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World Journal of Critical Care Medicine May 2022In patients with respiratory failure, loop diuretics remain the cornerstone of the treatment to maintain fluid balance, but resistance is common.
BACKGROUND
In patients with respiratory failure, loop diuretics remain the cornerstone of the treatment to maintain fluid balance, but resistance is common.
AIM
To determine the efficacy and safety of common diuretic combinations in critically ill patients with respiratory failure.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and PROSPERO for studies reporting the effects of a combination of a loop diuretic with another class of diuretic. A meta-analysis using mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed for the 24-h fluid balance (primary outcome) and the 24-h urine output, while descriptive statistics were used for safety events.
RESULTS
Nine studies totalling 440 patients from a total of 6510 citations were included. When compared to loop diuretics alone, the addition of a second diuretic is associated with an improved negative fluid balance at 24 h [MD: -1.06 L (95%CI: -1.46; -0.65)], driven by the combination of a thiazide plus furosemide [MD: -1.25 L (95%CI: -1.68; -0.82)], while no difference was observed with the combination of a loop-diuretic plus acetazolamide [MD: -0.40 L (95%CI: -0.96; 0.16)] or spironolactone [MD: -0.65 L (95%CI: -1.66; 0.36)]. Heterogeneity was high and the report of clinical and safety endpoints varied across studies.
CONCLUSION
Based on limited evidence, the addition of a second diuretic to a loop diuretic may promote diuresis and negative fluid balance in patients with respiratory failure, but only when using a thiazide. Further larger trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of such interventions in patients with respiratory failure are required.
PubMed: 36331969
DOI: 10.5492/wjccm.v11.i3.178 -
Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases 2021Skeletal muscle ion channelopathies include non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM), periodic paralyses (PP), congenital myasthenic syndrome, and recently identified congenital...
BACKGROUND
Skeletal muscle ion channelopathies include non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM), periodic paralyses (PP), congenital myasthenic syndrome, and recently identified congenital myopathies. The treatment of these diseases is mainly symptomatic, aimed at reducing muscle excitability in NDM or modifying triggers of attacks in PP.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review collected the evidences regarding effects of pharmacological treatment on muscle ion channelopathies, focusing on the possible link between treatments and genetic background.
METHODS
We searched databases for randomized clinical trials (RCT) and other human studies reporting pharmacological treatments. Preclinical studies were considered to gain further information regarding mutation-dependent drug effects. All steps were performed by two independent investigators, while two others critically reviewed the entire process.
RESULTS
For NMD, RCT showed therapeutic benefits of mexiletine and lamotrigine, while other human studies suggest some efficacy of various sodium channel blockers and of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) acetazolamide. Preclinical studies suggest that mutations may alter sensitivity of the channel to sodium channel blockers in vitro, which has been translated to humans in some cases. For hyperkalemic and hypokalemic PP, RCT showed efficacy of the CAI dichlorphenamide in preventing paralysis. However, hypokalemic PP patients carrying sodium channel mutations may have fewer benefits from CAI compared to those carrying calcium channel mutations. Few data are available for treatment of congenital myopathies.
CONCLUSIONS
These studies provided limited information about the response to treatments of individual mutations or groups of mutations. A major effort is needed to perform human studies for designing a mutation-driven precision medicine in muscle ion channelopathies.
Topics: Channelopathies; Humans; Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis; Lamotrigine; Mexiletine; Muscle, Skeletal; Mutation; Myasthenic Syndromes, Congenital; Myotonic Disorders; Precision Medicine; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sodium Channel Blockers
PubMed: 33325393
DOI: 10.3233/JND-200582 -
Revista de Neurologia Nov 2020Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by a combination of flaccid paralysis episodes (or muscular weakness) that are related to low...
INTRODUCTION
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by a combination of flaccid paralysis episodes (or muscular weakness) that are related to low levels of potassium in blood. As a consequence of its low prevalence, there are still clinical and management aspects to characterize.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A systematic review of the clinical cases published in the last decade has been developed by analyzing demographic and genetic features, the episodes' characteristics, the received treatments, the response to them and also, the differences and evolution of patients depending on the most prevalent genetic alterations: CACNA1S and SCN4A.
