Clin Med
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Melanoma-associated retinopathy is a rare paraneoplastic complication of metastatic cutaneous malignant melanoma. It may present years after the original diagnosis of melanoma. We describe a patient with this condition who presented with persistent visual symptoms.
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Letters not directly related to articles published in Clinical Medicine and presenting unpublished original data should be submitted for publication in this section. Clinical and scientific letters should not exceed 500 words and may include one table and up to five references.
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There is emerging evidence, although at early stages, of various detrimental health effects after smoking shisha. With regard to the cardiovascular system, there is a significant acute rise in cardiovascular markers, such as heart rate and blood pressure. The long-term effects on the cardiovascular system are yet to be established. ⋯ Various other forms of cancer have also been documented, but have not reached statistical significance and require further research. Finally, shisha smoking increases the risk of infection and has been associated with outbreaks in the Middle East. Therefore, with the increasing consumption of shisha in Europe, especially in the UK, more research is required to tackle this potential public health threat.
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) CG95 clinical guideline on chest pain of recent onset was published in 2010. There is debate over whether the proposed strategy improves patient care and its implications on service costs. Following a six-month pilot, 472 consecutive patient records were audited for pre-test probability of significant coronary artery disease, investigations performed and outcomes. ⋯ In conclusion, implementing NICE CG95 is feasible but presents challenges. Staff require training to follow the protocol consistently. Functional testing had no benefits over anatomical testing with CTCA, which may allow cost savings in some departments.