• Podcast - Don’t huff and puff: NICE tips on stable COPD management
    Jul 14 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/VZMKD0bY1G8 The link to the video on COPD diagnosis can be found here:https://youtu.be/o_q8TTra3Ys This episode makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE. My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode, I go through the management section of the NICE guideline [NG115] on COPD in adults, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kmGZkt1ssZ9Ei8n8mMaE0?si=9d30d1993449494e· Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/0edb5fd8-affb-4c5a-9a6d-6962c1b7f0a1/primary-care-guidelines?ref=dm_sh_NnjF2h4UuQxyX0X3Lb3WQtR5P· Google Podcast: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5yZWRjaXJjbGUuY29tLzI1ODdhZDc4LTc3MzAtNDhmNi04OTRlLWYxZjQxNzhlMzdjMw%3D%3D· Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/2587ad78-7730-48f6-894e-f1f4178e37c3 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: ● The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The resources consulted can be found here:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management- NICE guideline [NG115]:● https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG115The visual summary for the treatment of COPD can be found here:● https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115/resources/visual-summary-treatment-algorithm-pdf-6604261741The NICE technology appraisals on oseltamivir, amantadine and zanamivir to prevent and treat flu can be found here:● https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta158 Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] ● Music provided by Audio Library Plus ● Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU ● Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to do an up-to-date review of the NICE guideline on the management of stable COPD in adults, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. If you wish to know about COPD diagnosis, please see the corresponding episode on this channel. The link is in the episode description. Right, so let’s jump into it.For COPD management, once we have offered smoking cessation advice and support, we will offer inhaled therapy. Let’s have a look at the different types of inhalers. We have:· Short-acting beta2 agonists or SABAs, like salbutamol· Short-acting muscarinic antagonists or SAMAs, like ipratropium· Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)· Long-acting muscarinic antagonists or LAMAs and· Long-acting beta2 agonists or LABAsWhen do we use the different types of inhalers? Well, these are the general rules to follow:· We will use short-acting bronchodilators, that is, either SABAs or SAMAs, as necessary, to relieve breathlessness and exercise limitation. · We will judge the effectiveness of bronchodilator therapy depending on symptom improvement, not just lung function alone. · We will not use oral corticosteroid reversibility tests to identify who should be prescribed inhaled corticosteroids, because oral steroids do not predict response to inhaled corticosteroid therapy. · We will take into account the risk of side effects (including pneumonia) of inhaled corticosteroids for COPD · Inhaled combination therapy refers to combinations of a LAMA, a LABA and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and · Combination therapy is recommended in confirmed COPD with SOB or exacerbations despite short-acting bronchodilatorsLet’s now look at the different combinations and when to recommend them. We will offer a LAMA+LABA combination if there are no asthmatic features or features suggesting steroid responsiveness. This includes a previous diagnosis of asthma or of atopy, a higher blood eosinophil count, ...
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    15 mins
  • NICE News - June 2024
    Jul 6 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: · https://youtu.be/5aV0krXAuj8This episode makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". The content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE.My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode I will go through new and updated guidelines published in June 2024 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), focusing on those that are relevant to Primary Care only. Because there were no updates relevant to Primary Care, instead in this episode I will go through the current four consultations open by NICE, also focusing on aspects that are relevant to Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals, it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The YouTube video on the management of headaches can be found here:· https://youtu.be/6AZttMzfFr0?si=yxPcoC4legE8zS_pThe Full NICE News bulletin for June 2024 can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?from=2024-06-01&to=2024-06-30&ndt=Guidance&ndt=Quality+standardThe links to the current consultations can be found here:Digital supported self-management technologies for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: early value assessment:· https://nice.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7864f766b10b8edd18f19aa56&id=9f762dc422&e=03ed9b0dd012 SQ-HDM SLIT for treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites:· https://nice.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7864f766b10b8edd18f19aa56&id=501af7f75a&e=03ed9b0dd0Meningitis (bacterial) and meningococcal disease update:· https://nice.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7864f766b10b8edd18f19aa56&id=4baddb7b5d&e=03ed9b0dd0Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management:· https://nice.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7864f766b10b8edd18f19aa56&id=d7e86c9fd8&e=03ed9b0dd0Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I am Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today, we were supposed to look at the NICE updates relevant to Primary Care published in June 2024. However, this month we have had no new guidance relevant to primary care, as they were all connected to secondary care such as surgical techniques, chemotherapy agents, and acute myeloid leukaemia, amongst others.So, instead, we are going to look forward and review the guidelines that are under consultation, which will lead to new or updated guidance in the coming months. Because they are in draft form, we will only give them a quick overview. They are only four areas, so today will be a brief episode. So, let’s jump into it.The first consultation is on House Dust Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy, for treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by house dust mites. This is referred to by NICE as 12 SQ HDM SLIT, which is a tablet, also known as Acarizax, which has already been authorised by European regulatory authorities. Let’s have a look at some key points:It is recommended for:HDM-Induced Allergic Asthma that is not well-controlled by inhaled steroids andMild to severe HDM Allergic Rhinitis but it’s onlyApproved for adults aged 18 to 65 years of ageFrom a patient perspective these conditions can be debilitating, and they have an impact on daily life. Although there are other treatments available, their management can be challenging when triggers are unexpected or outside people’s control.HDM SLIT (House Dust Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy) involves the administration of allergens (in this case, house dust mites) under the tongue to desensitise the immune system to these allergens, reducing symptoms over time.It is done using a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue. The ...
