Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Thrombus formation due to atrial fibrillation is the most common cause of embolic stroke. Anticoagulation offers an effective prophylaxis. ⋯ The most commonly and best studied devices for this are the WATCHMAN™ and the AMPLATZER Amulet™ Occluders. In this How-To article, the aim is to offer a general overview of the indications, contraindications and complications as well as the implantation and postoperative management of patients receiving LAA closure by example of the WATCHMAN FLX™ Occluder.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Apr 2021
[Diagnostic approach and differential diagnosis of mon- and oligoarthritis].
Reasons of mon- and oligoarthritis are heterogeneous. The diagnostic approach includes a detailed medical anamnesis, physical examination and imaging (conventional X-ray, sonography, MRI and, CT). ⋯ In addition to crystal arthropathies and septic arthritis, differential diagnosis of mon-/oligoarthritis includes reactive arthritis, arthrosis and monarthritic courses of SpA/PsA. A rheumatologist should be consulted particularly in the case of persistent monarthritides, in order to initiate a specific therapy to prevent secondary damage.
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The chances of therapeutic success are a recognized criterion in allocating scarce medical resources. The approach aims to maximize the number of individual lives saved. There is good reason also to consider the number of life years saved in each case.
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The state of the art of osteoporosis management and treatment is being continuously refined according to recent progress in data availability, drug development and strategies as determined by health authorities. The recent approval of the sclerostin-antibody romosozumab as a novel first in class anabolic drug is another milestone that enriches our therapeutic portfolio. Neutralisation of the wnt-pathway inhibitor sclerostin by romosozumab leads to rapid stimulation of bone formation and a rise in bone mineral density that translates into robust > 70 % reduction of fracture risk at the lumbar spine. ⋯ Based on all our recent progress and achievement we can more and more individualize the long term management of osteoporosis over decades applying an individual "treat to target" strategy. Basically, osteoporosis is a chronic disease and has to be treated as such. If however for whatever reason treatment regimens using biologicals are being discontinued we have to be aware that such situations need to be stabilized using long-acting bisphosphonates to maintain the therapeutic success and avoid rapid bone loss and fracture risk.
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CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: Patients with inflammatory arthritis have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. The discovery of this fact dates back to over a decade ago, but cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients have not yet significantly improved. In 2021, the management of cardiovascular risk in patients with inflammatory arthritis remains an important aspect for general practitioners, rheumatologists and researchers. ⋯ Tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors, for instance, reduce cardiovascular event rate by 15 %. Data on methotrexate is less robust but also suggests a protective effect in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Studies on the relatively new janus kinase inhibitors are expected to provide new data in the coming years.