Hypertonicity:Clinical entities,manifestations and treatment

Hypertonicity causes severe clinical manifestations and is associated with mortality and severe short-term and long-term neurological sequelae. The main clinical syndromes of hypertonicity are hypernatremia and hyperglycemia. Hypernatremia results from relative excess of body sodium over body water. Loss of water in excess of intake, gain of sodium salts in excess of losses or a combination of the two are the main mechanisms of hypernatremia. Hypernatremia can be hypervolemic, euvolemic or hypo-volemic. The management of hypernatremia addresses both a quantitative replacement of water and, if present, sodium defcit, and correction of the underlying pathophysiologic process that led to hypernatremia. Hypertonicity in hyperglycemia has two components, solute gain secondary to glucose accumulation in the extracellular compartment and water loss through hyperglycemic osmotic diuresis in excess of the losses of sodium and potassium. Differentiating between these two components of hypertonicity has major therapeutic implications because the frst component will be reversed simply by normalization of serum glucose concentration while the second component will require hypotonic fuid replacement. An estimate of the magnitude of the relative water deficit secondary to osmotic diuresis is obtainedby the corrected sodium concentration, which representsa calculated value of the serum sodium concentrationthat would result from reduction of the serum glucoseconcentration to a normal level.

Hypertonic stimulation induces synthesis and release of glutamate in cultured rat hypothalamic astrocytes and C6 cells

Objective To investigate whether hypertonic saline （HS） can induce the synthesis and release of glutamate in cultured hypothalamic astrocytes or C6 cell line. Methods Astrocytes were isolated, cultured, purified and identified from the hypothalamus of newborn rat （1 day）. The astrocytes were randomly divided into five groups： isotonic （IS） and HS groups, astrocytes were incubated by IS and HS （320 mosM NaCl） medium, respectively, for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 rain; carbenoxolone （CBX） ＋IS and CBX＋HS groups, astrocytes were pre-treated with CBX （100 mmol/L） for 1 h at 37℃ in a 5% CO2 / 95% atmosphere, then removed to IS and HS medium, respectively, for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 min; Ca2＋＋HS group, astrocytes were pre-incubated with Ca2＋ （1 000 μmol/L） for 1 h at 37℃ in a 5% CO2 / 95% atmosphere, followed by a wash with isotonic FBS/DMEM, and then removed to hypertonic saline for 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 min. The media of five groups were collected to analyze the medium glutamate concentration with high performance liquid chromatography. The astrocytes were fixed and double immunofluorescent stained with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and anti-glutamate. The C6 cells were divided into four groups： IS, HS, CBX＋IS and CBX＋HS groups, and used for quantitative measurement of glutamate in cells by flow cytometry （FCM）. Results （1） Anti-GFAP immunofluorescent signal revealed no significant difference among various time points in each group, or among the five groups. （2） The anti-glutamate immunofluorescent signal was increased in HS group and peaked at 5 min, and decreased and returned to the level of IS group at 15 rain （P 〈 0.01 vs the 5 min of HS group）. In CBX＋HS group, the glutamate intensity was higher than that in CBX＋IS and HS groups. （3） The medium glutamate concentration had no change after treatment with HS for 1 and 3 min, while increased markedly after treatment for 5 min to 15 min （P 〈 0.01 vs 1 min and 3 min）. On the contrary, the medium glutamate concentrations in the CBX＋HS or Ca2＋＋HS group were significant lower than that in the HS group （P 〈 0.01）. （4） FCM showed HS and CBX＋HS induced glutamate increase in C6 cells. Conclusion HS induced cultured rat hypothalamic astrocytes or C6 cells to synthesize and release glutamate; CBX could block glutamate release, but could not disrupt glutamate synthesis.

