Acupuncture Induced Multiorgan Failure

We report on successful emergency transcatheter aortic valve implantation combined with percutaneous coronary revascularization in a polymorbid and preterminal patient in profound cardiogenic shock and with multiorgan failure. The risk scores were almost unbelievably high (Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality score, 83.9%; Society of Thoracic Surgeons morbidity and mortality score, 96.8%; logistic EuroSCORE, 96.7%). Two and a half years after the procedure, the patient is doing very well.

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Bone marrow necrosis and fat embolism syndrome: a near fatal complication in previously undiagnosed sickle beta + thalassaemia

BMJ Case Reports ◽

10.1136/bcr-2020-238317 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e238317

Author(s):

Nibash Budhathoki ◽

Sunita Timilsina ◽

Bebu Ram ◽

Douglas Marks

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Rare Condition ◽

Altered Mental Status ◽

Fat Embolism ◽

Bone Marrow Necrosis ◽

Embolism Syndrome ◽

Hb S ◽

High Index Of Suspicion ◽

Specific Symptoms

Prevalence of haemoglobin sickle-β+ thalassaemia (Hb S/β+thal) is variable with geography ranging from 0.2% to 10% among sickle cell patients. Clinical presentation of Hb S/β+thal patients depends on HbA level, with milder disease often going undiagnosed. However, rarely these patients can present with a fulminant vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Given VOC can present with non-specific symptoms, the diagnosis and treatment is often delayed. Here, we present a patient who initially developed altered mental status, pancytopenia and multiorgan failure due a critical VOC resulting in bone marrow necrosis and fat embolism. Subsequent workup confirmed that our patient had Sickle-β+ thalassaemia, which had gone undiagnosed, despite subclinical evidence of haemolysis on routine lab work for years. Following diagnosis and initiation of RBC exchange, he improved significantly and was discharged home. High index of suspicion and bone marrow biopsy is vital for early diagnosis and management of this rare condition.

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A Case of Exertional Heat Stroke Complicated by Hypoxic Hepatitis

Case Reports in Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/8724285 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Bertram K. Woitok ◽

Shawki Bahmad ◽

Gregor Lindner

Keyword(s):

Supportive Care ◽

Liver Failure ◽

Acute Liver Failure ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Heat Stroke ◽

Exertional Heat Stroke ◽

Hypoxic Hepatitis ◽

Threatening Condition ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Delayed Referral

Background.Exertional heat stroke is a life-threatening condition often complicated by multiorgan failure. We hereby present a case of a 25-year-old male presenting with syncope after a 10 km run in 28°C outside temperature who developed acute liver failure. Case Presentation. Initial temperature was found to be 41.1°C, and cooling measures were rapidly applied. He suffered from acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis and proceeded to acute liver failure (ASAT 6100 U/l and ALAT 6561 U/l) due to hypoxic hepatitis on day 3. He did not meet criteria for emergency liver transplantation and recovered on supportive care. Conclusions. Acute liver failure due to heat stroke is a life-threatening condition with often delayed onset, which nevertheless resolves on supportive care in the majority of cases; thus, a delayed referral to transplant seems to be reasonable.

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Novel multidisciplinary hub-and-spoke tertiary service for the management of severe acute pancreatitis

BMJ Open Gastroenterology ◽

10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000501 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e000501

Author(s):

Manu K Nayar ◽

Noor L H Bekkali ◽

David Bourne ◽

Sophie Young ◽

John S Leeds ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Severe Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Secondary Care ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Endoscopic Drainage ◽

Hub And Spoke ◽

Specialist Nurse ◽

Icu Stay

ObjectiveSevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with high mortality (15%–30%). Current guidelines recommend these patients are best managed in a multidisciplinary team setting. This study reports experience in the management of SAP within the UK’s first reported hub-and-spoke pancreatitis network.DesignAll patients with SAP referred to the remote care pancreatitis network between 2015 and 2017 were prospectively entered onto a database by a dedicated pancreatitis specialist nurse. Baseline characteristics, aetiology, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, interventions, complications, mortality and follow-up were analysed.Results285 patients admitted with SAP to secondary care hospitals during the study period were discussed with the dedicated pancreatitis specialist nurse and referred to the regional service. 83/285 patients (29%; 37 male) were transferred to the specialist centre mainly for drainage of infected pancreatic fluid collections (PFC) in 95% (n=79) of patients. Among the patients transferred; 29 (35%) patients developed multiorgan failure with an inpatient mortality of 14% (n=12/83). The median follow-up was 18.2 months (IQR=11.25–35.51). Multivariate analysis showed that transferred patients had statistically significant longer overall hospital stay (p<0.001) but less ICU stay (p<0.012).ConclusionThis hub-and-spoke model facilitates the management of the majority of patients with SAP in secondary care setting. 29% warranted transfer to our tertiary centre, predominantly for endoscopic drainage of PFCs. An evidence-based approach with a low threshold for transfer to tertiary care centre can result in lower mortality for SAP and fewer days in ICU.

