The role of renal resistive index as a prognostic tool in kidney transplantation: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), observational data have reported conflicting findings about the utility of renal resistive index (RRI) in determining outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize the current literature and determine the prognostic role of RRI in KTRs. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review to assess the role of RRI in predicting death, graft failure, graft function and proteinuria. Of the 934 titles/abstracts reviewed, 26 studies were included. There was significant heterogeneity in RRI measurements and thresholds as well as in analytical methods, and a meta-analysis could not be performed. RESULTS: All included studies were observational and included 7049 KTRs. Eight studies analyzed death, of which five reported a significant association with higher RRI. In the remaining three, small sample sizes and lower/multiple RRI thresholds may have limited detection of a statistically significant difference. Three studies investigated all-cause graft failure, and an association with RRI was reported but varied by time of RRI measurement. Three out of five studies that analyzed a composite of patient and graft outcomes reported an association with RRI. Evidence analyzing death-censored graft failure, graft failure (unclear whether death-censored or all-cause), measures of graft function and proteinuria was conflicting. Most studies had a moderate to high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: RRI likely has a prognostic role in predicting patient outcomes, reflecting patient systemic vascular disease burden rather than graft hemodynamics. Since cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of death and graft loss, RRI may be explored as a noninvasive tool to risk-stratify KTRs.

Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to cosmetic filler following two COVID-19 vaccinations and infection.

BACKGROUND: With ongoing COVID-19 vaccination schedules and the popularity of cosmetic fillers, it is important to examine and record associated adverse reactions to a more general audience of health care professionals. Case reports exist in subspecialty journals outlining reactions after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. This is one of the first cases published in Canada, and it highlights priorities and challenges faced by physicians in assessing and managing patients presenting with adverse reactions post vaccination. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 43 -year-old women with delayed type 4 hypersensitivity reaction to hyaluronic acid cosmetic filler triggered by COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. We outline the clinical presentation, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of a late inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid filler and highlight the treatment priorities for clinicians faced with similar presentations. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of delayed onset nodules formation post filler injection is broad and includes redistribution of fillers, inflammatory reaction to biofilm, and delayed hypersensitivity reaction. As result, in order to make the right diagnosis, administer the appropriate treatment and achieve great cosmetic results, we highly recommend seeking expert opinion from dermatologist, plastic surgeon and allergist immunologist in a timely manner.

Acute liver failure in ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is a rare cardiac defect in which the aortic root area between the aortic annulus and the sinotubular junction is dilated. We present a case of acute liver failure (ALF) in a 21-year-old man secondary to ruptured SOVA inducing severe ischemic hepatitis. The patient presented clinically with classical ALF. The liver ultrasound reported hepatomegaly with pulsatile portal flow and dilated hepatic veins. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed focal aneurysmal dilatation of the aortic root with flow across the aneurysm toward the right atrium and elevated right chambers pressures. The surgical repair of the non-coronary SOVA was successful, and post-operatively, liver transaminases improved, and ALF resolved. Given that ruptured SOVA can be surgically repaired, hepatologists should be aware of this diagnosis in a young patient with ALF.