Primer consenso venezolanode enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico / Venezuelan consensus on gastroesophageal reflux diseases

El Consenso Venezolano de Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesófágico (ERGE) se realizó con el objeto de proveer guías para mejorar la identificación, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de este trastorno en el país. Los coordinadores establecieron las líneas de consenso, basado en una revisión sistemática de la literatura médica de los últimos 15 años a partir de 1995. Participaron 55 miembros con el aval de sus respectivas cátedras y sociedades locales de gastroenterología. Éstos revisaron y presentaron los temas con sus niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación para discutirlos y votarlos en una reunión plenaria. Tras un informe final de los miembros, los coordinadores prepararon las declaraciones finales. El consenso concluyó que la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico tiene una prevalencia estimada del 11,54% en Venezuela, a predominio del sexo femenino (Grado B). El diagnóstico es fundamentalmente clínico, basado en la presencia de síntomas típicos y/o atípicos, e incluso síntomas de alarma que sugieren alguna complicación (Grado B). La endoscopia es importante en la investigación de la presencia de esofagitis de reflujo y laringitis de reflujo (Grado B). Las otras pruebas diagnósticas como lo son la pHmetría esofágica de 24 horas con o sin impedancia intraluminal multicanal son importantes en los pacientes que no tienen esofagitis, tienen síntomas atípicos o cuando hay falla en la respuesta al tratamiento médico (Grado B). La radiología, manometría esofágica y el ultrasonido endoscópico no están indicados en el diagnóstico de la ERGE (Grado B). El objetivo del tratamiento es reducir la exposición ácida en el esófago y con esto: aliviar los síntomas, cicatrizar las lesiones en la mucosa esofágica, prevenir la recurrencia y las complicaciones. Los inhibidores de bomba de protones deberían ser la primera opción en el tratamiento en el síndrome de ERGE y en la esofagitis por reflujo tanto en la fase aguda como durante el mantenimiento...

The Venezuelan Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Consensus was carried out in order to provide guidelines to improve the identification, diagnosis and treatment of this illness in Venezuela.  The coordinators established the consensuslines, based on a systematic revision of the medical literature of the last 15 years starting from 1995. 55 physicians participated with the support of their respective medical schools and local societies. They revised and presented the topics with their respective evidence levels and recommendation grades to discuss and vote them in a plenary meeting. After a final report of the members, the coordinators prepared the definitive declarations. The consensus concluded that GERD prevalence in Venezuela is 11,54%, higher in women than men (Grade B). The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the presence of typical and/or atypical symptoms and alarm symptoms that may suggest the presence of complications (Grade B). Endoscopy is important when reflux esophagitis and laryngitis are present (Grade B). Other diagnostic tests as ambulatory 24 hours pH monitoring with or without multichannel intraluminal impedance are important in patients without esophagitis, with atypical symptoms or when there is flaw in the answer to the medical treatment (Grade B). Radiology, esophageal manometry and endoscopic ultrasonography are not indicated in the diagnosis of GERD (Grade B). The objective of the treatment is to reduce the presence of acid in the esophagus and consequently: alleviate the symptoms and heal lesions in the esophagus mucosa to prevent recurrence and complications. Proton pump inhibitors should be the first option drug in the treatment of GERD syndrome andin esophagitis during the acute and the maintenance phase using standard or half dose (Grade A). So far, pokinetics are drugs with a limited use in GERD patients; they stimulate the esophagus/gastric motility...

["The Dialybre card". The minimum portable dialysis medical record. Results of the development phase]. / "La carte à mémoire Dialybre". Le dossier médical minimum portable du dialysé. Résultats de la phase de développement.

Dialybre is the research study on portable minimum medical records related to patients treated by hemodialysis. It uses the chip card, a new technology which makes relationships between health practitioners and patients easier. Since 1992, it is broadcasted in 15 hemodialysis centers. Evaluation of the development phase shows that despite its advantages, the chip card is not much used for the following reasons: usage not yet fully understood, lack of coherence in the computerized hospital information system, not enough card readers which are very costly, and a cultural lack of trust in any new technology. There is, more over, extra work involved for entering data in "Logidial" (computerized medical records) from where "Dialybre" is automatically updated.

Laparoscopy: an alternative to surgery in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Fifteen laparoscopic abdominal operations were performed in 14 patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure. Celioscopic exploration of the abdomen and subsequent operation displayed several advantages specific to the method: identification of the etiology of scrotal dialysate outflow was achieved in 4 cases, peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1 case, abdominal exploration during occurrence of peritonitis in 3 cases, and catheter dysfunction or abdominal examination before catheter implantation in 7 cases. The laparoscopic procedure allows early resumption of peritoneal dialysis after surgery, hence avoiding the need for transient hemodialysis. Nevertheless, it seemed unable to offer a salvage capability of infected catheters through extensive abdominal washing. Laparoscopy has been reported to decrease postoperative pain and disorders of ventilation, allowing for rapid recovery of social and professional activities following this minimal invasive surgical technique. Laparoscopy is a novel technique which enables precise diagnosis and surgical operations in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure in normal pregnancy.

