Treatment of portal hypertension

Portal hypertension is the main complication of cirrhosis and is defined as an hepatic venous pressure gradient （HVPG） of more than 5 mmHg. Clinically significant portal hypertension is defined as HVPG of 10 mmHg or more. Development of gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage are the most direct consequence of portal hypertension. Over the last decades significant advancements in the field have led to standard treatment options. These clinical recommendations have evolved mostly as a result of rando.mized controlled trials and consensus conferences among experts where existing evidence has been reviewed and future goals for research and practice guidelines have been pro- posed. Management of varices/variceal hemorrhage is based on the clinical stage of portal hypertension. No specific treatment has shown to prevent the formation of varices. Prevention of first variceal hemorrhage depends on the size/characteristics of varices. In patients with small varices and high risk of bleeding, nonselective β-blockers are recommended, while patients with medium/large varices can be treated with either β-blockers or esophageal band ligation. Standard ofcare for acute variceal hemorrhage consists of vasoacrive drugs, endoscopic band ligation and antibiotics prophylaxis. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt （TIPS） is reserved for those who fail standard of care or for patients who are likely to fail （＂early TIPS＂）. Prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage consists of the combination of β-blockers and endoscopic band ligation.

Clinical outcome and predictors of survival after TIPS insertion in patients with liver cirrhosis

AIM： To determine the clinical outcome and predictors of survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt （TIPS） implantation in cirrhotic patients. METHODS： Eighty-one patients with liver cirrhosis and consequential portal hypertension had TIPS implanta- tion （bare metal） for either refractory ascites （RA） （n = 27） or variceal bleeding （VB） （n = 54）. Endpoints for the study were： technical success, stent occlusion and stent stenosis, rebleeding, RA and mortality. Clini- cal records of patients were collected and analysed. Baseline characteristics [e.g., age, sex, CHILD score and the model for end-stage liver disease score （MELD score）, underlying disease] were retrieved. The Kaplan- Meier method was employed to calculate survival from the time of TIPS implantation and comparisons were made by log rank test. A multivariate analysis of factors influencing survival was carried out using the Cox pro- portional hazards regression model. Results were ex- pressed as medians and ranges. Comparisons between groups were performed by using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the4,2 test as appropriate. RESULTS： No difference could be seen in terms of age, sex, underlying disease or degree of portal pressure gradient （PPG） reduction between the ascites and the bleeding group. The PPG significantly decreased from 23.4 ± 5.3 mmHg （VB） vs 22.1± 5.5 mmHg （RA） be- fore TIPS to 11.8 ±4.0 vs 11.7 ± 4.2 after TIPS im- plantation （P = 0.001 within each group）. There was a tendency towards more patients with stage CHILD A in the bleeding group compared to the ascites group （24 vs 6, P = 0.052）. The median survival for the ascites group was 29 mo compared to 〉 60 mo for the bleed- ing group （P = 0.009）. The number of radiological con- trols for stent patency was 6.3 for bleeders and 3.8 for ascites patients （P = 0.029）. Kaplan-Meier calculation indicated that stent occlusion at first control （P = 0.027）, ascites prior to TIPS implantation （P = 0.009）, CHILD stage （P = 0.013）, MELD score （P = 0.001） and those patients not having undergone liver transplantation （P = 0.024） were significant predictors of survival. In the Cox regression model, stent occlusion （P = 0.022）, RA （P = 0.043）, CHILD stage （P = 0.015） and MELD score （P = 0.004） turned out to be independent prognostic factors of survival. The anticoagulation management （P = 0.097）, the porto-systemic pressure gradient （P= 0.460） and rebleeding episodes （P = 0.765） had no significant effect on the overall survival. CONCLUSION： RA, stent occlusion, initial CHILD stage and MELD score are independent predictors of survival in patients with TIPS, speaking for a close follow-up in these circumstances.

Prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension in older Chinese men

Objective To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension （PPH） among old and very old Chinese men. Methods The study included 349 Chinese men aged 65 and older, grouped into two age categories： group 1 （old） included 163 men aged 65 to 80 years; group 2 （very old） included 186 men aged over 80 years. Blood pressure changes after meals were assessed every 15 min by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Symptoms after meal ingestion and after standing up and changes in the baseline condition relative to blood pressure changes were observed continuously. Additional baseline data included body mass index, medical history, and medication use Results The prevalence of PPH was 59.3% overall and was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 （63.4% vs. 54.6%, P 〈 0.05）. In group 2, the prevalence of PPH after breakfast （33.8%） and lunch （32.1%） were higher than that after supper （20.9%）, P 〈 0.05. Hypertension and age were significant risk factors for PPH （OR = 2.188, 95% CI： 1.134-4.223, P = 0.02; OR = 1.86, 95% CI： 1.112-3.11, P = 0.018, respectively）. In contrast, acarbose use was protective against PPH （OR = 0.4, 95% CI： 0.189-0.847, P = 0.017）. The decrease in blood pres- sure during PPH was 20-40 mmHg and the maximum was 90 mmHg. PPH usually occurred at 30-60 min after a meal and lasted 30-120 rnin. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the prevalence of PPH in men aged over 80 years is significantly higher than those in men aged 65 to 80 years, and the blood pressure decline is also higher for men aged over 80 years. In addition, hypertension and age were main risk factors for PPH in the older men, which suggest that preventing and treating PPH is worthwhile.

