Israel Medical Association Journal

Background: Magnesium is an essential intracellular cation. Magnesium deficiency is common in the general population and its prevalence among patients with cirrhosis is even higher. Correlation between serum levels and total body content is poor because most magnesium is intracellular. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is a subclinical phase of hepatic encephalopathy with no overt symptoms. Cognitive exams can reveal minor changes in coordination, attention, and visuomotor function, whereas language and verbal intelligence are usually relatively spared.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between intracellular and serum magnesium levels and minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods: Outpatients with a diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded study. Patients were recruited for the study from November 2013 to January 2014, and were randomly assigned to a control (placebo) or an interventional (treated with magnesium oxide) group. Serum and intracellular magnesium levels were measured at enrollment and at the end of the study. Cognitive function was assessed by a specialized occupational therapist.

Results: Forty-two patients met the inclusion criteria, 29 of whom were included in this study. Among these, 83% had abnormal cognitive exam results compatible with minimal hepatic encephalopathy. While only 10% had hypomagnesemia, 33.3% had low levels of intracellular magnesium. Initial intracellular and serum magnesium levels positively correlated with cognitive performance.

Conclusions: Magnesium deficiency is common among patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. We found an association between magnesium deficiency and impairment in several cognitive function tests. This finding suggests involvement of magnesium in the pathophysiology of minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Electrocardiography abnormalities are a common finding in athletes. To facilitate the differentiation of physiological adaptation versus pathological remodeling, a series of guidelines has emerged in the past decade that attempt to improve specificity while maintaining a high sensitivity. Recently, T wave inversion in the athletic population gained more attention, resulting in accelerated research leading to novel findings not yet integrated into clinical practice. We aim to simplify the knowledge to date and integrate it into one easy to use practical flowchart.

Background: Outcomes of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are strongly correlated to the time interval from hospital entry to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Current guidelines recommend a door to balloon time of < 90 minutes. 

Objectives: To reduce the time from hospital admission to PPCI and to increase the proportion of patients treated within 90 minutes. 

Methods: In March 2013 the authors launched a seven-component intervention program: 

1. Direct patient evacuation by out-of-hospital emergency medical services to the coronary intensive care unit or catheterization laboratory


2. Education program for the emergency department staff


3. Dissemination of information regarding the urgency of the PPCI decision


4. Activation of the catheterization team by a single phone call


5. Reimbursement for transportation costs to on-call staff who use their own cars


6. Improvement in the quality of medical records


7. Investigation of failed cases and feedback 

Results: During the 14 months prior to the intervention, initiation of catheterization occurred within 90 minutes of hospital arrival in 88/133 patients(65%); during the 18 months following the start of the intervention, the rate was 181/200 (90%) (P < 0.01). The respective mean/median times to treatment were 126/67 minutes and 52/47 minutes (P < 0.01). Intervention also resulted in shortening of the time interval from hospital entry to PPCI on nights and weekends. 

Conclusions: Following implementation of a comprehensive intervention, the time from hospital admission to PPCI of STEMI patients shortened significantly, as did the proportion of patients treated within 90 minutes of hospital arrival. 

 

Background: Systemic CD11b+ cells have been associated with several cardiac diseases, such as chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To assess the levels of circulating CD11b+ cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in cardiomyopathy induced by chronic adrenergic stimulation.

Methods: Male Lewis rats were injected with low doses of isoproterenol (isoprel) for 3 months. Cardiac parameters were tested by echocardiography. The percentage of CD11b+ cells was tested by flow cytometry. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the sera were determined by an inflammation array, and the expression levels of cardiac interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reactions. Cardiac fibrosis and inflammation were determined by histological analysis.

Results: Chronic isoprel administration resulted in increased heart rate, cardiac hypertrophy, elevated cardiac peri-vascular fibrosis, reduced fractional shortening, and increased heart weight per body weight ratio compared to control animals. This clinical presentation was associated with accumulation of CD11b+ cells in the spleen with no concomitant cardiac inflammation. Cardiac dysfunction was also associated with elevated sera levels of IL-1 alpha and over expression of cardiac IL-1 receptor type 2.

Conclusions: CD11b+ systemic levels and IL-1 signaling are associated with cardiomyopathy induced by chronic adrenergic stimulation. Further studies are needed to define the role of systemic immunomodulation in this cardiomyopathy.

 

Background: Concerns about metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) prohibit the use of metformin in a large subset of diabetic patients, mostly in patients with chronic kidney disease. Increasing evidence suggests that the current safety regulations may be overly restrictive.

Objectives: To examine the association between chronic metformin treatment and lactate level in acute illness on the first day of admission to an internal medicine ward.

Methods: We compared diabetic and non-diabetic hospitalized patients treated or not treated with metformin in different sets of kidney function.

Results: A total of 140 patients participated in the study, 54 diabetic patients on chronic metformin treatment, 33 diabetic patients without metformin and 53 patients with no diabetes. Most participants were admitted for conditions that prohibit metformin use, such as heart failure, hypoxia and sepsis. Average lactate level was significantly higher in the diabetes + metformin group compared to the diabetes non-metformin group. Metformin treatment was not associated with higher than normal lactate level (hyperlactatemia) or low pH. No patient was hospitalized for lactic acidosis as the main diagnosis.

