Brit J Hosp Med
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Hypertension is a chronic disease with high levels of morbidity and disability. Elevated blood pressure can lead to many complications and is the main risk factor for stroke, heart failure and nephropathy. ⋯ The immune system plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Inflammation is particularly relevant in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, which has led to extensive research on inflammatory markers and indicators.
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Contrast-enhanced medical imaging is commonly requested in clinical practice. Contrast media provide better differentiation of tissue enhancement, improves the soft tissue contrast resolution, and enhances the ability to study the physiology and function of the organs and/or systems. However, contrast media may cause complications, especially in patients with renal failure. ⋯ Therefore, precautions should be taken when planning for medical imaging for patients with pre-existing acute kidney injury or end-stage chronic kidney disease, for whom contrast media administration in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be relatively contraindicated. Alternatively, ultrasound contrast agents can be safely used in patients with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Clinical teams should discuss these patients with radiologists, taking into account the risk-benefits of contrast media, to determine the optimal imaging protocol or modality to answer the clinical query.
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Stroke is a major cause of death in the UK. Mechanical thrombectomy is the most effective treatment for large vessel ischaemic strokes. Despite this, very few patients in the UK receive mechanical thrombectomy. This editorial explores the main barriers to mechanical thrombectomy use and mechanisms to improve uptake.