Outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery in diabetic transplant candidates.

Insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients with end-stage renal disease and coronary artery stenoses > or = 75% have a poor prognosis. However, information is lacking on the morbidity and mortality of the coronary artery bypass operation in this group. We studied 30 consecutive IDDM transplant candidates undergoing a bypass operation to determine the incidence of complications and long-term outcome. Perioperative mortality was 3% and the complication rate was 60%. During follow-up, five patients experienced six myocardial infarctions, the majority within six months of operation. Twenty-one patients underwent successful kidney transplantation after the bypass operation. Overall patient survival was 80%, 73%, and 66% at 1, 2 and 4 yr. In summary, the coronary artery bypass procedure in IDDM transplant candidates has a high morbidity, but the long-term outcome is good. Appropriately counseled IDDM transplant candidates with coronary artery disease should be considered for coronary revascularization and subsequent transplantation.

Is quinine effective and safe in leg cramps?

Muscle cramp is a recurrent and painful condition and a common complaint among elderly subjects and patients treated with hemodialysis. It is commonly nocturnal and can disturb a good night's sleep. No specific cause can be identified; therefore, therapy is mostly symptomatic. Quinine sulfate, an antimalarial drug, is widely used as an effective therapy for idiopathic leg cramps. Several double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies have questioned the effectiveness of quinine in leg cramps; whereas other studies have shown significantly more benefit with use of quinine in reducing the frequency and severity of cramps compared with placebo or vitamin E. The mechanism of this beneficial effect is obscure, however. Quinine appears to decrease the excitability of the motor end plate, thereby reducing the muscle contractility. Most patients consider quinine beneficial for their leg cramps, which is difficult to refute by scientific data. More important, cramp is a subjective symptom, therefore difficult to measure objectively. Consequently, scientific studies designed to prove or disprove the effectiveness of quinine can be subject to flaws. Further, a dosage of 200 to 300 mg of quinine every night has not been shown to cause significant side effects. Nevertheless, quinine should be used in a small dose and cautiously, especially in the elderly and patients with renal failure, and should be avoided in patients with liver disease.