Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Predictors of compliance with continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied via a tight-fitting mask is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has potential to improve the cardiovascular prognosis in such patients. Adequate compliance with the use of CPAP is essential for achieving the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of this treatment. This prospective study aimed to assess factors related to objective compliance with CPAP treatment in Slovakian patients with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed OSA. ⋯ The study demonstrates the relationship between reductions in mask leak and good compliance with CPAP treatment in central European patients with OSA and concurrent metabolic syndrome. Strategies to maintain low leakage of the CPAP mask are warranted, particularly in grossly overweight patients.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Like chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an enormous public health problem in industrialized countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of COPD among patients hospitalized for heart failure in a community hospital serving a population of 125,000 people. ⋯ COPD is frequent among hospitalized patients with heart failure. Beta-blockers are largely underused, which is probably a major reason for the higher mortality observed in patients with concomitant chronic heart failure and COPD.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Case ReportsVerrucous carcinoma of the tibia arising after chronic osteomyelitis: a case report.
Verrucous carcinoma is an uncommon complication of chronic osteomyelitis. The incidence of fistular carcinomas is reported to be between 0.21% and 3.36%. We present a case of verrucous carcinoma of the tibia arising after 58 years of chronic osteomyelitis. ⋯ We used modern diagnostic investigations (biopsy, computed tomography, angiography, immunoscintigraphy, magnetic resonance tomography) to visualize the extent of the malignant lesion. No metastases were detected. Knee exarticulation was successful in treating the tumor and chronic infection in this case.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Heart rate-corrected QT interval and QT dispersion in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) are increased and associated with ventricular arrhythmia and an increase in sudden death in a variety of diseases. This study aimed to examine QTc and QTcd in pulmonary hypertension and assess their relationship with pulmonary arterial pressure. ⋯ In women with pulmonary hypertension, mean QTc and QTcd are positively correlated to mean pulmonary arterial pressure and are significantly increased in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is increasingly used in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of heart failure; however, the possible influence of atrial fibrillation on BNP is still a matter of controversy. We assessed the influence of atrial fibrillation on NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels. This association should be taken into account when NT-proBNP levels are used in the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation.