Haemoptysis in breath-hold divers; where does it come from?

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-302
Author(s):  
Igor Barković ◽  
◽  
Vitomir Maričić ◽  
Boris Reinić ◽  
Frano Marinelli ◽  
...  

Introduction: The aim of reporting these two cases is to present visual evidence by bronchoscopy of the origin of haemoptysis in two elite breath-hold divers. Case reports: Two male elite breath-hold divers of similar physical characteristics presented to our clinic after performing dives of up to 75 and 59 meters of seawater depth for 2:30 and 2:35 (minutes:seconds) respectively. Both patients presented with haemoptysis. Lung ultrasound was performed. The first patient had crackles on chest auscultation, overt pulmonary oedema clinically and 90 ultrasound lung comets. The second patient had no oedema or crackles, but presented with 20 ultrasound lung comets. Video bronchoscopy was performed which showed traces of blood coming from all three segments of the right upper lobe in both patients. The rest of the airways and lungs were intact. Conclusions: These finding suggest that the apical parts of the lungs are the most prone to deep-dive induced damage. The precise mechanism of lung barotrauma and haemoptysis in breath-hold divers remains to be elucidated. These findings may be of importance for a better understanding of the underlying pathology of haemoptysis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Patrician ◽  
Frank Pernett ◽  
Angelica Lodin-Sundström ◽  
Erika Schagatay

Breath-hold diving (freediving) is an underwater sport that is associated with elevated hydrostatic pressure, which has a compressive effect on the lungs that can lead to the development of pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema reduces oxygen uptake and thereby the recovery from the hypoxia developed during freediving, and increases the risk of hypoxic syncope. We aimed to examine the efficacy of SpO2, via pulse-oximetry, as a tool to detect pulmonary edema by comparing it to lung ultrasound B-line measurements after deep diving. SpO2 and B-lines were collected in 40 freedivers participating in an international deep freediving competition. SpO2 was measured within 17 ± 6 min and lung B-lines using ultrasound within 44 ± 15 min after surfacing. A specific symptoms questionnaire was used during SpO2 measurements. We found a negative correlation between B-line score and minimum SpO2 (rs = −0.491; p = 0.002) and mean SpO2 (rs = −0.335; p = 0.046). B-line scores were positively correlated with depth (rs = 0.408; p = 0.013), confirming that extra-vascular lung water is increased with deeper dives. Compared to dives that were asymptomatic, symptomatic dives had a 27% greater B-line score, and both a lower mean and minimum SpO2 (all p < 0.05). Indeed, a minimum SpO2 ≤ 95% after a deep dive has a positive predictive value of 29% and a negative predictive value of 100% regarding symptoms. We concluded that elevated B-line scores are associated with reduced SpO2 after dives, suggesting that SpO2 via pulse oximetry could be a useful screening tool to detect increased extra-vascular lung water. The practical application is not to diagnose pulmonary edema based on SpO2 – as pulse oximetry is inexact – rather, to utilize it as a tool to determine which divers require further evaluation before returning to deep freediving.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoon Choi ◽  
Joon Pyo Jeon ◽  
Jaewon Huh ◽  
Youme Kim ◽  
Wonjung Hwang

Abstract Background Pulmonary artery catheter insertion is a routine practice in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, pulmonary artery catheter insertion is associated with numerous complications that can be devastating to the patient. Incorrect placement is an overlooked complication with few case reports to date. Case presentation An 18-year-old male patient underwent elective mitral valve replacement due to severe mitral valve regurgitation. The patient had a history of synovial sarcoma, and Hickman catheter had been inserted in the right internal jugular vein for systemic chemotherapy. We made multiple attempts to position the pulmonary artery catheter in the correct position but failed. A chest radiography revealed that the pulmonary artery catheter was bent and pointed in the cephalad direction. Removal of the pulmonary artery catheter was successful, and the patient was discharged 10 days after the surgery without complications. Conclusions To prevent misplacement of the PAC, clinicians should be aware of multiple risk factors in difficult PAC placement, and be prepared to utilize adjunctive methods, such as TEE and fluoroscopy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Rajashekar Rangappa Mudaraddi ◽  
Hany Fawzi Greiss ◽  
Navin Kumar Manickam

