[Evaluation of SN-307 (ondansetron), given intravenously in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by anticancer drugs including cisplatin--a placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative study]

Clinical usefulness of ondansetron as an antiemetic for the treatment of nausea and vomiting induced by anticancer drugs including cisplatin (> or = 50 mg/m2) was evaluated by a multi-institutional, double-blind comparative study with placebo with inpatients with various malignancies. In this study, efficacy, safety and usefulness of single dose of ondansetron (4 mg) or placebo (physiological saline), given intravenously for initial nausea and vomiting were observed for 24 hours after treatment. Clinically, very effective or effective response was seen in 64% (16/25) of the group O (ondansetron) and 5.9% (1/17) of the group P (placebo). No clinically significant adverse effects or abnormal laboratory test values were reported in the group of O. Diarrhea (1 case) and the elevation of laboratory test values (GOT.GPT, T-bilirubin, LDH, in 3 cases) were reported in the group of P. General safety assessment was considered "safe" in 100% of both group O and group P, and there was no statistical difference between two groups. Usefulness was considered as "useful" in 64% (16/25) of group O and 6.3% (1/16) of group P, and O was significantly better than group P (p < 0.001) level. In conclusion, ondansetron provides a safe and effective antiemetic measure when employed therapeutically against nausea and vomiting induced by regimens including cisplatin.

Optimum albumin concentration of supplementation fluid for double filtration plasmapheresis

Until recently, the albumin concentration of supplementation fluid for double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) has been empirically determined. Inadequate albumin infusion often leads to hypoproteinemic symptoms such as edema. In the current study, an aimed condensation coefficient (CCaimed) was introduced in an attempt to estimate the appropriate plasma albumin level for each patient. This coefficient is theoretically derived from a one-compartment model for the patient's plasma albumin: CCaimed = CS/CD = 1 - (1 - CR)/[1 - exp(- CC.VR)] where CD and CS are albumin concentrations in discarded plasma and supplementation fluid. CR is the change ratio of albumin concentration in the patient's plasma during a DFPP treatment, and VR(= VS/VP) is the ratio of supplementation fluid volume (VS) to the patient's total plasma volume (VP). And CC denotes the albumin condensation coefficient in a DFPP line, which depends on the filtration fraction of the plasma fractionator (FFPF) and the sieving coefficients of both the plasma separator (SCPS) and the plasma fractionator (SCPF): CC = CD/CP = SCPS.(1 - FFPF.SCPF)/(1 - FFPF) where CP is the albumin concentration of the patient's plasma. From the above relations, CS can be determined as follows: CS = CC.CCaimed.CP Because many kinds of proteins are removed during a single DFPP treatment, a slightly higher albumin concentration in the supplementation fluid is needed to maintain an appropriate plasma level. Therefore, the CR value should be more than unity. For a patient with hematocrit (HCT) of 30%, body weight (BW) of 50 kg, and CP of 3.0 g/dl, who is receiving a DFPP treatment using AP-05H (SCPS of 0.970) and Evaflux 2A (SCPF of 0.526) under FFPF of 0.8 with VS of 500 ml, VP = BW(1- HCT/100)/13 = 50 x (1 - 30/100)/13 = 2.69 L, VR = 500/(2.69 x 1,000) = 0.186, CC = 2.81, and CCaimed = 1.25 assuming 1.1 for CR. Therefore, CS = 2.81 x 1.25 x 3.0 = 10.5 g/dl using the above equations.

[Anti-emetic effect and safety of single dose of ondansetron injection in double-blind comparison study with placebo]

In order to make an objective evaluation of anti-emetic effect, safety and usefulness of ondansetron injection in nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, we carried out a double-blind placebo controlled comparative study in patients receiving high-single dose (50 mg/m2 or more) of cisplatin. Either 4 mg of ondansetron or saline injection was given intravenously at 15 min. before administration of cisplatin. If anti-emetic effect of the test drug was insufficient, an additional dose of 4mg of ondansetron was given intravenously, as the rescue medication. Ondansetron was significantly superior to placebo in anti-emetic effect (p < 0.001). Efficacy rates were 66.7% (22/33 cases) in ondansetron and 20.0% (6/30 cases) in placebo groups. Seven and 21 cases required rescue medication with 4 mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron due to insufficiency of anti-emetic effect, in ondansetron group and placebo group, respectively. Thus the number of patients who required rescue medication was obviously greater in placebo group than that in ondansetron group. The rates of inhibitory effect of rescue medication on nausea and emesis were 14.3% (1/7 cases) in ondansetron group and 61.9% (13/21 cases) in placebo group. Side effects were observed in 1 case (eruption) in ondansetron group and in 2 cases (headache, diarrhoea; 1 case each) in placebo group. Furthermore, fever developed in 1 case in placebo group after the rescue medication. Elevation of total bilirubin value was observed in 2 cases in ondansetron group and 1 case in placebo group, however, these changes were mild and did not pose noteworthy clinical problem. From these results, ondansetron was shown to possess an excellent anti-emetic effect on nausea and emesis induced by highly emetogenic anti-cancer drugs, such as cisplatin, and to have no problem in safety, and thus it was considered to be a useful anti-emetic agent.

