Lyme Disease and the Dangers of the Forest Edge

Abstract Background and Aims The prevalence of central vein stenosis (CVS) in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is difficult to be assessed directly. This is mainly caused by the variety of clinical signs and the high frequency of asymptomatic CVS. Aim: to assess the frequency of occurrence of various CVS forms in HD patients. Method The retrospective observational study is based on the results of treatment of 1865 HD patients who underwent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on vascular access in our center. In case of vascular access dysfunction, patients were examined according to a local protocol: ultrasound of the peripheral (to exclude lesion of peripheral AVF segments) and central veins (over the available length), followed with CT-angiography or percutaneous angiography, if necessary. Results AVF/AVG dysfunction was observed in 29.4% of patients (549 of 1865). 211 patients were diagnosed with CVS. The prevalence of CVS was 11.3% (211 of 1865) among all HD patients and 38.4% (211 of 549) in patients with AVF dysfunction. Among patients with CVS, 37% (78 of 211) had vein lesions without clinical symptoms or with minimal manifestations (a tendency to decrease KT/V). The prevalence of asymptomatic CVS was 4.2% (78 of 1865) in the general population of HD patients and 14.2% (78 of 549) in patients with AVF dysfunction. In case of asymptomatic CVS it was detected by an ultrasound examination during CVC implantation (N=38), during unsuccessful attempts to implant CVC (N=29), in the case of recurrent AVF thrombosis without underlying peripheral segments lesion (N=9) or during echocardiography (N=2). The prevalence of asymptomatic CVS among patients without AVF dysfunction was 5.9% (78 of 1316). True prevalence of subclinical CVS among HD patients without obvious signs of AVF dysfunction may vary widely. A total of 48.8% (103 of 211) of all CVS cases were treated. At the same time, in 10.7% (11 of 103) of cases, patients did not present symptoms of CVS, and surgery was performed due to recurrent AVF thrombosis without damage of the peripheral parts of AVF. Patients with clinically manifest CVS who received endovascular interventions had a significantly higher risk of AVF loss compared to patients with asymptomatic CVS: HR=2.566 [95% CI 1.706; 3.86], log rank p<0.0001. However, patients with an asymptomatic CVS had a higher risk of AVF function loss compared to the general HD population (HR=2,051 [95% CI 1,243; 3,384], log rank p= 0.0004) – fig. 1. The use of CVC is a known risk factor of CVS development. We analyzed the relationship of CVS risk with multiply CVC placements and catheter dwell time using the Cox proportional hazards regression model (fig. 2). In the univariate model, a greater No of CVCs as well as longer time in place increased the risk of CVS. In the multivariate model (χ2=105.516, df=2, p<0.0001), catheter dwell time was no longer associated with an increased risk of CVC, while the mean number of inserted catheters remained an important risk factor. Conclusion The prevalence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic forms of CVS in HD patients is high. Patients with vascular access dysfunction should be carefully examined to identify the asymptomatic CVS. The mean No of catheterizations is a more important risk factor of CVS than longer catheter dwell time.

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Cilioretinal artery occlusion associated with cisplatin

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/1078155218759805 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 969-971 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ali Alkan ◽

Serap Talaz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Rare Complication ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Visual Disturbance ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Important Risk Factor ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Thromboembolic Events ◽

Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Cilioretinal Artery

Introduction Cancer is an important risk factor for venous and arterial thromboembolic events. Treatment with chemotherapy was associated with a 6.5-fold increase in the risk of thromboembolic events. Here, we present a patient with cilioretinal artery emboli during cisplatin-based therapy. Case report A 54-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of metastatic small cell carcinoma was under cisplatin-based regimen. He presented with visual disturbance. Retinal fluorescein angiography showed multiple plaques located in cilioretinal artery and cilioretinal artery occlusion. After excluding other potential etiological factors, patient was diagnosed with cilioretinal artery occlusion associated with cisplatin. Discussion In oncology practice, patients are prone to thromboembolic events due to primary disease, underlying comorbidities and treatment modalities. In addition to numerous toxicities, cisplatin is an important risk factor for thromboembolic events. Clinicians caring patients with a diagnosis of cancer should be aware of this rare complication of cisplatin-based therapies.

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Diabetes mellitus: an important risk factor for reactivation of tuberculosis

Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism Case Reports ◽

10.1530/edm-16-0035 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ernesto Solá ◽

Carmen Rivera ◽

Michelle Mangual ◽

José Martinez ◽

Kelvin Rivera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽

Important Risk Factor ◽

World Population ◽

Lung Field ◽

List Type ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Pulmonary Tb

Summary Diabetes mellitus was identified as a risk factor for developing tuberculosis (TB) infection, and relapse after therapy. The risk of acquiring TB is described as comparable to that of HIV population. The fact that diabetics are 3× times more prone to develop pulmonary TB than nondiabetics cannot be overlooked. With DM recognized as global epidemic, and TB affecting one-third of the world population, physicians must remain vigilant. We present a 45-year-old woman born in Dominican Republic (DR), with 10-year history of T2DM treated with metformin, arrived to our Urgency Room complaining of dry cough for the past 3months. Interview unveiled unintentional 15lbs weight loss, night sweats, occasional unquantified fever, and general malaise but denied bloody sputum. She traveled to DR 2years before, with no known ill exposure. Physical examination showed a thin body habitus, otherwise well appearing woman with stable vital signs, presenting solely right middle lung field ronchi. LDH, ESR, hsCRP and Hg A1C were elevated. Imaging revealed a right middle lobe cavitation. Sputum for AFB disclosed active pulmonary TB. Our case portrays that the consideration of TB as differential diagnosis in diabetics should be exercised with the same strength, as it is undertaken during the evaluation of HIV patients with lung cavitation. Inability to recognize TB will endanger the patient, hospital dwellers and staff, and perpetuate this global public health menace. Learning points Diabetes mellitus should be considered an important risk factor for the reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis. High clinical suspicious should be taken into consideration as radiological findings for pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with diabetes mellitus may be atypical, involving middle and lower lobes. Inability to recognize pulmonary tuberculosis will endanger the patient, hospital dwellers and staff, and perpetuate this global public health menace.

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