Background: Although diffuse alveolar damage and respiratory failure are the key features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the involvement of other organs such as the kidney has also been reported. The reports of the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients vary widely. In this study, we report our unique experience with AKI in COVID-19 patients in a low socioeconomic and predominantly ethnic minority group and provide its incidence, risk factors, and prognosis to expand the current understanding of this complication. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the data of 469 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, from March 18 through April 23, 2020. Information regarding demographics, comorbidities, medications, clinical and laboratory data, and outcomes was collected from the electronic medical records. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association of AKI with in-hospital mortality. Results: The median age was 66 years (interquartile range [IQR] 25–75; range 19–101 years), and 268 (57.14%) patients were male. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as determined by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Equation was low (<60 mL/min/1.73 m2) in 207 (44.1%) patients. During hospitalization, 128 (27.3%) patients developed AKI, and the incidence was significantly higher in those patients presenting with a low eGFR (N = 81, 39.1%; p < 0.001). Male sex, hypertension, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, hemodynamic instability, mechanical ventilation, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and admission elevated ferritin, creatinine kinase, brain natriuretic peptide, and troponin 1 were identified as the risk factors for in-hospital AKI. Ninety-seven (28.45%) patients died in the non-AKI group versus 91 (71.1%) in the AKI group (p < 0.001). The Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, hemodynamic status, and PF ratio (arterial oxygen partial pressure [PaO2]/fractional inspired oxygen [FiO2]) determined that on admission, an elevated blood urea nitrogen (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.48), a low eGFR (HR 1.43; CI 1.1–2.03), AKI stage 1 (HR 1.14; CI 0.64–2.03), AKI stage 2 (HR 1.86; CI 1.03–3.56), and AKI stage 3 (HR 2.1; CI 1.3–2.81) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) did not improve survival in stage III AKI. Conclusion: AKI in our hospitalized COVID-19 patients was common and carried a high mortality, especially in patients with AKI stage 3. RRT did not improve survival. Policy changes and planning for this high incidence of AKI in COVID-19 patients and its associated high mortality are necessary at the local and national levels.

Patient: Female, 37 Final Diagnosis: Cardiac arrest due to Benzonatate overdose Symptoms: Cardiac arrest • respiratory deterioration • seizure Medication: Benzonatate Clinical Procedure: Intubation • hypothermia protocol Specialty: Critical Care Medicine Objective: Unknown ethiology Background: Benzonatate is one of the most widely prescribed nonnarcotic antitussives to relieve cough symptoms. As a structurally similar agent to other local anesthetics, including tetracaine and procaine, the risk to the public is not fully appreciated. Case Report: A 37-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department (ED) status post cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol was performed, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved. Total downtime was 30 minutes. The patient was intubated, sedated, and hypothermia protocol was initiated. The patient developed bradyarrhythmia and mild coagulopathy suspicious for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thus hypothermia protocol was terminated later. A review of laboratory data showed acidosis with pH of 6.87, mixed acidosis secondary to high anion gap metabolic and respiratory acidosis with elevated liver enzymes. It was reported that approximately 2 hours prior to her presentation; the patient had ingested less than 30 pills of benzonatate 200 mg capsules with alcohol. Conclusions: Ingestion of benzonatate, a widely prescribed antitussive, may pose a risk to patients due to the potential for rapid development of life-threatening adverse events and limited treatment options in the overdose setting, not only in children but also in adults. Rational prescribing and patient education are needed.

There is significant prevalence of high blood lead levels in school children in Delhi, even after with prohibition of use of leaded petrol.

Deep vein thrombosis is a frequently encountered medical condition, and one that is associated with significant morbidity if not promptly diagnosed and treated.  Anticoagulation alone is, at times, insufficient for recanalization, particularly in those patients with ileofemoral thromboses.  Pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis has been used for clot dissolution and removal in these cases.  Although hemolysis could occur due to mechanical lysis of red blood cells during the procedure, acute kidney injury has seldom been reported.  We now report a case of massive hemoglobinuria that occurred immediately after the use of a pharmacomechanical catheter-directed technique to dissolve large deep vein thrombi.  Severe oliguric acute renal failure ensued, complicated by uremic pericarditis and requiring four sessions of hemodialysis therapy.

Patient: Female, 55-year-old Final Diagnosis: COVID-19 • SIADH Symptoms: AMS • seizure Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Critical Care Medicine • Nephrology Objective: Unknown ethiology Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020, varied presentations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported. The present report is of a case of hyponatremia and encephalopathy due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) as the main presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 55-year-old woman. Case Report: A 55-year-old woman with type II diabetes mellitus presented with confusion and slurring of speech, with a temperature of 38.5°C, heart rate of 120 bpm, blood pressure of 159/81 mmHg, and oxygen saturation of 98% on room air. She did not have edema on examination. Laboratory testing showed a low sodium level of 116 mEq/L (reference range, 135–145 mEq/L) with urine osmolarity of 364 mOsm/kg, urinary sodium of 69 mEq/L, urinary potassium of 15.6 mEq/L, and serum osmolarity of 251 mOsm/kg. The patient had normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and cortisol levels. A chest X-ray should no pulmonary infiltrates nor did a lumbar puncture reveal signs of infection. A real-time SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction assay was positive for COVID-19. Brain imaging with computed tomography was negative for acute infarct, intracranial hemorrhage, and mass effect. Based on findings from laboratory testing and physical examination, a diagnosis of SIADH was made. The patient was treated with 3% hypertonic saline, followed by salt tablets and fluid restriction, with improvement in her clinical symptoms and serum sodium level. Conclusions: The present report is of a rare but previously reported association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Encephalopathy and hyponatremia associated with SIADH without pneumonia or other symptoms of infection should be an indication for testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection.