Increase In Extracellular Water Research Articles

Angiopoietin-2 is associated with capillary leak and predicts complications after cardiac surgery

BackgroundPatients undergoing cardiac surgery are prone to numerous complications. Increased vascular permeability may be associated with morbidity and mortality due to hemodynamic instability, fluid overload, and edema formation. We hypothesized that markers of endothelial injury and inflammation are associated with capillary leak, ultimately increasing the risk of postoperative complications.MethodsIn this prospective, observational, multidisciplinary cohort study at our tertiary academic medical center, we recruited 405 cardiac surgery patients. Patients were assessed daily using body impedance electrical analysis, ultrasound, sublingual intravital microscopy, and analysis of serum biomarkers. Multivariable models, as well as machine learning, were used to study the association of angiopoietin-2 with extracellular water as well as common complications after cardiac surgery.ResultsThe majority of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, valvular, or aortic surgeries. Across the groups, extracellular water increased postoperatively (20 ± 6 preoperatively to 29 ± 7L on postoperative day 2; P < 0.001). Concomitantly, the levels of the biomarker angiopoietin-2 rose, showing a strong correlation based on the time points of measurements (r = 0.959, P = 0.041). Inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, CRP) and endothelial biomarkers (VE-Cadherin, syndecan-1, ICAM-1) suggestive of capillary leak were increased. After controlling for common risk factors of edema formation, we found that an increase of 1 ng/mL in angiopoietin-2 was associated with a 0.24L increase in extracellular water (P < 0.001). Angiopoietin-2 showed increased odds for the development of acute kidney injury (OR 1.095 [95% CI 1.032, 1.169]; P = 0.004) and was furthermore associated with delayed extubation, longer time in the ICU, and a higher chance of prolonged dependence on vasoactive medication. Machine learning predicted postoperative complications when capillary leak was added to standard risk factors.ConclusionsCapillary leak and subsequent edema formation are relevant problems after cardiac surgery. Levels of angiopoietin-2 in combination with extracellular water show promising potential to predict postoperative complications after cardiac surgery.Trial registration number: German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS No. 00017057), Date of registration 05/04/2019, www.drks.deGraphical

Distribution of water sectors in patients in chronic critical illness: Early rehabilitation stage

BACKGROUND: Fluid therapy in the intensive care unit is not only one of the most common components of therapy but also one of the most controversial and widely discussed. The choice of volume and type of infusion is a multifactorial issue. Currently, the search continues for a convenient non-invasive method that can be used to assess the water composition of the patients body.&#x0D; AIM: To analyze the distribution of fluid sectors in patients with chronic critical illness using bioimpedance with standard fluid therapy.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 63 patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) after brain damage (men, n=28; women, n=35; average age, 5419 years). According to nosology, 22 patients had ischemic stroke; 17, traumatic brain injury; 14, hemorrhagic stroke; 7, condition after brain surgery; and 2, post-hypoxic conditions. The study was conducted in the morning before breakfast using the analyzer of bioimpedance metabolic processes and body composition ABC-02 Medass. A total of 140 measurements were conducted.&#x0D; RESULTS: In most cases, the volume of the total body water (TBW) in patients was within the age and sex norm (78.6%); however, the volume of extracellular water (ECW) reached normal values only in 45.7%. Moreover, both indicators were simultaneously within the normal range only in 44.3%. In addition, TBW and ECW did not coincide at 35.7%. The most common option was an increase in ECW while maintaining a normal TBW (24.3%). When conducting a correlation analysis of TBW and ECW indicators with biochemical blood test data (a decrease in the total protein level and albumin level), the strength of the relationship between the correlation coefficients of the samples on the Chaddock scale turned out to be very weak for all options considered.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: In patients in CCI after brain damage, there may be an accumulation of water in the extracellular space without visible edema in 50% of the patients, whereas the TBW indicator is within the age and sex norm in 24.3%. This indicator does not depend on either the level of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia.

Anemia, overhydration, and lower muscle strength in hemodialysis patients with protein-energy wasting.

