Octreotide as a novel agent for the management of bronchorrhea in mechanically ventilated patients: A case series and review of literature.

Excessive bronchial secretions pose a challenge in mechanically-ventilated patients and may prolong the time to extubation, increasing the risk for pneumonia. Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, has been used to decrease bronchial secretions especially for the symptomatic management of patients with lung cancer. We describe three patients in the form of a case series and discuss effect of octretotide on bronchial secretions and management of bronchorrhea in the intensive care unit.

Upper Airway Complications in COVID-19: A Case Series.

Prolonged intubation is associated with several complications leading to upper airway obstruction, including tracheal stenosis and tracheomalacia. Tracheostomy may potentially decrease the risk of tracheal injury in patients with upper airway obstruction. The ideal timing to perform tracheostomy remains controversial.

Clinical Outcomes With the Use of Prophylactic Versus Therapeutic Anticoagulation in Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Objectives: To determine the impact of anticoagulation on inhospital mortality among coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients with the a priori hypothesis that there would be a lower risk of inhospital mortality with use of preemptive therapeutic over prophylactic dose enoxaparin or heparin.

Design Setting: Retrospective cohort study from April 1, 2020, to April 25, 2020. The date of final follow-up was June 12, 2020 Two large, acute-care hospitals in Western Connecticut.

The Effects of a Comprehensive Care Management Program on Readmission Rates After Acute Exacerbation of COPD at a Community-Based Academic Hospital.

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States. Prior investigations suggest clinical and physiological parameters are important determinants for AECOPD readmissions. Strategies aimed at addressing these factors have not resulted in a major reduction of readmissions.

Perioperative Risks of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Bariatric Surgery Patient: a Retrospective Study.

Background: The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) perioperatively in bariatric surgery patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been controversial. Although studies have demonstrated that CPAP use is safe in bariatric patients, prior studies have not shown improvement in outcomes in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent bariatric surgery from 2005 to 2009 was performed.

Unusual Case of Isolated Pleural B-Cell Lymphoma.

Pleural involvement in lymphoma is rare as the initial presentation of disease in the immunocompetent patient. We describe a rare case of primary, isolated pleural B-cell lymphoma in a 75-year-old female, previously treated for adenocarcinoma of the left lung with lobectomy and chemotherapy, who presented with shortness of breath. A CT scan of the chest revealed a right-sided pleural effusion and pleural thickening.

Acute upper extremity arterial thrombosis and stroke in an unresected pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytoma is a rare cause of hypertension in the general population. Only isolated reports show an association with acute obstructive arterial thrombosis. A 50-year-old chronically noncompliant woman with a known unresected pheochromocytoma presented to the emergency department with ataxia.