Spontaneous pneumothorax: An emerging complication of COVID-19 pneumonia

Spontaneous Pneumothorax in the setting of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has been rarely described and is a potentially lethal complication. We report our institutional experience. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted at 5 hospitals within the Inova health system between February 21 and May 2020 were included in the study. We identified 1619 patients, 22 patients (1.4%) developed spontaneous pneumothorax during their hospitalization without evidence of traumatic injury.

Ventricular septal rupture and cardiogenic shock complicating STEMI during COVID-19 pandemic: An old foe re-emerges

The COVID 19 pandemic resulted in a total reduction in the number of hospitalizations for acute coronary syndromes. A consequence of the delay in coronary revascularization has been the resurgence of structural complications of myocardial infarctions. Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) complicating late presenting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high mortality despite advances in both surgical repair and perioperative management. Current data suggests a declining mortality with delay in VSR repair; however, these patients may develop cardiogenic shock while waiting for surgery. Available options are limited for patients with VSR who develop right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. The survival rate is very low in patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing surgical or percutaneous VSR repair. In this study we present two late presenting ST elevation MI patients who were complicated by rapidly declining hemodynamics and impending organ failure. Both patients were bridged with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to cardiac transplant.

The clinical spectrum of myocardial injury associated with COVID-19 infection

Although respiratory symptoms are the dominant features of COVID-19 infection, myocardial injury has been described in these patients. Reported cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 infection include myocarditis, arrhythmia and acute coronary syndrome including ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STEMI is a medical emergency and timely intervention is of utmost importance to prevent mortality and long-term morbidities. In this report, we present a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, management, and outcomes for five patients with COVID-19 infection and ST elevation on ECG.

Combined Venoarterial ECMO and Impella-CP Circulatory Support for Cardiogenic Shock Due to Papillary Muscle Rupture

Papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We report on 3 consecutive patients with AMI cardiogenic shock due to PMR, treated with combined venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella-CP axial flow circulatory support as a bridge to definitive surgery. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

Intermittent left bundle branch block and acute heart failure in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity

A 70-year-old woman with HER2+/ER+ breast cancer on adjuvant trastuzumab therapy without a history of cardiovascular disease presented with respiratory failure from influenza and was found to have intermittent left bundle branch block (LBBB) with new onset systolic heart failure. Her course was complicated by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and recurrent chest pain. Significant investigations included a normal cardiac MRI and cardiac catheterisation with unobstructed coronaries. It was determined that the aetiology of her heart failure was trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity after comprehensive workup. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of LBBB and the steps taken to diagnose a rare cardiomyopathy.

Association of right atrial structure with incident atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal cohort cardiovascular magnetic resonance study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND

While studies of the left atrium (LA) have demonstrated associations between volumes and emptying fraction with atrial fibrillation (AF), the contribution of right atrial (RA) abnormalities to incident AF remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the association between RA structure and function with incident AF using feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study of all participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis with baseline CMR, sinus rhythm, and free of clinical cardiovascular disease at study initiation. RA volume, strain, and emptying fraction in participants with incident AF (n = 368) were compared against AF-free (n = 2779). Cox proportional-hazards models assessed association between variables.

RESULTS

Participants were aged 60 ± 10 yrs., 55% female, and followed an average 11.2 years. Individuals developing AF had higher baseline RA maximum volume index (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 24 ± 9 vs 22 ± 8 mL/m2, p = 0.002) and minimum volume index (13 ± 7 vs 12 ± 6 mL/m2, p < 0.001), and lower baseline RA emptying fraction (45 ± 15% vs 47 ± 15%, p = 0.02), peak global strain (34 ± 17% vs 36 ± 19%, p < 0.001), and peak free-wall strain (40 ± 23% vs 42 ± 26%, p = 0.049) compared with the AF-free population. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and LA volume and function, we found RA maximum volume index (hazards ratio [HR]: 1.13 per SD, p = 0.041) and minimum volume index (HR: 1.12 per SD, p = 0.037) were independently associated with incident AF.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large multiethnic population, higher RA volume indices were independently associated with incident AF after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors and LA parameters. It is unclear if this predictive value persists when additional adjustment is made for ventricular parameters.

