74), and IVCmax performing the best (AUC 0.89). JVP, in combination with HCU-derived parameters and BNP performed better than any of the individual tests alone (AUC 0.97 for combination of all 3).
Conclusions: Clinical score, JVP, HCU indices, and AR-13324 BNP perform well at identifying patients with a PCWP >= 15 mm Hg. Use of these indices alone or in combination can be used to identify and potentially monitor patients with high LVFP in the inpatient and outpatient settings. (J Cardiac Fail 2010:16:69-75)”
“The idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare life-threatening disorder characterized by periodic episodes of hypovolemic shock, due to plasma leakage from the intravascular to the interstitial space, as reflected
by accompanying hypoalbuminemia, hemoconcentration and edema. Here we report the case of a 65-year-old woman affected by SCLS who required aggressive resuscitation with norepinephrine, steroids, albumin and crystalloids. Then, a long-term prophylaxis with a beta(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist and theophylline was started.
In conclusion, though SCLS is a rare entity, the associated morbidity and mortality require the physician’s awareness to provide timely therapy. Underrecognition in the medical community and rarity
of this syndrome have precluded analysis this website by rational clinical trial designs that are necessary to determine more targeted and adequate therapy. This report is meant to enhance awareness of SCLS in the nephrology community.”
“Objective: Interpreting whether changes in quality of life (Qol) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant, may be difficult. This study introduces the concept of the minimally important difference (MID) to vascular surgeons using Qol outcomes of patients treated for chronic critical Cell Cycle inhibitor limb ischemia (CLI).
Methods: The Vascular Quality of Life (VascuQol) questionnaire Was recorded at baseline before treatment and after 6 months follow-up in consecutive patients with CLI treated between May 2007 and
May 2010. Statistical significance of change in VascuQol score was tested with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The MID for the VascuQol score was determined using a clinical anchor-based method and a distribution-based method.
Results: A total of 127 patients with CLI completed the VascuQol after 6 months. The VascuQol sum scores improved from 3.0 (range 1.1-5.9) at baseline to 4.0 (range 1.2-6.7) at 6 months (p < .001). The MID on the VascuQol sumscore indicating a clinically important change determined with the anchor-based method was 0.36, and with the distribution-based method was 0.48. On an individual level, depending on the method of determining the MID, this resulted in 60% to 68% of the patients with an important benefit.
Conclusions: Expression of changes in Qol by means of the MID provides better insight into clinically important changes than statistical significance.