bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Octreotide as a Therapeutic Option for Management of Chylothorax
Authors: Al-Zubairy Sulaiman A , Al-Jazairi Abdulrazaq S 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of post-cardiac surgery–induced chylothorax treated with octreotide and review the literature on octreotide efficacy. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-month-old boy with Down syndrome was admitted for atrioventricular canal repair. On admission, he was taking captopril and furosemide. On postoperative day 4, he exhibited signs of chest wheezing and crackles, but was without cough or fever. Chest X-ray revealed a moderate right-sided pleural effusion. Accordingly, a pleural catheter was inserted and drained an average of 7.14 mL/h of chylous fluid that day. Laboratory analysis of the pleural fluid revealed a triglyceride level of 89 mg/dL, without bacterial growth. Based on those findings, the diagnosis was chylothorax. Because of the continuous extensive tube drainage, octreotide 3.5 μg/kg/h was begun. The average daily chyle drainage was reduced from 7.14 one day before octreotide initiation to 0.83 mL/h on day 4 of octreotide therapy. After 4 days of therapy (postoperative day 8), octreotide was discontinued because of the satisfactory response and the pleural catheter was removed. DISCUSSION: In our case and the other few cases reported, octreotide showed acceptable efficacy in the management of chylothorax. The mechanism by which octreotide decreases chyle production includes reducing the intestinal absorption of fats, mainly triglycerides, and increasing fecal fat excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide may have reduced chyle production in our patient. Further reports and studies assessing octreotide efficacy in the management of chylothorax are warranted.
Extended-Release Metoprolol Succinate in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Tangeman Heather J , Patterson J Herbert 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of extended-release (ER) metoprolol succinate and its role in the management of chronic heart failure. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search of English-language literature (1990–October 2002) was conducted using congestive heart failure and metoprolol CR/XL or metoprolol CR/ZOK as search terms to identify pertinent studies. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: All of the articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, with priority given to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: ER metoprolol succinate is a controlled-release tablet designed to produce even and consistent β1-blockade throughout the 24-hour dosing interval, with less fluctuation in metoprolol plasma concentrations compared with immediate-release metoprolol. Three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy of ER metoprolol succinate in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure. The MERIT-HF (Metoprolol CR/XL Randomized Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure) study, the largest of these trials and the largest randomized mortality trial with β-blockers in heart failure to date, demonstrated that ER metoprolol succinate reduced the relative risk of all-cause mortality by 34% versus placebo. Furthermore, the relative risk of the combined endpoint of mortality plus all-cause hospitalizations was reduced by 19% and sudden death was reduced by 41%. The benefits of therapy were evident in various patient subgroups, including elderly patients and those with diabetes mellitus. ER metoprolol succinate was generally well tolerated, with a similar proportion of patients discontinuing therapy due to adverse events relative to placebo (9.8% and 11.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ER metoprolol succinate therapy provides substantial mortality and morbidity benefits in patients with New York Heart Association class II and III heart failure who are stabilized on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics. ER metoprolol succinate is administered once daily, is well tolerated, and provides consistent β1-blockade over the 24-hour dosing interval.
Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia Due to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treated with Fludarabine
Authors: Wells Tiffany , Kovacs Michael J 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of autoimmune thrombocytopenia due to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with fludarabine. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old white woman with CLL was treated with oral chlorambucil. She subsequently presented with severe autoimmune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP). Intravenous gammaglobulin was administered without response, and a therapeutic splenectomy produced only a temporary response, with platelets reaching 65 times 103/mm3. Four weeks later, the platelet level was below 10 times 103/mm3. At that time, the woman was treated with fludarabine. The platelet count 4 weeks later was normal (270 times 103/mm3) and has been sustained for over 22 months. DISCUSSION: Fludarabine has been reported to be causative in the onset of autoimmune cytopenias with CLL. Our case cautiously suggests fludarabine as a potential treatment for cases of CLL-associated ITP refractory to standard therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Fludarabine could be considered as treatment of ITP in CLL refractory to standard treatment.
Aripiprazole: A New Atypical Antipsychotic Drug
Authors: Bowles Toya M , Levin Gary M 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety profile of aripiprazole for the treatment of schizophrenia. DATA SOURCES: Information was selected from MEDLINE (1995–August 2002). Abstracts, scientific posters, and presentations were also used. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: All published information regarding the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical characteristics of aripiprazole was considered. Studies providing a comprehensive description of aripiprazole were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: Aripiprazole is a dopamine partial agonist and a serotonin-2A antagonist; it is dosed 10–30 mg/d, with no initial titration necessary. Short-term clinical trials demonstrated efficacy in acute exacerbations, and long-term studies showed that aripiprazole can maintain remission of schizophrenia. Most adverse events were mild. The incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms was low, with akathisia being the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole currently demonstrates comparable efficacy and safety for use in schizophrenia.