RESULTS
A total of 33 articles were included, allowing 40 individuals to be reviewed. The average age of onset of symptoms was 15.3 ± 9.7 years. The most frequent altered gene was CACNA1S in 20 (60.5%) cases. It was observed that subjects presenting an alteration of the gene responsible for the calcium channel, CACNA1S, presented lower serum potassium levels, own triggers and a higher proportion of subjects showing dyspnea during the crisis. Only 50% of the subjects respond to classical oral treatment with acetazolamide. Potassium-sparing diuretics and antiepileptics drugs emerge as an alternative.
CONCLUSION
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis has an heterogeneous clinical expression with phenotypic differences linked to different genetic mutations. The common preventive treatment response is suboptimal. Prospective studies are needed to discern the best therapeutic option based on genetic load.
Topics: Acetazolamide; Age of Onset; Calcium Channels, L-Type; Gene Frequency; Humans; Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis; NAV1.4 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; Potassium
PubMed: 33085076
DOI: 10.33588/rn.7109.2020377 -
Sleep Medicine Reviews Aug 2019Pharmacotherapy represents a desirable potential therapeutic alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We aimed to summarize evidence on the efficacy...
Pharmacotherapy represents a desirable potential therapeutic alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). We aimed to summarize evidence on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in adults with OSA and delineate the underlying mechanisms. Seven databases were systematically screened for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception to September 2018. According to a pre-registered study protocol (PROSPERO-ID-CRD42018086446) network meta-analysis was performed to obtain intervention effects on the apnoea-hypopnoea-index (AHI) based on data extracted from published reports. We identified 58 RCTs (n = 1710 patients) investigating 44 different drugs or drug-combinations. Interventions were classified into seven pathomechanism-groups and summarized narratively. A meta-analysis of 17 trials for seven drugs (acetazolamide, donepezil, mirtazapine, ondansetron, paroxetine, protriptyline, theophylline) indicated a small effect for acetazolamide (mean difference in AHI -9.6/h [-17.7; -1.4]; p = 0.02). In the network meta-analysis (I = 50%) nine drugs (tramazoline, liraglutide, spironolactone/furosemide, acetazolamide, dronabinol, zonisamide, phentermine, spironolactone, and ondansetron/fluoxetine) significantly lowered the AHI compared to placebo. Although some trials indicate favorable outcomes, these results are only valid for distinctive OSA-phenotypes or were not clinically significant. The effect sizes were small, the majority of trials were not adequately powered. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any pharmacotherapy for OSA and no phase-III trials are available.
Topics: Adult; Drug Therapy; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
PubMed: 31075665
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.04.009 -
The Neurologist May 2021Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can rarely present with cranial neuropathies other than abducent nerve palsy. The authors report a case and review the literature...
INTRODUCTION
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can rarely present with cranial neuropathies other than abducent nerve palsy. The authors report a case and review the literature for nonabducent cranial neuropathies in CVST.
CASE REPORT
A 22-year-old woman with a history of oral contraceptive use developed right-sided headache, blurred vision, and dizziness for 4 days. Magnetic resonance venogram showed complete thrombosis of the right transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus, and internal jugular vein, and partial thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, left transverse sinus, and superior part of the left internal jugular vein. Hypercoagulable workup revealed heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. About 2 weeks after symptom onset, she developed right facial droop and left eye ptosis. Examination revealed bilateral papilledema, partial left ptosis, complete right abducent, and right peripheral facial palsies. Acetazolamide 250 mg 2 times per day was initiated for the treatment of headache. Three days after starting acetazolamide left ptosis, right facial and abducent palsies improved that continued to get better with only slight deficits at discharge 4 weeks from symptom onset. Follow-up computed tomography venogram on day 24 showed partial recanalization of CVST.
CONCLUSION
A systematic review identified 26 patients from 21 articles with nonabducent cranial neuropathies. Seven patients had lower motor neuron facial palsy, 13 patients had hearing loss or vertigo with vestibulocochlear involvement, and 6 patients had other mixed cranial nerve palsies with CVST. They are usually associated with transverse sinus and/or sigmoid sinus thrombosis. They have a good prognosis with improvement and complete resolution of cranial neuropathies in most cases usually in 1 month.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Papilledema; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial; Superior Sagittal Sinus; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Transverse Sinuses; Young Adult
PubMed: 33942790
DOI: 10.1097/NRL.0000000000000310 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2019High altitude illness (HAI) is a term used to describe a group of mainly cerebral and pulmonary syndromes that can occur during travel to elevations above 2500 metres...