Central venous cannulation is the most common procedure performed in perioperative setting and intensive care unit. Many case reports reported unusual positioning of central line catheters. Here, we would like to report a case of central line path in persistent left superior vena cava, a rare entity with a course similar to the right internal jugular central line. Preoperative computed tomography chest showed duplex superior vena cava which was not reported.


Author(s):  
Zoe M. Becerra ◽  
Sweta Parmar ◽  
Keenan May ◽  
Rachel E. Stuck

With the increase of online shopping, animal shelters can use websites to allow potential adopters to view adoptable animals and increase the number of adoptions. However, little research has evaluated the information needs of this user group. This study conducted a user needs analysis to determine the types of information potential adopters want when searching for a new pet, specifically a cat or dog. Twenty-six participants ranked different behavioral and physical characteristics based on the level of importance and identified their top five overall characteristics. In general, cat adopters ranked the cat’s personality and behavior to be very important and dog adopters found physical characteristics highly important. This study shows the importance of understanding potential adopters’ needs to provide relevant and valued information on online pet adoption profiles. The recommendations and insights can be used to develop pet profiles that meet adopters’ needs and help adopters find the right pet.


Author(s):  
Majid Anwer ◽  
Atique Ur Rehman ◽  
Farheen Ahmed ◽  
Satyendra Kumar ◽  
Md Masleh Uddin

Abstract Introduction Traumatic head injury with extradural hematoma (EDH) is seen in 2% of patients. Development of EDH on the contralateral side is an uncommon complication that has been reported in various case reports. Case Report We report here a case of an 18-year-old male who had a road traffic injury. He was diagnosed as a case of left-sided large frontotemporoparietal acute extradural bleed with a mass effect toward the right side. He was managed with urgent craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma. A noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan performed 8 hours after postoperative period showed a large frontotemporoparietal bleed on the right side with a mass effect toward the left side. He was again taken to the operating room and right-sided craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma were performed. A postoperative NCCT scan revealed a resolved hematoma. The patient made a complete recovery in the postoperative period and is doing well. Conclusion Delayed onset epidural hematoma is diagnosed when the initial computed tomography (CT) scan is negative or is performed early and when late CT scan performed to assess clinical or ICP deterioration shows an EDH. The diagnosis of such a condition requires a high index of suspicion based on the mechanism of injury along with fracture patterns. Additionally, change in pupillary size, raised intracranial pressure, and bulging of the brain intraoperatively are additional clues for contralateral bleeding. Neurologic deterioration may or may not be associated with delayed EDH presentation. An early postoperative NCCT scan within 24 hours is recommended to detect this complication with or without any neurologic deterioration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Alex Gough

