggregates and high initial brain uptakes in normal mice.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2006

Recent variceal bleeding: Doppler US hepatic vein waveform in assessment of severity of portal hypertension and vasoactive drug response.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate both the correlation between abnormal Doppler ultrasonography (US) hepatic vein waveforms and the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and the response to drug treatment in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethics committee approval and informed consent of patients and control subjects were obtained. In 78 patients with cirrhosis (70 men, eight women; mean age, 49.4 years +/- 9.7 [standard deviation]) and a history of variceal bleeding, both the hepatic vein waveform--as measured with Doppler US--and the HVPG were measured, and the relationship between them was analyzed. Hepatic vein Doppler waveforms were classified as triphasic, biphasic, or monophasic. Severe portal hypertension was defined as an HVPG of more than 15 mm Hg. In a subgroup of 21 patients, changes in hepatic vein waveform and HVPG were evaluated after intravenous administration of 2 mg of terlipressin. Statistical analyses were performed with Spearman rank correlation, logistic regression analysis, and cross tabulation. RESULTS: Abnormal hepatic vein waveforms were seen in 72 patients (92%). Forty-four patients (56%) had biphasic waveforms, 28 (36%) had monophasic waveforms, and six (8%) had triphasic waveforms. A positive correlation was found between the extent of abnormalities in hepatic vein waveforms and the increase in HVPG (P < .05). Monophasic waveforms were associated with severe portal hypertension, with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 95%. Twenty patients in the terlipressin subgroup had abnormal baseline waveforms; the baseline waveform improved in 18 patients in association with the HVPG reduction after injection of terlipressin. CONCLUSION: Doppler US hepatic vein waveform assessment is useful in the noninvasive evaluation of the severity of portal hypertension and the response to vasoactive drugs in patients with portal hypertension and variceal bleeding.

Antihypertensive Agents↗

PubMed2005

Sphingosine-1-phosphate activates BKCa channels independently of G protein-coupled receptor in human endothelial cells.

The effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) on large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels was examined in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells by measuring intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), whole cell membrane currents, and single-channel activity. In nystatin-perforated current-clamped cells, S1P hyperpolarized the membrane and simultaneously increased [Ca(2+)](i). [Ca(2+)](i) and membrane potentials were strongly correlated. In whole cell clamped cells, BK(Ca) currents were activated by increasing [Ca(2+)](i) via cell dialysis with pipette solution, and the activated BK(Ca) currents were further enhanced by S1P. When [Ca(2+)](i) was buffered at 1 microM, the S1P concentration required to evoke half-maximal activation was 403 +/- 13 nM. In inside-out patches, when S1P was included in the bath solution, S1P enhanced BK(Ca) channel activity in a reversible manner and shifted the relationship between Ca(2+) concentration in the bath solution and the mean open probability to the left. In whole cell clamped cells or inside-out patches loaded with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPbetaS; 1 mM) using a patch pipette, GDPbetaS application or pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) for 15 h did not affect S1P-induced BK(Ca) current and channel activation. These results suggest that S1P enhances BK(Ca) channel activity by increasing Ca(2+) sensitivity. This channel activation hyperpolarizes the membrane and thereby increases Ca(2+) influx through Ca(2+) entry channels. Inasmuch as S1P activates BK(Ca) channels via a mechanism independent of G protein-coupled receptors, S1P may be a component of the intracellular second messenger that is involved in Ca(2+) mobilization in human endothelial cells.

Calcium↗

PubMed2005

Risk factors for preterm birth in Korea: a multicenter prospective study.

