Hemodynamics and pharmacokinetics of tezosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, in patients with cirrhosis.

Purpose: To assess the effect of tezosentan, a parenteral dual ET receptor antagonist, on splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis. In addition, the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of tezosentan were evaluated.

Methods: The population consisted of patients with cirrhosis with clinically significant portal hypertension.

Clinical trial: short-term effects of combination of satavaptan, a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, and diuretics on ascites in patients with cirrhosis without hyponatraemia--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: There is little information on the effects of vaptans in patients with cirrhosis.

Aim: To investigate the short-term effects of satavaptan, a selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist on ascites in cirrhosis without hyponatraemia.

Methods: A total of 148 patients with cirrhosis, ascites and serum sodium >130 mmol/L were included in a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, controlled study of 14 days comparing three fixed doses of satavaptan (5 mg, 12.

Sustained virological response rates and durability of the response to interferon-based therapies in hepatitis C patients treated in the clinical setting.

International controlled trials have demonstrated increasing sustained virological response (SVR) rates to interferon-based therapies in hepatitis-C-treated patients. Response rates of 6-20% in the era of interferon monotherapy are compared with 42-82% with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The virological durability of the SVR is unknown and the optimal follow-up for these patients is unclear.

Male to male sex is associated with a high prevalence of exposure to GB virus C.

Co-infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to reduce mortality for HIV/AIDS. Epidemiological and demographic factors for GBV-C were examined prospectively in 167 subjects at risk for co-infection. We attempted to establish a hierarchical exposure risk for GBV-C.