[Muscle-related adverse effects of statins].

Adverse effects on muscles occur in approximately 5 to 10% of patients taking statins. Drug interactions, associated diseases, agedness, low body weight, high statin dose and hereditary factors increase the risk of adverse effects. In most cases the muscle effects are mild and disappear upon discontinuation of the medication.

[Esophageal varices and dyspnea. A clinicopathological conference report].

A young man who had moved from India to Finland was extensively examined for abdominal complaints. The findings included large esophageal varices, open portal vein and enlarged lymph nodes. The large spleen was excised.

[Anemization, recurring bouts of fever and cardiac insufficiency in a young woman].

A young woman having undergone surgery for aortic coarctation in childhood developed severe cardiac insufficiency after being ill for a few months. The clinical picture turned out to be compatible with subacute endocarditis. The patient received antibiotic treatment with vague effect on hemodynamics and the aortic valve was replaced.

[Violent endocarditis in a previously healthy woman].

A previously healthy woman having recently retired to old-age pension contracted a mild respiratory infection. During a peroral course of antibiotics, the inflammatory values continued to elevate. Admission to hospital was followed by stroke, revealing an underlying endocarditis.

Only modest resources are needed to improve treatment of hospitalised patients with chest pain or heart failure: rapid assessment is a safe and efficient strategy.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rapid assessment using modest resources in hospitalised chest pain and heart failure patients.

Methods: We evaluated 81 patients hospitalised for chest pain or heart failure in a prospective rapid assessment group and 162 patients in a retrospective usual care group with 6 months' follow-up. Main outcome measures were length of hospital stay at index observation, number of days spent in hospital for all causes, chest pain or heart failure, and number of visits to the doctor.