Brain natriuretic peptide levels variation after left atrial appendage occlusion.

Objective: To explore the variations of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) secretion after left atrial appendage occlusion.

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion has been increasingly performed in the last few years, however little is known about the physiological consequences of left atrial appendage occlusion. Left atrial appendage regulates partially intravascular volume via release of brain natriuretic peptide.

Wernicke encephalopathy in alcoholics with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Wernicke encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency in the central nervous system, and is defined by the triad of confusional symptoms, ocular alterations and ataxia. Some other factors may also predispose alcoholic patients to this deficiency. We report two patients with hyperglicaemia and ketoacidosis due to diabetes mellitus decompensation and chronic alcoholism who developed Wernicke encephalopathy before their hospital admission.