Key factors in developing the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome model in rats

AIM:To investigate the key factors in developing the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced postinflammatory irritable bowel syndrome(PI-IBS)model in rats. METHODS:TNBS was administered to rats at the following conditions:(1)with different doses(20,10,5 mg/0.8 mL per rat);(2)with same dose in different concentrations(20 mg/rat,25,50 mg/mL);(3)in different ethanol percentage(25%,50%);and(4)at depth either 4 cm or 8 cm from anus.At 5 d and 4 wk after TNBS administration,inflammation severity and inflammation resolution were evaluated.At 4 and 8 wk after TNBS application,visceral hyperalgesia and enterochromaffin(EC)cell hyperplasia were assayed by abdominal withdrawal reflex test,silver staining and capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS:Our results showed that:(1)TNBS induced dose-dependent acute inflammation and inflammation resolution.At 5 d post TNBS,the pathological score and myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity in all TNBS treated rats were significantly elevated compared to that of the control(9.48±1.86,8.18±0.67,5.78± 0.77 vs 0,and 3.55±1.11,1.80±0.82,0.97±0.08 unit/mg vs 0.14±0.01 unit/mg,P<0.05).At 4 wk post TNBS,the pathological score in high and median dose TNBS-treated rats were still significantly higher than that of the control(1.52±0.38 and 0.80±0.35 vs 0,P<0.05);(2)Intracolonic TNBS administration position affected the persistence of visceral hyperalgesia.At 4 wk post TNBS,abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR)threshold pressure in all TNBS-treated groups were decreased compared to that of the control(21.52 ±1.73 and 27.10±1.94 mmHg vs 34.44±1.89 mmHg,P<0.05).At 8 wk post TNBS,AWR threshold pressure in 8 cm administration group was still significantly decreased(23.33±1.33 mmHg vs 36.79±2.29 mmHg,P<0.05);(3)Ethanol percentage affected the TNBS-induced inflammation severity and visceral hyperalgesia.In TNBS-25%ethanol-treated group,the pathological score and MPO activity were significantly lowered compared to that of the TNBS-50%ethanoltreated group,while AWR threshold pressure were significantly elevated(36.33±0.61 mmHg vs 23.33±1.33 mmHg,P<0.05);and(4)TNBS(5 mg/0.8 mL per rat, in 50%ethanol,8 cm from anus)-treated rats recovered completely from the inflammation with acquired visceral hyperalgesia and EC cell hyperplasia at 4 wk after TNBS administration.CONCLUSION:TNBS dosage,concentration,intraco-lonic administration position,and ethanol percentage play important roles in developing visceral hyperalgesia and EC cell hyperplasia of TNBS-induced PI-IBS rats.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Budd-Chiari syndrome:A single center experience with long-term follow-up in South Korea

AIM:To evaluate long-term clinical course of BuddChiari syndrome(BCS) and predictive factors associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and survival.METHODS:We analyzed 67 patients with BCS between June 1988 and May 2008.The diagnosis of BCS was confirmed by hepatic venous outflow obstruction shown on abdominal ultrasound sonography,computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,or venography.The median follow-up period was 103 ± 156 [interquartile range(IQR)] mo.RESULTS:The median age of the patients was 47 ± 16(IQR) years.At diagnosis,54 patients had cirrhosis,25(37.3%) Child-Pugh class A,23(34.3%) Child-Pugh class B,and six(9.0%) patients Child-Pugh class C.During the follow-up period,HCC was developed in 17 patients,and the annual incidence of HCC in patients with BCS was 2.8%.Patients in HCC group(n = 17) had higher hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG) than those in non-HCC group(n = 50)(21 ± 12 mmHg vs 14 ± 7 mmHg,P = 0.019).The survival rate of BCS patients was 86.2% for 5 years,73.8% for 10 years,and 61.2% for 15 years.In patients with BCS and HCC,survival was 79% for 5 years,43.1% for 10 years,and 21.5% for 15 years.CONCLUSION:The incidence of HCC in patients with BCS was similar to that in patients with other etiologic cirrhosis in South Korea.The HVPG is expected to provide additional information for predicting HCC development in BCS patients.

