Electronic Cigarettes­A Narrative Review for Clinicians.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were introduced into the US market in 2007 and have quickly become a popular source of nicotine for many patients. They are designed to simulate smoking by heating a nicotine-containing solution producing an aerosol that the user inhales. The short- and long-term effects of e-cigarette use are still unclear, but their use is increasing. Some acute effects of e-cigarettes on heart rate, blood pressure, and airway resistance are reported. Although there are some reports of improved cessation in a subset of users, there are also studies reporting decreased cessation in dual users of regular and e-cigarettes. Additionally, there is no current regulation of these devices, and this allows virtually anyone with a form of online payment to obtain them.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen in adult patients: a narrative review.

High-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) is a relatively new therapeutic innovation being used in adults with severe respiratory disease. It delivers heated humidified oxygen through short nasal prongs and supplies much higher flow rates than traditional nasal cannula systems. These higher flows match patient flow demands better, reduce anatomic dead space and provide a slightly positive pressure in the upper airway. Randomized trials, nonrandomized prospective trials and case series using HFNC in adults were identified in the PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases for the period of June 1981 to December 2013. Fifteen studies meeting our inclusion criteria were analyzed; 5 were randomized controlled studies. These studies included 943 patients managed in intensive care units. Common clinical diagnoses included postoperative status, cancer and pneumonia. These studies demonstrated that HFNC provided better or comparable oxygenation when compared with conventional face masks and nasal cannulas. Side effects included epistaxis, nasal discomfort and dryness. No unexpected side effects were reported in the studies reviewed. Current studies demonstrate that HFNC can improve oxygenation adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure. In some patients, it is superior to traditional oxygen delivery systems and may obviate the need for positive pressure ventilation. More studies are needed to compare HFNC with noninvasive ventilation.

Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone.

Measuring testosterone levels became easier in the 1970s, and it wasn't long before levels were being checked in men across all age groups. At that time, several authors reported an age-associated decline of serum testosterone levels beginning in the fourth or fifth decades of life. Other studies found that the decline in testosterone with age might be more related to comorbidities that develop in many aging men. Aggressive marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies have led to increased awareness of this topic, and primary care physicians are seeing more patients who are concerned about "low T." Unfortunately, testosterone replacement therapy has not been straightforward. Many men with low testosterone levels have no symptoms, and many men with symptoms who receive treatment and reach goal testosterone levels have no improvement in their symptoms. The actual prevalence of hypogonadism has been estimated to be 39% in men aged 45 years or older presenting to primary care offices in the United States. As the US population ages, this number is likely to increase. This article, targeted to primary care physicians, reviews the concept of late-onset hypogonadism, describes how to determine the patients who might benefit from therapy, and offers recommendations regarding the workup and initiation of treatment.

Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm with dissection presenting as flash pulmonary edema in a 26-year-old man.

We are reporting a case of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a 26-year-old man with no significant past medical history and a family history of dissecting aortic aneurysm in his mother at the age of 40. The patient presented with cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. CT scan of the chest showed a dissection of the ascending aorta. The patient underwent aortic dissection repair and three months later he returned to our hospital with new complaints of back pain. CT angiography showed a new aortic dissection extending from the left carotid artery through the bifurcation and into the iliac arteries. The patient underwent replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta, total aortic arch, and aortic valve. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Genetic studies of the patient and his children revealed no mutations in ACTA2, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, MYH11, MYLK, SMAD3, or FBN1. This case report focuses on a patient with familial TAAD and discusses the associated genetic loci and available screening methods. It is important to recognize potential cases of familial TAAD and understand the available screening methods since early diagnosis allows appropriate management of risk factors and treatment when necessary.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

A case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis with an atypical finding of transient increased intracranial pressure is reported. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is an underrecognized, novel and treatable form of encephalitis being increasingly identified as an explanation of encephalitis in young adults. Management of these patients requires a multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, internists, nursing and rehabilitation staff. It is important for internists to recognize this condition and consider it in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy. Internists also need to be familiar with the clinical manifestations and the treatment of the disease as they have an important role in the care of these patients during their prolonged stay in the hospital. Increased intracranial pressure is an atypical and underrecognized finding that has been only noted in a previous review on this disorder. It may present a diagnostic or management challenge in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis.