Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of increasing blood hemoglobin levels on systemic hemodynamics of acutely anemic cirrhotic patients.
In experimental portal hypertension, blood hemoglobin levels have been shown to influence the hyperdynamic circulatory state. The aim of this study was to assess the hemodynamic effects of increasing hemoglobin concentration in human portal hypertension. ⋯ An increase in blood hemoglobin in acutely anemic cirrhotic patients attenuates their hyperdynamic circulation beyond viscosity-dependent changes, an effect which might be counteracted by the effects on portal venous pressure gradient.
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Journal of hepatology · Apr 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTherapeutic effects of diuretics and paracentesis on lung function in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and tense ascites.
Ascites may cause or aggravate pulmonary dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. Diuretics and paracentesis are the main therapies for ascites. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of diuretics and large-volume paracentesis on lung function in 26 male patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and tense ascites. ⋯ Both diuretic therapy and large-volume paracentesis significantly improved the ventilatory function in patients with tense cirrhotic ascites. In terms of oxygenation improvement as evaluated by AaPO2, diuretic treatment may be superior to large-volume paracentesis.
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Journal of hepatology · Dec 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPrednisolone withdrawal therapy enhances the effect of human lymphoblastoid interferon in chronic hepatitis B. INTERPRED Trial Group.
The aim of this multicentre, randomised, controlled, clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of prednisolone followed by lymphoblastoid interferon treatment in chronic hepatitis B. ⋯ Prednisolone pre-treatment significantly enhanced the treatment effect of lymphoblastoid interferon in terms of HBeAg clearance and seroconversion to anti-HBe. Treatment should be used with caution in patients with cirrhosis and avoided in patients showing signs, or with a history, of decompensated cirrhosis.
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Journal of hepatology · Jan 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffect of ursodeoxycholic acid on liver and bile duct disease in primary sclerosing cholangitis. A 3-year pilot study with a placebo-controlled study period.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a cholestatic disease of the liver characterized by progressive fibrotic inflammation and obliteration of the extra- and/or intrahepatic bile ducts. There is no effective therapy. We, therefore, studied the safety and efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis with or without additional ulcerative colitis. ⋯ Following ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, pruritus and fatigue improved in half of the patients but the difference between the placebo and ursodeoxycholic acid group was not significant. According to the ethical guidelines, after 3 months of placebo treatment, the controlled study had to be discontinued because of a more than twofold increase of serum transaminases in 8/10 patients on placebo. After the end of the controlled study, all patients were continuously treated with ursodeoxycholic acid for up to 4 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)