The protein-energy wasting (PEW) syndrome is a common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients associated to morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of PEW and its association with erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) score, body composition by impedance, health-related quality of life, and muscle strength. In this cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study, we included data from 191 HD patients from three HD clinics located in Mexico City, Mexico. Clinical and biochemistry variables, body composition, handgrip strength, and the KDQOL-SF36 questionnaire were collected for each patient. Prevalence of PEW was 22% (n=41/191), with a higher frequency in those with diabetes mellitus (59% vs. 49%, p=0.04). Subjects with PEW had lower hemoglobin levels (9.5 + 1.6g/dl vs. 10.3 + 1.7g/dl; p=0.005) and higher ERI scores (19.2 ± 11.2 vs. 15.6 ± 8.2; p=0.04) compared with the non-PEW group. In analysis of body composition, PEW was associated to higher overhydration status (42.2 vs. 24.9 OH/kg; p=0.009), higher extracellular water (263 ± 40 vs. 246 ± 32 ml/kg; p =0.019), lower lean tissue index (12.2 ± 3.2 vs. 14.1 ± 3.7ml/m2 ; p=0.021), and lower fat tissue index (9.6 ± 5.7 vs. 12.3 ± 6.2ml/m2 ; p=0.043). Handgrip strength was lower in PEW patients (22.5 vs. 28.1kg; p=0.002). Finally, no significant differences were observed between groups in quality-of-life assessment. In this study, PEW was associated to poor responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, lower muscle strength, and higher overhydration status due to the increase in extracellular water which replaced the loss of tissue. Nevertheless, quality-of-life assessment was not different in patients with PEW compared with those without this complication.

MO913BODY COMPOSITION EVALUATED BY BIOIMPEDANCE IN FRAIL PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims Frailty is known as a biological syndrome of decreased reserves and resistance to stress, with a decline of multiple physiological systems, causing vulnerability. Its prevalence ranges from 10-80 %. The etiopathogenesis is multifactorial, based on the loss of muscle mass associated with aging or sarcopenia. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a model of accelerated aging, with impaired physical function, frailty and cognitive decline. The main theorical frameworks on frailty are the one advocated by Linda Fried, in which she develops a phenotype as a risk situation for developing disability and one advocated by Kennet Rockwood which establishes that frailty consists of addition of various health conditions including comorbidity and disability. Our objective was to evaluate frailty in stage 5 CKD in haemodialysis, measured by clinical scale and to relate it to the body composition measured by bioimpedance. Method Cross-sectional study in 40 subjects with CKD in hospital haemodialysis, 70.5±13.03 years, 62.5% male. 40% Diabetic Nephropathy, 10% Glomerulopathies, 7.5% Nephroangiosclerosis, 2.5% Chronic Tubule-Interstitial Nephropathies, 32.5% Unknow, 2.5% Others. 35% arteriovenous fistula, 10% arteriovenous graft, 55% central venous catheter. Hemodialysis type: 40% High Flux, 45% Online postdilutional Haemodiafiltration, 10% Acetate Free Biofiltration. Fragility was measured by the Rockwood clinical scale: not fragile (1-4), moderately fragile (5-6) and severely fragile (7-9). Body composition was estimated by monofrequency bioimpedance measurement. Chi-Cuadrado was used to study differences between dichotomous variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. Spearman correlation´s was used to examinate the intensity of association between two quantitative variables. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 13.0. Results 42.5% of the subjects presented a degree of fragility ≥5, severely fragile 27.5%. The results are shown in the Tables 1 and 2. Conclusion The degree of frailty is greater in the elderly. Measurement of body composition by bioimpedance can be useful to indirectly asses frailty. The phase angle could be an indicator of fragility, since in more fragile subjects its value decreases, its physiological role remains to be elucidated. There is a positive trend to an increase in extracellular water in more fragile subjects, keeping the subjects in their dry weight, so it will be necessary to evaluate what is due.

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis for Nutritional Status Assessment in Systemic Sclerosis and Association With Disease Characteristics.

