Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common hospital-acquired acute kidney injury. Published studies on this condition have dramatically increased in recent years. This article aims to provide a brief literature review. ⋯ The other medications or techniques for reducing CIN risk are still unclear. CIN is a potentially preventable clinical condition. A careful review of published reports gives us a deeper understanding of CIN and a greater chance of decreasing its risk.
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Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is not only an invaluable diagnostic tool for cardiac patients, but also is essential for cardiac monitoring in critically ill patients in cardiac and non-cardiac surgery settings and in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hemodynamic collapse. The advantage of TEE over transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is usually clearer images, especially when viewing structures that are difficult to see transthoracically. ⋯ Although TEE is considered to be relatively safe and noninvasive, TEE-associated complications, such as esophageal laceration, must be taken seriously. Recently, real-time three-dimensional (3D) TEE imaging has played an important role defining valvular and congenital abnormalities and aiding in operative and percutaneous repair.
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High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has become increasingly popular recently and more pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs) are being identified. However, the treatment for these GGOs remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the clinical and pathological characteristics and to demonstrate the longterm surgical outcomes in patients undergoing resection for GGOs in our institute. ⋯ The percentage of malignancy is high in pulmonary GGOs. Surgery results in an excellent prognosis in these patients.