Steroids and myocardial infarction: Investigating safety and short-term mortality in critical post-myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, in the pre-percutaneous intervention era, free wall rupture is reported to be a major concern for using steroids in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of the use of steroids in critically ill post-MI patients in terms of hospital course and short-term (up to 180-day) mortality. METHODS: We included patients admitted to CCU diagnosed with MI, undergone revascularization, critically ill, and requiring mechanical ventilator (MV) support. The hospital course and short-term (up to 180-day) mortality were independently compared between steroid and non-steroid cohorts and propensity-matched non-steroid cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were included, out of which steroids were used in 93 (29.8%) patients during their management. On periodic bedside echocardiography, no free wall rupture was documented in the steroid or non-steroid cohort. When compared steroids with a propensity-matched non-steroid cohort, MV duration >24 h was 66.7% vs. 59.1%; p = 0.288, major bleeding was 6.5% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.305, need for renal replacement therapy was 9.7% vs. 8.6%; p = 0.799, in-hospital mortality was 35.5% vs. 23.7%; p = 0.077, and 180-day mortality was 48.4% vs. 41.9%; p = 0.377, respectively. The hazard ratio was 1.22 [95% CI: 0.80 to 1.88] compared to the propensity-matched non-steroid cohort. The ejection fraction (%) was found to be the independent predictor of 180-day mortality with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.92 [95% CI: 0.86 to 0.98]. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, using steroids is safe in post-MI patients with no significant increase in short-term mortality risk.

Beyond the short-term relief: Outcomes of geriatric rib fracture patients receiving paravertebral nerve blocks and epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Adequate pain control is a critical component of rib fracture management. Our study aimed to evaluate the in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes of geriatric rib fracture patients who received paravertebral nerve block (PVNB) versus epidural analgesia (EA) on a national level. METHODS: We performed a 5-year (2011-15) retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Readmission database. We included all the geriatric (≥65 years) blunt trauma patients with rib fractures who received a paravertebral nerve block (PVNB) or Epidural analgesia (EA) for chest injuries. We excluded patients who were dead on arrival, those with head AIS≥3, spine AIS >0, and those with cognitive impairment. Patients were stratified into two groups (PVNB and EA). A propensity score matching (1:2) was performed, and the two groups were compared. Our outcomes included delirium, hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-day readmissions, 90-day mechanical ventilation, and initial and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of 2,855 geriatric rib fracture patients were identified, out of which 352 (12 %) received PVNB and 2,503 (87 %) received EA. The mean (SD) age was 78 (8) years and 53 % were female. A total of 1,041 patients were matched (PVNB=347, EA=694 patients). The median [IQR] Injury severity score was 9 [3-15], median chest AIS was 3 [2-4], and 70 % had ≥3 rib fractures. The total mortality during index admission was 6 %, 13 % experienced delirium, and the median hospital LOS was 6 [4-10] days. There was no difference in the primary outcomes of the two groups including rates of index admission mortality (PVNB: 5.2% vs. EA:6.3 %, p = 0.548) and delirium (PVNB: 12.4% vs. EA:12.9 %, p = 0.862). We also found no statistically significant difference between these groups in terms of 90-day respiratory complications (p = 1.000), 90-day readmission (p = 0.111), 90-day mortality (p = 0.718), and 90-day need for mechanical ventilation (p = 1.000). CONCLUSION: The use of PVNB in geriatric trauma patients with multiple rib fractures is associated with comparable in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes relative to EA. PVNB is relatively easy to perform and has a better side effect profile. The use of PVNB as part of rib fracture management protocols warrants further consideration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III STUDY TYPE: Therapeutic/Care Management.

Mechanical ventilation in acute myocardial infarction: Outcomes from a prospective audit at a cardiovascular hospital in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: This clinical audit aims to evaluate the clinical data regarding the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients requiring mechanical ventilator (MV) support, along with identifying factors associated with prolonged MV support and 180-day mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we audited clinical data regarding management, in-hospital and short-term outcomes of adult patients with AMI required MV support. Patients with prolonged MV duration (>24h) and/or 180-day mortality were compared with their counterparts, and associated factors were identified. The binary logistic and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of prolonged MV duration and 180-day mortality. RESULTS: In a sample of 312 patients, 72.8% were male, and the mean age was 60.3±11.5 years. The median MV duration was 24 [24-48] hours, with 48.7% prolonged MV duration. The admission albumin level was found to be the independent predictor of prolonged MV duration with an adjusted OR of 0.42 [0.22-0.82]. Overall 7.4% were re-intubated, 6.7% needed renal replacement therapy, 17.6% required intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement, and 16.7% required temporary pacemaker placement. The survival rate was 80.4% at the time of hospital discharge, 74.7% at 30-day, 71.2% at 90-day, and 68.6% at 180-day follow-up. Age, prolonged MV duration, and ejection fraction were found to be the independent predictors of cumulative 180-day mortality with adjusted HR of 1.04 [1.02-1.07], 1.02 [1.01-1.03], and 0.95 [0.92-0.98], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged ventilator duration has significant prognostic implications; hence, tailored early recognition of high-risk patients needing more aggressive care can improve the outcomes.

A Case of Bartter's Syndrome Presenting in Adulthood.

Bartter's syndrome is a rare disorder usually presenting antenatal or in childhood and is characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hyperaldosteronism and normal blood pressure. We report a case of adult-onset Bartter's syndrome in a 38 year old male who presented with lower limb weakness.

An evaluation of renal biopsy in type-II diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the renal damage in type-II diabetic patients, who underwent renal biopsy for impaired renal functions and its role in overall patient management. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Kidney Postgraduate Centre, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2000 to May 2005. METHODOLOGY: Histopathological evaluation of 73 patients of type-II Diabetes mellitus were included who underwent renal biopsy. Renal biopsy was performed when a renal disease other than diabetic nephropathy was suspected because of the presence of haematuria, nephrotic syndrome, non-nephrotic proteinuria < 3 gms/day in the absence of retinopathy, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and renal insufficiency of unknown origin. On the basis of light microscopy and immunofluorescence, three groups of patients were defined. Group I was characterized by diabetic glomerulosclerosis (DGS) only, group II by the prevalence of vascular changes, while group III had sub-groups IIIa (DGS co-existing with nondiabetic renal diseases) and IIIb (non-diabetic renal diseases without DGS). RESULTS: Among the 73 patients studied, 20 (27.3%) had diabetic glomerulosclerosis alone (group I), 17 (23.3%) showed occurrence of vascular changes (group II), and 36 (49.3%) had non-diabetic renal diseases (group III). Mean serum creatinine level was significantly greater in group II than in group I and III (p < 0.001). Amount of proteinuria and the presence of haematuria did not show a statistically significant difference in groups I, II and III. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure was higher in groups II as compared to group I and III (p < 0.001). The percentage of sclerotic glomeruli, tubular injury and interstitial inflammation in group II were significantly greater than group I and III (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Type-II diabetic patients undergoing renal biopsy for impaired renal functions constituted a heterogeneous group of renal damage. This study emphasized the usefulness of renal biopsy for determining the pattern of renal damage that would aid in the overall management of the patients.