Systolic blood pressure, a predictor of mortality and life expectancy following heart failure hospitalization, 2010-2023.

Background: Optimal systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets for the treatment of hospitalized acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients are not known.

Objectives: To investigate the association between SBP <130 mmHg at discharge or within 30 days and all-cause mortality or years of life lost (YLL) after ADHF hospitalization.

Methods: We analyzed medical records of 14,611 adults who survived ADHF hospitalization at 17 hospitals (2010-2022) with follow-up until May 2023.

Using Implementation Science to Improve Short Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Outcomes.

Short peripheral intravenous catheters (short PIVCs) are commonly used in acute care, guided by evidence-based policy with interventions to limit premature failure. Research on how nurses use evidence and change processes to optimize outcomes is needed. The study objective was to use a theory-based implementation science approach to evaluate and improve short PIVC insertion and care processes and reduce removals for adverse outcomes in acute care.

Value of Thallium-201 SPECT and SPECT/CT Brain Imaging in Differentiating Malignant From Nonmalignant Lesions: A Comparative Case-Series Study With Pathologic and/or Clinical Correlation.

Background: Thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) brain scan is an imaging modality which can be done to differentiate between malignant and nonmalignant lesions among patients with nonconclusive findings on conventional neuroimaging. This study describes the results of thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging and relate it to histopathologic and/or clinical findings and evaluate the value of thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging in differentiating malignant from nonmalignant lesions.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series study of 10 patients with cerebral lesions who underwent thallium-201 SPECT/CT brain imaging in a hospital in the Philippines from 2010 to 2021.

21q22 amplification detection in three patients with acute myeloid leukemia: cytogenomic profiling and literature review.

Background: 21q22 amplification is a rare cytogenetic aberration in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). So far, the cytogenomic and molecular features and clinical correlation of 21q22 amplification in AML have not been well-characterized.

Case Presentation: Here, we describe a case series of three AML patients with amplified 21q22 identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a RUNX1 probe.

Deep Venous Thrombosis after Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination in Adult Male.

With extensive loss of life and well-being seen since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the initiation of vaccinations has come with enormous hope towards the end of this pandemic. Detailed discussions regarding the safety and efficacy of these vaccines led to their approval. With such success, there have also been reports of vaccine-associated adverse events-allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, immune thrombocytopenia, and thrombosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is characterized by hyperinflammation and life-threatening cytopenias. Survival is poor, and management is pivotal on rapid identification of the disease. HLH is associated with hematologic malignancies, however correlation with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is exceedingly unusual.

Infection Phenotypes Among Patients with Primary Antibody Deficiency Mined from a US Patient Registry.

Purpose: Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) affect immune system development and/or function, increase infection susceptibility, and cause dysregulation or both. Recognition of PID requires assessment about the normal state of infection frequency and microbiology. To help clarify infection characteristics, we use data mined from the US Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET) registry among primary antibody deficiency (PAD) patients before diagnosis.

Conduction Disorders in the Setting of Acute STEMI.

ST-elevation myocardial (STEMI) is frequently associated with conduction disorders. Regional myocardial ischemia or injury may affect the cardiac conduction system at various locations, and neural reflexes or changes in the balance of the autonomous nervous system may be involved. Sinoatrial and atrioventricular blocks are more frequent in inferior than anterior STEMI, while new left anterior fascicular block and right bundle branch block indicate proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

The de Winter ECG pattern: Distribution and morphology of ST depression.

Background: The reported positive predictive value (PPV) for the "de Winter ECG pattern" to predict an acute left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion is inconsistent. Besides, the morphology of upsloping or nonupsloping ST depression (STD) may have different significance of severity and prognostication.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE database using "de Winter" or "junctional ST-depression with tall symmetrical T-waves" or "tall T wave" or "STEMI equivalent" as the item up to March 2020.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with non-myeloablative conditioning for patients with hematologic malignancies: Improved outcomes over two decades.

We have used a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for the past twenty years. During that period, changes in clinical practice have been aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality from infections, organ toxicity, and graft-versus-host disease. We hypothesized that improvements in clinical practice led to better transplantation outcomes over time.

Different ECG patterns of left main coronary artery occlusion signifying varying degrees of ischemic severity.

Many ischemic ECG patterns are found in patients with acute left main coronary artery occlusion. We present a patient with dynamic ECG changes that corresponded to changes in his clinical symptoms and hemodynamic status. These changes signify different severity of myocardial ischemia caused by left main coronary artery disease.

PR depression with multilead ST elevation and ST depression in aVR by left circumflex artery occlusion: How to differentiate from acute pericarditis.

PR-segment depression with multilead ST-segment elevation and ST-segment depression in lead aVR are classic ECG manifestation of acute pericarditis. We present a patient, where the etiology of these ECG features was acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to left circumflex artery occlusion. To avoid misdiagnosis, unnecessary examinations, and inappropriate therapeutic decisions, the possibility of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction should be kept in mind even when ECG changes typical for pericarditis are encountered in chest pain patients.

