Acute Severe Anemia Research Articles

Whole blood angiopoietin-1 and -2 levels discriminate cerebral and severe (non-cerebral) malaria from uncomplicated malaria

BackgroundSevere and cerebral malaria are associated with endothelial activation. Angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) and angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) are major regulators of endothelial activation and integrity. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of whole blood angiopoietin (ANG) levels as biomarkers of disease severity in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.MethodsThe utility of whole blood ANG levels was examined in Thai patients to distinguish cerebral (CM; n = 87) and severe (non-cerebral) malaria (SM; n = 36) from uncomplicated malaria (UM; n = 70). Comparative statistics are reported using a non-parametric univariate analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test or Chi-squared test, as appropriate). Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to examine differences in whole blood protein levels between groups (UM, SM, CM), adjusting for differences due to ethnicity, age, parasitaemia and sex. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the ANGs in their ability to distinguish between UM, SM and CM. Cumulative organ injury scores were obtained for patients with severe disease based on the presence of acute renal failure, jaundice, severe anaemia, circulatory collapse or coma.ResultsANG-1 and ANG-2 were readily detectable in whole blood. Compared to UM there were significant decreases in ANG-1 (p < 0.001) and significant increases in ANG-2 (p < 0.001) levels and the ratio of ANG-2: ANG-1 (p < 0.001) observed in patients with SM and CM. This effect was independent of covariates (ethnicity, age, parasitaemia, sex). Further, there was a significant decrease in ANG-1 levels in patients with SM (non-cerebral) versus CM (p < 0.001). In participants with severe disease, ANG-2, but not ANG-1, levels correlated with cumulative organ injury scores; however, ANG-1 correlated with the presence of renal dysfunction and coma. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the level of ANG-1, the level of ANG-2 or the ratio of ANG-2: ANG-1 discriminated between individuals with UM and SM (area under the curve, p-value: ANG-2, 0.763, p < 0.001; ANG-1, 0.884, p < 0.001; Ratio, 0.857, p < 0.001) or UM and CM (area under the curve, p-value: ANG-2, 0.772, p < 0.001; ANG-1, 0.778, p < 0.001; Ratio, 0.820, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest that whole blood ANG-1/2 levels are promising clinically informative biomarkers of disease severity in malarial syndromes.

Long-Term Survival and Late Deaths in 2-Year Survivors of Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Disorders.

