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Biomedical subjects

Y Bacq

Publications and source records attributed to Y Bacq.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of theophylline on hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis.

Since adenosine may play a role in the hyperdynamic circulation of cirrhosis, we examined the effects of theophylline (an adenosine receptor antagonist) on systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics, tissue oxygenation and sympathoadrenal activity in patients with cirrhosis and liver failure. Theophylline (aminophylline) was administered intravenously for 30 min. Six patients received a dose of 3 mg/kg and eight others a dose of 6 mg/kg. The low dose caused plasma theophylline concentrations of 7.4 +/- 1.8 mg/ml (mean +/- S.E.), and induced a significant increase in heart rate from 84 +/- 5 to 93 +/- 8 beats/min. This dosage did not significantly change other hemodynamic values, oxygen (O2) consumption, or sympathoadrenal activity. The high dose elicited plasma theophylline concentrations of 15.8 +/- 4.0 mg/ml. This dose significantly increased heart rate from 78 +/- 5 to 87 +/- 7 beats/min and significantly decreased right atrial pressure from 2.5 +/- 1.0 to 1.4 +/- 0.8 mmHg, stroke volume from 52 +/- 3 to 47 +/- 5 ml.beat-1.m-2 and systolic arterial pressure from 140 +/- 5 to 129 +/- 6 mmHg. In contrast, O2 consumption, sympathoadrenal activity, and all other hemodynamic values (including azygos blood flow) were not significantly modified. As a result, we conclude that, in patients with cirrhosis, theophylline may cause decreased stroke volume which lowers systolic arterial pressure. In our patients theophylline also had a positive chronotropic effect but no vasoconstrictor effect on systemic and splanchnic circulation. Finally, theophylline did not improve tissue oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis.

Adult↗

Protein-energy malnutrition in elderly medical patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate (1) the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition in elderly patients; (2) the changes in nutritional status during the hospital stay; and (3) (main objective) the relationship between simple nutritional parameters and short-term in-hospital mortality. DESIGN: Prospective time series at admission and on the 15th day of hospitalization. SETTING: Medical care unit in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive sample of 324 hospitalized patients greater than or equal to 70 years (86.4% of eligible patients). Norms of measurements were obtained from a referred sample of healthy control subjects (26 males and 36 females). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, serum albumin, prealbumin, and retinol-binding protein levels were measured in patients at admission and on the 15th day. RESULTS: (1) Prevalence of PEM was 30% in male and 41% in female patients. (2) Both mid-arm circumference and serum albumin level decreased over the first 15 days of hospital stay (53 patients, paired t test, P less than 0.05). Triceps skinfold thickness did not change. (3) A step-wise discriminant-function analysis determined the utility of the parameters at admission as predictors of in-hospital mortality before the 15th day. Mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, albumin, and prealbumin levels, as well as age, are predictors of in-hospital mortality, with 73% sensitivity, 69% specificity, and 70% of correctly classified patients of both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters used are predictors for short-term in-hospital mortality of elderly patients hospitalized in an acute medical unit. The lean body mass is preferentially mobilized for energy during hospitalization.

Aged↗

[Post-antibiotic diarrheas: role of Klebsiella oxytoca].

From May 1989 to January 1991, 20 patients were investigated for antibiotic-associated acute diarrhea. Colonoscopy or rectosigmoidoscopy was performed in each patient. Cultures of colonic mucosal biopsies were carried out using conventional culture grounds (cystine-lactose-electrolyte-deficient). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a gram negative bacillus: Klebsiella oxytoca. Among the 20 patients with antibiotic-associated acute diarrhea, 11 had bloody and mucus diarrhea and colitis ranging from a right-sided hemorrhagic to diffuse acute ulcerative or erosive colitis, 7 had a grossly normal colonic appearance, while 2 had mucus diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Of colonic biopsies cultures obtained from 36 control patients, 15 had a normal colonic appearance, 15 had ulcerative or crohn's colitis, 6 had well-tolerated amoxicillin therapy. Klebsiella oxytoca was never found in the 36 control patients; Klebsiella oxytoca was noted among 8/11 patients with mucus-discharging and bloody diarrhea. These results suggest that antibiotic-associated, non pseudomembranous colitis is frequently associated with Klebsiella oxytoca infection, which may be the cause of this type of colitis.

