The American journal of medicine
-
The definition of severe aortic stenosis has undergone significant change casting a wider net to avoid missing patients who could benefit from valve replacement. The presence or absence of symptoms remains the key decision-making element; however, individuals presently undergoing evaluation are older, more likely asymptomatic, and have lower gradients. Due to numerous potential measurement errors, attention to detail when performing diagnostic testing and understanding their limitations are necessary to render appropriate treatment. ⋯ The amount of aortic valve calcification adds useful information when the degree of aortic stenosis is uncertain. A good history and physical integrated with high-quality imaging data allows for appropriate clinical treatment decisions for patients with aortic stenosis. The goal is simultaneously to provide aortic valve replacement for patients in need while avoiding overdiagnosis and performance of unnecessary procedures.
-
The role of targeted hypothermia in patients with coma after cardiac arrest has been challenged in a recent randomized clinical trial. ⋯ Targeted temperature management was not associated with improved survival or neurological outcomes compared with normothermia in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. Further studies are warranted to further clarify the value of targeted hypothermia compared with targeted normothermia.
-
Although venous thromboembolism is a well-known complication of nephrotic syndrome, the long-term absolute and relative risks of arterial thromboembolism, venous thromboembolism, and bleeding in adults with nephrotic syndrome remain unclarified. ⋯ Adults with nephrotic syndrome have a high risk of arterial thromboembolism, venous thromboembolism, and bleeding compared with the general population. The mechanisms and consequences of this needs to be clarified.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Repeated Coinjections of Corticosteroids and Hyaluronic Acid on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial: Repeated Coinjections for Knee Osteoarthritis.
We compared the effects of repeated co-injections of corticosteroids plus hyaluronic acid (HA) with the effects of HA injections alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis. ⋯ Repeated co-injections of corticosteroids plus HA more effectively decreased pain and improved physical function and physical functional performance than injections of HA alone from 1 week through 6 months posttreatment.
-
Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10% of the population or 800 million people globally, with diabetes being the leading cause. The presence of chronic kidney disease with impaired kidney function or with albuminuria is associated with an increased risk of a progressive loss of renal function and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and excess mortality. Screening for chronic kidney disease is critically important because during the initial stages patients often have no symptoms and because we now have available recently approved multiple interventions that can reduce the high risks dramatically. ⋯ Clinicians need to perform regular screening and concomitant management of risk factors. Recent therapeutic options must be implemented to improve outcomes. Finally, a reduction in albuminuria after initiation of intervention constitutes a treatment target because it indicates improved prognosis.