Postgraduate medicine
-
Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2021
Association of lipoprotein (a) and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Objective: The current study was to evaluate the association of Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: ACS patients undergoing PCI were retrospectively enrolled. Based on Lp(a) level, patients were divided into low (<30 mg/dL) and high (≥30 mg/dL) Lp(a) groups. ⋯ Patients with high Lp(a) had a higher unadjusted odds of acute stent thrombosis (odds ratio [OR] 1.10 and 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.27), congestive heart failure (OR 1.24 and 95% CI 1.15-2.38) and composite in-hospital outcomes (OR 1.28 and 95% CI 1.18-2.42). After adjustment for covariates, patients with high Lp(a) still had a higher odds of congestive heart failure (OR 1.08 and 95% CI 1.01-1.78) and composite in-hospital outcomes (OR 1.12 and 95% CI 1.04-1.81). Conclusion: In ACS patients undergoing PCI, compared to those with low Lp(a), patients with high Lp(a) had more severe coronary artery lesion, higher risk of congestive heart failure and composite in-hospital outcomes.
-
Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2021
The effect of cholecystectomy on the risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients with gallbladder stones.
Objectives: To investigate the effect of cholecystectomy on the subsequent risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with gallbladder stones (GBS). Methods: We used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) for hospitalization to conduct a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study. The study cohort consisted of a total of 122,421 patients aged ≥20 years with cholecystectomy for GBS between 2000 and 2010. ⋯ Compared to those without cholecystectomy, the risk of developing AMI after cholecystectomy was 0.69 (95% CI = 0.63-0.76) for the first year, 0.69 (95% CI = 0.63-0.77) for 2-5 years, and 0.59 (95% CI = 0.53-0.66) for ≥5 years, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings indicate cholecystectomy ameliorates the risk of AMI in patients with GBS, and the protective effect tends to increase with incremental duration of follow-up. However, it needs more studies to ascertain the protective mechanisms of cholecystectomy against AMI.
-
Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2021
Case ReportsAcute fluconazole toxıcıty: a case presentıng wıth protean manıfestatıons ıncludıng systemıc and neurologıc symptoms.
Neurologic adverse effects of triazole antifungal compounds used for the treatment of systemic and deep mycoses are relatively rare. The most common presentation is the involvement of peripheral nervous system, usually presenting with subjective symptoms such as paresthesia, dysesthesia, or numbness. Among these compounds, fluconazole has relatively more frequent neurological adverse reactions. ⋯ This unusual combination of these rare adverse reactions of fluconazole may be explained by activation of an immune mechanism triggered by the drugs and genetic factors, or some other unknown individual factors. This case is reported due to the presence of rare systemic and neurologic adverse events of fluconazole, leading to this unusual clinical picture. We would like to emphasize fluconazole-related systemic and neurologic adverse reactions with life-threatening potential should be kept in mind.
-
Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2021
Physicians' knowledge of potential covid-19 drug-drug interactions: An online survey in turkey.
Given the many medications used to treat novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its comorbidities and complications, the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and resulting patient harm is concerning. This study aimed to shed light on physicians' knowledge of potential DDIs related to COVID-19 treatment, to determine the effect of an information brief about these DDIs on their correct response rates, and to identify factors associated with higher levels of knowledge about these DDIs. ⋯ Physicians involved in the treatment of COVID-19 patients had more knowledge regarding clinical significance and appropriate management of potential DDIs than those not involved. Therefore, it may be beneficial to organize trainings and issue guidelines about potential DDIs for physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Postgraduate medicine · Mar 2021
ReviewHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Disease burden for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) will soon become the most prevalent form of HF because of an aging population and an accompanying increase in the number of risk factors for this disease. The high frequency of comorbidities typical of this population contributes to an increased risk for hospitalization and death. ⋯ Financial burden is associated with HFpEF, stemming from hospitalization and long-term care costs, as well as absenteeism from work in the case of caregivers. Early identification of patients at risk and aggressive management are key to preventing this disease and its progression.