Fluid balance concepts in medicine:Principles and practice

The regulation of body fluid balance is a key concern in health and disease and comprises three concepts. The first concept pertains to the relationship between total body water(TBW) and total effective solute and is expressed in terms of the tonicity of the body fluids. Disturbances in tonicity are the main factor responsible for changes in cell volume, which can critically affect brain cell function and survival. Solutes distributed almost exclusively in the extracellular compartment(mainly sodium salts) and in the intracellular compartment(mainly potassium salts) contribute to tonicity, while solutes distributed in TBW have no effect on tonicity. The second body fluid balance concept relates to the regulation and measurement of abnormalities of sodium salt balance and extracellular volume. Estimation of extracellular volume is more complex and error prone than measurement of TBW. A key function of extracellular volume, which is defined as the effective arterial blood volume(EABV), is to ensure adequate perfusion of cells and organs. Other factors, including cardiac output, total and regional capacity of both arteries and veins, Starling forces in the capillaries, and gravity also affect the EABV. Collectively, these factors interact closely with extracellular volume and some of them undergo substantial changes in certain acute and chronic severe illnesses. Their changes result not only in extracellular volume expansion, but in the need for a larger extracellular volume compared with that of healthy individuals. Assessing extracellular volume in severe illness is challenging because the estimates of this volume by commonly used methods are prone to large errors in many illnesses. In addition, the optimal extracellular volume may vary from illness to illness, is only partially based on volume measurements by traditional methods, and has not been determined for each illness. Further research is needed to determine optimal extracellular volume levels in several illnesses. For these reasons, extracellular volume in severe illness merits a separate third concept of body fluid balance.

Prolonged hypernatremia triggered by hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state with coma: A case report

A man with past lithium use for more than 15 years, but off lithium for two years and not carrying the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or nephrogenic diabetes insipidus(NDI), presented with coma and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state(HHS). Following correction of HHS, he developed persistent hypernatremia accompanied by large volumes of urine with low osmolality and no response to desmopressin injections. Urine osmolality remained < 300 m Osm/kg after injection of vasopressin. Improvement in serum sodium concentration followed the intake of large volumes of water plus administration of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Severe hyperglycemia may trigger symptomatic lithium-induced NDI years after cessation of lithium therapy. Patients with newonset diabetes mellitus who had been on prolonged lithium therapy in the past require monitoring of their serum sodium concentration after hyperglycemic episodes regardless of whether they do or do not carry the diagnosis of NDI.

Thermo sensitive TRPM8 channel and its role in cold induced airway symptoms

It is generally accepted that environmental factors can significantly influence respiratory system. Cold is one of these factors. Understanding of the reaction of airways to cold air is very important tool leading to improvement in management of cold induced rhinitis, cold induced asthma, exercise induced asthma, and exacerbation of chronic airway diseases induced by cold exposure. Despite the airways are protected against cold air by powerful heat and moisture exchanging counter current system within the nose, they are still at the risk of onset and development of cold induced symptoms mainly if this mechanism is insufficient, exposed person hyperventilates or is breathing subfreezing air. Some of the mechanisms involved in cold air induced reactions are understood quite well, but some of them are still discussed as they have not been satisfactorily explained, yet. Most discussed mechanisms by which cold air may induce respiratory symptoms include direct cooling and exsiccation of mucosal surface with subsequent hyper-tonicity of superficial fluid layer and interactions between the trigeminal and the vagus nerve at the central level. Molecular background for such a reaction may rely on the presence of thermo sensitive channels, mainly TRPM8, expressed on airway afferent nerves, which initiate response to cold air, giving a rise to autonomic responses like bronchoconstriction, cough, dyspnoea, chest tightness, mucus secretion and mucosal swelling. Identification of targets for cold action in the airway may help to identify potent antagonists which may prevent or reverse cold induced reactions sharing possibility for clinical application.

Effect of Osmotic Pressure on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Strain 168

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of hypertonic solution on the morphology,size,incubation time and cell viability of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae（Mhp）.[Method] Mhp was stimulated by using NaCl hypertonic solution with a final concentration of 1.8% for 1,2,4,6 and 8 min,respectively.After staining and microscopic examination,the particle size and CCU（color change unit） were determined,and PCR identification was conducted.[Result] After treated with hypertonic solution for different time,Mhp was shrunken and turned round,the particle size was reduced,and the cell number rapidly decreased or even disappeared after 2 min.CCU was reduced by a gradient,and the observation time was extended for 1 d.The target band of Mhp could be amplified from samples after treated with hypertonic solution for different time.After treated with 1.8% NaCl solution for 1-6 min,Mhp changed in the morphology and size but still had viability.[Conclusion] This study provided reference data for exploring the entrance of Mhp into blood circulation after intramuscular injection and a new immunization route of swine Mycoplasma pneumonia vaccine.

