Infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) can cause prothrombotic complications. We aim to study the frequency of thrombotic complications and impact of anticoagulation on outcomes in hospitalized patients. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 921 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with COVID-19. Patients were divided into four groups depending on whether they were on anticoagulation prior to admission, started anticoagulation during the admission, received prophylactic anticoagulation, or did not receive any anticoagulation. At the time of analysis, 325 patients (35.3%) had died, while 544 patients (59%) had been discharged resulting in inpatient mortality of 37.3%. Male sex, age > 65 years, and high D-dimer at admission were associated with higher mortality. Sixteen patients (1.7%) had venous thromboembolism confirmed with imaging, 11 patients had a stroke, and 2 patients developed limb ischemia. Treatment with therapeutic anticoagulation was associated with improved inpatient mortality compared with prophylactic anticoagulation alone (63% vs 86.2%, p < 0.0001) in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Other outcomes such as rates of liberation from mechanical ventilation and duration of mechanical ventilation were not significantly impacted by the type of anticoagulation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00277-020-04216-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe adverse drug reaction characterized by skin rash, fever, lymph node enlargement, and single or multiple organ involvement. Prompt diagnosis and withdrawal of the offending drug reduce mortality.We report a case of DRESS syndrome along with a review of the literature. We identified the case as DRESS syndrome based on the skin rash, fever, eosinophilia, and liver and kidney involvement. According to the European Registry of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to Drugs and Collection of Biological Samples (RegiSCAR), our patient had a score of 6.Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a severe form of drug reaction with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) screening may be performed to prevent disease in susceptible patients. Steroids in a tapering dose are helpful in the resolution of symptoms.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is the most globally impacting health issue our world has faced over the last century. As of January 7, 2022, around 300 million cases have been reported worldwide, with over 5 million deaths. The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a hyperactive host immune response leading to an excessive inflammatory reaction with the release of many cytokines — cytokine storm — commonly noticed in acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and fulminant multiorgan failure. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the scientific medical community has worked on therapeutic procedures that interfere with the exaggerated immune response. Thromboembolic complications are widespread in patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. Anticoagulant therapy was initially considered a cornerstone in hospitalized patients and even in the early post-discharge period; however, later trials have aborted the clinical benefits except for suspicion of or confirmed thrombosis. Immunomodulatory therapies are still crucial in moderate to severe COVID-19. Immunomodulator therapies include various medications from steroids to hydroxychloroquine, tocilizumab and Anakinra. Anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin supplements and antimicrobial therapy had initial encouraging evidence, but there are limited data to review. Convalescent plasma, immunoglobulins, eculizumab, neutralizing IgG1 monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir have positively impacted inpatient mortality and hospital length of stay. Eventually, wide population vaccination was proven to be the best tool to overcome the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and help humanity return to regular life. Many vaccines and various strategies have been used since December 2020. This review discusses how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has progressed and surged, and summarizes the safety and efficacy of the most used therapies and vaccines in the light of recent evidence.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome affecting adults and children. Collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), one of five histologic variants of FSGS is described as segmental or global collapse and sclerosis of the glomerular tufts and has been frequently associated with human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Its association with other viral and non-viral causes, medications and other disease states has since been established. Due to its resistance to therapy, rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and overall poorer prognosis, identification with electron microscopy examination of the kidney biopsy sample is required during evaluation.

Background: New advances have been made in medicine, but the incidence and prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are evident, and it is established as the fourth cause of death in the United States representing a high cost for the healthcare system. This condition has been related to atrial fibrillation due to the changes in the lungs and vasculature. Based on this history, we seek to evaluate the outcome of AF in the patients with COPD and its relationship with medical therapy utilized to treat this pulmonary condition with the objective of establishing the relationship between the use of beta-agonist therapy for obstructive airway disease in patients with AF. Discussion: Cell receptors participate in multiple reactions and the sympathetic response is received via the alpha- and beta-receptors are related to the hemodynamic of the vasculature of the lungs and cardiovascular system. The beta-blockade agents are one of the most common medication classes used for rate control in cardiac arrhythmias, but the side effect could be COPD exacerbation; on the other hand, beta-adrenergic or beta-agonist as a therapy for this pulmonary condition could increase the heart rate leading to AF decompensation. There is a clear dilemma in our patients who have airway disease and AF since the treatment for one might worsen the other. The clear benefit in morbidity and mortality of beta-blocker therapy, especially beta1-selective, outweighs the potential for any pulmonary side-effects related to ex-acerbation of COPD or airway disease. Conclusion: There is clear data showing the evidence of the potential paradoxical side-effect between COPD and AF therapies, given the exacerbation of one due to treatment of the other, benefits versus risks should be discussed and the medical decision should be made based on them. The deteriorated cardiac condition can rapidly predispose to critical complications leading to death, which is why the use of beta-blockade agents will be chosen over possible complications with pulmonary disease. In other words, the benefit should outweigh the risk based on the best outcome for the patient. Keywords: atrial fibrillation; pulmonary disease; obstructive pulmonary disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); B-Agonist; B-Block (selective; non-selective); digitalis; other antiarrhythmic.

Opioid-induced constipation is a significant medical problem accounting for over 40% to 60% of patients without cancer receiving opioids. We report a unique case of a 71-year-old male with a history of opioid use disorder now on methadone maintenance presenting with severe opioid-induced constipation and fecal impaction causing extrinsic compression on the right-sided ureter resulting in right hydronephrosis and hydroureter that improved with aggressive bowel regime with the stool softener, laxatives and enemas.Methadone alone can predispose to hydroureter with hydronephrosis due to external compression from the severe intestinal dilation secondary to opioid-induced constipation.

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