To use bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in a cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in order to assess their nutritional status in comparison to other groups of patients and to find any correlation with clinical characteristics and outcome of the disease. We retrospectively collected data from 50 SSc patients who underwent BIVA for clinical suspicion of malnutrition and compared them with patients affected by other chronic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (OCAD, n = 27) and those who were only symptomatic of malnutrition but without autoimmune features (n = 15), and with 50 healthy controls (HC). Patients with SSc presented significantly lower values of phase angle (PhA), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and body cellular mass (BCM), and an increase in extracellular water (ECW; P < 0.01 for all) than HC; instead, there were no significant differences for BMI. No significant differences were found between SSc and OCAD. Among patients with SSc, age directly correlated with ECW (ρ = 0.342, P = 0.015) and inversely with PhA (ρ = -0.366, P = 0.009). Female sex, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, reflux, and early satiety/abdominal distension associated with relevant alterations in BIVA results. BIVA variables were significantly different when cardiopulmonary and microvascular involvement was present. Four patients died during the study: they had significantly (P ≤ 0.01) lower PhA, BMR, and BCM, with an increased ECW. BIVA, unlike BMI, allowed an accurate characterization of SSc patients at risk of malnutrition, correlating with serological malnutrition markers, with SSc-specific organ manifestations (cardiopulmonary involvement and microvascular damage), and with mortality. BIVA variables might represent a surrogate marker of damage accrual that leads to malnutrition, thus playing a leading role in the prognostic stratification of SSc patients.

P0310FLUID OVERLOAD AND MARKERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DAMAGE IN SEVERE NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Abstract Background and Aims One of the major symptoms of severe nephrotic syndrome is fluid retention. Fluid overload can induce cardiovascular damage. NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) and hsTnT (high sensitivity troponin T) are well known markers of this disorder. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between volumes of body water compartments and markers of cardiovascular damage in patients with severe nephrotic syndrome (SNS) defined as nephrotic range proteinuria and hypalbuminaemia ≤ 2.5 g/dl. Method 40 patients with SNS and eGFR &amp;gt;30 ml/min/1.73m2 formed the study group (SNSG) and 40 healthy volunteers without SNS matched according to age, sex, height, body mass and kidney function formed the control group (CG). In all participants serum creatinine, serum albumin concentration, daily proteinuria, hsTnT and NT-proBNP were measured. Body water compartments such as extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW), overhydration (OH) were assessed using Body Composition Monitor, Fresenius Medical Care. For statistical analysis Spearman’s correlation coefficients, chi2 or Mann-Whitney U tests were used (Statistica v 13.1). Results SNSG included 28 males (70%) and 12 females. Median age was 55 years (IQR 30-65), the mean daily proteinuria was 10.5 ±5.0 g. The characteristics of the study parameters in two groups are described in the table. Significantly higher hsTnT (18 vs 6 ng/l, p=0.0001) and NT-proBNP (294.8 vs 47.1 pg/ml, p=0.0003) levels were observed in the severe nephrotic syndrome group in comparison (SNSG) to CG. In SNSG extracellular water was significantly higher (20.9 ±5,2 vs 17.4 ±3.3 L, p=0.001) and intracellular water (ICW) was significantly lower (18.9 ±5.2 vs 21.4 ±4.8 L, p=0.034) in comparison to CG. Interestingly total body water (TBW) did not differ between the groups (39.8 ±8.6 vs 38.8 ±7.7 L, p=0.603). Also overhydration which is a derivative of ECW, was higher in SNSG (OH: 4.2 vs 0.3 L, p&amp;lt;0.0001) than in CG. Significant, positive correlation was observed between OH and NT-proBNP (R=0.56, p&amp;lt;0.0001) as well as hsTnT (R=0.60, p&amp;lt;0.0001). We did not observed significant correlation between ECW and NT-proBNP or hsTnT. Conclusion In the severe nephrotic syndrome group fluid retention was associated with the increase in ECW and the decrease in ICW whereas TBW was the same in both groups. Such constellation can indicate for intracellular underhydration which was not describe so far. Overhydration, which is a derivative of ECW, positively correlated with markers of cardiovascular damage and can be important for patients with resistant SNS and can influence their prognosis.