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Secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in COVID-19: correlation of the autopsy findings of bone marrow haemophagocytosis with HScore

Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1136/jclinpath-2020-207337 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jclinpath-2020-207337

Author(s):

Claudia Núñez-Torrón ◽

Ana Ferrer-Gómez ◽

Esther Moreno Moreno ◽

Belen Pérez-Mies ◽

Jesús Villarrubia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Immune Response ◽

Immune System ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Histological Findings ◽

Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis ◽

Bone Marrow Tissue ◽

Autopsy Findings ◽

Specific Finding ◽

Clinical Records

BackgroundSecondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is characterised by a hyper activation of immune system that leads to multiorgan failure. It is suggested that excessive immune response in patients with COVID-19 could mimic this syndrome. Some COVID-19 autopsy studies have revealed the presence of haemophagocytosis images in bone marrow, raising the possibility, along with HScore parameters, of sHLH.AimOur objective is to ascertain the existence of sHLH in some patients with severe COVID-19.MethodsWe report the autopsy histological findings of 16 patients with COVID-19, focusing on the presence of haemophagocytosis in bone marrow, obtained from rib squeeze and integrating these findings with HScore parameters. CD68 immunohistochemical stains were used to highlight histiocytes and haemophagocytic cells. Clinical evolution and laboratory parameters of patients were collected from electronic clinical records.ResultsEleven patients (68.7%) displayed moderate histiocytic hyperplasia with haemophagocytosis (HHH) in bone marrow, three patients (18.7%) displayed severe HHH and the remainder were mild. All HScore parameters were collected in 10 patients (62.5%). Among the patients in which all parameters were evaluable, eight patients (80%) had an HScore >169. sHLH was not clinically suspected in any case.ConclusionsOur results support the recommendation of some authors to use the HScore in patients with severe COVID-19 in order to identify those who could benefit from immunosuppressive therapies. The presence of haemophagocytosis in bone marrow tissue, despite not being a specific finding, has proved to be a very useful tool in our study to identify these patients.

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Combined Renal-Pulmonary Extracorporeal Support with Low Blood Flow Techniques: A Retrospective Observational Study (CICERO Study)

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000517280 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Guglielmo Consales ◽

Lucia Zamidei ◽

Franco Turani ◽

Diego Atzeni ◽

Paolo Isoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Observational Study ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Respiratory Acidosis ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Protective Ventilation ◽

Retrospective Observational Study ◽

Organ Support ◽

Chronic Obstructive

Background: Critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure frequently present concomitant lung and kidney injury, within a multiorgan failure condition due to local and systemic mediators. To face this issue, extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) systems have been integrated into continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) platforms to provide a combined organ support, with efficient clearance of CO2 with very low extracorporeal blood flows (<400 mL/min). Objectives: To evaluate efficacy and safety of combined ECCO2R-CRRT support with PrismaLung®-Prismaflex® in patients affected by hypercapnic respiratory acidosis associated with AKI in a second level intensive care unit. Methods: We carried out a retrospective observational study enrolling patients submitted to PrismaLung®-Prismaflex® due to mild to moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aeCOPD). The primary endpoints were the shift to protective ventilation and extubation of mechanically ventilated patients and the shift to invasive mechanical ventilation of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Clinical-laboratoristic data and operational characteristics of ECCO2R-CRRT were recorded. Results: Overall, 12/17 patients on mechanical ventilation shifted to protective ventilation, CO2 clearance was satisfactorily maintained during the whole observational period, and pH was rapidly corrected. Treatment prevented NIV failure in 4 out of 5 patients. No treatment-related complications were recorded. Conclusion: ECCO2R-CRRT was effective and safe in patients with aeCOPD and ARDS associated with AKI.

