Modified CHA2DS2-VASc score predicts in-hospital mortality and procedural complications in acute coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Current risk prediction models in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing PCI are mathematically complex. This study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of a modified CHA2DS2-VASc score, comprised of easily accessible clinical factors in predicting adverse events. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for ACS patients who underwent PCI between 2010 and 2014. We developed a modified CHA2DS2-VASc score for risk prediction in ACS patients. Multivariate mixed effect logistic regression was utilized to study the adjusted risk for adverse outcomes based on the score. The primary outcome evaluated was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes assessed were stroke, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, all-cause bleeding, pacemaker insertion, vascular complications, length of stay and cost. Results: There were 252,443 patients admitted with ACS included. Mean age was 62 +/- 12 years. The mean CH3A2DS-VASc score was 1.6 +/- 1.6. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.5%. CH3A2DS-VASc score was highly correlated with increased rate of mortality and all secondary outcomes. ROC curve analysis for association of CH3A2DS-VASc score with mortality demonstrates that area under the curve (AUC) = 0.83 (95%C: 0.82-0.84). Stepwise increases in CH3A2DS-VASc score correlated with incremental risk, and total score was an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted OR: 1.99 (95%CI: 1.96-2.03) p \u3c 0.001) and all secondary outcomes. Conclusion: This study supports the applicability of the CH3A2DS-VASc score as an accurate risk prediction model for ACS patients undergoing PCI and could supplant more complicated models for quality assurance

AngioVac System Used for Vegetation Debulking in a Patient with Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

AngioVac is a vacuum-based device approved in 2014 for percutaneous removal of undesirable materials from the intravascular system. Although numerous reports exist with regard to the use of the AngioVac device in aspiration of iliocaval, pulmonary, upper extremity, and right-sided heart chamber thrombi, very few data are present demonstrating its use in treatment of right-sided endocarditis. In this case report, we describe the novel device used in debulking a large right-sided tricuspid valve vegetation reducing the occurrence of septic embolisation and enhancing the efficacy of antibiotics in clearance of bloodstream infection. Further research is needed in larger RSIE patient populations to confirm the benefits and the potential of improved outcomes associated with the AngioVac device as well as identify its potential complications

Thrombus in the Right Coronary Sinus of Valsalva Originating From the Left Atrial Appendage Causing Embolic Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is commonly a result of coronary atherosclerotic plaque rupture and superimposed thrombus formation. Nevertheless, uncommon causes of MI including embolism from aortic root and ascending aorta mural thrombi must be considered when coronary atherosclerotic disease is not evident. We report a case of a 84-year-old woman who presented with an inferior ST-segment elevation MI. Initial attempts to engage the right coronary artery (RCA) were unsuccessful. Aortic angiography revealed evidence of the left coronary artery ostium with absence of the right coronary ostium or RCA. Probing with a coronary wire where the RCA ostium was presumed to be located yielded resolution of the ST-segment elevation. The RCA was then easily engaged using a guide catheter, and angiographic evaluation showed a smooth vessel with no evidence of coronary artery disease except for abrupt termination of the distal PL2 branch. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an aortic root thrombus extending into the right coronary sinus of Valsalva and a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. The case reveals RCA embolism from an aortic root thrombus likely originating from the left trial appendage. A conservative approach to treatment with anticoagulation was pursued that resulted in full recovery. A review of the literature revealed that the etiology of aortic root thrombi is proposed to be multifactorial. Prospective randomized studies are needed to demonstrate the best treatment approach, although this appears to be impracticable given the rarity of the disease

Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection: Rare Presentation of Incidental Pericardial Effusion

Aortic dissection is the most devastating sequelae of aortopathy other than aortic rupture. However, aortic dissection can be asymptomatic in the acute phase with delayed symptomatic presentation or incidental diagnosis upon chest imaging. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who was diagnosed with pericardial effusion upon preoperative workup for elective cholecystectomy. Further investigations confirmed hemorrhagic pericardial effusion secondary to a chronic dissecting ascending aortic aneurysm. The patient condition was successfully managed with open surgical repair with an uneventful postoperative course. This case demonstrates an extremely rare presentation of incidental hemorrhagic pericardial effusion caused by a chronic dissecting ascending aortic aneurysm

Oral squamous cell carcinoma with synchronous follicular lymphoma: A rare case report

The occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma synchronously with lymphoma arising primarily in cervical lymph nodes is rare. Here, we report a case representing an infrequent finding. A 66-year-old male who was diagnosed with right mandibular squamous cell carcinoma and was subsequently found to have a nodal follicular lymphoma as a second malignancy. The patient underwent surgical resection for the oral squamous cell carcinoma with right selective neck dissection. The multidisciplinary team’s postoperative treatment strategy involved adjuvant radiotherapy for the oral squamous cell carcinoma, while adopting a close follow-up approach for the follicular lymphoma. After an 18-month follow-up, there were no evidence of disease progression. This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges of synchronous primary malignancies occurring in the head and neck region. It also underscores the importance to conduct a comprehensive clinical and histopathological examination to rule out the possibility of synchronous neoplasms

Awareness, Self-Use, Perceptions, Beliefs, and Attitudes toward Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) among Health Professional Students in King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background. Around 75% of the world’s population relies on the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for their healthcare. Thus, we aimed at assessing the attitude and perception of health professional students about CAM and correlate the results with their demographical data. Methods. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by enrolling 350 students. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results. Results of our data suggested that majority of students were aware of the CAM modalities and considered prayers/spirituality (83.6%), massage (72.5%), nutritional supplements (74.1%), cupping (68.5%), herbal medicine (66.2), and yoga (61.6%) as most effective and least harmful CAM modalities. The students acquired more information about CAM from media (55%), books (56%), friends/relatives (59.7%), and other health professionals (58.4%), however, very little information from formal CAM courses or training (36.7%), which shows the lack of courses and trained health professional in the field of CAM. Despite utilizing nonreliable sources of CAM information, the majority of students had positive attitudes and perceptions about CAM usage. Majority of the students (75.8%) believe in the use of CAM for the mental and spiritual aspect of health and think that CAM providers give good information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The data also showed a significant P<0.05 association between awareness about CAM and gender. A significantly higher percentage of female students were using yoga and aromatherapy, while cupping was mostly used by male students. Similarly, a significant association was found among the different colleges and level of students in most of the CAM modalities. However, no association was found between the awareness and use of CAM with the educational level of parents or relatives in health sector except for acupuncture and cupping, where student’s awareness about acupuncture and cupping was found to have a significant positive association with mother educational level. On the other hand, a significant inverse association was found between acupuncture, yoga, cupping, and aromatherapy with family income. Conclusion. In conclusion, despite the lack of proper courses and professionally trained healthcare providers in the field of CAM, students demonstrated positive attitudes and beliefs toward the safety and effectiveness of CAM

Myelomatous Pleural Effusion: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Multiple myeloma (MM) is typically characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells producing a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Pleural effusion in MM is uncommon and usually caused by heart failure, pulmonary embolus, and nephrotic syndrome [Arch Intern Med. 1978;138(5):727–30; Chest. 1994;105(2):622–4]. Here, we report a case of myelomatous pleural effusion as part of the initial presentation of MM in a patient with the IgG-lambda subtype, which is extremely uncommon