Dietary supplements and exercise capacity in professional rugby players

Abstract Introduction: We started from the idea that the association of dietary supplements recommended by specialists and approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency with natural honey-based products, is beneficial for improving body composition and effort capacity in elite rugby players. The main purpose of this study was to determine the type of carbohydrates with the most beneficial effects for recovery and performance. Materials and methods: The study lasted 30 days and included 30 rugby players from SCM Timisoara Saracens Rugby team. They were randomly divided into 2 groups: the study group who consumed dietary supplements based on apiculture and herbal products, along with classical nutritional supplements and the control group that only used classical supplements. With the help of the InBody 720 Body Composition Analyzer, we evaluated the body composition parameters, and the player’s ability to repeatedly perform high-intensity aerobic work was established with the intermittent Recovery Level 2 YO-YO test. Results: The results show a significant increase in the average running distance in the fitness test for the study group (p = 0.021) and also for the control group (p = 0.008), with a considerable difference between the groups in terms of running distance (increase by 300 meters versus 208 meters in the control group) but without a significant difference between groups at the end of the study (p = 0.789). Improvements in body composition parameters were found in both groups, but significant differences between groups occurred only in terms of extracellular fluids/total body fluids ratio (p = 0.047) and extracellular water/total water ratio (p = 0.042). The study group showed a significant decrease in total body fat (p = 0.054) and visceral fat area (p = 0.002) and an increase in extracellular water (p = 0.013). The control group experienced a significant decrease in body fat and body fat percentage (p = 0.013 and p = 0.017 respectively), and increase in terms of skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.03), intracellular water (p = 0.03) and total water = 0.032). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the importance of the type and quality of nutritional supplements in professional athletes training.

Correlation between maternal body composition and haemodynamic changes in pregnancy: different profiles for different hypertensive disorders.

To assess and correlate changes in body composition and haemodynamic function during pregnancy. To identify different haemodynamic profiles based on the onset of hypertensive diseases such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. We enrolled 265 healthy, normotensive pregnant women throughout pregnancy (from 6+0 to 36+0weeks). They were subjected to assessment of body composition and haemodynamic function using non-invasive methods. We divided our population in three groups: group A with physiological pregnancy, group B with gestational hypertension and group C with preeclamptic patients. In patients who developed gestational hypertension we found lower total body water (TBW) percentage, higher Fat Mass (FM), associated with lower Cardiac Output (CO) and higher Total Vascular Resistance (TVR) during the second trimester. In the third trimester we didn't find haemodynamic differences, but a significative increase in extracellular water (ECW) percentage. In patients who developed preeclampsia we found since the first trimester significative higher TVR and hypodynamic circulation, associated with lower FM percentage. Assessment of body composition and maternal cardiac function may help to identify earlier in pregnancy, patients with different (mal) adaptations to pregnancy. Women with high TVR, hypodynamic circulation and low fat mass during the first trimester, might be at higher risk to develop preeclampsia. Patients with higher BMI and FM percentage, and increased TVR in the second trimester, might be at risk of gestational hypertension and excessive fluid retention at the end of pregnancy.

The Associations Between Body Cell Mass and Nutritional and Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and in Subjects Without Kidney Disease

Body cell mass (BCM), a component of lean tissue mass (LTM), is a metabolically active part of the body. Lean tissue loss is one of the diagnostic criteria of protein energy wasting. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a decrease of lean tissue, including BCM, may be replaced by an increase of extracellular water. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) enables the assessment of the amount of BCM, LTM, and fluid overload. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between BCM measured by BIS and anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers of nutrition and also inflammatory markers. Forty-eight patients treated with hemodialysis (HD; 32 males and 16 females) with a mean age 59.8 ± 15.5 (HD group), 61 patients with CKD Stage 4 to 5 (35 males and 26 females) with a mean age of 60.1 ± 17.7 (predialysis group) and 33 individuals with normal renal function (18 males and 15 women) with a mean age 58.7 ± 17.0 (control group) were included. Body mass index, handgrip strength (HGS), body composition measured by BIS, and biochemical analyses were performed on all of them. Positive correlations were observed between BCM and LTM, HGS, serum creatinine and insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations in all groups. Serum prealbumin concentration correlated positively with BCM only in the predialysis group (r = 0.406; P = .001). The amount of lymphocytes also correlated passively with BCM in predialysis group (r = 0.314; P = .024). Negative correlations were noted between BCM and fat mass in all groups and between BCM and interleukin 6 concentrations only in the HD group. In this study, BCM neither correlated with body mass index and serum albumin nor with C-reactive protein. BCM is strongly associated with biochemical determinants of muscle mass (serum creatinine, insulin-like growth factor 1) and muscle function (HGS) in patients treated with HD, with CKD Stage 4 to 5 and in individuals without kidney disease. Its significance requires further investigation.

