Severe hyperphosphatemia in a patient with chronic kidney disease and multiple myeloma-to strengthen the case toward renal replacement therapy?

We report a patient with multiple myeloma and chronic kidney disease who presented with severe hyperphosphatemia in the outpatient clinic without any related symptoms. Initial differential diagnosis: Tumor lysis syndrome or chronic kidney disease. Further work-up revealed pseudohyperphosphatemia.

Pulse pressure and type A acute aortic dissection in-hospital outcomes (from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection).

Little is known about the relation between type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD) and pulse pressure (PP), defined as the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In this study, we explored the association between PP and presentation, complications, and outcomes of patients with TAAAD. PP at hospital presentation was used to divide 1,960 patients with noniatrogenic TAAAD into quartiles: narrowed (≤39 mm Hg, n=430), normal (40 to 56 mm Hg, n=554), mildly elevated (57 to 75 mm Hg, n=490), and markedly elevated (≥76 mm Hg, n=486).

Outcome of patients after emergency conversion from transcatheter aortic valve implantation to surgery.

Aims: To evaluate: 1) the causes of emergency conversion from transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to surgery, 2) procedural settings, and 3) short-term outcome of converted patients.

Methods And Results: The prospective German TAVI registry was used to identify patients who underwent bail-out surgery during TAVI. Additionally, standardised questionnaires were developed and used to assess more detailed periprocedural and postprocedural data.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: does kidney function affect outcome?

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a significant risk factor for mortality as well as acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery. The impact of contrast agent application on outcome is not well described in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods: We analyzed data of 270 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) between September 2008 and March 2012.

Patients with type A acute aortic dissection presenting with major brain injury: should we operate on them?

Objectives: The management strategy remains controversial for patients presenting with type A acute aortic dissection with cerebrovascular accident or coma. The present study aimed to help guide surgeons treating these high-risk patients.

Methods: Of 1873 patients with type A acute aortic dissection enrolled in the International Registry for Acute Dissection, 87 (4.