Optimal antiplatelet and antithrombotic regimen post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: There are limited data regarding optimal antiplatelet/antithrombotic therapy following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: In this single-centre retrospective study including TAVR patients from 2012 to 2020, ischemic and bleeding outcomes were compared between antiplatelet (dual antiplatelet [DAPT] vs. single antiplatelet [SAPT]) and oral anticoagulation (OAC) groups using incidence rate, Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis Presenting as Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis.

We present a case of a 69-year-old male with a past medical history of prostate cancer, chronic mitral valve regurgitation, and recent dental cleaning who presented to the hospital with shortness of breath, anemia, and acute renal failure. Due to unexplained creatinine rise, a renal biopsy was obtained which was suspicious for infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN). Further workup confirmed subacute endocarditis according to modified Duke's criteria.

Acute Plasma Cell Leukemia Presenting as Primary Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy.

Primary plasma cell leukemia (PPCL) is a rare form of multiple myeloma (MM) and is a rare aggressive disease with a median overall survival of 6 - 11 months. We present a case of acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy as the initial presentation of PPCL in a 78-year-old woman to highlight an atypical presentation of this disorder.

Cardiovascular manifestations in hospitalized patients with hemochromatosis in the United States.

Background: Heart complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in hemochromatosis, but the liver is the main site for iron deposition in these patients. Large multicenter studies have described cardiovascular (CV) manifestations in patients with secondary hemochromatosis. However, the overall prevalence and risk of CV manifestations in patients with hemochromatosis at the population level are unknown.

A Retrospective Study of Admission NT-proBNP Levels as a Predictor of Readmission Rate, Length of Stay and Mortality.

Introduction: Serum levels of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal (NT) proBNP are measured at admission to assess the likelihood of acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Elevated NT-proBNP levels on initial presentation are a reliable marker of ADHF. However, the prognostic significance of NT-proBNP levels measured on admission remains unknown.

All-Cause Mortality and Incidence of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Sickle Cell Nephropathy: A Comparative Study.

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive disease resulting in hemolytic anemia and recurrent vaso-occlusive events. Consequently, it can result in a broad range of functional and structural renal and cardiac alterations. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), in SCD, is associated with proteinuria, microalbuminuria, and hemoglobinuria.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Description A 24-year-old African American male with a history of sickle cell anemia (Hb S/S) presented to an outside hospital with acute colitis, acute renal failure and sickle cell crisis and was treated with supportive measures. On day 3 of hospitalization, he developed bilateral ascending paralysis with sacral numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated epidural lipomatosis, which was attributed as the cause of his paralysis.

Impact of hyperthyroidism on in-hospital outcomes of patients with heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbations are a frequent cause of hospitalization. Thyroid hormones impact myocardial function; elevated levels of thyroxine, as seen in hyperthyroidism (HT), can worsen CHF symptoms. We retrospectively evaluated the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Enterprise Data Warehouse and examined mortality and length of stay (LOS) in patients hospitalized with CHF with and without a diagnosis of HT.

Atrioesophageal fistula with meningitis: A rare complication of atrial fibrillation ablation, case report and literature review.

Atrioesophageal fistula is a rare, devastating complication of atrial fibrillation ablation, reportedly occurring in 0.015-0.04% of catheter ablations.