scholarly journals Ivabradine: A Potential Therapeutic for Children With Refractory SVT

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour K. Younis ◽  
Bernard Abi-Saleh ◽  
Farah Al Amin ◽  
Omar El Sedawi ◽  
Christelle Tayeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Baseline Heart Rate ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Complete Reversal

Background: In April 2015, ivabradine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure (HF). The use of this medication has been linked with improved clinical outcomes and reduced rates of hospitalization in patients with symptomatic HF and a baseline heart rate of 70 bpm and above. Nonetheless, little is known about the use of ivabradine in pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This use is not well-studied and is only endorsed by a few case reports and case series.Aim: This study discusses the off-label utilization of ivabradine in pediatric patients with SVT, and highlights its efficacy in treating treatment-resistant (refractory) SVT.Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center observational study involving pediatric patients with SVT treated at our center between January 2016 and October 2020. We identified the total number of patients with SVT, and the number of patients with refractory SVT treated with Ivabradine. Similarly, we performed a thorough review of the databases of PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar to compare the clinical course of our patients to those described in the literature.Results: Between January 2016 and October 2020, 79 pediatric patients with SVT were seen and treated at our center. A treatment-resistant SVT was noted only in three patients (4%). Ivabradine was used in these patients as a single or combined therapy. The rest (96%) were successfully treated with conventional anti-arrhythmics such as β-blockers, flecainide, and other approved medications. In the ivabradine group, successful reversal to sinus rhythm was achieved in two of the three patients (66%), one patient was treated with a combination therapy of amiodarone and ivabradine, and the other patient was treated only with ivabradine.Conclusion: Overall, promissory results are associated with the use of ivabradine in pediatric patients with refractory SVT. Ivabradine appears to be a safe and well-tolerated medication that can induce adequate suppression of SVT, complete reversal to sinus rhythm, and effective enhancement of left ventricular function.

scholarly journals Successful Management of Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Areata with Platelet Rich Plasma: A Case Series

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-52
Author(s):  
Sanjeewani Fonseka ◽  
Y.M.D.M Bandara ◽  
Brabaharan Subhani
Keyword(s):  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Immunosuppressive Agents ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Dermal Injection ◽  
Autologous Platelet

Abstract Introduction. Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease-causing non-scarring alopecia. It is usually treated with immunosuppressive agents, to which some patients fail to respond adequately. Material and Methods. Three patients with AA refractory to standard therapy were treated with intra-dermal injection of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) every four weeks. Results. All three patients showed remarkable improvement after multiple sessions of PRP treatment. Conclusion. Autologous PRP is safe and effective in treatment-resistant forms of AA demonstrated in many case reports; therefore it deserves further study with randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Effect of selective beta-blockade with bisoprolol in the treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation

Folia Medica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria N. Negreva ◽  
Atanas P. Penev
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Combined Therapy ◽  
Beta Blockade ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Group A ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Group B ◽  
Onset Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT The incidence of atrial fibrillation has been rapidly increasing in recent years. The increased tonus of the sympathetic nervous system is related to the development of atrial fibrillation. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of bisoprolol, a highly selective beta-blocker, on patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (< 48 hours) for regularization of the rhythm using propafenone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study includes 164 patients (81 women, 83 men, age 59.09 ± 10.81) with successfully restored sinus rhythm in recent-onset atrial fibrillation. The patients received either propafenone (group A, n = 82) or a combination of propafenone and bisoprolol (group B, n = 82). The studied patients were randomly allocated to the groups. Propafenone was administered intravenously as a 2 mg/kg bolus followed by infusion of 0.0078 mg/kg/min for 120 min and orally in dosage of 300 mg three times every 8 hours if arrhythmia persisted. Bisoprolol was administered in a single dose at the very beginning of propafenone treatment and only in patients from group B at a dose of 5 or 10 mg. Regularization of the rhythm was assessed at the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 24th hour. RESULTS: In the initial stages of regularization the combined therapy restored the sinus rhythm in a greater number of patients in comparison with the monotherapy (at the 6th hour 67.07% in group B versus 48.78% in group A, P < 0.05; at the 12th hour it was 87.80% versus 75.60%, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early regularization of rhythm in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation reduces the likelihood of recurrent episodes of arrhythmia. This makes the application of selective beta-blockade clinically significant.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine: Best Practices

