Evaluation of Efficacy of Bromocriptine as a Therapeutic Modality in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the oldest diseases known to mankind has always been difficult to treat even with the availability of a variety of medications. In such a scenario, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a novel therapeutic, bromocriptine, with a different mechanism of action than the traditional medications since 2009 but has not been used as either first-line therapy or add-on therapy. In this systematic review, we searched databases like PubMed, Medline, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Wiley Online Library. The selected articles were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria and quality appraised; finally, 11 studies including eight clinical trials and three narrative reviews were included. It was found that an increase in dopamine and serotonin levels were hypothesized to convert the insulin-resistant (IR) state to an insulin-sensitive (IS) state. Hence in DM, as there is an IR state, the administration of dopamine was hypothesized to increase insulin sensitivity. In our study based on included studies, it was found that bromocriptine was superior as an add-on therapy to metformin compared to metformin alone, also it was found beneficial in people failing treatment with any one oral hypoglycemic agent. On the contrary, bromocriptine was found inferior to teneligliptin in treating DM. Still, more studies are required to make an accurate and reliable assessment of the efficacy of bromocriptine in treating DM.

Propofol in ICU Settings: Understanding and Managing Anti-Arrhythmic, Pro-Arrhythmic Effects, and Propofol Infusion Syndrome.

Propofol has revolutionized anesthesia and intensive care medicine owing to its favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, fast onset, and short duration of action. This drug has been shown to be remarkably effective in numerous clinical scenarios. In addition, propofol has maintained an overwhelmingly favorable safety profile; however, it has been associated with both antiarrhythmic and proarrhythmic effects. This review concisely summarizes the dual arrhythmic cardiovascular effects of propofol and a rare but serious complication, propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS). We also discuss the need for careful patient evaluation, compliance with recommended infusion rates, and vigilant monitoring.

Clinical correlation of the area of inferior vena cava, iliac and femoral veins for stent use.

Objective The purpose of the study is to evaluate normal anatomical areas of infrarenal inferior vena cava, common iliac, external iliac and common femoral veins by intravascular ultrasound with the goal of assisting the development of venous-specific stents in the treatment of iliac vein stenosis. Method From February 2012 to December 2013, 656 office-based venograms were performed in our facility. Among them, 576 were stented and 80 were not. The measurements of veins were done intraoperatively using an intravascular ultrasound catheter to record areas of the inferior vena cava, proximal, middle and distal segments of common iliac vein, external iliac vein and common femoral vein. The data were compared between non-diseased segments of patients who were stented and those not stented. The stented diseased segments were excluded. Results The mean patient age was 67.33 years (range 22-96, SD ±13.99). Our data included 218 males, 438 females and 324 right lower extremities and 332 left lower extremities. The presenting symptoms of these patients based on CEAP were C1(0), C2 (185), C3(233), C4(107), C5(89) and C6(42). No correlation was found between area of veins and age, gender, laterality and CEAP score (P > .13). Comparison of the areas of non-diseased iliac vein segments between patients not stented and patients who underwent stenting showed a significant difference, with larger areas in non-stented patients in the distal common iliac vein (P = .039) and inferior vena cava (P = .012). Younger age (P = .03) and male gender (P < .0001) were associated with increased area of iliac vein segments. Conclusion Utilizing the intravascular ultrasound-guided technique, we were able to define normal anatomical areas of non-diseased inferior vena cava, iliac and femoral veins, which could be employed to guide the development of appropriate-sized stents and other tools needed for the treatment of venous insufficiency. There is specific variability in areas of normal vein segments with age and gender with/without stents.

Perforator Vein Access for Venous Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis.

A 28-year-old Hispanic female with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presented to the emergency room with left lower extremity swelling and pain. On duplex venous examination, an extensive left lower extremity DVT extending to her left common iliac vein was identified. A perforator vein measuring 2.6 mm located in the midcalf area was used to access and perform mechanical and chemical thrombolysis. Complete resolution of symptoms was observed.

