Articles: chronic.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Apr 2014
ReviewAdvances in management and prognostication in critically ill cirrhotic patients.
To provide an update on the recent publications for the management and prognostication of critically ill cirrhotic patients before and after liver transplant. ⋯ New definitions for ACLF, cirrhosis-associated AKI and the CLIF-SOFA may improve the discrimination between survivors and nonsurvivors with ACLF. Predicting futility postliver transplant based on preliver transplant severity of illness still poses significant challenges.
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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) formerly known as dementia pugilistica is a long-term neurodegenerative disorder associated with repeated subconcussive head injuries in high-contact sports. We reviewed the existing literature on CTE and examined epidemiological trends, risk factors, and its temporal progression, and proposed the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that may provide unique insights to clinicians with an in-depth understanding of the disease to aid in the diagnosis and prevention, and provide future perspectives for research via search of Medline and Cochrane databases as well as manual review of bibliographies from selected articles and monographs. The prevalence of CTE in recent years is on the rise and almost exclusively affects men, with pathologic signs characterized by progressive memory loss, behavioral changes, and violent tendencies with some patients demonstrating Parkinsonian-like symptoms and signs. ⋯ Postmortem pathologic analysis is characterized by neurofibrillary tangles and Aβ plaques in 50 % of cases. Currently, there are no ante-mortem diagnostic criteria, but modern imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR spectroscopy, and diffusion tension imaging hold promise for delineating the future diagnostic criteria. Further long-term longitudinal studies are warranted to investigate risk factors that will enhance understanding of the disease progression and its pathogenesis.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Apr 2014
ReviewRheumatoid arthritis and lung disease: from mechanisms to a practical approach.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and, in a proportion of patients, extra-articular manifestations (EAM). Lung disease, either as an EAM of the disease, related to the drug therapy for RA, or related to comorbid conditions, is the second commonest cause of mortality. All areas of the lung including the pleura, airways, parenchyma, and vasculature may be involved, with interstitial and pleural disease and infection being the most common problems. ⋯ Citrullination of proteins in the lung, frequently thought to be incited by smoking, and the subsequent development of ACPA appear to play an important role in the development of lung and possibly joint disease. The biologic and nonbiological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have had a substantial impact on morbidity and mortality from RA, and although there multiple reports of drug-related lung toxicity and possible exacerbation of underlying ILD, overall these reactions are rare and should only preclude the use of DMARDs in a minority of patients. Common scenarios facing pulmonologists and rheumatologists are addressed using the current best evidence; these include screening the new patient; monitoring and choosing RA treatment in the presence of subclinical disease; treating deteriorating ILD; and establishing a diagnosis in a patient with an acute respiratory presentation.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewBronchoscopic treatment of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, debilitating disease that in its final stages cripples the patient. The disappointing results of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial study led to a decrease in the acceptance of lung volume reduction surgery as a therapy. Thus, it became clear that debilitated COPD patients would need innovative alternative nonsurgical procedures to potentially alleviate their symptoms. This review will address the various techniques of bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR). ⋯ BLVR appears to be safer than surgery and presents an attractive alternative for the treatment of COPD patients. Unfortunately, the outcome data to date are inconclusive; the procedures remain experimental and any benefits unproven. However, the data that are emerging continue to appear promising.
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This review article explores the need for specialized pain care for children and adolescents and provides some historical context for our current knowledge base and clinical practice. ⋯ Awareness of children's pain has increased dramatically over the past three decades, and Canadians have performed a leadership role in much of the research. Specific multidisciplinary teams are a more recent phenomenon, but they are shown to be more effective and probably more cost effective than traditional treatment models. Important gaps in availability of resources to manage these patients remain.