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S16) ◽  
pp. 34-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle S. Doody
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Cholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Number Of Patients

Today’s therapies must be put in the context of both currently available treatments as well as treatment trials with exciting potential for use in the near future. Current clinical trial methodologies do not allow for clear separation of symptomatic treatments from disease-modifying therapies; it may be unproductive to maintain this distinction given the current range of treatments available. A more currently relevant focus is added value. Therapies should aim to provide added value through incremental benefits above and beyond existing treatments, as well as enduring benefits.Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment guidelines are not used by physicians only. Healthcare payers often make use of these guidelines to delimit coverage. Cost concerns will also impact AD treatments after generic cholinesterase inhibitors are made available; it is widely believed that a great number of patients will switch to generics. Therefore, treatment guidelines must account for the possible adverse effects of switching therapies as well as the desirability of persistent treatment. There are many AD treatment guidelines, among them the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Management of Dementia Guidelines, which are currently being revised. The Institute for the Study on Aging (ISOA) Management of Alzheimer’s Disease in Managed Care Guideline also presents a different approach for a different audience.The first step to creating evidence-based best practices guidelines is to determine what is meant by “evidence.” A system of classification exists for examining forms of evidence: Class I evidence is provided by one or more well-designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials, including overviews or meta-analyses of such trials. Class II evidence is provided by well-designed observational studies with concurrent controls; for example, case-control studies that generate hypotheses about epidemiologic associations. Class III evidence is provided by expert opinion, case series, case reports, and studies with historical controls.

scholarly journals Systematic review of pineal cysts surgery in pediatric patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 2927-2938
Author(s):  
Joham Choque-Velasquez ◽  
Roberto Colasanti ◽  
Szymon Baluszek ◽  
Julio Resendiz-Nieves ◽  
Sajjad Muhammad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Progressive Disease ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Individual Patient Data ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Complete Surgical Resection ◽  
Observational Series ◽  
Last Stage

Abstract Introduction We present a consecutive case series and a systematic review of surgically treated pediatric PCs. We hypothesized that the symptomatic PC is a progressive disease with hydrocephalus at its last stage. We also propose that PC microsurgery is associated with better postoperative outcomes compared to other treatments. Methods The systematic review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus. No clinical study on pediatric PC patients was available. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of the available individual patient data of 43 (22 case reports and 21 observational series) articles. Results The review included 109 patients (72% females). Ten-year-old or younger patients harbored smaller PC sizes compared to older patients (p < 0.01). The pediatric PCs operated on appeared to represent a progressive disease, which started with unspecific symptoms with a mean cyst diameter of 14.5 mm, and progressed to visual impairment with a mean cyst diameter of 17.8 mm, and hydrocephalus with a mean cyst diameter of 23.5 mm in the final stages of disease (p < 0.001). Additionally, 96% of patients saw an improvement in their symptoms or became asymptomatic after surgery. PC microsurgery linked with superior gross total resection compared to endoscopic and stereotactic procedures (p < 0.001). Conclusions Surgically treated pediatric PCs appear to behave as a progressive disease, which starts with cyst diameters of approximately 15 mm and develops with acute or progressive hydrocephalus at the final stage. PC microneurosurgery appears to be associated with a more complete surgical resection compared to other procedures.

Care of the Cocaine User with Nasal Deformity

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (04) ◽  
pp. 411-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Joshi ◽  
Alwyn D'Souza ◽  
Abigail Walker
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Western World ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Nasal Deformity ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidities ◽  
Operative Care ◽  
Number Of Patients