[Combined pancreas and kidney transplantation for IDDM patients with diabetic renal failure]

We performed 7 cases of pancreas transplantation (PTX), simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation in 4 cases, and PTX after kidney transplantation in 3 cases. The pancreas and kidney were extirpated after in situ perfusion using UW solution and stored in UW solution. The pancreas was transplanted in the left iliac fossa with bladder drainage, and the kidney was placed in the contralateral iliac fossa. The immunosuppressive regimen consisted of cyclosporine, methylprednisolone, azathioprine and antilymphocyte globulin. Gabexate mesilate (30-40 mg/kg/day) and PGE1 (5 ng/kg/min) was administered intravenously to prevent the vascular thrombosis. The original diseases of 7 patients were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with chronic renal failure, retinopathy and neuropathy. Six out of 7 patients became insulin-free after PTX, while one patient developed the vascular thrombosis in the pancreatic graft which was removed after 12 hours after the transplantation. All patients became dialysis-free and serum creatinine was ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 mg/dl. HbAlc remained within normal range in 6 out of 7 patients, who showed normal to borderline glucose tolerance in 75g oral glucose tolerance test. Although further investigation will be required, PTX from cardiac-arrest donor will be promising as one of the therapeutic modalities for IDDM patients.

[Evaluation of SN-307 (ondansetron), given intravenously for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by anticancer drugs including cisplatin-open study]

The anti-emetic effect, safety and clinical usefulness of ondansetron for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by anticancer drugs including cisplatin, was evaluated by a multi-institutional study in patients with various malignancies. In this study, ondansetron was given intravenously with mainly a single dose of 4 mg to intervene nausea and vomiting. 1. Efficacy ratio of overall effects on nausea and emesis observed for 24 hours after treatment was 69.8%. 2. No side effect was observed. Laboratory tests showed temporary elevation of serum uric acid level in 1 patient in the group given 4 mg. 3. From these results, it seems that ondansetron, given intravenously after initial vomiting, was highly safe and clinically useful anti-emetic for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with anti-cancer drugs.

Clinical appraisal of vinpocetine for the removal of intractable tumoral calcinosis in haemodialysis patients with renal failure

Previous studies have shown that vinpocetine [14-ethoxycarbonyl-(3 alpha, 16 alpha-ethyl)-14,15-eburnamenine] scavenges minerals and/or metals in the soft tissues of rabbits with artificially induced arteriosclerosis. The present study was carried out to determine whether or not vinpocetine would bring about the removal of intractable tumoral calcinosis in haemodialysis patients with renal failure. After administration of 15 mg/day vinpocetine for 3-12 months in haemodialysis patients with X-ray evidence of tumoral calcinosis, calcinosis was completely eliminated in all eight cases. Serum alkaline phosphatase and bone osteocalcin concentrations tended to decrease after treatment with vinpocetine compared with before treatment. Vinpocetine thus appears to be an effective scavenger of tumoral calcinosis in haemodialysis patients with renal failure without any side-effects during treatment.

