Evaluation of therapeutic and toxic levels of serum digoxin concentration: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary hospital.

Objective: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside for treating heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Despite its limited therapeutic range and complex pharmacokinetic properties, this medication continues to be frequently prescribed. This study aimed to evaluate the serum digoxin concentration (SDC) at therapeutic, subtherapeutic, and toxic levels and explore the factors affecting these levels in patients receiving digoxin therapy for heart failure.

Harnessing the Near-Peer Effect in Anatomy Education.

Benefits of near-peer teaching are well-documented, but its time requirements can be prohibitive. We integrated the near-peer effect into a clinical anatomy course with weekly student-developed handouts vetted by faculty to provide an element of near-peer teaching without the burden of extra time.

The Relationships Between Chocolate Consumption and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure.

Objective: Dietary recommendations, in addition to medications, have recently become important in the treatment of heart failure. Our study aimed to show the positive effects of both milk chocolate and dark chocolate on heart failure through endothelial functions.

Methods: Twenty patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction were included in the study.

Use of phase-contrast MRI to measure aortic stiffness in young-onset hypertension: a pilot study.

Background: Young-onset hypertension is defined as hypertension diagnosed before the age of 40 years. Aortic pulse wave velocity is an indication of aortic stiffness. MRI assessment has been well verified compared to invasive pressure recordings for evaluating aortic pulse wave velocity.