Does a Starting Positive End-Expiratory Pressure of 8 cmHO Decrease the Probability of a Ventilator-Associated Event?

Ventilator-associated events (VAEs) are objective measures as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To reduce VAEs, some hospitals have started patients on higher baseline positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to avoid triggering VAE criteria due to respiratory fluctuations. At our institution, VAEs were gathered from January 2014 through December 2019.

Effect of Prone Positioning on Clinical Outcomes of Non-Intubated Subjects With COVID-19.

Background: Awake prone positioning (APP) has been recently proposed as an adjunctive treatment for non-intubated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients requiring oxygen therapy to improve oxygenation and reduce the risk of intubation. However, the magnitude of the effect of APP on clinical outcomes in these patients remains uncertain. We performed a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of APP to improve the clinical outcomes in non-intubated subjects with COVID-19.

Prophylactic potential of honey and Nigella sativa L. against hospital and community-based SARS-CoV-2 spread: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: Considering the therapeutic potential of honey and Nigella sativa (HNS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, the objective of the study is defined to evaluate the prophylactic role of HNS.

Trial Design: The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive clinical trial with parallel group design, superiority framework with an allocation ratio of 1:1 among experimental (HNS) and placebo group. An interim analysis will be done when half of the patients have been recruited to evaluate the need to adapt sample size, efficacy, and futility of the trial.

Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in the Treatment of Left Ventricular Thrombus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) may develop in systolic heart failure or after acute myocardial infarction. The current recommendations support the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the treatment of LVT. Limited data exist regarding the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with LVT.

Signet Cell in the Brain: A Case Report of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis as the Presenting Feature of Gastric Signet Cell Cancer.

Malignant infiltration of pia and arachnoid mater, referred to as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), is a rare complication of gastric carcinoma. The most common underlying malignancy in patients with LMC are leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, and lung cancer. We report a case of gastric adenocarcinoma that presented with LMC in the absence of overt gastrointestinal signs or symptoms.

Development of a novel score to predict the risk of acute kidney injury in patient with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with acute myocardial infarction. AKI in this setting is associated with short- and long-term adverse events. The aim of this study was to develop a simple score to predict AKI in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction based on data available at time of admission.