BACKGROUND
High altitude illness (HAI) is a term used to describe a group of mainly cerebral and pulmonary syndromes that can occur during travel to elevations above 2500 metres (˜ 8200 feet). Acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), and high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) are reported as potential medical problems associated with high altitude ascent. In this, the third of a series of three reviews about preventive strategies for HAI, we assessed the effectiveness of miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical effectiveness and adverse events of miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions for preventing acute HAI in people who are at risk of developing high altitude illness in any setting.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) in January 2019. We adapted the MEDLINE strategy for searching the other databases. We used a combination of thesaurus-based and free-text search terms. We scanned the reference lists and citations of included trials and any relevant systematic reviews that we identified for further references to additional trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials conducted in any setting where non-pharmacological and miscellaneous interventions were employed to prevent acute HAI, including preacclimatization measures and the administration of non-pharmacological supplements. We included trials involving participants who are at risk of developing high altitude illness (AMS or HACE, or HAPE, or both). We included participants with, and without, a history of high altitude illness. We applied no age or gender restrictions. We included trials where the relevant intervention was administered before the beginning of ascent.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the standard methodological procedures employed by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 20 studies (1406 participants, 21 references) in this review. Thirty studies (14 ongoing, and 16 pending classification (awaiting)) will be considered in future versions of this suite of three reviews as appropriate. We report the results for the primary outcome of this review (risk of AMS) by each group of assessed interventions.Group 1. Preacclimatization and other measures based on pressureUse of simulated altitude or remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) might not improve the risk of AMS on subsequent exposure to altitude, but this effect is uncertain (simulated altitude: risk ratio (RR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.71; I² = 0%; 3 trials, 140 participants; low-quality evidence. RIPC: RR 3.0, 95% CI 0.69 to 13.12; 1 trial, 40 participants; low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement of this risk using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), but this information was derived from a cross-over trial with a limited number of participants (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.38 to 9.76; 1 trial, 8 participants; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions.Group 2. Supplements and vitaminsSupplementation of antioxidants, medroxyprogesterone, iron or Rhodiola crenulata might not improve the risk of AMS on exposure to high altitude, but this effect is uncertain (antioxidants: RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.03; 1 trial, 18 participants; low-quality evidence. Medroxyprogesterone: RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.05; I² = 0%; 2 trials, 32 participants; low-quality evidence. Iron: RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.11; I² = 0%; 2 trials, 65 participants; low-quality evidence. R crenulata: RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.29; 1 trial, 125 participants; low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement of this risk with the administration of erythropoietin, but this information was extracted from a trial with issues related to risk of bias and imprecision (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.84; 1 trial, 39 participants; very low-quality evidence). Regarding administration of ginkgo biloba, we did not perform a pooled estimation of RR for AMS due to considerable heterogeneity between the included studies (I² = 65%). RR estimates from the individual studies were conflicting (from 0.05 to 1.03; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions.Group 3. Other comparisonsWe found heterogeneous evidence regarding the risk of AMS when ginkgo biloba was compared with acetazolamide (I² = 63%). RR estimates from the individual studies were conflicting (estimations from 0.11 (95% CI 0.01 to 1.86) to 2.97 (95% CI 1.70 to 5.21); low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement when ginkgo biloba was administered along with acetazolamide, but this information was derived from a single trial with issues associated to risk of bias (compared to ginkgo biloba alone: RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.71; 1 trial, 311 participants; low-quality evidence). Administration of medroxyprogesterone plus acetazolamide did not improve the risk of AMS when compared to administration of medroxyprogesterone or acetazolamide alone (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.50 to 3.55; 1 trial, 12 participants; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This Cochrane Review is the final in a series of three providing relevant information to clinicians, and other interested parties, on how to prevent high altitude illness. The assessment of non-pharmacological and miscellaneous interventions suggests that there is heterogeneous and even contradictory evidence related to the effectiveness of these prophylactic strategies. Safety of these interventions remains as an unclear issue due to lack of assessment. Overall, the evidence is limited due to its quality (low to very low), the relative paucity of that evidence and the number of studies pending classification for the three reviews belonging to this series (30 studies either awaiting classification or ongoing). Additional studies, especially those comparing with pharmacological alternatives (such as acetazolamide) are required, in order to establish or refute the strategies evaluated in this review.
