Case Report Bilateral Upper Extremity DVT in a 43-Year-Old Man: Is It Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?!

Recurrent deep venous thrombosis, involving bilateral upper extremities, is an extremely rare phenomenon. We are presenting a 43-year-old man who was diagnosed with left upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) and was treated with anticoagulation and surgical decompression in 2004. 9 years later, he presented with right arm swelling and was diagnosed with right UEDVT using US venous Doppler. Venogram showed compression of the subclavian vein by the first rib, diagnosing thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). He was treated with anticoagulation and local venolysis and later by surgical decompression of the subclavian vein. Bilateral UEDVT, as mentioned above, is an extremely rare condition that is uncommonly caused by TOS. To our knowledge, we are reporting the first case of bilateral UEDVT due to TOS. Diagnosis usually starts with US venous Doppler to detect the thrombosis, followed by the gold standard venogram to locate the area of obstruction and lyse the thrombus if needed. The ultimate treatment for TOS remains surgical decompression of the vascular bundle at the thoracic outlet

Hydroxychloroquine: A Comprehensive Review and Its Controversial Role in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Hydroxychloroquine, initially used as an antimalarial, is used as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent for the management of autoimmune and rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Lately, there has been interest in its potential efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, with several speculated mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to elaborate on the mechanisms surrounding hydroxychloroquine. The review is an in-depth analysis of the antimalarial, immunomodulatory, and antiviral mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine, with detailed and novel pictorial explanations. The mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine are related to potential cardiotoxic manifestations and demonstrate potential adverse effects when used for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, current literature associated with hydroxychloroquine and COVID-19 has been analyzed to interrelate the mechanisms, adverse effects, and use of hydroxychloroquine in the current pandemic. Currently, there is insufficient evidence about the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19.KEY MESSAGES HCQ, initially an antimalarial agent, is used as an immunomodulatory agent for managing several autoimmune diseases, for which its efficacy is linked to inhibiting lysosomal antigen processing, MHC-II antigen presentation, and TLR functions. HCQ is generally well-tolerated although severe life-threatening adverse effects including cardiomyopathy and conduction defects have been reported. HCQ use in COVID-19 should be discouraged outside clinical trials under strict medical supervision

Validation of automated data abstraction for SCCM discovery VIRUS COVID-19 registry: practical EHR export pathways (VIRUS-PEEP)

BackgroundThe gold standard for gathering data from electronic health records (EHR) has been manual data extraction; however, this requires vast resources and personnel. Automation of this process reduces resource burdens and expands research opportunities.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the feasibility and reliability of automated data extraction in a large registry of adult COVID-19 patients.Materials and methodsThis observational study included data from sites participating in the SCCM Discovery VIRUS COVID-19 registry. Important demographic, comorbidity, and outcome variables were chosen for manual and automated extraction for the feasibility dataset. We quantified the degree of agreement with Cohen’s kappa statistics for categorical variables. The sensitivity and specificity were also assessed. Correlations for continuous variables were assessed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots. The strength of agreement was defined as almost perfect (0.81–1.00), substantial (0.61–0.80), and moderate (0.41–0.60) based on kappa statistics. Pearson correlations were classified as trivial (0.00–0.30), low (0.30–0.50), moderate (0.50–0.70), high (0.70–0.90), and extremely high (0.90–1.00).Measurements and main resultsThe cohort included 652 patients from 11 sites. The agreement between manual and automated extraction for categorical variables was almost perfect in 13 (72.2%) variables (Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, ICU admission rate, IMV rate, HFNC rate, ICU and Hospital Discharge Status), and substantial in five (27.8%) (COPD, CKD, Dyslipidemia/Hyperlipidemia, NIMV, and ECMO rate). The correlations were extremely high in three (42.9%) variables (age, weight, and hospital LOS) and high in four (57.1%) of the continuous variables (Height, Days to ICU admission, ICU LOS, and IMV days). The average sensitivity and specificity for the categorical data were 90.7 and 96.9%.Conclusion and relevanceOur study confirms the feasibility and validity of an automated process to gather data from the EHR