Preterm birth is a major determinant of neonatal morbidity and mortality and remains one of the most serious problems in obstetrics. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for preterm birth in Korean pregnant women. A total of 2,645 women were evaluated between 20 and 42 weeks' gestation at 5 centers using a prospective study design. The patient population is limited to singleton gestations. Demographic factors, socioeconomic statuses, previous and current medical histories, complications of current gestation, and drug and alcohol abuse were evaluated, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses performed. Among nulliparous women, the factors that showed a significant association with preterm delivery were as follows; vaginal bleeding during pregnancy (OR 2.6, CI 1.7-4.2), and below USD 1,000 average income (OR 5.1, CI 1.9-13.5). The factors that showed a significant association with preterm delivery among multiparous women were as follows; a history of spontaneous abortion (OR 2.4, CI 1.1-5.2), and a history of preterm delivery (OR 3.5, CI 1.02-11.8). In conclusion, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, below USD 1,000 of average income, prior spontaneous abortion, and prior preterm delivery, were positively associated with preterm birth.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Oxidative stress-related gene polymorphism and the risk of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether genetic variability in oxidative stress-related enzymes contributes to individual preeclampsia susceptibility differences. STUDY DESIGN: Polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A1 (MspI), CYP1A1(Ile/Val), glutathione S-transferase (GST)M1, GSTT1, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 214 healthy controls with an uncomplicated obstetric history, and in 121 preeclampsia patients. Chi2 analyses were used to statistically evaluate differences. RESULTS: No significant differences in the CYP1A1(MspI) or CYP1A1(Ile/Val) genotypes were observed between the healthy controls and the preeclampsia patients (chi2 = 1.43, P = 0.49 versus chi2 = 1.54, P = 0.46). The GSTM1 homozygous null type and GSTT1 homozygous null type were no differences in the patients and controls (chi2 = 0.01, P = 0.92 versus chi(2) = 0.31, P = 0.57), and no significant differences in the polymorphisms of the MPO and MnSOD genotypes were found between the patients and controls (chi2 = 2.00, P = 0.37 versus chi2 = 0.07, P = 0.96). CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in the oxidative stress-related genes (CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, MPO, MnSOD) do not seem to be risk factors for preeclampsia.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The high incidence of meiotic errors increases with decreased sperm count in severe male factor infertilities.

BACKGROUND: The high frequency of aneuploidy sperm raises concerns that there may be an increased incidence of aneuploid offspring in ICSI programmes. In order to assess the role that chromosome complement plays in normal and abnormal fertility, detailed molecular cytogenetic studies must be done on sperm samples from men with normal and abnormal fertility. METHODS: To understand more clearly the cytogenetic make-up of sperm from oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) patients, multi-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to determine numerical chromosome abnormalities. RESULTS: Increased aneuploidy frequencies for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were detected in sperm from OAT patients. The frequencies of diploidy also increased. There were no differences in non-disjunction at meiosis I compared to meiosis II. Sperm count inversely correlated with the frequencies of diploidy, aneuploidies for chromosomes 13 and 21 in OAT patients. Twenty-two cycles of ICSI and 18 embryo transfers were performed in 20 couples. Only three cases achieved successful pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: A higher incidence of meiotic errors and lower sperm counts was found in sperm from OAT patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Acute hemodynamic effects of octreotide and terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis: a randomized comparison.

BACKGROUND: Octreotide and terlipressin are widely used in acute variceal hemorrhage to reduce the bleeding rate. They purportedly act by mesenteric arterial vasoconstriction, thus reducing portal venous flow (PVF) and portal pressure. Little is known about the immediate-early hemodynamic effects of these drugs. AIM: To compare the acute hemodynamic effects of octreotide and terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis. PATIENTS: Forty-two cirrhotic patients with a history of variceal bleeding were randomized to receive either octreotide 100 microg intravenous bolus followed by a continuous infusion at 250 microg/h (n = 21), or terlipressin 2 mg intravenous bolus (n = 21). METHODS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and PVF, assessed by duplex Doppler ultrasonography, were measured before and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min after the start of drug administration. RESULTS: Octreotide markedly decreased HVPG (-44.5 +/- 17.8%) and PVF (-30.6 +/- 13.6%) compared to the baseline at 1 min (p < 0.05). Thereafter, both variables rapidly returned toward the baseline, and by 5 min, no significant differences in HVPG (-7.1 +/- 28.9%) and PVF (10.2 +/- 26.2%) were noted. A similar transient effect on MAP and HR was observed. Terlipressin significantly decreased HVPG (-18.3 +/- 11.9%) and PVF (-32.6 +/- 10.5%) at 1 min (p < 0.05) and sustained these effects at all time points. The effects on arterial pressure and HR were also sustained. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide only transiently reduced portal pressure and flow, whereas the effects of terlipressin were sustained. These results suggest that terlipressin may have more sustained hemodynamic effects in patients with bleeding varices.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2004

