Abstract P363: Predictors of Utility of Advanced Cardiac Imaging in Revealing Cryptogenic Stroke Etiology

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M Schachter ◽  
Micaela Schachter ◽  
Blake Beehler ◽  
Jeffrey Quinn ◽  
Jeremy E Kulacz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cardiac Imaging ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

Introduction: Advanced cardiac imaging (ACI), including transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), cardiac CT and cardiac MRI, is widely considered a crucial element in the work-up of cryptogenic and ESUS stroke. Current data on diagnostic yields are variable, though, and selection of patients to undergo such imaging is largely anecdotal. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective case series review of all cryptogenic ischemic strokes who received ACI, admitted to a large urban academic single-center over a 2.5-year period. Patient characteristics and imaging findings were analyzed to determine diagnostic yields and to identify positive and negative predictors that ACI would uncover etiology. Results: Out of 277 total cryptogenic ischemic strokes reviewed, ACI determined etiology in 20 cases (7.2%). Median age was 61 (IQR = 52-73). Patient sex was 49.5% female. Race demographic was 1.8% Asian, 50.9% black, 14.1% latino(a), and 33.2% white. Etiology was found by TEE in 16 of 20 cases, and the most common finding was left atrial thrombus/smoke. Latino(a) race was significantly more likely (15.4%) for ACI to find etiology and white race was significantly less likely (1.1%), p = .03 and .005, respectively. The table included shows other notable findings. Analogous trends were observed in a subgroup analysis of patients greater or equal to 60 years old. Conclusion: Our data indicate that in cryptogenic stroke premorbid non-use of antithrombotic, elevated troponin and left atrial dilatation are each individually associated with increased likelihood that ACI will find an etiology. Meanwhile, patients with diabetes mellitus are significantly less likely to have etiology found by ACI; and, smokers with combined hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus trend towards ACI less frequently uncovering etiology. Finally, the data suggest potential racial disparities of finding etiology with ACI, the determinants of which remain to be studied.

CASE SERIES: A SPECTRUM OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
Venkatesh B. C. ◽  
Rajendra Rao K. M. ◽  
K. N. Mohan Rao
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Causative Agents

Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a major health crisis across the globe. With the increasing number of fungal infections associated with COVID-19 being reported, it is imperative to understand the spectrum of such infections. Most documented cases have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus or treatment with immunomodulators. The most common causative agents are Aspergillus, Candida or Mucorales. This series aims to portray the spectrum of fungal infections associated with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and Safety of Sitagliptin in Patients with Beta-thalassaemia Major and Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Series

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e2017004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Zonoozi
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Thalassaemia Major ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Antidiabetic Agent ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Beta Thalassaemia ◽  
Equivalent Reduction

Sitagliptin, a modern antidiabetic agent which is weight neutral and associated with low rate of hypoglycaemias, is being increasingly used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However there is paucity of data about its efficacy and safety in beta-thalassaemia major (β-TM).This retrospective case series of five patients (mean age of 45 years) is the first study evaluating the use of sitagliptin in patients with β-TM and DM.Four patients responded well to sitagliptin, as evidenced by decrease in fructosamine by 77 and 96µmol/L (equivalent reduction in HbA1c of 1.5% and 1.9%) observed in two patients and reduction in the frequency of hypoglycaemia without worsening glycaemic control in two others. One patient did not respond to sitagliptin. No patients reported significant side effects.This study provides evidence that sitagliptin may be considered, with caution, for use in patients with β-TM and DM, under the close monitoring of a Diabetologist.

scholarly journals Surgical Technique for Management of Severe Calcaneofibular Impingement: Case Series

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 247301142095379
Author(s):  
Jay M. Levin ◽  
James K. DeOrio
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Lateral Wall ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Calcaneal Fracture ◽  
Lateral Approach ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Calcaneal Osteotomy

