BACKGROUND: Currently the most common treatment modality of refractory ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis was large volume paracentesis, but this procedure usually needed albumin infusion and occasionally developed unwanted complications. By reason of albumin shortage in Korea and occasional unfavorable complications, we studied the usefulness of dialytic ultrafiltration as an another treatment modality of refractory ascites. METHODS: Dialytic ultrafiltration was done in 10 patients (total 48 times) with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Two drainage conduit (via 16 gauge angio-catheter) of input and output were made by puncture of patient's right and left lower quadrant abdomen. The initial ultrafiltration rate of dialyser was 250mL/min. Ascitic fluid was removed continuously until the filtration rate down at 50mL/min. After ultrafiltration, ascitic fluid contained concentrated albumin and large molecules was reinfused via input conduit. Pre-treatment and post-treatment level of blood chemistry, plasma renin concentration, aldosterone, and electrolytes in serum; total protein and albumin in ascites were measured. During the ultrafiltration, we closely observed the change of blood pressure, heart rates and mental status. RESULTS: The mean ultrafiltration time was 231+/-28min, ultrafiltrated volume was 5.15+/-1.41 L. During dialytic ultrafiltration, patient's blood pressure and heart rate were stable and there was no change of mental status. After dialytic ultrafiltration, blood urea nitrogen level significantly decreased from 30.5+/-23.7mg/dL to 25.7+/-20.2mg/dL; serum aldosterone level decreased from 807.3+/-301.1pg/ml to 431.1+/-187.2pg/ml in serum (P<0.01). The albumin level in the ascitic fluid significantly increased from 0.67+/-0.28g/dL to 1.90+/-1.16g/dL (P<0.01). Plasma renin concentration level tend to decreased (P=0.06). The patient's serum total protein, albumin, electrolytes, and creatinine were not changed. Complications of dialytic ultrafiltration were peritonitis (one case) and hypotension (one case). But these unwanted complications were readily managed by adequate antibiotics and intravenous fluid therapy. CONCLUSION: The dialytic ultrafiltration can be used effectively without albumin infusion in the treatment of refrartory ascites in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.
Abdomen ; Aldosterone ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites* ; Ascitic Fluid ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Drainage ; Electrolytes ; Filtration ; Fluid Therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Paracentesis ; Patient Rights ; Peritonitis ; Plasma ; Punctures ; Renin ; Ultrafiltration*

Recent studies suggested that platelet activation with surface expression of P-selectin may be related to a loss of viability and early clearing from circulation by monocytes and macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system. We have studied platelet activation during hemodialysis with a cuprophane membrane in eighteen patients with uremia. Blood samples were obtained at the begining of the hemodialysis(sample I) and after 1 hr of hemodialysis (sample II), and at the end of hemodialysis from the venous line (sample III). Platelet surface expression of P-selectin(CD62) was determined by flow cytometry. Percentage of positive platelets(% PP) of P- selectin was measured 43.9+/-15.6 % in sample I, 36.9+/-16.0% in sample II, and 40.1+/-13.1% in sample III. No statistical differences in P-selectin expression were observed in sample I, II, and III throughout the period of hemodialysis although platelet P-selectin expression after 1 hour of hemodialysis showed a slightly decrease(P=0.44). However, a significant increase in fluorescence occurred in samples from uremic patients(43.0+/-15.6%) with respect to low fluorescence was seen in normal control sera(14.6+/-11.2%). Our study shows that the substantial and irreversible platelet P-selectin expression might be contributing factors in early clearing of platelet from circulation in uremic patients.
Blood Platelets* ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Macrophages ; Membranes ; Monocytes ; Mononuclear Phagocyte System ; P-Selectin* ; Platelet Activation* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Uremia

Sleep disturbance and restless legs syndrome (RLS) among uremic patients is known to be high, but data on the prevalence, clinical significance, and causative factors are limited. A semiquantitative sleep and RLS questionnaire was distributed to 62 chronic hemodialysis(HD) patients. 74.5N had sleep complaints and frequent awakening was the most frequent specific sleep complaints followed by daytime sleepiness. Presence of diabetes mellitus(DM), RLS, depres- sion, high CRP level, low intact parathyroid hormone level, low subjective global assessment score, and short HD duration were associated with more sleep complaints. 58.3N had RLS and presence of DM, low serum albumin level were also associated with more severe RLS. But Kt/V, protein catabolic rate, hematocrit, plasma bicarbonate level, use of erythropoietin and sleep medication were not associated with sleep complaints and RLS. Sleep problems and RLS are comrnon in HD patients and seem to be associated with malnutrition. Presence of DM, de- pression, and RLS are likely to contribute the high prevalence of sleep disturbance.
Erythropoietin ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis* ; Restless Legs Syndrome ; Serum Albumin ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of capsaicin, a neurotoxin for C-fiber afferents, applied intravesically in the treatment of neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia (DH). METHOD: Six subjects, three women and three men with traumatic spinal cord injury who had neurogenic bladder manifested with DH and urinary incontinence resistant to oral and intravesical anticholinergic instillation treatment were tried with intravesical administration of capsaicin (1 mmol/l 100 ml) for 30 minutes. Single instillation was given in five subjects and two instillations in one. Maximal detrusor pressure and maximal bladder volume were monitored by the portable cystometer. Follow-up monitor of pressure and volume was recorded after 1 week and every 3 weeks afterwards for 21 weeks, with one exception (31 weeks). RESULTS: Average maximal detrusor pressure decreased by 50.8% and average bladder capacity at maximal detrusor pressure increased by 68% in five subjects after single instillation of capsaicin. Clinical benefit from single instillation lasted over 21 weeks and same as the subject with two instillations. Maximal effect on detrusor pressure appears during 6~9 weeks period and bladder capacity during 9~15 weeks period. Although autonomic dysreflexia in 5 of 6 subjects during instillation and macroscopic hematuria in 2 subjects during the 1st two days were noted, they were resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Single and repeated intravesical instillation of capsaicin were safe and effective in the management of neurogenic bladder with DH in traumatic spinal cord injured patients.
Administration, Intravesical ; Autonomic Dysreflexia ; Capsaicin* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Male ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* ; Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychosocial factors and outcomes in young adult stroke patients. METHOD: The study group consisted of 59 stroke patients under the age of 45. Retrospective chart reviews of demographic findings, functional status, primary caregiver, marital and child status, discharge destination, employment and psychological difficulties were recorded by rehabilitation team during hospitalization. Telephone and mail surveys were carried out for the functional status, marital status, employment and social factors of the study group after discharge. RESULTS: The proportion of young adult stroke was 13.7% of all stroke patients. Young adult stroke were 20 cases (34%) of cerebral infarction and 39 cases (66%) of cerebral hemorrhage. Of the 39 married patients, 2 couples were separated. The marital adjustment skill was significantly lower in these couples than ordinary couples under age of 45. Forty-two of 51 patients were able to return to their premorbid residence. Of the 39 patients employed at the time of stroke, only 4 (10.3%) were able to return to work after discharge. Two of the 4 patients returned to school after discharge. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation of young adult stroke patients is associated with variety of social factors including marital adjustment and returning to work.
Caregivers ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebral Infarction ; Child ; Employment ; Family Characteristics ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Postal Service ; Psychology ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Return to Work ; Stroke* ; Telephone ; Young Adult*

OBJECTIVE: Volume expansion has been known to be the major factor in the development of hypertenision in chronic hemodialysis(HD) patients. But some HD patients remain hypertensive even with adequate volume control, which suggests the role of undefined uremic toxin in the pathogenesis of hypertension. So we aimed to evaluate the status of blood pressure (BP) control and the effect of Kt/V (as a marker for removal of uremic toxin) on BP in chronic HD patients. METHODS: The status of BP control was obtained from records of 8 HD session in 132 patients in November 1996 and 127 patients in November 1997. Of 132 patients studied in 1996, 70 patients underwent a follow-up evaluation in 1997. All patients were dialyzed 3 times a week, 4 hours a session. Postdialytic cyclic 3',5' guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level was measured in 48 patients as a marker of volume status. RESULTS: The prevalence of postdialytic hypertension (>140/90mmHg) was 73.5 in 1996 and 65.3% in 1997. Normotensive patients (postdialytic mean BP<114 mmHg) had higher Kt/V value than hypertensive patients in both 1996 and 1997. But there was no difference in the degree of ultrafiltration (UF) and cGMP level between two groups. Postdialytic mean BP was inversely correlated with Kt/V level but had no relationship with degree of UF and cGMP level in both 1996 and 1997. The group in which postdialytic mean BP had been decreased during 1 year study period had higher degree of elevation in Kt/V than the group in which postdialytic mean BP had been increased. The changes of postdialytic weight and degree of UF during study period were similar between two groups. The number of antihypertensives used were also inversely correlated with Kt/V but not correlated with degree of UF and cGMP level in both 1996 and 1997. CONCLUSION: Our study indicate that increasing HD adequacy is associated with improved control of postdialytic mean BP and less use of antihypertensive drugs. UF and antihypertensive drugs may not be adequate form of hypertension treatment as once thought and increasing HD adequacy can be an alternative method.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure* ; Dialysis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guanosine Monophosphate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis* ; Ultrafiltration