Topics: Acetazolamide; Altitude Sickness; Brain Edema; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Medroxyprogesterone; Plant Extracts; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31012483
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013315 -
Calcified Tissue International Jul 2024This systematic review was performed to understand better the myriad presentations, various therapeutic options, response to therapy, and its clinical outcomes in... (Review)
Review
This systematic review was performed to understand better the myriad presentations, various therapeutic options, response to therapy, and its clinical outcomes in hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis (HTC). Full texts were selected according to strict inclusion criteria. All case reports of HTC wherein baseline phosphate was measured, treatment offered was mentioned, and information on follow-up and response to therapy that were available were included. A total of 43 of 188 eligible studies (N = 63 patients) met the inclusion criteria. A list of desired data was extracted and graded for methodological quality. A total of 63 individuals (Males = 33) were included from the 43 eligible case studies. The median age of the patients was 18 (IQR 8-32) years. The most frequently involved sites were the hip/gluteal region (34/63; 53.9%) followed by the elbow/forearm (26/63; 41.2%), and the shoulder (18/63; 28.5%). Three patients had conjunctival calcific deposits. The mean (SD) phosphate was 6.9 (1.1) mg/dL. Among the subjects, 36/63 (57.1%) underwent surgical excision with some form of medical therapy. Two patients underwent only surgical excision (2.1%). One patient was maintained on follow-up (1.6%) and 24/63 (38.1%) patients were treated with medical measures. The median (IQR) follow-up duration was 3 (1-9) years. Regression or reduction in lesion size was reported in 19/63 (30.2%) subjects; 20/63 (31.7%) showed progression, 24/63 (38.1%) had features of stable disease, and mortality was reported in 3 patients (4.7%). We report for the first time a detailed description of the clinical and therapeutic response of HTC. A combination of medical measures aimed at lowering serum phosphate appears to be the cornerstone of treatment, although clinical responses may vary.
PubMed: 38951179
DOI: 10.1007/s00223-024-01247-8 -
Seminars in Ophthalmology Aug 2023We highlight a case of intracranial hypertension secondary to exogenous testosterone in a female-to-male transgender patient and present a systematic review of similar...
We highlight a case of intracranial hypertension secondary to exogenous testosterone in a female-to-male transgender patient and present a systematic review of similar cases. Our review identified 19 female-to-male transgender individuals with intracranial hypertension. The mean age was 24.2 years and most common presenting symptom was headache (78.9% of patients). The most frequently associated ocular symptoms were transient visual obscurations (42.1%) and blurred vision (21.1%). Onset of symptoms occurred concurrently with exogenous testosterone therapy in 89.5% of the patients. The most common treatments were acetazolamide (89.5%), topiramate (31.6%), and alteration in hormone regimen (21.1%); four cases required surgery. These findings aid clinicians treating intracranial hypertension in patients undergoing gender affirmation therapy in a conscientious, patient-centered manner.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Testosterone; Transgender Persons; Intracranial Hypertension; Acetazolamide; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 36658742
DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2023.2169578 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2024Considering the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus, it's necessary to direct attention to the adverse effects...
Considering the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus, it's necessary to direct attention to the adverse effects associated with vaccines in a limited group of populations. Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) following COVID-19 vaccination is a rare adverse reaction associated with COVID-19 vaccines. In this systematic review, we collected 19 articles with 27 patients up to November 1, 2023, summarizing the basic information, clinical manifestations, examinations, treatments, and recoveries of the 27 patients. The 27 enrolled patients (6 males, 21 females) had a median age of 34.1 years (15-71 years old) and were mainly from 5 regions: Asia (8), the Mediterranean region (8), North America (7), Oceania (3) and Brazil (1). Symptoms occurred post-first dose in 9 patients, post-second dose in 14 (1 with symptoms after both), post-third dose in 1, and both post-second and booster doses in 1, while details on 2 cases were not disclosed. Treatments included tapered oral steroids (6), topical steroids (3), tapered prednisone with antiviral drugs and vitamins (1), and valacyclovir and acetazolamide (1), while 16 received no treatment. All patients experienced symptom improvement, and nearly all patients ultimately recovered. Moreover, we summarized possible hypotheses concerning the mechanism of COVID-19 vaccine-associated MEWDS. The findings provide insights into the clinical aspects of COVID-19 vaccine-associated MEWDS. More attention should be given to patients with vaccine-associated MEWDS, and necessary treatment should be provided to patients experiencing a substantial decline in visual acuity to improve their quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Adult; COVID-19 Vaccines; Young Adult; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adolescent; COVID-19; Aged; White Dot Syndromes; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38752704
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2350812