The American journal of the medical sciences
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The purpose of the current study was to describe the clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis with IgA deposits in the kidneys. ⋯ Patients with IgA deposits presented with milder renal damage and a good prognosis, which suggested its protective role in lupus nephritis.
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Observational Study
Infection in Hospitalized Cirrhosis Patients: Changing Epidemiology and Clinical Features.
Patients with cirrhosis are uniquely predisposed to infections, which can lead to acute decompensation and an increase in mortality rates. We hypothesized that not only are cirrhotic patients more likely to develop certain infections, but that specific infections are associated with poorer outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the epidemiology, bacteriology, and outcomes of infections in cirrhotic patients admitted to the hospital. ⋯ In summary, infections were common in patients with cirrhosis and were associated with poor outcomes, particularly in the presence of evidence of sepsis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia are now most commonly due to gram-positive organisms and fungal infections appear to be rising in prevalence.
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This study aims to investigate the association between hemoglobin and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) who were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). ⋯ Hemoglobin level can be utilized as a prognostic indicator of MACE in patients with CAD after PCI.
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The presence of the left ventricle (LV) apical thrombus is one of the most critical complications of anterior myocardial infarction (MI). Due to the high risk of systemic embolization, the determination of LV apical thrombus (LVAT) is essential. We aimed to compare the two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), contrast-2DE and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) in the diagnosis of LVAT and determine which imaging modality is superior. ⋯ We found that RT-3DE was more sensitive and more specific than 2DE and contrast-2DE in the diagnosis of LVAT. The diagnostic accuracy of RT-3DE was higher than 2DE and contrast-2DE for LVAT.
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The purpose of the study was to assess the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of native vertebral osteomyelitis (NVO) in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). ⋯ Atherosclerotic vascular disease was prominent in our contemporary cohort with NVO in the setting of SAB. Diabetes mellitus, tobacco consumption, older age and male sex likely contributed to this profile. Because IDU was associated with NVO, an increased number of cases should be anticipated among patients with IDU given the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.