Il-6 and UGT1A1 variations may related to furosemide resistance in heart failure patients.

Furosemide is a diuretic and is used for the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF). It has been found that in some HF patients, the drug does not treat patients efficiently. This condition is named as furosemide resistance. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 (UGT1A1) and interleukine-6 (IL-6) variations with furosemide resistance in HF patients. Sixty HF patients using furosemide (patient group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two subgroups as non-responders (furosemide resistant) group (n = 30) and the responders (non-resistant) group (n = 30) according to the presence of furosemide resistance (n = 30). Variations in the first exon of UGT1A1 and rs1800795 and rs1800796 variations in IL-6 were analyzed by direct sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The effects of newly detected mutations on 3-D protein structure were analyzed by in silico analysis. At the end of the study, 11 variations were detected in UGT1A1, of which nine of them are novel and eight of them cause amino acid change. Also, rs1800795 and rs1800796 variations were detected in all the groups. When patient and control groups were compared with each other, rs1800796 mutation in IL-6 was found statistically high in the patient group (p = 0.027). When the three groups were compared with each other, similarly, rs1800796 mutation in IL-6 was found statistically high in the non-responders group (p = 0.043). When allele distributions were compared between the patient and control groups, the C allele of rs1800795 mutation in IL-6 was found statistically high in the patient group (p = 0.032). When allele distributions were compared between the three groups, 55T-insertion in UGT1A1 was found statistically high in the non-responders group (p = 0.017). According to in silico analysis results, two variations were found deleterious and six variations were detected as probably damaging to protein functions. Our study may contribute to the elucidation of pharmacogenetic features (drug response-gene relationship) and the development of individual-specific treatment strategies in HF patients using furosemide.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation of benign esophageal strictures in childhood: a 15-year experience.

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in childhood benign esophageal strictures. The medical records of 38 patients who underwent EBD from 1999 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic features, diagnoses, features of strictures, frequency and number of EBD, complications, outcome, and recurrence data were recorded. Median age was 1.5 years (0-14), and female/male ratio was 17/21 (n = 38). Primary diagnoses were corrosive esophageal stricture (n = 19) and esophageal atresia (n = 19). The length of strictures were less than 5 cm in 78.9% (n = 30). No complication was seen in 86.8% (n = 33). Perforation was seen in 10.5% (n = 4), and recurrent fistula was seen in 2.7% (n = 1). Total treatment lasted for 1 year (1-11). Dysphagia was relieved in 60.5% (n = 23). Recurrence was seen in 31.6% (n = 12). Treatment effectiveness was higher, and complication rates were lower in strictures shorter than 5 cm compared with longer ones (70% vs. 25%, P < 0.05, and 3.4% vs. 37.5%, P < 0.05). Although there was no statistical difference, treatment effectiveness rates were lower and complication and recurrence rates were higher in corrosive strictures compared with anastomotic ones (P > 0.05). EBD is a safe and efficient treatment choice in esophageal strictures, especially in strictures shorter than 5 cm and anastomotic strictures.

Inadvertent retrieval of a broken PTCA catheter from the aorta during off-pump coronary bypass.

To cut costs, many centres around the world utilise previously used, re-sterilized balloon catheters to perform coronary angioplasty. The fracture and lodging of an angioplasty device within the coronary arteries is a rare but increasingly noted complication. In this article, we report on the inadvertent retrieval of a coronary angioplasty catheter during off-pump coronary bypass. The accidental removal of the catheter, which extended to the descending aorta, has obviously been life saving. This experience has shown that a high degree of caution is required when planning an operation for the retrieval of PTCA hardware.

Off-pump coronary bypass for advanced left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: In this study the results of off-pump bypass in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and without bypassable circumflex disease were analysed retrospectively. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with advanced LVD underwent off-pump coronary bypass. Their ages ranged from 39 to 82 years (mean 62.3 +/- 8.4). Forty-two of the patients (76.3%) were in NYHA class III or IV. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 23.8 +/- 5.1%. Pre- and intra-operative variables, and postoperative complications and mortality of the patients were analysed. Mid-term follow-up was done by telephone either with the referring cardiologist or the patients. RESULTS: The mean number of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) per patient was 2.22 +/- 0.63. Eight coronary endarterectomies were achieved; early mortality was 3.6%. Pre-operative myocardial infarction (MI) occurred in one patient (1.8%). Two patients (3.6%) were supported with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and 10 (18.1%) needed inotropic support. Mean postoperative blood loss was 425 +/- 50 cm3. A significant improvement in ejection fraction was observed in the postoperative course. Mean intensive care unit stay was 2.1 +/- 1.1 days and mean hospital stay was 7.2 +/- 1.3 days. The mean follow-up period was 21.8 +/- 6.2 months and mid-term survival was 2.4%. Freedom from cardiac events requiring hospital admission was 89.7%. Most of the patients enjoyed symptomatic relief, however 16 patients (32.6% of survivors) remained in NYHA class III. CONCLUSION: These results support the effectiveness of off-pump coronary bypass with good early and mid-term results in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and without bypassable circumflex lesion.