Internal and emergency medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
TMAO as a biomarker of cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Unmasking the residual cardiovascular risk is a major research challenge in the attempt to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence suggests that a high circulating level of trimethylamine N-oxide is a new potential CVD risk factor. We performed a systematic review of the published studies to clarify the association between circulating high levels of TMAO and cardiovascular events. ⋯ Our findings support a role of high TMAO levels in predicting CVD events. High levels of TMAO may be a new CVD risk factor, potentially useful to better plan personalized CVD prevention strategies.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Safety and effectiveness of biosimilar of Rituximab CT-P10 in the treatment of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis: the MARBLe study (Mixed cryoglobulinemiA Rituximab BiosimiLar).
Rituximab (RTX) represents a milestone in the treatment of mixed cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (MCV). Despite usually well-tolerated, RTX may induce different types of adverse drug reactions, including exacerbation of vasculitis. Recently, RTX biosimilar CT-P10 has been approved in Europe for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but no data are available about effectiveness and safety of CT-P10 in the treatment of MCV. ⋯ Considering the cost/efficacy ratio of biosimilars, their use could be helpful to treat a large number of MCV patients with an effectiveness and safety comparable to originator. Multicenter studies including a large number of patients and the new RTX biosimilars could be useful to fully elucidate the possible risk of immune-mediated adverse events with biosimilar drugs. Considering the cost/efficacy ratio of CT-P10, its use could help to treat a large number of MCV patients with an effectiveness and safety comparable to originator.
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The Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a potentially serious, but still overlooked condition, occurring in individuals who are rapidly fed after a period of severe undernourishment. RFS derives from an abnormal electrolyte and fluid shifts leading to many organ dysfunctions. Symptoms generally appear within 2-5 days of re-feeding and may be absent/mild or severe and life threating, depending on the pre-existing degree of malnutrition and comorbidities. ⋯ In 2020, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) proposed a unifying definition for the RFS and its severity classification. The awareness of the condition is crucial for identifying patients at risk, preventing its occurrence, and improving the management. The objectives of this narrative review were to summarize the current knowledge and recommendations about the RFS and to provide useful tips to help physicians to recognize and prevent the syndrome.
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Liver disease has been long considered as a risk factor for bleeding for the presence of prolongation of global tests of clotting activation and low platelet count. For this reason, the use of anticoagulants in patients with liver disease and an indication to anticoagulation, such as atrial fibrillation of venous thrombosis, has been poorly considered. ⋯ Thus, atrial fibrillation patients with coexistent liver disease have been excluded from clinical trials with direct oral anticoagulants. Here, we provide an overview on mechanisms of thrombosis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease and a summary of evidence on the use of oral anticoagulants in patients with liver disease and portal vein thrombosis or atrial fibrillation.
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This study aimed to assess the incidence, persistence, and associated mortality of severe hyperlactatemia in a large cohort of unselected critically ill patients. Also, we evaluated the association between 12 h lactate clearance, the timing of severe hyperlactatemia, and the maximum lactate levels with ICU mortality. In this retrospective, single-center study, we used data from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. ⋯ Data for 12 h lactate clearance was available for 443 patients (276 nonsurvivable vs. 167 survival). 12 h lactate clearance yielded a high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78, (95% CI 0.74 and 0.83). Severe hyperlactatemia is associated with extremely high ICU mortality in a heterogeneous ICU population. Lactate derived variables (the timing and persistence of severe hyperlactatemia, maximum level, and 12 h clearance) are shown to be associated with ICU mortality in patients with severe hyperlactatemia. Our results suggest that maximum lactate level and 12 h lactate clearance were clinically useful prognostic parameters for patients with severe hyperlactatemia.