The definition of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is plagued by many difficulties, in part related to the limits of intermittent clinic readings of blood pressure. In order to better define the evolution of arterial blood pressure in normal subjects during normal pregnancy, casual and ambulatory (Spacelabs 90207, n = 22 or Diasys 200, n = 26) measurements of blood pressure were performed at gestational months 3, 6, and 9, in 48 normal women aged 18 to 39, both nulliparas (n = 19) and multiparas (n = 29). Ambulatory blood pressure levels were lowest in the first gestational trimester (24-hour mean: 104 +/- 8/63 +/- 6 mm Hg) and rose by a small increment during the last trimester (109 +/- 8/67 +/- 7 mm Hg at 8 months). Mean daytime ambulatory pressure was almost superimposable to clinic measurements at the three time points. A day-night variation in blood pressure level was detectable in all subjects at each recording. It is concluded that during normal pregnancy, ambulatory blood pressure levels were highest in the day and lowest at night at all gestational ages and increased only minimally before the ninth month. Reference values, as defined by the percentile distribution of daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure, may help define more precisely an alteration in the level and/or the circadian variation of arterial blood pressure during abnormal pregnancies.

[Laparoscopic surgery: a new alternative to abdominal surgery in renal insufficiency treated by CAPD]. / La coelio-chirurgie: une nouvelle alternative à la chirurgie abdominale chez l'insuffisant rénal traité par DPCA.

Six laparoscopic abdominal operations were performed in five patients with chronic renal failure with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Coelioscopic exploration and operation disclosed several advantages including peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage, abdominal exploration in peritonitis or before catheter implantation, early dialysis after surgery, hence avoiding the need for transient hemodialysis. Furthermore, laparoscopy was reported to decrease postoperative pain and ventilatory disorders. This minimal invasive surgical technique allows rapid recovery of social and professional activities.

Pharmacokinetics of cadralazine and its hydrazino-metabolite in patients with renal impairment after repeated administration of 5 mg once daily.

Since the hydrazino-pyridazine metabolite of cadralazine, CGP 22 639 is believed to contribute to the activity of the drug, its pharmacokinetics and that of cadralazine were investigated in 8 hypertensive patients with renal impairment. The creatinine clearance (CLcr) of patients ranged from 10 to 60 ml/min. The concentrations of cadralazine in plasma and urine, and of CGP 22 639 (plus its possible hydrazones) in plasma were measured after single and repeated administration of 5 mg of cadralazine once daily. A hypotension possibly linked to cadralazine treatment was recorded on day 3 for the patient with CLcr = 10 ml/min. Metabolite concentrations were found to be at least twice as high as in other patients indicating that in this patient, the daily dose of 5 mg was probably too high. The pharmacokinetics of cadralazine were not modified by repeated administration. The drug and its metabolite were eliminated more slowly in patients with low creatinine clearance. The t1/2 of CGP 22 639 was about twice the t1/2 of the unchanged drug. In patients whose CLcr ranged from 19-37 ml/min the mean accumulation factor of apparent CGP 22 639 was 1.7 times that of the unchanged drug. It shows that the apparent CGP 22 639 accumulated more than the unchanged drug. A starting daily dose of 2.5 mg of cadralazine in patients with CLcr < 40 ml/min appears to be suited to take into account the pharmacokinetics of CGP 22 639. This dose can be increased by 2.5 mg steps if the antihypertensive effect is not sufficient (maximum dose with CLcr < 40 ml/min: 10 mg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of chronic renal insufficiency: hemodialysis at a center or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis? Comparative retrospective study of the success of both methods]. / Le traitement de l'insuffisance rénale chronique: hémodialyse en centre ou dialyse péritonéale continue ambulatoire? Etude comparative rétrospective du succès des deux méthodes.

In a retrospective study, the authors analyse the dialysis-technique success rate in 276 chronic renal patients. 137 patients have been treated with in-center Hemodialysis (CHD) since 1972, 139 patients with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) since 1978. The 6-year technic success rate reaches 28% in CAPD and 31% in CHD (not statistically significant). The risk factors influence the technic-success rate of both methods in the same way. The results suggest that in the analysed patients CAPD is at least as effective as CHD at maintenance in the technic.

[Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: the perfect dialysis?]. / La dialyse péritonéale continue ambulatoire: dialyse idéale?

Among the dialysis method, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is considered as simple, efficient, economical and giving autonomy to the patient. After more than ten year using Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, results are evaluated. The method remains simple, but the obvious simplicity demands a strict medical control. It is efficient, but the hope in anemia and osteodystrophy correction is not confirmed. It offers more freedom but with a lot of restraints: the dietary restriction must be followed and there is only relative moving autonomia. It is economical, but the costs with the use of disconnectable systems which reduce morbidity, bring it near to the home hemodialysis.

[Influence of experience on the success of the treatment of chronic kidney failure by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis at a center]. / Influence de l'expérience sur le succès du traitement de l'insuffisance rénale chronique par dialyse péritonéale continue ambulatoire comparativement à l'hémodialyse en centre.

