Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Comparative Study[Economic public health significance of generic drugs].
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Case ReportsChicken-bone perforation of a sigmoid colon diverticulum into the right groin and subsequent phlegmonous inflammation of the abdominal wall.
Colonic diverticula are frequent in western countries and approximately 80% of patients who develop diverticulitis are elderly. The sigmoid and descending colon are most commonly involved. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic diverticula to life-threatening complications such as diverticulum perforation and subsequent peritonitis. ⋯ A Hartmann's procedure with necrectomy of the abdominal wall was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed an ingested chicken bone perforating the diverticulum. When diverticulitis or diverticular abscess is suspected in an elderly patient, foreign body impaction or perforation should be considered as a possible cause.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Jan 2009
Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is increasingly used in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of heart failure; however, the possible influence of atrial fibrillation on BNP is still a matter of controversy. We assessed the influence of atrial fibrillation on NT-proBNP levels in outpatients with signs and symptoms of heart failure. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation is an independent determinant of increased NT-proBNP levels. This association should be taken into account when NT-proBNP levels are used in the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation.