[Neurological symptoms of hypomagnesemia]. / Neurologische symptomen bij hypomagnesiëmie.

BACKGROUND: An epileptic seizure is a common neurological presentation in the Emergency Department (ED). Electrolyte disturbances are an important cause of neurological symptoms like seizures and hypomagnesemia is one of them. PPI's can cause hypomagnesemia and are readily prescribed. Therefore patients taking PPI's are at risk of developing neurological symptoms due to hypomagnesemia. CASE: A 82-year old woman was seen in ED with a history of nausea, vomiting and vertigo. A vertical nystagmus was observed with attacks of mydriasis followed by a phase of encephalopathy and restlessness. These were recognized as epilepsy. Hypokaliemia, hypocalcemia and a deep hypomagnesemia were present. The PPI accounted for hypomagnesemia. After 2 days of intravenous magnesium suppletion all symptoms disappeared. CONCLUSION: PPI's can cause hypomagnesemia and magnesium levels should be obtained in patients presenting with encephalopathy or atypical neurological symptoms.

Short- and long-term functional effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in hemodialysis vascular access.

The efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is usually expressed as the angiographic result. Access flow (Qa) measurements offer a means to quantify the functional effects. This study was performed to evaluate the short-term functional and angiographic effects of PTA and to determine the longevity of the functional effects during the follow-up period. Patients with an arteriovenous graft (AVG) or an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) who were eligible for PTA (Qa values of <600 ml/min) were included. Ultrasound-dilution Qa measurements were obtained shortly before PTA and periodically after PTA, beginning 1 wk after the procedure. The short-term effects were expressed as the increase in Qa and the reduction of stenosis. The long-term effects were expressed as patency and the decrease in Qa after PTA. Ninety-eight PTA procedures for 60 patients (65 AVG and 33 AVF) were analyzed. Qa improved from 371 +/- 17 to 674 +/- 30 ml/min for AVG and from 304 +/- 24 to 638 +/- 51 ml/min for AVF (both P < 0.0001). In 66% (AVG) and 50% (AVF) of cases, Qa increased to levels of >600 ml/min. The degree of stenosis decreased from 65 +/- 3 to 17 +/- 2% for AVG and from 72 +/- 5 to 23 +/- 7% for AVF (both P < 0.005). The reduction of stenosis was not correlated with DeltaQa (r(2) = 0.066). Six-month unassisted patency rates after PTA were 25% for AVG and 50% for AVF. The decreases in Qa were 3.7 +/- 0.8 ml/min per d for AVG and 1.8 +/- 0.9 ml/min per d for AVF. Qa values before PTA and DeltaQa were correlated with the subsequent decrease in Qa (P < 0.005). In conclusion, Qa increases after PTA but, in a substantial percentage of cases, not to levels of >600 ml/min. Qa values before PTA and the increase in Qa were correlated with long-term outcomes, whereas angiographic results were not. These data, combined with literature data, suggest that there is optimal timing for PTA.