Patency of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery branches after flow diversion treatment. A meta-analysis

Background and purpose

Placement of flow-diverters across the ostia of major ICA branches carries a risk of arterial occlusion. We determined the rate of occlusion of the supraclinoid ICA branches and the related symptoms, following coverage with flow-diverters.

Symptomatic isolated internal carotid artery occlusion with initial medical management: a monocentric cohort

Journal of Neurology - Symptomatic isolated carotid artery occlusions (ICAO) can lead to disability, recurrent stroke, and mortality, but natural history and best therapeutic management remain...     

Effect of Lowering the Dialysate Temperature in Chronic Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and objectives

Lowering the dialysate temperature may improve outcomes for patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. We reviewed the reported benefits and harms of lower temperature dialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We searched the Cochrane Central Register, OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Pubmed until April 15, 2015. We reviewed the reference lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. We included all randomized, controlled trials that evaluated the effect of reduced temperature dialysis versus standard temperature dialysis in adult patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess confidence in the estimates of effect (i.e., the quality of evidence). We conducted meta-analyses using random effects models.

Results

Twenty-six trials were included, consisting of a total of 484 patients. Compared with standard temperature dialysis, reduced temperature dialysis significantly reduced the rate of intradialytic hypotension by 70% (95% confidence interval, 49% to 89%) and significantly increased intradialytic mean arterial pressure by 12 mmHg (95% confidence interval, 8 to 16 mmHg). Symptoms of discomfort occurred 2.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 9.82) times more often with reduced temperature compared with standard temperature dialysis. The effect on dialysis adequacy was not significantly different, with a Kt/V mean difference of −0.05 (95% confidence interval, −0.09 to 0.01). Small sample sizes, loss to follow-up, and a lack of appropriate blinding in some trials reduced confidence in the estimates of effect. None of the trials reported long-term outcomes.

Conclusions

In patients receiving chronic hemodialysis, reduced temperature dialysis may reduce the rate of intradialytic hypotension and increase intradialytic mean arterial pressure. High–quality, large, multicenter, randomized trials are needed to determine whether reduced temperature dialysis affects patient mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events.     

Does an intraabdominally placed LNG-IUS have an adverse effect on fertility? a case report

This case of secondary infertility with an associated intraabdominal levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) demonstrates the importance of adequate imaging in women with a missing intrauterine contraceptive device and the possible fertility implications of an extrauterine LNG-IUS.     

Ultrasound characteristics and outcome of prenatally diagnosed fetal cholelithiasis

Aim: To investigate ultrasound characteristics and outcome in fetuses with cholelithiasis.

Materials and methods: We report a small case series of three patients with prenatally diagnosed fetal cholelithiasis. Ultrasound features, pregnancy outcome and neonatal follow-up are presented and discussed.

Results: Sonographic pattern associated to fetal cholelithiasis is variable. Pregnancy issue is globally good with no ominous fetal or neonatal events.

Conclusions: Prenatally diagnosed fetal cholelithiasis is a rare finding and doesn’t seem to carry an adverse effect on the pregnancy.     

Is more frequent hemodialysis beneficial and what is the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The HEMO study results have shown that increasing dialysis dose in conventional thrice weekly hemodialysis does not improve patient outcomes. Interest has therefore turned to more frequent (daily) hemodialysis treatments. This review covers the rationale for such an approach together with a current review of the published study data. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have suggested improvements in a number of intermediate patient outcomes such as cardiovascular (blood pressure control, left ventricular hypertrophy), anemia, phosphate control, nutritional status and quality of life. Some of these outcomes are associated with increased survival in the dialysis population. SUMMARY: The inference from these studies is that more frequent hemodialysis will indeed reduce mortality and morbidity. To date, however, the studies have all been small and underpowered to detect such primary outcomes. No randomized controlled trials are yet reported. The US National Institutes of Health have sponsored larger scale North American based studies and an International Registry of Daily Dialysis patients has been created to attain further information of the possible benefits of such therapy. In spite of the paucity of hard evidence the studies to date have been enough to convince some jurisdictions to recognize and fund daily hemodialysis treatments.