Clinical medicine (London, England)
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents an enormous healthcare burden, the management of which has been stagnant for the last couple of decades, with blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) the most potent tool available to retard kidney disease progression. In the new cardiometabolic era, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have emerged as forerunners in addressing combined cardiorenal risk. This review summarises the evidence for SGLT2i use in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD and examines the risk:benefit profile in this population. Novel non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are also considered as an emerging pillar of CKD management, and their role in optimising the cardiorenal health of patients with diabetic kidney disease is discussed.
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This narrative review provides an overview of the posterior circulation and the clinical features of common posterior circulation stroke (PCS) syndromes in the posterior arterial territories and how to distinguish them from mimics. We outline the hyperacute management of patients with suspected PCS with emphasis on how to identify those who are likely to benefit from intervention based on imaging findings. ⋯ There have been concomitant advances in imaging of posterior stroke to guide optimal patient selection for thrombectomy. Recent evidence suggests that clinicians should have a heightened suspicion of posterior circulation events with the resultant implementation of timely, evidence-based management.
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Acute thrombosis and thrombocytopenia pose challenges to the clinician. Thrombocytopenia is naturally viewed as a risk factor for bleeding, and an association with acute thrombosis appears paradoxical. ⋯ This review supports the attending clinician to recognise and manage conditions that are part of the thrombotic thrombocytopenic syndrome through four illustrative clinical cases. Common themes linking the underlying pathology and treatment are explored to highlight the continued relevance of this rare, but often devastating, presentation.
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The term 'diabetic foot disease' (DFD) often signifies the presence of foot ulceration and infection, but one must also be wary of the rarer occurrence of Charcot foot disease. The worldwide prevalence of DFD is 6.3% (95%CI: 5.4-7.3%). Foot complications present a major challenge to both patients and healthcare systems, with increased rates of hospitalisation and an almost trebled 5-year mortality. ⋯ DFD is best managed by a multi-disciplinary foot clinic team consisting of podiatrists and healthcare professionals. This ensures a combination of expertise and provision of a multi-faceted evidence-based treatment plan. Current research using endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) offers a new dimension in wound management.
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Case Reports
Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy treated by L-ornithine-L-aspartate: a case report.
A 63-year-old man developed reduced consciousness and dysphagia progressively. Examination and parameters were normal, except for a Glasgow Coma Scale score of seven, and his grading on the swallow water test increased from grade 1 to grade 5. Brain imaging and blood tests were unexplainable except by high plasma ammonia. ⋯ There is an association between sodium valproate and hyperammonaemia and encephalopathy. Immediate recognition of the serious but uncommon adverse effects is essential. To our knowledge this is the first report of ornithine aspartate being used in this disorder.