Beta-blocker therapy in elderly patients with renal dysfunction and heart failure

OBJECTIVE To assess the role of beta-blockers(BB)in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)aged≥75 years.METHODS AND RESULTS From January 2008 to July 2014,we included 390 consecutive patients≥75 years of age with ejection fraction≤35%and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)≤60 m L/min per 1.73 m^2.We analyzed the relationship between treatment with BB and mortality or cardiovascular events.The mean age of our population was 82.6±4.1 years.Mean ejection fraction was 27.9%±6.5%.GFR was 60-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 50.3%of patients,45-30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 37.4%,and<30 m L/min per 1.73 m^2 in 12.3%.At the conclusion of follow-up,67.4%of patients were receiving BB.The median follow-up was28.04(IR:19.41-36.67)months.During the study period,211 patients(54.1%)died and 257(65.9%)had a major cardiovascular event(death or hospitalization for heart failure).BB use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death(HR=0.51,95%CI:0.35-0.74;P<0.001).Patients receiving BB consistently showed a reduced risk of death across the different stages of CKD:stage IIIa(GFR=30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.47,95%CI:0.26-0.86,P<0.0001),stage IIIb(GFR 30-45 m L/min per 1.73 m^2;HR=0.55,95%CI:0.26-1.06,P=0.007),and stages IV and V(GFR<30 m L/min per 1.73 m~2;HR=0.29,95%CI:0.11-0.76;P=0.047).CONCLUSIONS The use of BB in elderly patients with HFr EF and renal impairment was associated with a better prognosis.Use of BB should be encouraged when possible.

A new combined therapy to 15 patients with multiple organ failure in abdominal surgery

AIMS We report 15 cases of abdominal-surgical multiple organ failure(MOF)treated successfully by a new combined therapy four high doses in volume and one support“FHDOS”short period high doses in large volume anJsodaminum;short period high doses in large volume dexamethasonum;high doses in large volume of dis- infectant antibiotics;high doses in large volume of abdominal cav- ity washing liquor and support of nutrition metabolism.The mortal- ity rate and cost of MOF were decreased.It is simple,practical and effective. METHODS The study group consisted of 15 patients(10 wom- en,5 men;average age,42.7)who were hospitalized in our hospital.All patients were given“FHDOS”:short period high in large volume Anisodaminum:intravenous injection 40 mg once; another 40rag may be added 30 minutes later according to condition.The total amount may reach 120-240 mg a day,or,in- travenous injection 40 mg every 15 minutes until condition being under control.Short period high doses in large volume Dexamethasonum:intravenous injection 100-200 mg once;this remedy may be continued for 1-3 days;the amount also may de- crease according to condition.High doses in large volume of dis- infectant Antibiotics:select and use antibiotics according to clini- cal condition,inference of Gram's stain;it is necessary to re- peatedly culture bacteria in many parts,and then,to make ad- justment according to culture result and drug-resistance,and to prevent carefully the dual infections from occurring.High doses in large volume of abdominal cavity washing liquor:generally adopt- ing physiological saline 6000o8000ml in washing abdominal cavity. “One support”means full support of nutrition metabolism. RESULTS All the patients in this group survive well after the rescue without any complication. CONCLUSIONS MOF should be prevented,if possible,by stopping or controlling the injury,removing as much necrotic tis- sue as possible,improving blood flow and oxygen consumption, supporting metabolism,and preventing infection or treating it ear- ly and adequately.“FHDOS”is a combined therapy and plays a key role in treating MOF.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in the elderly heart failure patient

Ms. BP is an 83 year old white female with a long history of congestive heart failure (HF). She is now symptomatic with minimal exertion, has a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 20%. Her CHF is due to hypertension (HTN) plus coronary artery disease (CAD) and she is on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), furosemide, digoxin,spironolactone, low dose beta blocker and nitrates. Her beta-natriuretic peptide (BNP) in clinic is 3030 pg/ml, heart rate (HR) 100, blood pressure (BP) 89/43.

What constitutes failure of medical therapy in the changing landscape of Crohn's disease?

The management of Crohn's disease has evolved rapidly in the era of immunomodulators and biologicals.Despite this,a significant proportion of patients with Crohn's disease ultimately require surgical management.One of the indications for operative management includes failure of medical therapy.We report two cases of patients with complicated Crohn's disease who have exhausted medical therapy and failed medical management.In both cases,the patients developed large complex intra-abdominal phlegmons and intractable symptoms of intermittent pain,partial obstruction and/or infectious complications requiring operative intervention.Crohn's disease can present with a wide spectrum of disease.Considering the complexity of management in Crohn's disease,it is important for both physicians and surgeons to be aware of what constitutes failure of medical therapy and when it may be important to consider surgical involvement.

Biventricular Pacing Therapy for Heart Failure

Heart failure is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. It is also the commonest cause of medical ward admission. The incidence of heart failure has been increasing world - wide in the past decade. Studies observed that about 25-50 % of patients with

Surgical cardiac synchronization therapy for the cardiomyopathy heart failure with micro-invasive thoracoscopy techniques

Objective The cardiac synchronization therapy (CRT) was proven to have good treatment for the cardiacconduction disorders patients with serious heart failure. But many disadvantages were gradually be noticed,such as difficulty of sinus electrode implantation,coronary sinus injury and bleeding,still one third