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the most common cause of euvolemic hypo-osmotic hyponatremia. There are several etiologies of SIADH including neuroendocrine tumor, pulmonary disease, infection, trauma, and medications. Here, we report a case of SIADH associated with a schwannoma involving the mediastinum in a 75-year-old woman who presented with nausea, vomiting, and general weakness. Laboratory testing showed hypo-osmolar hyponatremia, with a serum sodium level of 102mmol/L, serum osmolality of 221mOsm/kg, urine osmolality of 382mOsm/kg, urine sodium of 55 mmol/L, and plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of 4.40 pg/mL. Chest computed tomography identified a 1.5-cm-sized solid enhancing nodule in the right lower paratracheal area. A biopsy specimen was obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which was diagnosed on pathology as a schwannoma. The hyponatremia was completely resolved after schwannoma resection and plasma ADH level decreased from 4.40 pg/mL to 0.86 pg/mL. This case highlights the importance of suspecting and identifying the underlying cause of SIADH when faced with refractory or recurrent hyponatremia, and that on possibility is mediastinal schwannoma
Aged ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome ; Lung Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Nausea ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pathology ; Plasma ; Sodium ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax ; Vomiting

Adipsic hypernatremia is a rare disorder of hypothalamic osmoreceptor dysfunction for thirst. It is frequently associated with a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release. We report the first case in Korea of adipsic hypernatremia combined with subnormal ADH response to osmotic stimuli without any demonstrable structural lesion. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with general weakness. In a hypernatremic hyperosmolar state, she denied thirst and did not drink spontaneously. Her plasma ADH level was markedly subnormal but she had no large volume of dilute urine. Investigation of osmoregulation by infusion of hypertonic saline revealed adipsia and an absolute deficiency in antidiuretic hormone release, despite a serum osmolarity in excess of 321 mOsmol/kg. There was no structural lesion of the hypothalamus and no abnormal finding in hypothalamic-pituitary function. After diagnosis, she was treated successfully with intentional water intake alone.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypernatremia ; Hypothalamus ; Korea ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Thirst ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome involving the breakdown of skeletal muscle that causes myoglobin and other intracellular proteins to leak into the circulatory system, resulting in organ injury including acute kidney injury. We report a case of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury that developed in a 63-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Untreated hypothyroidism may have caused her hypercholesterolemia requiring statin treatment, and it is postulated that statin-induced muscle injury was aggravated by hypothyroidism resulting in her full-blown rhabdomyolysis. Although this patient was successfully treated with continuous venovenous hemofiltration and L-thyroxin replacement, rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury is a potentially life-threatening disorder. Physicians must pay special attention to the possible presence of subclinical hypothyroidism when administering statins in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypothyroidism* ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Myoglobin ; Rhabdomyolysis*

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome involving the breakdown of skeletal muscle that causes myoglobin and other intracellular proteins to leak into the circulatory system, resulting in organ injury including acute kidney injury. We report a case of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury that developed in a 63-year-old woman with previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Untreated hypothyroidism may have caused her hypercholesterolemia requiring statin treatment, and it is postulated that statin-induced muscle injury was aggravated by hypothyroidism resulting in her full-blown rhabdomyolysis. Although this patient was successfully treated with continuous venovenous hemofiltration and L-thyroxin replacement, rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury is a potentially life-threatening disorder. Physicians must pay special attention to the possible presence of subclinical hypothyroidism when administering statins in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Female ; Hemofiltration ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypothyroidism* ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscles ; Myoglobin ; Rhabdomyolysis*