Coronary Artery Dissection and Myocarditis Caused by Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): A Case Report.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) also referred to as Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare vasculitis of the small to medium vessels. We present a rare case of acute coronary artery dissection brought on by EGPA, which generally has a poor prognosis. A 41-year-old male with history of bronchial asthma presented to the emergency room with a 2-week history of dyspnea, cough with clear phlegm, and fever.

Cardiovascular Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Intensive Care Unit and Beyond.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease with a high degree of association with and possible etiological factor for several cardiovascular diseases. Patients who are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are incredibly sick, have multiple co-morbidities, and are at substantial risk for mortality. A study of cardiovascular manifestations and disease processes in patients with OSA admitted to the ICU is very intriguing, and its impact is likely significant.

Cone Beam CT Guidance Improves Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Safety.

Introduction: Determining the cause of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) is challenging. While surgical lung biopsy has been the standard approach, transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) represents a minimally invasive alternative with an acceptable safety profile and reasonable accuracy. In this study, we prospectively assessed whether the use of cone beam CT (CBCT) coupled with a novel bronchoscope holder and prophylactic administration of vasoconstricting medications decreases potential complications and improves diagnostic accuracy when performing TBLC.

Endobronchial Leiomyoma: A case report with cryoprobe extraction and review of literature.

Large airway tumors are uncommon, accounting for about 0.6% of all pulmonary tumors [[1], [2], [3]]. The majority of these tumors (80-90%) are malignant, represented primarily by squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma [2,4].

An Intriguing Presentation of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune related clinical syndrome with protean manifestations, varying presentation, clinically complex, with diverse causes, and is an under-recognized entity which carries high morbidity and mortality. It is precipitated by an immunological trigger in a susceptible host resulting in immune activation and dysregulation leading to disruption of immune homeostasis, cytokine storm and multi-organ failure. We describe a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated HLH with its typical diagnostic challenges and associated high mortality rate.

Effect of musculoskeletal pain on sleep architecture in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea and chronic musculoskeletal pain both affect sleep. Sleep architecture of patients suffering from both is largely unknown.

Objectives: This study seeks to define the sleep architecture of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and obstructive sleep apnea.

Treatment for sleep apnea by continuous positive airway pressure improves levels of inflammatory markers - a meta-analysis.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Intermittent hypoxia associated with OSA increases sympathetic activity and may cause systemic inflammation, which may contribute to CAD in patients with OSA. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to change levels of inflammatory markers.