Gastroesophageal reflux in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices

AIM: To evaluate the esophageal motility and abnormal acid and bile reflux incidence in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices (EV). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with liver cirrhosis without EV confirmed by upper gastroesophageal endoscopy and 30 healthy control volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients were evaluated using a modified protocol including Child-Pugh score, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, simultaneous ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring. All the patients and volunteers accepted the manometric study. RESULTS: In the liver cirrhosis group, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP, 15.32 ± 2.91 mmHg), peristaltic amplitude (PA, 61.41 ± 10.52 mmHg), peristaltic duration (PD, 5.32 ± 1.22 s), and peristaltic velocity (PV, 5.22 ± 1.11 cm/s) were all significantly abnormal in comparison with those in the control group (P < 0.05), and LESP was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score. The incidence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and pathologic reflux was 37.18% and 55.13%, respectively(vs control, P < 0.05). And the incidence of isolated abnormal acid reflux, bile reflux and mixed reflux was 12.82%, 14.10% and 28.21% in patients with liver cirrhosis without EV. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients without EV presented esophageal motor disorders and mixed acid and bile reflux was the main pattern; the cirrhosis itself was an important causative factor.

Anorectal functional outcome after repeated transanal endoscopic microsurgery

AIM： TO evaluate the status of anorectal function after repeated transanal endoscopic microsurgery （TEN）. METHODS： Twenty-one patients undergoing subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis were included. There were more than 5 large （〉 1 cm） polyps in the remaining rectum （range： 6-20 cm from the anal edge）. All patients, 19 with villous adenomas and 2 with low-grade adenocarcinomas, underwent TEM with submucosal endoscopic excision at least twice between 2005 and 2011. Anorectal manometry and a question- naire about incontinence were carried out at week 1 before operation, and at weeks 2 and 3 and 6 mo after the last operation. Anal resting pressure, maxi- mum squeeze pressure, maximum tolerable volume （MTV） and rectoanal inhibitory reflexes （RAIR） were recorded. The integrity and thickness of the internal anal sphincter （IAS） and external anal sphincter （EAS） were also evaluated by endoanal ultrasonography. We determined the physical and mental health status with SF-36 score to assess the effect of multiple TEM on patient quality of life （QoL）. RESULTS： All patients answered the questionnaire. Apart from negative RAIR in 4 patients, all of the anorectal manometric values in the 21 patients were normal before operation. Mean anal resting pressure decreased from 38±5 mmHg to 19±3 mmHg （38±5 mmHg vs 19±3 mmHg, P = 0.000） and MTV from 165± 19mLto60± 11mL（165± 19mLvs60± 11 mL, P = 0.000） at month 3 after surgery. Anal resting pressure and MTV were 37 ± 5 mmHg （38 ± 5 mmHg vs 37 ± 5 mmHg, P = 0.057） and 159 ± 19 mL （165 ± 19 mL vs 159 ± 19 mL, P = 0.071）, respectively, at month 6 after TEM. Maximal squeeze pressure de- creased from 171 ± 19 mmHg to 62 ± 12 mmHg （171 ± 19 mmHg vs 62 ± 12 mmHg, P = 0.000） at week 2 after operation, and returned to normal values by postoperative month 3 （171 ± 19 vs 166 ± 18, P = 0.051）. RAIR were absent in 4 patients preoperatively and in 12 （χ2 = 4.947, P = 0.026） patients at month 3 after surgery. PAIR was absent only in 5 patients at postoperative month 6 （χ2 = 0.141, P = 0.707）. Endo- sonography demonstrated that IAS disruption occurred in 8 patients, and 6 patients had temporary inconti- nence to flatus that was normalized by postoperative month 3. IAS thickness decreased from 1.9 ± 0.6 mm preoperatively to 1.3 ± 0.4 mm （1.9 ± 0.6 mm vs 1.3 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.000） at postoperative month 3 and increased to 1.8 ± 0.5 mm （1.9 ± 0.6 mm vs 1.8 ± 0.5 mm, P = 0.239） at postoperative month 6. EAS thickness decreased from 3.7 ± 0.6 mm preoperatively to 3.5 ± 0.3 mm （3.7 ± 0.6 mm vs 3.5 ± 0.3 mm, P = 0.510） at month 3 and then increased to 3.6 ± 0.4 mm （3.7 ± 0.6 mm vs 3.6 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.123） at month 6 after operation. Most patients had frequent stools per day and relatively high Wexner scores in a short time period. While actual fecal incontinence was exceptional, episodes of soiling were reported by 3 pa- tients. With regard to the QoL, the physical and mental health status scores （SF-36） were 56.1 and 46.2 （50 in the general population）, respectively.CONCLUSION： The anorectal function after repeated TEM is preserved. Multiple TEM procedures are useful for resection of multi-polyps in the remaining rectum.

