Association of Serum Albumin and Severity of Pulmonary Embolism.

Inflammation is considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The association between inflammatory markers and the severity of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has not been explored. We studied the association between two crude markers of inflammation, serum albumin, and red cell distribution width (RDW) and massive versus non-massive APE.

Human Botfly: A Case Report and Overview of Differential Diagnosis.

, commonly known as the human botfly, is native to Tropical America. As such, cutaneous infestation by its developing larvae, or myiasis, is quite common in this region. The distinct dermatological presentation of myiasis allows for its early recognition and noninvasive treatment by locals.

Rapid bedside rejuvenation of red blood cell with an autologous cell salvage device.

Background And Objectives: During storage, red blood cells (RBCs) undergo physicochemical changes which affect the quality, function, and in vivo survival of transfused packed RBCs (pRBC). Changes include decreased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels, decreased ATP, changes in mechanical properties and oxidative injury. RBC rejuvenation is a method used to increase levels of 2,3-DPG and ATP in pRBCs.

Intravenous acetaminophen vs. ketorolac for postoperative analgesia after ambulatory parathyroidectomy.

Background and methods Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy requires limited analgesia and short recovery times. The preferred post-operative analgesic regimen for this patient population has not been established but non-narcotic components would be quite appropriate. The aim of the study was to determine whether intravenous (IV) acetaminophen (1 g) or ketorolac (30 mg) provide better pain control after parathyroidectomy.

Effects of the Ketogenic diet in overweight divers breathing Enriched Air Nitrox.

Central Nervous System Oxygen Toxicity (CNS-OT) is one of the most harmful effects of Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN) diving. Protective factors of the Ketogenic Diet (KD) are antioxidant activity, the prevention of mitochondrial damage and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We aimed to investigate if a short-term KD may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation during an hyperoxic dive.

Internist, anesthesiologist and surgeon use of ketogenic diet.

Ketogenic diet is being increasingly utilized in recent decades because of its success as an effective tool for short and intermediate-term weight loss. Promoting physiological ketosis from a drastically low carbohydrate diet is the fundamental basis for this diet regime. Though debated, these diets have been demonstrated to be effective, at least in the short- to medium terms, to manage excess weight, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Syncope on presentation is a surrogate for submassive and massive acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: There are conflicting data regarding the prognostic value of syncope in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 552 consecutive adults with computed tomography pulmonary angiogram-confirmed APE to determine the correlates and outcome of the occurrence of syncope at the time of presentation.

Results: Among 552 subjects with APE (mean age 54years, 47% men), syncope occurred in 12.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy modulates serum OPG/RANKL in femoral head necrosis patients.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has beneficial effects on avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH), but its mechanism of action is still unclear. We investigated if HBOT upregulates serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and/or inhibits osteoclast activation. 23 patients with unilateral ANFH at stage I, II and III consented to the study: the patients received standard HBOT.

Spirometry improvement after muscular exercise in elite swimmers.

Background: An increased sympathetic activity during muscular effort is a well established physiological response, whose intensity is known to increase with the muscular load. Spirometry was described to improve as an effect of swimming training in healthy and asthmatic subjects, suggesting a decrease in airway resistance The aim was to investigate the possible effect of muscular exercise (swimming) on spirometry, in particular searching for possible differences because of different swimming times.

Methods: The measurements were performed on 9 highly trained male competitive swimmers (age: 41±12.

Safety of transport and hyperbaric oxygen treatment in critically-ill patients from Padua hospitals into a centrally-located, stand-alone hyperbaric facility.

Introduction: Some patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) might require repetitive hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) while receiving critical care. In such cases, the presence of a hyperbaric chamber located inside or near an ICU is preferable; however, this set-up is not always possible. In Padua, the "Associazione Tecnici IPerbarici" hyperbaric centre is a stand-alone facility outside of a hospital.

Duration of ECMO Is an Independent Predictor of Intracranial Hemorrhage Occurring During ECMO Support.

We assessed the incidence and predictors of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Of 154 patients who received ECMO, 12 (7.8%) developed ICH.

Incidence and predictors of ischemic cerebrovascular stroke among patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Introduction: There are scant data on the predictors of ischemic cerebrovascular stroke occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We investigated the incidence and predictors of ischemic stroke in subjects receiving ECMO support.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive adult subjects (>18 years of age) who received ECMO at Tampa General Hospital from 2007 to 2014 with the main outcome variable being the onset of radiologically confirmed ischemic stroke during ECMO support.

Large Hiatal Hernia Compressing the Heart.

We describe a 41-year-old man with De Mosier's syndrome who presented with exercise intolerance and dyspnea on exertion caused by a giant hiatal hernia compressing the heart with relief by surgical treatment.

A woman with recurrent chest pain and ST-segment elevation.

A 32-year-old female presents with recurrent episodes of unprovoked chest pain associated with inferior ST-segment elevation and reciprocal ST-segment depression. Coronary angiography during one of these episodes revealed coronary artery spasm that spontaneously resolved followed by resolution of these electrocardiographic changes. There was no atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

Massive oral bleeding after full-mouth extraction in a patient with B-cell lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma reversed with recombinant activated factor VII.

Background And Overview: Full-mouth extraction can be associated with intraoral bleeding, which usually is controlled with local hemostatic measures. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) occasionally is used to stop bleeding in a variety of off-label indications, with the main argument curtailing its use being thrombotic events. The authors describe the use of rFVIIa for bleeding after full-mouth extraction in a patient with undiagnosed B-cell lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

The value of occlusive balloons in the management of abnormal placentation: A retrospective study.

Abnormal placentation is a potential cause of maternal morbidity and mortality from massive postpartum bleeding. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of occlusive balloons when used as an adjunct to surgery in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements. A retrospective study of 42 patients was performed involving consecutive cases of abnormal placentation who delivered with either conventional surgery with preoperatively placed occlusive balloons or conventional surgery alone.