Medical therapy vs early revascularization in diabetics with chronic total occlusions: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND: Management of chronic total occlusions (CTO) in diabetics is challenging, with a recent trend towards early revascularization [ER: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and bypass grafting] instead of optimal medical therapy (OMT). We hypothesize that ER improves morbidity and mortality outcomes in diabetic patients with CTOs as compared to OMT. AIM: To determine the long term clinical outcomes and to compare morbidity and mortality between OMT and ER in diabetic patients with CTOs. METHODS: Potentially relevant published clinical trials were identified in Medline, Embase, chemical abstracts and Biosis (from start of the databases till date) and pooled hazard ratios (HR) computed using a random effects model, with significant P value \u3c 0.05. Primary outcome of interest was all-cause death. Secondary outcomes included cardiac death, prompt revascularization (ER) or repeat myocardial infarction (MI). Due to scarcity of data, both Randomized control trials and observational studies were included. 4 eligible articles, containing 2248 patients were identified (1252 in OMT and 1196 in ER). Mean follow-up was 45-60 mo. RESULTS: OMT was associated with a higher all-cause mortality [HR: 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-3.26,P = 0.11] and cardiac mortality (HR: 1.68, 95%CI: 0.96-2.96, P = 0.07). Results were close to significance. The risk of repeat MI was almost the same in both groups (HR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.61-1.54,P = 0.90). Similarly, patients assigned to OMT had a higher risk of repeat revascularization (HR: 1.62, 95%CI: 1.36-1.94,P \u3c 0.00001). Sub-group analysis of OMT vs PCI demonstrated higher all-cause (HR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.36-2.87,P = 0.0003) and cardiac mortality (HR: 1.87, 95%CI: 0.96-3.62,P = 0.06) in the OMT group. The risk of repeat MI was low in the OMT groupvs PCI (HR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.31-0.91,P = 0.02). Data on repeat revascularization revealed no difference between the two (HR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.52-1.93, P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients with CTO, there was a trend for improved outcomes with ER regarding all-cause and cardiac death as compared to OMT. These findings were reinforced with statistical significance on subgroup analysis of OMT vs PCI

A man with dilated superficial abdominal veins.

Background: The clinical presentation of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) varies tremendously depending upon the type of lymphoma and the areas of involvement. NHL can rarely present as an abdominal mass compressing the inferior vena cava. The clinical presentation due to obstruction of inferior vena cava has often been called the inferior vena cava syndrome (IVCS). It can present acutely or chronically. Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male presented with 3 months history of fever, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal discomfort. His abdominal examination showed dilated superficial veins with blood flowing rostrally. CECT abdomen revealed multiple enlarged some necrotic, retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The inferior vena cava was noted to be compressed by the lymph nodes. The lymph node biopsy revealed non- Hodgkin lymphoma, precursor B cell. Conclusion: An abdominal mass compressing the inferior vena cava is a rare but possible cause for appearance of dilated superficial abdominal veins and should be looked for

ANA Negative Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Leading to CTEPH, TTP-Like Thrombocytopenia, and Skin Ulcers

SLE affects almost every organ system, with differing degrees of severity. During its clinical course periods of flares may alternate with periods of remission culminating in disease and therapy related damage. We describe a case of ANA negative SLE with severe thrombocytopenia, cutaneous vasculitis, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and pulmonary artery hypertension. As there is no definitive cure for SLE the treatment lies in caring for the individual organ systems involved and simultaneously taking care of the patient as a whole

Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): A case report and review of literature

Tuberculosis is a very highly prevalent disease particularly in the developing world. In India one person dies of tuberculosis every minute. It can be a differential diagnosis of any disease ranging from infections to malignancies. But tuberculosis as a primary cause of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is an uncommon occurrence. Among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, those with miliary or disseminated disease or having comorbidities like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are especially prone to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We present a case of a young female with no comorbidities or immuno suppression who presented with ARDS to us. We initially managed with mechanical ventilation and broad spectrum antibiotics, but there was no improvement. Only after anti tubercular therapy (ATT) and corticosteroids the patient recovered