Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Clinical TrialSerum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide are associated with allograft function in recipients of renal transplants.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) plays a key role in the regulation of volume homeostasis, and elevated blood levels of BNP are associated with end-stage renal disease. Renal transplantation leads to a decrease of elevated BNP levels with established graft function. Assessment of N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) is established as reflecting volume homeostasis, and we therefore studied the relationship between NT-proBNP and allograft function in a prospective study. ⋯ An association was observed between renal allograft function and post-transplant levels of NT-proBNP. The association was not found to be a useful general predictor for graft function in individual patients in a clinical setting, as the range of NT-proBNP levels measured was too wide.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyThe influence of insulin pump treatment on metabolic syndrome parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of long-term insulin pump treatment (CSII) on the parameters of metabolic syndrome in insulin-resistant patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. ⋯ Six months of CSII treatment led to decrease in insulin resistance and improvement in parameters of lipid metabolism, blood coagulation and endothelial dysfunction independently of glycemic control and weight.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Predictors of compliance with continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied via a tight-fitting mask is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has potential to improve the cardiovascular prognosis in such patients. Adequate compliance with the use of CPAP is essential for achieving the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of this treatment. This prospective study aimed to assess factors related to objective compliance with CPAP treatment in Slovakian patients with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed OSA. ⋯ The study demonstrates the relationship between reductions in mask leak and good compliance with CPAP treatment in central European patients with OSA and concurrent metabolic syndrome. Strategies to maintain low leakage of the CPAP mask are warranted, particularly in grossly overweight patients.
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A positive relationship between patient volume and outcome has been demonstrated for a variety of clinical conditions and procedures, but the evidence is sparse for critically ill patients. ⋯ Our results provide evidence for a relationship between patient volume and outcome in critically ill patients. Besides the total number of patients, diagnostic variability plays an important role. The relationship between volume and outcome seems, however, to be complex and to be influenced by other variables, such as workload of nursing staff.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Like chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an enormous public health problem in industrialized countries. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of COPD among patients hospitalized for heart failure in a community hospital serving a population of 125,000 people. ⋯ COPD is frequent among hospitalized patients with heart failure. Beta-blockers are largely underused, which is probably a major reason for the higher mortality observed in patients with concomitant chronic heart failure and COPD.