Objectives: We sought to describe the caliber and vascular health of the subclavian and axillary arteries as related to their potential utilization in complex cardiovascular procedures.Background: Patients referred for advanced catheter-based therapies frequently have lower
1 to 32). Current OCA dose was 5 mg/day in 57% and 10 mg/day in 18% of patients. All continued UDCA with a mean dose of 14.9 mg/kg/day. Last available pre-OCA lab values were compared to the last available values while on OCA. Reduction in ALP occurred in 19/23 (83%) patients (mean-25.6%, range −8.2% to −54.6%) compared to baseline. ALP decreased >15% in 16 patients (70%). Similarly, alanine aminotransferase decreased in 20/23 (87%) patients (mean −30.6%, range −4% to −70.5%). Most patients (19/23, 83%) had normal total bilirubin (TB) prior to OCA start and remained essentially unchanged during treatment. Four patients had elevated TB prior to OCA (range 2.0-10.6 mg/dL); 1 had progressive hepatic decompensation, with OCA dose reduction to twice weekly, and is undergoing transplant evaluation, while 3 remain stable on OCA without substantial TB change. Adverse events described during OCA therapy included pruritus (25%), fatigue (9.4%), gastroesophageal reflux (9.4%) and urinary tract infection (9.4%). Four patients (13%) discontinued OCA due to pruritus and 1 (3%) discontinued OCA after 3 weeks due to hepatic decompensation, concurrent with chemotherapy for colon cancer. Conclusion: Consistent with data from the randomized trial, use of OCA has had a beneficial effect on liver biochemistries. Longitudinal follow-up of this expanding, real-world cohort will continue for 5 years.
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