scholarly journals Α Multicenter Retrospective Study Evaluating Brivaracetam in the Treatment of Epilepsies in Clinical Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Maria Stefanatou ◽  
Eirini Vasileiadou Kapetanou ◽  
Vasilios K. Kimiskidis ◽  
Vasileios Papaliagkas ◽  
Panagiotis Polychronopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Antiepileptic Drug ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Everyday Clinical Practice ◽  
Generalized Seizures ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinically Significant

Brivaracetam (BRV) is the latest approved antiepileptic drug. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of BRV in everyday clinical practice. In this retrospective, observational, multicenter study, data from epilepsy patients receiving BRV from January 2018 to July 2019 were analyzed. Patients with age ≥16 suffering from any type of epilepsy and having at least one follow up encounter after dose titration were included. 156 consecutive patients were included in the study. The mean age was 40 (16–84 years) and the mean duration of epilepsy was 21 years. Of the 156 patients, 81% were diagnosed with focal-onset seizures, 16% with generalized seizures, while 3% suffered from unclassified seizures. Nine patients received BRV as monotherapy as a switching therapy. At the first follow up visit, seizure cessation was achieved in 56 (36%) patients and the rate of ≥50% responders was 36%. Twenty four patients (15%) remained unchanged; six patients (4%) were recorded with increased seizure frequency, while the remaining 9% had a response of less than 50%. Twenty-six patients (17%) showed clinically significant adverse events, but none were life threatening. Brivaracetam seems to be an effective, easy to use and safe antiepileptic drug in the clinical setting.

scholarly journals Clinical Profile of Diabetic Ketoacidosis among Children in Eastern Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-229
Author(s):  
Dipak Muktan ◽  
Lisa Tamang Ghising ◽  
Rupa Rajbhandari Singh
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Precipitating Factor

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening complication which is the most common reason for hospital admission in children with Type 1 Diabetes. This study was carried out to determine the clinical characteristics of children admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Methods: Descriptive retrospective study was conducted at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, Nepal. A total of 25 children of less than 20 years old diagnosed with Diabetic ketoacidosis who were admitted to the pediatric ward and pediatric intensive care unit from January 2013 to December 2017 were included in the study. Data were collected via hospital records of patients. Results: The mean age at presentation was 10.5 ± 4.5 years. Sixteen (64%) children were newly diagnosed as diabetes while, nine (36%) children were known cases of diabetes. The most common precipitating factor for DKA was omission of insulin 6 (24%). Twelve (48%) children had presented with severe DKA.  Polyuria 23 (92%) was the commonest symptom followed by polydipsia 22 (88%), weight loss 17 (68%), abdominal pain 13 (52%), vomiting 13 (52%) and unconsciousness 8 (32%). The mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 11.3 ± 5.7 days. Mean HbA1c at presentation was 10.4 ± 2.2. Conclusion: Majority of the patients was newly diagnosed as diabetes who presented with Diabetic ketoacidosis. Omission of insulin was the main precipitating factor. Polyuria was the most common presenting symptom. Proper follow up care of diabetes and community awareness programs should be emphasized to reduce the incidence of Diabetic ketoacidosis.

scholarly journals Delirious Mania: Can We Get Away with This Concept? A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajshekhar Bipeta ◽  
Majeed A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Psychiatric Syndrome ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Treatable Condition

Background. Delirious mania (DM) as a clinical entity is well described, yet is often unrecognized in clinical practice. While most often misdiagnosed as acute psychotic episodes of organic delirium, these patients meet the criteria for mania with attendant delirium and pose therapeutic challenges. In addition to the case presentation, this paper also discusses the available literature on DM.Case Presentation. A 29-year-old man with DM was treated with a combination of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), divalproex 2000 mg/day, loxapine 100 mg/day, and lorazepam 4 mg/day. He demonstrated clinically significant improvement by day 10, which persisted through the twelve-month follow-up period.Conclusions. DM is a severe psychiatric syndrome which should be accurately diagnosed. Patients with DM should be treated aggressively, especially with ECT. Lack of recognition of DM can lead to serious morbidity or fatal outcomes. Though the concept of DM is well established, recent psychiatric literature does not make a mention of this life threatening yet treatable condition. We propose that there is a dire need to keep this concept alive.

