Covid-19 in Critically Ill Patients in the Seattle Region - Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Community transmission of coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) was detected in the state of Washington in February 2020. METHODS: We identified patients from nine Seattle-area hospitals who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Clinical data were obtained through review of medical records. The data reported here are those available through March 23, 2020. Each patient had at least 14 days of follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 24 patients with confirmed Covid-19. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 64±18 years, 63% were men, and symptoms began 7±4 days before admission. The most common symptoms were cough and shortness of breath; 50% of patients had fever on admission, and 58% had diabetes mellitus. All the patients were admitted for hypoxemic respiratory failure; 75% (18 patients) needed mechanical ventilation. Most of the patients (17) also had hypotension and needed vasopressors. No patient tested positive for influenza A, influenza B, or other respiratory viruses. Half the patients (12) died between ICU day 1 and day 18, including 4 patients who had a do-not-resuscitate order on admission. Of the 12 surviving patients, 5 were discharged home, 4 were discharged from the ICU but remained in the hospital, and 3 continued to receive mechanical ventilation in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: During the first 3 weeks of the Covid-19 outbreak in the Seattle area, the most common reasons for admission to the ICU were hypoxemic respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation, hypotension requiring vasopressor treatment, or both. Mortality among these critically ill patients was high. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.).

Cancer and pulmonary fibrosis risks in patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study assessed the risks of developing pulmonary fibrosis and cancer and whether patients are at risk of acquiring subsequent cancer after pulmonary fibrosis development. Methods: From the claims data of 22 million insured people, we identified 1461 patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and 1058 with polymyositis (PM) diagnosed in 1996-2016 and 50,380 comparison individuals without pulmonary fibrosis and cancer at baseline, matched by sex and age. Incident pulmonary fibrosis and cancer in each cohort were assessed at the end of 2016. We further followed up individuals with and without pulmonary fibrosis to assess the subsequent development of cancer. Results: The cancer incidence was 2.6-fold higher in the DM/PM groups combined than in comparisons (135.3 vs. 52.1 per 10,000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.11 (95 % confidence interval [CI] = 2.71-3.58). The incidence was lower in patients with PM than in those with DM (81.3 vs. 176 per 10,000 person-years), with an aHR of 0.39 (95 % CI = 0.29-0.54). The likelihood of developing pulmonary fibrosis was 92 times higher in the PM/DM groups combined than in comparisons (37.9 vs. 0.41 per 10,000 person-years; aHR 84.0 (95 % CI = 49.5-143). The incidence was 1.44-fold higher in patients with PM than in those with DM (46.1 vs. 32.0 per 10,000 person-years), but the difference was not significant. Further analysis showed that in 2452 patients with myositis without pulmonary fibrosis, 234 (9.5 %) had cancer, whereas no cancer was identified in 67 patients with pulmonary fibrosis (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Patients with PM and DM are at great risk of developing cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Patients who develop pulmonary fibrosis might be at low risk of developing cancer. The complexity of cancer risk interplaying between patients with and without pulmonary fibrosis has clinical relevance and deserves further investigation. Patients who are free of pulmonary fibrosis deserve close monitoring to reduce subsequent cancer risk.

Altitude exposures during commercial flight: a reappraisal.

BACKGROUND: Hypobaric hypoxia during commercial air travel has the potential to cause or worsen hypoxemia in individuals with pre-existing cardiopulmonary compromise. Knowledge of cabin altitude pressures aboard contemporary flights is essential to counseling patients accurately about flying safety. The objective of the study was to measure peak cabin altitudes during U.S. domestic commercial flights on a variety of aircraft. METHODS: A handheld mountaineering altimeter was carried by the investigators in the plane cabin during commercial air travel and peak cabin altitude measured. The values were then compared between aircraft models, aircraft classes, and distances flown. RESULTS: The average peak cabin altitude on 207 flights aboard 17 different aircraft was 6341 +/- 1813 ft (1933 m +/- 553 m), significantly higher than when measured in a similar fashion in 1988. Peak cabin altitude was significantly higher for flights longer than 750 mi (7085 +/- 801 ft) compared to shorter flights (5160 +/- 2290 ft/1573 +/- 698 m). Cabin altitude increased linearly with flight distance for flights up to 750 mi in length, but was independent of flight distance for flights exceeding 750 mi. Peak cabin altitude was less than 5000 ft (1524 m) in 70% of flights shorter than 500 mi. Peak cabin altitudes greater than 8000 ft (2438 m) were measured on approximately 10% of the total flights. CONCLUSIONS: Peak cabin altitude on commercial aircraft flights has risen over time. Cabin altitude is lower with flights of shorter distance. Physicians should take these factors into account when determining an individual's need for supplemental oxygen during commercial air travel.

