Differential Diagnosis Generators: an Evaluation of Currently Available Computer Programs

Background  

Differential diagnosis (DDX) generators are computer programs that generate a DDX based on various clinical data.     

Significant reduction in systolic blood pressure following renal artery stenting in patients with uncontrolled hypertension: Results from the HERCULES trial

Background : Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) causes hypertension (HTN) and threatens renal function (RF). The HERCULES Trial is a prospective, multicenter trial of renal stenting in patients with uncontrolled HTN and ARAS evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the RX Herculink Elite Renal Stent System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA). Results : Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline was 162 mm Hg. Nearly 70% of patients were receiving three or more antihypertensive medications (mean 3.4 medications per patient). Baseline serum creatinine was 1.2 ± 0.4 and 61.5% of subjects had estimated glomerular filtration <60. The restenosis rate was 10.5% at 9 months. The study device, procedure, and clinical success rates were 96.0, 99.2, and 98.0%, respectively. Freedom from major adverse events was 94.8%. At 9 months, the mean SBP significantly decreased (mean 145, paired t test P < 0.0001) after stenting with no change in medications. There was no correlation between SBP reduction and baseline BNP or BNP reduction. 相似文献   

Incidence and Consequence of Close Margins in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma-In Situ Treated with Mastectomy: Is Further Therapy Warranted?

Background

The impact of close margins in patients with ductal carcinoma-in situ (DCIS) treated with mastectomy is unclear; however, this finding may lead to a recommendation for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). We sought to determine the incidence and consequences of close margins in patients with DCIS treated with mastectomy.

Methods

The records of 810 patients with DCIS treated with mastectomy from 1996 through 2009 were reviewed. Clinical and pathologic factors were analyzed with respect to final margin status. Median follow-up was 6.3 years.

Results

Overall, 94 patients (11.7 %) had close margins (positive, n = 5; negative but ≤1 mm, n = 54; 1.1–2.9 mm, n = 35). Independent risk factors for close margins included multicentricity, pathologic lesion size ≥1.5 cm, and necrosis, but not age, use of skin-sparing mastectomy, or immediate reconstruction (p > 0.05). Seven patients received PMRT, and none had a locoregional recurrence (LRR). Among the remaining 803 patients, the 10-year LRR rate was 1 % (5.0 % for margins ≤1 mm, 3.6 % for margins 1.1–2.9 mm, and 0.7 % for margins ≥3 mm [p < 0.001]). The 10-year rate of contralateral breast cancer was 6.4 %. On multivariate analysis, close margins was the only independent predictor of LRR (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Close margins occur in a minority of patients undergoing mastectomy for DCIS and is the only independent risk factor for LRR. As the LRR rate in patients with close margins is low and less than the rate of contralateral breast cancer, PMRT is not warranted except for patients with multiple close/positive margins that cannot be surgically excised.     

Safety of repetitive nerve stimulation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Introduction: Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are vulnerable to inappropriate sensing of electromagnetic interference (EMI), such as from nerve conduction studies. We conducted a prospective study to assess the safety of repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS). Methods: Fourteen patients undergoing insertion of 10 ICDs and 4 pacemakers under general anesthesia received RNS of the median, axillary, and spinal accessory nerves at 2 HZ and 50 HZ . We recorded detection of EMI and whether or not this resulted in an arrhythmia diagnosis or change in pacing output. Results: EMI was visible in 2 ICDs, without spurious tachyarrhythmia detection. EMI was observed in 3 of the 4 pacemakers, which led to pacing inhibition and a pause in 2, both of which were programmed to a unipolar sensing configuration. Conclusions: RNS is safe in patients with ICDs. In pacemaker patients, RNS appears safe during bipolar sensing, but caution is recommended in pacemaker patients with unipolar sensing. Muscle Nerve 47: 840–844, 2013