Are Fourth-Year Medical Students as Prepared to Manage Unstable Patients as They Are to Manage Stable Patients? Abstract Purpose To evaluate the fourth-year medical student’s assessment and management of an unstable patient. Method The authors compared the performance of fourth-year medical students in a clinical performance examination (CPX) across a spectrum of simulated stable conditions […]
The relation of 12 lead ECG to the cardiac anatomy: The normal CineECG Background The interpretation of the 12‑lead ECG is notoriously difficult and requires experts to distinguish normal from abnormal ECG waveforms. ECG waveforms depend on body build and electrode positions, both often different in males and females. To relate the ECG waveforms to cardiac anatomical […]
Systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinical update Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease known for its complexity and heterogeneity. Striking diversity can be observed between individual patients, in terms of clinical manifestations, serological abnormalities, disease progression and response to therapy. Furthermore, dysfunction of a broad range of immune pathways underlies disease development […]
Highlights Both lower and higher levels of BUN were associated with excess risks of total and ischemic stroke independent of eGFR. Extreme BUN levels, even within the clinically normal range, may confer potential risks of stroke previously unidentified. A U-shaped relationship was identified between BUN/Cr and total stroke and its subtypes. Abstract Background and aims […]
Abstract Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease has rapidly spread around the world after initial identification in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Most common presentation is mild or asymptomatic disease, followed by pneumonia, and rarely- multiorgan failure and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Knowledge about the pathophysiology, imaging and treatment of this novel virus is rapidly evolving due to ongoing worldwide research. Most […]
Background The IL-33/ST2 pathway is linked with asthma susceptibility. Inhaled allergens, pollutants, and respiratory viruses, which trigger asthma exacerbations, induce release of IL-33, an epithelial-derived “alarmin.” Astegolimab, a human IgG2 mAb, selectively inhibits the IL-33 receptor, ST2. Approved biologic therapies for severe asthma mainly benefit patients with elevated blood eosinophils (type 2-high), but limited options are […]
Abstract Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely available drugs with anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. Their mechanism of action is associated with the enzymes of the arachidonic acid cycle (cyclooxygenases: COX‐1 and COX‐2). The cyclooxygenase pathway results in the formation of prostanoids (prostaglandins [PGs], prostacyclins, and thromboxanes). It affects various structures of the human body, including […]
Abstract Portal hypertension and ascites are two crucial events in the natural history of liver cirrhosis, whose appearance marks a downward shift in the prognosis of the disease. Over the years, several international and national societies have issued clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of portal hypertension and ascites. The present document addresses […]
The aim of this ESC Guideline is to help health professionals manage people with heart failure (HF) according to the best available evidence. Fortunately, we now have a wealth of clinical trials to help us select the best management to improve the outcomes for people with HF; for many, it is now both preventable and […]
Background A small proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients present severe pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined by mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥35 mm Hg measured by right heart catheterization. Little is known about the characteristics of severe PH-COPD. The aim of the study based on a national registry was to describe […]