Invasive Procedures Associated With Lung Cancer Screening in Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: The harm associated with imaging abnormalities related to lung cancer screening (LCS) is not well documented, especially outside the clinical trial and academic setting. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the frequency of invasive procedures and complications associated with a community based LCS program, including procedures for false-positive and benign, but clinically important, incidental findings? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of an LCS program at a nonuniversity teaching hospital from 2016 through 2019 to identify invasive procedures prompted by LCS results, including their indication and complications. RESULTS: Among 2,003 LCS participants, 58 patients (2.9%) received a diagnosis of lung cancer and 71 patients (3.5%) received a diagnosis of any malignancy. Invasive procedures were performed 160 times in 103 participants (5.1%), including 1.7% of those without malignancy. Eight invasive procedures (0.4% of participants), including four surgeries (12% of diagnostic lung resections), were performed for false-positive lung nodules. Only 1% of Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4A nodules that proved benign were subject to an invasive procedure. Among those without malignancy, an invasive procedure was performed in eight participants for extrapulmonary false-positive findings (0.4%) and in 19 participants (0.9%) to evaluate incidental findings considered benign but clinically important. Procedures for the latter indication resulted in treatment, change in management, or diagnosis in 79% of individuals. Invasive procedures in those without malignancy resulted in three complications (0.15%). Seventy nonsurgical procedures (6% complication rate) and 48 thoracic surgeries (4% major complication rate) were performed in those with malignancy. INTERPRETATION: The use of invasive procedures to resolve false-positive findings was uncommon in the clinical practice of a nonuniversity LCS program that adhered to a nodule management algorithm and used a multidisciplinary approach. Incidental findings considered benign but clinically important resulted in invasive procedure rates that were similar to those for false-positive findings and frequently had clinical value.

An unusual presentation of Pseudomonas citronellolis bacteraemia and Campylobacter gastroenteritis infection in a human - a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Pseudomonas citronellolis is an unusual pathogen in humans and has not been extensively described in the scientific literature. Herein, we present a case of bacteremia and septic shock due to Pseudomonas citronellolis following Campylobacter species gastroenteritis in a patient with immunosuppression. Case Presentation: An 80-year-old man with myeloproliferative disorder on ruxolitinib presented with several days of worsening abdominal pain, which rapidly developed into septic shock with multi-organ failure and explosive diarrhea. Gram-negative bacilli observed on Gram staining of his blood culture broth were later identified as Pseudomonas citronellolis and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron . Repeated abdominal imaging revealed no evidence of intestinal perforation or megacolon. In addition, stool PCR was positive for Campylobacter species. His clinical course improved after 14 days of meropenem with complete resolution of his symptoms and organ failure. Conclusion: P. citronellolis is a rare infection in humans. We postulate that Janus Associated Kinase (JAK) inhibition in myeloproliferative disorders heightened this patient's risk of bacterial translocation and severe illness in the setting of Campylobacter gastroenteritis. P. citronellolis may be identified more frequently as a pathogen in humans as more advanced diagnostic technologies become increasingly available in clinical microbiology.

Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism due to Helium Inhalation from a High-Pressure Gas Cylinder.

Cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) is a rare but serious cause for acute neurologic deficit that occurs most often in divers who breathe compressed gas at depth or iatrogenically from a variety of invasive medical procedures. We present a rare case of CAGE caused by inhaling helium from an unregulated, high-pressure gas cylinder. Following inhalation, the patient experienced loss of consciousness, neurologic deficits, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax requiring transfer and treatment at a hyperbaric facility with resulting resolution of neurologic symptoms. This case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO), facilitated by close coordination among community emergency departments, pediatric tertiary care centers, hyperbaric facilities, and poison control.

Severe Decompression Sickness Associated with Shock and Acute Respiratory Failure.

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a well-recognized complication of diving but rarely results in shock or respiratory failure. We report a case of severe DCS in a diver associated with shock and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. A healthy 50-year-old male diver dove to a depth of 218 feet for 43 minutes while breathing air but omitted 6.5 hours of air decompression due to diver error. The clinical presentation was remarkable for loss of consciousness, hypotension, cutis marmorata, peripheral edema, and severe hypoxia requiring mechanical ventilation with diffuse lung opacities on chest radiograph. Laboratories were significant for polycythemia and hypoalbuminemia. A single hyperbaric oxygen treatment was provided on the day of admission during which shock worsened requiring aggressive volume resuscitation and three vasopressors. In the first 37 hours of hospitalization, 22 liters of crystalloid and multiple albumin boluses were administered for refractory hypotension by which time all vasopressors had been discontinued and blood pressure had normalized. He required 10 days of mechanical ventilation and was discharged on day 21 with mild DCS-related neurologic deficits. This clinical course is characteristic of DCS-related shock wherein bubble-endothelial interactions cause a transient capillary leak syndrome associated with plasma extravasation, hemoconcentration, and hypovolemia. The pathophysiology and typical clinical course of DCS-related shock suggest the need for aggressive but time-limited administration of crystalloid and albumin. Because hyperbaric oxygen is the primary treatment for DCS, treatment with hyperbaric oxygen should be strongly considered even in the face of extreme critical illness.

