Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Jan 1994
Effect of large-volume paracentesis on pulmonary function in patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites.
The effect of large-volume paracentesis on lung function was evaluated in 12 male patients with cirrhosis. All underwent pulmonary function tests including spirometry, plethysmography and single-breath carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity 1 day before and after paracentesis. The amount of ascitic fluid removed ranged from 3.6 to 131 (mean +/- SD, 7.4 +/- 3.01). ⋯ The increase in lung volumes and ventilation to the lower lungs with unfavorable ventilation-perfusion matching might explain the discrepancy between changes in diffusing capacity and Kco after large-volume paracentesis. In conclusion, these results suggest that pulmonary function in patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites is partly improved by large-volume paracentesis. Large-volume paracentesis might be useful for symptomatic relief in selected patients with tense ascites.
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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)