Mundgesundheitskompetenz von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund – Erste Auswertungen der MuMi-Studie

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Erste Studien heben den Migrationshintergrund von Menschen in Deutschland als eigenständigen Risikofaktor für eine...     

Pharmacology of anticoagulants used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism

Anticoagulant drugs are the foundation of therapy for patients with VTE. While effective therapeutic agents, anticoagulants can also result in hemorrhage and other side effects. Thus, anticoagulant therapy selection should be guided by the risks, benefits and pharmacologic characteristics of each agent for each patient. Safe use of anticoagulants requires not only an in-depth knowledge of their pharmacologic properties but also a comprehensive approach to patient management and education. This paper will summarize the key pharmacologic properties of the anticoagulant agents used in the treatment of patients with VTE.     

Early statin therapy for acute coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical benefit of statins in the early management of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and their possible mechanisms of benefit. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1966-September 2001) was conducted using the following terms: pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, statins, hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, acute coronary syndromes, unstable angina, and myocardial infarction. Pertinent articles referenced in these publications were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: French- and English-language human and animal studies were selected and analyzed. DATA SYNTHESIS: In addition to their lipid-lowering properties, statins produce several nonlipid-related properties. These pleiotropic properties include improved endothelial function, reduction of inflammation at the site of the atherosclerotic plaque, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and anticoagulant effects, all of which may result in clinical benefit during ACSs. Preliminary studies and retrospective analyses of large clinical trials support the hypothesis that statins may be of benefit in ACSs. A recently published randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial evaluated the clinical impact of high-dose atorvastatin in patients with ACSs. Use of atorvastatin resulted in a decrease in a combined endpoint of cardiovascular events. Furthermore, initiation of statin therapy during hospitalization improves long-term compliance and may significantly improve clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of statins in ACSs appears to decrease cardiovascular events. We believe statin therapy should be initiated early (at the latest before hospital discharge) in all patients who have been hospitalized for ACSs. Ongoing studies will clarify the benefit of these agents in ACSs, the importance of their nonlipid-lowering properties, and the optimal cholesterol-target concentrations.     

Predictive performance study of two digoxin assays in subjects with various degrees of renal function

This prospective study was conducted to compare the predictive performance of fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA, Abbott TDx Digoxin II) and radioimmunoassay (RIA, Kallestad Labs) with combined low-pressure liquid chromatography/RIA (LPLC/RIA) digoxin assay in measuring 15-17 serum digoxin concentrations (SDC) obtained after a single 10 microg/kg intravenous digoxin dose in patients with various degrees of renal function and at different SDC ranges. Eighteen men and women were stratified into 3 age- and gender-matched groups based upon renal function [N = 6 in each, group I (Cl(cr) < 10 mL/min), group II (Cl(cr) = 10-50 mL/min), and group III (Cl(cr) > 50 mL/min)]. Serum digoxin concentrations were measured at time zero; at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours; and at 2, 3, 4, and 5-7 days after the digoxin dose, using the three different digoxin assays. TDx Digoxin II was unbiased [mean error -0.09 (95% CI -0.19, 0.01)] and RIA biased [mean error -0.29 (95% CI -0.36, -0.21)] to over-predict SDC by 14.2%. In group I patients, the analysis revealed a bias to over-predict SDC by 6.0% for TDx Digoxin II [mean error -0.16 (95% CI -0.29, -0.07)] and an unbiased performance by RIA. In groups II and III, both TDx Digoxin II and RIA showed biased performance, the mean magnitude of bias was low (< 20%). For intermediate SDC range (> 0.5 ng/mL and < or = 3.0 ng/mL), TDx Digoxin II was unbiased in predicting SDC, whereas RIA was biased to under-predict SDC [mean error 0.13 (95% CI 0.10, 0.16)] by 9.9%. The magnitude of bias observed in all cases was less than 20%. Both assays, TDx Digoxin II and RIA, imprecisely measured SDC for all samples combined, different groups and SDC ranges. In all time-paired samples, TDx Digoxin II (FPIA) performed better than the RIA. In conclusion, the magnitude of bias observed with either assay at different groups and SDC ranges was not likely to be clinically relevant. Therefore, either assay may be used to measure SDC in clinical practice.     

Risk stratification in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes with special focus on recent guidelines.

Patients with unstable angina or non-ST segment elevation (non-Q-wave) myocardial infarction are a heterogeneous group with respect to their risk of developing clinically significant adverse events such as subsequent myocardial infarction and death. Recent guidelines promote risk stratification of these patients, targeting high-risk patients for maximal antithrombotic and antiischemic therapy and low-risk patients for early discharge. We reviewed current and future modalities for risk stratification of patients and the predictive value of these methods in context with available pharmacologic agents. Unfortunately, most of the data identifying a particular pharmacologic regimen as beneficial in high-risk patients are retrospectively derived from large trials. Until prospective studies that use markers to guide therapy are available, clinicians should be familiar with the use of these risk markers and their application to the role of a given management strategy, including pharmacologic therapy.     

