ISOLATED ALTERATIONS OF BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF LIVER DAMAGE in a seemingly healthy patient can present a challenge for the clinician. In this review we provide a guide to interpreting alterations to liver enzyme levels. The functional anatomy of the liver and pathophysiology of liver enzyme alteration are briefly reviewed. Using a schematic approach that classifies enzyme alterations as predominantly hepatocellular or predominantly cholestatic, we review abnormal enzymatic activity within the 2 subgroups, the most common causes of enzyme alteration and suggested initial investigations.

OBJECTIVE—To explore the possibility that oscillating glucose may outweigh A1C levels in determining the risk for cardiovascular diabetes complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A euinsulinemic hyperglycemic clamp at 5, 10, and 15 mmol/l glucose was given in increasing steps as a single “spike” or oscillating between basal and high levels over 24 h in normal subjects and type 2 diabetic patients. Flow-mediated dilatation, a marker of endothelial function, and plasma 3-nitrotyrosine and 24-h urinary excretion rates of free 8-iso PGF2α, two markers of oxidative stress, were measured over 48 h postclamp. RESULTS—Glucose at two different levels (10 and 15 mmol/l) resulted in a concentration-dependent fasting blood glucose–independent induction of both endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in both normal and type 2 diabetic patients. Oscillating glucose between 5 and 15 mmol/l every 6 h for 24 h resulted in further significant increases in endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress compared with either continuous 10 or 15 mmol/l glucose. CONCLUSIONS—These data suggest that oscillating glucose can have more deleterious effects than constant high glucose on endothelial function and oxidative stress, two key players in favoring cardiovascular complications in diabetes. Concomitant vitamin C infusion can reverse this impairment.

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The AST/ALT ratio is both reproducible and transportable in patients with HCV-related CLD. The AST/ALT ratio is correlated with both histologic stage and clinical evaluation. Progressive liver functional impairment is reflected by an increase in the AST/ALT ratio. Noninvasive evaluation by means of the combined AST/ALT ratio and PLT assessment misclassifies only a few cirrhotic patients. In cirrhotic patients, the AST/ALT ratio provides medium-term prognostic information that is no different from that provided by established prognostic scores.

Background: Indices for predicting survival are essential for assessing prognosis and assigning priority for liver transplantation in patients with liver cirrhosis. The model for end stage liver disease (MELD) has been proposed as a tool to predict mortality risk in cirrhotic patients. However, this model has not been validated beyond its original setting. Aim: To evaluate the short and medium term survival prognosis of a European series of cirrhotic patients by means of MELD compared with the Child-Pugh score. We also assessed correlations between the MELD scoring system and the degree of impairment of liver function, as evaluated by the monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) test. Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated survival of a cohort of 129 cirrhotic patients with a follow up period of at least one year. The Child-Pugh score was calculated and the MELD score was computed according to the original formula for each patient. All patients had undergone a MEGX test. Multivariate analysis was performed on all variables to identify the parameters independently associated with one year and six month survival. MELD values were correlated with both Child-Pugh scores and MEGX test results. Results: Thirty one patients died within the first year of follow up. Child-Pugh and MELD scores, and MEGX serum levels were significantly different among patients who survived and those who died. Serum creatinine, international normalised ratio, and MEGX 60 were independently associated with six month mortality while the same variables and the presence of ascites were associated with one year mortality. MELD scores showed significant correlations with both MEGX values and Child-Pugh scores.

Background —The benefits of vessel recanalization in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited by reperfusion damage. In animal models, adenosine limits reperfusion injury, reducing infarct size and improving ventricular function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of adenosine adjunct to primary PTCA in AMI. Methods and Results —Fifty-four AMI patients undergoing primary PTCA were randomized to intracoronary adenosine or saline. The 2 groups were similar for age, sex, and infarct location. Adenosine administration was feasible and well tolerated. PTCA was successful in all patients and resulted in TIMI 3 flow in all patients given adenosine and in 19 given saline ( P <0.05). The no-reflow phenomenon occurred in 1 adenosine patient and in 7 saline patients ( P =0.02). Creatine kinase was lower in the adenosine group, and a Q-wave MI developed in 16 adenosine patients and in 23 saline patients ( P =0.04). Sixty-four percent of dyssynergic segments improved in the adenosine group and 36% in the saline group ( P =0.001). Function worsened in 2% of dyssynergic segments in the adenosine group and in 20% in the saline group ( P =0.0001). Adverse cardiac events occurred in 5 patients in the adenosine group and in 13 patients in the saline group ( P =0.03). Conclusions —Intracoronary adenosine administration is feasible and well tolerated in AMI. Adenosine adjunct to primary PTCA ameliorates flow, prevents the no-reflow phenomenon, improves ventricular function, and is associated with a more favorable clinical course.

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The platelet count/spleen diameter ratio may be proposed as a safe and reproducible means to improve the management of cirrhotic patients who should undergo screening endoscopy for EV.