The value of the new scoring system for predicting neoplastic pericarditis in the patients with large pericardial effusion.

PURPOSE: Early recognition of neoplastic pericarditis (npe) is crucial for the planning of subsequent therapy. The aim of the present study was to construct the scoring system assessing the probability of npe, in the patients requiring pericardial fluid (pf) drainage due to large pericardial effusion. METHODS: One hundred forty-six patients, 74 males and 72 females, entered the study. Npe based on positive pf cytology and/or pericardial biopsy specimen was recognised in 66 patients, non-npe in 80. Original scoring system was constructed based on parameters with the highest diagnostic value: mediastinal lymphadenopathy on chest CT scan, increased concentration of tumour markers (cytokeratin 19 fragments-Cyfra 21-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen-CEA) in pf, bloody character of pf, signs of imminent cardiac tamponade on echocardiography and tachycardia exceeding 90 beats/min on ECG. Each parameter was scored with positive or negative points depending on the positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV). RESULTS: The area under curve (AUC) for the scoring system was 0.926 (95%CI 0.852-0.963) and it was higher than AUC for Cyfra 21-1 0.789 (95%CI 0.684-0.893) or CEA 0.758 (95%CI 0.652-0.864). The score optimally discriminating between npe and non-npe was 0 points (sensitivity 0.84, specificity 0.91, PPV 0.9, NPV 0.85). CONCLUSION: Despite chest CT and tumour marker evaluation in pericardial fluid were good discriminators between npe and non-npe, the applied scoring system further improved the predicting of neoplastic disease in the studied population.

Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Organizing Pneumonia in a Patient with Follicular Lymphoma, Treated with Obinutuzumab-Challenging Recognition and Treatment.

A Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to a pandemic outbreak in 2019. COVID-19's course and its treatment in immunocompromised patients are uncertain. Furthermore, there is a possibility of protracted SARS-CoV-2 infection and the need for repeated antiviral treatment. Monoclonal antibodies against CD20, which are used, among other things, in the therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and follicular lymphoma, can induct immunosuppression. We present a case report of a patient with follicular lymphoma, treated with obinutuzumab, who was diagnosed with prolonged, ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related organizing pneumonia. The recognition and the treatment were challenging which makes this case noteworthy. Antiviral therapy with several medications was administrated to our patient and their temporary, positive effect was observed. Moreover, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin was applied, because slowly decreasing IgM and IgG levels were observed. The patient also received standard treatment of organizing pneumonia. We believe that such a complex approach can create an opportunity for recovery. Physicians should be conscious of the course and treatment possibilities facing similar cases.

Comparison of idraparinux with vitamin K antagonists for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists, the current standard treatment for prophylaxis against stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation, require regular monitoring and dose adjustment; an unmonitored, fixed-dose anticoagulant regimen would be preferable. The aim of this randomised, open-label non-inferiority trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of idraparinux with vitamin K antagonists. METHODS: Patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for thromboembolism were randomly assigned to receive either subcutaneous idraparinux (2.5 mg weekly) or adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonists (target of an international normalised ratio of 2-3). Assessment of outcome was done blinded to treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was the cumulative incidence of all stroke and systemic embolism. The principal safety outcome was clinically relevant bleeding. Analyses were done by intention to treat; the non-inferiority hazard ratio was set at 1.5. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00070655. FINDINGS: The trial was stopped after randomisation of 4576 patients (2283 to receive idraparinux, 2293 to receive vitamin K antagonists) and a mean follow-up period of 10.7 (SD 5.4) months because of excess clinically relevant bleeding with idraparinux (346 cases vs 226 cases; 19.7 vs 11.3 per 100 patient-years; p<0.0001). There were 21 instances of intracranial bleeding with idraparinux and nine with vitamin K antagonists (1.1 vs 0.4 per 100 patient-years; p=0.014); elderly patients and those with renal impairment were at greater risk of such complications. There were 18 cases of thromboembolism with idraparinux and 27 cases with vitamin K antagonists (0.9 vs 1.3 per 100 patient-years; hazard ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.39-1.30; p=0.007), satisfying the non-inferiority criterion. There were 62 deaths with idraparinux and 61 with vitamin K anatagonists (3.2 vs 2.9 per 100 patient-years; p=0.49). INTERPRETATION: In patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for thromboembolism, long-term treatment with idraparinux was no worse than vitamin K antagonists in terms of efficacy, but caused significantly more bleeding.

Diagnostic utility of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA assays in pericardial fluid for the recognition of neoplastic pericarditis.

A positive cytology result in pericardial fluid is the gold standard for recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. Unfortunately, in 30-50% of patients with malignant pericardial effusion cytological examination of the pericardial fluid is negative. Tumor marker assessment in pericardial fluid may help to recognize malignant pericardial effusion. The aim of our study was to estimate the value of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA measurement in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. To our knowledge this is the first study on CYFRA 21-1 assessment in pericardial effusion. The examined group consisted of 50 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and 34 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusion. Median CEA concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 80 ng/mL (0-317) and 0.5 ng/mL (0-18.4), respectively (p<0.001). Median CYFRA 21-1 concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 260 ng/mL (5.3-10080) and 22.4 ng/mL (1.87-317.6), respectively (p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value for CYFRA 21-1 in pericardial effusion was 100 ng/mL. CYFRA 21-1 >100 ng/mL or CEA >5 ng/mL were found in 14/15 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and negative pericardial fluid cytology. We therefore strongly recommend the use of CYFRA 21-1 and/or CEA in addition to pericardial fluid cytology for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion.

Intrapericardial cisplatin for the management of patients with large malignant pericardial effusion in the course of the lung cancer.

Patients with cardiac tamponade or large malignant pericardial effusion, who survived longer than 30 days after withdrawal of catheter from the pericardial space, entered the study. Main goal of investigations was: evaluation of the effectiveness and side-effects of intrapericardial administration of cisplatin in cases with malignant pericardial effusion (MPE) and cardiac tamponade or large pericardial effusion in a course of the lung cancer. Sixteen patients (four women and 12 men), mean age 53 years, median age 57 years, range 27-70 years, entered this retrospective study. After pericardiocentesis and insertion of a polyurethane catheter, pericardial fluid was drained. Malignant etiology of pericardial fluid was confirmed by cytological examination and/or by echocardiography. The diagnosis of malignancy was based upon histological examination of samples obtained from primary tumor. After confirmation of MPE cisplatin (10 mg in 20 ml normal saline) was instilled over 5 min during 1-5 consecutive days (maximal total cisplatin dose in single course: 50 mg) directly into pericardial space. If a large pericardial fluid reoccurred the courses with intrapericardial administration of cisplatin were repeated. Treatment was considered successful if the patient with malignant effusion survived 30 days without recurrence of symptoms of large pericardial effusion and no other interventions directed to the pericardium were required. In 14 (87.5%) cases malignant pericardial effusion was confirmed by cytological analysis of pericardial fluid. In two cases echocardiography confirmed metastatic tumors to the pericardium. Positive effect of intrapericardial treatment with cisplatin was achieved in 15 cases (93.75%). Mean survival period in the whole group was 6.59 months (+/-6.2 months), median survival period was 3.7 months, range 2-24.1 months. There were no complications related to the pericardiocentesis. Transient atrial fibrillation was detected in three patients (18.8%). Mild nausea occurred in one case. No hypotension and retrosternal pain were observed. Cisplatin administered directly into pericardial space (CAP) seems to be effective and safe. No sclerosis of the pericardial space was observed after CAP.

Intrapericardial cisplatin for the management of patients with large malignant pericardial effusion.

Nine patients (seven men and two women), median age 57 years (range 40-68 years), with large malignant pericardial effusion confirmed by cytological examination, were treated with direct intrapericardial administration of cisplatin. After insertion of a polyurethane catheter, fluid was drained and cisplatin (10 mg in 20 ml normal saline) was instilled over 5 min during 5 consecutive days (total cisplatin dose: 50 mg). If fluid reaccumulation occurred the courses were repeated every 3 weeks. All of the patients achieved a complete therapeutic response (no more fluid reaccumulation). The median time of response was 2.8 months (range 1-24 months). Mild nausea occurred in two patients, supraventricular arrhythmia in one patient and infectious complications in one patient. Eight patients died because of disease progression without evidence of cardiac tamponade or stricture. Autopsy, performed in 7 cases, revealed neoplastic involvement of the pericardium in all of the patients, but pericardial effusion was seen in one patient only.

