SGLT2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Contrast-Associated Nephropathy Following Angiographic Intervention: Contradictory Concepts and Clinical Outcomes.

The use of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) has been found in large clinical studies to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to lower the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recent reports suggest that SGLT2is may also reduce the likelihood of developing radiocontrast-associated nephropathy (CAN) following contrast-enhanced imaging and intravascular interventions. This review underscores potential pitfalls and confounders in these studies and calls for caution in adopting their conclusions regarding the safety and renoprotective potency of SGLT2is, in particular in patients at high risk, with advanced CKD and hemodynamic instability undergoing coronary intervention.

The endocrine basis of the cardio-renal axis: New perspectives regarding corin.

The central role of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in the complex cardio-renal integrated physiology and organ failure has been revealed over the last four decades. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), the oldest representative of the NPs family, is produced through conversion of proANP to the mature peptide by corin, a trans-membrane protease localized to the cardiac myocyte membrane. Similarly, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is generated by furin, which cleaves proBNP to BNP in myocytes.

Renal safety and survival among acutely ill hospitalized patients treated by blockers of the Renin-Angiotensin axis or loop diuretics: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Concern exists regarding the renal safety of blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) during acute illness, especially in the presence of volume depletion and hemodynamic instability.

Methods: We explored the impact of loop diuretics and RAS blockers on the likelihood of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) or acute kidney functional recovery (AKR) among inpatients. Adjusted odds ratio for AKI, AKR and mortality was calculated, using logistic regression models, with subgroup analysis for patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 ml/min/1.

Novel perspectives regarding the physiologic mechanisms by which gliflozins induce reticulocytosis and erythrocytosis.

Gliflozins provide a breakthrough in the management of type-2 diabetes. In addition to facilitating normoglycemia, these sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors attenuate obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fluid retention, reduce cardiovascular morbidity, retard the progression of renal dysfunction, and improve survival. The administration of gliflozins also triggers erythropoietin (EPO) production, with the consequent induction of reticulocytosis and erythrocytosis.

Simultaneous Multifocal Intracranial Haemorrhages Associated with Staphylococcus Aureus Endocarditis: A Plausible Role for Diclofenac Administration.

Introduction: Intracranial haemorrhage may complicate infective endocarditis, caused by ruptured mycotic aneurysms or haemorrhagic transformation of brain septic emboli. The risk of intracranial bleeding may increase with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIDs).

Case Description: We report on a 53-year-old male patient with a past history of intravenous drug abuse, who was treated with diclofenac (75 mg IM) for a few hours of preceding fever and arthralgia.

Life-threatening bronchospasm induced by an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in a chronically ventilated patient: Diagnostic pitfalls and literature review.

Cough- and asthma-like symptoms are common adverse reactions to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). However, attributing these symptoms to the use of ACEi might be masked by clinical confounders. We report a 68-year-old female residing in a long-term acute-care facility for patients requiring prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation treated for years with ACEi.

Gliflozins, Erythropoietin, and Erythrocytosis: Is It Renal Normoxia- or Hypoxia-Driven?

The introduction of gliflozins in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus leads to a better control of hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fluid retention. Most importantly, it also improves renal survival and reduces major cardiovascular events and mortality. Gliflozins were also found to induce erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis, leading to reticulocytosis and erythropoiesis.

Reversible 'Unstable' Abdominal Angina Caused by Ruptured Plaque of the Superior Mesenteric Artery: Clinical and Radiological Correlations.

Unlabelled: Unstable angina, characteristic of coronary artery disease, is caused by in-situ clot formation complicating ruptured atheromatous plaque. Abdominal angina, however, usually reflects chronic mesenteric ischaemia, caused by multi-vessel stable plaques involving mesenteric arteries. Herein, we describe a patient with new-onset abdominal pain caused by a ruptured atheromatous plaque at the superior mesenteric root.

Alveolar Hemorrhage Following Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in 2 Separate Episodes 5 Months Apart.