Adult↗

Long-term sympathetic and hemodynamic responses to clonidine in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

The aim of the present study was to examine the short- and long-term effects of the alpha 2-agonist clonidine on sympathetic overactivity, systemic, splanchnic, and renal circulation changes, and abnormal renal sodium excretion in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Of 17 patients, 8 received clonidine and 9 a placebo. Measurements were taken before and after either a single dose of clonidine (150 micrograms) and placebo or a 1-week treatment with clonidine (150 micrograms/day) and placebo. Clonidine but not placebo induced significant short- and long-term decreases in plasma norepinephrine concentrations in the pulmonary artery and the right renal vein. Acute clonidine administration induced a significant reduction in cardiac output, heart rate, arterial pressure, and hepatic venous pressure gradient but had no effect on renal hemodynamics. Long-term clonidine administration induced a significant decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient from 20.1 +/- 1.9 to 17.6 +/- 2.0 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) but had no significant effects on systemic or renal hemodynamics or renal excretion of sodium. It is concluded that long-term clonidine administration in cirrhotic patients induced a sustained decrease in sympathetic nervous activity and portal pressure. In contrast, clonidine had no prolonged effect on systemic hemodynamics. In addition, short- and long-term clonidine administration did not modify renal hemodynamics or induce a natriuretic response in patients with ascites.

Ascites↗

Selective dopamine DA1 stimulation with fenoldopam in cirrhotic patients with ascites: a systemic, splanchnic and renal hemodynamic study.

We studied the effects of fenoldopam, a selective dopamine DA1 agonist on systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics, renal blood flow and sodium excretion in 12 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascites. Hepatic, azygos and renal veins were catheterized before and after intravenous administration of fenoldopam, 0.05 micrograms/kg/min for 1 hr and increased to 0.1 micrograms/kg/min for another hour. Mean arterial pressure progressively decreased (from 83 +/- 7 to a minimum of 77 +/- 8 mm Hg 100 min after starting the infusion) but returned to baseline level at 120 min. Plasma norepinephrine and renin activity increased (respectively from 567 +/- 297 to 919 +/- 375 pg/ml, p less than 0.05, and from 17 +/- 14 to 23 +/- 15 ng/ml/hr, p less than 0.05). Renal blood flow, urine output or sodium excretion did not change. Sodium output decreased at 1 hr from 6.9 mumol/min to 4.0 mumol/min, p less than 0.05. Both hepatic venous pressure gradient and azygos blood flow significantly increased by 21%. We conclude that the acute administration of fenoldopam did not improve renal hemodynamics or function in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. In addition, dopamine DA1 agonism caused further increases in norepinephrine concentration and plasma renin activity. Portal pressure also increased, probably because of an increase in mesenteric blood flow. These results question the renal benefit and raise concern about the use of dopamine agonists in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗

Systemic, splanchnic and renal hemodynamic effects of a dopaminergic dose of dopamine in patients with cirrhosis.

The effects of dopamine on kidney function have not been elucidated in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, although increased portal pressure has been observed with supradopaminergic doses of dopamine in these patients, the splanchnic hemodynamic effects of low doses of dopamine have not been previously studied. Thus we studied the acute systemic, splanchnic and renal hemodynamic effects of a dopaminergic dose of dopamine (1.5 micrograms/kg body wt min) in nine cirrhotic patients. Plasma dopamine levels increased markedly from 35 +/- 20 pg/ml to 31,400 +/- 4,900 pg/ml during dopamine administration. A significant diastolic pressure decrease of 10% was associated with a 15% increase in heart rate. Cardiac output was not altered. Although dopamine significantly increased azygos blood flow by 16%, wedged and free hepatic venous pressures were not altered. Dopamine significantly increased renal blood flow by 31%, but did not change the glomerular filtration rate. We conclude that a dopaminergic dose of dopamine increases azygos blood flow but not the hepatic venous pressure gradient. Finally, although it increases renal blood flow, dopamine does not seem to have any beneficial effects on glomerular filtration rate in cirrhotic patients.

Dopamine↗

Successful treatment of acute fascioliasis with bithionol.

Fascioliasis is the parasitic infestation of the liver and biliary tract related to Fasciola hepatica. Bithionol is proposed as the treatment of choice for human fascioliasis without major side effects. However, the efficacy of bithionol has been evaluated in chronic but not in acute fascioliasis. In this study we report on the success of treatment with bithionol in 10 patients with fascioliasis, 8 having acute fascioliasis. The criteria for the diagnosis of fascioliasis were hypereosinophilia, positive immunoelectrophoresis and indirect hemagglutination. Bithionol was given orally to hospitalized patients at the daily dose of 25 mg/kg body wt for 10 days. Three patients with acute fascioliasis received a second course of bithionol 2 or 3 mo after the first because of the recurrence of diarrhea and fatigue in one patient and persistent hypereosinophilia in two patients. All patients were cured. The follow-up period after the first course of treatment was between 16 and 47 mo. No major side effects were observed. We conclude that bithionol is the drug of choice for both acute and chronic fascioliasis. Moreover, its oral administration may allow treatment of fascioliasis in outpatients who do not have serious symptoms.