[Examination of inhibitory effect, safety and usefulness of SN-307 (ondansetron) administered orally once daily for 3-5 consecutive days on nausea and emesis associated with non-platinum anti-cancer drugs]

We examined the anti-emetic effect, safety and usefulness of ondansetron hydrochloride, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, given orally once daily at the dosage of 4 mg, for 3 to 5 consecutive days to patients with nausea and emesis induced by non-platinum anti-cancer drugs such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and carboplatin. Out of 84 cases where anti-emetic effects were evaluated, numbers of cases assessed as excellent and good were 36 (83.3%) and 34 (40.5%), respectively, the efficacy rate being 83.3% (70/84). Side effects, such as moderate constipation (3 cases) and mild headache (3 cases), were observed in 8/85 cases (9.4%). Abnormalities in clinical laboratory findings including elevation of hepatic function and uricacid values and increase in eosinocyte counts, were observed in 3/85 cases (3.5%). As to overall safety, 78/85 cases (91.8%) were evaluated as having no problem in safety, and 7/85 cases (8.2%), as having minor problem in safety. As to clinical usefulness based on anti-emetic effect and overall safety, out of 79 cases the drug was assessed as very useful in 29 cases (36.7%) and useful in 35 cases (44.3%), the rate of "useful" or above being 81.0% (64/79). Furthermore, when ondansetron was administered in 3 courses of chemotherapy, though the number of patients was small, it was shown that anti-emetic effect of ondansetron did not decline and no problem in safety was observed. From the above, ondansetron which exerted adequate anti-emetic effect in 4 mg once daily doses was considered as a useful and safe anti-emetic in treatment of nausea and emesis associated with cancer chemotherapy.

[Investigation of anti-emetic effect of ondansetron tablet in multiple doses on nausea and emesis associated with cisplatin]

The anti-emetic effects, safety and usefulness of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, given orally once daily for 3-5 consecutive days, were investigated in patients receiving a high single dose (greater than or equal to 50 mg/m2 or 75 mg/body) or lower multiple doses (greater than or equal to 15-20 mg/m2/day for 3-5 consecutive days) of cisplatin. Ondansetron 4 mg was administered orally once daily for 3-5 consecutive days. Efficacy rates in controlling nausea and emesis over the 3-5 days were 77.3% (17/22 cases) and 66.7% (6/9 cases) in patients receiving a high single dose and lower multiple doses of cisplatin, respectively. Side effects were observed in 2 cases (headache and elevation of blood pressure in one case and only headache in the other case.). Abnormality in clinical laboratory findings was observed in 1 case. From the above, ondansetron, showing high efficacy by oral administration 4 mg once daily for 3-5 consecutive days, without any problem in safety, was considered to be a useful anti-emetic agent.

[Examination of anti-emetic effect, safety and usefulness of single oral dose of ondansetron tablet in nausea and emesis induced by anti-cancer drugs--dose-finding study of ondansetron tablet in patients receiving non-platinum anti-cancer drugs]

Inhibitory effects on acute nausea and emesis, safety and usefulness of a single oral dose of Ondansetron tablet were evaluated in 3 different dose levels for comparison by telephone registration system, in patients receiving non-platinum anti-cancer drugs. A single dose of ondansetron at 4 mg, 8 mg or 12 mg was given orally at 2 hrs before the initial administration of anti-cancer drugs. The patients were observed for 24 hours after administration of anti-cancer drugs, for occurrence of nausea and emesis. Efficacy rates of inhibitory effects on nausea and emesis were 83.3% (10/12 cases) in 4 mg dose group, 78.6% (11/14 cases) in 8 mg dose group and 84.6% (11/13 cases) in 12 mg dose group, without statistically significant difference. Side effects were observed in 3 cases (headache, cold feeling and trembling in limbs, sleepiness) in 12 mg dose group, but these symptoms were not severe and disappeared after several hours or several days. No abnormality in clinical laboratory findings attributable to Ondansetron was observed. From the above, it was considered that Ondansetron was a clinically useful anti-emetic for nausea and emesis induced by non-platinum anti-cancer drugs and that 4 mg once daily was the optimal dose.

[Anti-emetic effect and safety of consecutive use of ondansetron injection in cisplatin-induced nausea and emesis]

Anti-emetic effect, safety and clinical usefulness of Ondansetron injection given in the dose of 4 mg once daily by intravenous administration for 3-5 consecutive days were examined in patients receiving a high single dose (not less than 50 mg/m2 or over 75 mg/body) and lower multiple doses (over 15-20 mg/m2 once daily, for 3-5 consecutive days) of cisplatin. Efficacy rates of inhibitory effects on nausea and emesis in patients receiving the high single dose of cisplatin were 76% on the 1st day, 67% on the 2nd day and 78% on the 3rd day, the average being 71% (86/121 cases) for the 3 days. Those in patients receiving lower multiple doses of cisplatin were 83% on the 1st day, 78% on the 2nd day, 61% on the 3rd day, 65% on the 4th day and 57% on the 5th day, the average being 72% (13/18 cases) for the 3-5 days. Side effects were observed in 15 cases out of 207 (1st course, 182 cases; 2nd course, 21 cases; 3rd course, 4 cases), and major symptoms were headache and fever. Also, abnormalities in clinical laboratory findings attributable to Ondansetron were observed in 13 cases, mainly consisting of elevation of the hepatic function values. From the above, Ondansetron injection which showed sufficient anti-emetic effects on acute emesis and delayed emesis induced by a high single dose or lower multiple doses of cisplatin with its once daily intravenous dose given for 3-5 consecutive days, were considered a safe and clinically useful anti-emetic.

