Mineralocorticoid antagonists treatment versus surgery in primary aldosteronism.

Recent evidence indicates a greater frequency of primary aldosteronism (PA) among patients with hypertension than the previously accepted prevalence. PA was once considered a relatively benign form of hypertension associated with low incidence of organ complications. Recent views, however, suggest that long-term exposure to increased aldosterone levels might result in cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic sequelae that occur independently of the blood pressure level. Cross-sectional comparisons with patients with essential hypertension have demonstrated that patients with PA are at higher risk of cardiovascular events, have more frequent left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, have greater urinary albumin losses as a marker of a hemodynamic intrarenal adaptation, and are insulin resistant. Some of these findings have been corroborated by the results of short-term, follow-up studies where it was shown that unilateral adrenalectomy or treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists are effective in correcting hypertension and hypokalemia. Normalization of blood pressure and correction of hypokalemia, however, are not the only goals in managing PA and effective prevention of organ complications is mandatory in these patients. The relative efficacy of adrenalectomy and MR antagonists, in the long-term, on the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic outcomes still needs evaluation, being the aldosterone-induced tissue damage the main factor that could justify the cost of increasing efforts in screening of disease and differentiation of subtypes. In this narrative review, we summarize the results obtained with either surgical or medical treatment of PA and outline the findings of long-term, prospective studies on the effects of treatment on cardiovascular and renal outcomes and on insulin sensitivity.

Cytotoxic activity of the root extract from Myoschilos oblongum.

The crude methanolic root extract of Myoschilos oblongum exhibited a significant cytotoxic activity against PZ-HPV-7 human prostate cells. Furthermore, two esters of docosanol were isolated from the CH(2)Cl(2) extract.

[Continuous-infusion ketamine]. / Contributo clinico all'uso della ketamina per infusione continua.

An investigation was made of the employment of ketamin as the sole anaesthetic in general surgery, using continuous infusion of a 1% solution for both induction and maintenance in 118 cases. ECG was monitored and arterial pressure was measured invasively. Central venous pressure was also determined in 10 cases. Changes in serum enzyme values during and after surgery were examined in 35 patients. Blood samples were withdrawn before induction, after the return to consciousness, and 24 hr after the operation. Side-effects were common, but slight. Five patients suffered from nightmares, but these were persons with marked imaginative activity and a melancholic nature. Cardiocirculatory function was satisfactory. In particular, peripheral perfusion was excellent in all cases.