A Case of Limb-Threatening Hematoma in a Patient Taking Citalopram and Apixaban Concurrently.

Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant, has been demonstrated to increase the risk of bleeding in individuals with atrial fibrillation when used concurrently with citalopram [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)]. This was proposed as a result of their synergistic anticoagulant effects. We discuss a rare case in which a limb-threatening hematoma was noticed in an 85-year-old female patient who was just begun on citalopram and was on apixaban. There are few published case studies demonstrating a link between these two kinds of drugs, and our case study aims to inform our audience about the possible negative effects of concurrent usage of these two medications.

A Case Report on Diagnostic Approach of a Complex Clinical Scenario: Differentiation Between Coronary Artery Disease and Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as a Cause of Recurrent Debilitating Angina.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a clinical challenge when presenting with symptoms of angina plus shortness of breath. An appropriate diagnosis of concurrent coronary artery disease (CAD) is needed for proper diagnosis, risk stratification, and management. We present a case of a 64-year-old gentleman with a history of ApHCM and CAD with previous percutaneous intervention presenting with recurrent angina. A repeat coronary angiography showed no new obstructive lesions. A stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which showed perfusion defect in the apex with apical scarring likely secondary to microvascular disease. The patient was managed medically with the improvement of symptoms. Diagnosis and management of CAD in patients with ApHCM are challenging. Multiple diagnostic modalities may be required for delineating the underlying pathology. Patients should be managed initially with medications. If symptoms are not controlled with medical management, a heart team approach with referral to an advanced center experienced in apical myectomy should be considered.

Ischemic Monomelic Neuropathy after Arteriovenous Fistula Surgery: Clinical Features, Electrodiagnostic Findings, and Treatment.

Ischemic monomelic neuropathy (IMN) is a rare complication of vascular access in the hemodialysis patients, characterized by multiple mononeuropathies in the absence of clinical ischemia. Most commonly seen in the female gender, diabetes mellitus, and it must be differentiated from vascular steal syndrome, where we see clinical ischemia as the main pathognomonic feature. Early recognition of the symptoms and prompt intervention was shown to be beneficial. A delay in the treatment can lead to irreversible damage to the nerves and muscles. This article is depicting a case of an elderly male patient who presented with signs and symptoms of IMN which developed after arteriovenous (AV) fistula graft surgery.

Hospitalization Outcomes in Pneumocystis Pneumonia Inpatient Population: A Comparison between HIV and Non-HIV Patients.

Objective To evaluate the difference in hospitalization outcomes, including morbidity and mortality among patients admitted for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and non-HIV condition. Methods A case-control study was done using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data. We identified PCP and HIV as the primary and secondary diagnosis using ICD-9--CM diagnosis codes. We used the multinomial logistic regression model to generate odds ratios (OR). Results A total number of 1250 PCP patients were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. PCP patients with HIV had eight times higher odds of non-elective admission based on emergency condition (OR = 7.873, P < .001) compared to non-HIV patients. PCP patients with HIV had eight times higher odds of longer hospitalization of more than eight days (OR = 8.687, P < .001) compared to non-HIV patients. HIV patients with PCP had five times higher odds of severe morbidity or extreme loss of body function (OR = 5.277, P < .001). PCP patients with HIV had 22 times higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality (OR = 21.845, P < .001) compared to non-HIV patients. Conclusion PCP patients with HIV have a higher risk of severe morbidity and in-hospital mortality as compared to non-HIV patients. More attention needs to be paid to the elderly population that is at a higher risk of PCP with HIV. We need additional research and studies to direct the development of clinical care models for aiming early diagnosis and treatment of HIV in PCP patients.

Does Subclinical Hypothyroidism Affect Hospitalization Outcomes and Mortality in Congestive Cardiac Failure Patients?

Objective This study aimed to determine the differences in hospitalization outcomes among patients admitted for congestive cardiac failure (CCF) with underlying subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Methods This retrospective case-control study used data from the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) for the years 2012-2014. We identified cases with CCF as the primary diagnosis and SCH as the secondary diagnosis using validated ICD-9-CM codes and controls with CCF only. The differences in hospitalization outcomes and hospital characteristics were quantified using the multinomial logistic regression model (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)). Results A total of 143,735 CCF patients were enrolled in this study, and 73,440 cases had IH. About 31.8% of SCH patients were hospitalized for more than four days (median) compared to 44.7% patients without SCH (P < .001). The median hospitalization charges per admission for CCF was $20,312. CCF patients with SCH had lower odds of longer hospitalization (aOR = .709, 95% CI .660-.762, P < .001) and higher hospitalization charges (aOR = .783, 95% CI .728-.841, P < .001) compared to CCF patients without SCH. CCF patients with SCH had two times higher odds of minor morbidity (aOR = 2.276; 95% CI 2.105-2.462; P < .001) but lower odds of major morbidity (aOR = .783; 95% CI .728-.841; P < .001). Inpatient mortality with SCH patients (2%) compared to 3.6% patients without SCH (P < .001). CCF patients with SCH had lower odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR = .547; 95% CI .496-.604; P < .001). CCF patients with SCH had higher odds of being seen in rural non-teaching hospitals (aOR = 1.696; 95% CI 1.572-1.831; P < .001). Also, CCF patients with SCH had the highest likelihood of presence in the western region of the United States (aOR = 149.924; 95% CI 110.497-203.419; P < .001) followed by the southern region (aOR = 31.431; 95% CI 26.066-37.900; P < .001). Conclusions Among CCF with SCH patients during hospitalization, we observed a variation in hospitalization outcomes, including inpatient length of stay and cost, morbidity, and in-hospital mortality. We found no significant increase in mortality and major morbidity in CCF patients with SCH. There were differences in the hospital characteristics between CCF patients with and without SCH. Thus, hospital bed size, location, and teaching status act as predictors for a co-diagnosis of SCH in CCF. Further research is needed to guide the development of clinical care models for targeting early diagnosis and treatment to determine whether thyroid hormone replacement would be beneficial for CCF patients with SCH and improve quality of care in these patients.