Neuron-specific enolase in non-neoplastic lung diseases, a marker of hypoxemia?

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a glycolytic enzyme localized within neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues. Serum NSE is widely used as a marker of neuroendocrine tumors. Moderate serum NSE elevation has been reported in some patients with benign lung diseases. We decided to investigate whether the elevation of serum NSE in non-neoplastic lung diseases is connected with hypoxemia and to what extent the recovery of sufficient ventilation with a respirator may influence NSE concentrations. Serum NSE was estimated by means of radioimmunoassay in 83 patients with various non-neoplastic lung diseases. Serum NSE exceeding 12.5 micrograms/L was significantly more frequent in patients with marked hypoxemia (PaO2 < 6.67 kPa; p = 0.03) than in others. The median NSE value in the group of patients without respiratory failure (Ro) was 7.2 micrograms/L (10% > 12.5 micrograms/L), in the group of patients with respiratory failure not requiring mechanical ventilation (Rf) it was 8.5 micrograms/L (24% > 12.5 micrograms/L), and in the group of patients with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (Rfv) 13.1 micrograms/L (60% > 12.5 micrograms/L). The differences between the Rfv group and the other two groups (Rf and Ro) were significant (P = 0.049 and p = 0.0004, respectively). During successful mechanical ventilation elevated serum NSE decreased to values below the cutoff in 8/10 patients. We conclude that serum NSE elevation is a frequent event in patients with terminal hypoxemia in the course of benign lung diseases. Normalization of serum NSE is observed in the majority of patients during the first week of mechanical ventilation.

The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) evaluation in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericarditis.

This study was designed to assess the value of tumor marker evaluation in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericarditis. Thirty-six patients with signs and symptoms of large pericardial effusion entered the study. Pericardiocentesis with pericardial fluid drainage was performed in all of them. CEA and NSE levels were evaluated in the pericardial fluid and compared to pericardial fluid cytology. The median CEA value in malignant effusions was 80 ng/ml (range 0-305 ng/ml) and in non-malignant ones 1.26 ng/ml (range 0.2-18.4 ng/ml), p < 0.01. The sensitivity of CEA elevation above 5 ng/ml for the recognition of malignant pericarditis was 73% and the specificity was 90%. Pericardial fluid cytology was positive in 22 of 26 patients with malignant pericarditis (85%). CEA exceeding 5 ng/ml or positive cytology were seen in 96% of the patients with malignant pericarditis. The median NSE value in malignant pericardial effusions was 41.8 micrograms/l (range 2-172 micrograms/l) and in non-malignant ones 5.85 micrograms/l (range 1-83.9 micrograms/l), p < 0.3. For the differential diagnosis of large pericardial effusions we would recommend simultaneous cytologic examination of pericardial fluid and CEA assessment. NSE measurement in hemorrhagic pericardial fluid is of limited value.

Intrapericardial administration of cisplatin in treatment of metastatic pericardial involvement in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and side-effects of intrapericardial administration of cisplatin (IAC), in cases of abundant malignant pericardial effusion (MPE) and/or cardiac tamponade occurring in the course of adenocarcinoma of the lung (AL). Fifteen consecutive patients with abundant MPE and AL (4 females and 11 males; mean age 54 yrs) entered this prospective study. Following pericardiocentesis and insertion of a polyurethane catheter, the pericardial fluid was drained. Malignant aetiology of the pericardial fluid was confirmed by cytological examination. After confirmation of MPE, cisplatin (10 mg in 20 mL normal saline) was instilled directly into the pericardial space, over a period of 5 min for 3-5 consecutive days. Treatment was considered successful (response) if the patient survived 30 days without recurrence of symptoms of abundant MPE, and no other interventions directed to the pericardium were required. Response was achieved in 10 patients (67%). The mean (+/-SEM) dose of cisplatin was 56 (+/-18.9) mg. There were no complications related to the pericardiocentesis. Transient atrial fibrillation was detected in one patient. Mild nausea also occurred in one case. No hypotension or retrosternal pain was observed. Sclerotization of the pericardium and pericarditis constrictiva were detected after IAC in only one case. Cisplatin administered directly into pericardial space is effective and safe. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin appears to be the method of choice in the treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusion in patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. Sclerosis of the pericardial space is a very rare complication observed after intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin therapy.

