Internal medicine journal
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2017
ReviewTargeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with PCSK9 inhibitors.
Over the past quarter century, clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins reduces the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the findings that many patients continue to experience events or harbour inappropriately high LDL-C levels despite intensive statin therapy and the clinical reality of statin intolerance suggests that additional therapeutic strategies are required in order to achieve more effective reductions in cardiovascular risk. The emergence of inhibitory monoclonal antibodies targeted against proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) provides a novel approach to reducing LDL-C levels. The current experience of PCSK9 inhibitors and implications for clinical use and cost effectiveness will be reviewed.
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Internal medicine journal · Aug 2017
Inpatient iron deficiency detection and management: how do general physicians and gastroenterologists perform in a tertiary care hospital?
Iron deficiency (ID) is often an indicator of underlying pathology. Early detection and treatment avoids long-term morbidity and allows for prompt iron repletion, avoiding ID anaemia (IDA) and the need for blood transfusion. ⋯ There remains significant room for improvement in the recognition, investigation and management of ID in hospital practice in Australia.