有症状颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉斑块的稳定性:高分辨率磁共振成像研究

目的 探讨高分辨率磁共振成像(high-resolution magnetic resonance inaging,HR-MRI)评价有症状颈动脉狭窄患者斑块稳定性的价值以及不稳定斑块和血管重度狭窄的危险因素.方法 纳入有症状颈动脉狭窄患者,通过HR-MRI评价有症状颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉斑块成分判断斑块的稳定性.收集行颈动脉内膜切除术患者的颈动脉斑块进行病理学检查,比较术前HR-MRI与术后病 理学检查结果的一致性.收集所有患者的临床资料,分析颈动脉斑块稳定性和血管狭窄程度的危险因素.结果 共219例狭窄程度＞50％的有症状颈动脉狭窄患者接受HR-MRI检查.其中102例(46.6％)存在稳定斑块,117例(53.4％)患者存在不稳定斑块;118例(53.9％)中度狭窄,101例(46.1％)重度狭窄.35例患者接受颈动脉内膜切除术,其中19例(54.3％) HR-MRI显示斑块不稳定,20例(57.1％)病理学检查显示斑块不稳定,二者高度一致(κ =0.942,P＜0.001).不稳定斑块组男性(P=0.007)、高脂血症(P=0.013)、吸烟(P＜0.001)的患者构成比以及总胆固醇(P=0.001)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(P＜0.001)和空腹血糖(P=0.001)水平显著高于稳定斑块组.多变量logistw 回归分析显示,男性[优势比(odds ratio,OR)2.33,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI) 1.08 ～ 5.04;P=0.032]、吸烟(OR 3.45,95％ CI 1.67～7.14;P=0.001)和空腹血糖水平较高(OR 1.26,95％ CI 1.07～1.48;P =0.006)是斑块不稳定的独立危险因素.中度狭窄组与重度狭窄组患者的所有资料均未显示出显著性差异.结论 HR-MRI能准确评估有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的斑块稳定性.性别、吸烟和空腹血糖增高是颈动脉不稳定斑块的独立危险因素.     

血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、同型半胱氨酸与颈动脉粥样硬化关系研究

目的探讨血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(sdLDL-C),小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与低密度脂蛋白胆固醇之比(sdLDL-C/LDL-C)及同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)与颈动脉硬化的关系,并分析sdLDL-C/LDL-C评价颈动脉斑块的价值。方法选取2017年10月至2019年10月于安徽医科大学合肥第三临床学院心内科住院并行颈动脉彩超检查的200例患者为研究对象,根据颈动脉超声结果分为颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)异常组(n=122)和对照组(n=78)。其中,IMT异常组又分为IMT增厚组(n=30)及颈动脉斑块组(n=92)。Spearman相关分析sdLDL-C与年龄、体质指数(BMI)、LDL-C、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、Hcy的相关性;二元Logistic逐步回归方程及有序多分类Logistic回归模型评估颈动脉斑块的独立危险因素。结果IMT异常组血清sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C和Hcy水平均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。颈动脉斑块组血清sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C和Hcy水平均明显高于IMT增厚组,差异亦均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。Logistic逐步回归分析显示年龄、糖尿病、Hcy、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、sdLDL-C是IMT增厚和颈动脉斑块的独立危险因素。结论在伴有IMT增厚、颈动脉斑块患者中sdLDL-C、sdLDL-C/LDL-C、Hcy水平显著升高。血清sdLDL-C/LDL-C、sdLDL-C、Hcy含量具有颈动脉斑块的预测价值,且是颈动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素。     