Inhibition of gastric perception of mild distention by omeprazole in volunteers

AIM： To evaluate the effects of omeprazole on gastric mechanosensitivity in humans. METHODS： A double lumen polyvinyl tube with a plas- tic bag was introduced into the stomach of healthy volunteers under fluorography and connected to a barostat device. Subjects were then positioned so they were sitting comfortably, and the minimal distending pressure （MDP） was determined after a 30-rain adap- tation period. Isobaric distensions were performed in stepwise increments of 2 mmHg （2 min each） starting from the MDR Subjects were instructed to score feel- ings at the end of every step using a graphic rating scale： 0, no perception; 1, weak/vague; 2, weak but significant; 3, moderate/vague; 4, moderate but signifi- cant; 5, severe discomfort; and 6, unbearable pain. Af- ter this first test, subjects received omeprazole （20 mg, after dinner） once daily for 1 wk. A second test was performed on the last day of treatment. RESULTS： No adverse effects were observed. Mean MDP before and after treatment was 6.3 - 0.3 mmHg and 6.2：1：0.5 mmHg, respectively. One subject before and 2 after treatment did not reach a score of 6 at the maximum bag volume of 750 mL. After omeprazole, there was a significant increase in the distension pres- sure required to reach scores of 1 （P = 0.019） and 2 （P = 0.017） as compared to baseline. There were no changes in pressure required to reach the other scores after treatment. Two subjects before and one after omeprazole rated their abdominal feeling 〈 1 at MDP, and mean （±SE） abdominal discomfort scores at MDP were 0.13±0.09 and 0.04±0.04, respectively. Mean scores induced by each MDP ＋ 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 （mmHg） were 1.1±0.3, 2.0±0.4, 2.9±0.5, 3.3±0.4, 4.6±0.3, 5.2±0.3, 5.5±0.2, 5.5±0.3, 5.7±0.3, and 5.4, respectively. After omepra- zole, abdominal feeling scores for the same incremen- tal pressures over MDP were 0.3±0.1, 0.8±0.1, 2.0±0.4, 2.8±0.4, 3.8±0.4, 4.6±0.4, 4.9±0.3, 5.4±0.4, 5.2±0.6, and 5.0±1.0, respectively. A signif- icant decrease in feeling score was observed at intra- bag pressures of MDP ＋ 2 mmHg （P = 0.028） and ＋ 4 mmHg （P = 0.013）, respectively, after omeprazole. No significant score changes were observed at pres- sures ≥ MDP ＋ 6 mmHg. CONCLUSION： Although the precise mechanisms are undetermined, the present study demonstrated that omeprazole decreases mechanosensitivity to mild gas- tric distension.

Impact of remote ischemic preconditioning on wound healing in small bowel anastomoses

AIM： To investigate the influence of remote ischemic preconditioning （RIPC） on anastomotic integrity. METHODS： Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized to six groups. The control group （n = 10） had an end- to-end ileal anastomosis without RIPC. The preconditioned groups （n = 34） varied in time of ischemia and time of reperfusion. One group received the amino acid L-arginine before constructing the anastomosis （n = 9）. On postoperative day 4, the rats were re-laparotomized, and bursting pressure, hydroxyproline concentration, intra-abdominal adhesions, and a histological score concerning the mucosat ischemic injury were collected. The data are given as median （range）.RESULTS： On postoperative day 4, median bursting pressure was 124 mmHg （60-146 mmHg） in the control group. The experimental groups did not show a statistically significant difference （P 〉 0.05）. Regarding the hydroxyproline concentration, we did not find any significant variation in the experimental groups. We detected significantly less mucosal injury in the RIPC groups. Furthermore, we assessed more extensive intra-abdominal adhesions in the preconditioned groups than in the control group. CONCLUSION： RIPC directly before performing small bowel anastomosis does not affect anastomotic stability in the early period, as seen in ischemic preconditioning.