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    6 mins
  • Podcast - Is this COPD? - NICE on COPD diagnosis
    Jun 28 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/o_q8TTra3Ys This video makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE. My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode, I go through the section on diagnosis and initial assessment of the NICE guideline [NG115] on COPD in adults, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kmGZkt1ssZ9Ei8n8mMaE0?si=9d30d1993449494e· Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/0edb5fd8-affb-4c5a-9a6d-6962c1b7f0a1/primary-care-guidelines?ref=dm_sh_NnjF2h4UuQxyX0X3Lb3WQtR5P· Google Podcast: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5yZWRjaXJjbGUuY29tLzI1ODdhZDc4LTc3MzAtNDhmNi04OTRlLWYxZjQxNzhlMzdjMw%3D%3D· Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/2587ad78-7730-48f6-894e-f1f4178e37c3 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: ● The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The resources consulted can be found here:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management- NICE guideline [NG115]:● https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG115The visual summary for the treatment of COPD can be found here:● https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115/resources/visual-summary-treatment-algorithm-pdf-6604261741The COPD Assessment Test score or CAT score can be found here:● https://www.catestonline.org/hcp-homepage/clinical-practice.htmlThe 6-minute walk test calculator can be found here:● https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/6-minute-walk-testIntro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] ● Music provided by Audio Library Plus ● Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU ● Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to do an up-to-date review of the diagnosis and initial assessment of COPD in adults according to the NICE guideline [NG115], always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I will be creating further episodes on the management of stable COPD and COPD exacerbations so stay tuned. Right, so let’s jump into it.The diagnosis of COPD is suspected on the basis of symptoms and signs and is confirmed by spirometry.So, we should suspect COPD in people over 35 who have a risk factor (generally smoking or a history of smoking) and who present with 1 or more of the following symptoms:· exertional SOB· chronic cough · regular sputum · wheezing and · frequent so-called winter 'bronchitis'As part of our assessment, we will also check for signs such as:· weight loss· reduced exercise tolerance and fatigue· waking at night with breathlessness and· ankle swellingChest pain and haemoptysis, are uncommon symptoms in COPD and they should raise the possibility of alternative diagnoses. The Medical Research Council or MRC dyspnoea scale should be used to grade the breathlessness, so let’s have a look at it:· Grade 1 is when the patient is not troubled by breathlessness except on strenuous exercise· Grade 2 is when the patient develops shortness of breath when hurrying or walking up a slight hill· Grade 3 is when the patient walks slower than contemporaries on level ground because of breathlessness, or has to stop for breath when walking at own pace· Grade 4 is when the patient stops for breath after walking about 100 metres or after a few minutes on level ground and · Grade 5 is when the patient is too breathless to leave the house, or breathless when dressing or undressingOnce we have suspected COPD, we should confirm it with spirometry. So, spirometry should definitely be done:· At diagnosis; but it can also be ...
