Irish journal of medical science
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Review
There are similarities between rheumatic disease with lung involvement and COVID-19 pneumonia.
There is considerable overlap between the clinical manifestations of covid-19 pneumonia and the acute interstitial lung disease seen in certain rheumatic disorders. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis is increasingly recognised as a potentially serious consequence of both. ⋯ We propose how lessons learned from the insights recently gained into each disorder can improve our insight into immunological mechanisms and application of therapeutic interventions in the other.
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International studies show that dizziness and vertigo are a significant burden on the general population, with 20-30% experiencing symptoms over a lifetime. There are no Irish studies indicating prevalence. The aim of this study was to review primary care referrals for patients with dizziness and vertigo to an otolaryngology tertiary centre. ⋯ This study demonstrates that a significant number of patients referred to an otologist from primary care are referred with dizziness and vertigo and supports the need for the establishment of multi-disciplinary vestibular/balance centres to address and manage these patients.
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Multicenter Study
Open, prospective, multicenter study on postoperative intranasal phototherapy in nasal polyposis.
The therapeutic effect of ultraviolet (UV) light is generally attributed to its immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects. Since chronic inflammation is the major factor in the development of nasal polyposis, we have previously used mixed ultraviolet-visible light (mUV-VIS, Rhinolight®) phototherapy for the treatment of nasal polyps. ⋯ Rhinophototherapy together with standard nasal steroid application may have a supportive role in the treatment of recurrent bilateral nasal polyps.
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Heart failure (HF) is the only cardiovascular disease with an ever increasing incidence. HF, through reduced functional capacity, frequent exacerbations of disease, and repeated hospitalizations, results in poorer quality of life, decreased work productivity, and significantly increased costs of the public health system. The main challenge in the treatment of HF is the availability of reliable prognostic models that would allow patients and doctors to develop realistic expectations about the prognosis and to choose the appropriate therapy and monitoring method. ⋯ We can find many studies showing different predictors of unfavorable outcome in HF patients: thorough assessment with echocardiography imaging, exercise testing (e.g., 6-min walk test, cardiopulmonary exercise testing), and biomarkers (e.g., N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity troponin T, galectin-3, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). Some of them are very promising, but more research is needed to create a specific panel on the basis of which we will be able to assess HF patients. At this moment despite identification of many markers of adverse outcomes, clinical decision-making in HF is still predominantly based on a few basic parameters, such as the presence of HF symptoms (NYHA class), left ventricular ejection fraction, and QRS complex duration and morphology.
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Retracted Publication
The efficacy and safety of cryoballoon catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Electrical isolation of pulmonary vein ostia is an established therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. ⋯ It was concluded that in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, with normal left atrium anatomy and no risk factors, it can be controlled with single pulmonary vein isolation without additional atrial substrate modification.