Validation of Automated Data Abstraction for SCCM Discovery VIRUS COVID-19 Registry: Practical EHR Export Pathways (VIRUS-PEEP)

BACKGROUND: The gold standard for gathering data from electronic health records (EHR) has been manual data extraction; however, this requires vast resources and personnel. Automation of this process reduces resource burdens and expands research opportunities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the feasibility and reliability of automated data extraction in a large registry of adult COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study included data from sites participating in the SCCM Discovery VIRUS COVID-19 registry. Important demographic, comorbidity, and outcome variables were chosen for manual and automated extraction for the feasibility dataset. We quantified the degree of agreement with Cohen\u27s kappa statistics for categorical variables. The sensitivity and specificity were also assessed. Correlations for continuous variables were assessed with Pearson\u27s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. The strength of agreement was defined as almost perfect (0.81-1.00), substantial (0.61-0.80), and moderate (0.41-0.60) based on kappa statistics. Pearson correlations were classified as trivial (0.00-0.30), low (0.30-0.50), moderate (0.50-0.70), high (0.70-0.90), and extremely high (0.90-1.00). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cohort included 652 patients from 11 sites. The agreement between manual and automated extraction for categorical variables was almost perfect in 13 (72.2%) variables (Race, Ethnicity, Sex, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, ICU admission rate, IMV rate, HFNC rate, ICU and Hospital Discharge Status), and substantial in five (27.8%) (COPD, CKD, Dyslipidemia/Hyperlipidemia, NIMV, and ECMO rate). The correlations were extremely high in three (42.9%) variables (age, weight, and hospital LOS) and high in four (57.1%) of the continuous variables (Height, Days to ICU admission, ICU LOS, and IMV days). The average sensitivity and specificity for the categorical data were 90.7 and 96.9%. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our study confirms the feasibility and validity of an automated process to gather data from the EHR

A retrospective analysis of normal saline and lactated ringers as resuscitation fluid in sepsis

BackgroundThe Surviving Sepsis Campaign suggested preferential resuscitation with balanced crystalloids, such as Lactated Ringer’s (LR), although the level of recommendation was weak, and the quality of evidence was low. Past studies reported an association of unbalanced solutions, such as normal saline (NS), with increased AKI risks, metabolic acidosis, and prolonged ICU stay, although some of the findings are conflicting. We have compared the outcomes with the preferential use of normal saline vs. ringer’s lactate in a cohort of sepsis patients.MethodWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients visiting the ED of 19 different Mayo Clinic sites between August 2018 to November 2020 with sepsis and receiving at least 30 mL/kg fluid in the first 6 h. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the type of resuscitation fluid (LR vs. NS) and propensity-matching was done based on clinical characteristics as well as fluid amount (with 5 ml/kg). Single variable logistic regression (categorical outcomes) and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare the primary and secondary outcomes between the 2 groups.ResultsOut of 2022 patients meeting our inclusion criteria; 1,428 (70.6%) received NS, and 594 (29.4%) received LR as the predominant fluid (>30 mL/kg). Patients receiving predominantly NS were more likely to be male and older in age. The LR cohort had a higher BMI, lactate level and incidence of septic shock. Propensity-matched analysis did not show a difference in 30-day and in-hospital mortality rate, mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, or CRRT requirement. We did observe longer hospital LOS in the LR group (median 5 vs. 4 days, p = 0.047 and higher requirement for ICU post-admission (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51–0.96; p = 0.026) in the NS group. However, these did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple testing.ConclusionIn our matched cohort, we did not show any statistically significant difference in mortality rates, hospital LOS, ICU admission after diagnosis, mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy and RRT between sepsis patients receiving lactated ringers and normal saline as predominant resuscitation fluid. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to solidify the current guidelines on the use of balanced crystalloids

Recurrent nitrofurantoin-induced giant cell interstitial pneumonia: Case report and literature review