Experience influence on treatment success of renal chronic failure by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis comparatively to hemodialysis in center is estimated by the probability variation of still being in dialysis techniques. The retrospective study was realized in 276 dialysed patients who were taken over from 1972 to April 1989. In this population, there isn't any significant difference between the probability to stay in ambulatory peritoneal dialysis or in hemodialysis in center. But, if the study is realizing from the 4 years which followed the technique introduction in the center, the success probability at 30 months, remains the same for hemodialysis in center whether the technique has began in 1972 or 1976, whereas for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, this probability raises from 52% to 72% if it begins after 1982. Ambulatory peritoneal dialysis treated patients would be maintained more longer in their system than hemodialysis patients. Those results are explaining by prevention of the peritonitis thanks to technological progress and the early prevention of possible complications.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or center hemodialysis? Retrospective evaluation of the success of both methods.

In a retrospective study, the authors analysed the dialysis-technique success rate in 276 chronic renal patients. Of these, 137 patients have been treated with in center hemodialysis (CHD) from 1972 to 1989 and 139 with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) from 1978 to 1989. The six-year technique success rate was 28% in CAPD and 31% in CHD (statistically not significantly different). Various risk factors influence the technique-success rate of both methods in the same way. The results suggest that in our center CAPD is as effective as CHD in the treatment of patients with end-stage renal failure.

[Daily hemodialysis of ultra-short duration with non-traumatic vascular access. Two cases]. / Expérience d'hémodialyse quotidienne ultra-courte avec abord vasculaire atraumatique. A propos de deux cas.

The authors report their experience on treating two patients, suffering end-stage renal disease, by daily hemodialysis of ultra-short duration with a non-traumatic vascular access. 90 minutes dialysis are realized 6 days a week. Clinical tolerance is excellent and patients' adhesion is satisfactory. However, despite reutilization of the dialyzer, the method remains costly.

Computerized patient management in a nephrology department.

An integrated approach is described for the computerized management of a nephrology department. On a medical point of view, the system comprises a minimum medical record for every patient, different specialized records and knowledge bases presently covering hypertension, diabetes and chronic renal failure. From a technical point of view, the methodology used integrates data and knowledge management techniques. Various individual reports facilitate patient management. For hypertensive patients, an expert system is combined with the record system. The results of a preliminary evaluation are reported and future developments considered.

[Local immunologic reactions induced by CAPD]. / Les réactions immunologiques locales induites par la DPCA.

During CAPD, the peritoneal cavity is submitted to situations such as the accidental bacterial contaminations and the continuous presence of dialysate, which stimulate immunological factors. The antibacterial defenses include opsonins and cells. Only IgG and fibronectin are present in the peritoneal effluent but they are diluted by the dialysate. Macrophages represent 70 to 80% of the peritoneal cells. Beside good phagocytic capacity, some may have a defective bactericidal activity. The continuous presence of dialysate leads to a chronic local inflammation. Macrophages and lymphocytes will synthesize IL-1, PGE2 and IFN-Y. These substances generate movement, attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts in the peritoneal submesothelial tissue, resulting in progressive fibrosis. This fibrosis, generally asymptomatic, may be responsible for loss of Ultrafiltration (UF) and Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis (SEP).

[Experience of decentralized informatics at a nephrology unit of a general hospital]. / Expérience d'informatique décentralisée dans un service de néphrologie en hôpital général.

The computerized medical specialized records covering the follow-up of hypertension (ARTEMIS), diabetes (MELLITEE), chronic renal failure and the minimum medical record of Nephrology (THESEE) using the temporal database management system LIED, have been developed in several units of University Hospitals. The authors show that these computerized records are usable in a Nephrology Unit in a General Hospital.

[Evaluation of the control quality of arterial hypertension over a 10-year period at a hemodialysis center]. / Evaluation de la qualité du contrôle de l'hypertension artérielle pendant dix ans dans un centre d'hémodialyse.

Using the "Diaphane" computed medical record system enables multicentric statistical studies to be conducted. With this system, the quality of arterial hypertension control (supine systolic and diastolic arterial pressure before and after dialysis) was evaluated over a 10-year period in chronic haemodialysis patients in comparison with a multicentric population. A continuous statistical study of the results showed a regular voluntary decrease in arterial pressure. The evaluation of the quality of medical care represented by this comparison contributes to a therapeutic improvement.

[Decentralization of the ARTEMIS system in a nephrology service in a general hospital]. / Expérience de dècentralisation du système "ARTEMIS" dans un service de néphrologie en hôpital général.

"ARTEMIS" is a standardized and computerized medical file which is intended for improving the follow-up of hypertensive patients, the efficacy of treatment and for realising national-wide surveys. The software "LIED" of data base for "ARTEMIS" is nowadays transposable on mini-computer. In Nephrology Unit of General Hospital from Colmar, the system has been working since September 1985 with MICRO-MEGA E 32 (Thomson). The administrative and medical data are directly acquired by the doctors and secretaries of the Unit on a conversational mode from six terminals. There is no writing collecting of data. An evaluation of the system was realized with the 113 first hypertensive patients. The results were compared to those obtained from patients of Paris area.