Abstract 520Allogeneic hematopoietic-cell transplantation (HCT) is potentially curative therapy for a variety of hematologic disorders. Most deaths after HCT occur within the first 2-years, due to relapse, acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or regimen-related toxicities. Among allogeneic HCT recipients who had survived in complete remission (CR) for at least 2-years following transplantation, we (1) investigated their long-term survival, (2) evaluated risk factors for late mortality, and (3) compared their long-term survival to that of the general population. Our study cohort consisted of 10,632 patients who received a myeloablative allogeneic HCT through 2003, surviving in CR for 2-years after transplant reported to the CIBMTR. The median followup of our cohort was 9 (range, 2-31) years; 37% of survivors were followed for ≥10-years and 12% for ≥15-years. Diagnoses included acute myeloid leukemia (AML, N=4,017), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, N=2,895), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, N=930), lymphoma (N=619) and severe aplastic anemia (SAA, N=2,171). Donors were HLA-identical siblings (72%), unrelated donors (22%) or other related donors (6%). Patients <20 years of age comprised 45% of our cohort and 17% were >40 years at HCT. Total body irradiation (TBI) based conditioning regimens were given to 60% of patients. Most frequent conditioning regimens were cyclophosphamide + TBI for AML, ALL and lymphoma, busulfan + cyclophosphamide for MDS and cyclophosphamide alone for SAA. Acute grade 2-4 GVHD had occurred in 39% and 43% patients experienced chronic GVHD by 2-years after HCT. Probability of overall survival at 10-years after HCT was 84% (95% CI, 82-85%) for AML, 84% (82-85%) for ALL, 80% (77-83%) for MDS, 84% (81-87%) for lymphoma and 92% (91-93%) for SAA. Disease relapse was the most common cause of death for AML, ALL, MDS, and lymphoma while GVHD was the most common cause of death for SAA. The cumulative incidence of relapse at 10-years post-HCT was 10% (9-11%) for AML, 9% (8-10%) for ALL, 10% (8-12%) for MDS and 6% (4-8%) for lymphoma. Older age at HCT and chronic GVHD were both associated with greater late mortality for all diseases in Cox-regression analyses that accounted for important patient, disease and transplant related factors (Table). Furthermore, some risk factors were associated with increased mortality for specific diseases only, including: more advanced disease (AML, ALL), peripheral blood as graft source (ALL), acute GVHD (MDS and SAA), unrelated donor (lymphoma) and longer time from diagnosis (SAA). Overall survival rates at 10-years post-HCT for patients with and without chronic GVHD were 79% and 89% for AML, 80% and 87% for ALL, 75% and 87% for MDS, 80% and 90% for lymphoma and 87% and 95% for SAA. At 15-years after HCT, the relative mortality of patients who had received HCT for AML, ALL, MDS and SAA remained significantly higher than in age-, race- and gender-matched normal populations. Mortality rates for lymphoma patients were not significantly different than those of the matched general population after 8-years post-HCT. Recipients of myeloablative allogeneic HCT for AML, ALL, MDS, lymphoma and SAA who remain in remission for at least 2-years have favorable subsequent long-term survival. Older age at HCT and chronic GVHD are important risk factors for late deaths in all diseases evaluated.Risk factors (present at 2-years post-HCT) for late mortalityDiseaseAge (Relative risk [95% CI])Chronic GVHD (Relative risk [95% CI])Other factors increasing risk of deathAML<15 yrs: 1.01.6 (1.4-1.9)Advanced disease, certain geographical regions15-30 yrs: 1.5 (1.1-2.1)30-45 yrs: 2.2 (1.7-3.0)>45 yrs: 3.2 (2.4-4.4)ALL<15 yrs: 1.01.3 (1.1-1.6)Advanced disease, peripheral blood as graft source15-45 yrs: 1.7 (1.4-2.2)>45 yrs: 3.8 (2.4-5.8)MDS<30 yrs: 1.01.7 (1.1-2.4)Acute GVHD, earlier year of HCT30-55 yrs: 1.6 (1.1-2.3)>55 yrs: 3.5 (1.9-6.2)Lymphoma<25 yrs: 1.01.6 (1.0-2.6)Unrelated donor≥25 yrs: 2.3 (1.3-4.1)SAA<20 yrs: 1.02.2 (1.5-3.0)Greater time between diagnosis and HCT, acute GVHD20-40 yrs:1.4 (1.0-2.0)>40 yrs: 3.3 (2.0-5.3) Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Parenteral use of recombinant activated factor VII during diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to leptospirosis

Dear Sir: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but serious event, with 50% mortality in patients who require mechanical ventilation. Recently, local or systemic administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rVIIa) has been successfully used for treatment of DAH [1, 2]. A 53-year-old man without any medical history was admitted to the emergency room with cholestatic jaundice associated with a flu-like syndrome evolving for 48 h. Laboratory data showed severe cholestasis and hepatic cytolysis, acute renal failure, and isolated thrombopenia (19 G/l), without coagulation abnormality. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple disseminated pulmonary micronodules mainly in the right lung and a small left pleural effusion. No radiologic explanation was found for the cholestasis. Shortly thereafter, acute respiratory failure occurred secondary to a DAH. The patient was intubated because of severe hypoxemia (Fig. 1) leading to cardiac arrest. External cardiac massage and epinephrin injections allowed restoration of sinusal rhythm. At FiO2 = 1, pH was 7.0, arterial lactate was 13 mmol/l, and PaO2 was 37 mmHg. Transfusion of 3 fresh frozen plasma, 1 platelet concentrate, and 3 red blood cells units was started because of acute severe anemia (Hb of 5.4 g/dl) and persistent bleeding from the lungs. The patient also received an injection of 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and severe hypoxemia were refractory (PaO2/FiO2 = 40) despite use of neuromuscular blocking agents, inhaled NO, prone positioning, and endotracheal administration of epinephrin. Then a single bolus of 105 lg/kg rVIIa was administrated intravenously. Immediately after the treatment (4 min), bleeding stopped, without any recurrence. No other administration of rVIIa was needed. Inhaled NO was stopped after 48 h, and FiO2 gradually decreased. Extubation was possible after 17 days. No neoplastic or autoimmune diseases were found during the etiological investigations. However, serology returned highly positive for Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The patient left the intensive care unit (ICU) after 3 weeks. Biological data and chest X-ray were normalized. After 4 months, the patient returned to normal activity.

