The cardiotoxicity of anticancer agents can lead to significant complications that can affect patients being treated for various malignancies. The severity of such toxicity depends on many factors such as the molecular site of action, the immediate and cumulative dose, the method of administration, the presence of any underlying cardiac condition, and the demographics of the patient. Moreover, ...

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the two important metabolic complications of diabetes, the other being hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic state (HHNS). DKA consists of the triad of hyperglycaemia, ketosis and acidosis; the diagnostic criteria being blood glucose level > 250 mg/dl, arterial pH < 7.3, bicarbonate level < 15 mEq/L and a moderate degree of ketonaemia and ketonuria. There...

In Australia, the lifetime use of cocaine is rising, with 3% of the population aged over 14 using cocaine in 1991, increasing to 4.5% in 1998, and cocaine use accounting for 10% of all deaths secondary to illicit drug use in 1998. Cocaine is prepared from the leaves of the plant Erythroxylon coca, and is available as cocaine hydrochloride (a water-soluble powder or granule which can be taken or...

Patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) represent an important segment of Tunisian population, and mostly because of the high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with renal insufficiency, detection and treatment of chronic renal disease is now a public health priority (Abderrahim E et al., 2001, Ben Maïz H et al., 2006, Counil E et al., 2008). The increased incidence of CVD is lik...

During a 3 year period, 1987-1989, we encountered three major complications associated with parenteral nutrition leading to congestive cardiac failure--acute beriberi, right atrial and superior vena caval thrombosis, and fungal endocarditis. Unrecognized, these are invariably fatal. Persistent vomiting from intestinal obstruction led to the development of thiamine deficiency in the patient with...

During the course of a normal pregnancy, the cardiovascular system of the mother is required to adapt to significant alterations in hemodynamics, including an almost 50% increase in cardiac output. This change in cardiac output is mediated by a significant increase in heart rate, a change in blood volume, as well as a neurohormonally mediated increase in vasodilatation. Simultaneously, signific...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death following renal transplantation. Its frequency varies as a consequence of such factors as age and the prevalence of CVD in the general population. However, its prevalence is around five times higher than in the general population according to an ERA–EDTA Registry analysis w1x. There are four main categories of CVD, namely, coronary arte...