Systemic Corticosteroid Use in Heart Failure

Systemic inflammation in patients with heart failure.

AIMS We hypothesized that chronic heart failure as a model of systemic hypoxia may result in systemic inflammation. The signs of a systemic inflammatory response should disappear after successful mechanical circulatory support using biventricular assist device systems. METHODS AND RESULTS Plasma levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) and soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM, sE-, sL-, sP-Se...

Systemic corticosteroid hypersensitivity in children.

We describe 5 cases of immediate-type reactions to systemic corticosteroids observed during the last 2 decades in boys aged 2, 4, 8, 9, and 10 years. Symptoms ranged from generalized urticaria and angioedema to anaphylactic shock immediately after administration. Oral betamethasone was implicated in 2 cases, oral prednisolone in 2 cases, and intravenous prednisolone in 1 case. The parents of pa...

Ambulatory Heart Failure Monitoring: A Systemic Review

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and has a large effect on the country's economy. Although there have been major advances in HF monitoring, including more advanced pharmacological management and device-based therapy, HF-related mortality remains high. It is important to monitor HF so that HF-related hospitalization and mortality can be prevented. Due to...

Beta-blocker use in decompensated heart failure.

Despite the current advances in treatment, acute decompensated heart failure accounts for more than 1 million hospital admissions annually. Many of the patients hospitalized are already receiving long-term treatment with beta-blockers. For patients who receive full dose beta-blocker therapy and suffer acute decompensated heart failure, clinicians face two key questions: what to do, if anything,...

Biomarkers in heart failure: ready for use?