The impact of enteric coating of aspirin on aspirin responsiveness in patients with suspected or newly diagnosed ischemic stroke: prospective cohort study: results from the (ECASIS) study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of enteric-coated aspirin (EC-ASA) on secondary prevention of ischemic stroke compared to plain aspirin (P-ASA). Hence, this study was designed to investigate the effect of EC formulation on ASA response via evaluating thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels in patients with suspected or newly diagnosed stroke. METHODS: A prospective cohort study on suspected or newly diagnosed ischemic stroke patients who are aspirin-naive was conducted. Patients were received either EC aspirin or plain aspirin for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was the proportion of aspirin non-responsiveness between two groups (level of residual serum TXB2 associated with elevated thrombotic risk (< 99.0% inhibition or TXB2 > 3.1 ng/ml) within 72 h after three daily aspirin doses, while secondary outcomes were the incidence of early gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bleeding with the various aspirin preparations. (Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04330872 registered on 02 April 2020). RESULTS: Of 42 patients, ischemic strokes were confirmed in both P-ASA (81%) and EC-ASA (67%) arms. ASA non-responsiveness showed no significant difference between the two formulations (P-ASA vs. EC-ASA; 28.6% vs 23.8%; P = 0.726). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients treated with EC-ASA were more likely to have a lower rate of non-responders compared to P-ASA (unadjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.20, 3.11); with the risk highest in type 2 diabetic patients with HBA1c > 6.5% (adjusted OR 6; 95% CI 1.02, 35.27; P = 0.047). No incidence of GIT bleeding observed throughout the study. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of ASA non-responsiveness was recorded regardless of ASA formulation administered. The increased risk of ASA non-responsiveness in diabetic patients needs further exploration by larger prospective studies.

Rare case of simultaneous cerebral artery and venous sinus thrombosis in the setting of elevated factor VIII and combined oral contraceptive pills.

We report a rare case of combined cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and ischemic stroke in a 35-year-old female on combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) with persistently elevated factor VIII, presenting with headache and sudden onset vertigo, found to have extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and PICA territory ischemic infarct.

Acute psychosis secondary to steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Approach to Hashimoto thyroiditis encephalopathy.

Case Report: Prolonged Viral Shedding in Six COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 has surfaced as a multi-organ disease predominantly affecting the respiratory system. Detection of the viral RNA through reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal or throat sample is the preferred method of diagnosis. Recent evidence has suggested that COVID-19 patients can shed the SARS-CoV-2 for several weeks. Herein, we report six cases of COVID-19 who had persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 on repeat RT-PCR testing reaching up to 9 weeks. The spectrum of cases described ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A full understanding of the virus's transmission dynamics needs further research. Prolonged viral shedding currently has unclear implications on the management and isolation decisions-the role of the cycle threshold (Ct) value in guiding therapeutic decisions is yet to be clarified. More data on the relationship between Ct values and viral cultivation are needed, especially in patients with prolonged viral shedding, to understand the virus's viability and infectivity.

Prevalence, clinical manifestations, and biochemical data of type 2 diabetes mellitus versus nondiabetic symptomatic patients with COVID-19: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data regarding the effect of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and associated comorbidities on the clinical presentation and outcome of symptomatic patients with -COVID-19 infection in comparison with non-diabetic patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: We described and compared the clinical presentation and radiological and hematological data of a cohort of symptomatic COVID19 positive T2DM diabetic patients (n = 59) versus another cohort of non-diabetic symptomatic COVID19 positive patients (n =244) diagnosed at the same time from January 2020 to May 2020. Associated comorbidities were -assessed, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated. The outcomes including duration of hospitalization, duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of O2 -supplementation were assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of T2DM in symptomatic COVID19 positive patients was 59/303 (=19.5%).  Diabetic patients had higher prevalence of hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiac dysfunction [coronary heart disease (CHD)], and congestive heart failure (CHF). Charlson Comorbidity score was significantly higher in the T2DM patients (2.4± 1.6) versus the non-diabetic -patients (0.28 ± 0.8; p: < 0.001). Clinically and radiologically, T2DM patients had significantly higher percentage of pneumonia, severe pneumonia and ARDS versus the non-diabetic patients. Hematologically, diabetic patients had significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP), higher absolute neutrophilic count (ANC) and lower counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils compared to non-diabetic patients. They had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, longer duration of hospitalization, ICU stay, mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. CRP was correlated significantly with the duration of stay in the ICU and the duration for oxygen supplementation (r = 0.37 and 0.42 respectively; p: <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: T2DM patients showed higher inflammatory response to COVID 19 with higher absolute neutrophilic count (ANC) and CRP with lower lymphocytic and eosinophilic counts. Diabetic patients had more comorbidities and more aggressive course of the disease with higher rate of ICU admission and longer need for hospitalization and oxygen use.

Thrombocytapheresis in Patient with Essential Thrombocythemia: A Case Report.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is one of the myeloproliferative neoplasms, characterized by persistent thrombocytosis, platelets >450,000/µL, and evident clonal abnormalities like JAK2 V617F, MPL, CALR mutation and not fulfilling WHO criteria for MDS, CML, PV, and IDA. Here we report a 24-year-old female who presented with headache and was found to have thrombocytosis with a platelet count of 2,141 × 103/µL, diagnosed as ET as per WHO criteria 2008; she required ICU admission and thrombocytapheresis with a favorable outcome.

