[Use of isocolan in bowel preparation of patients with congestive heart failure]

The aim of this study was to verify the safety and effectiveness of a polyethylene-glycol electrolytes lavage solution (PEG-ELS) in patients with delicate fluid and electrolyte balance. Thirteen patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy, were asked to drink three liters of Isocolan (Bracco s.p.a.) at a rate of 500 ml/30 minutes, 8 hours before endoscopic examination. Plasma electrolytes (Na, K, C1), BUN, creatinine, glycemia, hematocrit, urine specific weight, arterial pressure, pulse rate, ECG and body weight were obtained before and after PEG-ELS supply. Colonic cleansing was judged by the same endoscopist as excellent, good or poor. Data, expressed as mean (SE), were analyzed by a two-tailed ranked test. PEG-ELS supply did not alter fluid and electrolyte balance, since no significant differences were found for all laboratory parameters studied. Out of the clinical features, diastolic arterial pressure significantly (p = 0.05) raised from 72.3 (3.0) to 78.8 (2.8) mmHg and body weight significantly (p = 0.007) increased from 70.7 (3.4) to 71.2 (3.4) kg. Colon cleansing resulted excellent in 8 patients and good in 5. This study shows that Isocolan proved to be safe in patients with CHF and that a slow drinking velocity do not impair adequate colon cleansing.