Composition and Cost of Drugs Stored at Home by Elderly Patients
Authors: Wasserfallen Jean-Blaise , Bourgeois Robert , Büla Christophe , Yersin Bertrand , Buclin Thierry 
Published: April 2003

BACKGROUND: Elderly people often have multiple chronic diseases, are frequently treated by several physicians, and also use over-the-counter medications. Excessive prescribing, imperfect therapeutic adherence, treatment modifications after hospitalization, and oversized drug packages result in home storage of leftover drugs, resulting in a waste of healthcare resources. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients aged ≥75 years hospitalized for >24 hours during a 6-month period in an urban teaching hospital in Switzerland were eligible for inclusion in a study collecting sociodemographics, medical, functional, and psychosocial characteristics. Six months later, a research nurse visited the patients at home and recorded the names, number of tablets, and expiration dates of all open or intact drug packages, and the doses actually taken. Acquisition costs of these drugs were computed. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-five patients were included (127 women; mean age 82.2 ± 4.8 y, range 75–96). They had a total of 2059 drugs (mean per patient 10.3 ± 6.7, range per patient 1–42), corresponding to a total cost of (US) $62 826 (mean per patient 322 ± 275, range per patient 10–1571). Self-reported drug intake was regular for 36% of the drugs (46.5% of total costs) and occasional for 11% (6.1%), whereas 35.7% (30.1%) had been stopped during the last month. Cardiovascular drugs amounted to 36.6% of the drugs and 55.5% of the costs. None of the patients' characteristics was significantly associated with a greater number of drugs and higher costs. CONCLUSIONS: Drugs stored at home by elderly patients were worth about $320 per patient. Only about one-third of these drugs were regularly taken. In the context of resources shortage, innovative solutions should be found to reduce the waste linked with drugs stopped in previous months.
Zolpidem-Induced Distortion in Visual Perception
Authors: Huang Chiung-Lei , Chang Ching-Jui , Hung Chi-Feng , Lin Hsi-Yen 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient who developed visual perception distortion after a single dose of zolpidem. CASE SUMMARY: A 50-year-old Asian woman had been prescribed conjugated estrogen 1 tablet daily for hormone replacement therapy and tricalcium phosphate twice daily for osteoporosis. One day, she took zolpidem 10 mg for insomnia as well as acetaminophen 500 mg for headache at bedtime and began to have visual perception distortion (e.g., the shapes of objects were twisted, houses were crooked) within 20 minutes, lasting for approximately 30 minutes, and then her vision returned to normal. She only partially recalled the event. She had never taken zolpidem before, and she had not had any such disturbances in the past. DISCUSSION: There have been 21 case reports of zolpidem-related psychotic symptoms in the literature; however, the exact mechanism by which zolpidem may cause visual perception changes is undetermined. Many factors have been correlated with zolpidem-induced visual experiences, such as pharmacokinetic factors, gender, age, and hypoalbuminemia. This patient shared certain similarities such as gender, dosage, and time of onset and duration of adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: An objective causality assessment revealed that the zolpidem-induced visual perception distortion in this patient was probable. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for visual perception distortion, as this is an uncommon adverse effect.
Combined Furosemide and Human Albumin Treatment for Diuretic-Resistant Edema
Authors: Elwell Rowland J , Spencer Ann P , Eisele George 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of combined furosemide and human albumin for the treatment of diuretic-resistant edema in patients with nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis. DATA SOURCES: Clinical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966–May 2002). Key search terms included furosemide, albumin, human albumin solution, nephrotic syndrome, and cirrhosis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Hypoalbuminemia, edema, and ascites are often manifestations of nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis of the liver. Many patients with these conditions are resistant to the effects of diuretics. The combination of furosemide and human albumin solution is occasionally used in these patients. An evaluation of published studies focusing on combined furosemide and albumin in the management of nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Published studies report conflicting results regarding the efficacy of combined furosemide and albumin. Although it is difficult to generate firm conclusions, it appears the combination may provide clinical benefits for select patients. Given these findings, we believe that the addition of albumin to enhance diuretic efficacy should be reserved for patients with recalcitrant edema or ascites in whom diuretic doses have been maximized and those with severe hypoalbuminemia.
