Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: DESIGN: Before-and-after observational study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: INTERVENTION: MEASUREMENTS: Blood gas analysis, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide, contrast-enhanced echocardiography, and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: Before transplantation, the mean (+/- SD) exhaled nitric oxide concentration was higher in patients than in normal controls (13 +/- 4.9 parts per billion [ppb] compared with 5.75 +/- 1.9 ppb; P < 0.001). After transplantation, the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient significantly decreased (from 17.3 +/- 7.1 mm Hg to 9 +/- 5.2 mm Hg; P < 0.001), as did the exhaled nitric oxide concentration (from 13 +/- 4.9 ppb to 6.2 +/- 2.8 ppb; P < 0.001). The decrease in the exhaled nitric oxide concentration was significantly correlated with the decrease in the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (r = 0.56; P = 0.014). Five patients met the criteria for the diagnosis of the hepatopulmonary syndrome before transplantation; the syndrome was cured by transplantation. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | G Rolla, L Brussino, P Colagrande, E Scappaticci, M Morello, S Bergerone, A Ottobrelli, E Cerutti, S Polizzi, C Bucca |
Journal | Annals of internal medicine
(Ann Intern Med)
Vol. 129
Issue 5
Pg. 375-8
(Sep 01 1998)
ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9735065
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitric Oxide
- Oxygen
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Topics |
- Adult
- Carbon Dioxide
(blood)
- Female
- Humans
- Liver Cirrhosis
(physiopathology, surgery)
- Liver Transplantation
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nitric Oxide
(analysis, physiology)
- Oxygen
(blood)
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange
(physiology)
- Regression Analysis
- Respiratory Function Tests
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