AbstractCocaine is the most commonly used stimulant in the Western world, and its use is increasing not only in young people but also in people older than 40 years. Intranasal use is associated with several pathologies, ranging from crusting and blockage, to fibrosis and scarring, to destruction of the osteocartilaginous structures of the midface. As its use becomes more prevalent in society, the reconstructive surgeon can accordingly expect to be faced with an increasing number of patients with cocaine-related nasal deformity. However, the use of cocaine adds a significant layer of complexity to the perioperative and operative care that requires careful consideration by the whole health care team. We present a practical evidence-based guide to management of reconstruction of the cocaine nose, taking in all aspects of periprocedural care. Finally, we present a model for surgical approach based on best evidence and the experience of the senior author. A search was performed of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Collection database using both MeSH keywords and free text words, identifying key articles on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and medical and psychiatric comorbidities of cocaine users. Both case series and case reports reporting cocaine-associated defects and their reconstruction were reviewed together with the senior authors (A.D.S., A.J.), and a series of recommendations synthesized based on these recommendations. The nasal deformities associated with cocaine use represent only the tip of the iceberg of underlying associated pathology. The surgeon who embarks upon reconstruction of the cocaine nose should be aware of possible coexisting medical and psychiatric comorbidities that may complicate both the patient's motivations for surgery and their fitness to undergo anesthesia. Ultimately, successful reconstructive outcomes are critically dependent on holistic perioperative care and the surgeon's ability to be flexible in their surgical approach.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and postural tachycardia syndrome: a case series

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
William H Parker ◽  
Rohit Moudgil ◽  
Robert G Wilson ◽  
Adriano R Tonelli ◽  
Kenneth A Mayuga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome ◽  
Baseline Heart Rate ◽  
Tilt Table ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Postural Tachycardia

Abstract Background Postural tachycardia syndrome (PTS) is a novel identified sequela of COVID-19 infection. This observational study describes clinical presentation, testing, and treatment response in seven patients diagnosed with PTS following COVID-19 infection. Case summary A total of seven active patients (three collegiate athletes, one recreational athlete, two registered nurses, one hospitality employee), age 24 ± 6 years, and six females were followed for a mean of 152 ± 105 days after contracting COVID-19. Tilt table was performed to establish the diagnosis. The most common presenting symptoms were palpitations (7/7), dyspnoea (6/7), and gastrointestinal complaints (5/7). One patient required hospitalization for symptom management. The mean latency of PTS onset following COVID-19 was 21 ± 15 days. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) demonstrated sinus rhythm in all patients, one with resting sinus tachycardia. Echocardiogram demonstrated normal systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in all patients. On tilt table testing, baseline heart rate (HR) was 72 ± 12 with maximum HR reaching 136 ± 13. Six of seven patients failed to respond to supportive therapy alone, and two patients failed medical management with ivabradine, midodrine, and/or metoprolol. Of three severely symptomatic patients, two demonstrated some degree of clinical recovery with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Discussion This novel case series describes the development of PTS in the context of COVID-19 infection. Severity of symptoms and response to treatment was heterogeneous. Interestingly, patients were poorly responsive to traditional PTS treatments, but IVIG showed potential as a possible therapeutic strategy for refractory PTS in two patients, particularly following COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals 18 Years of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) Research: Where Are We Now?—An Umbrella Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 8818
Author(s):  
Roberto Sacco ◽  
Monica Diuana Calasans-Maia ◽  
Julian Woolley ◽  
Oladapo Akintola ◽  
Carlos Fernando de Almeida Barros Mourão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw ◽  
Umbrella Review ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Study Designs

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a condition affecting patients exposed to medications used to treat benign and malignant conditions of bone tissue. Many studies have highlighted that ONJ is a severe condition, which is very challenging to manage, especially in individuals with oncologic disease. The aim of this umbrella review is to analyze all available interventional and non-interventional systematic reviews published on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and summarize this evidence. Material and methods: A multi-database search (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) was performed to identify related multi-language papers published from January 2003 until June 2021. An additional manual search was also performed in systematic review registries (PROSPERO, INPLASY, JBI and OFS) to identify possible missing reviews. Data were extracted from relevant papers and analyzed according to the outcomes selected in this review. Results: The search generated 25 systematic reviews eligible for the analysis. The total number of patients included in the analysis was 80,840. Of the reviews, 64% (n = 16) were non-interventional and 36% (n = 9) were interventional. Study designs included case series 20.50% (n = 140), retrospective cohort studies 12.30% (n = 84) and case reports 12.20% (n = 83). It was unclear what study design was used for 277 studies included in the 25 systematic reviews. Conclusions: The data reviewed confirmed that the knowledge underpinning MRONJ in the last 20 years is still based on weak evidence. This umbrella review highlighted a widespread low-level quality of studies and many poorly designed reviews.