How do kinases contribute to tonicity-dependent regulation of the transcription factor NFAT5?

NFAT5 plays a critical role in maintaining the renal functions. Its dis-regulation in the kidney leads to or is associated with certain renal diseases or disorders, most notably the urinary concentration defect. Hypertonicity, which the kidney medulla is normally exposed to,activates NFAT5 through phosphorylation of a signaling molecule or NFAT5 itself. Hypotonicity inhibits NFAT5 through a similar mechanism. More than a dozen of protein and lipid kinases have been identified to contribute to tonicity-dependent regulation of NFAT5. Hypertonicity activates NFAT5 by increasing its nuclear localization and transactivating activity in the early phase and protein abundance in the late phase. The known mechanism for inhibition of NFAT5 by hypotonicity is a decrease of nuclear NFAT5. The present article reviews the effect of each kinase on NFAT5 nuclear localization, transactivation and protein abundance, and the relationship among these kinases, if known. Cyclosporine A and tacrolimus suppress immune reactions by inhibiting the phosphatase calcineurin-dependent activation of NFAT1. It is hoped that this review would stimulate the interest to seek explanations from the NFAT5 regulatory pathways for certain clinical presentations and to explore novel therapeutic approaches based on the pathways. On the basic science front, this review raises two interesting questions. The first one is how these kinases can specifcally signal to NFAT5 in the context of hypertonicity or hypotonicity, because they also regulate other cellular activities and even opposite activities in some cases. The second one is why these many kinases, some of which might have redundant functions, are needed to regulate NFAT5 activity. This review reiterates the concept of signaling through cooperation. Cells need these kinases working in a coordinated way to provide the signaling specificity that is lacking in the individual one. Redundancy in regulation of NFAT5 is a critical strategy for cells to maintain robustness against hypertonic or hypotonic stress.

Hypertonic saline resuscitation reduces apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

Objective: To investigate the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline solutions on apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Methods: A model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock was established in 21 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, normal saline resuscitation (NS) group, and hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS) group, with 7 in each group. We detected and compared the apoptosis in small intestinal mucosa of rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL), FITC (fluo- rescein-iso-thiocyanate)-Annexin V/PI (propidium iodide) double staining method, and flow cytometry. Results: In the early stage of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, marked apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa in the rats of both NS and HTS groups was observed. The numbers of apoptotic cells in these two groups were significantly greater than that in the sham group (P<0.01). In the HTS group, the apoptic cells significantly decreased, compared with the NS group (P<0.01). Conclusion: In this rat model of severe hemorrhagic shock, the HTS resuscitation of small volume is more effective than the NS resuscitation in reducing apoptosis of intestinal mucosa in rats, which may improve the prognosis of trauma.

Hypertonic saline resuscitation maintains a more balanced profile of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock

Objective: To investigate the potential and early effect of hypertonic saline resuscitation on T-lymphocyte sub- populations in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Methods: A model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock was established in 18 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were randomly divided into Sham group, HTS group (hypertonic saline resuscitation group) and NS group (normal saline resuscitation group). Each group contained 6 rats. The CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood were detected respectively before shock and after resuscitation by double antibody labelling and flow cytometry. Results: In the early stage after hemorrhagic shock, fluid resuscitation and emergency treatment, the CD4+ lymphocytes of peripheral blood in HTS and NS groups markedly increased. Small volume resuscitation with HTS also induced peripheral CD8+ lymphocytes to a certain extent, whereas NS resuscitation showed no effect in this respect. Consequently, compared with Sham and HTS groups, CD4+/CD8+ ratio of peripheral blood in NS group was obviously increased, and showed statistically differences. Conclusion: In this model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock, small volume resuscitation with HTS is more effective than NS in reducing immunologic disorders and promoting a more balanced profile of T-lymphocyte subpopula- tions regulating network.

