Progression to Cirrhosis Leads to Improvement in Atherogenic Milieu.

Introduction: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is high among patients with cirrhosis; however, the impact of it on cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not known. The aim of the current study was to evaluate CVD events in patients with cirrhosis and impact of cirrhosis on biomarkers of atherogenesis.

Methods: The study included 682 patients with decompensated cirrhosis referred for liver transplantation (LT) evaluation between 2010 and 2017.

Implications of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis as the Cause of End-Stage Liver Disease Before and After Liver Transplant.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the clinically aggressive variant of NAFLD and has a propensity for fibrosis progression and cirrhosis. The prevalence of NAFLD and NASH is projected to increase rapidly in the near future and dramatically add to the already substantial health care burden.

Rates of Adverse IBD-Related Outcomes for Patients With IBD and Concomitant Prostate Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy.

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at higher risk for complications from radiation treatment for prostate cancer. However, available data are limited, and controversy remains regarding the best treatment approach for IBD patients who develop prostate cancer.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study across 4 Department of Veterans Affairs hospital systems.

The Impact of Coronary Artery Disease and Statins on Survival After Liver Transplantation.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to longterm mortality after liver transplantation (LT) necessitating aggressive modification of CVD risk. However, it is unclear how coronary artery disease (CAD) and the development of dyslipidemia following LT impacts clinical outcomes and how management of these factors may impact survival. Patients undergoing LT at Virginia Commonwealth University from January 2007 to January 2017 were included (n = 495).

A case report of locally invasive infection in a patient on canakinumab.

Background: Canakinumab is a human monoclonal interleukin-1 antibody that has been studied in the Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcome Study (CANTOS) trial and shown to prevent recurrent cardiovascular events, while increasing the incidence of neutropenia and risk of severe infections.

Case Summary: This is a case report of a locally invasive aspergillus infection in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who was receiving canakinumab for 3.5 years as part of the CANTOS trial.

A Case Report of Sarcoidosis Mimicking Vertebral Metastasis.

A 35-year-old African American male, previously healthy, presented with lower back and bilateral lower extremity pain associated with intermitted night sweats and weight loss. Imaging was concerning diffuse vertebral metastatic lesions. He underwent extensive workup to evaluate for metastatic disease.