Total knee arthroplasty can be challenging in Jehovah's Witnesses, as these patients do not accept blood transfusions. We reported our experiences with a special blood management protocol for these patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. There were 124 self-reported Jehovah's Witnesses who had a mean age of 64 years and ...

AimsPrevention of sudden cardiac death by means of the implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) is considered to be a lifelong therapy. However, it is still unresolved if patients who never experienced an appropriate ICD intervention during generator longevity really need to undergo device replacement.Methods and resultsThe INSURE trial was a multicentre prospective ...

Many patients with hypertension have difficulty achieving their target blood pressure (BP). Therefore combination therapy, for example with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and a diuretic, may be recommended. We previously evaluated the efficacy and safety of losartan (LOS) 50 mg - hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg, as well as ...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the markers of lymphocyte activation (sIL-2R, IL-6 and TNF α) in the peripheral blood of newly diagnosed patients with celiac disease (CD) and patients with CD on Gluten free diet (GFD) for at least 2 y. The markers were correlated with conventional serological tests Anti-tissue transglutaminase (Anti-TTG) used ...

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome does not always yield successful outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe patients with unresolved, recurrent, and/or contralateral symptoms following first rib resection and scalenectomy (FRRS) and to determine therapies for improving their outcomes. METHODS: Data on 161 neurogenic thoracic ...

Many people with epilepsy in low-income countries do not receive appropriate biomedical treatment. This epilepsy treatment gap might be caused by patients not seeking biomedical treatment or not adhering to prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We measured the prevalence of and investigated risk factors for the epilepsy treatment gap in rural ...

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the degree of improvement in chronic venous disease-related symptoms after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for saphenous vein insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a single-center, single-arm prospective cohort study. The series was comprised of 55 limbs of 38 patients (24 [63%] females, ...

Seizures are a hallmark manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex, yet data characterizing resource utilization are lacking. This retrospective chart review was performed to assess the economic burden of tuberous sclerosis complex with neurologic manifestations. Demographic and resource utilization data were collected for 95 patients for up to 5 years after ...

BackgroundThis study explored the efficacy and safety of rituximab as treatment of clinical or molecular residual disease after autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in follicular lymphoma (FL).Patients and methodsForty patients with CD20+ FL and clinically (group A, n = 14) or clono-specific PCR-detectable (group B, n = 25) residual disease persisting 3 months after ASCT ...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the care receiver's satisfaction with the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) interfaces. METHODS: A questionnaire with visual analog scales was sent to all our CPAP patients (0 = absolutely unsatisfied, 100 = very satisfied). From the ResMed ResScan program, we obtained the CPAP daily use and air leak ...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring using the FoleyManometer (Holtech Medical, Charlottenlund, Denmark) increases the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). DESIGN: A retrospective database review was conducted. SETTING: The study was conducted in the 12-bed medical intensive care unit of ZNA ...

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate long-term success of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with osteoid osteoma (OO) and osteoblastoma (OB) including tumors in critical locations. Eighty-one CT-guided RFA procedures were performed in 77 patients with OO (65 patients) and OB (12) including 6 spinal and ...

Interim results of two open-label extension studies assessed ezogabine/retigabine safety and tolerability for partial-onset seizures. At data cutoff, 336 (60%) patients received ≥ 12 months' open-label ezogabine/retigabine. The most common TEAEs included dizziness (22%), somnolence (19%), headache (14%), and fatigue (10%). Change in seizure frequency from baseline (median reduction, 53%) ...

Achievement of a negative fluid balance in patients with capillary leak is associated with improved outcome. We investigated the effects of a multi-modal restrictive fluid strategy aiming for negative fluid balance in patients with acute lung injury (ALI). In this retrospective matched case-control study, we included 114 mechanically ventilated (MV) ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:NGAVFs are rare vascular malformations usually presenting in infancy or childhood. We sought to identify clinical and angiographic predictors of clinical outcome for these lesions.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Retrospective review of a neurointerventional data base identified 386 pediatric patients with intracranial AVFs and AVMs, from which a cohort of 25 ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Peripheral AVM is a locally aggressive disease with a high tendency to recur; its treatment is complex, especially in the anatomically delicate head and neck area. Here, we report results of ethanol sclerotherapy for head and neck AVM and discuss its potential use for peripheral AVM.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We ...