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    14 mins
  • Podcast - Vitamin B12 deficiency: NICE guidance
    Jun 21 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/0cD2zityw9IThe interactive flowchart can be accessed here:https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiVFJ_Uoigq0mRYQ2Yw67rtg00TM?e=2DpSYIThis episode makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". The content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE.My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode I will go through the recently published NICE guideline on vitamin B12 deficiency in adults, focusing on those that are relevant to Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kmGZkt1ssZ9Ei8n8mMaE0?si=9d30d1993449494e· Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/0edb5fd8-affb-4c5a-9a6d-6962c1b7f0a1/primary-care-guidelines?ref=dm_sh_NnjF2h4UuQxyX0X3Lb3WQtR5P· Google Podcast: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5yZWRjaXJjbGUuY29tLzI1ODdhZDc4LTc3MzAtNDhmNi04OTRlLWYxZjQxNzhlMzdjMw%3D%3D· Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/2587ad78-7730-48f6-894e-f1f4178e37c3 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The NICE guideline “Vitamin B12 deficiency in over 16s: diagnosis and management” (NICE guideline NG239 can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239The links to the resource “Oral vitamin B12 replacement: ongoing care and follow up” can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/resources/visual-summary-ongoing-care-and-followup-for-vitamin-b12-replacement-pdf-13315996909The B12 pandemic guidance by the British Society of Haematology can be found here:· https://apps.nhslothian.scot/refhelp/guidelines/haematology/b12deficiency/Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I am Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today, we are looking at the NICE guideline on vitamin B12 deficiency in adults, published as recently as March 2024, focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. Make sure to stay for the entire episode because, at the end, I will tell you how to access an interactive flowchart that I have created and that summarises the guidance.Right, so let’s jump into it. Let’s start by looking at common symptoms and signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, which are:· anaemia or macrocytosis on a FBC, but we should not rule out a diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency based solely on the absence of either anaemia or macrocytosis· difficulty concentrating or short-term memory loss, also sometimes described as 'brain fog'· glossitis and mouth ulcers· unexplained fatigue· eyesight problems related to optic nerve dysfunction likeo blurred visiono a visual field loss or scotoma ando optic atrophy signs on fundoscopy · neurological or mobility problems including o balance issues and falls due to impaired proprioception or sensory ataxia o impaired gait ando paraesthesia, and finally· it can also be associated with mental health problems, including symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychosis.There are also common risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency. Before looking at them, let’s briefly look at the physiology of vit B12 in the human body.In food, vitamin B-12 is generally bound to protein, so in the stomach, gastric enzymes such as pepsin separate the vitamin B12 from the protein using. Then, the freed vitamin B12 then combines with a protein produced by parietal cells in the stomach, called intrinsic factor. The vitamin B12-IF complex is taken to the cells in the terminal ileum, where the vitamin B12 is absorbed. So, in summary, for vit B12 to be absorbed effectively, we need a sufficient dietary intake and normal physiological processes in the stomach and terminal ileum. So, with that in mind, the common risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency are:·...
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    18 mins
  • Podcast - NICE News - May 2024
    Jun 4 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here:https://youtu.be/KjALe_M-tIwThis episode makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". The content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE.My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode I will go through new and updated guidelines published in May 2024 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), focusing on those that are relevant to Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals, it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrkThe YouTube video on the management of headaches can be found here:· https://youtu.be/6AZttMzfFr0?si=yxPcoC4legE8zS_pThe Full NICE News bulletin for May 2024 can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?from=2024-05-01&to=2024-05-31&ndt=Guidance&ndt=Quality+standardThe links to the guidance covered can be found here: Atogepant for preventing migraine - Technology appraisal guidance [TA973] can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta973Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management - Clinical guideline [CG150] can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg150The educational poster on the diagnosis of diagnosis of tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg150/resources/diagnosis-poster-pdf-188219341 Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I am Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today, we are looking at the NICE updates published in May 2024, focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. And again, in May we have had very little new guidance relevant to primary care, in fact, there was only one guideline containing relevant information for us, the published technology appraisal on atogepant for migraine prophylaxis. You may remember that we covered this to some degree last month, when we reviewed the final draft NICE guidance on the subject. To make up for the shortage of Primary Care updates, we will also go through the clinical signs and symptoms that differentiate between tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache. We will do so by reviewing the NICE guideline on headaches. If you are interested in the full headache guideline, covering headaches other than migraine, please see the corresponding video on this channel. The link is in the episode description. Right, we have a migraine heavy episode, so let’s jump into it. And let’s start with an overview. Although we are covering atogepant, the guidance on Rimegepant is very similar. Both Rimegepant and atogepant, are a new class of drugs, also known as gepants, that have been developed specifically for the treatment of migraines. They are a calcitonin gene-related peptide (or CGRP) receptor antagonist which works by blocking this CGRP receptor. And although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, we know that CGRP is a protein found in the sensory nerves of the head and neck and causes blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to inflammation and migraine pain. Unlike triptans, gepants do not cause vasoconstriction so they do not have the same cardiovascular contraindications and cautions as triptans.Gepants can be used as an acute treatment of migraine and also as prophylaxis, but only if there have been at least 4 migraine days per month and where at least 3 previous preventive treatments have failed. Rimegepant is only recommended as prophylaxis of episodic migraines, whereas NICE has recommended atogepant as prophylaxis for both chronic and episodic migraines.What’s the difference between episodic and chronic migraine?The definition of episodic migraine is when there are fewer ...
