The Influence of Xylazine and Clonidine on Lung Ultrasound-Induced Pulmonary Capillary Hemorrhage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Induction of pulmonary capillary hemorrhage (PCH) by lung ultrasound (LUS) depends not only on physical exposure parameters but also on physiologic conditions and drug treatment. We studied the influence of xylazine and clonidine on LUS-induced PCH in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats using diagnostic B-mode ultrasound at 7.3 MHz. Using ketamine anesthesia, rats receiving saline, xylazine, or clonidine treatment were tested with different pulse peak rarefactional pressure amplitudes in 5 min exposures. Results with xylazine or clonidine in spontaneously hypertensive rats were not significantly different at the three exposure pulse peak rarefactional pressure amplitudes, and thresholds were lower (2.2 MPa) than with saline (2.6 MPa). Variations in LUS PCH were not correlated with mean systemic blood pressure. Similar to previous findings for dexmedetomidine, the clinical drug clonidine tended to increase susceptibility to LUS PCH.

Iodine-based Dual-Energy CT of Traumatic Hemorrhagic Contusions: Relationship to In-Hospital Mortality and Short-term Outcome.

BackgroundTraumatic hemorrhagic contusions are associated with iodine leak; however, quantification of leakage and its importance to outcome is unclear.PurposeTo identify iodine-based dual-energy CT variables that correlate with in-hospital mortality and short-term outcomes for contusions at hospital discharge.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective study, consecutive patients with contusions from May 2016 through January 2017 were analyzed. Two radiologists evaluated CT variables from unenhanced admission head CT and follow-up head dual-energy CT scans obtained after contrast material-enhanced whole-body CT. The outcomes evaluated were in-hospital mortality, Rancho Los Amigos scale (RLAS) score, and disability rating scale (DRS) score. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to develop prediction models for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively.ResultsThe study included 65 patients (median age, 48 years; interquartile range, 25-65.5 years); 50 were men. Dual-energy CT variables that correlated with mortality, RLAS score, and DRS score were iodine concentration, pseudohematoma volume, iodine quantity in pseudohematoma, and iodine quantity in contusion. The single-energy CT variable that correlated with mortality, RLAS score, and DRS score was hematoma volume at follow-up CT. Multiple logistic regression analysis after inclusion of clinical variables identified two predictors that enabled determination of mortality: postresuscitation Glasgow coma scale (P-GCS) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2, 0.86; P = 0.01) and iodine quantity in pseudohematoma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4 per milligram; 95% CI: 1.02 per milligram, 1.9 per milligram; P = 0.03), with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.96 ± 0.05 (standard error). For RLAS, the predictors were P-GCS (mean coefficient, 0.32 ± 0.06; P < .001) and iodine quantity in contusion (mean coefficient, -0.04 per milligram ± 0.02; P = 0.01). Predictors for DRS were P-GCS (mean coefficient, -1.15 ± 0.27; P < .001), age (mean coefficient, 0.13 per year ± 0.04; P = .002), and iodine quantity in contusion (mean coefficient, 0.19 per milligram ± 0.07; P = .02).ConclusionIodine-based dual-energy CT variables correlate with in-hospital mortality and short-term outcomes for contusions at hospital discharge.© RSNA, 2019Online supplemental material is available for this article.See also the editorial by Talbott and Hess in this issue.

Severe Pneumonitis with Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated with Herbal Medicines: A Case Report.

