Chlorothiazide in Control of Ascites in Hepatic Cirrhosis

The Electroencephalographic Diagnosis of Manifest and Latent `Delirium' With Particular Reference to That Complicating Hepatic Cirrhosis

“…In the large series of morphine tests only two measures of deterioration were used, namely, reduction in units of dominant frequency and percentage increase in RAO. This limitation was made first because these values were available for tests throughout the series; secondly, because previous work Read et al, 1959) showed that these changes were found consistently during the early stages of developing delirium; and, thirdly, because more complicated methods of comparison would have yielded no additional useful information. However, in small series or when single pairs of records are being compared a more sophisticated comparison may be useful.…”

“…In severe cases of encephalopathy there may be permanent clinical, psychological, or electroencephalographic abnormalities, but in these cases the diagnosis is seldom in doubt and the electroencephalographic evidence is merely confirmatory. In those milder cases where the diagnosis is doubtful the EEG, while providing very early evidence of 58 EEG DIAGNOSIS OF'DELIRIUM' developing delirium (Read, Laidlaw, Haslam, and Sherlock, 1959), may be unable to detect a latent encephalopathy.…”

The Comparative Effect of Chlorothiazide and Meralluride on the Development of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Patients

“…An association between the incidence of ence phalopathy and the degree of fluid loss induced by chlorothiazide has been observed by others [18,19] and attributed to the loss of electro lytes in the urine, especially th at of potassium. In conclusion, it appears th at chlorothiazide will produce ence phalopathy more frequently than meralluride in cirrhotic patients and th at the developm ent of this encephalopathy is related to: (1) hyperam monem ia, probably due to increased release of ammonia by the kidney into the renal vein, (2) the extent of portal systemic col lateralization, and (3) induction of hypokalemia and fluid loss.…”

The aetiology and management of ascites in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: A review

“…In a severe case even combinations of diuretics in large doses cannot compensate for a high-sodium diet. Potassium supplements are given routinely not only to combat the potassium depletion which is invariably present in patients forming ascites but also to prevent sodium depletion following diuretic therapy, especially with the thiazide group (Read, Haslam, Laidlaw, and Sherlock, 1958) and even with the aldosterone antagonists (Ross, 1961). Potassium supplements also have a diuretic potentiating action in their own right (Taylor and Faloon, 1959).…”