The LDL-C/Apo B predicts coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C.

The apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Apo B/A1 ratio, lipoprotein (a), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/Apo B ratio are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between these parameters and CAD in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C levels is unclear. Our goal was to assess which parameter was most strongly associated with CAD in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C levels. This study included 487 non-diabetic patients with LDL-C < 130.0 mg/dL. All the patients underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography. We assessed the significance of each continuous atherogenic biomarker for CAD (incidence of coronary plaque and revascularization) without and after adjustment for standard risk factors. The LDL-C/Apo B ratio and lipoprotein (a) were significant risk factors for the incidence of coronary plaque on multivariate analysis after adjustment for standard risk factors. The LDL-C/Apo B ratio was significant for the incidence of revascularization in multivariate analysis after adjustment for standard risk factors. The degree of coronary calcification and plaque burden according to the tertile of LDL-C/Apo B showed significant differences between the groups. Our data indicate that LDL-C/Apo B ratio is the most predictive parameter for coronary atherosclerosis in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C levels.

A successful management after preterm delivery in a patient with severe sepsis during third-trimester pregnancy.

A 33-year-old woman visited the emergency department presenting with fever and dyspnea. She was pregnant with gestational age of 31 weeks and 6 days. She had dysuria for 7 days, and fever and dyspnea for 1 day. The vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 110/70 mmHg, heart rate 118 beats/minute, respiratory rate 28/minute, body temperature 38.7℃, and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry 84% during inhalation of 5 liters of oxygen by nasal prongs. Crackles were heard over both lung fields. There were no signs of uterine contractions. Chest X-ray and chest computed tomography scan showed multiple consolidations and air bronchograms in both lungs. According to urinalysis, there was pyuria and microscopic hematuria. She was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI) that progressed to severe sepsis and acute respiratory failure. We found extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in the blood culture and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the sputum culture. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit with administration of antibiotics and supplementation of high-flow oxygen. On hospital day 2, hypoxemia was aggravated. She underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. After 3 hours, fetal distress was suspected. Under 100% fraction of inspired oxygen, her oxygen partial pressure was 87 mmHg in the arterial blood. She developed acute kidney injury and thrombocytopenia. We diagnosed her with multi-organ failure due to severe sepsis. After an emergent cesarean section, pneumonia, UTI, and other organ failures gradually recovered. The patient and baby were discharged soon thereafter.

[A Case of Gastro-Gastric Intussusception Secondary to Primary Gastric Lymphoma].

In adults, most intussusceptions develop from a lesion, usually a benign or malignant neoplasm, and can occur at any site in the gastrointestinal tract. Intussusception in the proximal gastrointestinal tract is uncommon, and gastro-gastric intussusception is extremely rare. We present a case of gastro-gastric intussusception secondary to a primary gastric lymphoma. An 82-year-old female patient presented with acute onset chest pain and vomiting. Abdominal CT revealed a gastro-gastric intussusception. We performed upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, revealing a large gastric mass invaginated into the gastric lumen and distorting the distal stomach. Uncomplicated gastric reposition was achieved with endoscopy of the distal stomach. Histological evaluation of the gastric mass revealed a diffuse large B cell lymphoma that was treated with chemotherapy.