We report a case of pneumonitis with alveolar hemorrhage induced by herbal medicines in a 73-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and an abnormal shadow on a chest radiograph. She had received treatment with numerous drugs, including the herbal medicines Seisin-renshi-in, Chotosan, Rikkunshi-to, and Shakuyakukannzo-to. Chest radiography revealed diffuse ground-glass shadows in both lungs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was progressively hemorrhagic. A culture of the fluid showed no evidence of microorganisms. Moreover, there were no findings suggestive of rheumatic disease or vasculitides. On the basis of this evidence, we suspected drug-induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. She discontinued all medicines and started treatment with corticosteroids. Her respiratory condition and chest radiographic findings improved. The timing of administration and rechallenge with other drugs suggested that the herbal medicines were the causative drugs. The primary concern was Seisin-renshi-in, because it contains Ougon (skullcap; a known cause of pneumonitis) and because a drug lymphocyte stimulation test was positive for Seisin-renshi-in. This is the first report indicating that Seisin-renshi-in may cause diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage due to herbal medicines is a rare but emergent disorder. Therefore, treating physicians should be aware that it may be caused by herbal medicines, including Seisin-renshi-in.

Different prognoses in patients with profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Background: Inner ear hemorrhage is increasingly recognized as a cochlear lesion that can cause profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Objectives: To investigate changes of cochlear and vestibular function and to compare therapeutic recovery from profound SSNHL induced by different etiologies. Material and methods: Eighty patients with profound SSNHL (≥90 dB) were divided into an inner ear hemorrhage group and a non-inner ear hemorrhage group by MRI. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic effects from vertigo and hearing loss and the outcomes of follow-up in the two groups. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the overall 14-day therapeutic response rate (20 vs. 48%), the incidence of imbalance (26.7 vs. 6%), the incidence of semicircular canal dysfunction on the affected side (60 vs. 20%), the incidence of abnormal C-VEMP and O-VEMP on the affected side (63.3 vs. 38%; and 60 vs. 30%, respectively), the average hearing threshold (74.2 ± 10.7 vs. 53.6 ± 11.4 dB), and the word recognition score (65.5 ± 21.7 vs. 83.5 ± 24.5%) at a 12-month follow-up. Conclusions and significance: A higher percentage of patients with profound SSNHL induced by inner ear hemorrhage were associated with vertigo and had a poor prognosis.

Autologous blood reinfusion during iatrogenic acute hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade: Safety and feasibility in a cohort of 30 patients.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic hemorrhagic pericardial tamponade (IHPT) represents a life-threating condition requiring emergency pericardiocentesis. In this clinical context, reinfusion of pericardial blood can stabilize the patient and sustain hemodynamic conditions. AIMS AND METHODS: We reviewed all cases of IHPT occurred at our hospital over a 10 years span. In all patient autologous blood reinfusion through a femoral vein was performed. RESULTS: In our clinical experience of 30 consecutive patients with hemorrhagic cardiac tamponade, this technique was successful to limit blood transfusions, to prevent further clinical worsening and bridge patients with intractable bleeding, to cardiac surgery. No major adverse reactions were directly related to blood autotransfusion. CONCLUSION: In the complex clinical scenario of acute tamponade occurring during catheter-based cardiac procedures, autotransfusion of pericardial blood through a femoral vein is safe and effective. It can be a useful trick up the sleeve of the interventional cardiologist.

The EXPAND study: Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: The EXPAND study examined the real-world efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism (SE) in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter, prospective, non-interventional, observational, cohort study was conducted at 684 medical centers in Japan. A total of 7141 NVAF patients ≥20 years of age (mean, 71.6 ±â€¯9.4 years) who were being or about to be treated with rivaroxaban (10 mg/day, 43.5%; 15 mg/day, 56.5%) were followed for an average of 897.1 (±206.8) days with a high follow-up rate (99.65%). The mean CHADS2 score at baseline was 2.1 (1.3) (0-1, 37%; 2, 29%; ≥3, 34%). The total incidence rate of symptomatic stroke and SE (primary efficacy endpoint) was 1.0%/year, and 0.5%, 0.9%, and 1.7%/year for those with CHADS2 scores of 0-1, 2, and ≥3, respectively. Cumulative incidence rates for major bleeding (primary safety endpoint) and non-major bleeding (secondary safety endpoint) were 1.2%/year and 4.9%/year, respectively. Differences were noted between new and current users only for major bleeding event rate (1.7% vs. 1.1%/year, P = 0.0024). Comparisons with previous studies suggested that rivaroxaban is effective and safe for low-risk patients (0-1 CHADS2), as shown for warfarin in the XANTUS international prospective post-marketing study. CONCLUSIONS: The EXPAND study demonstrated that low dosages of rivaroxaban for Japanese NVAF patients in real-world clinical practice, including those with CHADS2 scores 0-1, resulted in low rates of stroke and SE, and major and non-major bleeding.

