What is low cardiac output syndrome? A report of two cases
Abstract
Background: One of the diagnostic criteria of low cardiac output syndrome (LOS) is a cardiac index of less than 1.8 l/min/m2. However, recognition of this syndrome differs among intensivists as to whether or not LOS is synonymous with cardiogenic shock.
Case reports: Here, we present two cases of heart failure who were initially treated with diuretics and subsequently fell into a state of low cardiac output. We treated the patient with low blood pressure with inotropes and the patient with high blood pressure with a vasodilator according to their hemodynamics. We observed that cardiac power was the most significant hemodynamic change in response to these treatments. In this paper, we discuss the definition of LOS and show several criteria for determining LOS.
Conclusions: Broadly, there are several conditions of determining LOS. Even with those conditions, we should still be aware of the pathophysiology of each patient with heart failure. We propose that the definition of LOS should be a state of low cardiac output with corresponding symptoms, even if their blood pressure is high.
Outcomes in severe SARS-CoV-2 patients with liberal oxygenation and steroid therapy - a single centre experience
Real-world reports on outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection using higher oxygenation targets along with steroid therapy are lacking. We conducted a retrospective study of patients requiring oxygen support following targets of oxygenation >95% along with steroid therapy. Group 1 with oxygenation through a nasal cannula or Hudson mask, Group 2 oxygenation with venturi system, and Group 3 with high flow nasal oxygen, 35-50 litres; non-invasive ventilation; mechanical ventilation delivering. One hundred and eighteen patients (Group 1 74 patients, Group 2 15 patients, and Group 3 29 patients) were studied. The mean age was 55.7 years and most were male (n=77). One hundred and fourteen received dexamethasone or methylprednisolone. Most (88.3%) had at least one pre-existing chronic medical illness. Overall mortality was 22.8% (n=27). Group 3 had the highest mortality (75.9%) followed by Group 2 (26.7%) and Group 1 (1.35%). Our observation raises the query if a higher target of oxygenation for non-mechanical ventilated patients coupled with steroid therapy is beneficial.
Restrictive fluid and fluid removal approach in diabetic ketoacidosis with septic AKI: A case report
Abstract
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication that requires a rapid restoration of intravascular volume usually with aggressive administration of intravenous fluid with 0.9% sodium chloride as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. We report a 50-year-old obese female patient with a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) since 20 years ago and routinely using insulin. She experienced dyspnea and presumably was caused by diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient was given fluid resuscitation with normal saline, but the dyspnea did not resolve and the work of breathing increased further, so the patient was intubated and admitted to the intensive care unit. Aggressive fluid resuscitation carries potential adverse effects such as hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, interstitial multi-organ edema, and increased incidence of acute kidney injury. The first day of ICU treatment, positive cumulative fluid balance occurred and fluid removal was indicated. Fluid removal using diuretic or ultrafiltration is a part of the treatment of organ congestion and fluid overload after the initial phase of shock resuscitation to achieve negative fluid balance. This case showed that restricted fluid and fluid removal improve the patient outcome, especially in diabetic ketoacidosis and septic AKI patients.
Brain stem infarction as a complication of probable meningitis/encephalitis associated with COVID-19: A case report from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), firstly discovered in Wuhan, China, has spread globally and was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic since March 11, 2020. By June 13, 2020, the number of Covid cases in Indonesiawas 37420 with 2091 mortality cases. Lombok is situated in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, currently the number of Covid-19 cases 937. We report a case of probable meningitis/encephalitis associated with COVID-19 with symptoms of fever, headache, and cough. The patient was brought to the Emergency Room with decreased of consciousness, seizures, and neck rigidity. The thoracic examination and head computed tomography (CT) scan revealed pneumonia and brain stem infarction, respectively. Nasopharyngeal swab examination was performed and identified the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ribonucleic acid (RNA) leading to meningitis due to COVID-19.
A case report: Does amynophilline have opportunity in COVID-19 management?
AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), which causes severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS causes the patient to have difficulty breathing, the appearance of pneumonia from chest radiological images, and from the examination results by pulse oximetry, the picture of oxygenation is poor. Most clinical complaints require mechanical ventilation and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). We made several attempts to increase oxygenation and ventilation from a pharmacological and non-pharmacological perspective. From pharmacology, given drugs that help from an immunological aspect, reduce preload, help cardiac contractility, and anti-virus. In this case report, we report aminophylline administration as a therapeutic modality in critically ill patients' handling due to COVID-19.
Dabigatran-induced hemopericardium with tamponade
Abstract
Background: Rapidly changing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury leads to patients having a high risk of bleeding despite the early cessation of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). Bleeding complications can occur at a rare hidden site, the hemopericardium; this type of complication requires point-of-care ultrasound examinations (POCUS) for early detection and the performance of ultrasound-guided drainage as a lifesaving procedure.