Electroacupuncture alleviates stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity through an opioid system in rats

AIM:To investigate whether stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity could be alleviated by electroacupuncture(EA) and whether EA effect was mediated by endogenous opiates.METHODS:Six to nine week-old male SpragueDawley rats were used in this study.Visceral hypersensitivity was induced by a 9-d heterotypic intermittent stress(HIS) protocol composed of 3 randomly stressors,which included cold restraint stress at 4?℃ for 45 min,water avoidance stress for 60 min,and forced swimming stress for 20 min,in adult male rats.The extent of visceral hypersensitivity was quantified by electromyography or by abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR) scores of colorectal distension at different distention pressures(20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg).AWR scores either 0,1,2,3 or 4 were obtained by a blinded observer.EA or sham EA was performed at classical acupoint ST-36(Zu-San-Li) or BL-43(Gao-Huang) in both hindlimbs of rats for 30 min.Naloxone(NLX) or NLX methiodide(m-NLX) was administered intraperitoneally to HIS rats in some experiments.RESULTS:HIS rats displayed an increased sensitivity to colorectal distention,which started from 6 h(the first measurement),maintained for 24 h,and AWR scores returned to basal levels at 48 h and 7 d after HIS compared to pre-HIS baseline at different distention pressures.The AWR scores before HIS were 0.6 ± 0.2,1.3 ± 0.2,1.9 ± 0.2 and 2.3 ± 0.2 for 20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg distention pressures,respectively.Six hours after termination of the last stressor,the AWR scores were 2.0 ± 0.1,2.5 ± 0.1,2.8 ± 0.2 and 3.5 ± 0.2 for 20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg distention pressures,respectively.EA given at classical acupoint ST-36 in both hindlimbs for 30 min significantly attenuated the hypersensitive responses to colorectal distention in HIS rats compared with sham EA treatment [AWRs at 20 mmHg:2.0 ± 0.2 vs 0.7 ± 0.1,P = 4.23 711 E-4;AWRs at 40 mmHg:2.6 ± 0.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.2,P = 0.00 163;AWRs at 60 mmHg:3.1 ± 0.2 vs 1.9 ± 0.1,P = 0.003;AWRs at 80 mmHg:3.6 ± 0.1 vs 2.4 ± 0.2,P = 0.0023;electromyographic(EMG) at 20 mmHg:24 ± 4.7 vs 13.8 ± 3.5;EMG at 40 mmHg:60.2 ± 6.6 vs 30 ± 4.9,P = 0.00 523;EMG at 60 mmHg:83 ± 10 vs 39.8 ± 5.9,P = 0.00 029;EMG at 80 mmHg:94.3 ± 10.8 vs 49.6 ± 5.9,P = 0.00 021].In addition,EA at the acupuncture point BL-43 with same parameters did not alleviate visceral hypersensitivity in HIS rats.EA in healthy rats also did not have any effect on AWR scores to colorectal distention at distention pressuresof 20 and 40 mmHg.The EA-mediated analgesic effect was blocked by pretreatment with NLX in HIS rats [AWR scores pretreated with NLX vs normal saline(NS) were 2.0 vs 0.70 ± 0.20,2.80 ± 0.12 vs 1.50 ± 0.27,3 vs 2.00 ± 0.15 and 3.60 ± 0.18 vs 2.60 ± 0.18 for 20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg;P = 0.0087,0.0104,0.0117 and 0.0188 for 20,40,60 and 80 mmHg,respectively].Furthermore,EA-mediated analgesic effect was completely reversed by administration of m-NLX,a peripherally restricted opioid antagonist(EMG pretreated with m-NLX vs NS were 30.84 ± 4.39 vs 13.33 ± 3.88,74.16 ± 9.04 vs 36.28 ± 8.01,96.45 ± 11.80 vs 50.19 ± 8.28,and 111.59 ± 13.79 vs 56.42 ± 8.43 for 20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg;P = 0.05 026,0.00 034,0.00 005,0.000 007 for 20 mmHg,40 mmHg,60 mmHg and 80 mmHg,respectively).CONCLUSION:EA given at classical acupoint ST-36 alleviates stress-induced visceral pain,which is most likely mediated by opioid pathways in the periphery.

Home-made fenestrated amplatzer occluder for atrial septal defect and pulmonary arterial hypertension

We report the management of a patient with secundum atrial septal defect （ASD） and severe pulmonary hypertension. A 65-year-old male with recently diagnosed atrial septal defect was referred to our centre for decompensated right heart failure with rest and exercise induced dispnea and severe pulmonary hypertension. Right heart catheterization confirmed a mean pulmonary pressure of about 55 mmHg and a Qp/Qs of 2.7. An occlusion test with a compliant large balloon demonstrated partial fall of pulmonary arterial pressure. The implantation of a home-made fenestrated Amplatzer ASD Occluder （ASO） was planned in order to decrease left-to-right shunt and promote further decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure in the long-term. Thus, by means of mechanical intracardiac echocardiography study with a 9F 9 MHz Ultralce catheter （Boston Scientific Corp.）, we selected a 34 mm ASO for implantation. Four millimeter fenestration was made inflating a 4 mm non-compliant coronary balloon throughout the waist of the ASO, which was successfully implanted under intmcardiac echocardiography. After six months, a decrease of pulmonary arterial pressure to 24 mmHg and full compensated right heart failure was observed on transthoracic echocardiography and clinical examination. This case suggests that Wanscatheter closure with home-made fenestrated ASD in elderly patients with severe pulmonary hypertension is feasible.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm

A 72-year-old elderly male smoker with a known history of hypertension presented with a six day history of chest pain. His blood pressure at presentation was 110/70 mmHg and there was no audible murmur. ECG showed Q waves in the inferior leads （Figure IA） and troponin level was elevated （14 /.tg/L）.