scholarly journals Massive haemorrhagic complications of ruptured pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: outcomes from a 12 years’ retrospective study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Ma ◽  
Bing Jie ◽  
Dong Yu ◽  
Ling-Ling Li ◽  
Sen Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia ◽  
Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Peripheral Lung ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background The life-threatening haemorrhagic complications of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are extremely rare, and only described in isolated cases. This study was designed to comprehensively investigate management of ruptured PAVMs. Methods We retrospectively assessed clinical and imaging data of ruptured PAVMs to summarize incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes following embolisation between January 2008 and January 2021. Results Eighteen of 406 (4.4%) patients with PAVMs developed haemorrhagic complications. Twelve of 18 patients were clinically diagnosed with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Haemorrhagic complications occurred with no clear trigger in all cases. Eight of 18 patients (44.4%) were initially misdiagnosed or had undergone early ineffective treatment. 28 lesions were detected, with 89.3% of them located in peripheral lung. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed indirect signs to indicate ruptured PAVMs in all cases. Lower haemoglobin concentrations were associated with the diameter of afferent arteries in the ruptured lesions. Successful embolotherapy was achieved in all cases. After embolotherapy, arterial oxygen saturation improved and bleeding was controlled (P < 0.05). The mean follow-up time was 3.2 ± 2.5 years (range, 7 months to 10 years). Conclusions Life threatening haemorrhagic complications of PAVMs are rare, they usually occur without a trigger and can be easily misdiagnosed. HHT and larger size of afferent arteries are major risk factors of these complications. CTA is a useful tool for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance for ruptured PAVMs. Embolotherapy is an effective therapy for this life-threatening complication.

Updates and Advances: Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection Imaging Made Easier for Radiologists and Clinicians

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (01) ◽  
pp. 167-175
Author(s):  
Michael S. Furman ◽  
Ricardo Restrepo ◽  
Supika Kritsaneepaiboon ◽  
Bernard F. Laya ◽  
Domen Plut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Daily Clinical Practice ◽  
Infants And Children ◽  
Imaging Evaluation ◽  
Musculoskeletal Infection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Optimal Patient Management

AbstractInfants and children often present with a wide range of musculoskeletal (MSK) infections in daily clinical practice. This can vary from relatively benign superficial infections such as cellulitis to destructive osseous and articular infections and life-threatening deep soft tissue processes such as necrotizing fasciitis. Imaging evaluation plays an essential role for initial detection and follow-up evaluation of pediatric MSK infections. Therefore, a clear and up-to-date knowledge of imaging manifestations in MSK infections in infants and children is imperative for timely and accurate diagnosis that, in turn, can result in optimal patient management. This article reviews an up-to-date practical imaging techniques, the differences between pediatric and adult MSK infections, the spectrum of pediatric MSK infections, and mimics of pediatric MSK infections encountered in daily clinical practice by radiologists and clinicians.

scholarly journals Ultrasound Surveillance of Ectatic Abdominal Aortas

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 477-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Devaraj ◽  
SR Dodds
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
T Test ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Diameter ◽  
Ultrasound Screening ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinically Significant

