Therapie der venösen Thromboembolie

The main objectives in the treatment of venous thromboembolism are to prevent clot extension and pulmonary embolism, to reduce mortality and to prevent recurrent thromboembolic events as well as postthrombotic disorders. Initial and effective anticoagulation with heparin, preferably with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), or with fondaparinux is the most important measure. Unfractioned heparin (UFH) is as effective as LMWH, but requires coagulation-monitoring and is associated with a higher risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. In patients with renal insufficiency direct determination of anti-factor Xa activity and dose adjustment is recommended, since drug accumulation can occur over time. In those patients UFH instead of LMWH might be favored. Long-term treatment should be administered with vitamin K-antagonists (INR-target range 2–3) for a duration of 3 to 6 months. In case of recurrent venous thromboembolism, indefinite therapy is recommended. Additional treatment with compression stockings is reasonable. Patients who do not require hospital treatment for other conditions, who have a low bleeding risk, no excessive venous congestion and no symptomatic pulmonary embolism can safely be treated at home. In most cases bed rest is not necessary. Thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy is seldomly indicated in severe thromboembolism.     

Medikamentöse Therapie der infektiösen Diarrhö

Background

Diarrhea is one of the most commonly occurring diseases.

Aim

This article gives a review of the current state of the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea (part 1) and chronic infectious diarrhea (part 2) as well as of the most important pathogens.

Material and methods

Following a presentation of the general principles of the therapy of diarrhea, the targeted antimicrobial therapy of the most important bacterial gastrointestinal infections is described. This includes salmonellosis, shigellosis and Campylobacter infections, infections with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, yersiniosis and cholera. Due to the increasing incidence and changes in the severity of the disease and important new aspects in the treatment of diarrhea caused by toxigenic Clostridium difficile strains, these disease entities will be described in detail.

Results

Symptomatic therapy is still the most important aspect of the treatment of infectious diarrhea. For severely ill patients with a high frequency of stools (>?8/day), immunodeficiency, advanced age or significant comorbidities, empirical antibiotic therapy should be considered. Increasing resistance, in particular against fluoroquinolones must also be taken into consideration. Due to the risk of excessive pathogen proliferation and concomitant intestinal toxin production with protracted or multiple complications during the disease, therapy with motility inhibitors is not recommended. With respect to the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections a promising novel aspect arose in 2012. The macrocyclic antibiotic fidaxomycin can reduce the rate of recurrent disease with the same effectiveness as vancomycin. Furthermore, evidence for the benefits of allogenic stool transplantation is increasing.

Conclusion

The treatment of acute diarrhea is still primarily supportive. The benefits of general empirical antibiotic therapy for acute diarrhea are not evidence-based.     

Medikamentöse Therapie der infektiösen Diarrhö

Diarrheal diseases are among the most common diseases worldwide. In this review the current treatment recommendations for acute (Part 1) and chronic (Part 2) infectious diarrhea are summarized and typical enteropathogens are discussed. The second part of the article describes chronic diarrhea, its related pathogens and treatment. In contrast to acute diarrhea which is mainly caused by viral and typical bacterial pathogens, chronic diarrhea has mainly non-infectious origins. Protozoal pathogens, such as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica in particular are found and more rarely bacterial pathogens, such as Tropheryma whipplei. Opportunistic pathogens cause diarrhea in immunocompromised patients, such as in HIV patients. In these patients cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis or infections with Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli or microsporidia have to be considered. Besides targeted specific antimicrobial therapy, anti-retroviral drugs improving the underlying immunosuppression and thus the reconstitution of the adaptive immune response remain a cornerstone of the treatment in HIV-positive patients.