Number needed to treat with intravenous tenecteplase to reduce the need for mechanical thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke patients: A retrospective look at real-world experience data.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe short term outcomes in patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVOAIS) who were treated with intravenous tenecteplase (TNK) as compared to alteplase (tPA), focusing on reduction in the need for mechanical thrombectomy (MT). BACKGROUND: In LVOAIS, TNK has shown improved reperfusion and outcomes with a similar safety profile to tPA. Ultra-early reperfusion has been described with TNK which would prevent the need for MT. We analyze the magnitude of this effect in a "real-world" setting. DESIGN/METHODS: In this retrospective study, demographic, clinical, and imaging information from patients with LVOAIS treated with intravenous thrombolysis was collected. Data was compared between the group treated with TNK and tPA. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-six patients met the criteria for the study. Of these,144patients received tPA and 42 received TNK. Nine had clinical improvement prior to groin puncture and did not require angiography. When combining the number of patients who had recanalization on angiography before MT and those who had clinical improvement prior to angiography, there were a total of 23 patients. This was noted in 9.7 % of patients who received tPA and 21.4 % of those who received TNK (p = 0.043). For patients treated with TNK we observed a rapid clinical improvement, improved NIHSS, improved functional outcomes and decreased length of stay compared to patients treated with tPA. For patients with spontaneous recanalization either angiographically or with clinical improvement from intravenous thrombolysis, MT may not be required. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous TNK in patients with LVOAIS decreases the need for MT, and is associated with improved outcomes and reduced length of stay.

Bilateral pneumothorax after pacemaker placement "Buffalo chest".

Bilateral pneumothoraces following unilateral subclavian vein cannulation is a rare complication. It is usually associated with an intrapleural communication which can be congenital or formed following cardiothoracic and mediastinal surgeries, or trauma. The term Buffalo chest was used to define a single chest cavity with no anatomic separation of the two hemithoraces. It is called Buffalo chest because this unique chest anatomy of the American buffalo, or bison, helped hunters to kill them with a single arrow to the chest because the resultant pneumothorax could collapse both lungs. In distinction, the pleural cavities in humans are entirely separated. We describe an 83-year-old female without prior history of cardiothoracic surgery, trauma or lung disease, who underwent dual chamber pacemaker placement using a left subclavian vein access and developed bilateral pneumothoraces following the procedure. The bilateral pneumothoraces were completely resolved with single left-sided thoracostomy tube placement suggesting the patient had "Buffalo chest".

Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia and Newly Diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (AIDS) in a 63-Year-Old Woman.

BACKGROUND Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) - formerly known as Pneumocyctis carinii pneumonia - with newly diagnosed AIDS is an uncommon presentation in people over 50 years of age. A high level of suspicion is required for this diagnosis when an elderly patient with pneumonia is not responding to broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea, cough, and significant hypoxemia requiring high-flow oxygen supplement with bilateral lung infiltrates, treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for a presumed diagnosis of pneumonia. The patient demonstrated slow clinical improvement. A diagnostic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy was done, which revealed unexpected findings of Pneumocystis organisms on GMS stain. The patient tested positive for HIV and was found to have a low CD4 of 47. She was treated for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and recovered accordingly. CONCLUSIONS It is essential to remember that HIV and the associated opportunistic infections can be very easily overlooked in the elderly. Taking a sexual history can be challenging, especially in the older population, but it should be performed. Keep in mind that aged people can get infected with HIV at an earlier stage in life and remain in latent phase for up to 15 years without specific symptoms.