INTRODUCTION Some studies have considered abdominal aortas of 2.6–2.9 cm diameter (ectatic aortas) at age 65 years as being abnormal and have recommended surveillance, whereas others have considered these normal and surveillance unnecessary. It is, therefore, not clear how to manage patients with an initial aortic diameter between 2.6–2.9 cm detected at screening. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth rates of ectatic aortas detected on initial ultrasound screening to determine if any developed into clinically significant abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; > 5.0 cm) and clarify the appropriate surveillance intervals for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were obtained from a prospective AAA screening programme which commenced in 1992. The group of patients with initial aortic diameters of 2.6–2.9 cm with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included in this study (Group 2). This was further divided into two subgroups (Groups 3a and 3b) based on a minimum follow-up interval obtained from outcome analysis. Mean growth rate was calculated as change in aortic diameter with time. The comparison of growth rates in Groups 3a and 3b was performed using the t-test. The number and proportion of AAAs that expanded to ≥ 3.0 cm and ≥ 5.0 cm in diameter were also calculated. RESULTS Out of 999 patients with AAA ≥ 2.6 cm with minimum 1-year follow-up, 358 (36%) were classified as ectatic aortas (2.6–2.9 cm) at initial ultrasound screening with the mean growth rate of 1.69 mm/year (95% CI, 1.56–1.82 mm/year) with a mean follow-up of 5.4 years. Of these 358 ectatic aortas, 314 (88%) expanded into ≥ 3.0 cm, 45 (13%) expanded to ≥ 5.0 cm and only 8 (2%) expanded to ≥ 5.5 cm over a mean follow-up of 5.4 years (range, 1–14 years). No ectatic aortas expanded to ≥ 5.0 cm within the first 4 years of surveillance. Therefore, the minimum follow-up interval was set at 4 years and this threshold was then used for further analysis. The mean growth rate in Group 3a (< 5.0 cm at last scan) was 1.33 mm/year (95% CI, 1.23–1.44 mm/year) with a mean follow-up of 7 years compared to Group 3b (≥ 5.0 cm at last scan) with the mean growth rate of 3.33 mm/year (95% CI 3.05–3.61 mm/year) and a mean follow-up of 8 years. The comparison of mean growth rates between Groups 3a and 3b is statistically significant (t-test; T = 13.00; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS One-third of patients undergoing AAA screening will have ectatic aortas (2.6–2.9 cm) and at least 13% of these will expand to a size of ≥ 5.0 cm over a follow-up of 4–14 years. A threshold diameter of 2.6 cm for defining AAAs in a screening programme is recommended and ectatic aortas detected at age 65 years can be re-screened at 4 years after the initial scan. A statistically significant difference was found in the growth rates of ectatic aortas with minimum 4 years follow-up, expanding to ≥ 5.0 cm compared to those less than 5.0 cm at last surveillance scan. Further studies are required to test the hypothesis of whether growth rate over the first 4 years of surveillance will identify those who are most likely to expand to a clinically significant size (> 5.0 cm).

scholarly journals Twenty-four-hour and office blood pressure measurement in a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of 12-week therapy with a triple fixed-dose combination of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril in hypertensive patients in actual clinical practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 4498
Author(s):  
V. M. Gorbunov ◽  
Yu. A. Karpov ◽  
E. V. Platonova ◽  
Ya. N. Koshelyaevskaya
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Antihypertensive Therapy ◽  
Blood Pressure Measurement ◽  
Fixed Dose Combination ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Actual Clinical Practice ◽  
Dose Combination ◽  
The Mean

