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International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023This narrative review critically examines the role of albumin in sepsis management and compares it to its well-established application in liver cirrhosis. Albumin, a key... (Review)
Review
This narrative review critically examines the role of albumin in sepsis management and compares it to its well-established application in liver cirrhosis. Albumin, a key plasma protein, is effective in the management of fluid imbalance, circulatory dysfunction, and inflammation-related complications. However, its role in sepsis is more intricate and characterized by ongoing debate and varied results from clinical studies. In sepsis, the potential benefits of albumin include maintaining vascular integrity and modulating inflammation, yet its consistent clinical efficacy is not as definitive as that in cirrhosis. This review evaluated various clinical trials and evidence, highlighting their limitations and providing practical insights for clinicians. It emphasizes identifying sepsis patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from albumin therapy, particularly exploring the correction of hypoalbuminemia. This condition, which is significantly corrected in patients with cirrhosis, may have similar therapeutic advantages in sepsis. The potential effectiveness of albumin in the low-volume resuscitation and deresuscitation phases of sepsis management was noted. Given the safety concerns observed in cirrhosis, such as pulmonary edema and hypervolemia associated with albumin therapy, cautious integration of albumin into sepsis treatment is mandatory. Personalized albumin therapy is advocated for tailoring strategies to the specific needs of each patient, based on their clinical presentation and underlying conditions. The need for further research to delineate the role of albumin in sepsis pathophysiology is underscored. The review emphasizes the importance of conducting trials to assess the effectiveness of albumin in correcting hypoalbuminemia in sepsis, its impact on patient outcomes, and the establishment of appropriate dosing and administration methods. This approach to albumin use in sepsis management is posited as a way to potentially improve patient outcomes in this complex clinical scenario while being mindful of the lessons learned from its use in cirrhosis.
Topics: Humans; Hypoalbuminemia; Albumins; Sepsis; Liver Cirrhosis; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance; Inflammation
PubMed: 38139434
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417606 -
Global Heart 2023Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Malawi. In rural districts, heart failure (HF) care is limited and provided by non-physicians. The causes and...
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Malawi. In rural districts, heart failure (HF) care is limited and provided by non-physicians. The causes and patient outcomes of HF in rural Africa are largely unknown. In our study, non-physician providers performed focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) for HF diagnosis and longitudinal clinical follow-up in Neno, Malawi.
OBJECTIVES
We described the clinical characteristics, HF categories, and outcomes of patients presenting with HF in chronic care clinics in Neno, Malawi.
METHODS
Between November 2018 and March 2021, non-physician providers performed FOCUS for diagnosis and longitudinal follow-up in an outpatient chronic disease clinic in rural Malawi. A retrospective chart review was performed for HF diagnostic categories, change in clinical status between enrollment and follow-up, and clinical outcomes. For study purposes, cardiologists reviewed all available ultrasound images.
RESULTS
There were 178 patients with HF, a median age of 67 years (IQR 44 - 75), and 103 (58%) women. During the study period, patients were enrolled for a mean of 11.5 months (IQR 5.1-16.5), after which 139 (78%) were alive and in care. The most common diagnostic categories by cardiac ultrasound were hypertensive heart disease (36%), cardiomyopathy (26%), and rheumatic, valvular or congenital heart disease (12.3%).At follow-up, the proportion of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I patients increased from 24% to 50% (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 31.5 - 16.4), and symptoms of orthopnea, edema, fatigue, hypervolemia, and bibasilar crackles all decreased (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Hypertensive heart disease and cardiomyopathy are the predominant causes of HF in this elderly cohort in rural Malawi. Trained non-physician providers can successfully manage HF to improve symptoms and clinical outcomes in limited resource areas. Similar care models could improve healthcare access in other rural African settings.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Retrospective Studies; Malawi; Heart Failure; Cardiomyopathies; Health Services Accessibility
PubMed: 37334396
DOI: 10.5334/gh.1210 -
Heart Failure Reviews Sep 2023Studies over recent years have redeveloped our understanding of uremic cardiomyopathy, defined as left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and associated... (Review)
Review
Studies over recent years have redeveloped our understanding of uremic cardiomyopathy, defined as left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and associated cardiac hypertrophy plus other abnormalities that result from chronic kidney disease and are often the cause of death in affected patients. Definitions of uremic cardiomyopathy have conflicted and overlapped over the decades, complicating the body of published evidence, and making comparison difficult. New and continuing research into potential risk factors, including uremic toxins, anemia, hypervolemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, indicates the increasing interest in illuminating the pathways that lead to UC and thereby identifying potential targets for intervention. Indeed, our developing understanding of the mechanisms of UC has opened new frontiers in research, promising novel approaches to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and management. This educational review highlights advances in the field of uremic cardiomyopathy and how they may become applicable in practice by clinicians. Pathways to optimal treatment with current modalities (with hemodialysis and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) will be described, along with proposed steps to be taken in research to allow evidence-based integration of developing investigational therapies.
