Irish journal of medical science
-
Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Are beta-blockers effective for preventing post-coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation? Direct and network meta-analyses.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and is a major contributor to mortality. Recently, several studies have reported different results for treatments aimed at reducing the risk of postoperative AF. ⋯ The network meta-analysis revealed no significant differences among eight types of BB treatments but did provide a ranking. BB treatments could significantly reduce the occurrence of post-CABG AF. Insufficient evidence was available to show that one BB treatment was more effective than the others were. According to our network meta-analysis, bisoprolol and landiolol+bisoprolol are better alternatives compared with the other treatments.
-
Surgical procedures to correct larger curve magnitudes >70° in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) are still common; despite their increased complexity, limited research has assessed the effect of preoperative curve severity on outcomes. ⋯ Surgeons can expect a longer surgical duration, greater intraoperative blood loss and double the blood product transfusion risk when performing PSF procedures on AIS patients with curves greater than 70° vs. those ≤70°. Surgical correction for curves >70°, often as a result of lengthy surgical waiting lists, also incurs added expense and results in a partial delay in early functional recovery.
-
Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in older people with stroke, particularly in the paretic limb. Younger people with acquired brain injury (ABI), of all causes, are at increased risk of low BMD. ⋯ Osteopenia and osteoporosis are common in young adults with ABI compared with the general population. Bone heath monitoring should form part of the long-term follow-up of this patient group.
-
Historical Article
Chairman's opening address at the Sir William Wilde Bi-Centenary Symposium.
The opening address by Professor T Clive Lee at the William Wilde Bi-Centenary Symposium, hosted by the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, History of Medicine Section on 6 May 2015.
-
Continuous subcutaneous insulin pump therapy (CSII or pump therapy) is a well-recognised treatment option for Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in paediatrics. It is especially suited to children because it optimises control by improving flexibility across age-specific lifestyles. The NICE guidelines (2008) recognise that pump therapy is advantageous and that it should be utilised to deliver best practice. In Ireland, the National Clinical Program for Diabetes will increase the availability and uptake of CSII in children and thus more clinicians are likely to encounter children using CSII therapy. ⋯ This review addresses the principles of insulin pump management in children which all health care professionals involved in caring for the child with diabetes, shoud be familiar with.