Comparison of the effects of enalapril and losartan on posttransplantation erythrocytosis in renal transplant recipients: prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare the safety and efficacy of enalapril (E) and losartan (L) in the treatment of posttransplantation erythrocytosis and the effect of the ACE genotype on response to therapy. METHODS: Twenty-seven (24 male and 3 female, mean age 34+/-8 years) renal transplant recipients with erythrocytosis were treated either with E (15 patients) (10 mg/day) or L (12 patients) (50 mg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased in the L (17.1+/-0.7 to 15.9+/-1.3 g/dl, P=0.01) and E groups (17.4+/-1.1 to 14.9+/-2.2 g/dl, P=0.001). Among the responders who discontinued treatment, there was a trend for longer time to relapse in the L group (7.38+/-3.75 months; 95% confidence interval: 0.03-14.7) compared with the E group (2.75+/-0.70 (95% confidence interval: 1.37-4.13) (P=0.11). Decrease in hemoglobin was more prominent with E compared with L (-3.26+/-0.65 vs. -1.70+/-0.39 g/dl, P=0.05). Decrease in hemoglobin levels between DD and non-DD genotype groups was similar (-2.0+/-1.5 vs. -1.7+/-2.3 g/dl, P=0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Enalapril caused a greater decrease but faster relapse in hemoglobin levels compared with losartan in patients with posttransplantation erythrocytosis. The DD type polymorphism had no effect on response.

Reconstructive surgery in voiding dysfunction: experience with 69 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To present our reconstructive surgery experience with voiding dysfunction due to both neurologic and non-neurologic etiology. METHODS: From March 1993 to January 2000, 69 patients (43 men and 26 women) with voiding dysfunction underwent lower urinary tract reconstruction. Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 34. 5 years (range 9 to 75). Voiding dysfunction had a neurologic etiology in 65.2% of the patients and a non-neurologic etiology in 34.8%. Urodynamic investigation revealed poor bladder compliance in 52%, detrusor hyperreflexia in 19%, and a combination of the two in 29% of the patients. Thirteen patients (19%) had coexistent intrinsic sphincteric deficiency. A total of 56.5% of the patients had upper urinary tract deterioration. Most patients (78%) had severe urinary incontinence. Augmentation cystoplasty was performed in 60 patients. Nine patients had augmentation cystoplasty with a continent stoma. Concomitant procedures were performed in 11 patients. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36.6 months (range 8 to 108). Marked improvement of the upper tracts was documented in 79% of the patients in the neuropathic and 73% in the non-neuropathic group. High continence rates were achieved in both groups (82% and 94%, respectively). Intermittent catheterization rate was 88.6% in the neuropathic and 44% in the non-neuropathic groups and patient satisfaction rate was 84% and 94%, respectively. Three major complications in 2 patients required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction to treat urinary incontinence and upper urinary tract deterioration gives satisfactory results in voiding dysfunction in the case of medical treatment failure.