Healthy persons at risk for iron substitution

Comment on a current opinion article on the – cool – topic of iron deficiency treatment.

Invasive haemodynamic evaluation of the pulmonary circulation in pulmonary hypertension

In cases of suspected pulmonary hypertension, invasive investigation of the pulmonary circulation is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, identify the underlying pathology, determine the prognosis, select appropriate treatment and, possibly, monitor response.

Medical challenges at the end of the first ten decades of life

The challenges in the management of very old patients can be explained by a tremendous number of concomitant biological alterations of the body. However, medical management in the last years of life should not concentrate only on the management of polymorbid patients and their concomitant use of medication.

Rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

For many years, PAH patients were advised to avoid strenuous activities. Now, pulmonary rehabilitation is a recommended therapy in addition to optimal medical therapy, if performed within a highly experienced team under expert supervision.

Medical use of cannabis in Switzerland: analysis of approved exceptional licences

The endocannabinoid system has emerged as a target of pharmacotherapy, but medical use of cannabis derivatives has been strictly limited by their status as illegal, schedule I drugs.

Physicians’ experience with follow-up care of childhood cancer survivors – challenges and needs

There is an increasing population of childhood cancer survivors thanks to improvements in treatment. These survivors are at increased risk for developing late effects of the cancer and the treatment received.

Adherence to osteoporosis pharmacotherapy one year after osteoporotic fracture - a Swiss trauma center secondary prevention project

According to current evidence, one out of ten fracture patients with osteoporosis does not sustain another fracture if receiving adequate medication. However, only about 15 to 30% of affected patients avail themselves of the treatment.

Changing trends in end-stage renal disease patients with diabetes

An understanding of the epidemiology of diabetic nephropathy, which varies between countries, is of great importance to the development and implementation of prevention and management strategies.

Glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid goal attainment and chronic kidney disease stage of type 2 diabetic patients treated in primary care practices

Specific goals for blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid control have been defined for diabetes patients. Primary care physicians have difficulty in reaching all goals, as time dedicated to the care of patients in an outpatient setting is confined.

True prevalence of COPD and its association with peripheral arterial disease in the internal medicine ward of a tertiary care hospital

It is hypothesised that chronic inflammation of the lower respiratory tract present in COPD can spill over and become systemic. Since they also have common risk factors, an association between COPD and cardiovascular disease is not surprising.

Impact of new technologies and experience on procedural aspects of surgical aortic valve replacement – a process analysis

New techniques and prostheses have been recently developed to facilitate the procedure and reduce aortic cross-clamp time during surgical aortic valve replacement.

Design of the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study (Swiss-AF): structural brain damage and cognitive decline among patients with atrial fibrillation

Several studies found that patients with atrial fibrillation have an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia over time. However, the magnitude of the problem, associated risk factors and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation: excellent outcome and life expectancy after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

The concept of the minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation circuit (MiECC) was introduced to minimise pathophysiological side effects of conventional extracorporeal circulation.

Cohort profile: The Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort (KIULARCO) - A prospective HIV cohort in rural Tanzania

A dynamic and valuable prospective observational cohort study that may serve as a model for strengthening clinical care in similar settings in sub-Saharan Africa.