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of norovirus can have a significant operational and financial impact on healthcare establishments. AIM: To assess whether containment of symptomatic patients in single rooms and bays at the beginning and end of norovirus outbreaks reduced the length of bed closure. METHODS: In 2007, we introduced a new strategy ...

There are limited data on the relative efficacy and safety of calcineurin inhibitors and alkylating agents for idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in children. To clarify this, we compared tacrolimus and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of 131 consecutive pediatric patients with minimal change disease, focal segmental ...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of topically applied recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) via gelatin hydrogels on alterations in pure-tone audiometry (PTA) in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) refractory to systemic steroids. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A single university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-five patients with ...

AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare clinical effectiveness and safety of treatment with clarithromycin and amoxicillin in children with solitary erythema migrans (EM). METHODS: Consecutive patients younger than 15 years, referred to our institution in 2004 and 2005 with previously untreated solitary erythema migrans, were included in this prospective study. ...

To compare the risk of epileptic seizures in adults during conservative management or following invasive treatment for a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). We used annual general practitioner follow-up, patient questionnaires, and medical records surveillance to quantify the 5-year risk of seizures and the chances of achieving 2-year seizure freedom for ...

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study was to compare the postoperative outcomes between obese and normal-weight patients undergoing single-port cholecystectomy (SPC) for gallstone disease. METHODS: A prospectively maintained SPC-database was retrospectively analyzed, and the outcomes of obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2)] and normal-weight patients were compared. All patients ...

AIMS: Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the current standard of interventional atrial fibrillation (Afib) therapy. However, recurrence rate of Afib varies considerably after ablation between different series and is mainly attributed to the recovery of pulmonary vein (PV) conduction after initial successful PVI.STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Waiting longer during the initial ...

Background:  Motorcyclists have the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all road users. Little evidence is available to demonstrate how rider, crash and speed influence short- and long-term patient outcomes. Methods:  A prospective study of 208 consecutive crash presentations was undertaken at the Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia. All motorcycle, ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia frequently have disabling gait deficits. The net mechanical efficiency of walking (epsilonnet) is an accurate measure often used to evaluate walking performance. Patients with gait deficits have a reduced epsilonnet with excessive energy expenditure during sub-maximal walking. Maximal strength training (MST) improves epsilonnet in healthy ...

BACKGROUND: Esophageal stents provide immediate palliation of malignant dysphagia; however, radiotherapy (RT) is a superior long-term option. We review the outcomes of combined esophageal stenting and RT for patients with malignant dysphagia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with esophageal stents placed for palliation of malignant dysphagia from esophageal stricture, esophageal ...

Study Type - Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The second to fourth digit ratio (hereafter the digit ratio) of the right hand is related to the activity of the androgen receptor. Five α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) reduces the prostate volume ...

Approximately 30% of individuals with severe hemophilia A generate antibodies (inhibitors) against therapeutically administered Factor VIII (FVIII), typically during the first 20 exposure days [1]. Inhibitor development remains the most serious complication of treatment of hemophilia, as the safe and effective standard of care, particularly prophylaxis in children, is precluded. ...

Newborn screening for the inborn error of metabolism, classical galactosaemia prevents life-threatening complications in the neonatal period. It does not however influence the development of long-term complications and the complex pathophysiology of this rare disease remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to report the development of a ...

Background: In literature, the majority of data about treatment with botulinum toxin A are based on the results of a single treatment. We evaluate the safety and effectiveness in the medium term of the use of botulinum toxin type A in patients with neurogenic bladder, taking into consideration the clinical ...

Abstract Objective: Real-world data on patients treated with echinocandins for candidemia are limited. This study examined the effect of three echinocandin-based treatment regimens on resource utilization in patients with Candida infection. Research design and methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized between 2005 and 2010 with a blood culture ...

Introduction and aim: This paper aims to outline the relationships between kinesiotherapy methods used in rehabilitation and the recovery of the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), improvement of functional condition, regression of pareses and improvement of conscious state following surgical treatment of traumatic subdural haematomas. Materials ...

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether there is an optimal antithrombotic management for patients supported with axial-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Altogether, more than 758 papers were found using the reported search, of which 17 represented ...

