Interpretation of the Guidelines for Acute Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 胃肠病学

Since 2015, the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES), the Digestive Endoscopy Specialized Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association Endoscopy Physician Branch, the Asia-Pacific working group and the International Consensus Group have updated the guidelines for acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (ANVUGIB). This article summarized these recently published guidelines and made a systematic comparison from the aspects of pre-endoscopic management, endoscopic management, post-endoscopic management and secondary prophylaxis for providing a reference for standardizing the management process of ANVUGIB.

Pharmacologic Management of Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the most common etiology of which is peptic ulcer disease, remains a persistent challenge despite a reduction in both its incidence and mortality. Both pharmacologic and endoscopic techniques have been developed to achieve hemostasis, with varying degrees of success. Among the pharmacologic therapies, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) remains the mainstay of treatment with potent acid suppression. Maintenance of the intragastric pH level above 6 by the administration of PPI prevents hemolysis caused by acid or pepsin and thereby promotes aggregation of platelets. Intragastric acid suppression can be achieved more effectively with continuous intravenous infusion of PPI after intravenous bolus injection. A high dose intravenous PPI is effective in reducing the risk of rebleeding, the need for surgery and repeated endoscopy. However, data regarding non-high dose intravenous PPIs are limited. In the future, novel PPIs and potassium-competitove acid blocker are in the area of interest. Combination therapy with the use of endoscopic hemostatic treatment and intravenous PPI administration is known to result in the best outcome for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The pharmacological management of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain has recently been defined as "pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system". Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic condition that remains very difficult to treat and challenging to manage. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptiline, nortriptyline, imipramine), selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine, venlafaxine), anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin), and 5% lidocaine patches have demonstrated efficacy in neuropathic pain and are recommended as first-line medications. In patients who fail to respond to these first-line medications alone and/or in combination, opioid analgesics or tramadol can be used as a second-line treatment alone or in combination with one of the first-line medications. Opioid analgesics and tramadol can also be considered for first-line use in selected clinical circumstances. Other pharmacological therapeutic options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antiepileptic drugs (levetiracetam, lacosamide, lamotrigine, valproic acid), cannabinoids, high concentration capsaicin patch, and botulinum toxin A. Medication selection should be individualized, with side effects taken into consideration as well as potential beneficial or deleterious effects on comorbidities, and whether or not prompt onset of pain relief is necessary.

Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a multifactorial condition with both physical and psychological symptoms, and it affects around 20% of the population in the developed world. In spite of outstanding advances in pain management over the past decades, chronic pain remains a significant problem. This article provides a mechanism- and evidence-based approach to improve the outcome for pharmacologic management of chronic pain. The usual approach to treat mild to moderate pain is to start with a nonopioid analgesic. If this is inadequate, and if there is an element of sleep deprivation, then it is reasonable to add an antidepressant with analgesic qualities. If there is a component of neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia, then a trial with one of the gabapentinoids is appropriate. If these steps are inadequate, then an opioid analgesic may be added. For moderate to severe pain, one would initiate an earlier trial of a long term opioid. Skeletal muscle relaxants and topicals may also be appropriate as single agents or in combination. Meanwhile, the steps of pharmacologic treatments for neuropathic pain include (1) certain antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), calcium channel alpha2-delta ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin) and topical lidocaine, (2) opioid analgesics and tramadol (for first-line use in selected clinical circumstances) and (3) certain other antidepressant and antiepileptic medications (topical capsaicin, mexiletine, and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists). It is essential to have a thorough understanding about the different pain mechanisms of chronic pain and evidence-based multi-mechanistic treatment. It is also essential to increase the individualization of treatment.

Pharmacologic Management of Cancer Pain

Flexibility is important in managing cancer pain. As patients vary in diagnosis, stage of disease, responses to pain and treatments, and personal likes and dislikes, management of cancer pain must be individualized. Patients, their families, and their health care providers must work together closely to manage a patient's pain effectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a 3 step approach for pain management based on the severity of the pain: (1 For mild to moderate pain, the doctor may prescribe a Step 1 pain medication such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). 20 When pain lasts or increases, the doctor may change the prescription to a Step 2 or Step 3 pain medication. Most patients with cancerrelated pain will need a Step 2 or Step 3 medication. The doctor may skip Step 1 medications if the patient initially has moderate to severe pain. (3 The patient should take doses regularly, "by mouth, by the clock" (at scheduled times), to maintain a constant level of the drug in the body; this will help prevent recurrence of pain. If the patient is unable to swallow, the drugs are given by other routes (for example, by infusion or injection).

The Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management of Arrhythmia / 대한구급학회지

Arrhythmias are categorized as due to abnormal impulse formation, abnormal impulse propagation or combined abnormalities of impulse formation and propagation. The primary tools used in the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias are the history, physical examination,12-lead electrocardiogram,24-hour continuous electrocardiographic recording, exercise test,intermittent electrocardiographic recording and clinical electrophysiologic study. Optimal management of cardiac arrhythmias requires knowledge of their mechanism,etiology, natural history and effect on the hemodynamic state.And the antiarrhythmic treatment must be monitored closely for its initial and continued effectiveness and for adverse effects.