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of the triple fixed-dose combination (FDC) of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril on blood pressure (BP) profile in patients with grade I-II hypertension (HTN) in actual clinical practice.Material and methods. Data from 54 patients with paired 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) data were included in the TRICOLOR subanalysis (ClinicalTrials. gov study ID — NCT03722524). The mean 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP were calculated at baseline and after 12-week follow-up. We determined the proportion of patients with nocturnal HTN (≥120/70 mm Hg) and nocturnal hypotension (<100/60 and <90/50 mm Hg) initially and after 12 weeks of triple FDC therapy. Patients with nocturnal BP decrease included dippers (D; 10-20%), reduced dippers (RD; 0-10%) and extreme dippers (ED; >20%), as well as those without nocturnal BP decrease (>0%, non-dipper (ND)). The smoothness index (SI) was analyzed as the ratio of the mean hourly SBP fall to its mean standard deviation in paired ABPM. To assess the BP phenotypes, two methods were used with reference values of <130/80 and <140/90 mm Hg for ABPM and office BP, respectively. Controlled hypertension (CHT), uncontrolled hypertension (UHT), white coat hypertension (WHT) and masked ineffectiveness of antihypertensive therapy were distinguished.Results. Among 1247 participants of the TRICOLOR study, 54 patients with valid paired ABPM were selected (men, 46%; mean age, 57,7 [12,1] years; mean office BP, 150,4 [16,6]/93,3 [10,7] mm Hg; HTN duration, 8,3 [7,5] years). Initially, the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP was 141,1 [15,4]/85,9 [9,9], 144,2 [15,5]/88,8 [10,5] and 132,6 [18,0]/78,1 [9,9] mm Hg, respectively. After 12-week follow-up, the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP was 123,1 [10,5]/75,6 [8,5], 125,7 [10,9]/77,9 [8,7] and 115,4 [10,2]/68,6 [8,8] mm Hg, respectively (p<0,001). After 12-week follow-up, the proportion of patients with nocturnal hypertension decreased from 64,8% to 25,0% (2,6 times) (p<0,001). The proportion of NDs and EDs decreased from 16,7% and 7,4% to 5,8% and 0%, respectively (p=0,048); the proportion of patients with RD and D patterns increased from 42,6% and 33,3 to 57,7% and 36,5%, respectively (p=0,048). With triple FDC therapy, the SI during the day was higher than 0,73 in half of the cases. According to the two methods, the proportion of patients with UHT decreased from 81,6% to 4,4%, WHT from 12,2% to 0%. The prevalence of CHT increased from 4,1% to 57,8%, while masked ineffectiveness of antihypertensive therapy — from 2,0% to 37,8%.Conclusion. Twelve-week FDC therapy of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril led to a significant fall in the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP values. Comprehensive analysis of two techniques (24-hour and office BP measurement) identified patients requiring further triple FGC titration.

scholarly journals Arthroscopic Bristow: 12-Year Experience, Assessments of Safety and Effectiveness

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Carlos Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Shoulder Instability ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Anterior Shoulder Instability ◽  
Simple Shoulder Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lateral Rotation ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Objective The open Bristow procedure is a long established and effective method for treating anterior shoulder instability. Following the trends of minimally-invasive surgeries, these procedures were performed arthroscopically, and their outcomes were evaluated. Methods A total of 43 shoulders of patients submitted to Bristow procedures by arthroscopy, using a graft positioned horizontally and a screw, with at least two years of postoperative follow-up, were evaluated regarding quality of life, de novo dislocation index, and loss of lateral rotation. Results The mean follow-up time was of 76 months (range: 129 to 24 months). The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score varied from 25.56 ± 0.50 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.25) to 33.23 ± 0.44 (SD = 2.91) (p < 0.0001). Two or more years after surgery, the mean Rowe score was of 94.25 ± 1.52 (SD = 1.34), whereas the good results standard is 75 (p < 0.0001). The mean value for the simple shoulder test was of 11.35 ± 0.21 (SD = 1.34), while the mean value of the lateral rotation loss was of 10.37° ± 1.36° (SD = 8.58°). There were no de novo dislocations.In total, there were 12 complications, 8 of which had no clinical repercussions. The clinically-significant complications included an infection six months after surgery with a potential hematogenous origin, a coracoid fracture that required an intraoperatively procedure change, and two patients with previous impingement who required synthesis material removal more than six months after surgery. Conclusion Although the arthroscopic Bristow procedure was effective in treating anterior shoulder instability, it is not a complication-free surgery.

scholarly journals Retention Rate and Efficacy of Perampanel with a Slow Titration Schedule in Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mazen Basheikh ◽  
R. Mark Sadler
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Frequency ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Responder Rate ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Chart Audit ◽  
Generalized Seizures ◽  
Included Patient ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy

ABSTRACT: Rationale: The manufacturer of perampanel (PER) suggests an initial adult dose of 2–4 mg/day and an upward dose titration of 2 mg at no more frequently than 1- or 2-week intervals when used with enzyme-enhancing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or nonenzyme-enhancing AEDs, respectively. The general practice in our clinic is an initial dose of PER 2 mg/day and titrated by 2 mg/4 weeks to an initial target of 6 mg/day. Methods: Retrospective chart audit of patients starting PER in an adult epilepsy clinic between September 2013 and November 2016 with at least one 6-month follow-up visit was reviewed. Data collection included patient demographics, seizure characteristics, past and concurrent therapy, monthly seizure frequency before PER and at 6-month visit, and characteristics of PER discontinuation. Efficacy of treatment was assessed with the Engel classification and 50% responder rate. Results: N = 102 patients; mean age = 40 years and 54% females. Focal onset seizures 85%, generalized 13%, and unknown 2%. Median prior AED exposure = 6 (range 3–20); median concomitant AED use = 2 (range 1–5). Follow-up range was 6–37 months. The median seizure frequency/month prePER treatment was 6 (range 0–30) for focal onset seizures and 1 (range 0–6) for generalized seizures. The retention rate amongst all patients at 6 months was 78.4%. At 6-month follow-up, 36% of all patients achieved Engel class I (seizure freedom) (30.7% of patients with focal onset seizures and 63.6% with generalized epilepsy). The 50% responder rate was 52% and 82% for focal and generalized epilepsy, respectively. Conclusion: PER has a good retention rate when titrated slowly and thus encouraging seizure freedom results in an otherwise medically refractory epilepsy population.

scholarly journals Tracheal development after left pulmonary artery reimplantation: an individual study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyang Hong ◽  
Ruijie Li ◽  
Zhe Zhao ◽  
Jiangheng Guan ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Pulmonary Arteries ◽  
Left Pulmonary Artery ◽  
Weaning Failure ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Ventilation Weaning ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tracheal Carina

Abstract Pulmonary artery sling (PA sling) often presents as a life-threatening condition requiring urgent surgical correction. We reported 32 cases of PA sling in children who were followed up postoperatively in the past 6 years. All patients with PA slings who were admitted to the hospital from January 2012 to December 2017 and underwent surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age of the 32 patients at repair was 16.97 months (range, 15 days to 128 months). Six patients required ventilator assistance for respiratory failure. All children underwent left pulmonary artery (LPA) reimplantation (n = 32), and 3 patients needed reimplantation slide tracheoplasty (n = 3) due to ventilation weaning failure. Four patients died, 27 patients survived until discharge, and 18 patients were followed up. Pulmonary computed tomography imaging and echocardiography were performed in 18 patients who were followed up. After LPA reimplantation, the tracheal carina area was significantly enlarged compared to that preoperation (p = 0.0002). In this follow-up cohort study, 75% of the patients who underwent LPA reimplantation survived until discharge. The survivors had subsequently well-developed pulmonary arteries and tracheas.

scholarly journals Management of bleeding associated with radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052093752
Author(s):  
Kunpeng Hu ◽  
Yufan Lian ◽  
Jinfen Wang ◽  
Wenchao Li ◽  
Zhicheng Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Voice Change ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Benign Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Benign Thyroid ◽  
Clinical Strategy

Objective This study was performed to explore the effective management of bleeding associated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of benign thyroid nodules. Methods Thirty-five patients with benign thyroid nodules who were treated with ultrasound-guided RFA from July 2015 to December 2016 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively reviewed. The technique efficacy, bleeding, and other complications were assessed during the follow-up period. Results The mean technique efficacy was 55.6%±22.8% at 1 month and 24.1%±17.1% at 6 months after the procedure. One case of an intranodular haematoma and two cases of voice change (>1 month) were observed. All patients recovered with corresponding treatment. Conclusion Although the incidence of haemorrhage is low, serious haematomas are life-threatening. Therefore, having a comprehensive understanding of the potential complications, an accurate clinical strategy, and adequate technical skills may prevent or help to properly manage these complications.

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