Conclusions: Chronic metformin treatment mildly increases lactate level, but does not induce hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis in acute illness on the first day of admission to an internal medicine ward. These data support the expansion of metformin use.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) occurs frequently in the general population and is considered a benign self-limited disease. Dialysis patients constitute a high risk population whose morbidity and mortality rate as a result of URTI is unknown. 

Objectives: To assess the local incidence, morbidity and mortality of URTI in dialysis patients compared to the general population. 

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we reviewed the charts of all chronic dialysis patients diagnosed with URTI at Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel during the 2014–2015 winter season. 

Results: Among 185 dialysis patients, 40 were found to be eligible for the study. The average age was 66.1 ± 15.7 years, and the co-morbidity index was high. Influenza A was the most common pathogen found, followed by rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and para-influenza. Of the 40 patients 21 (52.5%) developed complications: pneumonia in 20%, hospitalization in 47.5%, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in 12.5%. Overall mortality was 10%. General population data during the same seasonal period showed a peak pneumonia incidence of 4.4% compared to 20% in the study population (P < 0.0001). 

Conclusions: The study findings show that compared to the general population, URTI in dialysis patients is a much more severe disease and has a higher complication rate. Influenza A, the most common pathogen, is associated with a worse prognosis. 

 

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often accompanied by impairment of cardiac function that may lead to major cardiac events. Erythropoietin (EPO), a kidney-produced protein, was shown to be beneficial to heart function. It was suggested that reduced EPO secretion in CKD may play a role in the initiation of heart damage. 

Objectives: To investigate molecular changes in the EPO/erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) axis in rat cardiomyocytes using a rat model for CKD.

Methods: We established a rat model for CKD by kidney resection. Cardiac tissue sections were stained with Masson’s trichrome to assess interstitial fibrosis indicating cardiac damage. To evaluate changes in the EPO/EPO-R signaling cascade in the myocardium we measured cardiac EPO and EPO-R as well as the phosphorylation levels of STAT-5, a downstream element in this cascade.

Results: At 11 weeks after resection, animals presented severe renal failure reflected by reduced creatinine clearance, elevated blood urea nitrogen and presence of anemia. Histological analysis revealed enhanced fibrosis in cardiac sections of CKD animals compared to the sham controls. Parallel to these changes, we found that although cardiac EPO levels were similar in both groups, the expression of EPO-R and the activated form of its downstream protein STAT-5 were significantly lower in CKD animals.

Conclusions: CKD results in molecular changes in the EPO/EPO-R axis. These changes may play a role in early cardiac damage observed in the cardiorenal syndrome.

 

Background: Kite surfing is one of the trendiest water sports worldwide. With its growing popularity evidence has begun to accumulate regarding its potential for injuries which range from minor insults to death. 

Objectives: To define the epidemiology and distribution of common kite surfing injuries among recreational athletes. 

Methods: An open letter was published on the web calling for surfers to report injuries inflicted during recreational kite surfing. In addition, we received data from the National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research. 

Results: Our survey yielded only a small series of 48 injuries. Most kite surfing injuries are isolated injuries, although some are life threatening as occurred in two surfers who died due to severe head injuries. Among the injuries, 72.9% are related to the musculoskeletal system, followed by head and chest injuries (18.7% and 14.6%, respectively). Of the orthopedic injuries 48.6% are fractures, the majority in the lower limbs (58.8%). 

Conclusions: Our findings combined with those of previous articles on kite surfing-associated injuries contribute to a better understanding of such injuries, raise awareness in emergency department personnel, and indicate precautions needed to avoid or lessen incapacitating and potentially life-threatening injuries. 

 

We present a literature review of collaborative enterprises between psychiatrists and primary care physicians in Israel and other countries. Also described are local psychiatric liaison initiatives in Israel, as well as landmark studies of collaborative psychiatric care. These studies demonstrate the superiority of community psychiatric liaison models in the treatment of patients suffering from depressive anxiety disorders and somatization disorder. In light of the mental health reform process currently underway in Israel, it is important to develop, implement and assess such liaison models. 

Background: Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease. Nevertheless, the role of specific biomarkers as indicators for both coronary and carotid diseases is debatable.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of biomarkers with coronary and carotid disease.

Methods: We studied 522 consecutive patients with stable angina. All underwent coronary angiography and carotid duplex study on the same day. Patients with no apparent carotid plaques were evaluated for carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) using an automated system that sampled over 100 samples in each carotid artery. Biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease risk were obtained at the time of coronary angiography, including serum lipid levels, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), white blood cell count, fibrinogen and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Results: The mean age of the patients was 66 ± 11; 73% were males. Significant carotid stenosis was associated with higher hs-CRP (9.4 ± 17 vs. 6.3 ± 13 mg/L, P = 0.001), while high HbA1c (6.7 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 0.8%, P < 0.001) and low high density lipoprotein levels (40 ± 9 vs. 47 ± 14 mg/dl, P < 0.001) were linked with advanced coronary artery disease severity. In contrast, CIMT was not related to any of the biomarkers evaluated.

Conclusions: Although atherosclerosis is considered a systemic disease, different biomarkers are associated with coronary and carotid artery disease. Identifying the specific biomarkers for each disease is important for both prevention and for exposing the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism.