Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) for Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Clinical Review.

Fibromyalgia is a complex clinical entity characterized by a broad range of symptoms including chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, profound fatigue, impaired cognition, and mood disturbances. Current understanding of disease pathogenesis assumes neurotransmitter dysregulation and central pain sensitization play a key role resulting in heightened pain sensitivity. Genetic predisposition as well as alterations in endocrine and immune function have been implicated.

Meta-analysis of intravascular volume expansion strategies to prevent contrast-associated acute kidney injury following invasive angiography.

Objective: To perform a detailed analysis of published data regarding intravascular volume expansion to prevent contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and to determine if an ideal dose of IV fluids can be recommended.

Background: Administration of contrast media during invasive angiography is associated with CA-AKI. Intravascular volume expansion is the most effective intervention to prevent CA-AKI, yet evidenced based protocols are lacking.

Morphological and Functional Characteristics of the Right Ventricle Functioning as a Systemic Ventricle for Decades After an Atrial Switch Procedure for Complete Transposition of the Great Arteries.

Described herein are certain clinical and cardiac morphologic findings in 4 adults with complete transposition of the great arteries who underwent the Mustard procedure in the newborn period or in childhood and each lived >30 years thereafter before either having orthotopic heart transplantation (3 patients) or dying while awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation. Compared with the wall of the left ventricle, the wall of the right ventricle (the systemic one) was much thicker, the myofibers much larger, and either grossly-visible or microscopic-sized scars were present in its wall. Additionally, some intramural coronary arteries in the right ventricular wall were numerous, large, had thick walls, and often narrowed lumens.

Hyperuricemia and Cardiovascular Disease.

Uric acid (UA), the metabolic mediator of gout and urate renal stones, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk burden. Hyperuricemia is a common metabolic disorder, and interaction among UA and cardiovascular diseases has been clearly described. Several illnesses, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, metabolic syndrome, and heart failure, are related to increases in UA levels.