老年脑梗死患者血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平与颈动脉狭窄的相关性

目的 研究65岁以上老年脑梗死患者血清小而密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇( sdLDL-C)水平与斑块性颈动狭窄之间的关系.方法 选择缺血性脑梗死患者149例,患者均行颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查,并比较不同组别颈动脉狭窄程度与血清sdLDL-C水平的关系.结果 无狭窄61例;有狭窄88例,其中轻度狭窄30例、中度狭窄34例,重度狭窄24例.无狭窄患者血清sdLDL-C水平明显低于有狭窄患者(P＜0.05).轻度狭窄组血清水平明显低于中度狭窄组,中度狭窄组明显低于重度狭窄组sdLDL-C(P＜0.05).Pearson等级相关分析显示,血清sdLDL-C水平与颈动脉狭窄呈正相关(r =0.411,P＜0.001).颈动脉粥样斑块形成的危险因素Logistic回归分析显示性别、糖尿病、高血压、高血脂、饮酒史、吸烟史与颈动脉粥样斑块形成密切相关;年龄和血清sdLDL-C水平并未显示相关.结论 血清sdLDL-C水平与动脉粥样斑块性颈动脉狭窄呈正相关.     

高血压患者部分血脂指标与颈动脉斑块的相关性

目的 分析高血压患者颈动脉斑块的流行病学特征以及与血脂指标的相关关系,确定与颈动脉斑块相关性最好的血脂指标。方法 前瞻性收集2016年6月—2017年6月于北京安贞医院高血压门诊及全科门诊就诊并且进行颈动脉超声检查的高血压患者。结果 共纳入研究对象2 626例,颈动脉斑块的检出率为46.3%(1 215/2 626),男性高于女性,并随着年龄的增加而显著增加(均P＜0.001)。具有颈动脉斑块的高血压患者低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDLC)、非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(non-HDLC)、总胆固醇(TC)水平以及LDLC/HDLC、TC/HDLC均显著高于无颈动脉斑块的高血压患者(均P＜0.01);而HDLC和甘油三酯(TG)水平两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。调整性别、年龄、高血压病程、血压控制、吸烟、饮酒、体力活动不足、腰围、空腹血糖、同型半胱氨酸水平的影响后,LDLC、non-HDLC、TC、LDLC/HDLC、TC/HDLC与颈动脉斑块均具有显著的相关关系,相对危险度分别为1.373(95%CI:1.233～1.529)、1.310(95%CI:1.187～1.447)、1.257(95%CI:1.147～1.376)、1.202(95%CI:1.096～1.319)和1.116(95%CI:1.039～1.199)。上述指标判断颈动脉斑块存在的ROC曲线下面积分别为:0.557(95%CI:0.535～0.579,P＜0.001)、0.553(95%CI:0.531～0.575,P＜0.001)、0.540(95%CI:0.518～0.562,P＜0.001)、0.551(95%CI:0.529～0.573,P＜0.001)、0.539(95%CI:0.517～0.561,P＝0.001)。结论 接近半数高血压患者检出颈动脉斑块,血脂指标中LDLC、non-HDLC、TC判断颈动脉斑块存在的价值相近,和单一的指标相比LDLC/HDLC、TC/HDLC并没有增加判断颈动脉斑块存在的价值。     

中老年体检人群颈动脉易损斑块的影响因素及列线图模型的建立

目的 分析中老年体检人群颈动脉易损斑块的相关危险因素,并构建列线图预测模型。方法 回顾性分析2021年9月至12月于苏州大学附属第一医院健康管理中心行颈部血管彩超检查的1612例体检者的体检资料。根据颈部血管彩色多普勒超声检查分为易损斑块组(287例)及非易损斑块组(1325例),统计分析2组一般资料、血常规及生化等实验室指标。采用单因素分析及多因素logistic回归分析筛选发生易损斑块的危险因素,联合各独立因素构建发生易损斑块的列线图预测模型,并对模型的预测性和区分度进行验证。采用SPSS(26.0)及R Studio(4.0.2)软件进行统计分析及图形绘制。根据数据类型,组间比较分别采用t检验及χ²检验。结果 与非易损斑块组比较,易损斑块组患者年龄更大,男性、高血压及糖尿病史占比更高,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05);易损斑块组患者中性粒细胞计数、单核细胞计数、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值、空腹血糖、肌酐较非易损斑块组患者升高,易损斑块组患者血小板计数、血小板/淋巴细胞比值、白蛋白、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇较非易损斑块组患者降低,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示年龄(OR=1.099,95%CI 1.078~1.120,P<0.001)、高血压(OR=1.848,95%CI 1.351~2.527,P<0.001)、糖尿病(OR=3.757,95%CI 2.614~5.400,P<0.001)、中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(OR=2.025,95%CI 1.055~3.885,P=0.034)是颈动脉易损斑块的独立危险因素。利用上述指标构建回归方程并绘制列线图预测模型,对发生易损斑块的列线图模型进行内部验证,C检验参数为0.778,校准曲线显示,模型一致性较好,受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.781(95%CI 0.752~0.809)。结论 中老年体检者发生颈动脉易损斑块的列线图预测模型预测能力和区分能力较好,可用于中老年体检人群颈动脉易损斑块的预测。     