Ligature des artères iliaques internes face aux hémorragies obstétricales graves en milieu africain

Objectives Assess the efficiency of internal iliac arteries ligation in intractable obstetrical hemorrhage and ascertain success or failure factors. Patients and methods It was a retrospective study which concerned 159 patients who underwent internal iliac arteries ligation for persistent and severe obstetrical hemorrhage from March 1992 to February 2007. Arrest of hemorrhage after ligation with survival of the patient was considered as successful; was considered as failure, persistence of hemorrhage in spite of the ligation or patient death. Results Internal iliac arteries ligation allowed hemorrhage control in 84,3% of cases. Main etiology of hemorrhage were: uterine atony (42,8%), abruptio placentae (31,4%). Coagulation disorders and hypovolemic shock, consequences of long delay of management were identified as bad prognosis factors. Blood transfusion was also singled out as a factor likely to ameliorate prognosis, especially in hemodynamic precarious situations. Surgical complications incidence was 1,89%, represented by two internal iliac vein lesions and one ureteral section successfully repaired. Discussion and conclusion Internal iliac arteries ligation is a prerequisite treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage. The outcome is better when it is performed precociously ( p = 0,0000003) before the happening of disseminated intra vascular coagulation ( p = 0,006), hemodynamic troubles ( p = 0,0099) and acute severe anemia ( p = 0,02). It is a good alternative to arterial embolization in Africa.

Red blood cell transfusions in acute paediatrics

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions should usually be given only to restore or maintain oxygen delivery to vital organs and tissues. Medical history has clearly documented the importance of blood...

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to massive rupture of renal angiomyolipoma treated with nephrectomy: an unusual onset of tuberous sclerosis complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic and systemic disorder characterized by benign hamartomatous tumors that involve multiple organ systems. The classical clinical triad of TSC consists of seizure, adenoma sebaceum (facial angiofibromata) and mental retardation. Renal angiomyolipomas are documented in approximately 40 - 80% of tuberous sclerosis patients and usually are small and asymptomatic. Less frequently nodules are large and lead to retroperitoneal hemorrhage. In these cases diagnosis can be difficult but definitive only after the histological examination or the systemic investigation of other possible tissue involvements. We describe the case of a 28 year old woman who came to the emergency department with acute postprandial abdominal pain and severe anemia due to hemorrhagic renal angiomyolipoma treated by nephrectomy in whom the following examination led to the diagnosis of TSC.

MRSA endocarditis of bovine Contegra valved conduit: a case report

BackgroundDifferent techniques are used for the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, including homo- or porcine xenografts, which have several limitations. Contegra, a bovine jugular vein graft, is an interesting alternative to overcome these limitations. It consists of a bovine jugular vein with a naturally integrated valve in it. Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis is extremely rare.Case presentationWe report the case of a 20 years old male patient with acute endocarditis of bovine Contegra valved conduit, four years after right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction and atrial septal defect correction, associated with acute glomerulonephritis, renal failure and severe anemia, secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection (MRSA).ConclusionWe present a complex patient with acute endocarditis of bovine Contegra valved conduit. We believe that the presentation of this case should encourage the researchers for the discussing of the implantation of this conduit and the prevention of endocarditis in these patients.

A case report of the Sheehan's syndrome with acute onset, hyponatremia and severe anemia

A case report of the Sheehan's syndrome with acute onset, hyponatremia and severe anemia

A CHILD WITH HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 INFECTION INDUCED APLASTIC ANEMIA AND ACUTE HEPATITIS: Effectiveness of Immunosuppressive Therapy

Human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) infections are usually asymptomatic or benign and self-limiting. In immunocompromised patients and patients with chronic hemolytic anemia, it can lead to transient red cell aplasia. Few reports in the literature have implicated HPV B19 as the possible cause of acute hepatitis and severe aplastic anemia in immunocompetent patients. Here, the authors report a previously healthy 6-year-old girl with acute hepatitis and severe aplastic anemia associated with HPV B19 infection diagnosed by serology (ELISA). Other common causes of these manifestations were ruled out. The clinical manifestations subsequently improved significantly with the use of immunosuppressive therapy confirming an autoimmune mechanism.