Effects of 7.5% hypertonic saline on fluid balance after radical surgery for gastrointestinal carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the effects of 7.5% hypertonic saline on positive fluid balance and negative fluid balance, after radical surgery for gastrointestinal carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma undergoing radical surgery were studied. The patients were assigned to receive either Ringer lactate solution following 4 mL/kg of 7.5% hypertonic saline (the experimental group, n = 26) or Ringer lactate solution (the control group, n = 26) during the early postoperative period in SICU. Fluid infusion volumes, urine outputs, fluid balance, body weight change, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, anal exhaust time as well as the incidence of complication and mortality were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Urine outputs on the operative day and the first postoperative day in experimental group were significantly more than in control group (P<0.000001, P=0.000114). Fluid infusion volumes on the operative day and the first postoperative day were significantly less in experimental group than in control group (P= 0.000042, P= 0.000415). The volumes of the positive fluid balance on the operative day and during the first 48 h after surgery, in experimental group, were significantly less than in control group (P<0.000001). Body weight gain post-surgery was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group (P<0.000001). The body weight fall in experimental group occurred earlier than in control group (P<0.000001). PaO2/FiO2 ratio after surgery was higher in experimental group than in control group (P= 0.000111). The postoperative anal exhaust time in experimental group was earlier than in control group (P= 0.000006). The overall incidence of complications and the incidence of pulmonary infection were lower in experimental group than in control group (P= 0.0175, P= 0.0374). CONCLUSION: 7.5% hypertonic saline has an intense diuretic effect and causes mobilization of the retained fluid, which could reduce fluid infusion volumes and positive fluid balance after radical surgery for gastrointestinal carcinoma, as well as, accelerate the early appearance of negative fluid balance after the surgery, improve the oxygen diffusing capacity of the patients' alveoli, and lower the overall incidence of complications and pulmonary infection after the surgery.

Intestinal injury can be reduced by intra-arterial postischemic perfusion with hypertonic saline

AIM:To investigate the effect of local intestinal perfusion with hypertonic saline(HTS) on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI) in bothex vivo andin vivo rat models.METHODS:All experiments were performed on male Wistar rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium given intraperitoneally at a dose of 60 mg/kg.Ex vivo vascularly perfused rat intestine was subjected to 60-min ischemia and either 30-min reperfusion with isotonic buffer(controls),or 5 min with HTS of 365 or 415 mOsm/L osmolarity(HTS 365mOsm or HTS 415mOsm,respectively) followed by 25-min reperfusion with isotonic buffer.The vascular intestinal perfusate flow(IPF) rate was determined by collection of the effluent from the portal vein in a calibrated tube.Spontaneous intestinal contraction rate was monitored throughout.Irreversible intestinal injury or area of necrosis(AN) was evaluated histochemically using 2.3.5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.In vivo,30-min ischemia was followed by either 30-min blood perfusion or 5-min reperfusion with HTS 365mOsm through the superior mesenteric artery(SMA) followed by 25-min blood perfusion.Arterial blood pressure(BP) was measured in the common carotid artery using a miniature pressure transducer.Histological injury was evaluated in both preparations using the Chui score.RESULTS:Ex vivo,intestinal IRI resulted in a reduction in the IPF rate during reperfusion(P < 0.05 vs sham).The postischemic recovery of the IPF rate did not differ between the controls and the HTS 365mOsm group.In the HTS 415mOsm group,postischemic IPF rates were lower than in the controls and the HTS 365mOsm group(P < 0.05).The intestinal contraction rate was similar at baseline in all groups.An increase in this parameter was observed during the first 10 min of reperfusion in the control group as compared to the sham-treated group,but no such increase was seen in the HTS 365mOsm group.In controls,AN averaged 14.8% ± 5.07% of the total tissue volume.Administration of HTS 365mOsm for 5 min after 60-min ischemia resulted in decrease in AN(5.1% ± 1.20% vs controls,P < 0.01).However,perfusion of the intestine with the HTS of greater osmolarity(HTS 415mOsm) failed to protect the intestine from irreversible injury.The Chiu score was lower in the HTS 365mOsm group in comparison with controls(2.4 ± 0.54 vs 3.2 ± 0.44,P = 0.042),while intestinal perfusion with HTS 415mOsm failed to improve the Chiu score.Intestinal reperfusion with HTS 365mOsm in the in vivo series secured rapid recovery of BP after its transient fall,whereas in the controls no recovery was seen.The Chiu score was lower in the HTS 365mOsm group vs controls(3.1 ± 0.26 and 3.8 ± 0.22,P = 0.0079 respectively,),although the magnitude of the effect was lower than in the ex vivo series.CONCLUSION:Brief intestinal postischemic perfusion with HTS 365mOsm through the SMA followed by blood flow restoration is a protective procedure that could be used for the prevention of intestinal IRI.

