Achalasia at the Crossroads Between Specialties.

Background: Achalasia is a condition that can be treated either by surgery, such as Heller myotomy associated with an antireflux procedure, or by pneumatic dilation, the choice of type of treatment being a widely debated topic nowadays. Methods: We selected patients with the diagnosis of achalasia, calculating the Eckardt score on admission and they were treated by pneumatic dilation, respectively by myotomy associated with fundoplication. Therapeutic success at the end of treatment was analyzed, as well as that in subsequent follow-ups. At the same time, other important aspects of the study were quality of life and complications. Results: Forty-eight patients were included, 20 in the group of those treated by pneumatic dilation, and 28 treated by surgery. The results of the therapeutic success were to the advantage of the surgery, both after the completion of the treatment, and in the follow-ups from one year to 2 years (96.4% vs 90%, respectively 92.9% vs. 85%). The quality of life was better in patients with pneumatic dilation throughout the period. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of achalasia has a higher success rate than pneumatic dilation, but the latter is associated with a better quality of life.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of serum endocan in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the relationship between endocan and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with liver cirrhosis and no heart disease were included in a prospective observational study with liver disease decompensation and death as primary outcomes. RESULTS: 83 cirrhotic patients were included and 32 had cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Endocan levels were significantly lower in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (5.6 vs. 7 ng/mL, p = 0.034). Endocan correlated with severity of cirrhosis, time to decompensation or death from liver disease (OR 4.5 95% CI 1.06-31.1). CONCLUSION: Endocan is a promising biomarker of severity of cirrhosis and may help in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in this population.

Preparation regimen is more important than patient-related factors: a randomized trial comparing a standard bowel preparation before colonoscopy with an individualized approach.

BACKGROUND: Optimal bowel preparation is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of colonoscopy. Several patient-related factors are known to influence the quality of bowel cleansing but randomized trials in this area are lacking. We aimed to compare an individualized bowel prep strategy based on patient characteristics to a standard preparation regimen. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an endoscopist-blinded multicenter randomized control-trial. The Boston Bowel Prep Score (BBPS) was used to assess quality of bowel preparation and a 10 point visual analogue scale to assess patient comfort during bowel prep. Patients were randomised to either the standard regimens of split-dose 4L polyethylene-glycol (group A), split-dose sodium picosulphate/magnesium citrate (group B) or to either of the two depending on their responses to a 3-item questionnaire (individualized preparation, group C). RESULTS: 185 patients were randomized during the study period and 143 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients in the individualized group had a median BBPS of 7 compared to a median of 6 in the standard group (p = 0.7). Also, there was no significant difference in patients' comfort scores, irrespective of study group or laxative regimen. However, on multivariable analysis, a split-dose 4L polyethylene-glycol was an independent predictor for achieving a BBPS>6 (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4-9.8), regardless of patient-related factors. CONCLUSION: The choice of laxative seems to be more important than patient-related factors in predicting bowel cleansing. Comfort during bowel prep is not influenced by the type of strategy used.

The Impact of Hypoxaemia on the Outcome in Liver Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Prognostic factors for poor evolution are critical in the setting of limited access to liver transplantation for patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxaemia on the outcome in cirrhosis and the evolution of arterial oxygen tension during long-term follow-up in these patients. METHODS: Consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively enroled and followed-up in our tertiary referral center. Clinical features, biological tests, arterial blood gases, NT-proBNP levels, pulse oximetry measurements, 12-lead ECG, and transthoracic contrast echocardiography were documented on enrolment. The main outcomes were death and decompensation due to liver disease. RESULTS: 87 cirrhotic patients were included in the analysis and followed-up for a mean of 16 months. At enrolment, 27 (31%) patients were hypoxaemic, 19 had hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), but only 6 of those who were sampled at follow-up had persistent hypoxaemia. During the study period, 22 patients died of liver-related complications. Nine of them (41%) were hypoxaemic on enrolment but none had severe hypoxaemia. Hypoxaemia present at enrollment was not a risk factor for death (p=0.29) or decompensation of liver disease (p=0.7). A higher MELD score at baseline or increase during follow-up was a risk factor for death (p=0.02) and correlated with the presence of hypoxaemia. Normalization of the arterial oxygen levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in NT-proBNP (83 pg/ml vs 0 pg/mL, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate hypoxaemia was frequent in our patients but was not associated with adverse outcome in cirrhosis. Repeated arterial blood gas sampling is advisable, especially in patients diagnosed with hepatopulmonary syndrome.