Acute Disease↗

Hemodynamic effects of dopamine in conscious rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis.

Dopamine may be used in cirrhotic patients with renal or circulatory failure, but this drug can also increase the degree of portal hypertension. Hence, the systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic effects of dopamine have been studied in portal hypertensive rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis. The dose-response curves showed that dopamine significantly increased portal pressure at the same dose (80 micrograms min-1 kg-1 body wt.) in normal and biliary cirrhotic rats. Arterial pressure only increased with higher doses of dopamine in rats with biliary cirrhosis (160 micrograms min-1 kg-1 body wt.) while in normal animals it increased (80 micrograms min-1 kg-1 body wt.). Dopamine (160 micrograms min-1 kg-1 body wt.) significantly increased mean arterial pressure in normal and biliary cirrhotic rats. It significantly increased cardiac output in biliary cirrhotic rats from 134 +/- 6 to 153 +/- 7 ml/min but not in normals. Accordingly, systemic vascular resistance increased significantly in normal rats but not in cirrhotics. Portal pressure increased significantly in normal rats from 8.0 +/- 0.3 to 12.1 +/- 0.6 mmHg and in rats with biliary cirrhosis from 15.9 +/- 1.0 to 19.0 +/- 1.3 mmHg. Portal tributary blood flow increased significantly in normal and biliary cirrhotic rats (14.1 +/- 1 to 20.9 +/- 2.3 ml/min and 18.0 +/- 0.9 to 25.5 +/- 1.8 ml/min, respectively). This study shows that an elevated dose of dopamine increases the hyperkinetic syndrome in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The American anthropometric norms are not suitable to assess the nutritional status of a French population.

Weight: height2 ratio (W/H2), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and mid-upper arm circumference (MAC) were recorded in 254 blood donors aged 20 to 59 yrs (123 men and 131 women), to establish anthropometric data in a healthy sample of the French population. When compared with the American anthropometric norms (HANES I & II), we noted that: (1) the percentiles distribution values of W/H2 were nearly identical; (2) the age and sex-related values of TSF were lower in our study (p < 0.003); (3) our percentiles distribution values of MAC were lower in our study (p < 0.03), except in women 20-39 yrs of age. The variations of TSF and MAC with age and sex were identical in both the French and the American populations: i.e. the MAC values increased with age in both men and women, and the TSF values increased with age only in women. We conclude that the differences noted between the American norms and our anthropometric data plead in favour of the determination of French national anthropometric norms.

Journal Article↗

[Increase of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in diabetic patients is not linked to diabetes itself].

In order to assess the relationship between increase of gamma-glutamyl transferase and diabetes, we measured serum gamma-glutamyl transferase in 48 male and 43 female insulin-dependent diabetics aged 20-60 years, 49 male and 41 female non insulin dependent diabetics aged 30-60 years, and in 114 male and 124 female controls (blood donors) aged 20-60 years. A1C haemoglobin was assayed in 124 diabetics. There is no increase of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in insulin dependent diabetics of both sexes when compared with the controls. There is an increase of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in non insulin dependent diabetics when compared either with controls (men p less than 0.02, women p less than 0.02) or with insulin dependent diabetics (men p less than 0.05, women p less than 0.02). There is no correlation between serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity and fasting blood sugar (148 diabetics). In non insulin dependent diabetics of both sexes there is no correlation between A1C haemoglobin and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase activity. These results suggest that the increase observed in diabetics is not caused by diabetes itself, ie, by hyperglycemia, but by diabetes associated pathologies.

Adult↗

Low dose of nitroglycerin failed to improve splanchnic hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis: evidence for an impaired cardiopulmonary baroreflex function.

