The Role of Vasopressin in the Treatment of Vasodilation in Shock States

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitalina Rozenfeld ◽  
Judy WM Cheng

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of vasopressin in the treatment of vasodilatory shock. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search on published reports (1966–April 1999) was conducted. STUDY SELECTION: English-language studies and case reports were selected and evaluated based on quality of review of vasopressin in the treatment of vasodilatory shock. DATA SYNTHESIS: In patients with end-stage vasodilatory shock, baroreceptor reflex is impaired and vasopressin stores are depleted. Persistent elevation of catecholamines may lead to down-regulation of β-adrenergic receptors and reduces smooth-muscle response to catecholamines, leading to inability of maintaining organ perfusion. Small-scale studies and case reports have demonstrated vasopressin's efficacy in maintaining blood pressure in patients with septic shock, cardiac arrest, and end-stage heart failure, refractory to other vasopressor therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Vasopressin may be a reasonable alternative for patients in vasodilatory shock. However, larger-scale controlled clinical trials are warranted before its routine use can be recommended.

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Pallone ◽  
Morton P. Goldman ◽  
Matthew A. Fuller

Objective To describe a case of isoniazid-associated psychosis and review the incidence of this adverse effect. Data Sources Information about the patient was obtained from the medical chart. A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature published from 1950 to 1992 was conducted and Index Medicus was manually searched for current information. Study Selection All case reports describing isoniazid-associated psychosis were reviewed. Data Extraction Studies were evaluated for the use of isoniazid, symptoms of psychosis, onset of symptoms, and dosage of isoniazid. Data Synthesis The case report is compared with others reported in the literature. The incidence of isoniazid-associated psychosis is rare. Conclusions The mechanism of isoniazid-associated psychosis is uncertain. It appears that isoniazid was associated with the psychosis evident in our patient and in the cases reviewed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1149-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice L Tseng ◽  
Sharon L Walmsley

Objective: To review rifabutin-associated uveitis and discuss the mechanism and potential role of drug interactions with clarithromycin and fluconazole in contributing to this adverse event. Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1991 through September 1994) of English-language literature using the main MeSH headings “rifabutin” and “uveitis” and the subheadings “adverse effects” and “chemically induced.” Relevant articles also were selected from references of identified articles. Abstracts from recent medical conferences of infectious diseases, pharmacology, and HIV were screened for additional data. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All articles and abstracts reporting uveitis potentially related to rifabutin were considered for inclusion. Fifty-four cases were identified. Pertinent information from the case reports, as judged by the authors, was selected and synthesized for discussion. Data Synthesis: Rifabutin is being prescribed increasingly for the treatment and prophylaxis of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in the HIV-infected population. Uveitis was initially thought to be a rare, dose-limited complication of rifabutin therapy. In an early dose-ranging tolerance study, uveitis was associated with daily doses of 1200 mg or more. Because this toxicity appeared to be dose-related, lower dosages (300–600 mg/d) of rifabutin were selected for study in subsequent clinical trials. More recent reports noting the association of uveitis with these lower dosages of rifabutin have raised concerns about the prevalence of this adverse event. In the 54 identified cases, patients presented with symptoms of unilateral or bilateral uveitis from 2 weeks to more than 7 months following initiation of rifabutin therapy. In all reported cases, patients were receiving concurrent therapy with clarithromycin and/or fluconazole, both of which have inhibitory effects on rifabutin metabolism. In most cases, uveitis resolved within 1–2 months following discontinuation of rifabutin with or without administration of topical corticosteroids. Conclusions: Rifabutin is prescribed frequently for the prophylaxis and treatment of MAC infection, especially in patients with HIV. Uveitis is a rare, dose-related toxicity of this therapy. The risk of rifabutin-associated uveitis may be increased in patients receiving concurrent therapy with clarithromycin or fluconazole because of drug interactions. Patients receiving therapy with combinations of any of these agents should be warned about signs and symptoms of uveitis and be monitored closely for the development of rifabutin toxicity. If uveitis develops, rifabutin therapy should be discontinued promptly.


