The American journal of gastroenterology
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Jul 1991
Validation of the digital rectal examination as an estimate of anal sphincter squeeze pressure.
Although digital examination is commonly used to assess anal sphincter tone and maximal squeeze pressure, the accuracy of this test has never been adequately validated. A total of 27 patients with a spectrum of subjectively assessed anal sphincter tones were studied. ⋯ Simultaneous objective anal sphincter pressure measurements, when compared with these subjective values, revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.97 (p less than 0.05). Therefore, the clinician can reliably use the digital rectal examination to judge anal sphincter strength.
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The experimental data supporting and opposing the use of intravenous albumin in various groups of patients are provided, and conclusions are drawn from these data. The metabolism and kinetics of albumin are reviewed, and the importance of albumin levels in critically ill patients is discussed. The reviewed literature supports the conclusion that in most critically ill patients, intravenous albumin does not improve outcome.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Dec 1990
Aging-related alterations in human upper esophageal sphincter function.
Recent improvements in manometric catheters have made measurement of pharyngeal (P) and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) swallowing mechanics more reliable. Few studies have attempted to evaluate the effect of normal aging on P and UES mechanics. Pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter dynamics were studied in 10 healthy elderly adults (age greater than 60; range 62-79 yr) and 10 younger adults (age less than 60; range 24-59 yr). ⋯ A significant inverse relation (R = -0.54; p less than 0.02) was found between age and resting UES pressure. Time from peak of pharyngeal contraction to UES nadir was significantly (p less than 0.05) shortened in the healthy elderly vs younger controls (10 +/- 30 vs 90 +/- 20 ms) during dry swallows. Our studies indicate that aging is associated with lower resting UES pressure and delayed UES relaxation, relative to the pharyngeal peak.
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Apr 1990
Case ReportsTotal gastrectomy after shunt failure as therapy for recurrent gastric variceal bleeding due to portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis.
A 37-yr-old man with portal hypertension due to portal vein thrombosis was referred because of recurrent episodes of variceal hemorrhage. He had previously undergone two portal-systemic shunt procedures. ⋯ Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy was able to control the bleeding from his esophageal varices, but he repeatedly bled from large gastric varices. The patient underwent a total gastrectomy and has had no further gastrointestinal hemorrhage during a follow-up of 36 months.