Ileocecal valve dysfunction in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: A pilot study

AIM: To explore whether patients with a defective ileocecal valve (ICV)/cecal distension reflex have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. METHODS: Using a colonoscope, under conscious sedation, the ICV was intubated and the colonoscope was placed within the terminal ileum (TI). A manometry catheter with 4 pressure channels, spaced 1 cm apart, was passed through the biopsy channel of the colonoscope into the TI. The colonoscope was slowly withdrawn from the TI while the manometry catheter was advanced. The catheter was placed across the ICV so that at least one pressure port was within the TI, ICV and the cecum respectively. Pressures were continuously measured during air insufflation into the cecum, under direct endoscopic visualization, in 19 volunteers. Air was insufflated to a maximum of 40 mmHg to prevent barotrauma. All subjects underwent lactulose breath testing one month after the colonoscopy. The results of the breath tests were compared with the results of the pressures within the ICV during air insufflation. RESULTS: Nineteen subjects underwent colonoscopy with measurements of the ICV pressures after intubation of the ICV with a colonoscope. Initial baseline readings showed no statistical difference in the pressures of the TI and ICV, between subjects with positive lactulose breath tests and normal lactulose breath tests. The average peak ICV pressure during air insufflation into the cecum in subjects with normal lactu-lose breath tests was significantly higher than cecal pressures during air insufflation (49.33 ± 7.99 mmHg vs 16.40 ± 2.14 mmHg, P = 0.0011). The average percentage difference of the area under the pressure curve of the ICV from the cecum during air insufflations in subjects with normal lactulose breath tests was significantly higher (280.72% ± 43.29% vs 100% ± 0%, P = 0.0006). The average peak ICV pressure during air insufflation into the cecum in subjects with positive lactulose breath tests was not significantly different than cecal pressures during air insufflation 21.23 ± 3.52 mmHg vs 16.10 ± 3.39 mmHg. The average percentage difference of the area under the pressure curve of the ICV from the cecum during air insufflation was not significantly different 101.08% ± 7.96% vs 100% ± 0%. The total symptom score for subjects with normal lactulose breath tests and subjects with positive lactu-lose breath tests was not statistically different (13.30 ± 4.09 vs 24.14 ± 6.58). The ICV peak pressures during air insufflations were significantly higher in subjects with normal lactulose breath tests than in subjects with positive lactulose breath tests (P = 0.005). The average percent difference of the area under the pressure curve in the ICV from cecum was significantly higher in subjects with normal lactulose breath tests than in subjects with positive lactulose breath tests (P = 0.0012). Individuals with positive lactulose breath tests demonstrated symptom scores which were significantly higher for the following symptoms: not able to finish normal sized meal, feeling excessively full after meals, loss of appetite and bloating. CONCLUSION: Compared to normal, subjects with a positive lactulose breath test have a defective ICV cecal distension reflex. These subjects also more commonly have higher symptom scores.

Carbon dioxide accumulation during analgosedated colonoscopy: Comparison of propofol and midazolam