Abstract Objective. Only a few studies with a long-term follow-up exist on patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) treated with instillation therapy. The objective was to study the long-term outcome of patients with CIS after mitomycin C (MMC) monotherapy or alternating therapy with MMC and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Material and ...

Several studies have suggested that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the role of EAT as a potential risk factor for, and predictor of, long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAD requires additional investigation. We investigated the relation among EAT, cardiovascular events, and measures ...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine whether carvedilol-treated chronic heart failure patients have a different prognosis when stratified for a specific combination of a gain-of-function genotype of the adrenergic β-1 receptor gene (ADRB1) (Arg389-homozygous), two gain-of-function genotypes of the angiotensinogen gene (AGT) (Thr174-homozygous and Thr235-homozygous), and ...

OBJECTIVE: Arterial hypotension is a recognized complication of emergency intubation that is independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to identify factors associated with postintubation hypotension after emergency intubation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of tracheal intubations performed in a large, urban emergency department over a 1-year period. ...

Background: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and cystocele can occur simultaneously because they have identical predisposing factors. This procedure reinforces pubourethral ligaments and the vesicovaginal fascia, solving SUI and Cystocele. Methods: 57 patients with grade III or higher cystocele were enrolled in this trial; SUI was present in 20% of patients ...

  Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Most cases occur in adults; cases in children are rare. This report describes the clinical presentations and treatment responses of three children with PV, as confirmed according to histology and indirect immunofluorescence studies. In ...

PURPOSE: Increasing options to treat Dupuytren disease include percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PNF), a minimally invasive technique that has proven to be effective for the treatment of primary disease. However, its effect on recurrent disease is not clear. METHODS: We studied 30 patients with recurrent Dupuytren disease in 40 fingers, with ...

Despite the established efficacy of therapeutic endoscopy, the optimum timeframe for performing endoscopy in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) remains unclear. The aim of the current audit study was to examine the relationship between time to endoscopy and clinical outcomes in patients presenting with NVUGIB. This study was ...

We aimed to assess the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on the left ventricular (LV) function independent of obesity using the myocardial performance index (Tei index) and the global longitudinal LV strain (GLS) and its reversibility after surgery. Twenty-five newly diagnosed OSA patients, normal weight (n = 15) and ...

PURPOSE: To classify and report adverse events of trigger finger release in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1,598 trigger finger releases performed by 12 surgeons in 984 patients between 2001 and 2011. Adverse events were classified based on a system derived from the Centers for Disease ...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the tympanoplasty in chronic otitis media in its functional aspect. METHODS: We analysed and categorized 489 tympanoplasties using Wullstein classification. The operations were performed in the Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology Department of the University School of Medicine in ...

Abstract Objectives: It has been reported that postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in patients over 60 years of age is aggravated under cold stimulation and is often difficult to treat. Keishikajutsubuto (TJ-18) and Bushi-matsu (TJ-3022) are traditional Japanese herbal medicines and have long been used to treat neuralgia and arthralgia, which are ...

It is known that nonsynostotic plagiocephaly does not spontaneously improve, and the craniofacial deformities that result from it. This study was conducted to analyze the effectiveness of helmet therapy for the nonsynostotic plagiocephaly patient, and to suggest a new treatment strategy based on this analysis. A total of 108 pediatric ...

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of apixaban are reviewed. Apixaban is an oral, direct, selective factor Xa inhibitor with a rapid onset of action. It has a plasma elimination half-life of 12 hours and has been administered in a twice-daily dosing regimen in clinical trials without the need for ...

To evaluate hysterectomy prevalence, indications and impact on clinical outcomes in a reference center in southern Brazil. Institutional Ethical Committee approval was granted for this study. In a cohort study spanning 21 years, all patients who underwent hysterectomy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) were included, and technical differences between hysterectomy ...

The purpose of this study was to document expectations and outcomes of active adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent treatment protocol of hyaluronic acid injection series with single injection of corticosteroid at initial injection. Our hypothesis was that patients would have functional improvement and pain relief following treatment, ...

Little information is available on the long-term clinical outcome of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT). In an international, retrospective cohort study, we assessed the long-term rates of mortality, residual disability and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a cohort of patients with a first CVT episode. Seven hundred and six patients (73.7% ...