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Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a valvular disease characterized by retrograde blood flow from the aorta to the left ventricle. Various etiologies result in either an acute or chronic clinical presentation of AR and affect the severity of disease progression. Acute AR is a medical emergency caused by sudden increases in left ventricular volume. Immediate surgical intervention, vasoactive agents, and antibiotics are crucial for management. Chronic AR progresses gradually, leading to heart failure symptoms due to left ventricular remodeling. Diagnoses of both acute and chronic AR rely on electrocardiography, chest radiographs, and echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be incorporated in chronic AR diagnosis. Medical management of chronic AR aims to control hypertension and delay left ventricular dysfunction. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and potentially calcium-channel blockers are recommended for chronic AR. ß-Blockers are cautioned against because of their potential negative effects. This article emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention in AR. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of acute and chronic AR and a medication regimen for treating chronic AR in the adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 65-year old male patient with a medical history of COPD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 3A chronic kidney disease and was diagnosed with rectus sheath hematoma (RSH). The patient demonstrated cardiomegaly, progressive abdominal pain, ecchymosis, abdominal distension and metabolic acidosis. The clinical presentation and classification of RSH, complications, common signs and symptoms, and treatment are discussed.

Effective management of dyslipidemia is of paramount importance to prevent cardiovascular (CV) complications. Using current clinical practice guidelines is recommended to correct lipid levels and prevent further pathologic processes. This article presents an overview of treatment options for patients with dyslipidemia and CV disease, with a special focus on the following drug classes: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (also called statins), cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe), bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, icosapent ethyl, and PCSK9 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute pulmonary embolism is a challenging and potentially fatal disease that requires prompt assessment and precise management. Due to the lack of specific symptoms, NPs need to know how to identify a pulmonary embolism to manage it safely. This article discusses risk factors, initial approach, and diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism using pretest probability and risk stratification tools. A mnemonic is proposed to guide medical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal condition that is often underdiagnosed due to its ambiguous and generalized symptoms. As such, nurse practitioners (NPs) may struggle to respond in a timely and accurate manner to clients presenting with acute PE. Given the complexities of diagnosing and managing PE, we propose a visual clinical care pathway to support NPs in recognizing and stratifying clients' risks of PE. The article provides guidance regarding PE diagnostic testing and offers a summary of effective, evidence-based treatment options for adult clients, including those with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]