Association of soluble interleukin-2 receptor α and tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 with heart failure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Aims

Soluble tumour necrosis factor‐α receptor 1 (sTNF‐αR1) and interleukin‐2 receptor α (sIL‐2Rα) predict incident heart failure (HF) in the elderly population. However, the association of these biomarkers with HF in a multi‐ethnic asymptomatic population is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of sTNF‐αR1 and sIL‐2Rα with incident HF in a multi‐ethnic population of middle age and older participants.

Methods and results

The multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis is a prospective population‐based study of 6814 participants aged 45–84 years who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease at enrolment. We included 2869 participants with available sTNF‐αR1 or sIL‐2Rα level measurement at baseline multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis exam (2000–2002). We used Cox proportional‐hazards model to investigate the association between sTNF‐αR1 and sIL‐2Rα with incident HF after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcium score measured by cardiac computed tomography. Among the included participants, the mean (standard deviation) age was 61.6 (10.2) years and 46.7% were men. The median (interquartile range) sTNF‐αR1 and sIL‐2Rα were 1293 (1107–1547) and 901 (727–1154) pg/mL. During a median follow‐up of 14.2 (interquartile range: 11.7–14.8) years, 130 participants developed HF. In multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval, P value) of incident HF for each standard deviation increment of log‐transformed sTNF‐αR1 and sIL‐2Rα was 1.43 (1.21–1.7, P ≤ 0.001) and 1.26 (1.04–1.53, P = 0.02), respectively. Excluding participants with interim coronary heart disease, we found a statistically significant association between sTNF‐αR1 and HF with hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 1.74, P = 0.005) and sIL‐2Rα and HF showing a hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.09 to 1.76, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

sTNF‐αR1 and sIL‐2Rα are associated with a higher risk of incident HF in a multi‐ethnic cohort without a previous history of cardiovascular disease.

Association of Liver Fibrosis With Cardiovascular Diseases in the General Population: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND

The association of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) with liver fibrosis is poorly understood. We aim to assess the association of liver fibrosis by T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging and CVD in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

METHODS AND RESULTS

MESA enrolled 6814 participants free of clinical CVD at baseline (2000-2002). A subsample of participants underwent T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging 10 years after the baseline (Y10 MESA exam, 2010-2012). Liver T1 maps were generated avoiding vessels and biliary ducts from which native T1 (n=2087) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV, n=1234) were determined. Higher ECV and native T1 were indicators of liver fibrosis. Linear regression analysis evaluated the cross-sectional relationship between liver native T1 and ECV at Y10 MESA exam with a history of CVD events (atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary heart disease [CHD]). Of the 2087 participants (68.7±9.1 years; 46% females), 153 had prior CVD events (78 atrial fibrillation, 25 heart failure, and 78 CHD). History of CVD events was associated with 18.5 ms higher liver native T1 (P<0.001) and 1.4% greater ECV (P=0.06). Prior atrial fibrillation was related to higher liver native T1 (β=21.1; P=0.001) and greater ECV (β=2.2; P=0.02), whereas previous heart failure was associated with greater liver ECV (β=4.1; P=0.02). There was also a relationship of prior CHD with liver native T1 (β=13; P=0.05) and ECV (β=1.9; P=0.05), which was attenuated by adjustment for coronary artery calcium score (β=7.1 and 1.6; P=0.37 and 0.13, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Liver fibrosis by T1-mapping magnetic resonance imaging is associated with history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and CHD in a multiethnic cohort. The association of liver fibrosis and CHD is at least in part mediated by atherosclerosis.

Progression of Coronary Artery Calcium and Incident Heart Failure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background

Although the association between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and future heart failure (HF) has been shown previously, the value of CAC progression in the prediction of HF has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the association of CAC progression with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and incident HF in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis is a population‐based study consisting of 6814 men and women aged 45 to 84, free of overt cardiovascular disease at enrollment, who were recruited from 4 ethnicities. We included 5644 Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants who had baseline and follow‐up cardiac computed tomography and were free of HF and coronary heart disease before the second cardiac computed tomography. Mean (±SD) age was 61.7±10.2 years and 47.2% were male. The Cox proportional hazard models and multivariable linear regression models were deployed to determine the association of CAC progression with incident HF and subclinical LV dysfunction, respectively. Over a median follow‐up of 9.6 (interquartile range: 8.8–10.6) years, 182 participants developed incident HF. CAC progression of 10 units per year was associated with 3% of increased risk of HF independent of overt coronary heart disease (P=0.008). In 2818 participants with available cardiac magnetic resonance images, CAC progression was associated with increased LV end diastolic volume (β=0.16; P=0.03) and LV end systolic volume (β=0.12; P=0.006) after excluding participants with any coronary heart disease.

Conclusions

CAC progression was associated with incident HF and modestly increased LV end diastolic volume and LV end systolic volume at follow‐up exam independent of overt coronary heart disease.

Thrombus entrapped in patent foramen ovale: a rare form of thrombus in transit

In rare cases, thrombus in transit can be entrapped in a patent foramen ovale (PFO). A patient with this condition is at high risk of embolic stroke and death. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to help prevent stroke and death in these cases. There is no universal management guideline for this rare condition. The decision between medical versus surgical treatment should be made individually for each patient. We present a case of thrombus in transit entrapped in a PFO that was treated medically by lifelong anticoagulation.

Organism profile in periprosthetic joint infection: pathogens differ at two arthroplasty infection referral centers in Europe and in the United States

Infecting microorganism is a strong predictor of treatment success for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of this study was to compare the infecting pathogens causing PJI at two large infection referral centers in the United States and in Europe. In this study, 898 consecutive cases of PJI were identified at the HELIOS ENDO-Klinik Hamburg in Europe and 772 cases were identified at the Rothman Institute in the United States. The incidence of organisms at the HELIOS ENDO-Klinik Hamburg versus the Rothman Institute was: coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (39.3 vs. 20.2%), S. aureus (13.0 vs. 31.0%), Streptococcus (6.5 vs. 5.8%), Enterococcus (7.0 vs. 3.9%), anaerobic (9.0 vs. 0.9%), fungal (0.3 vs. 2.3%), mycobacterial (0 vs. 0.6%), polymicrobial (3.4 vs. 7.4%), culture negative (16.1 vs. 15.8%), and other organisms (0.9 vs. 5.4%). The percentage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus was significantly higher at the American center than at the European center (48.1 vs. 12.8%; p < 0.0001). Our findings show higher virulence and resistance organisms are more prevalent at a referral center in the United States compared with one in Europe.

Students' perceptions of the educational environment in an Iranian Medical School, as measured by The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure

Learning environment is found to be important in determining students' academic success and learning. The goal of this study was to investigate the viewpoints of medical students toward learning environment based on The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS). This descriptive study was conducted using the Persian DREEM questionnaire. All medical students in basic and clinical courses except internship students (fifth and sixth year) were approached to participate during the study period, of which 223 provided consent and completed the survey. Data were analyzed by SPSS-17, t-test and ANOVA statistical tests were used. The mean total score was 113.8 ± 17.31 (out of a maximum of 200, 56.9%) indicating relative satisfaction with the perceived environment. There were no individual areas of excellence. Some items scored consistently badly indicating cause for concern. The highest score were related to Academic Self-Perception (64.11%) and learning (57.2%) domains. The lowest score were related to Teachers (55.9%), Social Self-Perceptions (56.6%) and atmosphere (55.8%) domains. Basic science students perceived the environment to be significantly more positive than preclinical students (p < 0.05). Native and married students perceived the environment to be significantly more positive (p < 0.05). Second and fourth year students were significantly higher than the others (P < 0.01). There was significant difference between mean scores of total mean DREEM and sub-domains by year of enrolment (p = 0.001). This tool identified areas of concern within RUMS medical school. Further use of the DREEM as a monitoring tool would be useful to re-evaluate the environment following appropriate intervention. To create an appropriate educational environment and reduce the deficits in order to provide a better learning environment with facilitate and supportive system for students.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) gene promoter polymorphisms in Rhombomys opimus, the main reservoir of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) are the most common gerbils in center to northeast of Iran as well as central Asia and serve as reservoirs for the zoonotic agents, including Leishmania major, the principal etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). The outcome of L. major infection in gerbils is not uniform. Among several immune-related factors including cytokine genes, the polymorphism in interleukin 4 (IL-4) promoter gene showed a great impact on outcome and pathological symptoms of L. major infection at least in mouse model. In this study gerbils' IL-4 promoter gene polymorphism is assessed. Specific primers were designed to develop a PCR-based assay to amplify IL-4 promoter gene to possibly define IL-4 promoter gene polymorphism in great gerbil populations with a range of Leishmania infection and symptoms collected from different foci of the central, north and northeast regions of Iran. The results showed that the designed primers amplify 689bp of the promoter gene. Sequence analysis of the promoter gene revealed five polymorphic sites assembly six haplotypes among the gerbil populations. Further studies are needed to assess whether or not the five polymorphisms cause different outcome phenotypes following infection with L. major in great gerbils. The data might be used to characterize the immune responses of R. opimus against L. major infection.

Diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection: the threshold for serological markers

BACKGROUND

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have recently been suggested as diagnostic criteria for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis. Thresholds for these markers should be reexamined since they have been determined arbitrarily.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Based on recently defined criteria for PJI, we determined (1) whether there is a difference in the threshold value of ESR and CRP between hips and knees, (2) whether the threshold value for ESR and CRP should be different for early-postoperative and late-chronic PJI, and (3) the optimal thresholds for ESR and CRP in PJI diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1962 patients with revision arthroplasty for aseptic failure (1095 hips, 594 knees) or first onset of PJI (108 hips, 165 knees) between 2000 and 2009. The PJI diagnosis was made independent of ESR and CRP using criteria recently proposed by the Musculoskeletal Infection Society. Patients with comorbidities that confound ESR and CRP were not included. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine thresholds.

RESULTS

ESR and CRP levels in late-chronic PJI were higher in knees than in hips. Optimal thresholds for ESR and CRP were 48.5 mm/hour and 13.5 mg/L in hips and 46.5 mm/hour and 23.5 mg/L in knees, respectively. In early-postoperative PJI, ESR and CRP were similar in both joints with common thresholds of 54.5 mm/hour and 23.5 mg/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest a similar threshold for ESR but not for CRP should be implemented for late-chronic hips and knees. Optimal magnitudes are higher than conventional thresholds, indicating the need for refinement of thresholds if ESR and CRP are to be criteria for PJI diagnosis. Early-postoperative and late-chronic PJI might require different thresholds.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, diagnostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pneumonia severity index compared to CURB-65 in predicting the outcome of community acquired pneumonia among patients referred to an Iranian emergency department: a prospective survey

Objective

To compare the prognostic value of the pneumonia severity index and the severity score for community-acquired pneumonia (CURB-65) in predicting mortality and the need for ICU admission of patients with community-acquired pneumonia referred to our emergency department.

Materials and methods

This prospective study was performed on patients with community-acquired pneumonia admitted to the emergency department of Imam Hossein Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. A questionnaire with demographic information, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory and radiographic findings was completed for each patient. The information required for calculating the pneumonia severity index and CURB-65 were extracted from the medical records. The patients’ clinical outcome was also recorded within a month after admission.

Results

We studied 200 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (122 men, 78 women). The sensitivity and specificity of CURB-65 in predicting mortality were 100% and 82.3%, respectively. As for pneumonia severity index, the rates were 100% and 75%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity rates of CURB-65 and pneumonia severity index in predicting mortality and need for ICU admission were 96.7% and 89.3%, and 90% and 78.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

CURB-65 seems to be the preferred method to predict mortality and need for ICU admission in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Despite their comparable specificity and sensitivity, CURB-65 is much easier to implement.