Topics: Humans; Uremia; Cardiomyopathies; Heart Failure; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; Cardiomegaly
PubMed: 37173614
DOI: 10.1007/s10741-023-10318-1 -
American Journal of Kidney Diseases :... Jan 2024Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study investigated neurocognitive impairment, brain...
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study investigated neurocognitive impairment, brain volume, and alterations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based measures of cerebral function in patients before and after treatment for hyponatremia.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective cohort study.
SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
Patients with presumed chronic hyponatremia without signs of hypo- or hypervolemia treated in the emergency department of a German tertiary-care hospital.
EXPOSURE
Hyponatremia (ie, plasma sodium concentration [Na]<125mmol/L) before and after treatment leading to [Na]>130mmol/L.
OUTCOMES
Standardized neuropsychological testing (Mini-Mental State Examination, DemTect, Trail Making Test A/B, Beck Depression Inventory, Timed Up and Go) and resting-state MRI were performed before and after treatment of hyponatremia to assess total brain and white and gray matter volumes as well as neuronal activity and its synchronization.
ANALYTICAL APPROACH
Changes in outcomes after treatment for hyponatremia assessed using bootstrapped confidence intervals and Cohen d statistic. Associations between parameters were assessed using correlation analyses.
RESULTS
During a 3.7-year period, 26 patients were enrolled. Complete data were available for 21 patients. Mean [Na]s were 118.4mmol/L before treatment and 135.5mmol/L after treatment. Most measures of cognition improved significantly. Comparison of MRI studies showed a decrease in brain tissue volumes, neuronal activity, and synchronization across all gray matter after normalization of [Na]. Volume effects were particularly prominent in the hippocampus. During hyponatremia, synchronization of neuronal activity was negatively correlated with [Na] (r=-0.836; 95% CI, -0.979 to-0.446) and cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination, r=-0.523; 95% CI, -0.805 to-0.069; DemTect, r=-0.744; 95% CI, -0.951 to-0.385; and Trail Making Test A, r=0.692; 95% CI, 0.255-0.922).
LIMITATIONS
Small sample size, insufficient quality of several MRI scans as a result of motion artifact.
CONCLUSIONS
Resolution of hyponatremia was associated with improved cognition and reductions in brain volumes and neuronal activity. Impaired cognition during hyponatremia is closely linked to increased neuronal activity rather than to tissue volumes. Furthermore, the hippocampus appears to be particularly susceptible to hyponatremia, exhibiting pronounced changes in tissue volume.
PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY
Hyponatremia is a common clinical problem, and patients often present with neurologic symptoms that are at least partially reversible. This study used neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging to examine patients during and after correction of hyponatremia. Treatment led to an improvement in patients' cognition as well as a decrease in their brain volumes, spontaneous neuronal activity, and synchronized neuronal activity between remote brain regions. Volume effects were particularly prominent in the hippocampus, an area of the brain that is important for the modulation of memory. During hyponatremia, patients with the lowest sodium concentrations had the highest levels of synchronized neuronal activity and the poorest cognitive test results.