Role of Ethnicity in Predicting Antipsychotic Medication Adherence
Authors: Opolka Jayme L , Rascati Karen L , Brown Carolyn M , Gibson P Joseph 
Published: April 2003

BACKGROUND: Clinicians treating schizophrenia face increasingly diverse ethnic populations. Ethnic groups may have different approaches to the management of schizophrenia, which could impact antipsychotic medication adherence. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between adherence and ethnicity or the specific medication used after controlling for other factors. METHODS: Texas Medicaid claims were retrieved for persons aged 21–65 years, diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, after initiating treatment with olanzapine (n = 1875), risperidone (n = 982), or haloperidol (n = 726) between January 1997 and August 1998. The association between ethnicity (African American, Mexican American, white) or medication and days' use of the medication in the year following initiation was assessed using multivariate linear regression. Covariates included other patient demographics, region, comorbid mental health conditions, and prior medication and healthcare resource use. RESULTS: African American and Mexican American patients were significantly less adherent than white patients (19 d less, p < 0.001 for African Americans; 18 d less, p = 0.003 for Mexican Americans). For patients of all ethnicities, olanzapine was associated with 23 more adherent days than risperidone and 55 more adherent days than haloperidol (p < 0.001 for each comparison). CONCLUSIONS: When other factors were controlled for, ethnicity was a significant predictor of medication adherence following initiation on an antipsychotic medication, and patients of all ethnicities were most adherent when taking olanzapine, less adherent when taking risperidone, and least adherent when taking haloperidol.
Cutaneous Dalteparin Reactions Associated with Antibodies of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Payne Sonja M , Kovacs Michael J 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To report widespread cutaneous lesions due to low-molecular-weight heparin therapy associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), but without evidence of thrombocytopenia, and to review previously reported cases of skin reactions related to heparin therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old white man with a subtotally resected glioblastoma developed febrile neutropenia and pneumonia secondary to chemotherapy. The development of an upper extremity thrombosis, following insertion of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter, was treated with subcutaneous dalteparin. Cutaneous lesions developed distant from the site of injection. The diagnosis of HIT was confirmed despite stable platelet counts. Dalteparin therapy was discontinued immediately, and anticoagulation was maintained with warfarin. The skin lesions resolved without further complications. DISCUSSION: Numerous cases of heparin-induced cutaneous reactions have been reported. The majority of these describe a local reaction at the heparin injection site with or without associated thrombocytopenia. The case presented here is unique in that the observed skin reaction was distant to the injection site and occurred without thrombocytopenia, but with detectable heparin-dependent antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Although a skin reaction is a rare complication of heparin therapy, it can be a clinical indicator of HIT despite normal platelet counts. Patients who develop skin lesions should have their heparin therapy discontinued and a diagnosis of HIT investigated.
HOPE Study Impact on ACE Inhibitors Use
Authors: Hemels Michiel EH , Bennett Heather A , Bonari Lori , Han Donald , Traverso Maria L , Einarson Thomas R 
Published: April 2003

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat cardiovascular diseases, major causes of death in Canada. The HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) study showed that ramipril benefits patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. We analyzed ACE inhibitor use and costs in Canada before and after publication of HOPE. METHODS: We obtained pharmacy and hospital sales data for 1985–2001 from IMS Canada for all ACE inhibitors (Anatomical Therapeutic Category code C09A0) and for the 3 largest provinces (i.e., British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario). Prescription numbers, total costs, cost/prescription, and market share of individual ACE inhibitors were plotted over time and analyzed using regression. Canadian dollars were used to report costs. RESULTS: We examined 10 drugs; captopril was the first, introduced in 1985. Overall, prescriptions increased consistently from 356 000 in 1985 to 11.5 million in 2001, representing an annual increase of 660 000 (y = 661 410x–510 360; r2 = 0.99). Total costs increased linearly from 1985 ($14.5 million) to 2001 ($513 million): Y = 29.3•106x − 29.9•106; r2 = 0.99. Provincial utilization patterns were also similar. Ramipril's national use increased dramatically from 1999 (822 000 prescriptions, 9.2% of all ACE inhibitors) to 2001 (3.8 million, 32.8% of all ACE inhibitors). National costs for ramipril increased exponentially (y = 1.08e0.6248x) to a total of $157 million in 2001, with the 3 major provinces accounting for 78.9%. Costs per prescription followed no observable trend (range $39.45–46.20). CONCLUSIONS: The number of prescriptions and the total cost of ACE inhibitors increased over the period studied. Ramipril use increased in concert with publication of the HOPE trial, while the growth rates of other ACE inhibitors remained constant.
