This study was done to evaluate if routine elective injection
sclerotherapy of esophageal varices is associated
with any deterioration in respiratory function and pulmonary
haemodynamics after procedure and if any changes
occur after sclerotherapy in platelet and leukocytic counts.
The study was carried out on 50 patients with liver cirrhosis
and portal hypertension. They were classified into 3
groups. Group A included 20 patients treated with injection
sclerotherapy, group B included 20 patients who completed
the schedule of injection sclerotherapy and group C
(control group) 10 patients who were without history of
bleeding or injection sclerotherapy. For all patients full
clinical examination, liver function tests abdominal ultrasonography,
respiratory function test (PVC), arterial blood
gases, WBCs and platelet counts were done. Echocardiography
was also done, in group A these tests were done one
day before and one day after procedure except echocardiography
was done 3 months after sclerotherapy. The results
showed that forced vital capacity arterial 02 tension
and oxygen saturation were significantly lower one day after
sclerotherapy, than before sclerotherapy with no significant
echocardiographic changes. These findings can be
explained by embolization of sclerosant to the lung. The
study showed also transient rise in W.B.Sc. and platelet
counts one day after sclerotherapy which disappear after
completing schedule of sclerotherapy. The study showed
no significant echocardiographic changes before or after
injection sclerotherapy. Patients undergoing esophageal
variceal sclerotherapy develop restrictive defect in respiratory
function one day of after the procedure detected by
decrease in arterial 02 tension, oxygen saturation and
forced vital capacity this may be due to embolization of
the sclerosant to the lung. |