A Rare Presentation of Stauffer's Syndrome Associated with Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a primary tumor of the kidneys. It is characterized by the triad of flank pain, hematuria, and a palpable flank mass. However, most RCC patients present with a paraneoplastic manifestation of the disease. Stauffer's syndrome (a non-metastatic hepatic dysfunction) is a rare paraneoplastic manifestation associated with RCC. We report the case of a 30-year-old male, obese, who presented with hematuria and was found to have a right renal mass secondary to RCC. During his hospital stay, the patient developed acute hepatic dysfunction that resolved rapidly after tumor resection.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Patient with Immune Thrombocytopenia, an Apparent Paradox.

We present a paradoxical case of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) that presented with cerebral venous thrombosis. A 39-year-old female patient diagnosed with chronic ITP, who failed treatment on multiple-line agents, was started on eltrombopag (thrombopoietin receptor agonist), which she was not compliant to. The patient later developed extensive cerebral venous thrombosis, along with venous infarcts, and intracranial and subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins as well as steroid therapy and was simultaneously started on anticoagulation. The patient improved clinically and radiologically. This case is among few reported cases which signify that patients with ITP are inherently prone to thrombosis despite low platelet count and treating these patients can be a dilemma. Judicious use of anticoagulation and immunosuppressive therapy is recommended based on available evidence pending further recommendations and guidelines about treatment of thrombosis in ITP.

An Association of Varicella Zoster Virus, Facial Palsy, and Meningitis in a Young Immunocompetent Male.

Varicella zoster is a secondary infection caused by the virus of chickenpox, after becoming latent in neurons of dorsal root ganglia or trigeminal ganglia. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can be reactivated years later to produce shingles (zoster), generally in immunocompromised adults to produce neurological deficits and rash. Meningeal involvement of VZV is also reported and can be diagnosed. Herein, we report a 39-year-old immunocompetent male adult with a rare manifestation caused by VZV. The report is an association between facial nerve palsy and a polymerase chain reaction-confirmed VZV meningitis, even without the dermal typical rash. The patient eventually recovered after receiving acyclovir intravenously.

An investigation into the impact of enteric coated of aspirin in patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke (ECASIS).

INTRODUCTION: Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of enteric-coated (EC) aspirin as it relates to the reduction of cardiovascular risk. We hypothesize that EC formulation based on a previous report may blunt aspirin response as evidenced by reduced Thromboxane A2 (TXA 2) levels in diabetic patients. Thus, it was imperative to ascertain and validate the effect of the EC formulation of Aspirin on the Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) level. METHODS/DESIGN: An open-label consecutive randomized interventional controlled trial. Patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke who are just about to start Aspirin were assessed for eligibility and inclusion in our trial. Consecutive patients (admitted to the stroke unit of Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar) will be randomized to receive either EC aspirin or plain Aspirin. They will be required to continue taking them throughout the study (3 days). Demographics and laboratory records of the study participants will be abstracted from online records. Further study variables will be obtained manually in designated case record forms (CRF). The primary outcomes are the incidence of aspirin non-responders (level of residual serum TXB2 associated with elevated thrombotic risk (<99.0% inhibition or TXB2 >3.1 ng/mL) within 72 h after three daily aspirin doses). Whereas secondary outcomes are the incidence of GIT bleeding of various preparations of Aspirin. The study was approved by MRC and IRB of Hamad Medical Corporation (MRC number: 01-18-156). DISCUSSION: This trial will determine potential differences in the efficacy of EC Aspirin and plain Aspirin on the Thromboxane B2 level. Additionally, it will ascertain the tolerability and safety of both formulations of Aspirin in patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke. These results will either support the current notion of no difference between the two formulations. However, if a difference is found, this will invite for future trials exploring clinical outcomes occurrence between various formulations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04330872 registered on April 2, 2020.

Rituximab Twice Weekly for Refractory Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Critically Ill Patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, serious, life-threatening disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypercoagulability. The etiology is a deficiency of ADAMTS13 which is usually caused by acquired antibodies. Plasma exchange and steroids is the standard of care in the treatment of TTP. However, there are refractory cases of TTP which require further management. Rituximab appears to be a safe and effective therapy for refractory and relapsing TTP. Here we report a challenging case of TTP that responded to treatment with rituximab twice weekly. According to our knowledge, rituximab twice weekly has never been used for TTP before.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia after Low-Dose Radioiodine Therapy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common primary thyroid cancer. Most frequently treated with surgical resection, some cases require radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Studies have suggested that there is an increase in second primary malignancy after RAI therapy amongst thyroid cancer survivors including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as an infrequent cancer related to RAI therapy; it has a higher relative risk ratio in patients on higher doses of radiation exposure. We would like to report a 30-year-old lady who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma. She underwent total thyroidectomy and received a low-dose RAI 131I therapy at a dose of 150 mCi, after which she developed therapy-related AML. Here we would like to highlight the association of AML with low-dose RAI as an infrequent cause of a second primary tumor compared to high doses.

Cardiac Tamponade: An Unusual Cause of a Severe Headache with Normal Blood Pressure.

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition characterized by slow or rapid compression of the heart due to the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial space and rarely presents mainly as a headache. We report an unusual presentation of cardiac tamponade associated mainly with severe headache over three days and mild shortness of breath in a 60-year-old male not known to have any previous heart disease. Immediate computed tomography (CT) scan of the head ruled out intracranial hemorrhage. A chest x-ray showed cardiomegaly, and further echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion on a transthoracic echocardiogram compromising the right ventricular output. Urgent pericardiocentesis was performed and removed 800 ml of hemorrhagic fluid that led to a complete resolution of his severe headache.

Imatinib-Induced Tremor in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by three phases: chronic, accelerated, and blast phase. However; first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors are used for the treatment of CML with common and uncommon adverse events. Here, we report a 24-year-old male with CML in chronic phase started on imatinib as upfront medication who developed tremor and recovered spontenously after 3 years.