Adrenocortical function in patients with ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta
Abstract
To investigate adrenocortical function in patients with ruptured aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. Prospective clinical investigation. Surgical intensive care unit in a university teaching hospital and intensive care unit in a general hospital. 54 patients with a documented rupture of the abdominal aorta. A short adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed. Patients were studied within 24 h of admission to the hospital. Blood samples for the measurement of cortisol and ACTH were collected at 0800 h. Subsequently 0.25 mg tetracosactrin (Synacthen) was injected i.v. and after 60 min cortisol measurement was repeated. The criterion for a normal short ACTH test was: stimulated or unstimulated cortisol levels > or = 0.55 mumol/l. For the group as a whole, an unstimulated plasma cortisol level of 0.76 mumol/l was comparable to that in other groups of critically ill patients with similar severity of illness. Between survivors and non survivors, significant differences were found between unstimulated plasma cortisol levels (0.70 vs 1.03 mumol/l), stimulated plasma cortisol levels (1.00 vs 1.30 mumol/l), and plasma ACTH levels (72 vs 133 ng/l). One patient did not meet the criteria for normal adrenocortical functio...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Addison Disease
Addison's disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency and hypocortisolism, is a long-term endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones. Discover the latest research on Addison's disease here.
Aneurysm
Aneurysms are outward distensions or bulges that occurs in a weakened wall of blood vessels. Discover the latest research on aneurysms here.