Local erythropoietin injection in tibiofibular fracture healing

BACKGROUND

Erythropoietin (EPO), in addition to its function as an erythropoiesis regulator has a regenerative activity on some nonhematopoietic tissues. Animal studies have suggested a role for erythropoietin in bone healing.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of local EPO injection in healing of tibiofibular fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective double blind study, 60 patients with tibiofibular fracture were divided to equal EPO or placebo groups, randomly. Patients received local injection of either EPO or a placebo to the site of fracture two weeks after surgical fixation. Patients were followed by clinical and radiographic examination to determine the union rate. The period of fracture union and incidence of nonunion were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The demographic data and types of fractures were similar in the both groups. The mean duration of the fracture union was 2.1 weeks shorter in those treated with EPO (P = 0.01). Nonunion was observed in 6 patients of the control group and 2 receiving EPO (P = 0.02). No patient experienced any adverse effect from local EPO injections.

CONCLUSIONS

EPO injection into the site of tibiofibular fractures may possibly accelerate healing.

D-dimer as an applicable test for detection of posttraumatic deep vein thrombosis in lower limb fracture

Measuring the plasma levels of D-dimer is an accurate and easy modality to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in nontraumatic settings. However, the diagnostic reliability of D-dimer assays in detecting posttraumatic DVT among patients with lower limb fracture undergoing orthopedic surgery is not validated. In this study, 141 patients with lower limb fracture admitted through the emergency department and undergoing orthopedic surgery were enrolled. Postoperative venous blood samples for D-dimer assay were taken on the 1st, 7th, and 28th postoperative days. Color Doppler sonography examination of both lower limbs was performed at the same time as a standard test. Eight out of the 141 patients (6%) had acute DVT based on Color Doppler sonography. Mean D-dimer was 2160 ng/mL in DVT positive patients and 864 in DVT negative patients. D-dimer levels greater than 1000 ng/mL were 100% sensitive and 71% specific for detecting postoperative DVT. D-dimer assay is a useful and sensitive test for detecting posttraumatic DVT.

Can local Erythropoietin administration enhance bone regeneration in osteonecrosis of femoral head?

Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) is a challenging disease. Regardless of underlying causes, the ultimate result in all cases is disruption of femoral head blood supply. Once the disease starts, it is progressive in 80% of cases. Since the majority of the affected individuals are young, every effort should be focused on preserving the patients own femoral head. These years, the role of angiogenic growth factors has been investigated with promising results in animal models of ONFH. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a well known hormone that has been used in treatment of chronic anemia for many years with few side effects. Considering the angiogenic properties of EPO, we hypothesize that local delivery of recombinant human EPO during core decompression will enhance bone regeneration in ONFH. In this way we also can avoid systemic side effects of EPO.

Malrotation following reamed intramedullary nailing of closed tibial fractures

BACKGROUND

Rotational malalignment after intramedullary tibial nailing is rarely addressed in clinical studies. Malrotation (especially >10°)of the lower extremity can lead to development and progression of degenerative changes in knee and ankle joints. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence and severity of tibial malrotation after reamed intramedullary nailing for closed diaphyseal tibial fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients (53 males and 7 females) with tibial diaphyseal fracture were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33.4±13.3 years. All fractures were manually reduced and fixed using reamed intramedullary nailing. A standard method using bilateral limited computerized tomography was used to measure the tibial torsion. A difference greater than 10° between two tibiae was defined as malrotation.

RESULTS

Eighteen (30%) patients had malrotation of more than 10°. Malrotation was greater than 15° in seven cases. Good or excellent rotational reduction was achieved in 70% of the patients. There was no statistically significant relation between AO tibial fracture classification and fibular fixation and malrotation of greater than 10°.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the high incidence rate of tibial malrotation following intramedullary nailing, we need a precise method to evaluate the torsion intraoperatively to prevent the problem.