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An Emerging Infection: Streptococcal Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome Caused By Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Streptococcus Agalactiae

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqaa161.306 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S140-S140

Author(s):

F Rajack ◽

A Afsari ◽

A M Ramadan ◽

T J Naab

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Necrotizing Fasciitis ◽

Streptococcus Agalactiae ◽

Group A Streptococcus ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Group B Streptococcus ◽

Stage Iii ◽

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome ◽

Toxic Shock ◽

Group B

Abstract Introduction/Objective Streptococcus agalactiae, Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and infections in pregnant women. However, incidence of invasive GBS infections has more than doubled in the last two decades with highest risk in adults 65 years or older. Other risk factors are diabetes, malignancy, and immunocompromised state. Bacteremia and skin soft tissue infections are the most common invasive infections in nonpregnant adults. Rarely GBS infection has a fulminating pyrogenic exotoxin-mediated course characterized by acute onset, multiorgan failure, shock, and sometimes death, referred to as toxic shock-like syndrome. Methods A 77-year-old hypertensive female with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of bilateral foot ulcers presented to the hospital in probable septic shock. Clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was made and she underwent bilateral lower limb amputations. Results Grossly soft tissue appeared gray. Microscopically fascia was necrotic without neutrophils present and Gram stain revealed sheets of Gram positive cocci. These findings reflected histopathologic Stage III necrotizing fasciitis, which is associated with 47% mortality. Autopsy showed a similar histology of Stage III necrotizing fasciitis involving the surgical stump. Erythema and desquamation of the upper limbs bilaterally and multi-organ failure met the clinical picture of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) and fulfilled the criteria for TSS due to Group A Streptococcus (GAS), defined by The Working Group on Severe Streptococcal Infections. Conclusion Group B Streptococcal Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome may have a similar outcome to STSS caused by GAS and other pathogens and, in limited studies, mortality has been 30% or greater.

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677: FATAL MULTIORGAN FAILURE AND SEPTIC SHOCK DUE TO DISSEMINATED COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS

Critical Care Medicine ◽

10.1097/01.ccm.0000528692.86787.1d ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 325-325

Author(s):

Isaac McCool ◽

John Walsh ◽

Alexandra Perry ◽

Ryan Maves

Keyword(s):

Septic Shock ◽

Multiorgan Failure

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SARS-CoV-2: is there neuroinvasion?

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS ◽

10.1186/s12987-021-00267-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Conor McQuaid ◽

Molly Brady ◽

Rashid Deane

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Distress ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Multiorgan Failure ◽

Neurological Complications ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

The Body ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Main Body ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

The Brain

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus (CoV), is known to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome, and a number of non-respiratory complications, particularly in older male patients with prior health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. These prior health conditions are associated with vascular dysfunction, and the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications include multiorgan failure and neurological problems. While the main route of entry into the body is inhalation, this virus has been found in many tissues, including the choroid plexus and meningeal vessels, and in neurons and CSF. Main body We reviewed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, ACE2 distribution and beneficial effects, the CNS vascular barriers, possible mechanisms by which the virus enters the brain, outlined prior health conditions (obesity, hypertension and diabetes), neurological COVID-19 manifestation and the aging cerebrovascualture. The overall aim is to provide the general reader with a breadth of information on this type of virus and the wide distribution of its main receptor so as to better understand the significance of neurological complications, uniqueness of the brain, and the pre-existing medical conditions that affect brain. The main issue is that there is no sound evidence for large flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, at present, compared to its invasion of the inhalation pathways. Conclusions While SARS-CoV-2 is detected in brains from severely infected patients, it is unclear on how it gets there. There is no sound evidence of SARS-CoV-2 flux into brain to significantly contribute to the overall outcomes once the respiratory system is invaded by the virus. The consensus, based on the normal route of infection and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in severely infected patients, is that the olfactory mucosa is a possible route into brain. Studies are needed to demonstrate flux of SARS-CoV-2 into brain, and its replication in the parenchyma to demonstrate neuroinvasion. It is possible that the neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are a consequence of mainly cardio-respiratory distress and multiorgan failure. Understanding potential SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion pathways could help to better define the non-respiratory neurological manifestation of COVID-19.

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