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, iso-amyl-2-cyanoacrylate and hypertonic glucose with 72% chromated glycerin in gastric varices

cyanoacrylate and a mixture of 72% chromated glycerinwith hypertonic glucose solution in management ofgastric varices.METHODS： Ninety patients with gastric varicespresented to Endoscopy Unit of Ain Shams UniversityHospital were included. They were randomly allocatedinto three groups; each group included 30 patients treatedwith intravariceal sclerosant injections in biweeklysessions till complete obturation of gastric varices;Group I （n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate; Histoacryl？）, GroupII （iso-amyl-2-cyanoacrylate; Amcrylate？） and GroupIII （mixture of 72% chromated glycerin; Scleremo？with glucose solution 25%）. All the procedures wereperformed electively without active bleeding. Recruitedpatients were followed up for 3 mo.RESULTS： 26% of Scleremo group had bleeding duringpuncture vs 3.3% in each of the other two groups withsignificant difference, （P 〈 0.05）. None of Scleremogroup had needle obstruction vs 13.3% in each of theother two groups with no significant difference, （P 〉0.05）. Rebleeding occurred in 13.3% of Histoacryl andAmcrylate groups vs 0% in Scleremo group with nosignificant difference. The in hospital mortality was 6.6%in both Histoacryl and Amcrylate groups, while it was0% in Scleremo group with no significant difference. Inthe first and second sessions, the amount of Scleremoneeded for obturation was significantly high, while the amount of Histoacryl was significantly low. Scleremo was the less costly of the two treatments. CONCLUSION： All used sclerosant substances showed efficacy and success in management of gastric varices with no significant differences except in total amount,cost and bleeding during puncture.

Pentoxifylline enhances the protective effects of hypertonic saline solution on liver ischemia reperfusion injury through inhibition of oxidative stress

BACKGROUND：Liver ischemia reperfusion（IR）injury triggers a systemic inflammatory response and is the main cause of organ dysfunction and adverse postoperative outcomes after liver surgery.Pentoxifylline（PTX）and hypertonic saline solution（HTS）have been identified to have beneficial effects against IR injury.This study aimed to investigate if the addition of PTX to HTS is superior to HTS alone for the prevention of liver IR injury.METHODS： Male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups. Control rats underwent 60 minutes of partial liver ischemia, HTS rats were treated with 0.4 mL/kg of intravenous 7.5% NaCl 15 minutes before reperfusion, and HPTX group were treated with 7.5% NaC1 plus 25 mg/kg of PTX 15 minutes before reperfusion. Samples were collected after reperfusion for determination of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, mitochondrial respiration, lipid peroxidation, pulmonary permeability and myeloperoxidase. RESULTS： HPTX significantly decreased TNF-α 30 minutes after reperfusion. HPTX and HTS significantly decreased ALT,AST, IL-6, mitochondrial dysfunction and pulmonary myelo- peroxidase 4 hours after reperfusion. Compared with HTS only, HPTX significantly decreased hepatic oxidative stress 4 hours after reperfusion and pulmonary permeability 4 and 12 hours after reperfusion. CONCLUSION： This study showed that PTX added the beneficial effects of HTS on liver IR injury through decreases of hepatic oxidative stress and pulmonary permeability.