Summary In this month's Small Animal Review, we summarise three recently published papers from other veterinary journals. The papers for this issue explore the impact of open registries on inbreeding, in the working Australian Kelpie population particularly, and the impact of vehicle trauma on the canine shock index, as well as the potential role for lung ultrasound in monitoring for cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs being treated for left-sided congestive heart failure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Persona Paolo ◽  
Valeri Ilaria ◽  
Zarantonello Francesco ◽  
Forin Edoardo ◽  
Sella Nicolò ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During COVID-19 pandemic, optimization of the diagnostic resources is essential. Lung Ultrasound (LUS) is a rapid, easy-to-perform, low cost tool which allows bedside investigation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to investigate the typical ultrasound patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia and their evolution at different stages of the disease. Methods We performed LUS in twenty-eight consecutive COVID-19 patients at both admission to and discharge from one of the Padua University Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICU). LUS was performed using a low frequency probe on six different areas per each hemithorax. A specific pattern for each area was assigned, depending on the prevalence of A-lines (A), non-coalescent B-lines (B1), coalescent B-lines (B2), consolidations (C). A LUS score (LUSS) was calculated after assigning to each area a defined pattern. Results Out of 28 patients, 18 survived, were stabilized and then referred to other units. The prevalence of C pattern was 58.9% on admission and 61.3% at discharge. Type B2 (19.3%) and B1 (6.5%) patterns were found in 25.8% of the videos recorded on admission and 27.1% (17.3% B2; 9.8% B1) on discharge. The A pattern was prevalent in the anterosuperior regions and was present in 15.2% of videos on admission and 11.6% at discharge. The median LUSS on admission was 27.5 [21–32.25], while on discharge was 31 [17.5–32.75] and 30.5 [27–32.75] in respectively survived and non-survived patients. On admission the median LUSS was equally distributed on the right hemithorax (13; 10.75–16) and the left hemithorax (15; 10.75–17). Conclusions LUS collected in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure at ICU admission and discharge appears to be characterized by predominantly lateral and posterior non-translobar C pattern and B2 pattern. The calculated LUSS remained elevated at discharge without significant difference from admission in both groups of survived and non-survived patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 01-13
Author(s):  
Avra Laarakker

Objective: We report a case of self inserted needle into the left ventricle of the heart and a description of our surgical intervention in a psychiatric patient without decision-making capacity. We discuss issues regarding obtaining consent in this patient with a sub-acute presentation, report our operative approach, and summarize a treatment approach based on a review of current literature. Methods: A PubMed search using terms “needle, “heart”, “insertion”, “intracardiac foreign object”, yielded 69 relevant papers. 67 of these were case reports yielding 72 individual cases. Age, gender, cause of the needle entry (Accidental Plus (A+), Intravenous Drug User [IVDU], Self-inflicted (SI)), type of needle, location in heart, neuropsychiatric history, treatment, and outcome were documented. Results: Within the SI category, there were a total of 28 cases, 89.3% had a neuropsychiatric history whereas only there were only 2 such patients in both the IVDU and A+ group. The location of the needle in the heart in all 72 cases was as follows: right ventricle 40.3%, other 20.8%, left ventricle 19.4 %, ventricle and interventricular septum 16.7% and the right and left atrium were each 1.4 %. In all three groups (n=72), 77.8% of patients underwent surgery, with 92.9% having a stable outcome. Conclusion: Our case and review demonstrates that management of such cases, particularly when active mental health issues are present, requires a case-by-case evaluation and treatment as a specific standard of care has not been established. Surgical intervention appears to be the preferred management regardless of presentation with good outcomes. Running Title: Intracardiac Self Insertion of a Darning Needle in a Psychiatric Patient


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (01) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
E. Lasch ◽  
M. Nazer ◽  
L. Bartholdy

AbstractThis study presents a bilateral variation in the formation of trunks of brachial plexus in a male cadaver. The right brachial plexus was composed of six roots (C4-T1) and the left brachial plexus of five roots (C5-T1). Both formed four trunks thus changing the contributions of the anterior divisions of the cervical nerves involved in the formation of the cords and the five main somatic motor nerves for the upper limb. There are very few case reports in the scientific literature on this topic; thus making the present study very relevant.


2006 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
Antonio Ferrante ◽  
Raffaele Silvestri ◽  
Carlo Montinaro

Publications throughout the world attribute to the artificial teat and the pacifier (dummy) the reason why some mothers, who suspend breast-feeding for a while, are unable to resume it afterwards. The authors wanted to evaluate the specific characteristics of the various commercially made teats and pacifiers. This evaluation examined the physical characteristics of such commercially available teats. It has been possible to affirm that the specific features of the various teats tested are important in the resumption of breast-feeding after such an interruption. It’s easier to resume breast-feeding after interruption if artificial teats are prescribed with an understanding of the muscular movements during swallowing.


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