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Biomedical subjects

G Clemente

Publications and source records attributed to G Clemente.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Oral administration of clonidine in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Hemodynamic and liver function effects.

The effects of long-term oral clonidine treatment on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics and on quantitative liver function tests were investigated in 15 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Clonidine was administered at a mean dose of 0.33 +/- 0.1 mg/day (mean +/- SD) for a mean period of 64 +/- 10 days. Oral clonidine induced a significant reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient from 18.8 +/- 3.0 mm Hg to 15.9 +/- 3.4 mm Hg (P less than 0.001), which was the result of an increase in the free hepatic venous pressure from 5.1 +/- 4.2 mm Hg to 8.7 +/- 3.8 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). In 10 of the 15 patients (67%), the reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient was greater than 10% of baseline values. Hepatic blood flow did not change significantly after clonidine treatment. Additionally, treatment with clonidine decreased mean arterial pressure by 15.5% +/- 6% (P less than 0.001), heart rate by 17.7% +/- 7% (P less than 0.001), and cardiac output by 14.6% +/- 7% (P less than 0.001). However, systemic vascular resistance did not change significantly. There were no adverse effects on liver function, as shown by the nonsignificant changes in galactose-elimination capacity (149 +/- 59 vs. 170 +/- 58 mg/min), hepatic clearance of indocyanine green (0.19 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.07 L/min), and hepatic intrinsic clearance of indocyanine green (0.23 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.1 L/min) before and after clonidine treatment, respectively. In none of the patients was the drug withdrawn because of side effects, although 12 subjects complained of dry mouths. This study suggests that in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, long-term oral clonidine administration achieves a reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient without adverse effects on hepatic blood flow and liver function.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

[A biliary fistula after T-tube removal in the transplant patient: its diagnosis by Tc-99m-HIDA].

The Tc-99m HIDA scan is a valuable study after liver transplantation, associated with other image techniques. We have used this technique as a reliable and objective diagnostic method for biliary fistula after removal of the T-tube in 5 liver transplantation patients with pain after T-tube removal. All five patients who developed fistula not only were diagnosed immediately but, furthermore, the surgical technique was indicated by the gammagraphic study. After this experience, we propose to remove the T-tube during the Tc-99 HIDA scan.

Biliary Fistula↗
PubMed1990

Effect of different fractions of alkaline reflux on the gastric stump and the esophagus: an experimental research on pigs.

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different fractions (bile and pancreaticoduodenal secretions) on the gastric stump and esophageal mucosa. Twenty pigs underwent partial gastrectomy (two-third distal) and cardiomyotomy in order to induce free gastroesophageal reflux. Then, reconstruction of the alimentary tract was performed to assess the effects of different types of alkaline reflux. A combined (biliary and pancreaticoduodenal) reflux, an isolated biliary reflux, and an isolated pancreaticoduodenal reflux were induced, respectively, in three different groups of five pigs each. In a control group a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy was performed. Nine months later, the animals were sacrificed, the esophagus and the gastric stump were removed for histologic examination. The results show that the most severe histopathological lesions are determined by combined alkaline reflux; on the other hand, separated fractions can induce only mild changes on the gastric stump and esophageal mucosa.

Alkalies↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical and therapeutic considerations on hepatic encephalopathy].

Impairment of consciousness in liver encephalopathy ranges from slight anomalies to clinically manifest coma. Since the triggering causes are extremely varied and often include dietary errors and/or medication, it is extremely important for the physician to be able to identify the initial signs so as the to start the appropriate treatment. After reviewing the etiopathogenesis and pathology of liver encephalopathy, the authors list the possibilities for medical management which often lead to satisfactory results.

Hepatic Encephalopathy↗
PubMed1989

[Immunologic aspects of chronic diarrhea in relation to inflammatory intestinal disease].

In a group of patients with chronic diarrhea of unknown origin, a study of cellular and humoral immunity was carried out with in vitro tests and the results are compared to those obtained in a group of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, and to normal controls. In the chronic diarrhea group there was evidence of an immunological deficiency affecting the B and T lymphocytes that had specific characters in relation to IgG, although the IgG deficit was not as important as in intestinal inflammatory disease.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1987

The importance of gastric emptying in reflux esophagitis: an experimental research on pigs.

A study was conducted on pigs to evaluate the importance of gastric emptying rate in reflux esophagitis development. Gastric emptying was previously measured in 25 pigs. Then, the following operative procedures were carried out: Heller's cardiomyotomy, common bile duct ligature, cholecysto-gastric anastomosis, and extramucosal duodenal myotomy on 10 animals (group A); the same procedures except extramucosal duodenal myotomy on another 10 animals (group B); common bile duct ligature and cholecysto-gastric anastomosis on the last 5 animals (group C). Six months later, gastric emptying was measured again; whereas in group A a significant shortening of gastric emptying was found, the other 2 groups remained unchanged. Then, all the animals were sacrificed and the lower third of the esophagus was removed for histologic examination. In all the pigs undergoing cardiomyotomy (groups A and B) appearance of esophagitis was found. No signs of esophagitis were found in group C. The conclusions reached are cardiomyotomy is in all cases responsible for reflux esophagitis development; extramucosal duodenal myotomy is capable of shortening gastric emptying, but this does not affect reflux esophagitis development.

Animals↗