Case presentation: An 84-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation who was taking 110 mg bid dabigatran and who presented with obstructive sleep apnea and deteriorated renal function as well as type 2 respiratory failure. The patient was compliant with the dosage of dabigatran (110 mg twice daily), and the last dose was taken a few hours prior to being transferred to the critical care unit. Within 24 hours, the patient was notably lethargic and oliguric. Laboratory examination demonstrated a deterioration in renal function. Serial transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated new mild pericardial effusion that progressively increased for the next 4 hours with signs of early cardiac tamponade. Idarucizumab was administered. The patient underwent successful echocardiography guided pericardiocentesis without complications. A 500 ml of grossly hemorrhagic fluid was removed. The patient recovered to baseline status over the course of one week, with laboratory and clinical resolution of multiorgan failure and no echocardiographic evidence of hemopericardium.
Conclusion: Life-threatening hidden hemorrhagic complications warrant caution in patients receiving DOAC. Our case highlights both a rare bleeding complication of dabigatran, and the effectiveness of idarucizumab, the approved reversal agent. Clinicians should closely monitor patient renal function in the setting of critical care area. Urgent POCUS detected the complication early, and ultrasound guided pericardiocentesis was followed by improved hemodynamic.
Low-dose heparin for sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation and septic shock
Abstract
Background: Sepsis and septic shock are severe clinical problems with high mortality rates, characterized by a systemic inflammation with substantial procoagulant elements and activating some clotting factors. Those are possible to develop the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Heparin is a well-known anticoagulant, which also provides anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, the efficacy of heparin was limited by the potential risk of bleeding in critically ill patients. In this case report, we would like to explain the therapeutic effects of low-dose heparin on sepsis-associated DIC and septic shock.
Case report: We report a case of a 60-year-old male with sepsis-associated DIC and septic shock caused by pneumonia. The patient had decreased consciousness for 10 hours before hospitalization. Standard intensive care and intravenous low-dose heparin (250 IU/h) were performed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). On day 12 of ICU admission, the patient's condition was fully conscious and clinically stable. Therefore, the patient discharged from ICU with no bleeding manifestation and no sequelae.
Conclusion: Low-dose heparin successful treats patient with sepsis-associated DIC and septic shock.
A case of severe respiratory distress in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia receiving dasatinib
Abstract
Introduction: Dasatinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor used primarily in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The major reported side effects are pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, and severe infection. The most common infection among these patients is pneumonia. Here, we present a case of severe respiratory failure in a patient with CML who was taking dasatinib.
Case presentation: A 75-year-old male with CML, hypertension, hyperlipidemia presented to the emergency department with progressively worsening shortness of breath and hemoptysis for one week. The patient’s CML had been well controlled with dasatinib since his diagnosis two years ago, and the most recent BCR-ABL1 assay was undetectable. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed diffuse ground glass opacity with superimposed interlobular septal thickening and intralobular lines (“crazy-paving pattern”) and a moderate-sized right pleural effusion. Therapeutic thoracentesis yielded 1.8 l of lymphocyte predominant, exudative pleural effusion. Pneumocystis jirovecii polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of induced sputum was positive, which was consistent with the CT finding of “crazy-paving pattern.” Dasatinib was held for the possibility of drug induced pneumonitis and pleural effusion, and the patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for his pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP).
Conclusion: Our case suggests that a common tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dasatinib, cannot only act as an effective antileukemic agent, but also can cause several adverse effects including pleural effusion and immunosuppression. Physicians should consider opportunistic infections in their differential when patients on dasatinib present with respiratory insufficiency.