BACKGROUND Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has become one of the most prominent modalities worldwide for the diagnosis and surveillance of malignancies. Current clinical imaging guidelines report adverse reactions following PET/CT, especially due to contrast-induced toxicities, such as contrast-induced nephropathy and other rare reactions attributed to a hypersensitivity immune response, such as bronchospasm. Other rare lung toxicities were reported in a few case reports.

A 66-Year-Old Woman with Achondroplasia and Quadriparesis with an Ovarian Cyst Erroneously Diagnosed as Urinary Retention by an Automated Bladder Scan.

BACKGROUND Automated bladder scanning has become a principal tool in the assessment and management of chronically debilitated patients residing in skilled nursing facilities, hospices, and acute inpatient settings. To a large extent, the bladder scan, generally performed by nursing staff, has replaced physical examination while addressing the differential diagnoses of anuria or voiding disturbances that require consideration of urinary catheterization. Health care providers can quickly master this easily performed technique, and currently, due to confidence in the bladder scan finding, physical examination with suprapubic palpation and percussion may be carelessly omitted.

Diabetic Proteinuria Revisited: Updated Physiologic Perspectives.

Albuminuria, a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy, reflects not only injury and dysfunction of the filtration apparatus, but is also affected by altered glomerular hemodynamics and hyperfiltration, as well as by the inability of renal tubular cells to fully retrieve filtered albumin. Albuminuria further plays a role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, and the suppression of glomerular albumin leak is a key factor in its prevention. Although microalbuminuria is a classic manifestation of diabetic nephropathy, often progressing to macroalbuminuria or overt proteinuria over time, it does not always precede renal function loss in diabetes.

Do Perceptions about Palliative Care Affect Emergency Decisions of Health Personnel for Patients with Advanced Dementia?

Decision analysis regarding emergency medical treatment in patients with advanced dementia has seldom been investigated. We aimed to examine the preferred medical treatment in emergency situations for patients with advanced dementia and its association with perceptions of palliative care. We conducted a survey of 159 physicians and 156 nurses from medical and surgical wards in two tertiary hospitals.

Changing serum creatinine in the detection of acute renal failure and recovery following radiocontrast studies among acutely ill inpatients: Reviewing insights regarding renal functional reserve gained by large-data analysis.

A rise in serum creatinine (SCr) is widely used for the detection and definition of evolving acute kidney injury (AKI). Yet, it takes time for SCr to re-adjust in response to changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and subtle transient changes in GFR may remain concealed. Additionally, it cannot differentiate altered glomerular hemodynamics and pre-renal failure from true renal tissue injury, necessitating additional clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools.

Severe Protracted Hypophosphatemia in a Patient with Persistent Vegetative State on Long-Term Assisted Respiratory Support.

BACKGROUND Phosphorous is an essential component of cell structure and physiology, and is required for energy conservation and expenditure. Severe hypophosphatemia can lead to profound dysfunction and injury affecting most organs and can be life-threatening. It can also compromise weaning of mechanically ventilated patients.

Hyperglycemia on Admission Predicts Acute Kidney Failure and Renal Functional Recovery among Inpatients.

Background: Hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients. We aimed to assess the impact of glucose levels upon admission on the subsequent deterioration or improvement of kidney function in inpatients with a focus on diabetes or reduced baseline kidney function as possible modifiers of this effect.

Methods: Running a retrospective cohort analysis, we compared patients with normal vs.

Divergent impacts of tocilizumab and colchicine in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy: the role of alpha-defensins.

Patients who are severely affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may develop a delayed onset 'cytokine storm', which includes an increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6). This may be followed by a pro-thrombotic state and increased D-dimers. It was anticipated that tocilizumab (TCZ), an anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, would mitigate inflammation and coagulation in patients with COVID-19.

Renal functional recovery among inpatients: A plausible marker of reduced renal functional reserve.

Renal functional reserve (RFR) reflects the ability of the kidney to enhance glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in response to a protein load. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to diminished RFR, since the capacity for whole-body GFR to increase through hyperfiltration of remaining nephrons is limited. Evaluating 41,456 inpatients following computerised tomography we reported many exhibiting acute kidney injury (AKI) but more patients with recovering kidney function (AKR), presumably reflecting resolution of their critical conditions.