Pulmonary thromboembolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Retrospective studies on patients with COPD treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) were performed to determine: 1) the frequency of PE; 2) the clinical course of PE in cases of COPD in the ICU; and 3) the frequency of PE as a cause of death in the studied group. The frequency of PE was 10.9% in COPD patients. In the group analysed, clinical presentation of PE was characterized by acute severe, life-threatening complications leading to death in 86.7% of cases. PE was the most frequent cause of death (40.6%) in COPD patients in the ICU. The results of treatment of pulmonary embolism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are poor and mortality in this group of patients is very high. We believe that improvement of management can be achieved by antithromboembolic prophylaxis, which should be instituted as soon as possible in all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the intensive care unit.

Management of purulent pericarditis.

A 50 year old man was admitted to ICU due to purulent pericarditis, purulent inflammation of the soft tissue of the neck, purulent mediastinitis and pneumonia. Subxyphoid periocardiotomy followed by the insertion of a drain into the pericardial space was performed. Four other drains were also inserted to drain purulent fluid from the neck (two drains) and mediastinum (two drains). During the surgical procedure, 700 ml of purulent pericardial fluid from the pericardial sac and 200 ml of purulent fluid from the mediastinum were drained. Antibiotic therapy was started upon admission to the hospital. Streptococcus species, Acinetobacter baumani and Enterococcus casseliflavus were cultured. Antibiotic therapy was adjusted to the results of the antibiogram. Despite revised antibiotic therapy, daily drainage from the pericardium--during several days after surgery--was around 200 ml. Due to the huge purulent pericardial drainage streptokinase, delivered directly into pericardial space, was given. The clinical effect of intrapericardial streptokinase administration was excellent. After 17 days drainage of purulent pericardial fluid was not observed. No clinical signs and symptoms of constrictive pericarditis developed. Repeated echocardiography examinations showed no signs of constrictive pericarditis and no pericardial fluid. The patient was discharged in good general condition.

[The use of LGM-type filters inserted into the vena cava in patients with neoplasms. Preliminary report]. / Zastosowanie filtrów typu LGM wszczepianych do zyly glównej dolnej u chorych na chorobe nowotworowa. Doniesienie wstepne.

The aim of the study was to assess effectiveness and safety of inferior vena cava filters in patients with cancer and concurrent thromboembolic disease. The LGM filters were inserted in 10 cancer patients. Diagnosis of malignancy was established prior filter placement in 8 patients and after the procedure in 2 patients. Follow-up physical examination and ultrasound procedures (Echo, Duplex-Doppler) were performed after 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months. Mean period of observation lasted 12 month. All patients received prolonged anticoagulation either oral anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparins after filter placement. Our results confirm that the LGM filters are effective and well tolerated in patients with malignancies. There were no important complications both early and late related to filter placement and no evidence of recurrent pulmonary emboli.

[The evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen determination in the pericardial fluid in the diagnosis of the cause of pericarditis]. / Ocena przydatnosci oznaczania antygenu rakowoplodowego w plynie osierdziowym w rozpoznawaniu przyczyn zapalenia osierdzia.

Pericardial fluid CEA level was measured with radioimmunoassay in 19 patients with large pericardial effusion of unknown origin. In 11 patients malignancy was diagnosed. In all of these patients pericardial fluid CEA levels were above 7 ng/ml (mean value 52.6 +/- 42.6 ng/ml). In 8 patients the etiology of pericarditis was non-malignant. In all of them pericardial fluid CEA levels were below 7 ng/ml (mean value 2.2 +/- 1.6 ng/ml). In 9 patients with malignant pericarditis serum CEA levels were also determined: they were found to be lower than pericardial fluid CEA values in 6 patients. It was concluded that pericardial fluid CEA elevation is a reliable criteria of neoplastic pericardial involvement.

[Pericarditis during the course of pulmonary embolism]. / Zapalenie osierdzia w przebiegu zatoru tetnicy plucnej.

Among 121 patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) five (4%) developed pericardial syndrome, connected with PE. Other known causes of pericarditis were ruled out. In 3 cases corticosteroids were administered with anticoagulants and/or fibrinolytic agents without complications. We believe that the clinician considering in similar situations the risk-benefit ratio of anticoagulant or/and fibrinolytic therapy should certainly use corticosteroids and not abstain from the use of anticoagulants and/or fibrinolytic agents in presence of pericardial syndrome after PE. In cases with huge pericardial effusion catheter should be inserted into pericardial space, because of high probability of cardiac tamponade.

