Search results: (10000)
News What FVIII Levels Are Ideal for Preventing Bleeding in Hemophilia A?
Recent studies indicate that target trough levels of factor 1–3% during prophylactic treatment are insufficient to fully prevent clinical and subclinical bleeding. With a sustained FVIII level > 15%, as shown in studies with mild hemophiliacs, spontaneous bleeding is very rare. This raises the question of whether achieving zero bleeding incidence with FVIII replacement therapy is possible and whether it can be a realistic goal. This topic was also explored in a presentation by Dr. Ester Zápotocká from the Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital in Prague.
News Diagnosing Myelodysplastic Syndrome According to MDS Europe
In 2021, the European Hematology Association (EHA) endorsed the recommendations of the MDS Europe group for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). MDS-RIGHT is a large European project aimed at providing the right care to the right patients with MDS at the right time, based on clinically evidenced recommendations.
News Ketogenic diet in MS patients as an aid to increase microbiota diversity and quantity
A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology explores the role of gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis, specifically the changes in its quantity and the potential for influencing microbiota through a ketogenic diet.
News Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests in the Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Based on 81 scientific papers published between 2010 and 2021, experts from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have prepared an overview of the current epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). We summarize information on the diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydial infections, M. genitalium, trichomoniasis, genital infections by HSV-1/2, and HPV using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), the most well-known method being PCR. NAAT shows high sensitivity and specificity in testing for these diseases.
News fSCIG in Elderly Patients with PID or SID in Real Clinical Practice
The work of a team of German and Dutch authors presents data on the real clinical use of 10% subcutaneous immunoglobulin facilitated by hyaluronidase (fSCIG) in elderly patients with primary (PID) or secondary (SID) immunodeficiency.
News Cannabidiol as a way to reduce anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease?
A recent study by Brazilian authors examined the effects of cannabidiol on tremors and anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease. Could it represent a promising modality in this indication?
News Current Treatment Options for Refractory/Relapsed CLL
How have treatment protocols for chronic lymphocytic leukemia changed in recent years? A review published in Acta Haematologica discusses the current therapeutic options for relapsed or refractory disease.
News Low Molecular Weight Heparin in an ECMO Patient − Case Study
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has an irreplaceable role in intensive care medicine. In the context of preventing complications caused by blood clot formation, unfractionated heparin is most commonly used in patients on extracorporeal circulation. However, its administration can lead to complex coagulopathies, which may result in increased bleeding or, perhaps surprisingly, a higher frequency of blood clot formation. A unique case study recently presented by authors from Motol University Hospital in Prague demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin in this indication for a patient connected to ECMO for a very long duration (3 months), with several days even on two devices simultaneously.
News The Importance of Adequate Protein Intake in Critical Patients – Analysis of Data from an International Study
Adequate protein intake is a necessary part of care for critically ill patients and mitigates catabolic reactions associated with severe illness or injury. The benefits of proper determination and adherence to protein intake, however, have not been sufficiently assessed in detail. Therefore, this topic was the focus of a work analyzing data from an international observational multicenter study published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
News INFOGRAPHIC: Diagnostic Algorithm for Cardiac Amyloidosis
What examinations are needed when cardiac amyloidosis is suspected? Which tests can distinguish transthyretin amyloidosis from systemic disease caused by immunoglobulin light chains? We bring you a clear diagnostic scheme according to the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
.
News When to Switch to Second-Line Treatment for Primary Biliary Cholangitis?
In patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), the response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment is an important prognostic indicator. To identify patients with an insufficient response to this modality who require second-line therapy, the best practice is to assess the biochemical response to UDCA after 12 months of treatment. A validated and easy-to-use tool is the determination of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and serum total bilirubin concentration. Although treatment response to UDCA is commonly checked after 12 months, a 6-month check has the same discriminatory value.
News Prevalence and Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Europe – Current Overview and Trend Analysis
A comprehensive review article by authors from Bonn, Germany, published late last year in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, provides current data and estimates of the incidence and prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Europe. Here is a brief summary of the key findings from this latest analysis.
News Dosing of Enoxaparin in Morbidly Obese Patients
How to optimally dose enoxaparin in morbidly obese patients? This question was addressed by a randomized study, the results of which were published in the journal Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
News Benefit of Short-term Androgen-deprivation Therapy Added to Radiotherapy of Localized Prostate Cancer for Long-term Survival
Androgen-deprivation therapy is associated with several adverse effects that also affect quality of life or increase the risks of serious age-related health problems. An extensive study focused on the benefits of short-term administration of androgen-deprivation therapy as an adjunct to radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer and monitored its long-term impact on survival and the rate of late treatment toxicity.
News Interactive Case Study: Use of Cannabis Extract for Local Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
We have been using cannabis for pain treatment for several years. We also have good experiences with it in difficult-to-control symptoms of neuropathic pain, as illustrated in the following case study. Until recently, our patients only used cannabis orally or via vaporization. With the availability of cannabis extracts, a new option has emerged – local therapy.
News To what extent does the delay between symptom onset and diagnosis of AATD affect patient survival?
The risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increased, among other things, by a deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AATD). However, there is often a delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of AATD, which is associated with worse clinical and functional status and a more advanced stage of the disease. The study presented below examined how this fact further affects patient survival.
News Postpartum Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Woman with vWD – Case Study
Women with von Willebrand disease (vWD) have a significantly higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage. American experts from University Hospital in Augusta have published their experience with an unusual case of secondary postpartum hemorrhage in a young woman with type 1 vWD.
News Estimated Worldwide Prevalence of Population with AAT Deficiency with MZ Alleles
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) with the MZ genotype was until recently associated with negligible or low risk for lung and liver tissue damage. However, growing evidence suggests that carriers of MZ alleles are at increased risk of organ damage when exposed to tobacco smoke, polluted air, or hepatotoxic substances. Moreover, according to a global epidemiological study, the prevalence of the MZ genotype is very common, especially among Caucasians in Europe and other continents.
News Anticonvulsants Are Associated with the Least Impact on Sexual Function in Bipolar Disorder Treatment
It is known that in patients with bipolar disorder, in addition to the illness itself, sexual dysfunction is adversely affected by psychotropic medications. A study by Spanish authors recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine compared the treatment of different groups of mood stabilizers in patients with bipolar disorder in terms of adverse effects on sexual function.
News The Latest Updates of ESC Recommendations for Heart Failure Treatment
What is new in heart failure therapy? At the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), held from August 25–28, 2023 in Amsterdam, updates to clinical guidelines were traditionally presented. One of these was an update to the 2021 recommendations concerning the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure (HF). Below you will find a brief summary of the key changes.
News Pain Management in Patients After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty – Data from Clinical Practice
Inadequate analgesia after hip and knee arthroplasty can result in delayed postoperative recovery accompanied by chronic pain. The retrospective study presented below compared the efficacy of analgesia via continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine, patient-controlled IV analgesia with the so-called Würzburg drip, and piritramide.
News Metabolic Effect of Telmisartan and Candesartan in Kidney Transplant Patients
Increasing cardiovascular risk from complex causes warrants a comprehensive intervention. A prospective randomized crossover study compared the effects of telmisartan and candesartan on lipid and glucose metabolism in kidney transplant patients.