Prolongation of tetracaine spinal anesthesia by oral clonidine

The effects of oral clonidine on the duration of isobaric tetracaine spinal anesthesia were studied in 30 patients undergoing urologic procedures. All patients received 15 mg of tetracaine intrathecally in isobaric saline solution. Group 1 (n = 10) received 0.25 mg of oral triazolam; group 2 (n = 10) received 0.15 mg of oral clonidine; and group 3 (n = 10) received 0.25 mg of oral triazolam and 0.75 mg of intrathecal phenylephrine. In group 1, the times for two- and four-segment regression of the level of analgesia to pin-prick were 80 +/- 17 and 123 +/- 22 min, respectively (mean +/- SD). The corresponding values of those measurements were 170 +/- 27 and 273 +/- 48 min in group 2 and 175 +/- 34 and 273 +/- 68 min in group 3. All the regression times in groups 2 and 3 were significantly longer than those in group 1. Regression times were not different between groups 2 and 3. The authors conclude that prolongation of tetracaine sensory analgesia may be produced by premedication with 0.15 mg of oral clonidine. The prolongation is similar to that produced by intrathecal phenylephrine.

[Examination of anti-emetic effect and safety of multiple intravenous doses of ondansetron in patients receiving nonplatinum anti-cancer drugs]

Anti-emetic effects, safety and usefulness of Ondansetron given intravenously at 4 mg once daily for consecutive 3-5 days were investigated against nausea and emesis induced by non-platinum anticancer drugs. Efficacy rates in control of nausea and emesis were 59% (20/34 cases) and 68% (23/34 cases), respectively. The efficacy rate for inhibition of nausea and emesis, calculated based on the control of nausea and emesis, was 68% (23/34 cases). Adverse events (headache and constipation) were observed in 1 case and abnormal change in clinical laboratory findings (increase in eosinophil count) in another case. Out of 42 cases in which safety was evaluated, 41 (98%) cases were assessed as "no problem in safety." However, one case with side effect was assessed as a "Minor problem in safety." From the above, it was confirmed that Ondansetron injection exerted excellent inhibitory effects against nausea and emesis induced by non-platinum anti-cancer drugs, and this drug was a highly safe and useful anti-emetic.

[Evaluation of clinical features, cytopathological findings and prognosis of histiocyte proliferative disorders]

Clinicopathological analysis was performed in 19 patients diagnosed clinically with malignant histiocytosis. Ultimately, 9 patients died and 10 are still alive. All 19 had fever of unknown origin. Among the 10 surviving patients, 6 recovered with only supportive therapy such as antibiotic treatment. One recovered with steroid therapy and 2 with VP (vincristine and prednisolone) therapy. Complications due to immunodeficiency were detected in one surviving patient and 2 who died. All 9 patients who died had anemia, and 8 had thrombocytopenia. However, among survivors, only one had anemia and only 2 had thrombocytopenia. Chromosomal abnormality was detected in one patient who died. Histiocytic cells were classified morphologically into 3 types: immature, intermediate and mature. In 4 patients who died, histiocytic cells were immature, but in 4 others mature histiocytic cells were detected. In 5 of the 10 surviving patients, histiocytic cells were of the immature type. Immuno-histochemical analysis of the origin of histiocytic cells in 8 deceased patients showed T-zone histiocytes in one, T cells in one, monocyte phagocytic system (MPS) in 5, and histiocytes of unknown origin in one. Thus, malignant histiocytosis is a heterogenous entity including reactive histiocytic disorder, lymphocytic neoplasm and true histiocytic neoplasm. In histiocyte proliferative disorders, red blood cell counts and platelet counts are useful for assessing prognosis, while cytological findings only confuse this evaluation.

