Association Between Patient and Physician Sex and Physician-Estimated Stroke and Bleeding Risks in Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Physicians treating nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) assess stroke and bleeding risks when deciding on anticoagulation. The agreement between empirical and physician-estimated risks is unclear. Furthermore, the association between patient and physician sex and anticoagulation decision-making is uncertain.

Endothelial function,regulation of angiogenesis and embryonic central hemodynamics in ART-conceived pregnancies

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of pro- and anti-angiogenic growth factors, nitric oxide (NO) stable metabolites in maternal serum and embryonic left ventricular (LV) isovolumic relaxation time (IRT, ms) during the first trimester in two groups of women: with pregnancy conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART, n?=?39) and normally conceived (control group, n?=?68) pregnancy. The concentration of vasoconstrictor endothelin 1 was 45.5 times more in ART than in control group. On the contrary, the concentrations of NO stable metabolites in ART were 1.9 times less than in control women. The assessment of angiogenic suppressors in ART women demonstrates the decrease in s-endoglin concentration was 1.6 times and in soluble receptor to vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was 2.0 times in comparison with control group. There was a significant increase in LV IRT in ART embryos in comparison to control ones. These data suggest significant changes in pro- anti-angiogenic factors balance and increase in vascular impedance in ART-conceived embryos.     

Congenital focal abnormalities of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium

This paper reviews the published literature on a group of developmental disorders of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium which result in focal abnormalities in one or both eyes. They are often asymptomatic, found on routine examination and are generally non-progressive. Some are associated with other systemic abnormalities.Subject terms: Retinal diseases, Eye abnormalities     

Effect of Tropicamide on Laser Flare Meter Measurements in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the effect of 1% tropicamide on anterior chamber aqueous flare (ACAF) measurements acquired with laser flare meter in patients with pseudoexfoliation.     

Psychosocial mechanisms of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence of prostate cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose: We examined underlying psychosocial processes of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) of prostate cancer survivors.

Design: Secondary analysis of data collected from a clinical trial.

Sample: Two hundred forty-four prostate cancer survivors who participated in a clinical trial of behavioral intervention to UI as intervention or control subjects.

Methods: The participants had a 3-month behavioral intervention or usual care and were followed up for an additional 3?months. They were assessed at baseline, 3, and 6?months. Latent growth curve models were performed to examine trajectories of each study variable and relationships among the variables.

Findings: Increasing self-efficacy and social support were significantly and independently associated with more reduction of urinary leakage frequency over time.

Implications for psychosocial oncology: Providing problem-solving skills and social support, including peer support, are essential for empowering patients to reduce UI.     

Optimal SPECT processing and display: Making bad studies look good to get the right answer

Conclusion  Several quality-control measures take place before (patient and camera preparation) and during SPECT acquisition to achieve high-quality images. Not uncommonly, technologists and physicians are left with suboptimal images that have to be addressed to reach the “right answer” for patient diagnosis and hence management. In many cases patients may be reimaged, especially if the problem is detected early, but in other cases either the patient has left the nuclear laboratory or there is an inevitable problem that, even with reimaging, will not be resolved. In these situations the technologist and physician have to seek the available techniques to obtain the best images possible. These resources are discussed in this issue as an aid in quality control to obtain the best possible images.     

Minimal-invasive Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom

ZusammenfassungHintergrund Bedingt durch die intraoperative Katecholaminsekretion mit hämodynamischen Veränderungen, einem größeren Tumordurchmesser und einer deutlichen Neovaskularisation ist die Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom im Vergleich zu anderen Nebennierenerkrankungen schwieriger und potenziell komplikationsträchtiger. Ziel unserer Studie war die Frage, ob das Risiko intraoperativer kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen durch das minimal-invasive Vorgehen potenziert wird.Patienten und Methodik Im Zeitraum zwischen Februar 1992 und Mai 2005 wurden in unserer Klinik 82 Eingriffe wegen eines Phäochromozytoms bei 71 Patienten durchgeführt. Davon wurden 8 (1) Patient(en) bi-(tri-)lateral adrenalektomiert und bei 2 Patienten erfolgte eine ipsilaterale Rezidivoperation. Eingeschlossen sind 5 weitere Patienten mit Rezidiv nach Erstoperation vor 1992. Sechsunddreißig Eingriffe erfolgten konventionell (transperitoneal n=35, retroperitoneal n=1) und 46 Operationen endoskopisch (transperitoneal n=28, retroperitoneal n=18), davon keine Konversion zum offenen Vorgehen.Ergebnisse Das mediane Alter zum Zeitpunkt der Operation betrug 45 (24–75) Jahre bei einer Anamnesedauer von 12 (0–180) Monaten. Die offen operierten Phäochromozytome waren mit 5,5 (1–19) cm vs. 3,5 (0,5–8) cm (endoskopisch) signifikant größer (p=0,0011). Patienten mit endoskopischer, insbesondere mit retroperitoneoskopischer Adrenalektomie hatten im Vergleich zum konventionellen Vorgehen intraoperativ höhere systolische und diastolische maximale Blutdruckwerte sowie Spitzen über 200 mmHg (statistisch nicht signifikant). Faktoren mit möglichem Einfluss auf intraoperative hämodynamische Veränderungen waren in der multivariaten Analyse das Geschlecht (p=0,0107), der operative Zugangsweg (p=0,0153), das Patientenalter (p=0,0364) und die Tumorgröße (p=0,0484). Die postoperative stationäre Verweildauer war nach endoskopischer Operation signifikant kürzer (p<0,0001).Schlussfolgerung Die endoskopische Adrenalektomie beim Phäochromozytom ist in der Routine ohne vermehrtes Risiko kardiovaskulärer Komplikationen die Methode der Wahl. Das offene Vorgehen sollte extraadrenalen Befunden oder sehr großen Tumoren mit Malignitätsverdacht vorbehalten bleiben.      

Effect of sequential administration of an opioid and cholecystokinin on gallbladder ejection fraction: brief communication.

This study was undertaken to test the effect of sequential administration of an opioid and intravenous cholecystokinin (CCK) on gallbladder ejection fraction. METHODS: Forty-nine patients who had received an opioid underwent quantitative cholescintigraphy with octapeptide of CCK (CCK-8). Gallbladder ejection fraction and CCK-8-induced paradoxical filling were calculated. RESULTS: In the basal state, more of the hepatic bile entered the gallbladder (67%) than the small intestine (33%). After CCK-8 infusion, gallbladder ejection fraction was low in 37 (76%) of 49 patients and normal in 12 (24%). All 5 types of opioids lowered ejection fraction. CCK-induced paradoxical filling of the gallbladder was noted in 7 patients, but only one showed paradoxical filling of greater than 20% and none had a normal gallbladder ejection fraction. The lowering effect of opioids on gallbladder ejection fraction may last as long as 18 h after intake. CONCLUSION: CCK-8 produced a normal gallbladder ejection fraction in 24% of patients who had received an opioid and thus could exclude both acute and chronic cholecystitis during a single hepatobiliary study.