Differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in outpatients with non-specific cardiopulmonary symptoms

Most cardiopulmonary diseases share at least one symptom with pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of this study was to identify the most common acute causes of dyspnea, chest pain, fainting or palpitations, which diagnostic procedures were performed and whether clinicians investigate them appropriately. An Italian multicenter collaboration gathered 17,497 Emergency Department (ED) records of patients admitted from January 2007 to June 2007 in six hospitals. A block random sampling procedure was applied to select 800 hospitalised patients. Results of the overall 17,497 patients were obtained by weighting sampled cases according to the probability of the randomisation block variables in the whole population. The case-mix of enrolled patients was assessed in terms of cardiopulmonary symptoms, and the prevalence of acute disorders. The actual performance of procedures was compared with a measure of their accuracy as expected in the most common clinical presentations. PE occurred in less than 4% of patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms. Acute heart failure, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation were the most likely diagnoses in patients with dyspnea. Acute myocardial infarction was present in roughly 10% of patients with chest pain. Atrial fibrillation was the prevalent diagnosis in patients with palpitations. Echocardiography, computed tomographic pulmonary angiography, perfusion lung scan, D-dimer test and B-type natriuretic peptide were performed less than expected from their accuracy. Diagnostic strategies, starting from non-specific symptoms and coping with the eventuality of PE, are likely to benefit from an increased awareness of the examination’s accuracy in discriminating among several competing hypotheses, rather than in testing the single PE suspicion.     

Thiotepa‐based versus total body irradiation‐based myeloablative conditioning prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission: a retrospective analysis from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Thiotepa is an alkylating compound with an antineoplastic and myeloablative activity and can mimic the effect of radiation. However, it is unknown whether this new regimen could safely replace the long‐established ones. This retrospective matched‐pair analysis evaluated the outcome of adults with acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission who received myeloablative conditioning either with a thiotepa‐based (n = 121) or a cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation‐based (TBI; n = 358) regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an HLA‐matched sibling or an unrelated donor. With a median follow‐up of 44 months, the outcome was similar in both groups. Acute graft‐versus‐host disease grade II‐IV was observed in 25% after thiotepa‐containing regimen versus 35% after TBI (P = 0.06). The 2‐yr cumulative incidence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease was 40.5% for thiotepa and 41% for TBI (P = 0.98). At 2 yrs, the cumulative incidences of non‐relapse mortality and relapse incidence were 23.9% (thiotepa) vs. 22.4% (TBI; P = 0.66) and 17.2% (thiotepa) vs. 23.3% (TBI; P = 0.77), respectively. The probabilities of leukaemia‐free and overall survival at 2 yrs were not significantly different between the thiotepa and TBI groups, at 58.9% vs. 54.2% (P = 0.95) and 61.4% vs. 58% (P = 0.72), respectively. Myeloablative regimens using combinations including thiotepa can provide satisfactory outcomes, but the optimal conditioning remains unclear for the individual patient in this setting.     

Neurological injuries and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: the challenge of the new ECMO era

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving mechanical respiratory and/or circulatory support for potentially reversible severe heart or respiratory injury untreatable with conventional therapies. Thanks to the technical and management improvements the use of ECMO has increased dramatically in the last few years. Data in the literature show a progressive increase in the overall outcome. Considering the improving survival rate of patients on ECMO, and the catastrophic effect of neurological injuries in such patients, the topic of neurological damage during the ICU stay in ECMO is gaining importance. We present a case series of six neurological injuries that occurred in 1 year during the ECMO run or after the ECMO weaning. In each case the neurological complication had a dramatic effect: ranging from brain death to prolonged ICU stay and long term disability. This case series has an informative impact for the multidisciplinary teams treating ECMO patients because of its heterogeneity in pathogenesis and clinical manifestation: cerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke due to cerebral fat embolism, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis due to H1N1 Influenza. In our ECMO hub we started strict neurological monitoring involving intensivists, a neurologist and our radiology service, but neurological complications are still an insidious diagnosis and treatment. Considering several possible neurological injuries may help reduce delay in diagnosis and speed rehabilitation.     

Anterior sacral meningocele: Report of five cases and review of the literature

Five new cases of anterior sacral meningocele are presented, including one secondary to neurofibromatosis, a previously undescribed association. The literature is reviewed, drawing attention to the relationship between anterior sacral meningocele, sacral dysgenesis, and other congenital anomalies. Special consideration is given to the clinical features of this entity, as well as to the techniques and results of surgical management.     

Chronic Oral Anticoagulation and Clinical Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy - The clinical course of COVID-19 may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thromboembolic events, which are associated with high risk of...