Should endovascular approach be the first line of treatment for retroperitoneal bleeding with hemodynamic shock following percutaneous intervention? A case series.

OBJECTIVES: To report a series of consecutive patients that developed retroperitoneal hemorrhage (RPH) and persistent hypotension treated with endovascular approach. BACKGROUND: RPH is a rare complication of percutaneous cardiovascular interventions associated with high morbidity and mortality. The standard approach to treat this complication has been a conservative management for stable patients, and urgent vascular surgery for those with persistent hypovolemic shock. Percutaneous endovascular treatment has evolved as an alternative treatment option. METHODS: We implemented a management algorithm for patients with suspected RPH and persistent hypotension which embraced systematic use of emergency endovascular evaluation and treatment following clinical assessment without the use of non-invasive diagnostic testing. We report a series of 8 consecutive patients that developed RPH with persistent hypotension. RESULTS: Successful percutaneous treatment was achieved in all cases with the use of a covered stent. No patient required vascular surgery. The average blood transfusion was 3.4 ± 2.7 units per patient. There were no deaths; one patient experienced acute stent thrombosis that was successfully treated via endovascular approach. At 1-year follow-up, no further events were reported. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of a standardized protocol using only clinical evaluation followed by emergency percutaneous approach without delays attributed to non-invasive diagnostic work-up showed to be feasible and associated with favorable outcomes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dual-Energy Head CT Enables Accurate Distinction of Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage from Calcification in Emergency Department Patients.

Purpose To evaluate the ability of dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (CT) to differentiate calcification from acute hemorrhage in the emergency department setting. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board-approved study, all unenhanced DE head CT examinations that were performed in the emergency department in November and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Simulated 120-kVp single-energy CT images were derived from the DE CT acquisition via postprocessing. Patients with at least one focus of intraparenchymal hyperattenuation on single-energy CT images were included, and DE material decomposition postprocessing was performed. Each focal hyperattenuation was analyzed on the basis of the virtual noncalcium and calcium overlay images and classified as calcification or hemorrhage. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for single-energy and DE CT by using a common reference standard established by relevant prior and follow-up imaging and clinical information. Results Sixty-two cases with 68 distinct intraparenchymal hyperattenuating lesions in which the reference standards were available were included in the study, of which 41 (60%) were confirmed as calcification and 27 (40%) were confirmed as hemorrhage. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DE CT for the detection of hemorrhage were 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81%, 100%), 100% (95% CI: 91%, 100%), and 99% (95% CI: 92%, 100%) and those of single-energy CT were 74% (95% CI: 54%, 89%), 95% (95% CI: 83%, 99%), and 87% (95% CI: 76%, 94%), respectively. Six of 68 (9%) lesions were classified as indeterminate and three (4%) were misinterpreted with single-energy CT alone and were correctly classified with DE CT. Conclusion DE CT by using material decomposition enables accurate differentiation between calcification and hemorrhage in patients presenting for emergency head imaging and can be especially useful in problem-solving complex cases that are difficult to determine based on conventional CT appearance alone. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Minimal invasive treatment of life-threatening bleeding caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation-associated liver injury: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening bleeding caused by liver injury due to chest compressions is a rare complication in otherwise successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Surgical intervention has been suggested to achieve bleeding control; however, reported mortality is high. In this report, we present a brief literature review and a case report in which use of a less invasive strategy was followed by an uneventful recovery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old white woman was admitted after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately performed, followed by advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation that included tracheal intubation, mechanical chest compressions, and external defibrillation with return of spontaneous circulation. Upon hospital admission, the patient's blood pressure was 94/45 mmHg and her heart rate was 110 beats per minute. Her electrocardiogram showed no signs of ST-segment elevations or Q-wave development. Coronary angiography revealed a proximal thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Successful recanalization, after thrombus aspiration and balloon dilation followed by stent implant, was verified with normalized anterograde flow. Immediately after the patient's arrival in the intensive cardiac care unit, a drop in her blood pressure to 60/30 mmHg and a hemoglobin concentration of 4.5 g/dl were noticed. Transfusion was started, and bedside abdominal ultrasound examination revealed free intraperitoneal fluid. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed liver injury with active extravasation from the cranial surface of the right lobe and a massive hemoperitoneum. The patient was coagulopathic and acidotic with a body temperature of 33.5 °C. A minimally invasive treatment strategy, including angiography and selective trans-catheter arterial embolization, were performed in combination with percutaneous evacuation of 4.5 L of intraperitoneal blood. After completion of these procedures, the patient was hemodynamically stable. She was weaned off mechanical ventilation 2 days later and made an uneventful recovery. She was discharged to a local hospital on day 13 without neurological disability. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, bleeding caused by liver injury due to chest compressions can be life-threatening after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Reported mortality is high after surgical intervention, and patients may benefit from less invasive treatment strategies such as those presented in this case report.