Investigating Hyponatremia, Exit-Site Management and Discharge Planning

Investigating Hyponatremia, Exit-Site Management and Discharge Planning

Water removal from the legs does explain hypotension in short daily hemodialysis

Intradialytic fluid redistribution may cause hypotension. Short daily hemodialysis (SDH) is a technique that increases frequency, potentially reducing the hypotension risk and allowing better ultrafiltration tolerance. Previous studies on conventional hemodialysis (CHD) indicate that fluid loss during dialysis occurs mainly from the legs [1, 2], maintaining the central blood volume. Whether the fluid loss from the legs is associated with hypotension symptoms in patients on SDH is unknown. We therefore performed a cross-sectional study to compare CHD and SDH regarding segmental fluid removal and its association with hypotensive symptoms, by using bioimpedance analysis (BIA). BIA techniques enable assessment of extra and intracellular water and currently appears to be the most practical method for assessing fluid status in dialysis patients [3]. Thirty-five patients on CHD and 15 on SDH had segmental BIA (InBody10 Analyzer ) done preand post-midweek dialysis. Baseline characteristics were similar between CHD and SDH (for age, dialysis vintage, blood pressure, absence of diabetes, and cardiac congestive failure). For both dialysis techniques, from preto post-dialysis, there was a reduction in the extracellular water (ECW) for each of the segments (leg, arm, and trunk), total body water (TBW), and ECW/TBW (p \ 0.05). The delta of legs of ECW was lower in SDH than in CHD [-3.3 % (-4.8, -0.7) vs. -5.4 % (-7.3, -2.4), p = 0.009] (Fig. 1). The relation ECW leg/trunk was lower in SDH than in CHD. Hypotensive symptoms (hypo?) were observed in six patients on SDH (37.5 %) and six patients on CHD (17.1 %). As shown in Table 1, hemoglobin was lower in CHD hypo? group; Within SDH group, patients who had hypotensive symptoms presented lower ECW leg/trunk at baseline and post-dialysis. From preto post-dialysis, there was an increase in the relation ECW leg/trunk in both CHD and SDH, although reached significance only in SDH group. This increase in the ECW leg/trunk was lower in SDH (hypo? group, p = 0.0017). As UF rate was high in SDH group, hypotensive symptoms could be observed. This scenario gave us a unique opportunity to test whether leg fluid removal would be associated with hypotensive symptoms in SDH, which we have demonstrated. In conclusion, the distribution of fluids from the legs to the trunk and the velocity of refilling

Effect of a Multistage Ultraendurance Triathlon on Aldosterone, Vasopressin, Extracellular Water and Urine Electrolytes

Prolonged endurance exercise over several days induces increase in extracellular water (ECW). We aimed to investigate an association between the increase in ECW and the change in aldosterone and vasopressin in a multistage ultraendurance triathlon, the 'World Challenge Deca Iron Triathlon' with 10 Ironman triathlons within 10 days. Before and after each Ironman, body mass, ECW, urinary [Na(+)], urinary [K(+)], urinary specific gravity, urinary osmolality and aldosterone and vasopressin in plasma were measured. The 11 finishers completed the total distance of 38 km swimming, 1800 km cycling and 422 km running within 145.5 (18.8) hours and 25 (22) minutes. ECW increased by 0.9 (1.1) L from 14.6 (1.5) L prerace to 15.5 (1.9) L postrace (P < 0.0001). Aldosterone increased from 70.8 (104.5) pg/mL to 102.6 (104.6) pg/mL (P = 0.033); vasopressin remained unchanged. The increase in ECW was related neither to postrace aldosterone nor to postrace vasopressin. In conclusion, ECW and aldosterone increased after this multistage ultraendurance triathlon, but vasopressin did not. The increase in ECW and the increase in aldosterone were not associated.