The risk of antimalarials in patients with renal failure

We present here a patient with end stage renal failure who received two weeks antimalarial prophylaxis at full dose leading to life threatening toxicity with severe acute megaloblastic anaemia, symptomatic...

Refractory Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Following Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) is a rare severe complication particularly in the paediatric population who underwent umbilical cord blood transplantation(UCBT).The pathogenesis of the post-HSCT AIHA is poorly understood, which frequently difficult to treat and overall prognosis is often poor. We present a case of a 13-year-old boy who developed AIHA 6 months after UCBT with a minor ABO blood group incompatiblity, 5/6 HLA matching umbilical cord blood unit from an unrelated donor was used for high risk acute lymphocyte leukemia in third remmision. Following conditioning with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin (ATG), the patient underwent transplantation and attained sustained hemopoietic reconstitution without severe graft-versus-host disease. At 6 months following UCBT,he developed severe acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with a “warm” IgG antibody. He was being treated with packed RBC transfusions, cyclosporine, steroids and immunoglobulins, His AIHA was partly resolved. Hemolysis recurred after steroid tapering and partially responded to rituximab (375 mg/m(2) once weekly ×4 and plasma exchange.Despite a range of complex treatment regimen, the unstable hemolytic anemia was present and repeated severe infectious episodes occurred.We reduced suppression,strengthened antibiotic therapy,Pulmonary infection and hemolysis could not be controlled, the patient died of respiratory failure and circulatory collapse finally. This case report highlights the difficulty in managing posttransplant AIHA,Further studies about the pathogenesis of AIHA associated in HSCT recipients are needed.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia Complications in a Patient with Hereditary Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Severe complications of lower respiratory tract infection in a patient with hereditary glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency may occur. The case of a 68-year-old man with hereditary glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency who developed severe haemolysis after community-acquired pneumonia is presented. G6PD deficiency in our patient was diagnosed during childhood. We observed complications of community-acquired pneumonia: empyema, haemolytic crisis and renal failure. Videopleuroscopy and pleural drainage were successfully performed. Community-acquired streptococcal pneumonia may also lead to haemolysis in G6PD deficient patients. Acute haemolysis, severe anaemia and renal insufficiency secondary to haemoglobinuria can be observed. Severe purulent complications of pneumonia in G6PD deficient patients may suggest granulocyte function impairment.

Severe Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia After Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant for Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: Significant Improvement After Treatment With Rituximab

A 4-month-old girl diagnosed with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis underwent a matched unrelated, umbilical cord blood transplant. Six weeks later she developed severe acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia requiring multiple transfusions. This was refractory to high-dose steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin, but did respond to Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) 375 mg/m2. Hemolysis recurred after steroid tapering but responded to a second course of Rituximab. This case report highlights the difficulty in managing posttransplant autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Splanchnic Oxygen Consumption Is Impaired during Severe Acute Normovolemic Anemia in Anesthetized Humans

Splanchnic Oxygen Consumption Is Impaired during Severe Acute Normovolemic Anemia in Anesthetized Humans

A Child with Post-streptococcal Acute Glomerulonephritis Complicated by Coombs Positive Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

The simultaneous occurrence of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is rare. A 5-year-old African-American boy was admitted with acute renal failure, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome and severe hemolytic anemia. The patient also had a low serum level of complement 3 (C3) and elevated anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titer. Kidney biopsy confirmed post-infectious glomerulonephritis with diffuse hypercellularity, sub-endothelial and sub-epithelial deposits. The patient received three blood transfusions and his hematocrit became stable without the necessity of steroid treatment. Renal function rapidly improved and his serum level of C3 returned to normal within two months and his proteinuria disappeared in 4 months. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of severe AIHA in association with PSAGN. This association suggests a potential role of anti-streptolysin O in the pathogenesis of the hemolytic anemia.