AIM: To characterize the profiles of alveolar hypoventilation during colonoscopies performed under sedoanalgesia with a combination of alfentanil and either midazolam or propofol. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing routine colonoscopy were randomly assigned to sedation with either propofol or midazolam in an open-labeled design using a titration scheme. All patients received 4 μg/kg per body weight alfentanil for analgesia and 3 L of supplemental oxygen. Oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) was measured by pulse oximetry (POX), and capnography (PcCO 2 ) was continuously measured using a combined dedicated sensor at the ear lobe. Instances of apnea resulting in measures such as stimulation of the patient, a chin lift, a mask maneuver, or withholding of sedation were recorded. PcCO 2 values (as a parameter of sedation-induced hypoventilation) were compared between groups at the following distinct time points: baseline, maximal rise, termination of the procedure and 5 min after termination of the procedure. The number of patients in both study groups who regained baseline PcCO 2 values (± 1.5 mmHg) five minutes after the procedure was determined.RESULTS: A total of 97 patients entered this study. The data from 14 patients were subsequently excluded for clinical procedure-related reasons or for technical problems. Therefore, 83 patients (mean age 62 ± 13 years) were successfully randomized to receive propofol (n = 42) or midazolam (n = 41) for sedation. Most of the patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Ⅱ [16 (38%) in the midazolam group and 15 (32%) in the propofol group] and ASA Ⅲ [14 (33%) and 13 (32%) in the midazolam and propofol groups, respectively]. A mean dose of 5 (4-7) mg of Ⅳ midazolam and 131 (70-260) mg of Ⅳ propofol was used during the procedure in the corresponding study arms. The mean SpO 2 at baseline (%) was 99 ± 1 for the midazolam group and 99 ± 1 for the propofol group. No cases of hypoxemia (SpO 2 < 85%) or apnea were recorded. However, an increase in PcCO 2 that indicated alveolar hypoventilation occurred in both groups after administration of the first drug and was not detected with pulse oximetry alone. The mean interval between the initiation of sedation and the time when the PcCO 2 value increased to more than 2 mmHg was 2.8 ± 1.3 min for midazolam and 2.8 ± 1.1 min for propofol. The mean maximal rise was similar for both drugs: 8.6 ± 3.7 mmHg for midazolam and 7.4 ± 3.2 mmHg for propofol. Five minutes after the end of the procedure, the mean difference from the baseline values was significantly lower for the propofol treatment compared with midazolam (0.9 ± 3.0 mmHg vs 4.3 ± 3.7 mmHg, P = 0.0000169), and significantly more patients in the propofol group had regained their baseline value ± 1.5 mmHg (32 of 41vs 12 of 42,P = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: A significantly higher number of patients sedated with propofol had normalized PcCO 2 values five minutes after sedation when compared with patients sedated with midazolam.

Sleep quality alterations in healthy workers at high altitude in Yushu area

During the period of reconstruction after Yushu Earthquake, a large number of sea-level or lowland workers ascended there and worked at altitudes between 3 750 m and 4 878 m which is a hypoxic environment. To investigate the sleep quality at that altitude, we performed two full polysomnographies （PSGs） in 10 volunteers, who were healthy male workers, aged 31 ：i：6.6, born and living at sea level, without experience of pre-altitude expo- sure. The assessment of subjective sleep quality was performed twice in each volunteer. The first investigations were carried out at sea level in Jinan city （pB=760 torr, 1 torr=133.322 4 Pa）. The second studies were performed at an altitude of 3 750 m （pB=416 tort） in Yushu Jiegu in the same 10 workers after they lived and worked at that alti- tude for 5 months. At sea level, workers presented a normal sleep structure and a higher oxygenation during sleep. However, as compared to sea-level sleep, at 3 750 m, workers had a shorter total sleep time （TST） （p 〈 0.001）, a longer stage 1 non-rapid eye movement （nREM） sleep （p 〈 0.05） and a shorter 3＋4 nREM and rapid eye movement （REM） sleep （p 〈 0.05） with a severe sleep hypoxemia （p 〈 0.01）. Our data suggested that sea-level workers revealed a disturbed sleep and a bad sleep quality with a significant sleep hypoxemia at altitude of 3 750 m. Strengthening the prevention and treatment are thereby sorely necessary.

Comparison of the Radial Compliance of Three Kinds of Vascular Prostheses and Pig′s Carotid Based on Dynamic-simulated Condition

There are some problems in the vascular prostheses, which influence the health of the patients. This paper aims to the radial compliance of three kinds of vascular prostheses and the pig＇s carotid based on the dynamic-simulated condition. The radial compliance of knitted structure vascular prostheses with crimps ranged from 2.52% to 0.94%/100 mmHg, which was superior to e-FFFE and woven prostheses＇, ranged from 0.73% to 0.31%/100 mmHg and from 0.81% to 0.22%/100 mmHg. But comparing with the radial compliance of pig＇s carotid, ranged from 7.21% to 10.04% /100 mmHg, there was a big gap between them. And also the trend of the radial compliance of vascular prostheses was different from the real pig＇s carotid. There is a lot of work left to improve the radial compliance, not only to change the vascular prostheses＇ compliance, but also to meet with the real vascular.