小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白与颈动脉斑块形成及危险因素的关系

目的探讨血清小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与颈动脉斑块形成的相关危险因素,为及早防治心脑血管疾病提供依据。方法南通大学附属吴江医院2009年11月～2011年2月期间做过颈动脉超声的住院患者166例,根据颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查结果是否有颈动脉斑块形成,分为斑块组(86例)和非斑块组(80例)2组。采用全自动生化分析仪检测所有患者血清小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇,记录患者既往是否有高血压病、糖尿病、吸烟及饮酒史等,进行统计学分析。结果两组间单因素比较显示,斑块组年龄、高血压病发生率、糖尿病发生率、甘油三酯水平、总胆固醇水平明显高于非斑块组。两组间性别、吸烟史、饮酒史、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平比较,差异无统计学意义。回归分析结果显示,年龄(OR=1.10,P<0.01)、高血压病(OR=2.81,P<0.05)、糖尿病(OR=2.74,P<0.05)、小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平(OR=3.8,P<0.001)进入回归方程,并有统计学意义。结论颈动脉斑块形成是多因素作用的结果,甘油三酯、总胆固醇增高是颈动脉斑块形成的相关因素,血清小...     

河北省任丘市城乡老年居民非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与颈动脉病变的相关性分析

目的:探讨任丘市城乡老年居民非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与颈动脉病变的关系。方法:采用整群随机抽样法,以任丘市年龄60~70岁的常住居民为筛查对象,进行面对面健康问卷调查、人体测量和实验室检测。筛查对象5 010人,根据颈动脉彩超结果分为正常组(567例)、中层增厚组(1 671例)、斑块组(2 490例)、狭窄组(282例),采用Logistic回归方法分析颈动脉病变的危险因素。结果:多因素Logistic回归方程提示:校正混杂因素后,非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(non-HDL-C)为颈动脉病变各组的独立危险因素。颈动脉内膜中层增厚组(B=0.427,OR=1.533,95%CI:1.382~1.700,P<0.001);颈动脉斑块组(B=0.302,OR=1.352,95%CI:1.260~1.451,P<0.001);颈动脉狭窄组(B=0.271,OR=1.311,95%CI:1.148~1.497,P<0.001)。结论:non-HDL-C增高与颈动脉内膜中层增厚、斑块形成及狭窄均具有相关性,有效的控制non-HDL-C水平,延缓颈动脉病变发展进程,可进一步减少心脑血管病的发生。     

短暂性脑缺血发作患者颈动脉斑块稳定性及其相关因素研究

目的 探讨短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性及其相关危险因素.方法 对140例短暂性脑缺血发作患者行颈部血管超声及血液检查;根据颈部血管超声结果分为不稳定斑块组和稳定斑块组,比较两组间颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性及危险因素的差异.结果 不稳定组血清总胆固醇(CHOL)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、三酰甘油(TG)、纤维蛋白原(FIB)、同型半胱氨酸(HCY)、性别、糖尿病史、吸烟与稳定组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).TIA患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率84.29%.结论 TIA患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性与CHOL、HDL-C、LDL-C、TG、HCY、FIB、性别、糖尿病史、吸烟有关,控制其危险因素有重要临床意义.     

