Post-Extubation Stridor Complicating COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Case Series

Post-extubation stridor is a known complication of mechanical ventilation that affects a substantial number of all critical care patients and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Common risk factors for the development of post-extubation stridor include female gender, older age, and prolonged length of mechanical ventilation. There may be an increased incidence of post-extubation stridor in patients who require mechanical ventilation to manage the respiratory complications of COVID-19. In this case series, we analyzed nine patients from across our institution who were intubated to manage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 and subsequently developed post-extubation stridor. The patients were predominantly females with prolonged intubations and multiple days of prone ventilation. While the patients in this case series possessed some of the well-described risk factors for post-extubation stridor, there may be risk factors specific to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that make these patients more susceptible to the complication. The cuff leak test was performed on the majority of patients in the case series and did not successfully predict successful extubation in this population. Our analysis suggests that prophylactic corticosteroids given in the 24-48 hours prior to elective extubation in female COVID-19 patients who were intubated for more than six days with consecutive days of intermittent prone ventilation may be helpful in reducing the incidence of post-extubation stridor in this population. Overall, this case series elucidates the need for exceptionally close monitoring of COVID-19 patients upon extubation for the development of stridor.

Catastrophic Cardiac Complications of Takayasu's Arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) causes inflammation and necrosis of vessel walls, leading to aneurysm formation, extensive coronary damage and valvular abnormalities. We review a case of recurrent coronary, aortic and mitral valve involvement in a patient with TA and discuss the various treatment options available for such patients.

Pacemaker Implantation in Patient With Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Absent Right Superior Vena Cava

Persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) is an asymptomatic congenital heart disease. It is usually found incidentally on imaging, during central line placements or while undergoing electrophysiological procedures. We present a case of a 91-year-old female who initially presented with seizures and was diagnosed with tachy-brady syndrome. She was planned to undergo dual-chamber permanent pacemaker placement. However, during the procedure, she was incidentally found to have an LSVC without a right superior vena cava. Due to challenging anatomy, her pacemaker was changed to a single-chamber atrial lead pacemaker. This case highlights the clinical implications of this unusual structural anomaly, technical difficulties that arise alongside and solutions on how to overcome these issues in the context of pacemaker implantation.