Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jun 2016
[PCSK9 Inhibitors - the magic bullet for LDL cholesterol reduction?].
The proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays an important role in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism. Subjects harboring loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding for PCSK9 display markedly reduced LDL-C plasma levels. PCSK9 is secreted by the liver, binds to the LDL receptor and, following endocytosis, induces lysosomal degradation of the receptor together with the bound LDL-C. ⋯ So far, serious side effects (requiring cessation of drug treatment) occurred only in rare cases. Since this new class of lipid lowering drugs promises a high potential benefit, they have been approved by the EMA even before completion of the studies addressing clinically relevant endpoints like cardiovascular events and mortality. Therefore, the expected publication of these study results in 2017 may allow a better assessment of the efficacy and safety of PCSK9 inhibitors.
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Acute gastrointestinal bleeding is a common major emergency (Internal medical or gastroenterological or medical), approximately 85 % of which occur in the upper GI tract. It is estimated that about a half of upper GI bleeds are caused by peptic ulcers. Upper GI bleeds are associated with more severe bleeding and poorer outcomes when compared to middle or lower GI bleeds. ⋯ When variceal bleeding is suspected, pre-interventional use of vasopressin analogues and antibiotic therapies are recommended. Endoscopically, the first line treatment of esophageal varices is endoscopic ligature therapy, whereas that for gastric varices is the use of Histoacryl injection sclerotherapy. When persistent and continued massive hemorrhage occurs in a patient with known or suspected aortic disease the possibility of an aorto-enteric fistula must be considered.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Apr 2016
[Palliative approach in outpatient care in Westphalia-Lippe--Follow-up study five years after inception of a structured home-based palliative care system].
Since 2009, based on an agreement to implement palliative care for terminally ill patients at home in Westfalia-Lippe, family doctors and palliative doctors cooperate, supported by coordinators. ⋯ The idea of home based, family doctor supported palliative care led to a significant strengthening of the general out-patient palliative care. The number of patients, integrated in our structures of palliative care in 2014 tripled compare to those of 2009/2010. Well trained and experienced coordinators are the essential guarantee of multidisciplinary and multiprofessional team-work. The results of the regional palliative care structures are different also after the agreement came in effect. Data for quality assurance should be periodically collected and evaluated in the future to develop the palliative care structures for outpatients.