Is first-pass effect a meaningful metric to evaluate thrombectomy technologies?

BackgroundGood clinical outcomes following stroke thrombectomy have been associated with successful reperfusion following a single pass, often referred to as the first pass effect (FPE). Inherent in FPE is a potential association with rapid recanalization. It remains unclear if the benefit associated with FPE is an epiphenomenon rather than a meaningful metric to evaluate thrombectomy.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of intravenous levetiracetam in neurocritical care patients.

Study Objectives: To characterize the steady-state pharmacokinetics of intravenous levetiracetam in neurocritical care patients requiring seizure prophylaxis after a neurologic injury and to determine which dosing regimens achieve serum concentrations within the recommended therapeutic range of 6-20 μg/ml. DESIGN. Prospective, open-label, steady-state pharmacokinetic study.

Pituitary macroadenoma in a patient with POEMS syndrome in conjunction with Castleman disease: first report of a case and review of related literature.

Objective: To describe the first reported case of a patient with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) in conjunction with the endocrinologic manifestation of panhypopituitarism due to a large clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma.

Methods: We present the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic details of the case and review the relevant updated literature.

Results: A 48-year-old man with hypopituitarism and progressive polyneuropathy presented to an outside hospital with confusion and diaphoresis.