Adrenal Crisis in a Delayed Diagnosis of Sheehan Syndrome.

Sheehan syndrome is a well-documented endocrinological disorder that appears to be closely associated as a secondary sequela to postpartum hemorrhage. Due to pregnancy-related physiological adaptations, namely the increase in blood volume but lack of hypertrophic or hyperplastic growth within the pituitary, pregnancy increases the likelihood of infarction of the pituitary. This, coupled with other complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage, can lead to ischemia and permanent damage to the pituitary, and thus, all the downstream endocrinological pathways regulated by the pituitary. Namely, this can include, but is not limited to, adrenal crisis from improper stimulation of steroid secretion. Individuals who have been diagnosed with Sheehan syndrome require lifelong steroid supplementation for appropriate regulation of multiple systems, specifically circulatory. Without appropriate steroid supplementation exogenously, patients can rapidly decline with adverse hypotension, altered mental status, and loss of vascular tone. This case presents a case of a patient who, after extensive chart review and history taking, was found to have had a complicated pregnancy many years ago with multiple transfusions needed to stabilize her and was placed on exogenous steroid management, presenting for adrenal crisis, hypotension, and altered mental status after not taking her home steroid medication.

Alternative blood products in trauma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hemorrhage and trauma-induced coagulopathy cause significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. Although blood products are the cornerstone of resuscitation, these resources are scarce, necessitating alternatives. This review examines the use of alternative blood products in trauma as well as the literature supporting their use. RECENT FINDINGS: There is no single true blood product alternative. In recent years, there has been great progress in understanding trauma-induced pathophysiology and blood component alternatives. Products such as tranexamic acid and prothrombin complex concentrate have become well established and are frequently utilized in trauma centers, and many more alternatives are still undergoing further research and development. SUMMARY: Stabilization of hemorrhage and resuscitation is priority in trauma-induced coagulopathy treatment. Alternative products such as tranexamic acid, recombinant factors, prothrombic complex concentrate, fibrinogen concentrates, and desmopressin may also be considered based on the clinical context. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays such as rotational thromboelastometry and thromboelastography can help guide these efforts. Following initial stabilization, additional interventions such as iron supplementation, erythropoietin stimulating agents, and vitamin D may help with chronic sequela.

Population-based correlates of COVID-19 infection: An analysis from the DFW COVID-19 prevalence study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has resulted in over 1 million deaths in the U.S. as of June 2022, with continued surges after vaccine availability. Information on related attitudes and behaviors are needed to inform public health strategies. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19, risk factors of infection, and related attitudes and behaviors in a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse urban population. METHODS: The DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study Protocol 1 was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 on a randomly selected sample of adults aged 18-89 years, living in Dallas or Tarrant Counties, Texas. Participants were asked to complete a 15-minute questionnaire and COVID-19 PCR and antibody testing. COVID-19 prevalence estimates were calculated with survey-weighted data. RESULTS: Of 2969 adults who completed the questionnaire (7.4% weighted response), 1772 (53.9% weighted) completed COVID-19 testing. Overall, 11.5% of adults had evidence of COVID-19 infection, with a higher prevalence among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black persons, essential workers, those in low-income neighborhoods, and those with lower education attainment compared to their counterparts. We observed differences in attitudes and behaviors by race and ethnicity, with non-Hispanic White persons being less likely to believe in the importance of mask wearing, and racial and ethnic minorities more likely to attend social gatherings. CONCLUSION: Over 10% of an urban population was infected with COVID-19 early during the pandemic. Differences in attitudes and behaviors likely contribute to sociodemographic disparities in COVID-19 prevalence.

Airway management in patients with obesity.

Airway management in patients with obesity remains a complex and evolving topic that is becoming more pertinent given the increasing prevalence of obesity and bariatric surgery worldwide. Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality secondary to anesthetic complications, especially related to airway management. Preoperative assessment is especially vital for the bariatric patient so that potential predictors for a difficult airway can be identified. There are several airway management strategies and techniques for the bariatric population that may help reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. This review aims to discuss assessment of the airway, ideal patient positioning, intubation techniques and devices, apneic oxygenation, optimal ventilation strategies, and extubation and post-anesthesia care.

Sugammadex versus neostigmine for reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade: A randomized, double-blinded study of thoracic surgical patients evaluating hypoxic episodes in the early postoperative period.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This objective of this study was to determine if reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex versus neostigmine results in a decreased number of hypoxic episodes in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with single lung ventilation. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind, two-arm clinical trial. SETTING: Operating room and postanesthesia care unit. PATIENTS: 92 subjects aged ≥18, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II-IV, and undergoing a thoracic operation necessitating single lung ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects received either 2 mg/kg sugammadex or 50 µg/kg neostigmine with 8 µg/kg glycopyrrolate for reversal of moderate neuromuscular blockade. MEASUREMENTS: For the first 90 min postoperatively, all episodes of hypoxia were recorded. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with acceleromyography (TOF-Watch® SX) and the train of four (TOF) was recorded at 2, 5, 10, and 15 min after administration of the neuromuscular reversal agent. MAIN RESULTS: Subjects who received neostigmine had a median of 1 episode (interquartile range IQR: 0-2.2) of hypoxia versus subjects who received sugammadex who had a median of 0 episodes (IQR: 0-1) (p = 0.009). The mean time to recovery of TOF ≥ 0.9 was significantly faster with sugammadex at 10 min (95% confidence interval CI: 5-15) compared with neostigmine at 40 min (95% CI: 15-53) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In thoracic surgical patients necessitating single lung ventilation, sugammadex provides faster reversal of moderate neuromuscular blockade and results in a decreased number of postoperative hypoxic episodes compared with neostigmine.