Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

Massive blood transfusion: A case report of transfusion of 70 units of blood and blood products in 24 hours

The mortality of massive blood transfusion is very high ranging from 34% - 40% . Only 60 % of patients receiving more than ten packed red blood cells units within the first 24 hours have survived. We share our experience with massive blood transfusion in which seventy units of blood and blood products were transfused in 24 hours following massive transfusion protocol. To conclude each institute should have massive transfusion protocol to improve the clinical outcome of the patient. Anaesthetist should be aware about local resources and should ensure early communication with laboratory, haematologist and blood bank. In view of cost, increased demand, urgency, availability and risk of infections, blood substitutes are of great concern specially in developing countries. This case study also emphasizes on future research to make blood substitute with more similarities and minimum complication to replace donated blood

Simultaneous bilateral inflammatory choroidal neovascularization in a case of healed serpiginous-like choroiditis

Objective: Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (i-CNV) is an infrequent but sight-threatening complication of posterior uveitis. Although it can occur in a wide range of infectious and non-infectious uveitides, presence of simultaneous bilateral i-CNV is rare. In this report, we present a unique case of bilateral simultaneous i-CNV in a young patient of healed tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis.Method: A 20-year-old male presented with recent worsening of vision in the right eye for one month. Fundus examination revealed bilateral multifocal healed choroiditis lesions with right eye tiny subfoveal hemorrhage raising the suspicion of an underlying choroidal neovascularization. Fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography confirmed presence of choroidal neovascular membrane in both eyes.Result: Resolution of activity was noted in both eyes after bilateral sequential intravitreal bevacizumab injections.Conclusion: Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization may be seen in patients with healed tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis, after a long period of quiescence. Simultaneous bilateral presentation is rare but possible, requiring mandatory multimodal imaging of both eyes under high index of suspicion. Early institution of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor may salvage optimum vision in such a scenario

Comparative study to assess the quality of analgesia of bupivacaine and bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in ultrasound-guided pectoral nerve block type I and II in breast surgeries

Background and Aims: Dexmedetomidine has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in prolonging the duration of peripheral nerve blocks. This study was designed to compare the duration, quality of postoperative analgesia, hemodynamic stability, and patient's satisfaction with addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine versus plain bupivacaine in pectoral nerve block (Pecs) type I and II in breast surgeries. Material and Methods: This prospective randomized double-blind study was carried out in 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I–III female patients, aged 18–70 years randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A received 10 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for pecs I block and 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for pecs II block. Group B received 10 ml 0.25% bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine for pecs I block and 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in pecs II block, keeping a total dose of dexmedetomidine of 1 μg/kg body weight and the volume constant in both the groups. Results: Numerical rating scores at rest and on abduction of arm were significantly lower in Group B. There was a 40% increase in duration of complete analgesia in dexmedetomidine group (1024.0 ± 124.9 min) compared to plain bupivacaine (726.4 ± 155.3 min; P < 0.001). Total consumption of injection diclofenac sodium in 24 h was 23% less in Group B (77.5 ± 13.6 mg) compared to Group A (100.0 ± 35.9 mg, P = 0.003). Patient satisfaction score was significantly better in dexmedetomidine group. No adverse effects were noted in either group. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to bupivacaine helps prolong the duration and improves the quality of postoperative analgesia in pecs I and II block without serious side effects

Comparative evaluation of incidence of emergence agitation and post-operative recovery profile in paediatric patients after isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane anaesthesia

Background: Emergence agitation (EA), although well documented in the clinical literature, still has uncertainties and confusion abound on this subject because of the absence of a clear definition and lack of reliable and valid assessment tools. Aim: To compare the incidence and severity of EA and recovery characteristics in paediatric patients under isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane anaesthesia and evaluate the effect of age and duration of anaesthesia on the incidence of EA. Settings and Design: Randomized prospective double-blinded study. Methods: Seventy-five American Society of Anaesthesiologists I and II patients, aged between 4 months and 7 years, were included in the study. Patients were induced with sevoflurane and oxygen. Anaesthesia was maintained with O 2 + N 2 O and isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane according to randomization. Caudal block and paracetamol suppository was administered before the surgical incision. In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), degree of agitation was assessed using the Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale. Aldrette score, Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability score and any adverse events were noted. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square/Fischer exact test was applied for categorical variables; for continuous variables, the analysis of variance/non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test was applied. Two-sample t-test/non-parametric Wisconsin Mann-Whitney test was applied between the two groups. Statistical significance was determined at P<0.05. Results: Incidence and intensity of EA were comparable in all three groups. Age and duration of anaesthesia do not appear to have any bearing on the incidence of EA. Rapid emergence with sevoflurane and desflurane did not translate into early discharge from PACU. Conclusions: EA is a multifactorial syndrome. More well-conducted studies using validated scales and standardized protocols should be carried out to better understand this phenomenon

Tubercular Mycotic Aortic Aneurysm: Complication of Tubercular Spondylodiscitis due to Treatment Default

We have reported rare case of tubercular aortic aneurysm which has developed as complication of spinal tuberculosis. Imaging of patient is available prior to starting of antitubercular treatment which showed vertebral tuberculosis with absence of aortic aneurysm. However, patient defaulted on treatment after taking antitubercular chemotherapy only for 2 months. Patient again reported after 14 months with chest pain. At this stage, imaging showed progression of spinal tuberculosis with development of pseudoaneurysm in adjacent descending thoracic aorta. This contiguous spread of tuberculosis from spine to aorta may have been prevented if patient had completed complete course of antitubercular therapy with regular follow-ups. Patient of spinal tuberculosis need to be counselled and informed regarding its various complications, so that they remain adhered to antitubercular chemotherapy and timely follow-ups to prevent complications

Ureteric Rupture: Rare Complication of Inappropriate Urinary Bladder Catheterization

We have reported case of 71-year-old male with acute urinary retention due to gross prostatomegaly. Due to inappropriate catheterization, urinary bladder remained distended and ultimately caused left ureteric rupture. This article is peculiar as it shows that misplaced Foley's catheter may also lead to exceedingly rare complication of ureteric rupture and highlights importance of proper management of difficult catheterization which is otherwise considered a simple procedure

Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in stable patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Sub-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lifestyle-related chronic inflammatory pulmonary disease and a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are common observations in COPD and degree of the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) has been found to be proportionate to the severity of the disease. Objectives: Our objective was to study the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in stable COPD patients in Indian Sub-Himalayan population. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 84 patients of COPD attending as outpatient in the Pulmonary Medicine Department after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A control group of 60 healthy controls was selected for comparison with COPD group. Spirometry was done on patients to stage the severity of COPD according to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan of the lumbar spine was done using bone densitometer to determine the severity of reduced BMD. The patients were categorized according to the World Health Organization criterion for definition of reduced BMD. Results: In the present study, a total of 45.2% patients had osteoporosis, 41.6% patients had osteopenia while the rest 13% patients had normal bone density in the COPD group. The prevalence of low bone density was about 4 times higher in COPD group as compared to control group. There were 15.48 times higher chances of low BMD in COPD patients as compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: Reduced BMD is a common comorbid entity in COPD patients which leads to increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. It is recommended that all the patients with COPD should be screened for osteoporosis to initiate the treatment for the disorder before they develop fractures