Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) occurs in 5.3% to 8.5% of patients with advanced liver disease. The rate of survival in the absence of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is reportedly 38% at 3 years and 28% at 5 years. Moderate to severe POPH [mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ≥ 35 mm Hg] is associated with a perioperative mortality rate of 50%. Single-center series have demonstrated the feasibility and short-term efficacy of OLT after POPH is controlled with vasodilators, but long-term outcomes have not been reported. Our aim was to determine graft and patient survival rates and the effects of OLT on pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in patients undergoing transplantation for POPH at our center. Four hundred eighty-eight adult patients underwent transplantation between June 2004 and January 2011, and 7 underwent transplantation for POPH after their MPAP was reduced to ≤35 mm Hg with vasodilators. These 7 patients included 3 men and 4 women with ages ranging from 39 to 54 years at the time of OLT. All patients received IV EPO or inhaled EPO during the perioperative period, and all were weaned off EPO over the course of 3 days to 8 months. Both the graft and patient survival rates were 85.7% after a median follow-up of 7.8 years. One patient had recurrent hepatitis C virus cirrhosis and recurrent POPH and died from multiorgan failure unrelated to PHT. Four of the remaining 6 patients required oral vasodilator therapy for persistent PHT. Only 2 of the 7 patients (4.4 and 8.5 years after OLT) did not have PHT. In conclusion, patients with POPH responsive to vasodilator therapy may have excellent long-term graft and patient survival after OLT. Despite the alleviation of portal hypertension by OLT, most patients have persistent or recurrent PHT that can be controlled with oral vasodilators.
Inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress are two major components in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol consumption results in translocation of gut bacteria into the portal system along with lipopolysaccharides that interact with toll-like receptors and results in the production of inflammatory and immunogenic mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferons. Chronic consumption of alcohol causes priming of this process in which there is enhanced production of cytokines, interferon, interleukins, and TNF-α. Oxidative stress, genetic predisposition, and the unfolded protein response are other contributory mechanisms. Novel therapies aimed at these pathways may prevent, decrease, or delay the complications of alcoholic hepatitis.
Introduction: Roads are considered a sign of development bringing a lot of advantages to people of this planet. Yet, growth of road network has brought road crashes leading to premature deaths and frequently morbidity and disability of productive age group. A study has been designed to study the pattern of injuries and associated demographic factors.Aim & Objective: To record the pattern of injuries after conducting the examination of the victims of Road Traffic Accident and study the demographic factors. Results: A total of 226 patients were examined who were victims of road traffic accidents. Among victims 190 were male (84.07%) and 36 (15.93%) were female. 30.97% cases were seen in 21-30 years age group which was highest in different age distribution. Abrasions were most common in non fatal accidents (54.62%) followed by contusion (20.25%). The most common anatomical part to be injured is lower limb (37.39%) followed by upper limb and face. Among fractures, upper limb fractures (n=22) were more common than lower limb fractures (n=12). Most of the victims were two-wheeler riders ie 38.20%. The most common site of accident was the straight roads (45.13%) followed by highways.
Conclusion:It may be concluded that there is urgent need to address the epidemic carnage on the roads. Road traffic deaths are to a great extent preventable if due care is taken both by individual and also by the administrative authorities.
Alcohol abuse and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are two major causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. About 10%-15% of liver transplants performed in the United States are for patients with cirrhosis due to combined alcohol and HCV infection. Data on outcomes on graft and patient survival, HCV recurrence, and relapse of alcohol use comparing transplants in hepatitis C positive drinkers compared to alcohol abuse or hepatitis C alone are conflicting in the literature. Some studies report a slightly better overall outcome in patients who were transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis vs those transplanted for HCV alone or for combined HCV and alcohol related cirrhosis. However, some other studies do not support these observations. However, most studies are limited to a retrospective design or small sample size. Larger prospective multicenter studies are needed to better define the outcomes in hepatitis C drinkers.
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