The American journal of the medical sciences
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Chemical pleurodesis is a technique in which an injurious and inflammatory substance is instilled into the pleural cavity to cause adhesion and fibrosis. It is commonly used in the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusions. ⋯ However, over the past several years, there has been increasing interest in alternative pleurodesis agents. In this review, we will explore future directions in the field, with an eye toward novel and investigational agents.
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Coronary and thoracic aortic calcification was associated with stroke, coronary heart, and peripheral vascular disease. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is significantly associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and hepatic steatosis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between HCV infection and coronary, thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. ⋯ HCV infection with metabolic syndrome, liver fibrosis and elevated anti-HCV S/CO ratio was associated with atherosclerosis.
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Patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) are made NPO prior to endoscopy. It is standard practice in those found to have low risk lesions to immediately resume a usual diet. Here, we evaluated refeeding practices in hospitalized patients with UGIB after endoscopy. ⋯ Inappropriate dietary restrictions are frequent in patients with UGIB caused by low risk lesions. This delay in refeeding leads to increased length of hospital stay - suggesting that appropriate refeeding is an opportunity to improve patient care.
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The presence of "muddy" brown granular casts (MBGC) in the urine sediment is pathognomonic for acute tubular injury (ATI). Although MBGC have been noted for years, there are no reports regarding their length nor width. The objective of this study was to measure MBGC using images obtained by light microscopy and investigate associations with clinically relevant parameters. ⋯ This is the first study reporting dimensions of MBGC from cases with ATI. Clinical implications of these observations require further study.