International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewReview on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: its outbreak and current status.
In late December 2019 and on 1st January 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) infecting humans was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Later cases have also been confirmed worldwide. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are phenotypically and genotypically diverse. Globally, as of 6th April 2020, laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) amounted to 1 211 214, including 67 666 deaths. ⋯ The corona virus transmits quicker than its two predecessors the MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, but has reduced casualty. The global effects of this latest pandemic are still unclear. Nevertheless, considering that so far no vaccine has been available; preventive approaches are the best way to fight against the virus.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
Observational StudyMonocentric single-arm study of desmopressin acetate efficacy on nocturnal polyuria in the elderly.
We designed a retrospective, monocentric, observational study to assess the efficacy and short-term side effect profile of desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of antidiuretic hormone, in 42 elderly patients affected by nocturnal polyuria (NP), a subset of nocturia (nocturnal overproduction of urine at night), which is characterised by nocturnal urine volume (NVU) exceeding 33% of the 24-hours total urine output. ⋯ Our findings show efficacy of desmopressin in the elderly for NP treatment supporting further clinical trials in larger cohorts of patients.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
Decreased left atrial appendage emptying velocity as a link between atrial fibrillation type, heart failure and older age and the risk of left atrial thrombus in atrial fibrillation.
Decreased left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAV) is a known predictor of LAA thrombus in atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of our study was to identify which of the clinical risk factors for LAA thrombus are associated with decreased LAAV. ⋯ One in five AF patients with decreased LAAV had LAA thrombus, regardless of the type of OAC. Non-paroxysmal AF, HF and age ≥ 65 years might increase LAA thrombus risk via reduced LAAV.