Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023890 (cirrhosis)
 42,195 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Forty patients with cirrhosis of the liver and tense ascites were randomized to receive either aldactone 400 mg/day and furosemide 80 mg/day (n = 20) or repeated large volume paracentesis (LVP) and infusion of low molecular weight dextran (n = 20). Both treatment groups were similar in clinical and laboratory parameters. Complete mobilization of the ascitic fluid was achieved in all receiving LVP and dextran therapy within 1 week of the treatment, in contrast to the minimal mobilization of the ascitic fluid in patients receiving diuretics even after 2 weeks of therapy. Renal function, the clinical parameters of systemic hemodynamics, serum electrolytes, and hepatic function remained stable in patients receiving LVP and dextran and were similar to those in the diuretic-treated patients. We found no deterioration of these functions in the nonedematous patients treated by LVP and dextran even though the protective effect of edema against LVP was lacking in them. Plasma volume estimation in six nonedematous cirrhotic patients treated by LVP and dextran did not reveal any hypovolemia after complete mobilization of ascites. The frequency of complications and death were similar in the two groups. Dextran infusion is a safe, effective, and low-cost replacement therapy in patients with cirrhotic ascites treated by LVP.
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PMID:Large volume paracentesis and intravenous dextran to treat tense ascites. 137 24

Forty-one patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites were randomized to receive daily paracentesis of 5 liters associated with Dextran 70 as volume expander (6 g for each 1000 ml of ascites removed) (group I = 20 patients) or paracentesis with albumin (6 g for each 1000 ml of ascites) (group II = 21 patients). The basal clinical features, laboratory data, and plasma renin activity were similar in both groups. The volume of ascites removed was 12.9 +/- 4.4 and 10.9 +/- 3.7 liters in group I and II, respectively (n.s.). No significant changes were observed in liver and renal function tests, KPTT, platelet count, factor VIII, serum electrolytes or plasma renin activity 24 and 96 h after the last paracentesis in both groups, except for a decrease in bilirubin in group I and a transient increase of serum albumin in group II. Four patients developed complications in each group, mainly hyponatremia, while one patient in each group developed renal impairment. One patient from group I died with hepatic encephalopathy. Moreover, the probability of survival and readmission to the hospital because of tense ascites were similar in both groups of patients during the follow-up. The treatment cost with Dextran 70 was 15.50 dollars vs. 364.30 dollars with albumin for each patient treated. These results indicate that repeated large volume paracentesis associated with Dextran 70 is as effective and safe as paracentesis associated with albumin in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites. However, due to its reduced cost, paracentesis with Dextran 70 may be considered the treatment of choice in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites without liver cancer and renal failure.
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PMID:Paracentesis with Dextran 70 vs. paracentesis with albumin in cirrhosis with tense ascites. Results of a randomized study. 138 24

The medical treatment of ascites in cirrhosis is based on sodium restriction and the administration of diuretics. Because the natriuretic potency of spironolactone is greater than that of loop diuretics (i.e., furosemide) in patients with marked sodium retention, spironolactone is the basic drug for the treatment of ascites. The simultaneous administration of spironolactone and furosemide increases the natriuretic effect of each drug and diminishes their effects on potassium metabolism. Recent studies indicate that large-volume paracentesis associated with intravenous albumin infusion is more effective than diuretic therapy in eliminating the ascitic fluid; is associated with a lower incidence of complications (hepatic encephalopathy, renal impairment, and hyponatremia); and considerably reduces the duration of hospital stay. Therapeutic paracentesis associated with intravenous albumin infusion is therefore the treatment of choice for cirrhotic patients with tense ascites. The mobilization of the ascitic fluid by paracentesis without plasma volume expansion is constantly associated with a deterioration of effective circulating blood volume and may induce renal impairment and severe hyponatremia. Dextran 70 and polygeline appear as effective as albumin in preventing these abnormalities. Cirrhotic patients treated with paracentesis require the administration of diuretics to avoid reaccumulation of ascites. Peritoneovenous shunt, a prosthesis capable to correct most abnormalities involved in the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, is an effective treatment of ascites in cirrhosis. It is especially indicated in patients who do not respond to diuretics and develop repeated episodes of ascites despite adequate treatment. The use of peritoneovenous shunting is limited by the high incidence of complications induced by the procedure, however. In addition, approximately 40% of patients develop an obstruction of the prosthesis within the first postoperative year.
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PMID:Treatment of ascites in cirrhosis. Diuretics, peritoneovenous shunt, and large-volume paracentesis. 156 75