血脂代谢与颈动脉粥样硬化不稳定性斑块的相关性

目的在检查出颈动脉斑块的中老年人群上探讨血脂各项指标与颈动脉粥样硬化不稳定性斑块的相关性。方法选择颈动脉超声检查检出斑块的患者270例,根据超声检查结果分为不稳定性斑块组130例和稳定性斑块组140例。对所有对象检验血脂各项指标。结果在对年龄、性别、高血压、糖尿病、吸烟等因素进行校正后,Logistic回归结果显示,非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇Non-HDLC(OR=1.27,95%CI 1.02～1.58,P=0.032)、TC/LD-LC(OR=1.67,95%CI 1.17～2.38,P=0.005)、apoB(OR=4.53,95%CI 1.21～16.94,P=0.025)、apoB/apoA1(OR=17.85,95%CI 3.63～87.87,P<0.001)等指标是颈动脉不稳定性斑块发生的危险因素,apoA1(OR=0.18,95%CI 0.04～0.87,P=0.032)是颈动脉不稳定性斑块生成的保护因素。危险因素分析发现指标apoB/apoA1是颈动脉不稳定性斑块生成的独立危险因素。结论 apoB/apoA1可能是中老年人发生颈动脉不稳定性斑块的独立预测指标。     

急性缺血性脑卒中患者血清ox-LDL水平与颈动脉易损斑块的相关性

目的探讨急性缺血性卒中(CIS)患者血清氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)水平与颈动脉易损斑块的相关性。方法选取2015年1~9月该院收治的经CT和磁共振成像(MRI)确诊为CIS患者224例,根据颈动脉B型超声检查结果将患者分为无斑块组45例、稳定斑块组62例及易损斑块组117例,调查记录研究对象的一般资料,包括血压、身高、体重等,测定血清ox-LDL、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和空腹血糖(FPG)水平;并采用颈动脉超声检测颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)、总斑块面积(TPA)及斑块性质,分析血清ox-LDL水平与CIS患者颈动脉易损斑块的相关性。结果三组高血压发生率、血清ox-LDL水平、颈动脉IMT平均厚度以及增厚率整体和两两比较均有显著差异(P0.05),易损斑块组的总斑块面积(TPA)明显高于稳定斑块组(P0.01)。相关性分析结果显示三组血清ox-LDL水平与血清TC、LDL-C水平以及颈动脉IMT值呈正相关(r=0.376,0.397,0.203,P0.05),与TG、HDL-C、FPG无相关性(P0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果显示易损斑块的形成仅与血清ox-LDL水平独立相关(OR=1.021,95%CI 0.996~1.072,P0.01)。结论急性CIS患者血清ox-LDL水平与颈动脉易损斑块的形成独立相关,提示ox-LDL水平可作为临床初筛易损斑块的血清学指标。     

严重肺功能不全伴前列腺增生的临床治疗

目的探讨严重肺功能不全患者伴有前列腺增生的临床治疗。方法经尿道气化电切前列腺增生组织,测定患者肺功能及动脉血气分析。结果测定38例患者手术前后血气分析指标无显著差异(P>0.05);其中34例患者顺利通过围手术期,术后3例并发支气管肺炎,1例为肺不张。平均随访6月,无排尿梗阻症状。结论经尿道气化电切术适合治疗严重肺功能不全伴有前列腺增生患者。     

Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction associated with ventricular septal defect

We describe an aneurysm originating from the right sinus of Valsalva, with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction associated with ventricular septal defect, in a 9-year-old boy. Diagnosis was made by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Successful surgical repair of ventricular septal defect and aortic valvuloplasty resulted in symptomatic improvement. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Imperforate hymen with hematocolpos

Presented are two cases of imperforate hymen with hematocolpos seen in a pediatric emergency department (ED) during a seven-month period. The first case presented with abdominal pain, urinary obstruction, and constipation on initial visit. The diagnosis was not made on the initial presentation. The patient was seen a second time, and final diagnosis was not made until a third visit to the pediatric outpatient clinic. The second case presented with syncope and bilateral lower abdominal pain. Ultrasound and subsequent surgery confirmed the physical findings in the ED of imperforate hymen and hematocolpos. Both patients underwent hymenectomy, and they have experienced no further symptoms.     

