Med Klin
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Review Comparative Study
[Regarding the optimal hemoglobin target range in renal anemia].
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are exposed to extremely higher risks of atherothrombotic complications of the cardio- and cerebrovascular systems. In pertinent meta-analyses, overviews, editorials and comments, it has been considered unproven, on the basis of current data from randomized controlled trials, that a higher hemoglobin (Hb) value provides overall-survival benefits for CKD. At present, there is a "gray zone" between the intervention threshold of Hb < 9 g/dl and an Hb level > 13 g/dl, at which CKD is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. ⋯ It seems to be clearly evident that ESA activate platelets directly and indirectly, and that pathologically extended bleeding time is normalized when an Hb level of 10 g/dl is reached; from the hemostaseological perspective, a threshold level for treatment of renal anemia with ESA is thus defined. According to the present state of knowledge, an Hb target range of 10-11 g/dl seems reasonable for renal anemia; this is also compatible with current recommendations by ESA producers and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This target range avoids the upper and lower risk levels for Hb, and probably ensures a positive ESA effect on quality of life; it is much more cost-efficient than the target range of 11-12 g/dl recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) in 2007.
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Case Reports
[Coincidence of coronary artery disease and takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 72-year-old female patient].
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction in patients with normal findings on coronary angiography. The simultaneous incidence of coronary vessel disease and takotsubo cardiomyopathy is described. ⋯ Coronary artery disease does not rule out takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
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A 69-year-old man was admitted to the authors' hospital with an increase of plasma creatinine from 1.4 up to 4.9 mg/dl within 4 months and the clinical complaints of painful purple toes, recurrent epistaxis and disturbances of equilibrium. His past medical history was remarkable for three transient ischemic attacks and the diagnosis of a metabolic syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging showed vasculitis-like lesions in the brain. Eosinophilia and tubular proteinuria were detected. Renal insufficiency was caused by cholesterol crystal embolism, as shown both by skin and renal biopsy. Aortic plaques were identified as the putative source of cholesterol embolization. ⋯ In case of rapidly progressive renal failure, cholesterol crystal embolism must be considered even without preceding angiography.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
[Eosinophilia--a challenging differential diagnosis].
Eosinophilia is not uncommon in clinical practice. The main causes are allergies and parasitic infections. Rarely, eosinophilia is associated with pulmonary affections, malignant tumors, gastroenteritis, and autoimmune diseases. A new classification based on pathophysiological data for the hypereosinophilic syndrome in order to simplify diagnosis and therapy was introduced in 2006. ⋯ As demonstrated in this case, eosinophilia requires a broad differential diagnosis. A hypereosinophilic syndrome can involve many organs and mimic other diseases. The new classification of the hypereosinophilic syndrome from 2006, based on pathophysiological insights, may foster better diagnosis and therapy for this rare disease.
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CASE HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: A 24-year-old man with type 1 diabetes, nonresponding to standard treatment for severe gastroparesis, was admitted to hospital due to persisting nausea and vomiting. Further known complications included diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy with mild renal impairment, diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy, and arterial hypertension.