Serum concentrations of magnesium and parathyroid hormone in randomly selected hospital in-patients and out-patients, and in in-patients with dementia

The relationship between hypomagnesaemia and the secretion of parathyroid hormone was studied. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in 63 randomly selected patients and 54 hospitalized demented patients using carboxyl-terminal PTH53-84 (h-PTH53-84), mid-region PTH44-68 (m-PTH44-68) and intact PTH1-84 kits. Both groups of patients were further subdivided into those with near normal serum magnesium concentrations (1.7 - 3.2 mEq/l) and those with hypomagnesaemia (1.2 - 1.6 mEq/l). Serum h-PTH53-84, m-PTH44-68 and PTH1-84 concentrations in both the randomly selected and the demented patients with hypomagnesaemia were significantly lower than those in the groups with near normal serum magnesium concentrations. The results suggest that parathyroid hormone secretion was inhibited in randomly selected patients and dementia patients with hypomagnesaemia.

[Evaluation of implantation of a cancer chemotherapeutic vascular access device: report of 91 cases]

Between April 1984 and December 1990, 91 patients with advanced cancer were implanted with vascular-access-devices 97 times. The results were as follows. When the patients were divided into two groups according to the implantation, namely the earlier (until December 1986) and later (from January 1987) periods, the earlier patency rate was higher than later due to improvement of instruments and progress in the implantation technique. There was no significant difference in the rate of patency or complications between the abdominal and femoral method, but the femoral method had some subcutaneous hematomas. The direct femoral pathway is less invasive, correct and effectively therapeutic method.

[Evaluation of physical fitness and exercise performance in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema]

Physical fitness was studied in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema using Kraus-Weber methods in addition to pulmonary function and exercise tolerance. In Kraus-Weber tests, explosive strength of abdominal muscles in these patients were within the normal range, but both abdominal and back muscle endurance were significantly diminished compared to age-matched controls. On the other hand, flexibility was not different between the patients and the controls, although large variation was present. Exercise performance as assessed by 6 minutes' walk distance in patients was significantly correlated with FEV1.0, DLco and maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, as well as explosive strength of abdominal muscles and abdominal and back muscle endurance capacity. Treadmill walking training for 20 minutes with a load greater than 80% VO2max, twice a week for 2 months was performed in 11 patients with mild to moderate pulmonary emphysema. Six minutes' walk distance (6MD) was significantly prolonged with improvement of back muscle endurance and flexibility. Another walking training consisting of five repetitions of two minutes' near maximal walking and a two minute interval of rest was performed in 6 patients with severe pulmonary emphysema. 6MD tended to increase with improvement of both back and abdominal muscle endurance. However, pulmonary function tests and VO2max showed no significant changes after both types of training. Improved walked distance after the training was significantly correlated with improved VO2 at AT. Furthermore VO2, VE, HR and lactate production during exercise at the same load were significantly decreased compared to pre-training. Dyspnea sensation measured by modified Borg scale during exercise was improved after the training. It is concluded that a physical training program adapted to the condition of the individual patients could improve exercise performance, and should be prescribed in addition to medication.

[Ototoxicity of cis-diammine glycolato platinum, 254-S]

Ototoxicity of cis-diammine glycolato platinum, 254-S, was evaluated from the results obtained in phase II studies for head & neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, urogenital cancer and gynecological cancer at 114 institutions, and in randomized comparative study of 254-S plus vindesine vs. cisplatin plus vindesine for advanced non-small cell lung cancer conducted at 41 institutions. In these studies, 254-S was administered at doses ranging from 80 to 100 mg/m2, repeated at least 2 times at 4-week intervals. Impaired hearing was examined in a hearing audiometry test before and after 254-S administration. The incidence of impaired hearing was 25.8% (16/62) in the 254-S phase II studies. The incidences in the randomized comparative study were 17.6% (3/17) for the 254-S/vindesine group and 20.0% (3/15) for the cisplatin/vindesine group. From these results, the ototoxicity of 254-S was thought to be similar to that of cisplatin in incidence and type.