The Effects of Growth Hormone on Body Composition and Physical Performance in Recreational Athletes

Growth hormone is widely abused by athletes, frequently with androgenic steroids. Its effects on performance are unclear. To determine the effect of growth hormone alone or with testosterone on body composition and measures of performance. Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study of 8 weeks of treatment followed by a 6-week washout period. Randomization was computer-generated with concealed allocation. (Australian-New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry registration number: ACTRN012605000508673) Clinical research facility in Sydney, Australia. 96 recreationally trained athletes (63 men and 33 women) with a mean age of 27.9 years (SD, 5.7). Men were randomly assigned to receive placebo, growth hormone (2 mg/d subcutaneously), testosterone (250 mg/wk intramuscularly), or combined treatments. Women were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or growth hormone (2 mg/d). Body composition variables (fat mass, lean body mass, extracellular water mass, and body cell mass) and physical performance variables (endurance [maximum oxygen consumption], strength [dead lift], power [jump height], and sprint capacity [Wingate value]). Body cell mass was correlated with all measures of performance at baseline. Growth hormone significantly reduced fat mass, increased lean body mass through an increase in extracellular water, and increased body cell mass in men when coadministered with testosterone. Growth hormone significantly increased sprint capacity, by 0.71 kJ (95% CI, 0.1 to 1.3 kJ; relative increase, 3.9% [CI, 0.0% to 7.7%]) in men and women combined and by 1.7 kJ (CI, 0.5 to 3.0 kJ; relative increase, 8.3% [CI, 3.0% to 13.6%]) when coadministered with testosterone to men; other performance measures did not significantly change. The increase in sprint capacity was not maintained 6 weeks after discontinuation of the drug. Growth hormone dosage may have been lower than that used covertly by competitive athletes. The athletic significance of the observed improvements in sprint capacity is unclear, and the study was too small to draw conclusions about safety. Growth hormone supplementation influenced body composition and increased sprint capacity when administered alone and in combination with testosterone. The World Anti-Doping Agency.

Residual renal function and arterial stiffness mediated the blood pressure change during interdialytic weight gain in hemodialysis patients

Volume overload is thought to be the main cause of hypertension in dialysis patients. However, the effect of interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, which was considered as an increase in extracellular water (ECW), on blood pressure (BP) change, was controversial. Our aim was to examine the changes in hemodynamics and arterial stiffness during IDWG in HD patients and attempt to explore the possible mechanism of diverse BP change. Thirty prevalent patients on HD were enrolled. The height, weight, BP, blood chemistry, volume status assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, hemodynamic parameters obtained by echocardiography, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were collected within 1 hour postdialysis and again just before the next dialysis session. Meanwhile, blood samples were drawn to analyze vasoactive hormones, including renin, angiotensin II, catecholamine, and endothelin. The patients' weights and ECWs during the next predialysis were significantly higher than those during the postdialysis. The BP showed no difference between postdialysis and the next predialysis. There was an obvious increase in cardiac output and decrease in total peripheral resistance as a whole during the next predialysis than that during postdialysis. When patients were divided into the BP increase group (BPI group, 13 patients) and BP decrease group (BPD group, 11 patients) according to the change in systolic BP higher than 10 mmHg, both groups displayed a significant increase in weight, ECW, cardiac output, and a decrease in total peripheral resistance. As compared with the BPI group, patients in the BPD group had significantly lower IDWG, shorter time on dialysis treatment, and higher residual renal function. A decrease in catecholamine and endothelin in the next predialysis was obvious in the BPD group. There was a significant decrease in PWV at the next predialysis in the BPD group while the PWV did not change significantly in the BPI group. Our results showed that the diverse BP change during IDWG was significantly affected by residual renal function, PWV, and vasoactive substances.

The Sophistication of Simplicity . . . Optimizing Emergency Dosing

The Sophistication of Simplicity . . . Optimizing Emergency Dosing

Long T2 water in multiple sclerosis: What else can we learn from multi-echo T2 relaxation?