Clinical experience with duodenum-preserving total resection of the head of the pancreas with pancreaticocholedochoduodenostomy

The results of duodenum-preserving total resection of the head of the pancreas (DpTRHP) in 20 patients were compared with the results of pylorus-preserving pancreatico-duodenostomy (PpPD), a procedure in conventional use for the treatment of benign diseases, in 19 patients. The mean operative time for DpTRHP was 4.5±0.9 h, this being not significantly different from that for PpPD, whereas the mean intraoperative blood loss with DpTRHP (825±508ml) was significantly less than that with PpPD (1382±798 ml) (P<0.05). The morbidity and mortality rates of patients treated with DpTRHP were 25% and 0%, respectively, and there were no significant differences between the two surgical treatment groups for these values. The outcome of treatment with DpTRHP was excellent, as was that of PpPD, in terms of the frequency of early gastric stasis, the duration of hospital stay, the patient's capacity for taking food, gaining weight, and working, and the performance status 6 months postoperatively. Thus, DpTRHP, which entails the least extent of resection of the head of the pancreas compared to other currently employed procedures and enables the operator to accomplish reconstruction of the pancreatic and biliary systems without resecting or interrupting the continuity of the digestive tract, was not attended by any serious complications, while, digestive tract function was well preserved, and satisfactory results were produced.     

Functional decline in persons with haemophilia and factors associated with deterioration

Introduction

The World Haemophilia Federation advises regular musculoskeletal assessment covering all International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF) domains, including limitations in activities and participation in persons with haemophilia (PWH). This enables clinicians to detect changes early and enable adjustments in personalized healthcare when needed. However, data on the course of physical functioning and occurrence of decline is lacking. The aim of this study is to describe changes in perceived limitations in activities of PWH and to identify factors associated with a change.

Methods

Data were collected from medical health records of regular check-up visits of adults with moderate and severe haemophilia in two time periods. Perceived limitations in activities was measured with the Haemophilia Activities List (HAL). Association between variables (e.g., age, body mass index, bleeding rate and synovitis) and change in perceived limitations was assessed using a generalized linear model.

Results

A total of 104 PWH were included. At T0, the median HAL sum score was 79.5 (IQR 62.1–93.6) and at T1 the median HAL sum score was 74.2 (IQR 57.5–88.3). A functional decline was found in 35.6% of PWH, 55.8% remained stable and 8.7% improved. Among other variables, a BMI > 30 kg/m² appeared to be an important factor that negatively influenced the change in perceived functioning in adult PWH. With the included factors we could only explain a small part of this decline (R²_adj: .12).

Conclusion

The majority of PWH remained stable in their perceived functional ability over mid-long term (median 3.5 years). However, about a third showed a clinical relevant decline in their functional ability.     

A comparison between patients with dysfunctional breathing and patients with asthma

Introduction: The term dysfunctional breathing (DB) has been introduced to describe patients who display a divergent breathing pattern and have breathing problems that cannot be attributed to a specific medical diagnosis such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or sensory hyper‐reactivity. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate similarities and differences in patients with DB, and patients with well‐controlled asthma regarding health‐related quality of life, anxiety, depression, sense of coherence (SOC), hyperventilation and effects on daily life. Methods: Twenty‐five consecutive patients with DB, and 25 age‐ and sex‐matched patients with asthma (ages 20–73 years) participated in the study. The diagnosis of DB was based on the presence of a dysfunctional breathing pattern and at least five symptoms associated with DB. Results: The group with DB had lower health‐related quality of life (short form 36): vitality (mean) 47 vs 62, social functioning 70 vs 94 and role emotional 64 vs 94 (P < 0.05) than the asthmatic group. The DB group also had a higher prevalence of anxiety (56% vs 24%) and a lower SOC (134 vs 156) (P < 0.05). Hyperventilation, defined according to the Nijmegen symptoms questionnaire, was observed in 56% of patients with DB vs 20% in the asthma group (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that patients with DB are more disabled than patients with well‐controlled asthma. There is a great need for more knowledge about breathing symptoms of a dysfunctional nature, to be able to identify and manage these patients adequately. Please cite this paper as: Hagman C, Janson C and Emtner M. A comparison between patients with dysfunctional breathing and patients with asthma. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2008; 2: 86–91.     