Clinicopathological features and medium-term outcomes of histologic variants of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in adults:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND The Columbia classification identified five histological variants of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS).The prognostic significance of these variants remains controversial.AIM To evaluate the relative frequency,clinicopathologic characteristics,and medium-term outcomes of FSGS variants at a single center in Pakistan.METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology,Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation,Karachi,Pakistan on all consecutive adults(≥16 years)with biopsy-proven primary FSGS from January 1995 to December 2017.Studied subjects were treated with steroids as a first-line therapy.The response rates,doubling of serum creatinine,and kidney failure(KF)with replacement therapy were compared between histological variants using ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis,and Chi-square tests as appropriate.Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0.P-value≤0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS A total of 401 patients were diagnosed with primary FSGS during the study period.Among these,352(87.7%)had a designated histological variant.The not otherwise specified(NOS)variant was the commonest,being found in 185(53.9%)patients,followed by the tip variant in 100(29.1%)patients.Collapsing(COL),cellular(CEL),and perihilar(PHI)variants were seen in 58(16.9%),6(1.5%),and 3(0.7%)patients,respectively.CEL and PHI variants were excluded from further analysis due to small patient numbers.The mean follow-up period was 36.5±29.2 months.Regarding response rates of variants,patients with TIP lesions achieved remission more frequently(59.5%)than patients with NOS(41.8%)and COL(24.52%)variants(P<0.001).The hazard ratio of complete response among patients with the COL variant was 0.163[95%confidence interval(CI):0.039-0.67]as compared to patients with NOS.The TIP variant showed a hazard ratio of 2.5(95%CI:1.61-3.89)for complete remission compared to the NOS variant.Overall,progressive KF was observed more frequently in patients with the COL variant,43.4%(P<0.001).Among these,24.53%of patients required kidney replacement therapy(P<0.001).The hazard ratio of doubling of serum creatinine among patients with the COL variant was 14.57(95%CI:1.87-113.49)as compared to patients with the TIP variant.CONCLUSION In conclusion,histological variants of FSGS are predictive of response to treatment with immunosuppressants and progressive KF in adults in our setup.

Changes in clinical indicators among human immunodeficiency virus patients who failed in antiretroviral therapy during 2004–2016 in Yunnan, China: an observational cohort study

Background:This study aimed to investigate the changes in the clinical indicators and influencing factors of treatment duration among human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)patients in whom antiretroviral therapy(ART)was unsuccessful.Methods:In this retrospective study,a total of 9,418 HIV patients who failed in ART during 2004–2016 were included and divided into two treatment groups—Group 1(treatment time≤3 years,n1=5,218)and Group 2(treatment time>3 years,n2=4,200).Patient follow-up data,including age,cluster of differentiation 4(CD4)count,and viral load,glucose,creatinine,and triglyceride levels,were extracted from electronic health record databases.Covariance analysis for repeated measures was used to analyze the biochemical indicators,and multiple logistic regression modeling was used to compare relevant data extracted from the Group 1 and Group 2 HIV patient cohorts with different treatment time.Results:The median initial CD4 count was 175.0 cells/μl(interquartile range,77.0–282.0),while the initial CD4 counts for Group 1 were lower than those for Group 2(P<0.05).A significant interaction between group and time effects was observed(P<0.05)in total cholesterol(TC).Changes in hemoglobin level among HIV patients were also significantly associated with treatment time(P=0.001).The initial CD4 count(odds ratio[OR]=0.756),female sex(OR=0.713),Zerit(d4T)(OR=1.443),TC(OR=1.285),and aspartate aminotransferase level(OR=1.002)were significantly associated with the survival time of dead patients with HIV(P<0.05).Additionally,the initial CD4 count(OR=1.456),age(OR=1.022),time interval(OR=0.903),patient’s living status(OR=0.597),d4T(OR=2.256),and triglyceride(OR=0.930)and hemoglobin levels(OR=0.997)were significantly associated with the treatment time of HIV patients with drug withdrawal(P<0.05).Conclusion:The initial biochemical parameters can affect the survival and treatment time of HIV patients.With a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and biochemical indicators of patients,we can reduce the probability of drug withdrawal and prolong the survival time of HIV patients.

A retrospective study of continuous renal replacement therapy versus intermittent hemodialysis in severe acute renal failure

Objective To investigate the efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT)versus intermittent hemodialysis(IHD)in patients with severe acute renal failure(ARF).Methods One hundred and ninety -three severe ARF patients who received renal support between December 1978 and December 1998 were involved in this study.Of them,101(52.3%)were treated with CRRT(CRRT group),and 92(47.7%)with IHD(IHD group).Results Sixty(59.4%)patients in the CRRT group got through the acute phase of disease and 41 (40.6%)patients did not survive while in the IHD group 59(64.1%)patients survived and 33(35.9%)patients did not.No significant difference in survival rate was found between the two groups.24 of 64 patients(37.5%)in the CRRT group with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)survived,while in the IHD group,8 out of 44(27.3%)survived,their survival rate was much lower than that in the CRRT group.Patients in CRRT group were more severely iii,as manifested by lower mean arterial pressure,higher APACHE Ⅱ score,more dysfunctioned organs and requiring mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support as compared with patients in the IHD group,CRRT was found to improve hemodynamic stability with a better fluid balance and control of biochemical status,increased nutritional intake and a shorter duration of acute renal failure(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CRRT perhaps may be the best choice in the treatment of severe ARF patients,for it can offer several distinct advantages compared to IHD.These may contribute to improving the survival rate of ARF patients,particularly those that are critically ill patients.

Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure Cured by Integrative Therapy of Chinese and Western Medicine—A Case Report

Introduction Acetaminophen （APP） is one of the most common antipyretic analgesics and is generally considered as a safe drug. However, acute or accumulative overdose of it can cause liver damage, even liver failure. Here we reported a case of an 11-year-old patient with acute liver failure （ALF） induced by taking 0.25 g APP orally, who was successfully treated by integrative Chinese and Western medicine.

COMBINED THERAPY OF CAPTOPRIL AND SPIRONOLACTONE FOR REFRACTORY CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

It is traditionally considered that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI) and spironolactone could not be used simultaneously because of the assumed risk of hyperkalemia.