Der Internist
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Patients with atrial fibrillation are at a significantly increased risk of thromboembolic events, especially ischemic strokes. Oral anticoagulation reduces this risk, but cannot be used in some patients for various reasons and is associated with a relevantly increased risk of bleeding. As an alternative for prophylaxis of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation, there are different options of left atrial appendage closure. ⋯ In carefully selected patients suffering from atrial fibrillation with relative or absolute contraindications for oral anticoagulation, interventional closure of the atrial appendage is a safe alternative for prophylaxis against thromboembolic events. The currently available scientific evidence from randomized controlled trials is sparse. Nevertheless, extensive amounts of registry study data suggest a benefit, while the results of several large randomized controlled trials are expected in the coming years.
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Despite therapy with glucocorticoids (GC) and conventional immunosuppressants, patients with connective tissue diseases and vasculitides often develop functionally relevant and prognostically unfavourable internal organ damage. Based on new pathogenetic insights, biologics and small molecules have recently been studied as targeted therapies for collagen vascular diseases and vasculitides. The B lymphocyte stimulator antagonist belimumab has been used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for several years and has recently also been approved as an add-on therapy for lupus nephritis. ⋯ In patients with EGPA, the IL‑5 antibody mepolizumab leads to improved disease control and reduces GC requirements. A phase III trial of the small molecule antagonist avacopan targeting the complement C5a receptor as a replacement for high-dose GC in induction therapy of GPA and MPA met its primary endpoints. Various other biologics and small molecule antagonists are currently in clinical development for several type of vasculitis and collagen vascular diseases, some of them at advanced stages.
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Biologics are an integral part of modern strategies for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondylarthritis (SpA), including psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Biologics are biotechnologically produced proteins that have inhibiting effects on humoral and cellular components of rheumatic inflammation. Substance classes used in rheumatology are tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, IL‑6, IL-12, IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors effective against cytokines as well as the T lymphocyte activation inhibitor abatacept and the B lymphocyte-depleting rituximab. ⋯ There are very specific contraindications for individual substance classes with a focus on an increased risk of infections. The standard procedure before starting treatment with biologics includes the exclusion of latent tuberculosis and hepatitis B. The TNF-alpha inhibitors have a protective effect with respect to myocardial infarction, stroke and venous thromboembolism.