Central Nervous System Sarcoidosis: A National-Based registry study.

Background And Aim: Sarcoidosis of the central nervous system (CNS) often presents deleterious effects on affected patients. Data and available literature discussing the diagnosis and treatment of this condition are scarce and inconsistent. In this study, we aim to shed light on demographics, management, diagnostics, and clinical complications of CNS sarcoidosis patients within the United States (US) based on a nation-wide registry questionnaire.

Echocardiography and pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing lung transplantation evaluation.

Background: The use of echocardiography in pulmonary hypertension (PH) in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is understudied. We aimed to compare the performance of echocardiography with right heart catheterization (RHC) in the diagnosis of PH in COPD patients undergoing lung transplant evaluation.

Methods: We included 111 patients with severe COPD who underwent RHC in a single center as part of lung transplantation evaluation.

Diagnostic and therapeutic practices of cardiac sarcoidosis in the United States: a nationwide questionnaire based study.

Background And Aim: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is the second most common cause of death in patients with sarcoidosis and data pertaining to its diagnosis and management is limited. We sought to describe diagnostic modalities and management of patients with CS in the United States, based on a national registry questionnaire.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study based on a national registry investigating 3,835 respondents to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research Questionnaire.

The Impact of a New Best Practice Advisory on the Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Background: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) hospitalization rates have been steadily increasing. Due to the increasing incidence and the economic impact associated with its morbidity and treatment, effective management is key. We aimed to streamline the management of DKA in our intensive care units (ICU) by implementing a Best-Practice Advisory (BPA) that notifies providers when DKA has resolved.

The Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Obesity.

Introduction The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has gained significant traction given the lack of therapeutic monitoring and the need for anticoagulant bridging. There is a paucity of data on their effectiveness in obese patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Preliminary subgroup and pharmacokinetic analyses suggest reduced efficacy in those with a bodyweight >120 kg or body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg per m and it is currently not recommended that these agents be used as first-line agents.

A Rare Case of Multipathogenic Pneumonia in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related opportunistic infections has declined dramatically following the introduction of potent antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, pulmonary infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The spectrum of pulmonary disease that can affect patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is wide and includes opportunistic infections with many bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic organisms.

Computer-Based versus Paper-Based Insulin Infusion Algorithms in Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Background: Paper-based and computer-based insulin infusion algorithms facilitate appropriate glycemic therapy. The data comparing these algorithms in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting are limited. We aimed to determine the differences in time to diabetic ketoacidosis resolution and incidence of hypoglycemia between computer and paper-based insulin infusion.

An Unusual Case of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage as a Clinical Manifestation of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a constellation of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal injury. HUS is subcategorized into primary or secondary HUS. Primary HUS is synonymous with atypical HUS (aHUS) and is attributed to genetic complement deficiency.

Comparison of a clinical-laboratory algorithm, 4t and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia expert probability scores in the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the critical care setting.

Background: Several scoring systems are utilized to calculate the pre-test probability of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We hypothesize that a clinical-laboratory algorithm combining the 4Ts score with the optical density (OD) of anti-PF4-heparin antibody is more accurate than either the 4Ts or HIT expert probability (HEP) scores in the critical care setting.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective review of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) that were evaluated for HIT was conducted.

Separating Acute Rheumatic Fever from Nonrheumatic Streptococcal Myocarditis.

Introduction: Streptococcal pharyngitis has been historically complicated with systemic involvement manifesting as acute rheumatic fever, which is a serious condition that can lead to permanent damage to heart valves. A recent association between streptococcal pharyngitis and nonrheumatic heart disease is emerging in literature. We present a case of nonrheumatic streptococcal myocarditis diagnosed using cardiac MRI.

Enhanced readability of discharge summaries decreases provider telephone calls and patient readmissions in the posthospital setting.

Introduction: Hospital discharge instructions provide critical information necessary for patients to manage their own care; however, often they are written at a substantially higher readability level than recommended (ie, 6th-grade level) by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. We hypothesize that improving the reading level of discharge instructions will decrease the number of patient telephone calls and readmissions in the posthospital setting.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study.

Not the Typical Pneumonia: An Unusual Case of Rasburicase-induced Methomoglobinemia.

We present a rare case of rasburicase-induced methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia in the setting of presumed glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. A 78-year-old male with a known history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented to the clinic with fever of unknown origin. Laboratory results were significant for hyperuricemia.

Validation of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma emergency general surgery grade for skin and soft tissue infection.

Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) present with variable severity. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) grading system for several diseases. We aimed to determine whether the AAST EGS grade corresponds with key clinical outcomes.

Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Reversal of Coagulopathy in Emergency General Surgery Patients.

Background: Coagulopathy can delay or complicate surgical diseases that require emergent surgical treatment. Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) provide concentrated coagulation factors which may reverse coagulopathy more quickly than plasma (FFP) alone. We aimed to determine the time to operative intervention in coagulopathic emergency general surgery patients receiving either PCC or FFP.

Validation of AAST EGS Grade for Acute Pancreatitis.

Background: The AAST recently developed an emergency general surgery (EGS) disease grading system to measure anatomic severity. We aimed to validate this grading system for acute pancreatitis and compare cross sectional imaging-based AAST EGS grade and compare with several clinical prediction models. We hypothesize that increased AAST EGS grade would be associated with important physiological and clinical outcomes and is comparable to other severity grading methods.