Multi-echo T(2) measurements are invaluable in studying brain pathology in multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to information about myelin water and total water content, the T(2) distribution has the potential to detect additional water reservoirs arising from other sources such as inflammation or edema. The purpose of this study was to better define the T(2) distribution in MS lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM) with particular emphasis on the characterisation of longer T(2) components. Magnetisation transfer (MT), T(1) and 48-echo T(2) relaxation data were acquired in 20 MS subjects and regions of interest were drawn in lesions and NAWM. Twenty-seven out of 107 lesions exhibited signal with a markedly prolonged T(2) (200-800 ms). Lesions with a Long-T(2) signal also exhibited a longer geometric mean T(2) (GMT(2)), increased water content (WC), higher T(1), reduced magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) and decreased myelin water fraction (MWF) than lesions without a Long-T(2) signal. Those subjects with Long-T(2) lesions had a significantly longer disease duration than subjects without this lesion subtype. A strong correlation was observed between T(1) and Long-T(2) fraction, while a slightly weaker relationship was found for GMT(2), MTR and MWF with Long-T(2) fraction. A potential source of the Long-T(2) signal is an increase in extracellular water. This study supports the usefulness of increasing the data acquisition window of the multi-echo T(2) relaxation sequence to better characterise the T(2) decay in MS.

Hypoalbuminemia is Also a Marker of Fluid Excess Determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Parameters in Dialysis Patients

Hypoalbuminemia may be secondary to volume expansion conditions and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an accurate, non-invasive method to measure body composition, especially the water compartments in humans. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the relationship between serum albumin concentration (SA) and hydration state measured by whole BIA. The study investigated 108 non-selected patients (73 on hemodialysis, 35 on peritoneal dialysis) with a mean age of 61.4 +/- 15.6 years, 42.7% of whom were female. The patients were allotted to groups according to their SA: Group 1, < or = 3.5 g/dL; Group 2, 3.6-4.0 g/dL; and Group 3, >4.0 g/dL. The BIA parameters used included: total body water, intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), phase angle (PA), body cell mass (BCM), ICW/ECW ratio and ICW/ECW ratio patients/controls (fluid index). Seventy-five healthy volunteers formed the control group. A strong positive correlation was found between the PA and fluid index (r (2) = 0.993, P < 0.001), as well as between the PA and SA (r = 0.386, P < 0.001), and the ICW/ECW ratio and SA (r = 0.227, P < 0.001). The ECW was negatively correlated with SA (r = -0.330, P < 0.001). Every 0.1 g/dL decrease in SA was associated with a 0.33 L increase in ECW. Group 1 patients had lower reactance (P = 0.006), PA (P < 0.001), BCM (P = 0.012), fluid index (P < 0.001) and ICW/ECW ratio (P = 0.015), and an increased ECW (NS) than groups 2 and 3. We conclude that hypoalbuminemia is also a marker of fluid excess. The SA is associated to the fluid index and the PA allows assessment of the dry weight and its variations in an individualized manner in dialysis patients.

Atypical Clinical Picture in a Patient with Benign Occipital Epilepsy: Diagnostic Contribution of Morpho-Functional MR