1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 514-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Reiss ◽  
Karen S Oles

OBJECTIVE: TO summarize the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of acetazolamide and to evaluate its therapeutic role in patients with epilepsy. DATA SOURCES: A computerized search of the MEDLINE (OVID) database (1966–1994) was used to identify publications regarding acetazolamide. The MEDLINE search was supplemented by information from textbooks. STUDY SELECTION: Included were English-language review articles, clinical trials, cohort studies, and case reports. Topics investigated included basic pharmacology, therapeutics, toxicology, adverse reactions, dosage, administration, and pharmacokinetics of acetazolamide. DATA SYNTHESIS: Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of epilepsy since 1953. Acetazolamide is primarily used in combination therapy with other antiepileptic medications in both children and adults although it may be used as monotherapy. Drug concentration monitoring has not been found to be routinely beneficial. Adverse effects include kidney stones, metabolic acidosis, lethargy, appetite suppression, paresthesias, and rare blood dyscrasias. Partial tolerance may develop to the antiepileptic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Acetazolamide is a beneficial adjunctive agent in the pharmacotherapy of epilepsy and should be considered in refractory epilepsy. Although it may be useful in partial, myoclonic, absence, and primary generalized tonic—clonic seizures uncontrolled by other marketed agents, acetazolamide has been inadequately studied by current standards and its use has been limited.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna C. Linette ◽  
Karen H. McGee ◽  
James A. McFarland

OBJECTIVE: This report describes a case of mitomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity and reviews the incidence of this adverse effect, reported patterns of toxicity and associated dosages of the drug, and the use of corticosteroids in the management of pulmonary toxicity. DATA SOURCES: Information about our patient was obtained in part from the medical chart; we had also treated him personally in the past. We conducted a MEDLINE search of the English language literature (restricted to human studies) from 1966 to 1991 and manually searched Index Medicus for current information. STUDY SELECTION: All case reports that described pulmonary toxicity possibly associated with mitomycin were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were evaluated for the dosages of mitomycin given to patients, the nature and onset of symptoms, management course, and corticosteroid use. DATA SYNTHESIS: Our case is similar to others described in the literature. The incidence of mitomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity has been reported to range from 2 to 38 percent. Concurrent vinca alkaloid administration may potentiate the risk of an acute pulmonary insult secondary to mitomycin use. The toxicity is usually of slow onset and the average total dosage of drug implicated is 78 mg. A formal evaluation of corticosteroid treatment has not been performed, but various authors have reported success with different regimens. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pulmonary toxicity associated with mitomycin is unpredictable, but more likely to occur at higher dosages. Treatment with corticosteroids is encouraged to improve pulmonary response.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J Menke ◽  
Jodi R Heins

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of epididymo-orchitis that developed four years after treatment with intravesical bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and to review the incidence of this adverse effect. DATA SOURCES: Information about the patient was obtained from the medical chart. A MEDLINE search of English-language literature (from January 1976 to April 1999) was conducted. STUDY SELECTION: All case reports of BCG-related epididymo-orchitis were evaluated. Review articles describing complications of BCG therapy for bladder cancer and the prevention and treatment of these complications were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were evaluated for reports of BCG-related epididymo-orchitis and its treatment. DATA SYNTHESIS: Our case report is compared with others reported in the literature. The incidence of BCG-associated epididymo-orchitis is rare. CONCLUSIONS: Epididymo-orchitis should be considered as a late complication of BCG therapy for bladder cancer. Proper patient selection may help decrease the risk of complications from BCG therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 662-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna Patatanian ◽  
Melanie K. Claborn

Objective: To review the literature on drug-induced restless legs syndrome (DI-RLS). Data Sources: The review included a search for English-language literature from 1966 to December 2017 in the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Ovid databases using the following search terms: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement, adverse effects, and drug-induced. In addition, background articles on the pathophysiology, etiology, and epidemiology of RLS were retrieved. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed for additional citations. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All case reports, case series, and review articles of DI-RLS were identified and analyzed. There were only a small number of controlled clinical trials, and most data were from case reports and case series. Results: Several drugs and drug classes have been implicated in DI-RLS, with antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics having the most evidence. In addition, RLS may be linked with a number of disorders or underlying predisposing factors as well. Conclusions: The prevalence of RLS is variable and ranges from 3% to 19% in the general population. There are many predisposing factors to RLS, but an emerging body of evidence suggests that there is an association between numerous drugs and RLS.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1466-1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F Brophy

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the prevention of radiocontrast—induced nephropathy (RIN). DATA SOURCES: A literature search of MEDLINE (1966–December 2001) was performed using the following search terms: N-acetylcysteine, nephropathy, acute renal failure, and radiocontrast. STUDY SELECTION: Pertinent English-language animal and human studies were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Few small animal trials have demonstrated that NAC significantly prevents the development or reduces the severity of acute renal failure. Two human studies demonstrated NAC significantly reduces the occurrence of RIN. CONCLUSIONS: NAC may reduce the occurrence of RIN in high-risk patients. Further large-scale studies are needed to corroborate findings from earlier trials.