Giant cell interstitial pneumonia (GIP) is a rare form of chronic interstitial pneumonia typically associated with hard metal exposure. Only two cases of GIP induced by nitrofurantoin have been reported in the medical literature. We are reporting a case of recurrent nitrofurantoin-induced GIP. Although extremely rare, GIP needs to be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with chronic nitrofurantoin use who present with respiratory illness

Updated trends in inferior vena cava filter use by indication in the United States after Food and Drug Administration safety warnings: A decade analysis from 2010 to 2019

Background: Overall inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) utilization has decreased in the United States since the 2010 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety communication. The FDA renewed this safety warning in 2014 with additional mandates on reporting IVCF-related adverse events. We evaluated the impact of the FDA recommendations on IVCF placements for different indications from 2010 to 2019 and further assessed utilization trends by region and hospital teaching status. Methods: Inferior vena cava filter placements between 2010 and 2019 were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database using the associated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, and Tenth Revision codes. Inferior vena cava filter placements were categorized by indication for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment in patients with VTE diagnosis and contraindication to anticoagulation and prophylaxis in patients without VTE. Generalized linear regression was used to analyze utilization trends. Results: A total of 823 717 IVCFs were placed over the study period, of which 644 663 (78.3%) were for VTE treatment and 179 054 (21.7%) were for prophylaxis indications. The median age for both categories of patients was 68 years. The total number of IVCFs placed for all indications decreased from 129 616 in 2010 to 58 465 in 2019, with an aggregate decline rate of -8.4%. The decline rate was higher between 2014 and 2019 than between 2010 and 2014 (-11.6% vs -7.2%). From 2010 to 2019, IVCF placement for VTE treatment and prophylaxis trended downward at rates of -7.9% and -10.2%, respectively. Urban nonteaching hospitals saw the highest decline for both VTE treatment (-17.2%) and prophylactic indications (-18.0%). Hospitals located in the Northeast region had the highest decline rates for VTE treatment (-10.3%) and prophylactic indications (-12.5%). Conclusion: The higher decline rate in IVCF placements between 2014 and 2019 compared with 2010 and 2014 suggests an additional impact of the renewed 2014 FDA safety indications on national IVCF utilization. Variations in IVCF use for VTE treatment and prophylactic indications existed across hospital teaching types, locations, and regions. Clinical impact: Inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are associated with medical complications. The 2010 and 2014 FDA safety warnings appeared to have synergistically contributed to a significant decline in IVCF utilization rates from 2010 - 2019 in the US. IVC filter placements in patients without venous thromboembolism (VTE) declined at a higher rate than VTE. However, IVCF utilization varied across hospitals and geographical locations, likely due to the absence of universally accepted clinical guidelines on IVCF indications and use. Harmonization of IVCF placement guidelines is needed to standardize clinical practice, thereby reducing the observed regional and hospital variations and potential IVC filter overutilization

Large Right Atrial Thrombus Associated with Central Venous Catheter Requiring Open Heart Surgery

Central venous catheters (CVC) are used commonly in clinical practice. Incidences of CVC-related right atrial thrombosis (CRAT) are variable, but, when right atrial thrombus is present, it carries a mortality risk of 18% in hemodialysis patients and greater than 40% risk in nonhemodialysis patients. Different pathogenic mechanisms have been postulated for the development of CRAT, which includes mechanical irritation of the myocardial wall, propagation of intraluminal clot, hypercoagulability, and hemodynamics of right atria. Presentation of CRAT may be asymptomatic or may be associated with one of the complications of CRAT like pulmonary embolism, systemic embolism, infected thrombi, or hemodynamic compromise. There are no established treatment guidelines for CRAT. We describe an interesting case of a 59-year-old asymptomatic male successfully treated with open heart surgery after failure of medical treatment for a large CRAT discovered during a preoperative evaluation for a kidney transplant. Our case underscores that early detection of CRAT may carry a favorable prognosis as opposed to waiting until catastrophic complications arise. It also underscores the importance of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of thrombus and perhaps guides clinicians on which treatment modality to be used according to the size of the thrombus