Unexplained alveolar hemorrhage associated with Ginkgo and ginseng use.

The author presents a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a woman consuming Ginkgo biloba extract and ginseng. The patient had no illnesses or exposures that would predispose to diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, and an extensive evaluation revealed no etiology. The patient has had no further bleeding since discontinuing Ginkgo biloba extract and ginseng 1 year ago.

Two cases of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage presenting with persistent jaundice.

The adrenal hemorrhage is a relatively rare event in newborns but must be considered in the presence of a persistent unexplained jaundice, especially in presence of predisposing factors. Serial ultrasonography is the modality of choice for initial diagnosis and follow-up of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. We report two cases of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage presenting with persistent jaundice. The causes of the neonatal adrenal hemorrhages were a difficult vaginal delivery in macrosomic infant and a neonatal infection.

An evidence-based approach to managing the anticoagulated patient in the emergency department.

You start another busy shift with a double row of charts waiting to be seen. Your first patient is an elderly man who fell 1 hour prior to presentation. He did not lose consciousness, but he was dazed for a few minutes. He complains of a mild headache but denies any neck pain. He takes warfarin for valvular heart disease. He looks good and has no focal neurological complaints. His mental status is normal, he has a negative head CT scan, and his INR is 3.9. His family wants to take him home, which would help relieve some of the congestion in the ED, but you wonder what would be best. To observe and repeat imaging? Reverse his anticoagulation? Change his dosing regimen of warfarin? In the next room, you quickly evaluate a 51-year-old obese woman with nonspecific back and abdominal pain that started 24 hours before and has slowly progressed to become intolerable. She denies fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. She is on the last day of a 5-day course of ciprofloxacin for a UTI. She takes warfarin for a pulmonary embolus that occurred 2 months prior. Her hematocrit is mildly decreased, and her white blood count is normal; however, the INR is 6.8. You wonder if her abdominal pain is related to the UTI, or if it could be somehow related to the prolonged INR. In fact, you wonder why her INR is so prolonged...

