Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Sep 2023
ReviewPharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: practical considerations.
The choice between rhythm and rate control strategy represents one of the most intriguing dilemmas in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the advantage of rhythm over rate control in terms of outcome has not been unequivocally proven, the initial management of patients with symptomatic episodes of AF frequently involves early cardioversion. As electrical cardioversion (EC) is challenging in terms of fasting status and involvement of an anesthesiologic team, pharmacological cardioversion (PC) is usually selected as the first step toward rhythm conversion. ⋯ The presence of SHD consistent with any left ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, myocardial ischemia, or valvular heart disease limits the choice of AAD to amiodarone. Given the risk of ventricular proarrhythmia of AAD, safety should always prevail over the enticing possibility of rhythm conversion. The present review aims to provide a comprehensible summary of proper qualification for PC, selection of suitable AAD, and state‑of‑the‑art periprocedural management of patients with recent‑onset AF.
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Sep 2023
ReviewNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease: diagnosis and current management.
Nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (N‑ERD) is a unique and often clinically severe disease affecting a subgroup of adults with asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and respiratory reactions with exposure to all cyclooxygenase 1-inhibiting nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs. N‑ERD has a high disease burden and is estimated to affect 7% of adults with asthma and 30% of patients who have both asthma and nasal polyps. The disease is underdiagnosed and underrecognized by physicians on a routine basis, which leads to a delay in appropriate management. The goal of this review is to focus on the disease recognition, diagnosis, and different modes of up‑to‑date therapies, including medical management, surgical intervention, aspirin desensitization, and biologic therapy.
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Sep 2023
Effectiveness of BNT162b2 vaccination in preventing COVID-19-associated death in Poland.
Development of vaccines was a turning point of the COVID‑19 pandemic. In this study, we describe the course of the vaccination program in Poland and the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine. ⋯ The study results confirm high effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in preventing COVID‑19 deaths in all analyzed age groups.