Dextran and antidextran antibodies were examined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunodiffusion in sera of 108 patients with various liver diseases. In EIA, IgG class antidextran antibody was detected in 16 patients (14.8%), mostly with chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis (26.9%) and chronic hepatitis (22.2%). IgM class antibody was detected in 10 patients (9.2%). Results obtained by EIA inhibition revealed that dextran antigen was present mostly in sera of patients with acute liver diseases such as fulminant hepatitis (75.0%) and acute hepatitis (17.2%). Identity of the dextran antigen in the liver diseases serum and the dextran preparation recognized by an antibody-containing serum was demonstrated. These results suggest that the damaged hepatocytes in the process of the liver disease may release the dextran antigen into the patient's circulation which is responsible for the formation of antidextran antibodies by the patients with liver diseases.
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PMID:Dextran and antidextran antibodies in the sera of patients with liver diseases. 241 68

We studied extrinsic and intrinsic fibrinolysis in 20 patients with cirrhosis (nine mild/moderate, group 1; 11 severe, group 2) and 19 normal controls to define the role of intrinsic (contact factor medaited) fibrinolysis in cirrhosis. Global plasma fibrinolytic activity (fibrin plate lysis) was similar in all groups. Dextran sulphate activated contact factor mediated fibrinolysis was decreased in group 2 (median 95.2%) compared with group 1 (121.0%) and controls (131.7%). Tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA Ag) levels were increased in group 2 (28.2 ng/ml) compared both with group 1 (8.5 ng/ml) and controls (5.9 ng/ml). Plasma t-PA activity was raised in group 2 (5.50 IU/ml) and group 1 (5.25 IU/ml) versus controls (0.82 IU/ml). Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1 Ag) levels were raised in group 2 (28.0 IU/ml) versus controls (8.5 IU/ml) but PAI activity was similar in all groups. Factor XII activity was decreased in group 2 (48.76 u/dl), but not group 1, versus controls (89.1 u/dl). Prekallikrein activity was decreased both in group 2 (27.27 u/dl) and group 1 (33.01 u/dl) versus controls (108.59 u/dl) and was lower in group 2 than group 1. C1-esterase inhibitor chromogenic activity was decreased in group 1 (102.30 u/dl) and group 2 (58.76 u/dl) versus controls (116.24 u/dl). The normal global fibrinolytic activity despite increased t-PA activity may be due to a concomitant increase in PAI. The decreased intrinsic fibrinolysis in severe cirrhosis, unaccompanied by a rise in C1-esterase inhibitor, may be explained by the decreased factor XII and prekallikrein activity. These changes are probably due to reduced liver cell mass.
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PMID:Decreased contact factor mediated fibrinolysis in cirrhosis. 813 76

Intravenous albumin infusion prevents complications after large-volume paracentesis (LVP), particularly paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (PCD), and improves patient survival. However, albumin is expensive. We compared a low-molecular weight dextran (Dextran-40) with albumin in treating LVP in cirrhotic patients with tense ascites. Sixty-nine cirrhotic patients were included and 96 LVPs were performed. Any repeat punctures on the same patient were at least three months apart. Patients were randomized to receive either i.v. Dextran-40 infusion (Group I, n = 48) or i.v. albumin infusion after LVP (Group II, n = 48). Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal evaluations were done before and after LVP. Patients were followed up for the detection of any recurrence of ascites or complications. The two groups were similar in age, sex, and etiology of cirrhosis, and in the volumes of ascites recovered. Significant decreases in mean arterial pressure were observed in both groups 24 and 48 h after LVP. Urine volumes increased significantly at 24 h in both groups (p < 0.05), but remained high only in Group I. Plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations increased in both groups 48 h after LVP, but they were more marked in Group I. Complications developed in 17 % of patients treated with Dextran-40 and in 23 % treated with albumin (p > 0.05). Ascites recurrence rates and survival were similar in the two groups. In conclusion, Dextran-40 was thus not as efficacious as albumin for preventing PCD.
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PMID:Treatment of cirrhotic tense ascites with Dextran-40 versus albumin associated with large volume paracentesis: a randomized controlled trial. 1511 93