Tissue injury following surgery and trauma results in depressed CMI leading to an increased risk of infections. The peri-operative use of IMDs appear to reverse this immunosuppression and decrease the risk of postoperative complications. While β-adrenoreceptor blockage may be beneficial in these patients, particularly when combined with a IMD, additional research is required.

Although earlier studies showed a lower risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections when the internal jugular was compared to the femoral site, recent studies show no difference in the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections between the three sites.

No abstract

With the possible exceptions of Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids there is no data to support the widespread use of dietary supplements in Westernized populations; indeed, many of these supplements may be harmful.

HIV infection can cause multiple deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Emerging evidence has supported a direct association between HIV infection and accelerated atherosclerosis. The mechanism for atherosclerosis in HIV-positive patients is multifactorial, an interplay between conventional risk factors, HIV itself and highly active antiretroviral therapy. The case described is a 29-year-old man with HIV, non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy and with few cardiovascular risk factors, who presented with chest pain and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Cardiac catheterization revealed multiple coronary artery aneurysms in the left main coronary artery and the right coronary artery. Aneurysmal formation may develop from vasculitis, HIV itself, accelerated atherosclerosis, congenital formation or medications (e.g. protease inhibitors). The researchers provide a review of coronary artery disease, aneurysmal formation and vasculitic processes in the context of HIV. As this clinical entity becomes more apparent, alternative therapeutic options may need to be explored.