COVID-19 and renal infarct: To be or not to be on anticoagulation.

We present a unique case of a male veteran with a history of Castleman disease, presenting with multiple arterial and venous vascular thromboses in the setting of recent Coronavirus (COVID-19)-disease diagnosis. We explore this patient's morbidity related to thrombotic complications of his COVID-19 diagnosis that were potentially avoidable with a comprehensive outpatient evaluation of his risk for thrombosis, as well as the initiation of anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy given his high risk. Our case highlights the need for a standardized clinical workup of patients in the outpatient setting for risk assessment of vascular thrombosis associated with COVID-19 infection to direct medical management, in order to minimize adverse outcomes, complications requiring inpatient admission, and the need for additional yet limited medical resources and interventions. We propose a minimum of low-dose aspirin 81 mg daily as a reasonable approach for outpatient clinicians to consider, based on their best clinical judgement, when managing mild COVID-19, while other options, such as novel oral anticoagulants, are undergoing further investigation.

Effects of nonselective internal iliac artery angioembolization on pelvic venous flow in the swine model.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic angioembolization (AE) is a mainstay in the treatment algorithm for pelvic hemorrhage from pelvic fractures. Nonselective AE refers to embolization of the bilateral internal iliac arteries (IIAs) proximally rather than embolization of their tributaries distally. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of nonselective pelvic AE on pelvic venous flow in a swine model. We hypothesized that internal iliac vein (IIV) flow following IIA AE is reduced by half. METHODS: Nine Yorkshire swine underwent nonselective right IIA gelfoam AE, followed by left. Pelvic arterial and venous diameter, velocity, and flow were recorded at baseline, after right IIA AE and after left IIA AE. Linear mixed-effect model and signed rank test were used to evaluate significant changes between the three time points. RESULTS: Eight swine (77.8 ± 7.1 kg) underwent successful nonselective IIA AE based on achieving arterial resistive index of 1.0. One case was aborted because of technical difficulties. Compared with baseline, right IIV flow rate dropped by 36% ± 29% (p < 0.05) and 54% ± 29% (p < 0.01) following right and left IIA AE, respectively. Right IIA AE had no initial effect on left IIV flow (0.37% ± 99%, p = 0.95). However, after left IIA AE, left IIV flow reduced by 54% ± 27% (p < 0.01). Internal iliac artery AE had no effect on the external iliac arterial or venous flow rates and no effect on inferior vena cava flow rate. CONCLUSION: The effect of unilateral and bilateral IIA AE on IIV flow appears to be additive. Despite bilateral IIA AE, pelvic venous flow is diminished but not absent. There is abundant collateral circulation between the external and internal iliac vascular systems. Arterial embolization may reduce venous flow and improve on resuscitation efforts in those with unstable pelvic fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, level IV.

Deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: incidence, pathogenesis and endovascular management.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) during pregnancy is associated with high mortality, morbidity, and costs. Pulmonary embolism (PE), its most feared complication, is the leading cause of maternal death in the developed world. DVT can also result in long-term complications that include postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) adding to its morbidity. Women are up to 5 times more likely to develop DVT when pregnant. The current standard of care for this condition is anticoagulation. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prophylaxis and diagnosis of DVT during pregnancy, and then focuses on endovascular treatment modalities. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement and pharmacomechanical catheter directed thrombolysis (PCDT) in the pregnant patient are discussed, as well as patient selection criteria, and complications.

Segmental arterial mediolysis and fibromuscular dysplasia: what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare vasculopathy characterized by lysis of the outer media in splanchnic arteries and formation of dissecting pseudoaneurysms that may spontaneously rupture, leading to massive and often fatal intraabdominal hemorrhage. The pathogenesis of SAM is poorly understood. Healed SAM lesions closely resemble fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), leading some authors to postulate that SAM represents a precursor to FMD despite distinct clinical differences between these two disorders. Herein, we present a 61-year-old woman with fatal SAM who showed histologic features in her aorta suggesting the opposite pathogenetic relationship, with an unclassified "FMD-like" arteriopathy preceding development of SAM.

Efectos de la diabetes en el embarazo sobre el recién nacido

La presencia de diabetes en el embarazo afecta a un número significativo de mujeres y es considerada como un factor con importante papel en la morbilidad y mortalidad perinatal. Con el objetivo de determinar los efectos de esta enfermedad sobre el recién nacido, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en 35 casos de mujeres con diabetes mellitus o diabetes gestacional que habían tenido un parto previamente. Se escogieron además al azar, 26 controles de partos de mujeres normales para establecer las comparaciones respectivas. Se observó un efecto de la enfermedad en variables como el Apgar, la talla y los perímetros cefálico y torácico de los recién nacidos. No se encontraron efectos sobre el peso como tampoco diferencias sobre la presencia de malformaciones. Por la importancia de esta situación tanto para la madre como para el recién nacido, se recomiendan medidas de control estricto durante el embarazo de estas mujeres, así como en la atención del recién nacido buscando minimizar los riesgos