Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2008
Plasma homocysteine concentrations and serum lipid profile as atherosclerotic risk factors in subclinical hypothyroidism.
Because subclinical thyroid dysfunction may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, we evaluated the atherosclerosis tendency in subclinical hypothyroid (SCH) patients. ⋯ Our study suggests that the atherogenicity of SCH is not mediated by hyperhomocysteinemia. Associated hyperlipidemia may explain the observed increased risk of coronary artery disease in patients with SCH.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTracheal intubation without muscle relaxants: a randomized study of remifentanil or alfentanil in combination with thiopental.
The combination of alfentanil-propofol or remifentanil-propofol provides adequate conditions for tracheal intubation without neuromuscular blocking drugs in most patients, but hypottension can occur during induction of anesthesia with propofol. We compared clinically acceptable intubating conditions and cardiovascular responses to induction and endotracheal intubation in patients receiving either alfentanil 40 microg/kg or remifentanil 2, 3 or 4 microg/kg, followed by thiopental 5 mg/kg. ⋯ The administration of remifentanil 4 I(1/4)g/kg or alfentanil 40 microg/kg before thiopental 5 mg/kg provided good to excellent conditions for endotracheal intubation with acceptable hemodynamic changes.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2008
ReviewDrug-eluting stents: insights into safety and indications.
Currently, more than 4 million patients receive drug-eluting stents worldwide. Despite recent studies and editorials that have stirred controversy and generated tremendous publicity in the lay press related to the safety of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery disease, enthusiasm for drug-eluting stents remains high. Drug-eluting stents decrease the need for repeat revascularization, but exhibit delayed endothelialization compared with bare metal stents. ⋯ There is a need for understanding the benefits and risks of these devices in order to use them optimally and reduce likelihood of thrombosis. This review sheds some light on the risks and benefits of drug-eluting stents, and puts this treatment in perspective compared with alternative revascularization treatment options for obstructive coronary artery disease. The important take-home message is that the risks of drug-eluting stent thrombosis versus bare-metal stent thrombosis may have been overstated by some studies.
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Ependymoma is the most frequently encountered intramedullary tumor. Total surgical resection is the therapeutic modality of choice whenever possible, but carries a significant risk of morbidity. This study was designed to define prognostic factors that affect clinical outcome after surgical resection of spinal intramedullary ependymoma. ⋯ Preoperative neurological status was the only statistically significant factor in determining the postoperative neurological outcome of patients with spinal intramedullary ependymomas. Early diagnosis and referral for surgery to specialized centers are recommended as controllable factors in improving outcome.