RESUMO
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which leads to increased cardiovascular complications. Catheter ablation (CA) has emerged as an effective and safe treatment for AF in CKD patients. CA offers tailored treatment strategies and presents a safer alternative with fewer adverse outcomes than anti-arrhythmic agents. Although CKD patients undergoing ablation have similar complication rates to non-CKD patients, they face a higher risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. Furthermore, CA shows promise in improving kidney function, particularly in individuals who maintain sinus rhythm. Future research should address limitations by including advanced CKD patients, conducting longer-term follow-ups, and developing individualized treatment approaches.
RESUMO
Atrial fibrillation (AF), a cardiac arrhythmia, exhibits a heightened prevalence among individuals diagnosed with cancer, notably prominent in cases of lung and gastrointestinal malignancies. Robust evidence from extensive studies underscores this association, emphasizing its clinical significance. However, the precise mechanistic underpinnings and specific risk factors linking cancer and AF remain a subject of incomplete understanding. Notably, the prevalence of AF in cancer patients substantially exceeds that in non-cancer counterparts, prompting further exploration of the underlying pathophysiological processes. This review aims to address the existing knowledge void regarding AF management in cancer patients, with a specific focus on the potential role of ablation procedures. While catheter and surgical ablation techniques have been thoroughly investigated and validated as effective treatments within non-cancer populations, their applicability and outcomes in cancer patients have remained inadequately explored. The principal objective of this exhaustive review is to bridge this research gap by conducting a meticulous examination of the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of ablation interventions for AF in the context of cancer patients. By amalgamating existing evidence and pinpointing critical areas necessitating additional investigation, this review endeavors to provide invaluable insights into AF management in cancer patients, with the ultimate goal of enhancing their clinical care and optimizing outcomes.
RESUMO
Glycyrrhizic acid, better known as licorice, is commonly found in various food and cosmetic products. Excessive consumption is known to cause a syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess or pseudo hyperaldosteronism. Patients typically present with resistant hypertension and hypokalemia mimicking symptoms of primary hyperaldosteronism however laboratory workup will reveal low or normal levels of plasma renin and aldosterone in the serum. While diagnosis of licorice toxicity is relatively straight forward, the challenge lies in determining the culpable agent. We report the case of a Chinese man who initially presented with resistant hypertension and hypokalemia refractory to therapy and was later diagnosed with pseudo hyperaldosteronism secondary to licorice toxicity.