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Introduction. Unlike Rockall scoring system, AIMS65 is based only on clinical and laboratory features. In this study we investigated the correlation between the AIMS65 score and Endoscopic Rockall score, in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients. Methods. This is a retrospective study of patients admitted with overt UGIB and undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). AIMS65 and Rockall scores were calculated at the time of admission. We investigated the correlation between both scores along with stigmata of bleed seen on endoscopy. Results. A total of 1255 patients were studied. 152 patients were cirrhotic while 1103 patients were noncirrhotic. There was significant correlation between AIMS65 and Total Rockall scores in patients of both groups. There was significant correlation between AIMS65 score and Endoscopic Rockall score in noncirrhotics but not cirrhotics. AIMS65 scores in both cirrhotic and noncirrhotic groups were significantly higher in patients who died from UGIB than in patients who did not. Conclusion. We observed statistically significant correlation between AIMS65 score and length of hospitalization and mortality in noncirrhotic patients. We found that AIMS65 score paralleled the endoscopic grading of lesion causing UGIB in noncirrhotics. AIMS65 score correlated only with mortality but not the length of hospitalization or endoscopic stigmata of bleed in cirrhotics.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells with overproduction of monoclonal immunoglobulins and infiltration into the bone and other organs. Ascites can develop in patients with lymphoproliferative and solid malignancies involving the peritoneum. However, ascites is unusual in MM and rarely the initial presenting sign or symptom. The development of ascites can be due to peritoneal infiltration or secondary to hepatic involvement, heart failure, or kidney failure. Ascites in MM reflects a more aggressive stage, and the reported prognosis is poor, with a median survival of 1–2 months. Here we present a rare case of immunoglobulin A lambda MM presenting with massive myelomatous ascites.

Background: There are very limited data available on 30-day readmissions for ethnic minority patients with cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for 30-day readmission in ethnic minority patients admitted for cirrhosis. Methods: We did a retrospective review of 1,373 electronic medical records of patients with cirrhosis admitted from 2009 to 2011. Several parameters including alcohol use history, discharge location and cirrhosis severity scores-model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) at first admission were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and t-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results: There were 79 patients in the readmission group (63% male, 54% Hispanics and 22% African Americans) and 104 in the no readmission group (62% male, 58% Hispanics and 24% African Americans). History of alcohol use within a month prior to admission (55% vs. 33%, P = 0.002), platelet count at discharge (89,000 vs. 124,000, P = 0.003), and discharge with more than seven medications per day (7.3 vs. 5.2, P = 0.005) were identified as risk factors for readmissions by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Platelet count, active alcohol use and more than seven medications at discharge are predictors of readmission. These parameters can guide future interventions to reduce readmission rate and health care costs related to cirrhosis readmissions.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat pancreaticobiliary disorders. The risks of ERCP include pancreatitis, infection, bleeding and perforation. Bleeding during ERCP typically develops after sphincterotomy, hence patients should be screened and tested for coagulopathy before undergoing ERCP. Coagulopathy is a major risk factor for ERCP-related bleeding. Inherited factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive hemorrhagic disorder that can lead to significant coagulopathy and severe bleeding if not appropriately recognized and treated preoperatively. Clinically, the disease ranges between an asymptomatic state to lethal hemorrhage and the degree of FVII deficiency does not correlate with the severity of bleeding. The use of FVII replacement therapy has been reported to prevent bleeding during surgery. We present the first report of a patient with a rare cause of coagulopathy due to inherited FVII deficiency who successfully underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy without bleeding where we used recombinant factor VIIa before and after the procedure.

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