ABSTRACT
Acetazolamide and thiazide diuretics have been combined with loop diuretics to overcome diuretic resistance in heart failure patients. However, recent studies have assessed the upfront combination of acetazolamide and hydrochlorothiazide with loop diuretics in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure without loop diuretic resistance. We reviewed two recent randomized controlled trials on the upfront use of acetazolamide and thiazide diuretics in acute decompensated heart failure, respectively. When the two trials on acetazolamide are considered together, adding oral or intravenous acetazolamide to loop diuretics in decompensated heart failure patients resulted in increased diuresis and natriuresis. However, the effects were significantly higher in patients with serum bicarbonate ≥ 27 mmol/L and those with higher baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Similarly, when the two trials on thiazide diuretics are considered together, adding hydrochlorothiazide to loop diuretics in decompensated heart failure patients resulted in increased diuresis and weight loss. However, it increases the risk of impaired renal function. When all the trials are considered together, the upfront use of acetazolamide may be helpful in carefully selected patients, including patients with underlying elevated bicarbonate levels (≥ 27 mmol/L) and those with good renal function (GFR > 50). Conversely, though the upfront use of thiazide diuretic added to intravenous furosemide improved diuretic response in acute decompensated heart failure, it causes an increased risk of worsening renal function and lack of clear evidence of reducing hospital length of stay.
ABSTRACT
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition characterized by bleeding into the alveolar spaces of the lungs. DAH can occur due to a wide range of etiologies including autoimmune diseases, infections, drugs, and malignancies. The clinical presentation is variable and may include cough, dyspnea, fever, and hemoptysis. Diagnosis is often challenging due to the nonspecific symptoms and a lack of definitive diagnostic criteria. Treatment is primarily aimed at addressing the underlying cause and providing supportive care.
ABSTRACT
Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that predominantly affects the body's blood vessels, exhibiting various clinical manifestations and complications. The exact cause remains unclear, but genetic predisposition, immune responses, and vascular activation are believed to contribute to its development. This disease is more prevalent in certain geographic regions and primarily affects young adults, particularly males. Pulmonary aneurysm, a complication of Behçet's disease, is the leading cause of mortality in Behcet disease. In this review, we summarize the complications of Behcet disease with a focus on pulmonary artery aneurysms. We discussed the medical, endovascular, and surgical management of pulmonary aneurysms in Behcet disease and the indications and outcomes of the different treatment options. Corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide remain the preferred first-line therapy. However, clinical improvement with infliximab or adalimumab, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) blocking agents, have been reported after treatment failure with recommended first-line agents. In patients who fail medical therapy or those with life-threatening hemoptysis, endovascular or surgical intervention is the next option. Endovascular interventions include pulmonary artery embolization with coils or acrylic glue and using plugs, occluders, or stents. Endovascular interventions usually have fewer adverse effects than surgery. Although the risk of surgical procedures is high in pulmonary artery aneurysms, it could be a life-saving procedure in patients with life-threatening hemoptysis. Surgical options, including pulmonary artery ligation, aneurysmorrhaphy, segmentectomy, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy are available. However, the results of surgical therapy for Behçet aneurysms are often disappointing.