PubMed: 38184092
DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.11.007 -
Biomedicines Mar 2024Nephrotic edema stands out as one of the most common complications of nephrotic syndrome. The effective management of hypervolemia is paramount in addressing this... (Review)
Review
Nephrotic edema stands out as one of the most common complications of nephrotic syndrome. The effective management of hypervolemia is paramount in addressing this condition. Initially, "the underfill hypothesis" suggested that proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia led to fluid extravasation into the interstitial space, causing the intravascular hypovolemia and activation of neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms, which increased the retention of salt and water. Consequently, the recommended management involved diuretics and human-albumin infusion. However, recent findings from human and animal studies have unveiled a kidney-limited sodium-reabsorption mechanism, attributed to the presence of various serine proteases in the tubular lumen-activating ENaC channels, thereby causing sodium reabsorption. There is currently no standardized guideline for diuretic therapy. In clinical practice, loop diuretics continue to be the preferred initial choice. It is noteworthy that patients often exhibit diuretic resistance due to various factors such as high-sodium diets, poor drug compliance, changes in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics, kidney dysfunction, decreased renal flow, nephron remodeling and proteasuria. Considering these challenges, combining diuretics may be a rational approach to overcoming diuretic resistance. Despite the limited data available on diuretic treatment in nephrotic syndrome complicated by hypervolemia, ENaC blockers emerge as a potential add-on treatment for nephrotic edema.
PubMed: 38540182
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12030569 -
Heart International 2023Heart failure (HF) is the common final pathway of several conditions and is characterized by hyperactivation of numerous neurohumoral pathways. Cardiorenal interaction... (Review)
Review
Heart failure (HF) is the common final pathway of several conditions and is characterized by hyperactivation of numerous neurohumoral pathways. Cardiorenal interaction plays an essential role in the progression of the disease, and the use of diuretics is a cornerstone in the treatment of hypervolemic patients, especially in acute decompensated HF (ADHF). The management of congestion is complex and, to avoid misinterpretations and errors, one must understand the interface between the heart and the kidneys in ADHF. Congestion itself may impair renal function and must be treated aggressively. Transitory elevations in serum creatinine during decongestion is not associated with worse outcomes and diuretics should be maintained in patients with clear hypervolemia. Monitoring urinary sodium after diuretic administration seems to improve the response to diuretics as it allows for adjustments in doses and a personalized approach. Adequate assessment of volemia and the introduction and titration of guideline-directed medical therapy are mandatory before discharge. An early visit after discharge is highly recommended, to assess for residual congestion and thus avoid readmissions.
PubMed: 38455673
DOI: 10.17925/HI.2023.17.2.3 -
Cureus Oct 2023Introduction The global elderly population is expanding, with chronic conditions like diabetes diminishing their quality of life. Sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2...
Introduction The global elderly population is expanding, with chronic conditions like diabetes diminishing their quality of life. Sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors hold promise in improving quality of life by addressing hypervolemia, obesity, and lipid irregularities. However, these drugs can lead to adverse effects, such as polyuria, dehydration, and weight loss, which may detrimentally impact older patients. We aimed to investigate the association between SGLT-2 inhibitors and quality of life in older adults with diabetes. Methods The research included 100 type II diabetes mellitus patients over 65, without active infections, malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and hematological disorders. Fifty patients were using empagliflozin or dapagliflozin and 50 patients were using other oral antidiabetics for at least six months. Patient demographics, laboratory studies, drug usage and side effects, additional diseases, Geriatric Depression Scale scores, and World Health Organization Quality of Life OLD (WHOQoL-OLD) module scores were noted. Results No significant difference between gender distribution, SGLT usage, chronic disease existence, chronic disease count, depression scores, or incidents of chronic diseases other than hyperlipidemia was observed. Hyperlipidemia incidence was significantly higher in the SGLT group, while other laboratory parameters were not statistically significantly different between groups. There were no significant differences in autonomy, past-present-future activities, social skills, death, intimacy, and total WHOQoL-OLD scores between the two groups. However, there were statistically significantly worse outcomes in patients with at least one SGLT adverse effect in terms of sensory quality of life scores. Dehydration existence was negatively correlated with lower autonomy, PPF activities, and total quality of life scores. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed no significant differences in the total WHOQoL-OLD score after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion Age and depression remained the main factors affecting the quality of life in diabetic patients. SGLT-2 inhibitor side effects did not decrease the quality of life in older individuals, who are more prone to unfavorable consequences.
PubMed: 37841994
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47005