Decreasing bleeding due to uterine fibroid with electroacupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To report the usefulness of electroacupuncture (EA) for the management of menorrhagia due to submucous uterine fibroid. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 48-year-old woman with a symptomatic submucous uterine fibroid, who presented with severe menorrhagia. INTERVENTION(S): Electroacupuncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of uterine blood flow and number of pads used during menorrhagia. RESULT(S): Doppler ultrasound revealed decreased blood flow of the uterine artery with EA stimulation. With repetitive sessions of EA fewer pads were used during menorrhagia. CONCLUSION(S): We present the first human case in which decreasing uterine artery blood flow with EA improved menorrhagia due to uterine fibroma. Electroacupuncture could be a useful, alternative, and relatively noninvasive tool for the management of fibroids with menorrhagia as a severe complaint.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for blunt hepatic trauma: an animal experiment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of active hemorrhage and intraparenchymal lesions in blunt hepatic trauma versus conventional ultrasound (US). METHODS: Twenty heparinized and anesthetized domestic pigs have been created to animal models with blunt hepatic trauma by a special impacting device. Conventional US and CEUS were performed to determine if hepatic traumas were present. RESULTS: Active hemorrhage, the presence of intraparenchymal lesions, and sonographic pattern were evaluated for conventional US and CEUS, as compared with laparotomy and pathologic findings. Contrast-enhanced US detected active hemorrhage from the injured livers in all cases, but conventional US did not find that in any case. The sensitivity of CEUS and conventional US in diagnosing intraparenchymal lesions of blunt hepatic trauma were 100% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced US is more sensitive than conventional US in determining the active hemorrhage and intraparenchymal lesions in blunt hepatic trauma.

[Adrenal haemorrhage in neonates: risk factors and diagnostic and clinical procedure]. / Wylew do nadnerczy u noworodków: czynniki ryzyka i postepowanie diagnostyczno-kliniczne.

UNLABELLED: Prenatal and neonatal adrenal haemorrhage is being increasingly frequently reported. We present a group of 13 neonates with adrenal haemorrhage, hospitalised in the Department of Paediatrics and Endocrinology of Warsaw Medical University from 2003 to 2007. THE AIM: of this study was to analyse: the perinatal history, haemorrhage predisposing factors, its size, localization and progress estimated by ultrasonography, as well as clinical, biochemical and hormonal findings indicating adrenal insufficiency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the study group comprised 13 neonates hospitalised in the Department of Paediatrics and Endocrinology, Warsaw Medical University, from 2003 to 2007, due to adrenal haemorrhage diagnosed by ultrasonography in the first week of life. RESULTS: all neonates were born at term, there was a male predominance. Twelve neonates had risk factors such as: birth trauma, intrauterine infection, perinatal asphyxia. No risk factors were found only in 1 neonate. One neonate had bilateral adrenal haemorrhage, others were unilateral - predominantly right-sided. In the study group clinical presentation was asymptomatic in 3 neonates, 1 of the patients had anaemia, 9 persistent jaundice, 2 bluish discoloration of the scrotum. Only one patient with bilateral adrenal haemorrhage showed sings of adrenal insufficiency and supplementation with glyco- and mineralcorticoids was necessary. Complete resolution of adrenal haemorrhage was reported after an average time of 3.5 months of observation. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Adrenal haemorrhage in neonates rarely leads to development of adrenal insufficiency. 2. In neonates with bilateral adrenal haemorrhage an extended hormonal diagnosis is required. 3. All patients require a systematic clinical and sonographic follow-up. Unilateral haemorrhage should be differentiated from neuroblastoma. 4. Scrotal haematoma may be a symptom of adrenal haemorrhage.

Buccal fat pad hemorrhage after retrobulbar injection.

PURPOSE: To enable ophthalmologists to recognize and manage buccal fat pad hemorrhage occurring after retrobulbar injection. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 52-year-old woman with proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent left retrobulbar injection before panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). RESULTS: Immediately after PRP, the patient complained of left cheek swelling. Ocular examination was unremarkable. Computed tomographic imaging studies confirmed the clinical diagnosis of hemorrhage within the buccal fat pad. No hemorrhage was found within the retrobulbar space. The hemorrhage resolved spontaneously without sequelae. CONCLUSION: This case widens the known spectrum of hemorrhagic complications after retrobulbar injection.