Association Between Change in Ambulatory Pulmonary Artery Pressures and Natriuretic Peptides in Patients with Heart Failure: Results From the EMBRACE-HF Trial.

Background: Remote monitoring of pulmonary artery (PA) pressures and serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements guide heart failure (HF) treatment, but their association has yet to be described.

Methods And Results: In the Empagliflozin Evaluation by Measuring the Impact on Hemodynamics in Patients with Heart Failure (EMBRACE-HF) trial, patients with HF and a remote PA pressure monitoring device were randomized to empagliflozin vs placebo. PA diastolic pressures (PADP) and NT-proBNP levels were obtained at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks.

Comparison of the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach with the Endoscopic Supraorbital Keyhole Approach to the Tuberculum Sellae Region: A Quantitatively Cadaveric Study.

Background:  The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) and the endoscopic supraorbital keyhole approach (eSKA) provide minimally invasive access to tuberculum sellae (TS) tumors. Evaluation of the operating maneuverability is helpful for approach selection. Herein, we compared the two approaches and aimed to provide quantitative anatomic data for surgical decision-making in the management of TS lesions.

Microblading-Induced Granulomatous Reaction: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Microblading is a common cosmetic procedure that can modify the appearance of one's eyebrows. Although generally well-tolerated, the procedure can cause a number of dermatologic issues; on rare occasions, granulomatous reactions can manifest. We use this case to highlight a presentation of a nonsarcoidal granulomatous dermatitis and review the literature on granulomatous reactions secondary to microblading.

A Systematic Approach for the Interpretation of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Children with Focus on Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the clinical standard for children with congenital heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF) being assessed for transplantation candidacy, and subjects with unexplained dyspnea on exertion. Heart, lung, skeletal muscle, peripheral vasculature, and cellular metabolism impairment frequently lead to circulatory, ventilatory, and gas exchange abnormalities during exercise. An integrated analysis of the multi-system response to exercise can be beneficial for differential diagnosis of exercise intolerance.

COVID-19 online medical education and outcomes on Internal Medicine In-Training Examination scores.

Background: COVID-19 presented a unique opportunity to explore new methods to deliver medical education virtually due to requirements for social distancing. We provided webcams and microphones in each of our core teaching team rooms. We used existing teleconferencing systems with share screen, polling, and audio/video capabilities to continue fostering a group learning environment.

Management and outcomes of chest pain telemedicine visits in a cardiology clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Beginning in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many outpatient chest pain evaluations to be performed via telemedicine. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of telemedicine on management and outcomes of patients who presented with chest pain.

Methods: This retrospective chart review study included 771 unique patients, age >18 years, who were seen face-to-face in cardiology clinic visits from March 2019 through September 2019 with an encounter diagnosis of chest pain or angina, compared with 172 unique patients of age >18 who were seen via telehealth visit from March 2020 through September 2020.

Effects of prophylactic probiotics supplementation on infants born very preterm or very low birth weight.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of guideline-driven prophylactic supplementation of a multi-strain neonatal intensive care unit-specific probiotic product on infants born very preterm (VP) or very low birth weight (VLBW).

Study Design: A prospective cohort of 125 infants born in one year after implementation who received probiotics were compared to a retrospective cohort of eligible 126 VP or VLBW infants who did not receive probiotics. The primary outcome of interest was necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Phenobarbital for the Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill, Surgical-Trauma Patients.

Introduction: While benzodiazepines (BZD) are the standard of care therapy for the management alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), phenobarbital (PHB) is often used as an alternative agent. The objective of this study is to assess the use of PHB therapy for the management of AWS in trauma-surgical intensive care unit (TSCU) patients.

Materials And Methods: This is an institutional review board-approved single-center, retrospective study conducted at a large academic medical center.

Unregulated supplement use causing insidious lead toxicity.

A woman with extensive chronic fatigue presented to the emergency department with vague abdominal complaints and was subsequently found to have microcytic anemia secondary to lead intoxication. Upon further investigation, the unlikely source of lead intoxication was found to be the supplements she procured from her frequent overseas trips to South Asia. Chelation therapy was started and lead levels dropped.

Mechanical circulatory support for thyrotoxicosis-induced cardiomyopathy.

Thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition which, in rare cases, may lead to cardiogenic shock and dysrhythmias. Mechanical circulatory support with an Impella device or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used as a bridge to recovery in these cases. This case involves a patient with thyrotoxicosis and reduced ejection fraction and hemodynamic instability requiring Impella device placement.

Medical and social determinants of health as predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

There is a growing recognition that social determinants of health (SDOH) influence outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the influence of SDOH on outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with IBD from 1996 to 2019.

Long-term patency of rescue stenting of an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the setting of an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) has had a variety of outcomes. Most commonly an anomalous LCX originates as a separate ostium arising from the right coronary sinus or is found branching off of the proximal right coronary artery. The artery courses around the aortic annulus before taking the course seen in typical anatomy.

Changes in Subspecialty Interest of Plastic Surgery Residents With Progression of Training: Impact on Academic Attrition.

Background: Plastic surgery residency applicants often express interest in academic subspecialties, but only a small percentage of graduating residents pursue academic careers. Identifying reasons for academic attrition may help training programs address this discrepancy.

Methods: A survey was sent to plastic surgery residents through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Council to assess interest in 6 plastic surgery subspecialties during junior and senior years of training.

Withdrawal of Long-Term Nucleotide Analog Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B: Outcomes From the Withdrawal Phase of the HBRN Immune Active Treatment Trial.

Introduction: Withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analog therapy is increasingly being evaluated in chronic hepatitis B infection as a strategy to induce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss. The Hepatitis B Research Network Immune-Active Trial evaluated treatment with tenofovir (TDF) for 4 years ± an initial 6 months of peginterferon-α (PegIFN) (NCT01369212) after which treatment was withdrawn.

Methods: Eligible participants (hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-/anti-HBe+, hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA <10 3 IU/mL, no cirrhosis) who discontinued TDF were followed for at least 1 year with optional follow-up thereafter.

Diagnosis and Management of Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiac Dysfunction and Heart Failure in Children.

It is disheartening for parents to discover that their children have long-term cardiac dysfunction after being cured of life-threatening childhood cancers. As the number of childhood cancer survivors increases, early and late oncology-therapy-related cardiovascular complications continues to rise. It is essential to understand that cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors is persistent and progressive.

Myoglobinemia, Peripheral Arterial Disease, and Patient Mortality.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) causes leg muscle damage due to inadequate perfusion and increases cardiovascular events and mortality 2- to 3-fold. It is unclear if PAD is a biomarker for high-risk cardiovascular disease or if skeletal muscle injury harms arterial health. The objective of this work is to test if serum myoglobin levels (myoglobinemia) are a marker of PAD, and if so, whether myoglobin impairs vascular health.

Iatrogenic ventricular septal defects following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) rarely occurs following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We report two patients who developed VSD following TAVI. One case was a Gerbode defect treated by percutaneous closure, and the second was a restrictive perimembranous VSD managed conservatively.

Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) caused by in a patient with AIDS.

We describe a patient with HIV who presented with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and nonspecific abdominal imaging findings. He was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis via bone marrow biopsy and treated in the hospital with amphotericin B infusions. Despite pharmacologic interventions, including amphotericin and miltefosine in addition to antiretroviral therapy, our patient experienced multiple relapses and a challenging clinical course.

Sagittal mechanical ratio: A novel technique to define sagittal alignment of the femur independent of distal anatomic landmarks.

Background: Radiographic measurements to study sagittal alignment in the setting of knee are frequently difficult to evaluate due the presence of a prosthesis or implant that obscures traditional radiographic landmarks. In this paper we present a novel method of determining sagittal femoral alignment in the presence of obscuring implants.

Methods: 98 full-length femoral radiographs were reviewed and divided into two groups.

An analysis of physician reviews in relation to quality and social media presence.

Press Ganey patient engagement survey scores are used among health care facilities throughout the US to evaluate patients' perception of the quality of care provided. The relation of Press Ganey score to primary quality metrics has not been reported before; thus, we studied it in a cohort of Baylor Scott and White Health primary care physicians. Using simple linear regression, we evaluated Press Ganey scores and compared them with primary care quality metrics associated with improved patient outcomes, including cancer screening, depression screening, blood pressure, and glucose control, in addition to well-child visits.