Occurrence of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is not infrequent in critically ill patients, and it is associated with potential danger. Here, we report a case of transient heart failure with hemodynamic deterioration paradoxically induced by extreme dehydration. This article describes clinical features of the patient and echocardiographic findings of dynamic LVOT obstruction and significant mitral regurgitation caused by systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in a volume-depleted heart.
Cardiac Volume ; Dehydration/*complications ; Echocardiography/methods ; Female ; Heart Failure/*etiology/therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency/complications/*etiology ; Pulmonary Edema/etiology ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction/*complications/etiology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnostic yield of fecal leukocyte and stool cultures is unsatisfactory in patients with acute diarrhea. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of the fecal lactoferrin test and fecal multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with acute diarrhea. METHODS: Clinical parameters and laboratory findings, including fecal leukocytes, fecal lactoferrin, stool cultures and stool multiplex PCR for bacteria and viruses, were evaluated prospectively for patients who were hospitalized due to acute diarrhea. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were included (male, 23; median age, 42.5 years). Fecal leukocytes and fecal lactoferrin were positive in 33 (61.1%) and 14 (25.4%) patients, respectively. Among the 31 patients who were available for fecal pathogen evaluation, fecal multiplex PCR detected bacterial pathogens in 21 patients, whereas conventional stool cultures were positive in only one patient (67.7% vs 3.2%, p=0.000). Positive fecal lactoferrin was associated with presence of moderate to severe dehydration and detection of bacterial pathogens by multiplex PCR (21.4% vs 2.5%, p=0.049; 100% vs 56.5%, p=0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fecal lactoferrin is a useful marker for more severe dehydration and bacterial etiology in patients with acute diarrhea. Fecal multiplex PCR can detect more causative organisms than conventional stool cultures in patients with acute diarrhea.
Adult ; Biomarkers/analysis ; Dehydration/enzymology/microbiology ; Diarrhea/complications/*enzymology/microbiology ; Feces/*enzymology/microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Lactoferrin/*analysis ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction/*statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies

Abnormal attachment of the gallbladder to the liver is the main cause for gallbladder torsion. However, the present study reports a rare case of gallbladder torsion in which a portion of fundus is rotated along the axis of body. So far, very few similar cases have been reported. An 87-year-old woman complaining right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 4 days was admitted. Her body temperature was 38.5degrees C with moderate dehydration. A large tender mass was palpated on the right abdomen extending to the right iliac fossa. Computed tomography of abdomen showed a large cavity with a diameter of 15 cm containing a big stone and a small normal looking gallbladder. Ultrasonographic scan showed a twisted portion of the gallbladder torsion. During emergency laparotomy, the middle portion of the gallbladder was found to be twisted counterclockwise with huge gangrenous gallbladder distal. The proximal body of the gallbladder was spared and attached firmly to the liver. Cholecystectomy was performed and the patient was discharged 2 weeks later without postoperative complications. Histological findings of specimen were consistent with operative findings. The current study reports on a rare case of gallbladder torsion by reviewing previous studies.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Aged, 80 and over ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Body Temperature ; Cholecystectomy ; Dehydration ; Emergencies ; Female ; Gallbladder* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Liver ; Postoperative Complications

Exercise and diet control are essential for the management of diabetes mellitus. Beneficial effects of exercise have been established. Exercises improve the control of glucose level, decrease cardiac risk factors and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus. Exercise can cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, cardiac attack, dehydration, foot problems and aggravation of diabetic complications. Pre-exercise medical evaluation is needed to prevent the unwanted effect of exercise. Diabetic patients who have ketonuria and high blood glucose level(more than 250mg/dL) should postpone exercise until the problems are solved. Diabetic patients should enjoy their activities and do warming up and cool down exercise. Vigorous aerobic exercise, 60~85% of maximal oxygen uptake, 20~60 minutes at a time, 3~5 times a week is recommended. Moderate aerobic exercise, 40~60% of maximal oxygen uptake, more than 30 minutes at a time, over 5 times a week is also recommended instead. Muscle strengthening exercises, 2~3 times a week should be added. To prevent hypoglycemia during exercise, the dose of insulin should be reduced. If the patient suffer from hypoglycemic symptom, he or she should take glucose immediately. Therefore diabetic patients should carry some simple carbohydrates. To prevent dehydration during exercise, proper hydration and clothes must be prepared. Wearing well fitting shoes, frequent check up for any wounds on foot are needed to prevent diabetic foot complications. Diabetic patients have the rights to have good quality of life. Regular proper exercise could improve their quality of life.
Blood Glucose ; Carbohydrates ; Cool-Down Exercise ; Dehydration ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Foot ; Diet ; Exercise ; Foot ; Glucose ; Human Rights ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin ; Ketosis ; Oxygen ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Shoes ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a common surgical emergency of infants that exhibits clearly unique characteristic symptoms, but its etiology and pathogenesis are still obscure. The Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy has gained worldwide acceptance. The advantages of this operation are immediate solution of the problem and few complication. Cosmetically circumumbilical incision or laparoscopic pyloromytomy can be used. METHODS: Forty cases of IHPS admitted to the Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital from Jan 1997. to Dec 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. These cases underwent Fredet-Ramstedt's operation. RESULTS: The most prevalent age group was 21~30 days (10 cases: 25%), mean age was 41.4+/-9.9 days, and the males to females ratio was 4.7: 1. Among the 40 cases, 24 (60%) involved the first baby. The mean gestation age was 39.9+/-1.7 weeks and mean birth weight was 3.3+/-0.5 Kg. The mean duration of symptom was 4.1+/-1.6 days. The common symptoms were non-bile stained, projectile vomiting in all cases, an olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant abdomen in 21 cases (52.5%), visible peristalsis on epigastrium in 16 cases (40%), and jaundice in 1 case (2.5%). Hypokalemic alkalosis was observed in 3 cases (7.5%). The mean length and thickness of the stenotic canal, as measured in the operation, were 28.8+/-8.5 mm and 4.9+/-0.6 mm, respectively. Postoperative complications were one case each (2.5%) pneumonia, wound seroma, and recurrence. Conclusion: Fredet-Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy for IHPS is an effective operation after the correction of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Abdomen ; Alkalosis ; Birth Weight ; Dehydration ; Emergencies ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Heart ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Male ; Peristalsis ; Pneumonia ; Postoperative Complications ; Pregnancy ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Vomiting ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Aged ; Colitis, Ischemic/complications/*diagnosis/therapy ; Cystitis/*diagnosis/etiology ; Dehydration/etiology ; Diarrhea/etiology ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis/*diagnosis/etiology ; Oliguria/etiology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Radiation Injuries/*diagnosis/etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of reduced osmolarity oral rehydration salts (ROORS) in treatment of mild to moderate dehydration caused by acute diarrhea in children.

