Encouraging Education Carry out Extracellular Vesicles Make use of Their Own Delivery Code
The impact of antithrombotic therapy on coagulation system activation after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) remains unknown. This study sought to compare changes in coagulation markers associated with short-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) versus antiplatelet therapy (APT) following LAAC.
Prospective study including 78 atrial fibrillation patients undergoing LAAC with the Watchman device. F1+2 (prothrombin fragment 1+2) and TAT (thrombin-antithrombin III) were assessed immediately before the procedure, and at 7, 30, and 180 days after LAAC.
Forty-eight patients were discharged on APT (dual 31, single 17) and 30 on OAC (direct anticoagulants 26, vitamin K antagonists 4), with no differences in baseline-procedural characteristics between groups except for higher spontaneous echocardiography contrast in the OAC group. OAC significantly reduced coagulation activation within 7 days post-LAAC compared with APT (23% [95% CI, 5%-41%] versus 82% [95% CI, 54%-111%] increase for F1+2,
=0.007; 52% [95% CI, 15risk of device thrombosis. These results highlight the urgent need for randomized trials comparing OAC versus APT post-LAAC.
OAC (versus APT) was associated with a significant attenuation of coagulation system activation post-LAAC. Spontaneous echocardiography contrast pre-LAAC associated with enhanced coagulation activation post-LAAC, which in turn increased the risk of device thrombosis. These results highlight the urgent need for randomized trials comparing OAC versus APT post-LAAC.
Patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (ESRD-HD) and aortic stenosis have poor prognosis. The role of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in this high-risk population is debated.
We compared the outcomes among ESRD-HD Medicare beneficiaries who were managed with TAVR, surgical AVR (SAVR), or conservative management for aortic stenosis between 2015 and 2017, using overlap propensity score weighting analysis to control for differences in treatment assignment. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality and was compared between treatment groups as well as to age-sex matched mortality for ESRD-HD in the US population. Secondary outcomes included trend of heart failure hospitalizations.
A total of 8107 ESRD-HD patients with aortic stenosis were included, 4130 (50%) underwent TAVR, 2565 (31.6%) underwent SAVR, and 1412 (17.4%) were managed conservatively. TAVR patients had more comorbidities and higher frailty compared with the other 2 groups. Thirty-day mortality was lower with TAVR ompared with conservative management.
In ESRD-HD patients with aortic stenosis, mortality was lower in the short-term with TAVR compared with SAVR but comparable in the mid-term. AVR is associated with an improvement in survival and reduction in heart failure hospitalizations compared with conservative management.
There is no consensus on recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, which has spawned debates when interpreting outcome research. Within these debates, the patient voice is often neglected. Foxy-5 This study aimed to understand how patients conceptualize recovery - regarding the definition and possibility of recovery.
We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 older (above age 50) female patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. Data were analyzed using a deductive thematic analysis.
Our sample viewed recovery as functioning without fear of relapse, returning to previous roles and identities, and achieving a sustained absence of symptoms. Participants expressed skepticism that reaching recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome exists but working toward significant improvement through coping is a viable goal. Although many accepted they would never reclaim full functioning, participants continued to experience uncertainty about their future with unclear prognostic goals and limited treatment options.
Recovery is more than just symptom reduction. Outcome research should incorporate well-being measures like identity, meaning and quality of life, and personal empowerment to enhance recovery definitions. When communicating treatment goals, providers might convey cautious optimism for complete symptom remission, while emphasizing that living a fulfilling life through effective coping strategies is possible.
Recovery is more than just symptom reduction. Outcome research should incorporate well-being measures like identity, meaning and quality of life, and personal empowerment to enhance recovery definitions. When communicating treatment goals, providers might convey cautious optimism for complete symptom remission, while emphasizing that living a fulfilling life through effective coping strategies is possible.
To examine current knowledge on the clinical utility of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in voriconazole therapy, the impact of
genotype on voriconazole plasma concentrations, and the role of
genotyping in voriconazole therapy.
Three literature searches were conducted for original reports on (1) TDM and voriconazole outcomes and (2) voriconazole and
polymorphisms. Searches were conducted through EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to June 2020.
Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series with ≥10 patients were included. Only full-text references in English were eligible.
A total of 63 studies were reviewed. TDM was recommended because of established concentration and efficacy/toxicity relationships. Voriconazole trough concentrations ≥1.0 mg/L were associated with treatment success; supratherapeutic concentrations were associated with increased neurotoxicity; and hepatotoxicity associations were more prevalent inherapeutic range and dosage adjustment guidelines based on plasma concentrations. CYP2C19 polymorphisms are a predictor of voriconazole concentrations and metabolism, but clinical implications are not established. Large-scale, high-methodological-quality trials are required to investigate the role for prospective genotyping and establish CYP2C19-guided voriconazole dosing recommendations.