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1653-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L Hrometz ◽  
Kelly M Shields

Objective: To review the role of ambrisentan in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1950-June 2008), Iowa Drug Information Service (1966–March 2008), EMBASE (1966-June 2008), bibliographies of pertinent articles, and unpublished data provided by the manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Search terms included ambrisentan, endothelin antagonist, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Due to limited literature available, additional criteria to limit searches were not used. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Abstracts and original preclinical and clinical research reports available in the English language were Identified for review. All manufacturer-provided data were also evaluated. Literature related to ambrisentan, endothelin antagonists, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary arterial hypertension were included. Four clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of ambrisentan in adults with symptomatic PAH. Data Synthesis: Ambrisentan is the latest endothelin-receptor antagonist (ERA) to obtain FDA approval for the treatment of PAH. It joins the first FDA-approved ERA, bosentan. Like bosentan, ambrisentan is available orally (with once-daily dosing compared with bosentan's twice-daily dosing) and has been shown to improve exercise capacity and delay clinical worsening. As with bosentan, the most significant safety concerns with ambrisentan relate to potential liver injury and a contraindication in pregnancy. Although ambrisentan has higher affinity for the endothelin type A receptor than for the endothelin type B receptor, specific advantages of this selectivity, in terms of efficacy compared with bosentan, a nonselective agent, have not been demonstrated. Conclusions: Ambrisentan has been shown to be an effective ERA in patients with PAH. A significant advantage of ambrisentan is the lack of any clinically important drug interactions with warfarin and sildenafil, which are frequently used by patients being treated for PAH.


2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (11) ◽  
pp. 1382-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig S. Kitchens

Abstract Objectives.—To review the literature for conditions, diseases, and disorders that affect activity of the contact factors, and further to review the literature for evidence that less than normal activity of any of the contact factors may be associated with thrombophilia. Data Sources.—MEDLINE search for English-language articles published from 1988 to 2001 and pertinent references contained therein, as well as search of references in recent relevant articles and reviews. Study Selection.—Relevant clinical and laboratory information was extracted from selected articles. Meta-analysis was not feasible because of heterogeneity of reports. Data Extraction and Synthesis.—Evidence for association of altered levels of the contact factors and thrombophilia was sought. A wide variety of disorders is associated with decreased activity of the contact factors; chief among these disorders are liver disease, hepatic immaturity of newborns, the antiphospholipid syndrome, and, for factor XII, being of Asian descent. These disorders are more common than homozygous deficiency. The few series and case reports of thrombophilic events in patients homozygous for deficiency of contact factors are not persuasive enough to support causality. The apparent association between levels consistent with heterozygosity (40%–60% of normal) of any of the contact factors (but especially factor XII) in persons with antiphospholipid antibodies appears to be due to falsely decreased in vitro activity levels of these factors, which are normal on antigenic testing. The apparent association with thrombosis is better explained by the antiphospholipid syndrome than by the modest reduction of the levels of contact factors. Conclusions.—Presently, it is not recommended to measure activity of contact factors during routine evaluation of patients who have suffered venous or arterial thromboembolism or acute coronary syndromes.


1998 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Miller ◽  
R Wiles-Pfeifler

OBJECTIVE: To report a case in which propofol was used successfully in an intubated patient on a prolonged basis and to review the literature that discusses long-term infusions (> 7 days) of propofol. METHODS: Information was retrieved from a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature. Reports of clinical trials and case reports that compared the safety and efficacy of long-term propofol and midazolam were included in this review. Information about the study design and the efficacy and adverse effects of the drugs was collected, and the data were synthesized. RESULTS: Clinical reports indicate that a long-term infusion of propofol is comparable in safety and efficacy to a long-term infusion of midazolam. The distinct adverse-effect profile of long-term use of propofol, including hypertriglyceridemia, was evaluated and reported as significant. CONCLUSION: The limited data available suggest that long-term infusion of propofol is a practical alternative to use of standard agents for sedation of intubated patients. Adverse effects such as cardiovascular depression, respiratory depression, and hypertriglyceridemia may limit the routine use of propofol.


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