Bachelor's of Nursing

Is peripheral stem cell mobilization followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) feasible in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- associated lymphoma (HIV-L)? Studies have demonstrated that, in the HIV- negative (HIV(-)) setting, ASCT may improve lymphoma-free survival in high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or relapsed Hodgkin disease (HD) and NHL. Given the poor prognosis of HIV-L with conventional chemotherapy, this dose-intensive approach was explored. Nine patients with HIV-HD or NHL mobilized a median of 10.6 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg and engrafted after ASCT. CD4 counts recovered to pretransplantation levels and HIV viral loads were controlled in patients compliant with antiretroviral therapy. Seven of 9 patients remain in remission from their lymphoma at a median of 19 months after transplantation. Thus, patients with HIV-L on antiretroviral therapy can engraft following ASCT. Prolonged lymphoma remissions, without significant compromise of immune fun...

Definition Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral arterial occlusive disease and arte-riosclerosis obliterans, is a very common and serious condition in which cholesterol, scar tissue , and calcium (i.e., atherosclerosis) accumulate in peripheral arteries and decrease blood flow. Poor blood flow can injure nerves and other tissues. PAD is one of a group of vascular disorders characterized by the functional or structural narrowing of blood vessels external to the heart and brain and collectively known as peripheral vascular disease. Since the arteries of the lower extremities are a common site of involvement, PAD is often referred to in the medical literature as lower extremity occlusive disease. Prevalence PAD is an increasingly prevalent disease that is reaching epidemic proportions. An estimated 12-20% of Americans age 65 and older are affected. It has also been estimated that approximately 10 million people in the United States currently have symptomatic PAD. PAD can develop in anyone, but it is most common in men older than 50 years. The disease has no established racial predilection. Significance PAD has become a major public health issue and has the potential to cause not only loss of limb but also loss of life. Because the frequency of this condition is age-related, primary healthcare providers will be faced with increasing numbers of patients with PAD as the population ages. With the elderly population expected to increase 22% by the year 2040, PAD is also anticipated to have a major financial impact on the nation's healthcare system. The disease can be acutely life-threatening and often requires emergency intervention to minimize morbidity and mortality. In addition to serious complications such as severe leg pain and gangrene, people with PAD are also at significantly increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and aortic aneurysms from widespread atherosclerosis. PAD is a major direct cause of amputation today. T h i s s t u d y r e s o u r c e w a s s h a r e d v i a C o u r s e H e r o. c o m