Splanchnic Oxygen Consumption Is Impaired during Severe Acute Normovolemic Anemia in Anesthetized Humans

In conscious humans, reduction in hemoglobin concentration to 5 g/dl did not produce inadequate systemic oxygenation. However, systemic measures of inadequate oxygenation may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect inadequate oxygenation in individual organs such as splanchnic organs. The authors tested the hypothesis that acute normovolemic anemia to hemoglobin less than 6.0 g/dl in anesthetized humans reduces splanchnic oxygen consumption because of diminished whole body oxygen delivery. Elective spine (n = 12) and abdominal (n = 7) surgery patients underwent acute normovolemic anemia to decrease the hemoglobin concentration close to 6.0 g/dl. The authors assessed the development of supply-dependent conditions in systemic and regional vascular beds by two primary measures before and after acute normovolemic anemia: oxygen consumption and surrogate biochemical markers of anaerobic metabolism, including plasma lactate, regional lactate kinetics, and ketone body ratio. When hemoglobin was reduced from 13.6 +/- 1.2 to 5.9 +/- 0.3 g/dl, oxygen supply dependency occurred in the splanchnic and preportal tissues but not at the systemic level. Regional supply dependency was accompanied by biochemical markers of anaerobic metabolism. In anesthetized humans, a reduction in hemoglobin to 5.9 g/dl by acute normovolemic anemia diminished splanchnic and preportal whole body oxygen delivery and impaired splanchnic and preportal oxygen consumption. This was accompanied by increased plasma levels of regional lactate and an increased beta-hydroxybutyrate-to-acetoacetate ratio. These findings suggest that the risk to the gastrointestinal tract during acute normovolemic anemia may be underestimated.

Parvovirus B19 Infection Contributes to Severe Anemia in Young Children in Papua New Guinea

Severe anemia (hemoglobin level, <50 g/L) is a major cause of death among young children, and it arises from multiple factors, including malaria and iron deficiency. We sought to determine whether infection with parvovirus B19 (B19), which causes the cessation of erythropoiesis for 3-7 days, might precipitate some cases of severe anemia. Archival blood samples collected in the Wosera District of Papua New Guinea, from 169 children 6 months-5 years old with severe anemia and from 169 control subjects matched for age, sex, and time were tested for B19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) by enzyme immunoassay and for B19 DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 168 separate samples from children in the Wosera District were tested for B19 IgG. A strong association between acute B19 infection (positive by both IgM and PCR) and severe anemia was found (adjusted odds ratio, 5.61 [95% confidence interval, 1.93-16.3]). The prevalence of parvovirus B19 IgG reached >90% in 6-year-olds. B19 infections play a significant role in the etiology of severe anemia in this area of malarial endemicity. Given the high levels of morbidity and mortality associated with severe anemia in such regions, the prevention of B19 infection with a vaccine might be a highly effective public health intervention.

Prognostic indices in childhood heart failure

To evaluate the short term prognosis of childhood heart failure and highlight the factors that affect outcome among cases of heart failure admitted into the paediatric wards, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Childhood heart failure remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The advent of open heart surgery, use of better myocardial preservative techniques, and the introduction of newer, more effective drugs in the treatment of heart failure have greatly improved the outcome of children with heart failure in the developed world. The outlook of such children in the developing world however remains poor. One hundred consecutive cases of heart failure admitted into the Paediatric wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan with a diagnosis of heart failure over a 10-month period were studied prospectively. Diagnosis of heart failure was based on the presence of at least three of the four cardinal signs of heart failure: tachypnoea, tachycardia, tender hepatomegaly and cardiomegaly. All cases were followed up daily till a definite outcome was determined. The predominant underlying causes of heart failure were acute respiratory infections (36%), severe anaemia (28%), and congenital heart disease (25%). There was a case-fatality rate of 24% among the study population. Poor prognostic indices identified were age below one year or above 5 years, presence of underlying acute respiratory infections, rheumatic heart disease and renal disorders. Heart failure in Nigerian children though mostly due to preventable causes, are associated with an unacceptably high mortality.

