Rituximab for rescue and maintenance therapy in rapidly progressive life-threatening antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated systemic vasculitis.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitides (AASV) consists of small-vessel systemic inflammatory disorders which commonly affect the kidneys and without treatment have a poor prognosis. Rituximab is a novel biological agent which is being used experimentally in the management of AASV. This report presents the case of a young woman with rapidly progressive life-threatening AASV.

Serum troponin T measurement in patients with chronic renal impairment predicts survival and vascular disease: a 2 year prospective study.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal failure patients is high and early risk stratification in these patients may aid clinical management improving outcomes. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is a component of the cardiac myocyte which is released into the circulation following myocardial necrosis. It has been shown to be of prognostic significance in patients with unstable angina.