先天性唇裂功能性修复术的临床应用(附36例报告)

为重建先天性唇裂患者的口轮匝肌功能，减少术后畸形，对36例唇裂患者于唇裂修复术中将裂隙两侧迷走的口轮匝肌剥离、切断、复位，于前唇皮肤下方对位缝合(功能性修复术)。结果全部病例刀口均I期愈合，口轮匝肌运动时上唇各部分协调一致，上唇及鼻外形满意。认为功能性修复术可获得满意的外形及功能效果。     

Clinical factors associated with quality of life in patients with transient loss of consciousness

Introduction: Transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is common and can be lethal. Although the patients with the most prevalent causes of TLOC have a benign prognosis, morbidity is considerable. Aim of this article, therefore, was to compare the generic quality of life (QoL) of patients presenting with TLOC with that of the general population, to compare the disease-specific QoL with that of an American referral sample, and to examine which sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with QoL in these patients.
Methods: This study was part of the fainting assessment study (FAST), which assessed diagnostic strategies for adult patients presenting with TLOC to the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, between February 2000 and May 2002. The generic short form-36 (SF-36) health survey and the disease-specific syncope functional status questionnaire (SFSQ) were used to assess QoL.
Results: Of 468 included patients, 82% completed the questionnaires. Patients with TLOC scored poorer on all scales of the SF-36 than the Dutch population, with effect sizes ranging from 0.43 to 1.11 (>0.5 = moderate effect; >0.8 = large effect). The SFSQ indicated mean impairment in 33% of the listed activities (such as driving). Female gender, higher level of comorbidity, shorter duration of complaints, having had more than one syncopal episode, and the presence of presyncopal episodes were associated with poorer QoL.
Conclusion: TLOC seriously affects QoL, especially in patients with a recent onset of clinical symptoms and those suffering from both syncopal and presyncopal episodes.     

Inducibility of microsomal liver function may differentiate cirrhotic patients with maintained compared with severely compromised liver reserve

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Quantitative tests of liver function (QTLF) can be modulated by enzyme-inducing agents. The objective of the study was to examine changes in QTLF after treatment with Phenobarbital, a potent cytochrome P450-inducing agent. METHODS: Forty-six consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis Child-Pugh score B and C (34 alcoholic, 12 hepatitis C) and a compromised aminopyrine breath test (ABT) were included. Thirty-six patients (group I) received phenobarbitone (150 mg) for 7 days. Ten patients (group II) received a placebo. The QTLF, which included ABT (microsomal liver function), galactose elimination capacity (GEC, cytosolic liver function), sorbitol clearance (SCl, liver plasma flow) and indocyanine green clearance (ICG, liver perfusion) was carried out before and after pharmacological induction. RESULTS: Group I showed a basal ABT of 0.18 +/- 0.11% dose.kg/mmol CO2 (normal >0.6%), which increased significantly after induction (172%, P < 0.05), whereas in group II the ABT values did not change. In group IB, a subgroup of group I which exceeded the basal threshold value of 0.30% after stimulation (n = 22), the ABT values increased significantly to 0.44 +/- 0.17% (244%, P < 0.01). The GEC, SCl and ICG remained unchanged before and after induction. CONCLUSIONS: After pharmacological induction, microsomal liver function increased significantly in a subgroup of patients with liver cirrhosis, whereas the GEC, SCl and ICG remained unchanged. Inducibility of the microsomal liver function could be used as a novel parameter of functional hepatic reserve and prognosis in cirrhosis.