Resuscitation incoherence after cardiac arrest due to acute intraoperative pulmonary emboli related acute right heart failure: A case report
Abstract
Resuscitation incoherence is a mismatch between macrocirculation, microcirculation, and cellular parameters after resuscitation. We report a 34-year-old obese male patient, suffering from end-stage renal disease or chronic kidney disease (CKD), underwent routine hemodialysis three times a week and hypercoagulability state with rivaroxaban therapy. He had a cardiac arrest during kidney transplant surgery. Acute right heart failure causing cardiac arrest was presumably caused by acute intraoperative pulmonary embolism. Hemodynamic and resuscitation incoherence occurred and proper treatment was needed. At the time of cardiac arrest, hemodynamic coherence was lost and resuscitation was performed to restore this loss by correcting the possible causes of cardiac arrest. Although the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was successfully achieved, a type 1 resuscitation incoherence occurred where the macrocirculation was optimal but cellular parameters were disturbed by cell hypoxia, characterized by high levels of lactate. Type 2 resuscitation incoherence was also found in this patient until the end of treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). Cellular parameters such as lactate levels and the venoarterial carbon dioxide tension difference to arteriovenous oxygen content difference ratio (P[v-a]CO2)/(C[a-v]O2) continued to improve during ICU treatment, but cell hypoxia might occur since the central venous pressure (CVP) value as a macrocirculation parameter was likely to increase, presumed to be caused by incomplete resolved acute pulmonary embolism related chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Acute ischemic stroke - an extrapulmonary COVID-19 presentation
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a high contagious and deadly virus, with an endless capacity to surprise clinicians with new presentations and complications. Although COVID-19 typically presents as respiratory infection but it can present with thromboembolic event. Our hospital, one of the main territory care hospitals in Kuwait, experiencing sudden surge of stroke cases in last few weeks of COVID-19 pandemic. Stroke is a medical emergency which needs early recognition and management for better neurological outcome. In the COVID-19 pandemic, when seeing patients with neurological manifestations, clinicians should consider COVID-19 as a differential diagnosis and should take full protective measures until proven to be negative. Based on our experience, we want to highlight that COVID-19 patients can present with extrapulmonary manifestation like stroke. Emergency physicians, stroke team and intensivist should be wary of this fact. Triaging and COVID-19 screening is the key to minimize the virus spread and to ensure staff and other patients safety.
Toxic shock syndrome related to the use of a menstrual cup in a pediatric patient
Abstract
Menstrual cups, made of hypoallergenic rubber or silicone, were first marketed in the 1930’s but have become increasingly popular. Menstrual cups may be less expensive, more environmentally friendly and potentially a safer alternative to tampons and menstrual pads, although the safety of these cups is unknown. We report a case of a 17.5-year-old female who developed probable toxic shock syndrome related to use of The DivaCup®. We suggest that women presenting with signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome be asked specifically about their use of a menstrual cup in addition to tampons, because it may be a risk factor and present requires prompt removal for source control.
Cerebral pontine infarction after postpartum hemorrhagic shock
Abstract
Cerebral pontine infarction is a rare complication of hemorrhagic shock. We report an unconscious 30-year-old woman that was admitted with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The patient required two surgery to control the bleeding. Focal neurologic deficit was recognized after extubation. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed findings which were consistent with acute right-side pontine infarction. The patient’s symptoms improved with anti-thrombotic therapy and she was discharged on the thirteenth day of hospitalization. A routine stroke rehabilitation program was planned.
The use of COVID-19 IgM rapid test in the setting of negative RT-PCR to diagnose infection by SARS-CoV-2: A challenging case
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused an outbreak of respiratory disease in Wuhan, China, that quickly spread to other countries causing a global pandemic. Although the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 infection has become the standard method of diagnosis, this test has limitations that cause false negative results. The sudden onset, and spread of this virus, has created an urgency to find reliable screening and diagnostic tools to identify infected patients, prevent further transmission, and provide treatment for these patients. A rapid and accurate diagnostic tool, the COVID-19 combined IgG and IgM “Rapid” test can detect these antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using a finger prick blood sample detecting infection in 15 minutes. We report the use of the COVID-19 IgM Rapid Test in the presence of high clinical suspicion, along with typical chest computed tomography findings suggestive of COVID-19 infection, in a patient who tested negative twice for the nasopharyngeal swab specimen RT-PCR test.
COVID-19-induced hepatic encephalopathy: A case report
Abstract
By the end of December 2019, a single stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus, Coronavirus, was said to be responsible for an outbreak of respiratory infections of unknown origin in Wuhan, China. Globally, this virus has caused over 160,000 deaths and is expected to increase as the pandemic continues. The majority of patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection present symptomatically with fever, shortness of breath, or cough; however, given that the Coronavirus targets the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors (ACE2), it has been suspected that the virus also exhibits neuroinvasive effects. We present a case of a 32-year-old man with a one-week history of progressive shortness of breath, myalgias, arthralgias, fever peaks, who tested positive for COVID-19 and developed acute hepatic encephalopathy with altered mental status.
Multiple ventricular septal defects in an adult
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the second most commonly occurring congenital heart defect in adults. The incidence in adults is 10 %, as most defects usually close during early childhood. Mortality increases with age, and 75% at the age of 60. Symptoms and clinical presentation depend mainly on the size of the VSD. Patients with small VSDs usually remain asymptomatic. Larger VSDs can cause hemodynamic compromise, increased risk of infective endocarditis and reversal of shunt leading to Eisenmenger syndrome.