Effect of mycophenolate mofetil on pulmonary function in scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in scleroderma- associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who met criteria for systemic sclerosis, had evidence of SSc-ILD on chest CT, received > 1 g/d of MMF for >or= 6 months, and had pulmonary function data available. Vital capacity (VC) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) at treatment onset were compared with VC and Dlco values 12 months before and 12 months after treatment onset. Twelve-month values were imputed from regression lines generated using all VC and Dlco measurements made in the 24-month period either prior to or following treatment onset. RESULTS: Among 13 patients who met inclusion criteria, MMF was associated with a significant improvement in VC (mean, + 159 mL; confidence interval [CI], + 30 to + 289 mL; and + 4% of the predicted normal value; CI, + 2 to + 7%) after 12 months of treatment. In contrast, patients had a significant decrease in VC (mean, - 239 mL; CI, - 477 to - 0.5 mL; and - 5% of the predicted normal value; CI, - 11 to - 0.3%) in the 12 months prior to MMF treatment. Dlco did not change significantly during MMF treatment (mean, + 1% of the predicted normal value; CI, - 2 to + 5%) but decreased significantly in the 12 months prior to treatment (mean, - 5% of the predicted normal value; CI, - 10 to - 1%). CONCLUSION: These retrospective data suggest MMF improves VC in patients with SSc-ILD.

Lung albumin accumulation is spatially heterogeneous but not correlated with regional pulmonary perfusion.

The contribution of pulmonary perfusion heterogeneity to the development of regional differences in lung injury and edema is unknown. To test whether regional differences in pulmonary perfusion are associated with regional differences in microvascular function during lung injury, pigs were mechanically ventilated in the prone position and infused with endotoxin (Escherichia coli 055:B5, 0.15 microg. kg(-1). h(-1); n = 8) or saline (n = 4) for 4 h. Extravascular albumin accumulation and perfusion were measured in multiple approximately 0.7-ml lung regions by injecting pigs with radiolabeled albumin and radioactive microspheres, respectively. Extravascular albumin accumulation was spatially heterogeneous but not correlated with regional perfusion. Extravascular albumin accumulation was greater in dorsal than ventral regions, and regions with similar albumin accumulation were spatially clustered. This spatial organization was less evident in endotoxemic than control pigs. We conclude that there are regional differences in lung albumin accumulation that are spatially organized but not mediated by regional differences in pulmonary perfusion. We speculate that regional differences in microvascular pressure or endothelial function may account for the observed distribution of extravascular albumin accumulation.

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (pulmonary pseudolymphoma): the significance of increased numbers of IgG4-positive plasma cells.

On the basis of an initial case, we hypothesized that IgG4-positive plasma cells may be increased in pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (PNLH) compared with other lymphoid proliferations of the lung. Six cases of PNLH, 9 cases of low-grade B-cell lymphoma of the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), 8 cases of intraparenchymal lymph nodes, 8 cases of either primary or secondary follicular bronchiolitis, and 4 cases of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis were stained by immunohistochemical analysis for IgG4 and IgG. The mean number of IgG4-positive and IgG-positive plasma cells and the IgG4/IgG ratio were determined from a manual count of images from 3 separate high-power fields (hpf) of areas showing the highest numbers of stained cells, respectively. The mean number of IgG4-positive plasma cells and the IgG4/IgG ratio were significantly increased in PNLH (IgG4=78/hpf, IgG4/IgG=0.35) compared to low-grade lymphoma of BALT (IgG4=4/hpf, P=0.02; IgG4/IgG=0.03, P=0.005), intraparenchymal lymph nodes (IgG4=7/hpf, P=0.03; IgG4/IgG=0.06, P=0.007), follicular bronchiolitis (IgG4=0/hpf, P=0.02; IgG4/IgG=0, P=0.004), and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (IgG4=2/hpf, P=0.02; IgG4/IgG=0.06, P=0.007). These findings support our current understanding of PNLH as a distinct form of reactive lymphoid proliferation, potentially aid in its distinction from low-grade B-cell lymphoma of BALT, and raise the possibility that PNLH may belong within the family of IgG4-related sclerosing diseases.