The American journal of medicine
-
Letter Case Reports
Cardiac Tamponade: An Unusual Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
-
Most patients with asthma are managed by primary care providers. Severe asthma is associated with substantial morbidity and health care resource use, and long-term sequelae of severe asthma include airway remodeling and a greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These consequences highlight the importance of early identification and improved management of patients with severe asthma. ⋯ An increased understanding of asthma pathophysiology and its relationship to disease activity has identified therapeutic targets and associated biomarkers. Biologic therapies directed at these targets offer individualized targeted treatment of severe asthma. We review evidence-based guidelines for identification and management of severe asthma, clarify the relationship of asthma control and asthma severity, and provide an overview of new biologic therapies offering additional treatment options for patients with severe asthma.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Patiromer on Hyperkalemia Recurrence in Older Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Taking RAAS Inhibitors.
Older people are predisposed to hyperkalemia because of impaired renal function, comorbid conditions, and polypharmacy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), which are recommended to treat chronic kidney disease and heart failure augment the risk. Patiromer, a nonabsorbed potassium binder, was shown in the phase 3 OPAL-HK study to decrease serum potassium in patients with chronic kidney disease taking RAASi. We studied the efficacy and safety of patiromer in a prespecified subgroup of patients aged ≥65 years from OPAL-HK. ⋯ Patiromer reduced recurrent hyperkalemia and was well tolerated in older chronic kidney disease patients taking RAASi.
-
Mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia is a frequent phenomenon in patients with coronary artery disease. Women with coronary artery disease tend to have more mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia and more chest pain/anginal symptoms than men, but whether the association between mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia and angina burden differs in women and men is unknown. ⋯ In women, but not in men, anginal symptoms may be a marker of vulnerability toward ischemia induced by psychologic stress. These results highlight the psychosocial origins of angina in women and may have important implications for the management and prognosis of women with angina.