[Pulmonary hypertension during the course of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism--case report]. / Nadcisnienie plucne w przebiegu przewleklej nawracajacej zatorowosci plucnej--opis przypadku.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a rare condition. There are two forms of that disease: major vessel thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and a "silent form": recurrent microembolism leading to extensive obstruction of the peripheral pulmonary vasculature and resulting also in severe pulmonary hypertension. On the base of case report the new approaches to the management of patients with two mentioned subgroups of thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension are discussed.

[Weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with exacerbations of chronic respiratory insufficiency--personal experience]. / Odzwyczajanie od sztucznej wentylacji chorych z zaostrzeniem przewleklej niewydolnosci oddechowej--doswiadczenia wlasne.

Nineteen patients with exacerbation of chronic respiratory insufficiency treated with mechanical ventilation were included in the study. The mean weaning time from the respirator was 15.9 days (+/- 12.1), ranging from 2 to 49 days. Success was met in 9 patients using inspiratory pressure support (IPS), in 2 synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV), in 8 the simplest model (stepwise prolongation of spontaneous ventilation during continuous mechanical ventilation--CMV/SV). All options were used in the same patients throughout the weaning procedure. The use of IPS led to a successful weaning in those patients in whom other options (CMV/SV, SIMV) were not fortunate. The application of IPS was begun at 40 cm H2O, gradually decreasing the support pressure. The duration of spontaneous breathing in all weaning options was not only depended on gasometric values, continuous SaO2 monitoring, but mainly on the patients' subjective sense of fatigue. The impression of exhaustion preceded the changes of gasometric parameters and fall of SaO2. The basis of effective weaning is proper selection of respirator parameters, providing almost identical gasometric values if individual patient's to those prior exacerbation of chronic respiratory insufficiency. The duration of weaning negatively correlated (0.25) with FEV1 values.

[Implantation of a LGM suprarenal vena cava filter--case report]. / Implantacja filtru LGM powyzej ujscia zyl nerkowych--opis przypadku.

In the case of 53 years old woman LGM filter was inserted over renal veins. Indications for those procedures were: vena cava thrombosis in distal part of vena cava what not allowed to place filter below renal veins, malignancy, planned surgery, proximal deep vein thrombosis and past history of pulmonary embolism. Indications for suprarenal placement of vena cava filters and results of such as procedure were discussed.

[Pulmonary embolism as a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from material from Ward "R"]. / Zator tetnicy plucnej jako powiklanie przewleklej obturacyjnej choroby pluc w materiale sali "R".

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious complication of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Retrospective studies on patients with COPD treated intensive care unit (ICU) were performed to determine: 1. frequency of PE, 2. clinical course of PE in ICU-COPD-cases, 3. frequency of PE as a cause of death in the studied group. There was 10.9% of PE in COPD patients. In the analyzed group clinical presentation of PE was characterized by acute, severe, life threatening complications leading to death in 86.7%. PE was the most frequent cause of death (40.6%) in ICU-COPD patients. The results of treatment of PE in COPD are poor and the mortality in that group of patients is very high. We believe, that the improvement of management can be achieved by antithromboembolic prophylaxis, which should be instituted as soon as possible in all ICU-COPD-patients.

[Lactate acidosis in the course of status asthmaticus--case report]. / Kwasica mleczanowa w przebiegu stanu astmatycznego--opis przypadku.

A case report of lactate acidosis in the course of status asthmaticus in a 34 year old female is presented. The lactate acidosis was due to increased anaerobic glycolysis in respiratory muscles caused by decreased oxygen recruitment and increased oxygen consumption by respiratory muscles. The authors discuss the clinical significance of lactate acidosis and proper treatment of status asthmaticus.

[Coronary artery vasospasm as a cause of chest pain in a patient with small cell lung cancer]. / Kurcz tetnic wiencowych jako przyczyna bólu w klatce piersiowej u chorego na drobnokomórkowego raka pluca.

Case of 67 years old man with small cell lung cancer and coronary artery spasm has been presented. After administration calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin very good therapeutical effect was achieved.