scholarly journals Arthroscopic Management of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Hip in Children and Adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596711876311 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Clifton Willimon ◽  
Tim Schrader ◽  
Crystal A. Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis ◽  
Villonodular Synovitis ◽  
Arthroscopic Synovectomy ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Pigmented Villonodular

Background: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign proliferative synovial disorder most commonly described to affect the knee in adults. Literature describing PVNS in the pediatric population is limited to 2 small case series and a handful of single-patient case reports. Within these studies, only 2 patients with PVNS of the hip are described. Purpose: To describe the presentation, management, and outcomes of a single-center series of pediatric patients with PVNS of the hip treated with arthroscopic synovectomy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric patients treated for PVNS at a single institution was performed. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients younger than 19 years with surgically treated PVNS of the hip. Results: Five pediatric patients with a mean age of 11.0 years were treated for PVNS of the hip from 2011 to 2016. The mean duration of symptoms from onset to surgical treatment was 247 days (range, 3-933 days). Upon review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, radiologists included PVNS in their differential in 3 patients. Seven surgeries were performed in 5 patients. All therapeutic procedures were arthroscopic synovectomies. Nodular PVNS was present in 4 patients, and diffuse disease was present in 1 patient. At a mean 32-month follow-up (range, 12-63 months), all patients were considered to be free of recurrence based on clinical examination and/or follow-up MRI. Four patients were asymptomatic and returned to all of their previous sports activities. Conclusion: Young age at the time of diagnosis is a point to be highlighted in this cohort, and symptoms may be present for many months prior to diagnosis due to the failure to consider PVNS in children. Therefore, for patients with “atypical” presentations or lack of improvement with treatment for rheumatologic, bleeding, or infectious disorders, PVNS should be strongly considered. MRI with gradient echo sequences is the diagnostic imaging study of choice. One patient with diffuse involvement and preoperative degenerative changes showed progressive changes postoperatively. This type of PVNS may have a worse prognosis, but more diffuse cases are needed before the prognosis can be determined. Arthroscopic synovectomy following a timely diagnosis of PVNS produces good outcomes in nodular cases, with no evidence of symptomatic or radiographic disease persistence among these patients.

111 Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. A44.1-A44
Author(s):  
Stephen Walsh ◽  
Joel Corbett ◽  
K Meng Tan ◽  
Simon Broadley
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference

IntroductionEpileptic seizures have been described in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in both anecdotal case reports and case series. The recent identification of specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein in a small number of patients with demyelinating disease which may resemble neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalopathy, which may involve seizures, raises the possibility that anti-MOG antibody related demyelination may account for the association of epilepsy with MS.MethodsWe have undertaken a retrospective review of cases of MS diagnosed at the Gold Coast MS clinic over a 10 year period. All cases were systematically asked if they had ever had an epileptic seizure either via a patient completed questionnaire or at a clinic visit. Demographic and clinical information were also recorded. These data have been analysed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests for significant differences between those with epilepsy and those without.Results428 cases with complete data were identified. Those with a history of epilepsy were slightly younger (median (range); 44.5 (27–64) years vs 4715–88 years), but this difference was not statistically significantly different. The gender ratio was the same for both groups (9/12 (75%) for those with epilepsy and 326/416 (78%)). There was no significant difference in age of onset, disease course, relapse frequency or level of disability. Although numbers are small, seizure appear to occur most frequently earlier in the disease course and are rarely an ongoing issue.ConclusionThese data support earlier work indicating that epilepsy occurs in people with MS who are younger. This fits with the notion that seizures arise in the context of the inflammatory stage of multiple sclerosis rather than the degenerative phase. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess any association with anti-MOG antibodies and epileptic seizures in demyelinating disease.

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