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    9 mins
  • Podcast - 2024 Heart Failure update: NICE guideline
    May 20 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/0yQ_Be-xU6o This video makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE. My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode, I go through the NICE guideline [NG106] on Chronic Heart Failure in adults, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The resources consulted can be found here:Chronic Heart Failure in adults: diagnosis and management - NICE guideline [NG106]: · https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106 The visual summary for the diagnosis of chronic heart failure can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/resources/chronic-heart-failure-diagnosis-visual-summary-pdf-6663137726 The visual summary for the management of chronic heart failure can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng106/resources/chronic-heart-failure-management-visual-summary-pdf-6663137725 Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to do a quick up-to-date review of the NICE guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure in adults, including the visual summary flowcharts, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. Right, so let’s jump into it.And we start with the diagnosis. We will take a detailed history and examination and, we will consider the following investigations to exclude other potential conditions: · an ECG · a chest X-ray· blood tests including FBC, renal, liver and thyroid function tests, a lipid profile and HbA1c· urinalysis and· peak flow or spirometry. And, if we suspect heart failure, we will measure the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, which from now on we will refer to as NT‑proBNPHigh levels of NT‑proBNP carry a poor prognosis. For this reason:· If the levels are very high, i.e. above 2,000 ng/litre or 236 pmol/litre, we will refer them urgently to have specialist assessment and a transthoracic echocardiogram within 2 weeks.· However, if the levels are only moderately high, that is, between 400 and 2,000 ng/litre or 47 to 236 pmol/litre, we will refer them also urgently but to be seen within 6 weeks.We also need to be aware that:· an NT‑proBNP level less than 400 ng/litre or 47 pmol/litre in an untreated person makes heart failure less likely so we should consider alternative causes and refer if in doubt.· the NT‑proBNP level does not differentiate between heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Let’s remember that heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is usually associated with impaired left ventricular relaxation, rather than left ventricular contraction, so it has normal left ventricular ejection fraction and evidence of diastolic dysfunction, whereas the opposite is true for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, when the ejection fraction is below 40%. · the NT‑proBNP level can be reduced in obesity, African or African–Caribbean family background, or drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta‑blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists or MRAs · conversely, the NT‑proBNP level can be high due to other reasons such as, for example, age over 70 years, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischaemia, tachycardia, right ventricular overload, hypoxaemia, like in PE and COPD, eGFR less than 60, sepsis...
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    14 mins
  • Podcast - NICE on Hypertension: Can you pass the test?