Associations of polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen M235 polymorphism and angiotensin-converting-enzyme intron 16 insertion/deletion polymorphism with preeclampsia in Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: The contribution of genetic factors to preeclampsia has been well documented. However, there has not been any study done on the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T polymorphism and angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) intron 16 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism among Korean preeclampsia women. We performed a hospital-based case-control study on Korean women to investigate the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism and also to determine the association between preeclampsia and the angiotensin-converting-enzyme intron 16 polymorphism. METHODS: DNA was extracted from whole blood of 104 preeclampsia patients and 114 healthy pregnant women. All samples were genotyped for all the polymorphisms using amplification after PCR of known allelic variants. Results were analyzed with the chi-square test, Student's t-test, and logistic regression. RESULTS: 18 of 50 women with preeclampsia (36.0%) in nulliparous women and 15 of 37 women with preeclampsia (40.5%) in parous women were homozygous for methionine (M235) to threonine (T235) substitution at residue 235 of AGT gene, versus 12 of 38 women in nulliparous control women and 18 of 50 women in parous control women. There was no association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and preeclampsia according to age. Fourteen of 55 women with preeclampsia (25.5%) in nulliparous women and 11 of 39 women with preeclampsia (28.2%) in parous women were homozygous for the D allele of the ACE intron 16, versus 9 of 52 women in nulliparous control women and 16 of 53 women in parous control women. No association was demonstrated between D allele of ACE intron 16 and preeclampsia according to age. There were significant differences in birth weight and delivery weeks between controls and preeclampsia patients (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in age and nulliparity between controls and preeclampsia patients. CONCLUSION: The result indicates that the AGT M235T polymorphism and the ACE intron 16 polymorphism play no significant role in preeclampsia observed in Korean women.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The risk of folate and vitamin B(12) deficiencies associated with hyperhomocysteinemia among pregnant women.

The purpose of this study was to compare the folate and vitamin B (12) levels in pregnant and nonpregnant women to evaluate the risk for hyperhomocysteinemia and for folate and vitamin B (12) deficiencies during pregnancy. Healthy pregnant women (n = 92; 24 to 28 gestational weeks; 18 to 39 years old) and nonpregnant women (n = 176; 18 to 39 years old) were sampled for serum levels of folate, vitamin B (12), and homocysteine. Pregnant women were less likely to have folate deficiency (8.0% versus 12.0%) but much more likely to have vitamin B (12) deficiency (46.1% versus 0.6%) than nonpregnant women. Those with lower dietary vitamin intakes were more likely to have vitamin B (12) deficiency. Serum folate and vitamin B (12) were negatively correlated with homocysteine among pregnant women. Pregnant women with folate deficiency were more likely to have hyperhomocysteinemia than those without folate deficiency. The vitamin B (12) level associated with hyperhomocysteinemia was lower in pregnant subjects than in nonpregnant subjects in this study, indicating that pregnant women require vitamin B (12) supplementation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Relationship of hemodynamic indices and prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperdynamic circulation due to reduced peripheral vascular resistance and increased cardiac output, and the development of portal hypertension are the hemodynamic changes observed in patients with liver cirrhosis. Such hemodynamic abnormalities appear in patients with late stage liver cirrhosis. Therefore, hemodynamic indices, which represent hyperdynamic circulation and portal hypertension, are significant for the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the hemodynamic indices associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 103 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis between December 1999 and June 2003, with a mean follow-up period of 73 weeks, ranging from 7 to 168 weeks, were recruited. Using Child-Pugh classification, the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) were measured. The indices of Doppler ultrasonography, including the portal and splenic venous flows, and the resistance of the hepatic, splenic, and renal arteries were also measured using the arterial pulsatility index (PI). The prognostic values of these indices were determined by their comparison with the patient survivals. RESULTS: Significant hemodynamic indices for a bad prognosis were high HVPG (> or = 15 mmHg) and renal arterial PI (> or = 1.14)(p<0.05). A Child-Pugh score > or = 10 was important for a poor prognosis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe portal hypertension (HVPG > or = 15 mmHg) and high renal arterial resistance (PI +/- 1.14) were valuable hemodynamic indices for the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, it was concluded that the measurement of these hemodynamic indices, in addition to the Child-Pugh classification, is helpful in the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Female↗

PubMed2004

[Meta-analysis of the research findings concerning functional relationships of explanatory variables to hope].

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to meta-analyze the relationships of major concepts, which were made by synthesizing similar explanatory variables into more comprehensive concepts, to hope. METHOD: The relevant researches from Jan 1980 to Dec 2003, performed in adults or adult patients, were collected. Using the SAS program, meta-analysis were done with the input data of the number of subjects, the correlation coefficients provided from most of the studies or a few transformed correlation coefficients from F value. In order to get the analysis to be done in homogeneous status of the data regarding each relationship of each major concept to hope (p>0.05), heterogeneous data were eliminated in repeating Q-test. RESULT: The major variable regarding relationship to self/transcendental being/life (spiritual wellbeing & self esteem) and social support (social support & family support) have very large positive effects on hope (D=1.72, D=1.27). The negative effect of the variable regarding captive state(uncertainty in illness, perceived unhealthiness status, & fatigue) and positive effect of coping (approach coping) on hope are in the level between moderate to large (D=-0.61, D=0.78). All the effects of the major concepts on hope were verified as significant statistically(p=.000). The Fail-Safe numbers showed the significant effects of the three major concepts except coping on hope were reliable. CONCLUSION: The results can be a guide to advance hope theory for nursing.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2003

Captopril reduces portal pressure effectively in portal hypertensive patients with low portal venous velocity.

