Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Oct 2020
ReviewCholestatic Liver Diseases: A Primer for Generalists and Subspecialists.
Cholestasis describes impairment in bile formation or flow which can manifest clinically with fatigue, pruritus, and jaundice. The differential diagnosis of cholestatic liver diseases is broad, and the etiologies of cholestasis vary in the anatomical location of the defect and acuity of presentation. Cholestasis may occur in a variety of clinical scenarios. Therefore, it is important for a diverse audience with varied clinical practices to have a basic understanding of manifestations of cholestatic liver diseases.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Oct 2020
ReviewCommon Myths and Misconceptions That Sidetrack Parkinson Disease Treatment, to the Detriment of Patients.
Parkinson disease symptoms become apparent when there has been substantial loss of brain dopamine. That is the consequence of the slow progression of the Lewy body neurodegenerative process. Replenishment of brain dopamine with levodopa therapy dates back approximately a half century and continues to be the most efficacious symptomatic treatment. ⋯ Various myths over the years have sabotaged treatment outcomes and have discouraged primary care physicians from managing patients with Parkinson disease. That is unfortunate because in some regions, neurologists, and in particular movement specialists, are in short supply. The long history of these persistent levodopa myths and the counterarguments are the focus of this article.
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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is classified into 5 clinical subgroups: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), PH due to left-sided heart disease, PH due to chronic lung disease, chronic thromboembolic PH (CTEPH), and PH with an unclear and/or multifactorial mechanisms. A range of underlying conditions can lead to these disorders. Overall, PH affects approximately 1% of the global population, and over half of patients with heart failure may be affected. ⋯ Targeted treatments (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, endothelin receptor antagonists, prostacyclin analogues, and prostacyclin receptor agonists) are licensed for patients with PAH. The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat is the only licensed targeted therapy for patients with inoperable or persistent/recurrent CTEPH. Management of PH resulting from left-sided heart disease primarily involves treatment of the underlying condition.