Aim: To compare the effects of propranolol (PR) to that of PR plus isosorbide-5-mononitrate (ISMN) on variceal pressure in patients with schistosomiasis.
Methods: Forty-eight patients with schistosomiasis who had no previous variceal bleeding were treated with PR alone or PR plus ISMN. Seven patients refused variceal pressure manometry (3 receiving PR and 4 receiving PR plus ISMN). One patient withdrew from the trial due to headache after taking ISMN. At the time of termination, twenty patients were randomly assigned to treatment with PR plus ISMN or PR alone. The dose of PR was adjusted until the resting heart rate had been reduced by 25% or was less than 55 bpm. In the PR plus ISMN group, after PR was titrated to the same target, the dose of ISMN was increased up to 20 mg orally twice a day. Variceal pressure was measured using a noninvasive endoscopic balloon technique at the end of the 6-mo treatment period.
Results: In 40 patients (20 in the PR group and 20 in the PR plus ISMN group), variceal pressure was measured before treatment and at the end of the 6-mo treatment period. PR or PR plus ISMN treatment caused a significant reduction in variceal pressure (PR group: from 24.15 ± 6.05 mmHg to 22.68 ± 5.70 mmHg, P = 0.001; PR plus ISMN group: from 25.69 ± 5.26 mmHg to 20.48 ± 5.43 mmHg; P < 0.001). The percentage decrease in variceal pressure was significant after PR plus ISMN compared with that after PR alone (15.93% ± 8.37% vs 6.05% ± 3.67%, P = 0.01). One patient in the PR plus ISMN group and two patients in the PR group had variceal bleeding during follow-up. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the incidence of variceal bleeding. In the PR plus ISMN group, three patients had headache and hypotension. The headache was mild and transient and promptly disappeared after continuation of the relevant drug in two patients. Only one patient withdrew from the trial due to severe and lasting headache after taking ISMN. No side effects occurred in the PR group.
Conclusion: PR plus ISMN therapy may be an alternative treatment for patients with schistosomiasis who have a high risk of bleeding.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710427 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v19.i26.4228 | DOI Listing |
Am J Case Rep
December 2024
I Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.
BACKGROUND Arterioportal fistulas (APFs) are abnormal connections between the arterial and portal venous systems, leading to portal hypertension (PH) and symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding, splenomegaly, and hepatic pain. Symptoms typically appear by the age of 2 years in about 75% of cases. CASE REPORT A 7-year-old boy with an asymptomatic APF developed life-threatening complications following a Clostridium difficile infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF"Wound, Pressure Ulcer, and Burn Guidelines-5: Guidelines for the management of lower leg ulcers and varicose veins, second edition" is revised from the first edition, which was published in the Japanese Journal of Dermatology in 2011. The guidelines were drafted by the Wound, Pressure Ulcer, and Burn Guidelines Drafting Committee delegated by the Japanese Dermatological Association and intend to facilitate physicians' clinical decisions in preventing, diagnosing and management of lower leg ulcers and varicose veins. We updated all sections by collecting documents published since the publication of the first edition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Gastroenterol
December 2024
Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116011, China.
Background And Purpose: Esophageal and gastric varices hemorrhage (EGVH) is a life-threatening condition with the 6-week mortality rate of 15-25%. Up to 60% of patients with EGVH may experience rebleeding with a mortality rate of 33%. The existing scoring systems, such as RS scoring system (Rockall score, RS) and GBS scoring system (Glasgow-Blatchford score, GBS), have limitations in predicting the risk of rebleeding.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hepatol
December 2024
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain.
Background And Aims: Data on the effectiveness of classical non-selective beta-blockers (cNSBB, i.e., propranolol and nadolol) versus carvedilol in patients with cirrhosis are scarce.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gastroenterol
December 2024
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Nishitokuta 2-1-1, Yahaba-Cho, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!