[Clinical evaluation of ondansetron (injection of a single intravenous dose) against nausea and emesis associated with anti-cancer drugs--dose-finding study in patients receiving cisplatin]

We examined anti-emetic effects, safety and the optimal dose of Ondansetron Injection given in a single intravenous dose in patients receiving a single high dose of cisplatin in randomized controlled comparative study using telephone registration. Ondansetron was injected intravenously in a single dose of 4 mg, 8 mg or 12 mg, at 15 minutes before administration of cisplatin. Nausea and emesis were observed for 24 hours after administration of cisplatin. Efficacy rate of inhibitory effects on nausea and emesis were 76% (19/25 cases) in the 4 mg dose group, 57% (12/21 cases) in the 8 mg dose group and 83% (20/24 cases) in the 12 mg dose group, without a statistically significant difference among 3 dose groups. Hence, it was estimated that the low dose of 4 mg was adequate to exert satisfactory anti-emetic effects. No clear relationship between onset time of the initial emetic episode and plasma concentrations of Ondansetron was found in 16 cases of the 4 mg dose group, 11 cases in the 8 mg dose group and 15 cases in the 12 mg dose group. Side effects observed during this study period were headache and diarrhea in 1 case in the 12 mg dose group. Both symptoms were mild and resolved without treatment. No abnormal findings attributable to Ondansetron were observed in clinical laboratory test. From the above, it was considered that Ondansetron given by a single intravenous injection was highly effective to inhibit nausea and emesis induced by cisplatin, and was highly safe. As to the dose, 4 mg once daily was considered to be adequate for prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced nausea and emesis.

[Therapeutic effects of a combination treatment with flomoxef and tobramycin against infections complicated with hematological disorders]

The efficacy and safety of a combination regimen using flomoxef (FMOX) and tobramycin (TOB) were evaluated in the treatment of infections complicated with hematological disorders. The primary diseases in 40 patients included acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma and others. Complicated infections included 35 cases with suspected septicemia, 4 cases with septicemia and 1 case with pleuritis. Clinical responses were excellent in 10 (25.0%), good in 14 (35.0%), fair in 2 (5.0%) and poor in 14 (35.0%). The efficacy rate was 73.1% in patients with neutrophil counts higher than 501/microliters after administration, but it was 35.7% in patients with counts less than 501/microliters; the difference was statistically significant. No side effects were observed in any of the 40 patients. Abnormal laboratory data in liver functions were identified in 1 patient (2.5%). Degree of this abnormality was very slight, and the continuation of treatment was not disturbed. In conclusion, this combination therapy of FMOX and TOB thus appears to be useful and safe in therapies for infections complicated with hematological disorders.

[Pontine infarction presenting non-paralytic pontine exotropia--evaluation of its clinical course and its MRI findings]

We report two patients with brainstem infarction who presented non-paralytic pontine exotropia (NPPE) in acute phase. Case 1 was a 76-year-old woman. NPPE observed 3 hours after the onset disappeared two days later. Case 2 was a 60-year-old man. Paralytic pontine exotropia was observed 4 hours after the onset of his stroke. NPPE was noted on the next day and left medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) syndrome was still present on the third day. Seven days later, the disturbances of ocular movement was disappeared. T2-weighted cranial MRI showed high signal intensity lesions in the paramedian portion of the mid-pontine tegmentum beneath the fourth ventricle in both cases. Although it has been thought that NPPE is a rare clinical symptom, we think that NPPE is by no means a rare symptom in the acute stage of brainstem infarction.

Development of continuous recirculating peritoneal dialysis using a double lumen catheter

Continuous recirculating peritoneal dialysis (CRPD) was newly introduced to improve solute removal efficiency in conventional dialysis therapies such as hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In CRPD, a part of the dialysate in the peritoneal cavity was drained through a double-lumen catheter and purified by an extracorporeal dialyzer. Urea removal characteristics in CRPD were examined in a canine study. In this study, a recirculation-dialysis experiment using a dog weighing 9.0 kg was carried out under 100 and 200 ml/min of flow for recirculating and delivered dialysates, respectively. An FB-50H (Nipro Medical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan) composed of cellulose diacetate membrane with 0.5 m2 of surface area and Dianeal-1.5 (Baxter Limited Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan) containing urea were used as the extracorporeal dialyzer and dialysate. Urea peritoneal and dialyzer dialysances (DBP and DBD) were 3.05 and 33.3 ml/min by computer simulation using a compartment model for CRPD. This DBP value can be estimated as 20.3 ml/min for a 60 kg human. From this result, time-averaged value for BUN over an 8 hr/day CRPD, combined with three exchanges/day as CAPD is estimated to be 34.3 mg/dl, which is much lower than 45.2 mg/dl for a 12 hr/week HD, or 53.0 mg/dl for conventional CAPD.