Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Aug 2009
Review Case Reports[Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - balancing gastrointestinal complications and the cardiovascular risk].
Because of their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed throughout all medical fields. Both gastrointestinal as well as cerebro- and cardiovascular risk needs to be considered. Especially before starting a long-term medical treatment with NSAIDs the individual gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risk of the patient has to be assessed carefully.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Aug 2009
Review[Pulmonary hypertension in COPD and interstitial lung diseases].
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. When present in these patients, PH is usually mild to moderate. When severe PH is diagnosed in COPD and ILD patients, other potentially better treatable underlying causes should be ruled out. ⋯ Treatment of PH in COPD and ILD is primarily based on long term oxygen therapy. Drugs approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as prostanoids, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and endothelin receptor antagonists, may represent promising options for COPD and ILD patients, however, their use may be hampered by potentially deleterious effects on gas exchange and their efficacy yet remains to be proven in appropriately designed and controlled clinical trials. Lung transplantation may be considered in all patients with an advanced disease.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Aug 2009
Review[Update: Current clinical developments in pulmonary hypertension].
During the last years, therapeutic options for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have significantly improved. However, the therapeutic concept depends on the etiology of the disease, so that an exact classification is mandatory. Currently, three substance classes are approved for the treatment of PAH (Group I of the Venice Classification): Endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, and prostanoids. ⋯ Other forms of pulmonary hypertension (Groups II-V) are strictly separated from PAH. Evidence on treatment with PAH specific agents is strongly needed for these groups. Patients with non-PAH pulmonary hypertension should be referred to PAH expert centers, and preferably treated in controlled studies.