Brit J Hosp Med
-
Aims/Background Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is characterized by progressive aggravation and rapid progression of respiratory distress, with a high incidence rate among premature infants. If left untreated, NRDS results in a poor prognosis. In recent years, various respiratory support modalities have received extensive attention in clinical practice. ⋯ Additionally, both groups demonstrated no significant difference in the incidence of complications such as intraventricular hemorrhage, apnea, necrotizing enterocolitis, and feeding intolerance (p > 0.05). The incidence rates of ventilator-associated lung injury and neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the nBiPAP group were lower than those in the nSIMV group, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion Both nBiPAP and nSIMV have shown good effects in treating NRDS, with nBiPAP showing a significant advantage in reducing the incidence rates of complications such as ventilator-associated lung injury and neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
-
Aims/Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is considered a potential therapeutic agent for RA due to strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of NAC as an adjuvant therapy for RA. Methods A systematic search was conducted across five databases from inception to 1 August 2024, including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science. ⋯ Additionally, NAC reduced inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): MD = 3.00). However, the beneficial effects of NAC on oxidative stress in RA patients were not observed. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of NAC in reducing inflammatory markers, improving joint tenderness, and swelling in patients with RA.
-
Case Reports
A Rare Complication of Atraumatic Splenic Rupture in Infectious Mononucleosis: A Case Report.
Aims/Background Atraumatic splenic rupture is a very rare and potentially life-threatening event usually associated with underlying pathological conditions. Splenic rupture in infectious mononucleosis occurs only in 0.1%-0.5% of patients. The aim of the present study was to publish a case report of the atraumatic splenic rupture and to present a mini-review of the international literature. ⋯ Results The patient underwent expeditious total splenectomy, postoperative period was uneventful and he was discharged on the sixth postoperative day. He was scheduled to undergo the post-splenectomy vaccinations and regular follow-ups with his general practitioner abroad. Conclusion In patients without a history of trauma, spontaneous splenic rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis if patients have complaints of abdominal and left shoulder tip pain, and laboratory results indicate low haemoglobin and haematocrit levels.
-
Aims/Background The present study investigated the short-term and long-term outcomes of an invasive strategy in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and a conservative strategy in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients older than 80 years, with the aim to identify the strategy that is more beneficial than the other to this demographic population. Methods A total of 139 patients from Beijing Anzhen Hospital and the Cao County People's Hospital were included in this study, comprising those aged >80 years and diagnosed with NSTEMI between 2017 and 2022. ⋯ Compared to patients who received the conservative treatment, patients who received PCI had significantly lower rates of all-cause mortality during hospitalization and 30 days of follow-up. Conclusion Our findings support that patients older than 80 years with NSTEMI can benefit from PCI compared to the conservative treatment.
-
This review describes the evolution and enhanced diagnostic capabilities introduced by four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in cardiovascular imaging. It charts the historical advancements from echocardiography through to two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-PC MRI), culminating in the adoption of 4D flow MRI. ⋯ The review elaborates on the capacity of 4D flow MRI to offer unparalleled insights into flow dynamics, vessel wall interactions, and cardiac function, thereby enhancing disease detection, risk stratification, and therapeutic evaluations. It accentuates the impact of 4D flow MRI on modern cardiological practices, highlighting its pivotal role in advancing diagnostics and patient management in the context of diverse cardiovascular pathologies.