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Our data suggest that the administration of anesthesia without intubation for prone ERCP cases is feasible especially in non-obese, healthier patients.

Cure of hepatitis C virus has become feasible in almost all patients. However, vigilance is needed in 3 scenarios: previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), history of organ transplantation, and history of cured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current data suggest that HBV reactivation occurs in about 10% of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients and approximately 1% of hepatitis B core antibody-positive but HBsAg-negative patients. The risk of organ rejection is also around 1%, but can be fatal if not acted on immediately. Finally, the risk of early HCC recurrence may be increased but should not delay initiation of antiviral therapy in the setting of cured HCC; however, increased surveillance may be warranted.

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We investigated the relationship between sodium sensitivity and diurnal variation of blood pressure in outpatients with hypertension. Twenty hypertensives were maintained on both a regular sodium diet for a period of 2 weeks and a low salt (7 g/day) diet for a period of one or two weeks. Ambulatory blood pressure was recorded at thirty minute intervals for 24 hours by automatic device before and during low salt diet. Patients were classified by nocturnal fall in blood pressure. 14 patients were classified as sodium sensitive, whereas 6 were classified as non-sodium sensitive on the basis of a > or = 0 in salt sensitive index caused by sodium restriction. Incidence of reversed dipper and non-dipper in systolic blood pressure was reduced by sodium restriction, however, dipper and extreme dipper were increased. In conclusion, the results of this study show that patients with high sodium sensitivity index have strong sodium sensitivity and non-dipper is not always changed by sodium restriction.

Patients with active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are at risk of HBV reactivation, but even patients with resolved hepatitis B, indicated by negative hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) in the presence of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), with or without hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), are known to remain at risk for HBV reactivation. 1,2 Furthermore, booster vaccination has been recommended for patients with hepatitis C. However, little attention has been paid to the importance of HBsAb in HBcAb-positive but HBsAg-negative patients in regard to HBV reactivation. The usage of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has allowed for hepatitis C virus elimination, and vaccination for hepatitis B has reduced acute hepatitis B infections. However, in some patients, chronic hepatitis B continues to persist, requiring treatment. Coinfection of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) is rare, that is 0.7% within a VA study, although it can be seen more frequently in areas with a high prevalence of both of these infections and