Ticagrelor Improves Remodeling, Reduces Apoptosis, Inflammation and Fibrosis and Increases the Number of Progenitor Stem Cells After Myocardial Infarction in a Rat Model of Ischemia Reperfusion.

Background/aims: We assessed the effects of ticagrelor, aspirin and prasugrel, started 7days after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury on remodeling, inflammation and fibrosis in the rat. We examined whether ticagrelor can affect the number of progenitor cells in the border zone. Ticagrelor, started 24h after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, attenuates the decrease in heart function and adverse remodeling, an effect which is blocked by aspirin.

DPP-4 inhibition by linagliptin prevents cardiac dysfunction and inflammation by targeting the Nlrp3/ASC inflammasome.

We compared the effects of linagliptin (Lina, a DPP4 inhibitor) and GLP-1 receptor activation by exenatide followed by exendin-4 in an infusion pump (EX) on infarct size (IS), post-infarction activation of the inflammasome and remodeling in wild-type (WT) and db/db diabetic mice. Mice underwent 30 min ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion. IS was assessed by TTC.

Atrial pacing every other beat: Is it pacemaker malfunction?

A 45 year old female with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and a dual chamber ICD underwent left ventricular outflow and mid ventricular cavity myectomy and mitral valve replacement. On her 5th day after surgery, ECG shows electronic atrial pacing every other complex with monomorphic wide QRS rhythm. The explanation of this ECG pattern is discussed.

PR depression with multi‑lead ST elevation and ST depression in aVR: Is it always acute pericarditis?

The classic electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestation of stage I of acute pericarditis is diffuse ST elevation and PR depression with ST depression in lead aVR. One of the most common conditions, that is often confused with acute pericarditis, is the benign diffuse ST elevation, termed "early repolarization with ST elevation" (ERSTE). ERSTE often presents with diffuse ST elevation in the inferior and anterolateral leads, with or without terminal QRS notching or slurring.

Spontaneous remission in diffuse large cell lymphoma: a case report.

Background: Spontaneous remission in solid malignancies has been documented. However, spontaneous remission in aggressive diffuse large b cell lymphoma is exceedingly rare. Previous reports of lymphoma remission suggest that not yet fully characterized tumor-intrinsic and microenvironment mechanisms cooperate with spontaneous regression.

Why complicate an important task? An orderly display of the limb leads in the 12-lead electrocardiogram and its implications for recognition of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In the standard ECG display, limb leads are presented in a non-anatomical sequence: I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF. The Cabrera system is a display format which instead presents the limb leads in a cranial/left-to-caudal/right sequence, i.e.

The antiviral activity of arbidol hydrochloride against herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2) in a mouse model of vaginitis.

Objective: HSV-2 infection has increased significantly in recent years, which is closely associated with cervical cancer and HIV infection. The lack of success in vaccine development and the emergence of drug resistance to commonly used drugs emphasize the urgent need for alternative antivirals against HSV-2 infection. Arbidol (ARB) has been demonstrated to be a broad spectrum antiviral drug that exhibits immunomodulatory properties that affect the HSV-2 life cycle.

Circulating blood cells and extracellular vesicles in acute cardioprotection.

During an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the myocardium undergoes a prolonged period of ischaemia. Reperfusion therapy is essential to minimize cardiac injury but can paradoxically cause further damage. Experimental procedures to limit ischaemia and reperfusion (IR) injury have tended to focus on the cardiomyocytes since they are crucial for cardiac function.

Upsloping ST depression: Is it acute ischemia?

We describe a patient with acute coronary syndrome, presenting with upsloping ST depression in leads I, II, V3-V6 and ST elevation in lead aVR. Coronary angiography revealed spontaneous dissection in a big, dominant left circumflex artery. No other lesions identified.

Long-acting liposomal bupivacaine decreases inpatient narcotic requirements in men undergoing penile prosthesis implantation.

Objective: A new extended-release bupivacaine suspension bupivacaine (ERSB) delivers 3 days of local anesthetic and has been shown to reduce pain and narcotic usage in some patient groups but this issue is largely unstudied in urologic surgery.

Material And Methods: We performed a single-surgeon retrospective chart review of the patients who underwent penile prosthesis implantation. Pain scores and standardized morphine equivalent (ME) dose data were collected during 23 hour- observation period.

Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist.

Purpose: Borderline prostatic lesions, with insufficient histomorphologic features, to be definitely diagnosed as prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) are often signed out as "atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma" or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). These findings that eventually warrant either immunohistochemical (IHC) studies or a repeat biopsy, prove to be more burdensome to patients in developing countries (such as the Philippines), where health care is not as progressive nor is it an utmost priority. At the same time, in countries like the Philippines, there is a shortage of urological pathologists.

Wide QRS tachycardia refractory to pharmacologic interventions and cardioversion.

The case of a 43-year-old man with an idiopathic wide QRS tachycardia resistant to adenosine, lidocaine, procainamide, and multiple electric shocks is described. The tachycardia eventually stopped after a pacing wire was introduced in the right ventricle, inducing a run of rapid ventricular tachycardia. The possible causes of resistance to medications and cardioversion, and alternative treatment modalities are reviewed.