Effect of Hypertonic Versus Isotonic Saline Resuscitation on Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Visceral Organs Following Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats

To compare the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） expression in organs of rats with hemorrhagic shock. Rats were randomly divided into hypertonic saline resuscitation （HTS）, normal saline resuscitation （NS） and sham groups. HO-1 mRNA, protein expression and apoptosis were evaluated in organs. In the HTS group, significant difference was noted in HO-1 protein in small intestinal mucosa and liver compared with the NS and sham groups, and in HO-1 mRNA in liver and kidney compared with the sham group. The apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa, liver, heart, and lung was significantly lower in the HTS group than that in the NS group. In this study, small volume resuscitation with HTS can efficiently up-regulate the expression level of HO-1 in small intestinal mucosa and liver, which may be one of the mechanisms alleviating organ damage.

Resting-state connectivity in the default mode network and insula during experimental low back pain

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that the insular cortex has a signif- icant role in pain identification and information integration, while the default mode network is associated with cognitive and memory-related aspects of pain perception. However, changes in the functional connectivity between the defauk mode network and insula during pain remain unclear. This study used 3.0 T functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 12 healthy sub- jects aged 24.8 ± 3.3 years to compare the differences in the functional activity and connectivity of the insula and default mode network between the baseline and pain condition induced by intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline. Compared with the baseline, the insula was more functionally connected with the medial prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices, whereas there was lower connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus and inferior parietal lobule in the pain condition. In addition, compared with baseline, the anterior cingulate cortex exhibited greater connectivity with the posterior insula, but lower connectivity with the anterior insula, during the pain condition. These data indicate that experimental low back pain led to dysfunction in the connectivity between the insula and default mode network resulting from an impairment of the regions of the brain related to cognition and emotion, suggesting the impor- tance of the interaction between these regions in pain processing.

Variable change in renal function by hypertonic saline

AIM: To investigate the effects of hypertonic saline in the neurocritical care population.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our hospital's use of hypertonic saline(HS) since March of 2005, and prospectively since October 2010. Comparisons were made between admission diagnoses, creatinine change(Cr), and HS formulation(3% Na Cl, 3% Na Cl/sodium acetate mix, and 23.4% Na Cl) to patients receiving normal saline or lactated ringers. The patients(n = 1329) of the retrospective portion were identified. The data presented represents the first 230 patients with data. RESULTS: Significant differences in Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ scores and GlasgowComa Scale scores occurred between different saline formulations. No significant correlation of Cl- or Na+ with Cr, nor with saline types, occurred. When dichotomized by diagnosis, significant correlations appear. Traumatic brain injury(TBI) patients demonstrated moderate correlation between Na+ and Cr of 0.45. Stroke patients demonstrated weak correlations between Na+ and Cr, and Cl- and Cr(0.19 for both). Patients receiving HS and not diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or TBI demonstrated a weak but significant correlation between Cl- and Cr at 0.29.CONCLUSION: Cr directly correlates with Na+ or Cl- in stroke, Na+ in TBI, and Cl- in other populations. Prospective comparison of HS and renal function is needed.

Effects of hypertonic saline solution on body weight and serum creatinine in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

AIM To test the safety and effectiveness of hypertonic saline solution(HSS + F) as a strategy for weight loss andprevention of further deterioration of renal function.METHODS Patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure(ADHF) who received HSS + F were included in the study. After a period of a standard ADHF treatment, our patients received an intravenous infusion of furosemide(250 mg) combined with HSS(150 mL of 3% NaCl) twice a day for a mean duration of 2.3 d. Our primary outcomes were weight loss and a change in serum creatinine per day of treatment. The parameters of the period prior to treatment with HSS + F were compared with those of the period with HSS + F. RESULTS A total of 47 patients were included. The mean creatinine on admission was 155 μmol/L ± 65 μmol/L, the ejection fraction was 40% ± 17%. The experimental treatment(HSS + F) resulted in greater weight loss per day of treatment than the standard treatment(-1.4 kg/d ± 1.4 kg/d vs-0.4 kg/d ± 1.0 kg/d, P = 0.0168). Importantly, the change in creatinine was not significantly different.CONCLUSION This study supports the effectiveness of HSS + F on weight loss in patients with ADHF. The safety profile, particularly with regard to renal function, leads us to believe that HSS + F may be a valuable option for those patients presenting with ADHF who do not respond to conventional treatment with intravenous furosemide alone.