High doses of nitroglycerin may decrease portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis with untoward effects such as arterial hypotension and a decrease in systemic O2 uptake. In the present study, low doses of nitroglycerin (7 to 15 micrograms per min, i.v.) were administered in 11 patients with cirrhosis in order to unload cardiopulmonary baroreceptor--one of the possible mechanisms by which nitroglycerin may improve splanchnic hemodynamics--and moreover to avoid deleterious systemic effects. Nitroglycerin significantly decreased right atrial pressure (-35%) and pulmonary wedged pressure (-27%) with significant increase in plasma norepinephrine concentration (+23%), which indicated that cardiopulmonary baroreceptor unloading was achieved. Changes in systemic hemodynamics were slight, although significant, with a decrease in arterial pressure (-8%) and an increase in heart rate (+8%); this indicates a minimal effect on high-pressure baroreflexes. In contrast, no significant change was observed in hepatic venous pressure gradient, hepatic blood flow and azygos blood flow. However, the fraction of cardiac output reaching the azygos system significantly increased by 18%. Plasma renin activity did not change significantly. Moreover, O2 transport and uptake were significantly decreased. These findings show that low doses of nitroglycerin failed to improve splanchnic hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis. These results suggest an impaired cardiopulmonary baroreflex function which is probably located on the efferent arch.

Adult↗

Cerebellar hemangioblastoma and primary hyperparathyroidism.

The authors report the case of a 52-year-old woman presenting with cerebellar hemangioblastoma and primary hyperparathyroidism. It is the second reported case involving this new association. The relationship between these two tumors is discussed.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

Effects of oxygen inhalation on tissue oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis. Evidence for an impaired arterial baroreflex control.

In patients with cirrhosis, O2 uptake, i.e., O2 consumption, is abnormally decreased. We administered 50% O2 for 30 min in eight patients with alcoholic cirrhosis to determine whether the subsequent increase in arterial O2 content may correct the low O2 consumption. In addition, we studied in these patients the reflex control of cardiac output and blood pressure by arterial baroreceptors, as O2 inhalation induces a systemic vasoconstriction. Arterial O2 tension, oxyhaemoglobin saturation and arterial O2 content significantly increased as well as systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. In contrast, O2 consumption (which was below normal values) under basal conditions, O2 transport, O2 extraction ratio, heart rate, right atrial and pulmonary wedged pressures, cardiac output, hepatic venous pressures, hepatic and azygos blood flows were unaffected by O2 administration. In three patients receiving air, no significant change was observed. Our results show that, in patients with cirrhosis, inhalation of 50% O2 does not correct O2 consumption. We may conclude that reflex control of cardiac output and arterial pressure by arterial baroreceptors is impaired in these patients.

Blood Pressure↗

Hemodynamic effects of a combination of clonidine and propranolol in conscious cirrhotic rats.

The hemodynamic effects of the combination of clonidine and propranolol were studied in conscious rats with portal hypertension owing to secondary biliary cirrhosis. Pressure and blood flow measurements (radioactive microsphere method) were performed in three groups of eight rats before and after drug administration. The combined effects of clonidine (2 micrograms/100 g body wt., i.v.) and propranolol (0.2 mg/min for 10 min) were compared with those observed after administration of either clonidine alone or propranolol alone. The association of clonidine and propranolol induced significant decreases in portal pressure (30%) and portal tributary blood flow (43%), the magnitude of these changes being significantly more marked than that after administration of either clonidine alone (12 and 20%, respectively) or propranolol alone (16 and 17%, respectively). After the combination, no significant change in arterial pressure was observed, but cardiac output significantly decreased and systemic vascular resistance significantly increased. Renal blood flow decreased to a similar extent (40%) in the three groups. These findings indicate that the combination of clonidine and propranolol is more effective for reversing splanchnic hemodynamic changes than clonidine alone or propranolol alone. The additive effects of this association are in agreement with the action of clonidine and propranolol at different levels (central and peripheral) and on different receptors (alpha and beta). It suggests that an increase in sympathetic activity may play a major role in hemodynamic changes observed in experimental cirrhosis.

Animals↗

Cutaneous cryptococcosis resembling molluscum contagiosum: a first manifestation of AIDS.

A 30-year-old homosexual man developed multiple skin umbilicated lesions resembling molluscum contagiosum. Initially the lesions were on his face but they rapidly spread. Histopathology and mycologic cultures of a skin biopsy revealed cryptococcus neoformans which was also identified in cerebrospinal fluid and in bronchoalveolar washings. The patient had fever, weight loss, generalized lymph node enlargement, depletion of the T helper subpopulation and positive HIV-1 serology. During treatment with flucytosine and amphotericin B, the skin lesions regressed in 3 months (cryptococcus neoformans disappeared in the cerebrospinal fluid and skin within one and five weeks, respectively). Our case demonstrates that molluscum contagiosum-like skin manifestations may be caused by cryptococcal infections. So it is necessary to perform skin biopsy in HIV seropositive patients with skin lesions resembling molluscum contagiosum, to diagnose mycotic infections, and especially cryptococcosis. Cutaneous cryptococcosis was, in this case, the first symptom of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