Rapid improvement in post-infectious gastroparesis symptoms with mirtazapine

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman with severe post-infectious gastroparesis who was transferred from an outside medical facility for a second opinion regarding management. This patient had no prior history of gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in the aftermath of a viral illness, she developed two months of intractable nausea, vomiting, and oral intake intolerance that resulted in numerous hospitalizations for dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. A solid-phase gastric emptying scan had confirmed delayed emptying, confirming gastroparesis. Unfortunately, conventional pro-kinetic agents and numerous anti-emetic drugs provided little or no relief of the patient’s symptoms. At our institution, the patient experienced a cessation of vomiting, reported a significant reduction in nausea, and tolerated oral intake shortly after taking mirtazapine. Based on mirtazapine’s primary action as a serotonin (5-HT) 1a receptor agonist, we infer that this receptor system mediated the clinical improvement through a combination of peripheral and central neural mechanisms. This report highlights the potential utility of 5-HT1a agonists in the management of nausea and vomiting. We conclude that mirtazapine may be effective in treating symptoms associated with non-diabetic gastroparesis that are refractory to conventional therapies.

Comparative study on effects of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)in patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 86 female patients were prospectively administered dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg i.v.(the group A,n=43),and dexamethasone 8 mg i.v.(the group B,n=43).The two groups were compared in treatment response,hemodynamic changes,and Numerical Analog Scale(NAS).Besides,the relation of PONV with patient baseline characteristics in the perioperative period was determined as well.Results:Patients in group A had lower PONV scores(t=3.1,P<0.002),less needs for rescue anti-emetics(χ2=0.47,P<0.001),and decreased intraoperative heart rate(t=9.72,P<0.001)and mean arterial pressure(t=7.58,P<0.001)compared to that of group B.Group A reported lower NAS than group B(t=2.66,P<0.001).In addition,we found no relationship between PONV score and rescue anti-emetic requirement,age,or body mass index(P=0.96,P=0.60,P=0.28,respectively).Conclusion:Dexmedetomidine could be used as an effective antiemetic in laparoscopic surgeries,with better efficacy than dexamethasone.Dexmedetomidine not only can reduce PONV but also is effective in postoperative analgesia.