Hospitalized Advanced Heart Failure With Preserved vs Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: A Global Perspective.

Background: Outcomes of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and characteristics of advanced HF stage may vary across left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and world regions.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze characteristics of hospitalized advanced HF patients across LVEF spectrum, world regions, and country income.

Methods: Among 18,553 hospitalized patients with acute HF (7,902 new-onset HF and 10,651 decompensated chronic HF) enrolled in the global registry REPORT-HF (International Registry to Assess Medical Practice With Longitudinal Observation for Treatment of Heart Failure), we analyzed characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HF, defined as previously diagnosed HF; severe symptoms before current admission (NYHA functional class III/IV); and ≥1 HF-related hospitalization in the preceding 12 months, excluding the current.

Performance of Different Risk Scores for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Among Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS) and its detection can be increased using implantable cardiac monitoring (ICM). We sought to evaluate different risk scores and assess their diagnostic ability in identifying patients with CS with underlying AF on ICM.

Methods: Patients with CS, being admitted to a single tertiary stroke center between 2017 and 2022 and receiving ICM, were prospectively evaluated.

Immune responses of patients on maintenance hemodialysis after infection by SARS-CoV-2: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Immune dysregulation in patients with acute COVID-19 under chronic hemodialysis (CHD) is fully not elucidated. The changes of mononuclear counts and mediators before and after HD and associations with final outcome were studied.

Method: In this prospective study, hospitalized patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 under CHD and matched comparators under HD were analyzed for their absolute counts of lymphoid cells and circulating inflammatory mediators.

Rapidly Progressive Pauci-Immune Glomerulonephritis with Aberrant Fibrinoid Necrosis Associated with Atezolizumab, an Immune Check Point Inhibitor: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Stimulation of the antitumor activity of the immune system using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has proven efficacy in the treatment of multiple types of cancer, inducing the speedily expanding approval of therapeutic indications for ICIs. The literature regarding the immune-related toxicities and nephrotoxicity of ICIs is limited. Herein, we present a patient with lung cancer treated with atezolizumab, an IgG1 monoclonal antibody aimed at the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), who presented with vasculitic skin rash and rapidly deteriorating renal function, new onset of significant glomerular hematuria and proteinuria.

A randomized trial of a nurse-led educational intervention in patients with heart failure and their caregivers: impact on caregiver outcomes.

Aims: Psychoeducational interventions focusing on self-management of heart failure (HF) patients may improve patient health knowledge and reduce hospitalizations, but data regarding the effects on caregiver outcomes are inconclusive.

Methods And Results: We conducted a single-centre, randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led educational intervention in dyads of recently hospitalized HF patients and their caregivers on caregiver burden, feelings of guilt and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Dyads were randomized to usual care plus intervention group 1 (IG-1) or 2 (IG-2) or usual care only (control group, CG).

MPO-ANCA-Positive Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis and Saddle-Nose Deformity: A Case Report.

Early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate immunosuppressive treatment remain the cornerstone of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis at the cost of significant toxicity. In this report, we present a case of a 69-year-old female who presented with advanced renal insufficiency and evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and was MPO-ANCA-positive with a clinical phenotype of granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Organ involvement included rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (GN), along with extrarenal manifestations (skin, upper and lower respiratory system involvement, and onset of saddle-nose deformity).

Impact of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Acute Kidney Injury in Emergency Medical Admissions.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been observed in up to 20% of adult hospital admissions. Sepsis, diarrhea and heart failure, all causing reduced effective volume, are considered risk factors for AKI, especially among patients treated with medications that block the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS), such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). We aimed to determine the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in emergency medical admissions in relation to the use and dosage of ACEi/ARB.

Correction of anemia with erythropoietin in chronic kidney disease (stage 3 or 4): effects on cardiac performance.

Background: It is not clear whether the correction of anemia with erythropoietin (rhuEpo) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has any benefit on cardiac function and geometry. Most studies are based on indices of systolic function and left ventricular mass (LVM) and the results are conflicting.

Patients And Methods: We sought to investigate the effect of rhuEpo on LV systolic and diastolic performance using conventional and novel echocardiographic indices.

Sevelamer hydrochloride versus aluminum hydroxide: effect on serum phosphorus and lipids in CAPD patients.

Background: Dietary phosphorus restriction, oral administration of phosphorus binders, and dialysis are the main strategies to control hyperphosphatemia in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease. Aluminum hydroxide (AH) and calcium carbonate, the most commonly used phosphorus binders, have serious disadvantages, such as aluminum toxicity and hypercalcemia. Sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) is a relatively new nonabsorbed calcium- and aluminum-free phosphorus binder.

Influence of the type of membrane and heparin on serum lipid parameters during a dialysis session: a pilot study.

Background/aim: The type of heparin and membrane used might influence the lipids in patients on hemodialysis (HD). However, there are limited and debatable data concerning the lipid changes during an HD session. The aim of our study was to examine the changes in serum lipid parameters during the HD session in relation to the heparin and dialysis membrane used.

Treating anemia early in renal failure patients slows the decline of renal function: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Erythropoietin is known to improve outcomes in patients with anemia from chronic renal disease. However, there is uncertainty about the optimal timing of initiation of erythropoietin treatment in predialysis patients with non-severe anemia.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of early versus deferred initiation of erythropoietin in nondiabetic predialysis patients with serum creatinine 2 to 6 mg/dL and hemoglobin 9 to 11.