Background: Calcaneofibular impingement is characterized by lateral hindfoot pain and is commonly resulting from calcaneal fracture malunion or severe flatfoot deformity. Lateral calcaneal wall decompression has been used successfully to relieve pain in patients who have calcaneofibular impingement. However, in cases of severe impingement and hindfoot valgus, lateral wall excision may leave only a small remnant of calcaneal bone for weightbearing and can lead to chronic heel pain. We describe a surgical technique using a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO) combined with a lateral wall exostectomy and report on the outcomes from our series of patients. Methods: Retrospective study of a single surgeon’s patients was done from 2010 to 2020 who underwent medial slide calcaneal osteotomy and lateral wall exostectomy for calcaneofibular impingement. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics. Our study included 9 patients, 6 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 59 years (range: 19-77) and a mean follow-up of 62 weeks (range: 6-184). Results: Five had an Achilles split approach, 2 had an oblique lateral approach, and 1 had an extensile lateral approach. Patients achieved radiographic relief of impingement and improvement in pain. Minor skin and soft tissue complications occurred in 3 patients, all of which were associated with laterally based incisions, and all resolved after a 10-day course of oral antibiotics. No major complications, emergency department visits, or readmissions occurred. Conclusions: MDCO and lateral wall exostectomy was a safe and effective treatment for severe calcaneofibular impingement. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Extra-articular Medial Impression Fracture of the Talus: A Previously Undescribed Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 553-558
Author(s):  
Olivier Wijers ◽  
Rosa C. Looijen ◽  
Jens A. Halm ◽  
Tim Schepers
Keyword(s):  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Trauma Mechanism ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Articular Fractures ◽  
First Case ◽  
Impression Fracture ◽  
Talar Fractures ◽  
Almost All

Background: Peripheral fractures of the talus are uncommon. Almost all the literature regarding talar fractures consists of central intra-articular fractures, whereas studies about peripheral talar fractures are lacking. The aim of this study is to increase awareness in diagnosing an unusual peripheral extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. Methods: This study includes a retrospective case series of patients with an extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. Patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, diagnostics, fracture characteristics, and treatment were reported. Results: Eight consecutive patients with an extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus were identified. In 80%, the trauma mechanism was a supination or inversion injury of the ankle and foot. An X-ray was obtained in all patients; in 7 (88%) patients, a computed tomography scan was done, and an additional magnetic resonance imaging was done in 3 (38%) patients. In 4 patients (50%), the correct diagnosis was missed at first presentation. The delay between injury and diagnosis was 0 to 180 days (of 36 days on average). Conclusion: This is the first case series to describe patients with a peripheral extra-articular medial impression fracture of the talus. Good clinical examination and judicious use of diagnostic imaging are a necessity to find the talar impression fractures in a timely manner, and treatment can be started immediately. Levels of Evidence: Level V

scholarly journals Telemedicine during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Outpatients Service Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Francesco Corea ◽  
Silvia Ciotti ◽  
Antonella Cometa ◽  
Claudia De Carlo ◽  
Giancarlo Martini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Short Disease Duration ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a broader implementation of telemedicine for many diseases has become apparent. Televisits are one type of telemedicine in which clinical visits are conducted remotely using an audio-visual connection with the patient at home. The use of televisits is more established in Stroke care but was also recently formally evaluated for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This retrospective case series describes patient characteristics and reasons for televisits in persons with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Italy, which was declared in February 2020. Methods: Recruitment occurred in a general hospital based MS clinic during Italy’s lockdown months period (9 March–18 May). Each subject completed at least one televisit. The baseline data included were demographics and MS history; reasons for the remote house calls were analyzed focusing on COVID-19 related needs. Results: Forty-six participants completed at least one study visit. The patients enrolled were more often females suffering from Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Half of the patients had an intermediate level of education and lived within a 60 min drive from the clinic. These patients predominately had a short disease duration and were mostly involved in oral treatment. The main reasons for the call were drug use and counseling on social distancing. In 5 cases, COVID-19 infection was reported. Conclusions: Televisits during the COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated their utility as a care delivery method for MS. Hence, it is vital to facilitate the implementation of this technology in common practice to both face infectious threats and increase accessibility of the health care system.

