Harefuah
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Observational Study
[Atrial fibrillation in medical intensive care unit patients: characteristics and consequences].
There is scarcity of data on atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence and outcomes in critically ill patients admitted to the non-cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ⋯ The development of AF is more prevalent in patients with PAF. Development of AF was not found to be an independent mortality risk factor.
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Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) due to neonatal asphyxia is an important cause of irreversible bad neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Understanding the mechanisms causing the central nervous system cell death enabled the development of new treatment strategies that may decrease the severity of neurological damage. ⋯ We discuss the neuro-protective mechanisms of therapeutic hypothermia and provide data on clinical studies conducted to investigate the impact and safety of this treatment in newborn infants affected by HIE. In addition, other therapeutic options of neuro-protective agents are mentioned.
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disorder defined by elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure. PAH can be idiopathic or associated with a variety of medical conditions such as scleroderma, congenital heart disease, left heart failure, lung disease or chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. This progressive disease can cause severe right heart failure and death. ⋯ Nevertheless, in selected cases, if a patient insists on continuing the pregnancy, being fully aware of the risks involved, an intensive treatment approach should be implemented in experienced centers. This is necessary in order to control pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy and reduce the risk so as to improve outcomes. This review will focus on the pathophysiology of PAH in pregnancy and appropriate management during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period.