Application of Ji Desheng Snake Pills Combined with Hypertonic Glucose External Application in Treating Drug-Induced Superficial Phlebitis Caused by Parenteral Nutrition

Objective: The efficacy of Ji Desheng snake pills combined with hypertonic glucose external application in treating drug-induced superficial phlebitis caused by parenteral nutrition (PN) is observed. Methods: Fifty-two cases of drug-induced superficial phlebitis after peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) were selected, which were randomly divided into experimental group and control group in accordance with the phlebitis grading. In the experimental group, Ji Desheng snake pills were crushed to make a paste with 50% glucose solution, which was then applied to the affected area of phlebitis, the surface was covered with clean gauze, and properly fixed with tape or bandage. The drug was replaced once a day. In the control group, the gauze soaked with 50% magnesium sulfate solution was used, which was applied to the affected part three times a day in wet, and the efficacy was observed respectively on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days after applying the drug. Results: On the 1st and 3rd days after treatment, the observed effective rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group (42.31% vs. 15.38% and 76.92% vs. 46.15%, respectively). The difference was statistically significant (p th and 7th days after treatment, there was no statistical significance with respect to the efficacy between the experimental group and the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The significant efficacy could be found in early stage after drug-induced superficial phlebitis was treated by Ji Desheng snake pills combined with hypertonic glucose external application, which was superior to that of the traditional treatment of wet application by using gauze soaked in 50% magnesium sulfate solution.

From bronchiolitis guideline to practice: A critical care perspective

Acute viral bronchiolitis is a leading cause of admission to pediatric intensive care units, but research on the care of these critically ill infants has been limited. Pathology of viral bronchiolitis revealed respiratory obstruction due to intraluminal debris and edema of the airways and vasculature. This and clinical evidence suggest that airway clearance interventions such as hypertonic saline nebulizers and pulmonary toilet devices may be of benefit, particularly in situations of atelectasis associated with bronchiolitis. Research to distinguish an underlying asthma predisposition in wheezing infants with viral bronchiolitis may one day lead to guidance on when to trial bronchodilator therapy. Considering the paucity of critical care research in pediatric viral bronchiolitis, intensive care practitioners must substantially rely on individualization of therapies based on bedside clinical assessments. However, with the introduction of new diagnostic and respiratory technologies, our ability to support critically ill infants with acute viral bronchiolitis will continue to advance.

羟乙基淀粉130/0.4和高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40联合扩容在肝癌切除术中的应用

目的探讨在肝癌手术中联合使用羟乙基淀粉130/0.4注射液(Voluven)或高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉40注射液(HSH40)扩容对患者血压、凝血酶原时间(PT)的影响及节约异体输血的安全性和有效性。方法将择期行肝癌切除术的60例患者随机分为HSH40联合乳酸钠林格液组(HR组)以及HSH40联合Voluven组(HV组)各30例。HR组麻醉诱导前静脉滴注HSH40,术中予乳酸钠林格液维持中心静脉压;HV组麻醉诱导前静脉滴注HSH40,术中辅助使用Voluven液维持中心静脉压。记录和比较两组患者总失血量、输液量、需输血例数、尿量、手术时间以及术前和术毕的平均动脉压(MAP)、PT和钠离子浓度。结果两组的总失血量、手术时间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。HV组的输液量、需输血例数均少于HR组(P<0.05)。HV组的尿量多于HR组(P<0.05)。两组MAP、PT及钠离子浓度的术前术后及组间比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论肝癌切除术中联合应用Voluven和HSH40可安全有效地增加循环储备,减少红细胞丢失,增强患者对于失血的耐受力,减少异体血的输注量,起到有效的血液保护作用。