New recommendations from the 1999 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association acute myocardial infarction guidelines

OBJECTIVE: To review literature relating to significant changes in drug therapy recommendations in the 1999 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DATA SOURCES: 1999 ACC/AHA AMI guidelines, English-language clinical trials, reviews, and editorials researching the role of drug therapy and primary angioplasty for AMI that were referenced in the guidelines were included. Additional data published in 2000 or unpublished were also included if relevant to interpretation of the guidelines. STUDY SELECTION: The articles selected influence AMI treatment recommendations. DATA SYNTHESIS: Many clinicians and health systems use the ACC/AHA AMI guidelines to develop treatment plans for AMI patients. This review highlights important changes in AMI drug therapy recommendations by reviewing the results of recent clinical trials. Insights into evolving drug therapy strategies that may impact future guideline development are also described. CONCLUSIONS: Several changes in drug therapy recommendations were included in the 1999 AMI ACC/AHA guidelines. There is emphasis on administering fibrin-specific thrombolytics secondary to enhanced efficacy. Selection between fibrin-specific agents is unclear at this time. Low response rates to thrombolytics have been noted in the elderly, women, patients with heart failure, and those showing left bundle-branch block on the electrocardiogram. These patient groups should be targeted for improved utilization programs. The use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors in non-ST-segment elevation MI was emphasized. Small trials combining reduced doses of thrombolytics with GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors have shown promise by increasing reperfusion rates without increasing bleeding risk, but firm conclusions cannot be made until the results of larger trials are known. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) trials suggest lower mortality rates for primary PCI when compared with thrombolysis alone. However, primary PCI, including coronary angioplasty, is only available at approximately 13% of US hospitals, making thrombolysis the preferred strategy for most patients. Clopidogrel has supplanted ticlopidine as the recommended antiplatelet agent for patients with aspirin allergy or intolerance following reports of a better safety profile. The recommended dose of unfractionated heparin is lower than previously recommended, necessitating a separate nomogram for patients with acute coronary syndromes. Routine use of warfarin, either alone or in combination with aspirin, is not supported by clinical trials; however, warfarin remains a choice for antithrombotic therapy in patients intolerant to aspirin. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers continue to be recommended, and emphasis is placed on improving rates of early administration (during hospitalization), even in patients with moderate left ventricular dysfunction. New recommendations for drug treatment of post-AMI patients with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or elevated triglycerides are included, with either niacin or gemfibrozil recommended as an option. Supplementary antioxidants are not recommended for either primary or secondary prevention of AMI, with new data demonstrating lack of efficacy vitamin E in primary prevention. Estrogen replacement therapy or hormonal replacement therapy should not be initiated solely for prevention of cardiovascular disease, but can be continued in cardiovascular patients already taking long-term therapy for other reasons. Bupropion has been added as a new treatment option for smoking cessation. As drug therapy continues to evolve in treating AMI, more frequent updates of therapy guidelines will be necessary.     

Propafenone-Theophylline Interaction

A 63-year-old man with ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to drug therapy was admitted for surgical ablation of the VT with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. He developed increased theophylline concentrations with decreased calculated theophylline clearance after propafenone therapy for recurrent VT was initiated. Within 1 day after the addition of propafenone 150 mg every 8 hours to a drug regimen that included theophylline sustained-release tablets 300 mg every 12 hours, the patient demonstrated increased theophylline serum concentrations and decreased calculated theophylline clearance. Despite a decrease in theophylline dosage, theophylline concentrations continued to rise as the dosage of propafenone was increased to 300 mg every 8 hours. Theophylline was discontinued due to a rising theophylline level, improved oxygenation, and absence of wheezing. Both propafenone and theophylline are hepatically metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. The decrease in theophylline clearance of 25% to 69% in this patient may be due to competitive metabolism resulting in enzyme inhibition and increased theophylline concentrations. Since propafenone and 5-OH-propafenone levels were not measured, it is unknown whether propafenone clearance was affected as well. Health care practitioners should be aware of this possible drug interaction and monitor theophylline concentrations and the electrocardiogram closely if the agents are coadministered.     

Effectiveness of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight management

This study examined the effect of adding hypnosis to a behavioral weight-management program on short- and long-term weight change. One hundred nine subjects, who ranged in age from 17 to 67, completed a behavioral treatment either with or without the addition of hypnosis. At the end of the 9-week program, both interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. However, at the 8-month and 2-year follow-ups, the hypnosis clients showed significant additional weight loss, while those in the behavioral treatment exhibited little further change. More of the subjects who used hypnosis also achieved and maintained their personal weight goals. The utility of employing hypnosis as an adjunct to a behavioral weight-management program is discussed.