Liver resection. Preoperative and postoperative care.

Background: Adverse events attributed to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin have been widely discussed. Lung disorders have been described, but the respiratory function of these patients during treatment has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of dyspnoea and possible changes in lung function associated with the use of PEG-IFN and ribavirin. Methods: We evaluated clinical data and spirometry in 31 patients with chronic hepatitis C infections prior to treatment, in the 2nd week of treatment and in the 12th week of treatment. Results: During the follow-up period, 19 patients (61.3%) had dyspnoea. Decreased haemoglobin levels were observed during the study, but there was no significant association with dyspnoea. However, patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 had a higher incidence of dyspnoea. No significant difference was detected between the values of forced vital capacity (FVC), f...

Dyspnoea in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin

Estudo morfo-funcional, bioquímico e imunohistoquíco do aparelho respiratório em ratos expostos à fumaça do cigarro e ao álcool

The literature data concerning respiratory function in cirrhosis of the liver are cited and reference is made to the results of a spirometric, gas analysis and 133-Xenon investigation of this parameter in 38 patients. Spirometry pointed to slight ventilatory incapacity of the restrictive type. Arterial gas analaysis showed respiratory alkalosis, usually accompanied by metabolic acidosis and slight hypoxyaemia. Examination with 133-Xe indicated that hypoxyaemia was not due to a shunt effect, since there was no excess of perfusion with respect to district ventilation. It was clear, on the other hand, that the pulmonary capillary reserve was almost exhausted. Such complete perfusion of the capillary bed may be due to increased cardiac output and, in part, to reduction of the respiratory surface caused by raising of the diaphragm and hypoventilation of the lung bases.

Bevilacqua M

Papers

[Respiratory function in liver cirrhosis. Spirometry, blood gas analysis and radioisotope study with Xenon 133].