Reduced normogastric electrical activity associated with emesis:A telemetric study in ferrets

AIM： To characterize the gastric myoelectric activity （GMA） and intra-abdominal pressure changes induced by emetic stimuli （apomorphine and cisplatin） in the ferret. METHODS： GMA and intra-abdominal pressure were recorded in conscious, unrestrained ferrets surgically implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters. Animals were challenged with apomorphine （0.25 mg/kg sc） and cisplatin （10 mg/kg ip）, and the emetic response was quantified via direct observation and intra-abdominal pressure recording for 1 and 4 h, respectively. The GMA was analyzed by spectral analysis; the parameters used to characterize the GMA were the dominant frequency （DF） and the repartition of spectral power in the bradygastric, normogastric and tachygastric frequency ranges. RESULTS： Retches were identified on the intraabdominal pressure trace as peaks 0.30 ± 1.01 s in duration and 59.57 ± 2.74 mmHg in amplitude, vomit peaks were longer （0.82 ± 0.06 s, P 〈 0.01） and reached a higher pressure （87.73 ± 8.12 mmHg, P 〈 0.001）. The number of retches and vomits quantified via direct observation [apomorphine： 65.5 ± 11.8 retches ± vomits （R＋V）, cisplatin： 202.6 ± 64.1 R＋V] and intra-abdominal pressure （apomorphine： 68.3± 13.7 R＋V, n = 8; cisplatin： 219.0 ± 69.2 R＋V, n = 8） were correlated （r = 0.97, P 〈 0.0001） and the timing of emesis was consistent between the 2 methods. Apomorphine induced a decrease in normogastria from 45.48% ± 4.35% to 36.70 ± 4.34% （n = 8, P 〈 0.05） but the DF of the slow waves was not changed [8.95 ± 0.25 counts/rain （cpm） vs 8.68 ± 0.35 cpm, n = 8, P 〉 0.05]. Cisplatin induced a decrease in normogastria from 55.83% ± 4.30% to 29.22% ± 5.16% and an increase in bradygastria from 14.28% ± 2.32% to 31.19% ± 8.33% （n = 8, P 〈 0.001） but the DF （9.14 ± 0.13 cpm） remained unchanged （P 〉 0.05）. The GMA changes induced by cisplatin preceded the emetic response as normogastria was reduced for 1 h before the onset of emesis （57.61% ± 5.66% to 39.91% ± 5.74%, n = 6, P 〈 0.05）. Peri-emesis analysis revealed that the GMA was significantly disturbed during and immediately after, but not immediately before, the emetic episodes. CONCLUSION： The induction of emesis is reliably associated with a disrupted GMA, but changes may also occur prior to and following the emetic response.

Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation is impaired in older patients with dysphagia

AIM: To characterize the effects of age on the mechanisms underlying the common condition of esophageal dysphagia in older patients, using detailed manometric analysis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control audit was performed on 19 patients aged ≥ 80 years (mean age 85 ± 0.7 year) who underwent a manometric study for dysphagia (2004-2009). Data were compared with 19 younger dysphagic patients (32 ± 1.7 years). Detailed manometric analysis performed prospectively included basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP), pre-swallow and nadir LESP, esophageal body pressures and peristaltic duration, during water swallows (5 mL) in right lateral (RL) and upright (UR) postures and with solids. Data are mean ± SE; a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Elderly dysphagic patients had higher BLESP than younger patients (23.4 ± 3.8 vs 14.9 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.05). Pre-swallow LESP was elevated in the elderly in both postures (RL: 1 and 4 s P = 0.019 and P = 0.05; UR: P < 0.05 and P = 0.05) and solids (P < 0.01). In older patients, LES nadir pressure was higher with liquids (RL: 2.3 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 0.7 ± 0.6 mmHg, P < 0.05; UR: 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 1.6 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.01) with shorter relaxation after solids (7.9 ± 1.5 s vs 9.7 ± 0.4 s, P = 0.05). No age-related differences were seen in esophageal body pressures or peristalsis duration. CONCLUSION: Basal LES pressure is elevated and swallow-induced relaxation impaired in elderly dysphagic patients. Its contribution to dysphagia and the effects of healthy ageing require further investigation.

Surgery for rare aneurysm associated with colorectal cancer

The occurrence of concomitant aortic aneurysm and colorectal cancer is a rare medical entity,and con-troversy surrounds its optimal treatment.We report a case of rectal cancer and concomitant aneurysm from the ascending aorta to the common iliac artery.As with DeBakey typeⅠaortic dissecting aneurysm,our patient was treated by rectal cancer resection,with preservation of the anus(Dixon operation)under controlled hypo-tension.Blood pressure was maintained at 80-90/50-60 mmHg and the pulse at 70-90 beats/min.The pathological examination of the surgical specimen showed a poorly differentiated T3N0 tumor.The patient had an uneventful recovery without aneurysm rupture,and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 15 after 3 d adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin combined with calcium folinate and fluorouracil.The patient was given six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy in 6 mo,without recurrence or metastasis,and the aneurysm was still stable after 2 years follow-up.

Epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension in the elderly

1 Introduction Pulmonary hypertension （PH） is a haemodynamic and pathophysiological condition defined as increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure≥ 25 mmHg at rest as assessed by right heart catheterization （RHC）.