    May 14 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/Pi7cBcov2fI This video makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE. My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode, I go through a thorough review of the NICE guideline [NG136] on Hypertension in adults, with a series of multiple-choice questions. Each question is paired with quotation, aiming to clarify key concepts and enhance understanding. This informative segment is created to support continuous learning always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only.I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals; it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The resources consulted can be found here:Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management - NICE guideline [NG136]: · https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136The NICE hypertension flowcharts can be found here: · Website: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136/resources/visual-summary-pdf-6899919517 The Clinic BP targets tables can be downloaded here:· https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiVFJ_Uoigq0mFtrsXeUGOB58DKE?e=J7filE Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to do a revision of the NICE guidelines on hypertension, including the changes introduced in November 2023, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. I have created a number of multiple-choice questions, many of them presented as clinical scenarios, which will help you revise, test your knowledge and also assist you in remembering the facts more effectively.The range of questions varies from fairly easy and straightforward ones to others which are more complex and require more thinking. After each question and their four options, you will get the correct answer paired with a guiding quotation from the NICE guideline. Please note that the correct answers only reflect the strict use of the guideline, not a flexible clinical judgement.Finally, I am going to delegate the reading of this section to an automated voice. I hope that you find it useful.Good luck with your self-test! Sarah, a 50-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, is starting step 1 antihypertensive treatment. What should be offered to her? Calcium-channel blocker Thiazide-like diuretic ACE inhibitor or ARB Beta-blockerThe correct answer is: ACE inhibitor or ARBNICE quote:Offer an ACE inhibitor or an ARB to adults starting step 1 antihypertensive treatment who:have type 2 diabetes and are of any age or family originWhat is recommended regarding lifestyle advice for people with suspected or diagnosed hypertension? Offer magnesium, and potassium supplements. Discourage excessive consumption of coffee and other caffeine-rich products. Avoid physical activity. Offer calcium supplements.The correct answer is: Discourage excessive consumption of coffee and other caffeine-rich products.NICE quote:Discourage excessive consumption of coffee and other caffeine-rich products. Emma, a 54-year-old woman with hypertension, is taking an ACE inhibitor as step 1 treatment. Despite this, her blood pressure remains uncontrolled. What should be offered to her as step 2 treatment? Alpha-blocker Calcium-channel blocker ARB Beta-blockerThe correct answer is: Calcium-channel blockerNICE quote:If hypertension is not controlled in adults taking step 1 treatment of an ACE inhibitor or ARB, offer the choice of 1 of the following drugs in addition to step 1 treatment:a Calcium-channel blocker ora thiazide-like diuretic. James, a 40-year-old man, has severe hypertension of 188/123 with no symptoms indicating ...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Podcast - NICE News - April 2024
    May 7 2024
    The video version of this podcast can be found here: https://youtu.be/dVpfeUxt8K8This episode makes reference to guidelines produced by the "National Institute for Health and Care Excellence" in the UK, also referred to as "NICE". The content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by NICE.My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode I will go through new and updated guidelines published in April 2024 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), focusing on those that are relevant to Primary Care only. I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals, it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk The Full NICE News bulletin for April 2024 can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?from=2024-04-01&to=2024-04-30&ndt=Guidance&ndt=Quality+standardThe links to the guidance covered can be found here: Endometriosis: diagnosis and management- NICE guideline [NG743] can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73Final draft guidance on Atogepant for preventing migraine [ID5090] | can be found here:· https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta10992/documentsIntro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I am Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today, we are looking at the NICE updates published in April 2024, focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. And in April we have had very little new guidance relevant to primary care, in fact, there was only one guideline containing relevant information for us, the guideline on endometriosis. But, to make up for it, we also have the NICE final draft guidance on atogepant for migraine prophylaxis, which I will cover briefly after the endometriosis update. Right, let’s jump into it. So, let’s start with the guideline on Endometriosis. The management is normally guided by secondary care but this guideline also includes recommendations relevant to primary care such as the clinical presentation, diagnosis and referral recommendations.And let’s start with the clinical presentation.NICE says that we should suspect endometriosis in women (including those under 17) if they have at least 1 of the following:· chronic pelvic pain· dysmenorrhoea· deep pain during or after sexual intercourse and· either period-related or cyclical gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms, in particular, painful bowel movements, haematuria or dysuriaWe will offer an abdominal examination to exclude masses and, if appropriate, a pelvic and vaginal examination too. What investigations should we organise?Well, we can do a transvaginal ultrasound, which can identify signs of endometriosis.If a transvaginal scan is not appropriate, we will do a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound scan.We will not use serum CA125 to diagnose endometriosis but if it is available we must be aware that:· a high level may be consistent with endometriosis but that· endometriosis may be present despite normal serum CA125 levelsEqually, pelvic MRI is not recommended as a primary investigation for endometriosis. However, this can be considered in secondary care to assess the extent of deep endometriosis involving the bowel, bladder or ureter.But, and this is an important but, we must not exclude endometriosis just because the examination, ultrasound or MRI are normal. If there is a high clinical suspicion, we should refer for further assessment.So, the question is, should we be initiating investigations in Primary Care if we know that we may end up referring to gynaecology anyway?My view is that if there is a high clinical suspicion of endometriosis, then we are probably better off referring the patient straightaway, as this is likely to lead to an earlier diagnosis and management. However, if we...
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    7 mins