Publications by authors named "Rodney J Hughes"
This study aimed to validate an algorithm developed to identify chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) among patients with a history of pulmonary embolism. Validation was halted because too few patients had gold-standard evidence of CTEPH in the administrative claims/electronic health records database, suggesting that CTEPH is underdiagnosed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Physicians treating acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are faced with difficult management decisions while specific guidance from recent guidelines may be absent.
Methods: Fourteen clinical dilemmas were identified by physicians and haematologists with specific interests in acute and chronic PE. Current evidence was reviewed and a practical approach suggested.
A rapid, selective and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for the detection and quantification of tocopherols and retinol in human plasma. Alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and retinol are assayed using fluorescence detection. Excitation/emission wavelengths are 295/330 nm and 325/470 nm for the analysis of both tocopherols and retinol, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recently published a clinical guideline on the management of venous thromboembolic disease and thrombophilia testing. Several stand-out recommendations are made which may be practice changing for many physicians, such as catheter-directed thrombolysis for ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis, routine cancer screening and extended duration of anticoagulation for unprovoked events. In this article, we summarise the key points of the guideline and discuss remaining areas of controversy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension in association with connective tissue disease (CTD-PAH) has historically had a poor prognosis, with a 1-year survival rate among patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) of 45%. However, more therapies have become available.
Objectives: To investigate the survival and characteristics of all patients diagnosed with CTD-PAH in the U.
Article Synopsis
- - The management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has improved with advances in surgical options like pulmonary endarterectomy and new therapies, impacting patient outcomes positively.
- - A study of 469 patients in the UK revealed one- and three-year survival rates were higher for patients undergoing surgery compared to those with nonsurgical disease, showing significant functional and hemodynamic improvements post-surgery.
- - While patients with nonsurgical CTEPH have seen better prognosis, the long-term survival of those who still experience pulmonary hypertension three months after surgery remains promising, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment.
Background: Although pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is potentially curative in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), some patients have distally distributed disease that is not amenable to surgery. The aetiology and characteristics of this patient group are currently not well understood.
Objectives: This study compares the baseline demographic features and outcomes in subjects with distal CTEPH, those with proximal CTEPH and those with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) to determine whether these conditions represent separate entities or whether they exist along the same spectrum of disease.