Effect of Chronic Probenecid Therapy on Cefazolin Serum Concentrations
Authors: Spina Sean P , Dillon Edward C 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the effectiveness of probenecid at maintaining therapeutic serum concentrations of cefazolin at steady-state by comparing cefazolin serum concentrations produced by intravenous cefazolin 2000 mg every 8 hours with concentrations produced by once-daily administration of intravenous cefazolin 2000 mg plus oral probenecid 500 mg 4 times daily. METHODS: Patients in this prospective, nonrandomized, unblinded study were identified after an order was written for intravenous cefazolin 2000 mg every 8 hours or once daily plus oral probenecid 500 mg 4 times daily in the emergency department. For both study arms, a peak cefazolin serum concentration was obtained 1 hour after the infusion was started and 23 hours later, prior to the next scheduled dose. Doses of cefazolin for days 2–4 were then administered as ordered. On day 5, peak and trough serum concentrations were drawn 1 hour after the infusion started and 23 hours later, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were prospectively assessed from April 2000 to October 2001. In patients who received cefazolin once daily, the average serum peak and trough concentrations on day 1 were 146.53 and 2.02 mg/L, respectively. Peak and trough concentrations on day 5 were 148.30 and 2.67 mg/L, respectively. In patients who received cefazolin every 8 hours, peak and trough concentrations were 122.15 and 18.65 mg/L on day 1 and, on day 5, 136.51 and 16.98 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Probenecid 500 mg given orally 4 times daily was effective in maintaining therapeutic serum concentrations of cefazolin at steady-state when given with intravenous cefazolin 2000 mg once daily.
Nicardipine to Control Neonatal Hypertension During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygen Support
Authors: McBride Brian F , White C Michael , Campbell Margaret , Frey Bruce M 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course of a newborn (gestational age 38 wk, 6 d) administered intravenous nicardipine to control hypertension while on extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) support. SETTING: Urban, university teaching hospital. CASE SUMMARY: A 1-day-old male neonate presenting with a left congenital diaphragmatic hernia developed a sustained elevation in blood pressure following a change of ECMO tubing. After several unsuccessful treatment regimens, nicardipine was started at a rate of 0.5 μg/kg/min and aggressively titrated to 1.5 μg/kg/min. Nicardipine produced a sustained antihypertensive effect that was noticed 8 hours after the start of the infusion. The infusion was continued through postoperative day 2. Following a second circuit change, nicardipine was discontinued and sodium nitroprusside therapy was started. Treatment with nitroprusside failed to lower the blood pressure. DISCUSSION: Nicardipine is an effective antihypertensive agent for neonates receiving ECMO therapy. However, the expanded volume of distribution caused by the ECMO circuit may result in a reduced serum concentration and a reduced antihypertensive effect. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend a conservative initial dose of nicardipine of 0.5 μg/kg/min that is aggressively titrated to reduce blood pressure effectively in neonates receiving ECMO therapy.
Effects of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Its Treatment on Serum Lipids
Authors: Ineck Beata A , Ng Tien MH 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the literature supports an effect of subclinical hypothyroidism on serum lipids and, if so, what are the effects of thyroxine replacement therapy. DATA SOURCES: Articles were identified on MEDLINE using the MeSH terms hypothyroidism, lipids, or cholesterol. DATA SYNTHESIS: The majority of studies that determined the prevalence of lipid abnormalities in subclinical hypothyroidism and studies that evaluated the effects of thyroxine replacement on lipids were small, uncontrolled, and varied in inclusion criteria. Six randomized, placebo-controlled trials were identified that evaluated the effect of levothyroxine on lipids in subclinically hypothyroid patients. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism can potentially contribute to a pro-atherogenic lipid profile, with effects being greater at higher thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Thyroxine replacement reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, with no effect on triglycerides. Effects on high-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein (a), and apolipoproteins A1 and B require further study. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify many issues.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
Authors: Schupp Kelly N , Schrand Linda M , Mutnick Alan H 
Published: April 2003

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost of using cimetidine, famotidine, and lansoprazole for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) at our institution and determine which agent was most cost-effective. METHODS: An observational study of adults admitted to the medical, surgical, or cardiovascular intensive care unit was conducted to compare the cost and effectiveness of cimetidine, famotidine, and lansoprazole for SUP. Patients were identified for inclusion during three 2-week periods in 2000. Medical record reviews were conducted to gather data regarding the costs associated with the administration of SUP drugs and the treatment of any adverse events or therapeutic failures. Decision analysis was used to determine the average cost per patient for each treatment arm. A cost-effectiveness analysis was then conducted to determine which of the SUP agents was associated with the least cost without adversely affecting patient outcomes. A sensitivity analysis was applied to determine the robustness of the data. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were included in the analysis. Five of the patients started on cimetidine experienced therapeutic failure, whereas no patients receiving lansoprazole experienced therapeutic failure. For these reasons, and because lansoprazole is an oral agent, the average costs associated with lansoprazole use were lower than with the use of cimetidine. Lansoprazole was found to be the most cost-effective therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that lansoprazole is a cost-effective agent for the use of SUP at our institution. However, due to the higher cost of intravenous pantoprazole, the model demonstrates that, assuming equal effectiveness, intravenous pantoprazole would not be cost-effective when compared with cimetidine.