Clinical correlation of anatomical location of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesion.

Objective Treatment of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions is an active area of research. Intravascular ultrasound allows its localization. We chose intravascular ultrasound to clarify the exact anatomical location of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions and correlate it with clinical findings. Materials and methods Over seven months, we performed ilio-femoral intravascular ultrasound studies on 217 patients, in 141 women and 76 men. The average age ± standard deviation was 68 ± 14 years. We used intravascular ultrasound intraoperatively to measure the ilio-femoral veins and compared it with adjacent non-stenotic ilio-femoral veins. If more than 50% area or diameter reduction was found, it was treated with appropriate balloon and stent. Results We identified 244 lesions, 124 in left lower extremity and 120 in the right lower extremity. The most common site was the proximal common iliac vein 38.7% (22.5% females and 16.12% males) in left lower extremity and middle external iliac vein 29.16% (18.33% females and 10.83% males) in right lower extremity. The least common site was the distal external iliac vein in 3.2% (all 3.2% females) and the distal external iliac vein 7.5% (5% females and 2.5% males) in right lower extremity. Clinical correlation was noted between laterality and location of the NIVL lesion ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion This analysis gives an insight into understanding the exact anatomical locations of the non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions helping clinicians and researchers guide their treatment and research.

Complications with office-based venoplasties and stenting and their clinical correlation.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous therapy by venoplasty and stenting is rapidly gaining momentum and popularity in treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions, in particular). The purpose of this study was to examine the results of office-based venoplasty and stenting procedures that were performed at our office-based facility from July 28, 2012, until April 28, 2013. The study focused on any complications during and after the procedure. METHODS: From July 2012 to April 2013, 245 patients underwent venography for the correction of suspected iliac vein stenosis in the office setting. Data included 74 patients undergoing bilateral iliac procedures and 137 patients undergoing unilateral procedures. The remaining 34 patients underwent venography only, without any intervention. The remaining 285 limbs were classified according to the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification as follows: C1, n = 0; C2, n = 84; C3, n = 97; C4, n = 34; C5, n = 53, and C6, n = 17. Postprocedure pain was assessed with a Likert scale of 0 to 10, and scores were collected in 108 patients in the latter portion of the study once this was established to be our primary complication. Pain was considered to be significant if ≥ 5 (n = 20) and insignificant if <5 (n = 88). Pearson correlation was used to evaluate any correlation between pain and gender, age, laterality, CEAP scores (2-6), stent size, and balloon size. Fourteen patients had a history of prior deep venous thrombosis (DVT). RESULTS: Out of the series, 90 women and 47 men underwent unilateral intervention, and 23 women and 14 men underwent bilateral intervention. The average age was 69 years (range, 22-96; standard deviation [SD], ± 13). In 20 patients with significant pain, the average pain score was 6 (range, 5-10; SD, ± 1.4). In 88 patients with insignificant pain, the average pain score was 1.15 (range, 0-4; SD, ± 1.5). The overall average pain score for 108 cases was 2 (range, 0-10; SD, ± 2.4). Five patients (2%) who underwent intervention developed thrombosis of the iliac stent either <30 days (n = 4) or >30 days (n = 1); all five patients had history of DVT. No statistically significant correlation of pain to age, gender, laterality, CEAP scores (2-6), or stent and balloon size was found. No correlation was found between stent thrombosis and gender, age, laterality, CEAP scores (2-6), or stent and balloon size. No complications were reported, such as pseudoaneurysm formation, infection, and insertion site DVT, within 5 days. Iliac fossa hematoma developed 30 days after the procedure in one patient, who required hospital admission for evaluation and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The correction of iliac vein outflow obstruction in office-based settings results in a low incidence of complications, such as thrombosis (2%), and average pain score of 2 of 10 on the Likert scale. The procedure is minimally invasive with minimal complications.