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a maternally inherited disease due to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutations. The clinical phenotype varies in relation to the systems affected, age at onset and disease severity. The characteristic signs of MELAS are nausea and vomiting due to acidosis, headache, epilepsy, ataxia or generalized weakness, ophthalmoplegia, motor and sensory focal neurological deficits. The clinical course may improve due to partial regression of the typical lesions, but the prognosis is usually adverse. A 19-year-old man with a diagnosis of benign occipital epilepsy and resumption of seizure activity with focal occipital attacks since the age of 14 years came to our attention for the recent onset of drug-resistant electroclinical seizures of long duration with complex symptoms, where the dominant clinical feature was an intense, persistent bilateral periorbital migraine with nausea and vomiting, scintillation scotomata and blurring of vision. MR studies were performed at our institution in the immediate post-seizure phase and then at one week, three and six months. The acute-phase morphological scans showed a right cortical-subcortical area with altered signal in the occipitopolar region that was hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 and FLAIR, with cortical thickening and effacement of the sulci. Contrast-enhanced scans did not demonstrate BBB alterations. The DWI scans showed a right temporo-occipital cortical area with higher signal intensity. In the subsequent examinations the area with altered signal shrank gradually and significantly in parallel with improvement in clinical conditions. The diagnostic hypothesis of benign occipital epilepsy was consistent neither with the clinical course, characterized by persistent headache, visual disturbance and refractoriness to antiepileptic drugs, nor with the temporal-occipital cortical MR findings, which resembled ischemic lesions but displayed a non-territorial pattern as well as reversibility over time. These elements guided in the diagnosis of MELAS, which was subsequently confirmed by identification of the typical gene mutation. On DWI the stroke-like lesions of MELAS are seen more frequently as focal hyperintense areas compared with healthy parenchyma. Such high signal intensity likely corresponds to T2 shine-through rather than cytotoxic edema. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated that in acute-phase scans of MELAS stroke-like lesions DWI hyperintensity is associated with increased ADC values that are not associated with restricted water diffusivity, reflecting the metabolic rather than anoxic-ischemic nature of these changes. In the present case, morphological MR associated with DWI was very helpful in guiding the diagnosis by demonstrating some pathognomonic features of MELAS stroke-like lesions such as cortical-subcortical involvement of the posterior hemispheres, the non-territorial pattern, lesion reversibility and the pathophysiological role of vasogenic edema in inducing an increase in extracellular water and thus in diffusion values.

Bioelectrical Impedance Monitoring in the Prevention of Intravasation Syndrome During Operative Hysteroscopy

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of the Soft Tissue Analyzer (STA, Akern Srl, Firenza, Italy), an instrument for the continuous and noninvasive monitoring of fluid volumes based on the measurement of bioelectrical impedance, used during operative hysteroscopy, in order to prevent intravasation syndrome. Methods: Among a total of 233 consecutive patients experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding (spotting, menorrhagia or menometrorrhagia), 141 underwent hysteroscopic polipectomy and 92 underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy. Bioelectrical data were taken in the preoperative and intraoperative periods. Biochemical data (natriemia and plasma osmolality) were also measured before and after the operation to assess the efficacy of this tool in monitoring these modifications and possible onset of intravasation syndrome. Results: Bioelectrical impedance showed no significant increase in extracellular water as expression of fluid overload by distension media, and this was confirmed by the normality of ...

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Nandrolone Decanoate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men with Mild to Moderate Weight Loss with Recombinant Human Growth Hormone as Active Reference Treatment

We compared the effectiveness of a biweekly regimen of 150 mg nandrolone with placebo in HIV-infected men with mild to moderate weight loss and contrasted its effects against a Food and Drug Administration-approved regimen of recombinant human (rh)GH. In this placebo-controlled, randomized, 12-wk trial, placebo and nandrolone (150 mg im biweekly) were administered double blind, and rhGH (6 mg sc daily) was administered in an open-label manner. Participants were HIV-infected men with 5-15% weight loss over 6 months and on stable antiretroviral therapy for more than 12 wk. Lean body mass (LBM), muscle performance, physical function, endurance, hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, sexual function, quality of life, and appetite were assessed at baseline and after 12 wk. Nandrolone administration was associated with a greater increase in LBM (+1.6 +/- 0.3 kg) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan than placebo (+0.4 +/- 0.3 kg; P < 0.05); however, the change in LBMs with nandrolone was not significantly different from rhGH (+2.5 +/- 0.3 kg). Nandrolone administration was also associated with significantly greater gains in fat-free mass (+1.6 +/- 0.3 kg), body cell mass (+1.0 +/- 0.2 kg), and intracellular water (+0.9 +/- 0.2 kg) than placebo; these changes in the nandrolone group were not significantly different from the rhGH group. rhGH administration was associated with greater loss of whole body fat mass and higher frequency of drug-related adverse effects and treatment discontinuations than nandrolone and placebo and a greater increase in extracellular water than nandrolone. Nandrolone treatment was associated with greater improvements in perception of health than rhGH and sexual function than placebo. The cachexia/anorexia scores, health care resource use, and insulin sensitivity did not significantly change. We conclude that nandrolone is superior to placebo and not significantly different from a Food and Drug Administration-approved regimen of rhGH in improving lean body mass in HIV-infected men with mild to moderate weight loss.