Octreotide enhances portal pressure reduction induced by propranolol in cirrhosis: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: In vitro, octreotide potentiates vasoconstriction in isolated, preconstricted, mesenteric arterial vessels. In cirrhotic patients, portal pressure (HVPG) reduction induced by propranolol is partly due to splanchnic vasoconstriction.

Aim: To evaluate HVPG effects of octreotide administration in cirrhotic patients receiving long-term propranolol.

[Argentine consensus of non-invasive ventilation].

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is nowadays increasingly used. The significant decrease in tracheal intubation related complications makes it particularly attractive in patients with moderately acute respiratory failure (ARF) who still have some degree of respiratory autonomy. It has also been used to support patients with chronic respiratory failure.

Assessment of bronchodilator response through changes in lung volumes in chronic airflow obstruction.

Although FEV1 improvement is routinely used to define bronchodilator (BD) response, it correlates poorly with clinical effects. Changes in lung volumes (LV) have shown better correlation with exercise tolerance and might be more sensitive to detect BD effects. We assessed the additional contribution of measuring LV before and after BD to detect acute improvement in lung function not demonstrated by FEV1, and the influence of the response criteria selected on this contribution.