Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
-
Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Feb 2025
[Unstable heart failure: practical guidelines for avoiding frequent hospital admissions].
Heart failure is the leading cause of hospital admissions in Germany. The prevention of hospitalizations due to heart failure has recently improved, encompassing guideline-based basic therapy, targeted medication escalation options, and structured outpatient care incorporating telemedicine. An early identification of parameters that precede or indicate acute heart failure is crucial. ⋯ It is recommended to start or up-titrate guideline-recommended medical therapy and additionally initiate treatment with the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator Vericiguat in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Initiation and up-titration should begin during hospitalization and should be completed during careful follow-up within the first 6 weeks after discharge. This guide provides recommendations for the comprehensive and coordinated treatment of worsening heart failure, considering all these aspects which are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
-
Gastrointestinal infections are widespread and a major cause of global mortality, mainly affecting young children and the elderly. In Germany, each resident typically experiences one episode yearly. After COVID-19 pandemic, gastrointestinal infection rates have significantly increased again. ⋯ The diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis should be based on clinical presentation and a thorough medical history, with stool testing reserved for severe cases or suspected outbreaks. Symptomatic treatment and rehydration of the patient are usually sufficient. Antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended except in severe cases, risk situations or the detection of specific pathogens.
-
Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Feb 2025
Practice Guideline[Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: differential diagnosis and therapy - A clinical practice guideline for diagnosis and therapy].
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an important differential diagnosis in thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The absence of definitive biomarkers usually allows for aHUS to be diagnosed only through a process of exclusion. Due to the unfavorable prognosis if adequate therapy is delayed or not provided, differential diagnostic considerations and initiation of treatment must occur promptly. The presented guideline is intended to serve as an aid in this process.