METHODSA multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive drug controlled clinical trial was conducted in 125 cases aged 1 to 17 years. These children with acute diarrhea and signs of dehydration were randomly assigned to receive either ROORS (trial group, n = 62) or oral rehydration salts II (ORS II) (control group, n = 63). The volume of intravenous infusion were recorded. The improvements of systemic symtoms and signs, diarrhea, dehydration and total scores were compared between the two groups. The adverse events and changes of electrolyte and other laboratory tests during treatment were also observed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe overall effective rates in trial group and control group were 96.8% and 96.8%, respectively. The recovery of systemic symptoms, dehydration signs and diarrhea occurred in 96%, 97% and 78% patients in trial groups, and 96%, 98% and 85% patients in control group. The scores of symptoms and signs in both groups decreased significantly after treatment. All the above parameters and the number of cases who needed intravenous infusion (41 vs. 39) were not statistically different between two groups. However, the average volume of intravenously infused fluids in trial group was (450.98 +/- 183.07) ml, 24.5% less than that in the control group (597.30 +/- 343.37) ml (P < 0.05). The mean serum Na(+) concentration elevated from (137.48 +/- 4.55) mmol/L to (139.52 +/- 3.25) mmol/L (P < 0.01) in control group after treatment, but the change was not statistically significant in trail group. Serum K(+), Cl(-), HCO(3)(-) and other laboratory result did not change significantly after treatment. The total scores in both groups decreased obviously after treatment, but no significant difference was demonstrated between two groups (P > 0.05). A case in trial group had mild abdominal distention and recovered spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONROORS was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of mild and moderate dehydration induced by acute diarrhea. Compared to ORS II, ROORS could decrease the intravenous supplement of fluid and lower the risk of hypernatremia.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chlorides ; blood ; Dehydration ; etiology ; therapy ; Diarrhea ; complications ; therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Osmolar Concentration ; Potassium ; blood ; Rehydration Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Sodium ; blood ; Treatment Outcome ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Recent studies have shown that the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligand CXCL10 in the dorsal root ganglion mediate itch in experimental allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). CXCR3 in the spinal cord also contributes to the maintenance of neuropathic pain. However, whether spinal CXCR3 is involved in acute or chronic itch remains unclear. Here, we report that Cxcr3 mice showed normal scratching in acute itch models but reduced scratching in chronic itch models of dry skin and ACD. In contrast, both formalin-induced acute pain and complete Freund's adjuvant-induced chronic inflammatory pain were reduced in Cxcr3 mice. In addition, the expression of CXCR3 and CXCL10 was increased in the spinal cord in the dry skin model induced by acetone and diethyl ether followed by water (AEW). Intrathecal injection of a CXCR3 antagonist alleviated AEW-induced itch. Furthermore, touch-elicited itch (alloknesis) after compound 48/80 or AEW treatment was suppressed in Cxcr3 mice. Finally, AEW-induced astrocyte activation was inhibited in Cxcr3 mice. Taken together, these data suggest that spinal CXCR3 mediates chronic itch and alloknesis, and targeting CXCR3 may provide effective treatment for chronic pruritus.
Acetamides ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Chemokine CXCL10 ; metabolism ; Chloroquine ; toxicity ; Chronic Disease ; Cyclopropanes ; adverse effects ; Dehydration ; complications ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Formaldehyde ; toxicity ; Freund's Adjuvant ; toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Pain ; chemically induced ; Pruritus ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, CXCR3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Skin ; pathology ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Time Factors ; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine ; toxicity