Safety and Efficacy of Nasogastric Intubation for Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Myocardial Infarction: An Analysis of 125 Patients at Two Tertiary Cardiac Referral Hospitals

Our purpose was to analyze risks versus benefits of nasogastric (NG) intubation for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding performed soon after myocardial infarction (MI). While NG intubation and aspiration is relatively safe, clinically beneficial, and routinely performed in the general population for recent GI bleeding, its safety after MI is unstudied and unknown. In addition to the usual complications of NG tubes, patients status post-MI may be particularly susceptible to myocardial ischemia or cardiac arrhythmias from anxiety or discomfort during intubation. We studied NG intubation within 30 days of MI in 125 patients at two hospitals from 1986 through 2001. Indications for NG intubation included melena in 55 patients; fecal occult blood with an acute hematocrit decline, severe anemia, or sudden hypotension in 37; hematemesis in 18; bright red blood per rectum in 8; and dark red blood per rectum in 7. The intubation was performed on average 5.3 +/- 7.2 (SD) days after MI. NG aspiration revealed bright red blood in 38 patients, "coffee grounds"-appearing blood in 45, and clear (or bilious) fluid in 42. Among 114 of the patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), EGD revealed the cause of bleeding in 79 (95%) of 83 patients with a grossly bloody NG aspirate versus 12 (39%) of 31 patients with a clear aspirate (P < 0.0001, OR = 31.3, OR CI = 9.4-103.1). Among 85 patients undergoing EGD within 16 hr of NG intubation, stigmata of recent hemorrhage were present in 28 (42%) of 66 with a bloody NG aspirate versus 3 (16%) of 19 with a clear aspirate (P = 0.06, OR = 3.93). Among 35 patients undergoing lower GI endoscopy, lower endoscopy revealed the cause of bleeding in 14 (56%) of 25 patients with a clear NG aspirate versus 1 (10%) of 10 patients with a grossly bloody aspirate (P < 0.04, OR = 11.46, OR CI = 1.55-78.3). The two NG tube complications (epistaxis during intubation and gastric erosions from NG suctioning) were neither cardiac nor major (requiring blood transfusions). This study suggests that short-term NG intubation is relatively safe and may be beneficial and indicated for acute GI bleeding after recent MI. Aside from improving visualization at EGD, the potential benefits include providing a rational basis for the timing of endoscopy (urgent versus semielective), for prioritizing the order of endoscopy (EGD versus colonoscopy), and for avoiding or deferring endoscopy in low-yield situations (e.g., colonoscopy when the NG aspirate is bloody). These benefits may be particularly relevant in patients after recent MI due to their increased endoscopic risks.

INFLUENCE OF NORMOVOLEMIC ANEMIA ON DOPPLER‐DERIVED BLOOD VELOCITY RATIOS OF ABDOMINAL SPLANCHNIC VESSELS IN CLINICALLY NORMAL DOGS

Doppler spectra of the abdominal aorta (AAo), cranial mesenteric artery (CMA), celiac artery (CA), and left renal artery (LRA) were obtained from 11 fasted, clinically healthy, conscious Beagles before and after inducing severe acute normovolemic anemia (mean +/- standard deviation hematocrit 16.0 +/- 0.77%). Peak systolic, end diastolic, and time-averaged mean velocities were measured. The different vessels were compared with each other. Peak systolic velocity ratio and time-averaged mean velocity ratio of splanchnic vessels to corresponding variables of the AAo were computed and compared between and within vessels during physiologic and anemic states. There was no difference between LRA and AAo, CMA or CA regarding time-averaged mean velocity, time-averaged mean velocity ratio, or end diastolic velocity during the physiological state. During the anemic state, LRA mean time-averaged mean velocity (P < or = 0.008) and mean end diastolic velocity (P < or = 0.041) were significantly lower than those of AAo, CMA, and CA. Mean time-averaged mean velocity ratio of the LRA was also significantly (P < or = 0.004) lower than the CMA and CA ratios, and significantly (P = 0.014) lower during anemic state than physiologic state of the same vessel. End diastolic and time-averaged mean velocities of the AAo, CMA, and CA increased proportionally during anemia, but there was a relatively less increase in the same variables of the LRA, suggesting less increase in blood flow. Doppler-ratios allowed a noninvasive comparison between splanchnic and aortic hemodynamics. Velocity ratios might be useful for clinical detection of relative hemodynamic changes between different vessels.