A. Dal Canton

Echocardiographic Detection of Cardiac effects of Arterio-Venous Dialysis Fistula

The effects of the dialysis fistula were evaluated by echocardiography in 10 patients with terminal renal failure. Echocardiography was performed the day before creation of the fistula (E0) and was then repeated 24 hours after surgery (E1), the day before the first dialysis (E2), the day following the fourth dialysis (E3) and, finally, after 6 months of RDT (E4). Left ventricular internal diameter was measured both in diastole (LVIDd) and in systole (LVIDs), allowing calculation of ventricular diameter percent shortening (LVID%), of ventricular diastolic (EDV) and systolic volume (ESV). In E1 the fistula caused a significant increase in LVIDd, accounting for a rise also in EDV. This ventricular dilation persisted in E2, but was abolished in E3 and in E4. LVIDs, ESV, and LVID% were unmodified throughout the study. these results show that the dialysis fistula causes an immediate rise in cardiac pre-load, which is rapidly reversed by RDT.

Effects of the Loop-Diuretic Muzolimine in Rats with HgCl2 — Induced Acute Renal Failure (ARF)

Pre-treatment with diuretics (D) can prevent the onset or shorten the course of many models of experimental ARF (1). It is not clear, however, whether D can improve renal function when administered after ARF has estabilished. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of Muzolimine (M) in HgCl2 induced ARF.

Diuretics in the Salernitan Medicine

In Middle Ages, Salerno -a small town in Southern Italy-was the site of a very important School of Medicine, the most important in Western World at those times. The teachers were called “Magistri” (Masters), and often came to hold the prestigious Chairs of Salerno from distant countries. Arabian Magistri were well accepted and gave a fundamental contribution to Salernitan knowledge. They, in fact, knew very well the important texts of the Classic Medicine that had been almost forgotten in Western countries after the fall of the Roman Empire. And, of course, they brought new ideas, original concepts specific of the Arabian medical culture. The Arabian influence accounts for the great importance of the Science of Urine (so-called Uroscopy) in the Salernitan School (1). An Arabian physician, Isaac Ebreus (9th century), in fact, was the first who gave a rationale to the diagnostic value of urine, by introducing into the Classic theory of urine formation the new concept that urine is the final receptacle of any Humor excess (2).

Effects of Muzolimine on Experimental Acute Renal Failure (ARF)

Experimental ischemic-ARF has been widely studied because of its pathogenic similarity to human ARF. Administration of loop diuretics immediately after the ischemic insult is of no benefit to renal function (1). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of a new loop diuretic, Muzolimine (M), active from the peritubular site.

Enhanced Recovery of Acute Renal Failure with Dopamine + Muzolimine

Diuretic treatment in oliguric “organic” Acute Renal Failure (ARF) is commonly used in order to increase urine output and improve the course of the disease (1). Muzolimine is a new high-ceiling loop diuretic acting from the serosal side of tubular cells (2), indipendently on the rate of glomerular filtration. Dopamine, a splanchnic vasodilating agent, appears to have a direct action on renal vasculature (3).

Water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances in acute renal failure.

A complete anuria(a few milliliters of urine in 24 hrs) is rare in ARF. It may occur in bilateral complete ureteral obstruction, in renal cortical necrosis, in acute glomerulonephritis and in bilateral renal artery occlusion(Andreucci et al., 1984).