BACKGROUND: The effect of an angiotensin II blockade in lowering the portal pressure in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension is controversial. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the portal hypotensive effect of captopril compared to that of propranolol, and to determine the factors that contribute to a successful reduction in the portal pressure after longterm captopril administration in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal venous velocity (PVV) were measured both before and 3 months after initiation of the administration of captopril (n = 29) or propranolol (n = 29) in cirrhotic patients with a variceal bleeding episode. Patients who showed a reduction in the HVPG of more than 20% of the baseline were defined as being responders. RESULTS: At 3 months, the mean reduction in the HVPG after captopril was less than that after propranolol (-3.0 +/- 9.3% vs -28.5% +/- 4.1%; P < 0.05). However, of the 29 patients receiving captopril, 9 were classified as being responders. On multivariate analysis with parameters including age, cause, Child-Pugh score, HVPG, and PVV, only low PVV was found to be a significant independent factor for responders (PVV < 12 cm/s; odds ratio [OR], 12.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47-102.40) in the captopril group. CONCLUSIONS: Longterm captopril administration reduces the portal pressure effectively in cirrhotic patients with a low PVV. This suggests that the reduction in portal pressure after captopril administration is a result of improved portal venous outflow brought about by a decrease in the intrahepatic vascular resistance. When the PVV is below 12 cm/s, a captopril trial might be useful in preventing variceal bleeding in portal hypertensive patients.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of Doppler ultrasonography and the hepatic venous pressure gradient in assessing portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This prospective study aimed to determine whether Doppler ultrasonography can represent the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) as an assessment of the severity of portal hypertension and the response to terlipressin, which reduces the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis. METHODS: The HVPG and the Doppler ultrasonographic parameters, such as the portal venous velocity and the splenic venous velocity, the pulsatility and the resistive index of the hepatic, splenic and renal arteries were measured in 138 patients with liver cirrhosis. The changes in the HVPG and the portal venous velocity after administering terlipressin were evaluated in 43 of the 138 patients. The patients who showed a reduction in the HVPG of more than 20% of the baseline were defined as responders to terlipressin. RESULTS: None of the Doppler ultrasonographic parameters correlated with the HVPG. Both the HVPG (28.0 +/- 19.8%) and the portal venous velocity (29.7 +/- 13.2%) showed a significant reduction after terlipressin administration. However, the portal venous velocity decreased significantly, not only in the responders (31.0 +/- 12.0%) but also in the non-responders (25.2 +/- 16.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Doppler ultrasonography does not represent the HVPG, and is therefore not suitable for replacing HVPG as a means of assessing the severity of portal hypertension and the response to drugs which reduce the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Comparison of Doppler ultrasonography and hepatic venous pressure gradient in assessing portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This prospective study aimed to determine if Doppler ultrasonography can be representative of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in assessing the severity of portal hypertension and response to drug reducing portal pressure. METHODS: The HVPG and the parameters of Doppler ultrasonography including portal venous velocity (PVV) and splenic venous velocity, the pulsatility and resistive index of hepatic, splenic and renal arteries were measured in 105 patients with liver cirrhosis. In 31 patients the changes of hepatic venous pressure gradient and portal venous velocity after administration of terlipressin were evaluated. The patients who showed a reduction in HVPG of more than 20% of the baseline were defined as responders to terlipressin. RESULTS: Any Doppler ultrasonographic parameters did not correlate with HVPG. Both HVPG and PVV showed a highly significant reduction after the administration of terlipressin(-28.3 +/- 3.9%, -31.2 +/- 2.2% respectively). However, PVV decreased significantly not only in responders(31.7 +/- 2.4%) but also in nonresponders(29.5 +/- 6.1%). CONCLUSION: Doppler ultrasonography can not be representative of HVPG in assessing the severity of portal hypertension and response to drug reducing portal pressure in liver cirrhosis.

Antihypertensive Agents↗