A case of liver sarcoidosis mimicking cirrhosis.

Although autopsy series report liver granulomas in up to 70% of patients, computed tomography detection of hepatic and splenic lesions is described in 5% and 15% of sarcoidosis cases, respectively. A rather rare case of liver sarcoidosis mimicking macronodular cirrhosis is presented by this current article. Imaging findings in our patient were in compliance with the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, although liver biopsy findings eventually revealed sarcoid granulomas located in the portal and lobular areas without fibrotic lesions.

Dobutamine administration exacerbates postischaemic myocardial dysfunction in isolated rat hearts: an effect reversed by thyroxine pretreatment.

The present study has investigated the effects of dobutamine on postischaemic dysfunction in the setting of global ischaemia and reperfusion in a model of isolated heart preparation. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 20 min of zero-flow global ischaemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion. Dobutamine administration (10 microg/kg/min) during the reperfusion period resulted in deterioration of functional recovery, which was abolished by propranolol administration.

Effects of dronedarone and amiodarone on plasma thyroid hormones and on the basal and postischemic performance of the isolated rat heart.

The present study investigated the effects of dronedarone and amiodarone on plasma thyroid hormones and the possible consequences on the response of the heart to ischemia. Amiodarone (30 mg/kg/day per os) or dronedarone (30 mg/kg/day per os) were administered for 2 weeks in normal and thyroxine-treated animals (25 microg/100 g body weight od sc, for 2 weeks), while animals without amiodarone and dronedarone served as controls. Isolated rat hearts were perfused in a Langendorff mode and subjected to 20 and 30 min of zero-flow global ischemia followed by 45 min of reperfusion.