scholarly journals Sentinel visits in emergency department patients with diabetes mellitus as a warning sign for hyperglycemic emergencies

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin W. Yan ◽  
Katherine M. Gushulak ◽  
Melanie P. Columbus ◽  
Alexandra L. Hamelin ◽  
George A. Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Warning Sign ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Discharge Instructions ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

ABSTRACTObjectivesPatients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus may have a sentinel emergency department (ED) visit for a precipitating condition prior to presenting for a hyperglycemic emergency, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). This study’s objective was to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of patients with a sentinel ED visit prior to their hyperglycemic emergency visit.MethodsThis was a 1-year health records review of patients≥18 years old presenting to one of four tertiary care EDs with a discharge diagnosis of hyperglycemia, DKA, or HHS. Trained research personnel collected data on patient characteristics, management, disposition, and determined whether patients came to the ED within the 14 days prior to their hyperglycemia visit. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.ResultsOf 833 visits for hyperglycemia, 142 (17.0%; 95% CI: 14.5% to 19.6%) had a sentinel ED presentation within the preceding 14 days. Mean (SD) age was 50.5 (19.0) years and 54.4% were male; 104 (73.2%) were discharged from this initial visit, and 98/104 (94.2%) were discharged either without their glucose checked or with an elevated blood glucose (>11.0 mmol/L). Of the sentinel visits, 93 (65.5%) were for hyperglycemia and 22 (15.5%) for infection. Upon returning to the ED, 61/142 (43.0%) were admitted for severe hyperglycemia, DKA, or HHS.ConclusionIn this unique ED-based study, diabetic patients with a sentinel ED visit often returned and required subsequent admission for hyperglycemia. Clinicians should be vigilant in checking blood glucose and provide clear discharge instructions for follow-up and glucose management to prevent further hyperglycemic emergencies from occurring.

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics of Severe COVID-19 in China: A Case Series and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geling Teng ◽  
Hua Hu ◽  
Xia Wang ◽  
Junsheng Wang ◽  
Hongmei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Chest Tightness ◽  
Retrospective Case

Abstract Background: There have been inconsistent reports regarding the unique manifestations of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurring in China. This study analyzed the clinical manifestation of 13 severe COVID-19 cases at a single institution and compared the data to previously reported characteristics of severe COVID-19 in China. Methods: This retrospective case study included patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to the isolation ward of the Shandong Chest Hospital from January 2020 to February 2020. The clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory examination results, imaging features, treatment strategies, and patient prognoses were summarized. A database search was then conducted for studies published through December 2020 documenting characteristics of severe COVID-19 cases in China. The pooled results for severe COVID-19 patients in China were calculated by using the random-effects model.Results: A total of 4 severe and 9 critical patients were included from Shandong Chest Hospital. The average patient age was 55.3 (range 23-88) years, and 61.5% of patients were male. Chest computed tomography for all patients showed multiple lesions as ground-glass shadows in both lungs. All patients presented bacterial infection and various degrees of liver and myocardial injury. The treatment strategies for patients included antibiotics, immunoglobulin, and glucocorticoids, and mechanical ventilation was used in all patients for respiratory failure. Two patients died, and 11 recovered. In the pooled data for severe COVID-19 patients, the most common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. The common signs in these patients were fever, cough, fatigue, chest tightness, and a leukocyte count > 10. Conclusions: Older males with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease may be at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Patients should be assessed for concomitant bacterial infections. Cardiac and liver enzymes, fever, cough, fatigue, chest tightness, and leukocytosis should be monitored for signs of disease progression.

scholarly journals Malignant Vascular Tumors of the Head and Neck—Which Type of Therapy Works Best?

