Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Sep 2022
[Congenital hemolytic anemias due to erythrocyte membrane and enzyme defects].
Erythrocyte membrane and enzyme defects are the most common cause of congenital hemolytic anemias in the Central European population. Diagnostics include erythrocyte morphology, special biochemical tests such as osmotic fragility (AGLT) and EMA. For enzymopenic hemolytic anemias, cost-effective biochemical analysis remains the gold standard, supplemented by molecular genetic diagnostics when appropriate. ⋯ Aplastic crises in the setting of parvovirus B19 infection occur in all congenital hemolytic anemias. Transfusion is not preventable in most cases. Iron-excreting treatment is required in the rare patients in need of chronic transfusion.
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Immunosuppression is an essential prerequisite for successful transplantation. In order to reduce the sometimes-considerable side effects, combination therapies with different agents are used. This article aims to provide an up-to-date overview of immunosuppression after liver and kidney transplantation.
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Autoimmune haemolytic anemia (AIHA) is defined as the immune-mediated destruction of red blood cells. In most cases, antibodies that target surface antigens on erythrocytes lead to their premature degradation in the spleen or, less commonly, in the liver. The term includes a heterogenous group of diseases, which differ largely in pathophysiology and treatment. ⋯ The IgM antibodies have their highest affinity below body temperature which is why patients experience symptoms mainly in cold-exposed body areas. Although the IgM antibodies dissolve at body temperature, the complement-loaded erythrocytes are destroyed in the liver. Therapeutic options include protection from cold and immunosuppressive agents or complement inhibition.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Sep 2022
[Mechanical Assist Devices in Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Myocardial Infarction].
In acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock is still one of the most feared complications. Although medical and interventional treatment of myocardial infarction improved significantly over the last decades mortality of cardiogenic shock patients remains on unacceptable high levels with 30-day mortality rates of 40-50 %. To date only an early revascularization of the culprit infarct lesion is the only intervention with proven survival benefit for patients. ⋯ This viewpoint gives an overview about the most used devices. The different mechanism of left ventricular support will be explained, and the current evidence discussed. Furthermore, ongoing randomized controlled trials are highlighted.