Cancer in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: A Registry-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Immunosuppressive therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis has been associated with increased malignancy risk.

Objectives: To quantify the cancer risk associated with contemporary cyclophosphamide-sparing protocols.

Methods: Patients from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry between 1988 and 2012 who had biopsy-verified pauci-immune glomerulonephritis and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) serology were included.

Prognostic Value of Histologic Classification of ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis.

Background And Objectives: A kidney biopsy is preferred for the diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis with renal involvement. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of a histopathologic classification scheme recently proposed by an international consortium of renal pathologists in a large Norwegian cohort.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated GN were included from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry 1991-2012.

Long-Term Survival After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term survival rates of patients undergoing isolated first-time coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by off-pump CABG with the long-term survival rates in patients undergoing CABG using cardioplegic cardiopulmonary bypass techniques.

Methods: All patients undergoing isolated CABG at a single center (Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom) between 2000 and 2014 were included. Propensity score matching was performed on the basis of on demographic variables.

A meta-analysis of computerized tomography scan for reducing complications following repeat sternotomy for cardiac surgery.

Cardiac reoperation carries additional risks compared with surgery in patients who are sternotomy-naïve. To identify if preoperative computerized tomography (CT) can reduce this risk, we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Literature search identified 178 studies of which 4 retrospective cohort studies incorporating 900 patients met inclusion criteria.

Improved prognosis in Norwegian patients with glomerulonephritis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

Background: Glomerulonephritis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is associated with increased mortality and a high risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Here, we investigated whether the prognosis has improved over the last 25 years.

Methods: Patients were identified in the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry.

Prognosis of patients with carcinoid heart disease after valvular surgery.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. We addressed the following question: in patients who are diagnosed with carcinoid heart disease (CHD), do valvular surgeries improve their prognosis? Fifty percent of the patients with clinically diagnosed carcinoid syndrome had cardiac involvement which was present either as valvular dysfunction or as cardiac metastases. These patients often require surgery due to their heightened risk of cardiac disease.

QTc Prolongation in Patients Acutely Admitted to Hospital for Psychosis and Treated with Second Generation Antipsychotics.

QTc interval prolongation is a side effect of several antipsychotic drugs, with associated risks of torsade de pointes arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. There is an ongoing debate of whether or not electrocardiogram (ECG) assessments should be mandatory in patients starting antipsychotic drugs. To investigate QTc prolongation in a clinically relevant patient group 171 adult patients acutely admitted to an emergency ward for psychosis were consecutively recruited.