Modern iodinated contrast media (CM) consist of one or two tri-iodobenzene rings. They differ from each other in the composition of the side chains, creating different molecules and thus different brand substances. After intravascular administration, all CM are distributed rapidly into intravascular and extracellular fluids. They are eliminated solely by glomerular filtration. In patients with normal renal function, CMs are eliminated within 24 h. The pathophysiology of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is based on three distinct but interacting mechanisms: medullary ischaemia, formation of reactive oxygen species and direct tubular cell toxicity. The contribution of each of these mechanisms to the development of CIN in the individual patient remains unclear. CIN prevention is extensively described in guidelines, such as the recently updated guideline from the Contrast Media Safety Committee (CMSC) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR). The recent update is briefly discussed. Furthermore, it remains unclear if volume expansion with either NaCl 0.9 % or NaHCO3 1.4 % is superior.Teaching points• After intravascular injection, CM are distributed over intravascular and extracellular fluids.• CM are eliminated by glomerular filtration in patients with normal kidney function.• CIN pathophysiology is based on medullary ischaemia, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tubular cell toxicity.• It remains unclear if volume expansion with either NaCl 0.9 % or NaHCO31.4 % is superior.
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are multipotent progenitors with unlimited developmental potential, and in vitro differentiated ES cell-derived neuronal progenitors can develop into functional neurons when transplanted in the central nervous system. As the capacity of naive primary ES cells to integrate in the adult brain and the role of host neural tissue therein are yet largely unknown, we grafted low densities of undifferentiated mouse ES (mES) cells in adult mouse brain regions associated with neurodegenerative disorders; and we demonstrate that ES cell-derived neurons undergo gradual integration in recipient tissue and acquire morphological and electrophysiological properties indistinguishable from those of host neurons. Only some brain areas permitted survival of mES-derived neural progenitors and formed instructive environments for neuronal differentiation and functional integration of naive mES cells. Hence, region-specific presence of microenvironmental cues and their pivotal involvement in controlling ES cell integration in adult brain stress the importance of recipient tissue characteristics in formulating cell replacement strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Clinical decision support systems have been shown to improve practitioner performance. Most systems designed to prevent medication errors generate lists with patients who fulfill the criteria of the algorithm. These lists are reviewed by a pharmacist and physicians are contacted by telephone. Presenting pop-up alerts as part of the workflow with a clear recommendation is a feature critical to success. Therefore we implemented three algorithms in a clinical decision support system alerting during the medication ordering process. We analyzed whether the recommendations in these alerts were followed. We evaluated 1. whether folic or folinic acid was co-prescribed more frequently within 48 h after ordering methotrexate, 2. whether vitamin D or analogues were co-prescribed more frequently within 48 h after ordering bisphophonates and 3. whether sodium lowering drugs were stopped more frequently within one hour in patients with hyponatremia. We analyzed the difference in the 48 days before implementation and the 43 days after implementation, using Pearson's Chi test. Co-prescription of folic or folinic acid increased from 54 to 91% (p = 0.014), co-prescription of vitamin D or analogues increased from 11 to 40% (p = 0.001) and the number of stopped orders for sodium lowering drugs increased from 3 to 14% (p = 0.002). This clinical decision support system that alerts physicians for preventable medication errors during the medication ordering process is an effective approach to improve prescribing behavior.
Purpose Treatment schedules for antithrombotic therapy are complex, and there is a risk of inappropriate prescribing or continuation of antithrombotic therapy beyond the intended period of time. The primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency of unintentional guideline deviations in hospitalized patients. Secondary aims were to determine whether the frequency of unintentional guideline deviations decreased after intervention by a pharmacist, to determine the acceptance rate of the interventions and to determine the type of interventions. Methods We performed a non-controlled prospective intervention study in three teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. We examined whether hospitalized patients who used the combination of an anticoagulant plus at least one other antithrombotic agent had an unintentional guideline deviation. In these cases, the hospital pharmacist contacted the physician to assess whether this deviation was intentional. If the deviation was unintentional, a recommendation was provided how to adjust the antithrombotic regimen according to guideline recommendations. Results Of the 988 included patients, 407 patients had an unintentional guideline deviation (41.2%). After intervention, this was reduced to 22 patients (2.2%) (p < 0.001). The acceptance rate of the interventions was 96.6%. The most frequently performed interventions were discontinuation of an low molecular weight heparin in combination with a direct oral anticoagulant and discontinuation of an antiplatelet agent when there was no indication for the combination of an antiplatelet agent and an anticoagulant. Conclusion A significant number of hospitalized patients who used an anticoagulant plus one other antithrombotic agent had an unintentional guideline deviation. Intervention by a pharmacist decreased unintentional guideline deviations.
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