Chest
-
Paracentesis has been considered a relatively safe procedure; however, hemorrhagic complications do occur and can be fatal, especially in the context of coagulopathy. We describe the case of a 47-year-old man with coagulopathy secondary to end-stage liver disease, whose hospital course was complicated by paracentesis-related hemoperitoneum leading to abdominal compartment syndrome. ⋯ Understanding key anatomic structures is essential for patient safety in the setting of paracentesis. While recognizing the lack of clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of ultrasonography use in paracentesis, we discuss the benefit of bedside abdominal ultrasonography to locate ascites and avoid intraabdominal structures, as well as vascular ultrasonography, during needle insertion to avoid abdominal wall vessels.
-
Pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) contribute to the burden of disease, with a negative impact on quality of life, costs, and lung function. Our aim was to evaluate whether exacerbations, defi ned by antibiotic use, were triggered by daily fl uctuations in air pollution. ⋯ In patients with CF and exacerbations, ambient concentrations of ozone, PM 10 , and NO 2 play a role in triggering an exacerbation.