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6201
Author(s):  
Susanne Wiegand ◽  
Andreas Dietz ◽  
Gunnar Wichmann
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Vascular Tumors ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Standard Medical Therapy ◽  
New Treatment

Malignant vascular tumors of the head and neck are rare neoplasms with variable clinical presentation, wide age distribution, and variable clinical courses. The heterogeneous presentation of angiosarcomas and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma often leads to misdiagnosis and unsuitable treatment. While risk factors for angiosarcomas are previous radiation, chronic lymphedema, and exposure to arsenic, thorium oxide, or vinyl chloride, there are only limited and retrospective data available on prognostic factors in EHE. In both angiosarcomas and EHE, surgery is the mainstay of treatment. There is limited evidence regarding the role of radiotherapy in EHE, although EHE is considered relatively radiosensitive. In angiosarcomas, adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended according to retrospective case series. A standard medical therapy for metastasized malignant vascular tumors is lacking. Chemotherapy, which is effective in angiosarcoma, is mostly ineffective in EHE. Targeted therapy, antiangiogenetic drugs and immunotherapy have been studied as new treatment options. The goal of this review is to summarize the current data regarding malignant vascular tumors along with their diagnosis and management.

scholarly journals EMDIA Case Series—Effective Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for Diabetes Type 2 Patients—A Proof of Concept Study

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Maira Anna Deters ◽  
Emina Obarcanin ◽  
Holger Schwender ◽  
Stephanie Läer
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Pharmaceutical Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Medication Therapy Management ◽  
Therapy Management ◽  
Medication Therapy ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

Background: A 2016 meta-analysis of pharmaceutical care for patients with diabetes mellitus showed that the following four components were most effective: (a) individual goal setting, (b) sending feedback to the physician, (c) reviewing the medication, and (d) reviewing blood glucose measurements. Methods: To formulate a hypothesis regarding the effect of these four pharmaceutical care components on glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus and the feasibility of these components in practice. Ten patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the case series and received medication therapy management over four months. Results: The four care components were feasible in everyday practice and could be implemented within one patient visit. The average visits were 49 and 28 min at the beginning and end of the study, respectively. The glycated hemoglobin values did not change over the study period, though the fasting blood glucose decreased from 142 to 120 mg/dl, and the number of unsolved drug-related problems decreased from 6.9 to 1.9 per patient by the study end. Conclusions: This case series supports the hypothesis that community pharmacists can implement structured pharmaceutical care in everyday pharmacy practice for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

scholarly journals Characteristics and risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis and adverse outcomes in Mexico: an analysis of 89,756 laboratory–confirmed COVID-19 cases

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros V Giannouchos ◽  
Roberto A Sussman ◽  
José Manuel Mier Odriozola ◽  
Konstantinos Poulas ◽  
Konstantinos Farsalinos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adverse Outcome ◽  
Chronic Renal Disease ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Clinical Endpoints

AbstractBackgroundThere is insufficient information about risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis and adverse outcomes from low and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectivesWe estimated the association between patients’ characteristics and COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization and adverse outcome in Mexico.MethodsThis retrospective case series used a publicly available nation-level dataset released on May 31, 2020 by the Mexican Ministry of Health, with patients classified as suspected cases of viral respiratory disease. Patients with COVID-19 were laboratory-confirmed. Their profile was stratified by COVID-19 diagnosis or not. Differences among COVID-19 patients based on two separate clinical endpoints, hospitalization and adverse outcome, were examined. Multivariate logistic regressions examined the associations between patient characteristics and hospitalization and adverse outcome.ResultsOverall, 236,439 patients were included, with 89,756 (38.0%) being diagnosed with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients were disproportionately older, males and with increased prevalence of one or more comorbidities, particularly diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Age, male gender, diabetes, obesity and having one or more comorbidities were independently associated with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Current smokers were 23% less likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to non-smokers. Of all COVID-19 patients, 34.8% were hospitalized and 13.0% experienced an adverse outcome. Male gender, older age, having one or more comorbidities, and chronic renal disease, diabetes, obesity, COPD, immunosuppression and hypertension were associated with hospitalization and adverse outcome. Current smoking was not associated with adverse outcome.ConclusionThis largest ever case series of COVID-19 patients identified risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization and adverse outcome. The findings could provide insight for the priorities the need to be set, especially by LMICs, to tackle the pandemic.

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