OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of caffeine citrate and aminophylline in the treatment of primary apnea in premature infants.

METHODSThe clinical data of 125 premature infants with primary apnea from March 2013 to March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the therapeutic strategy, the patients were divided into caffeine citrate group (n=65) and aminophylline group (n=60). The overall response rates and adverse reaction rates in the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe overall response rate in the caffeine citrate group was 86% (56 cases), which was significantly higher than that in the aminophylline group (72%, 43 cases) (P<0.05). The adverse reactions in the caffeine citrate group included tachycardia (1 case), restlessness (5 cases), feeding intolerance (7 cases), electrolyte disturbance (2 cases), and high blood glucose (5 cases), the incidence of which was significantly lower than that in the aminophylline group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCaffeine citrate is more effective and causes fewer adverse reactions than aminophylline in the treatment of primary apnea in premature infants.

Aminophylline ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Apnea ; drug therapy ; Caffeine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Citrates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Alverine citrate is one of the most commonly used antispasmodic drugs for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Alverine-citrate-induced hepatotoxicity is extremely rare, with only a few cases having been reported worldwide. We present a case of a 75-year-old female patient who experienced complicated jaundice and abdominal discomfort after taking alverine citrate. Other causes of hepatitis were ruled out and the results of the liver function test returned to normal after ceasing the drug. This is the first case report in Korea of alverine-citrate-induced hepatotoxicity.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Citrates/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome/drug therapy ; Liver Function Tests ; Parasympatholytics/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Propylamines/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of citrate anticoagulant-based continuous blood purification in patients at high risk of bleeding. 
 Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients at high risk of bleeding were divided into local citrate group (group A, n=68) and heparin group (group B, n=84). Clotting function, change of pH, ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion, ionized calcium, activated clotting time (ACT) and complications were monitored before and during treatment. 
 Results: Compared to the group A, the incidence of clotting in filter and chamber, the degree of bleeding or fresh bleeding were significantly reduced in the group B (P<0.05). ACT of post-filter at 4, 8 and 12 h during the treatment in the group A was significantly extended compared with that without treatment (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in group B (P>0.05). The pH value, the levels of ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion and ionized calcium during the treatment were maintained in normal range in both group A and group B.
 Conclusion: Local citrate-based continuous blood purification can achieve effective anticoagulation and decrease the incidence of bleeding. It is an ideal choice for patients at high risk of bleeding.
Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Bicarbonates ; blood ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Calcium ; blood ; Citrates ; Citric Acid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemodiafiltration ; adverse effects ; methods ; Hemofiltration ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Reference Values ; Renal Dialysis ; Sodium ; blood ; Treatment Outcome