Conquering the pneumococcal nemesis with oral antibiotics.

: endocarditis (SPE) occurs in <3% of all EI cases due to the evolution of penicillin and vaccination. However, immunocompromised and unvaccinated patients are still at grave risk. : A 58-year-old African American male who used alcohol and intravenous (IV) drugs presented with confusion, fever, and hemoptysis.

Re-Educating Residents About Non-Invasive Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Approach to Improving Colon Cancer Screening Compliance.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death; therefore early detection by screening is beneficial. Residents at a clinic in NJ, USA were not offering other forms of colon cancer screening when patients refused colonoscopy, which lead to the creation of the quality improvement project.

Methods: Residents practicing at the clinic were given an anonymous survey determining which method of colon cancer screening they used and which alternative method they offered when patients refused the original method.

Brugada syndrome & AKAP9: Reconciling clinical findings with diagnostic uncertainty.

Introduction: Brugada Syndrome typically presents with sudden nocturnal arrhythmias. Diagnosis may be challenging due to variable and transient electrocardiogram patterns and nondiagnostic provocation studies. Genetic testing can establish the etiology, but results may be inconclusive with variants of uncertain significance.

Bivalirudin Versus Heparin During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients with acute myocardial infarction who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Earlier trials comparing bivalirudin and UFH during PCI demonstrated that bivalirudin caused less bleeding with more stent thrombosis. Since then, adjunct antiplatelet strategies have evolved.

: A Rare Case of Amplatzer Erosion and Cardiac Pseudoaneurysm with Multimodality Imaging.

Complications of septal-occluder devices include erosion, perforation, and embolization, which are most commonly caused by oversized devices or thin rim margins. Cardiac pseudoaneurysm is a rare phenomenon that forms as a result of device erosion into the myocardium. Although this is often an incidental finding, they are at risk for rupture.

Chronic Pancreatitis Leading to Pancreatogenic Diabetes Presenting in Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Rare Entity.

Diabetes mellitus type 3c (DM3c) is an uncommon cause of diabetes due to pancreatic pathology. Its prevalence reaches about 5-10% among all diabetics in the Western world, largely due to chronic pancreatitis. DM3c occurs due to the destruction of the endocrine islet cells.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Usefulness of Beta Blockers to Preserve Left Ventricular Function During Anthracycline Therapy.

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the cardioprotective benefit of β blockers in preventing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC) in breast cancer patients. Anthracyclines are the cornerstone treatment for breast cancer. Yet, their use has declined in the last decade due to associated AIC.