Annals of palliative medicine
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Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists for patients with left ventricular thrombus.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in the treatment of patients with left ventricular thrombus (LVT). ⋯ DOACs had similar efficacy and safety to VKAs in the treatment of patients with LVT. Randomized controlled trials should be conducted to verify our findings.
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The herbal pairing of Dangshen (DS) [Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.] and Huangqi (HQ) [Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.] (DHP) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that is frequently used to treat chronic heart failure (CHF) in China. However, the pharmacological mechanism of DHP has not been fully elucidated. This is the first study aimed to reveal the active mechanism of DHP in the treatment of CHF by using network pharmacology methods. ⋯ This study revealed the molecular mechanism that the flavonoids in DHP may alleviate endothelial dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy via regulation of the TNF pathway and its downstream PI3K/Akt or ERK1/2 signaling pathways, or improve excitation-contraction coupling by regulating calcium signaling pathway, thereby improving CHF. These results provide insights for further experimentation on its pharmacological effects.
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This study aims to evaluate the ability of stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV) to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with thoracic kyphosis. ⋯ Both SVV and PPV can be used as effective indictors to monitor volume changes in patients with thoracic kyphosis.
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With the introduction of New South Wales Ambulance Authorised Palliative Care Plans within a metropolitan palliative care service, the perspectives of patients, caregivers and clinicians and their understandings of the processes involved in completing the Plans were investigated. ⋯ The Ambulance Palliative Care Plans are a complex intervention that are sometimes misunderstood by patients, particularly those who are very unwell or who have little prognostic awareness. Clinicians perceive the major benefit to be avoidance of admission to the emergency department.
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Meta Analysis
Therapeutic effects of Yiqi Huoxue prescription on diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated excellent effects in treating diabetic nephropathy, and Yiqi Huoxue prescription has been widely used clinically. In the study, its effects on the kidney function and blood glucose of patients were explored. ⋯ The included literature had low bias risk. Yiqi Huoxue prescription on the basis of conventional Western medicine can significantly improve the renal function and reduce the levels of blood glucose and blood lipids of patients with diabetic nephropathy.