Publications by authors named "Vince G Bain"

Background & Aims: Antibiotics frequently are overused and are associated with serious adverse events in patients with cirrhosis. However, these drugs are recommended for all patients presenting with acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH). We investigated whether patients should be stratified for antibiotic prophylaxis based on Child-Pugh scores, to estimate risks of bacterial infection, rebleeding, and mortality, and whether antibiotics have equal effects on patients of all Child-Pugh classes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Anastomotic biliary strictures (ABSs) are common after liver transplantation, especially with living donors. The strategy of balloon dilation and multiple plastic stents (MPSs) is effective in treating ABSs, but requires multiple ERCPs with the associated risks, cost, and patient burden. Covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been increasingly used in this setting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To describe the natural history of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) after liver transplant, the predictors of PSC and IBD recurrence, and the interaction of these disease processes.

Methods: Data regarding patients who received liver transplants for PSC at the University of Alberta Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta) from 1989 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrent PSC (rPSC) was defined by the Mayo Clinic criteria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Recent literature has supported the role of bacterial translocation as a mediator of splanchnic vasodilatation and portal hypertension. The objective of this study was to determine whether the probiotic VSL#3 would reduce portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Eight patients with compensated or very early decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) >10 mmHg, received 2 months of VSL#3 (3600 billion bacteria daily).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: There is little published information on baseline characteristics and therapeutic outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected Aboriginal Canadians. It is unclear what proportion of HCV-infected Aboriginal people receive therapy relative to other populations.

Methods: Adults with chronic HCV infection, quantifiable serum HCV-RNA levels and compensated liver disease were assigned, at the physician's discretion, to either 24 or 48 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a 180 mug/week plus ribavirin at a dose of 800 mg/day, or 1000 mg/day or 1200 mg/day in an open-label, expanded access program.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF