Effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin use in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder producing thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, with or without prior exposure to heparin. Although avoidance of heparin products and nonheparin anticoagulants are used, immune-based therapies including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) have been tried when the thrombocytopenia persists or there is breakthrough thrombosis. We sought to systematically review and analyze the published literature on use of IVIg in the treatment of HIT. A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and SCOPUS for all study designs and reports were carried out from inception until April 2019. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and Stata version 13. In 34 patients with HIT, the mean age was 60 years. About 70% cases were by unfractionated heparin exposure and 30% by low-molecular weight heparin. The most common precipitant in the patients without heparin exposure was recent surgery. Average nadir platelet count for which IVIg was used was 28 000/µl. Time from resolution of the thrombocytopenia after IVIg treatment was 3 days with average platelet count recovery to 159 000/µl. Mean time from diagnosis to administration of IVIg was day 18. Thrombosis was identified in 32% of patients. About 77% patients improved (platelet count >100 000/µl or cessation of thrombosis) following use of IVIg. Logistic regression did not identify any factors that predicted IVIg response (P > 0.05). No thrombotic events or other adverse events were noted with use of IVIg. IVIg appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for HIT-related thrombocytopenia and for refractory thrombosis.

Effect of Statins on the Mortality of Bacteremic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Statins modify inflammatory cell signaling during the immune response to infection. This has been considered as a pleotropic effect. Effects of statins in inflammatory conditions such as bacteremia have been found to be controversial. AIMS: We examined the effect of statins on the mortality of bacteremia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Major databases were searched for the pertinent clinical trials. RESULTS: Six cohort studies comprising 7553 patients were included. Hospital mortality was lower (15.36% vs 22.28%) in patients on statin. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a potential role of statins in similar inflammatory and infective conditions.

RS3PE revisited: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 331 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS(3)PE) syndrome is a rare inflammatory arthritis, characterised by symmetrical distal synovitis, pitting oedema of the hands and feet, absence of rheumatoid factor, and favourable response to glucocorticoids. The aim of our study is to further delineate the clinical and laboratory features, and response to treatment. METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic search of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, ACR and EULAR databases for case reports, case series, and related articles of RS(3)PE. Statistical analysis was done comparing categorical variables with Chi-square tests and frequencies of means via t-tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of erosions, recurrence, malignancy and rheumatologic disorders. RESULTS: 331 cases of RS(3)PE were identified from 121 articles. RS(3)PE was found in older patients (71±10.42 years) predominantly in males (n= 211, 63.36%), was symmetrical (n=297/311, 95.50%) involved the hands (n=294/311, 94.53%) A concurrent rheumatologic condition was reported in 22 cases (6.65%), and malignancy in 54 cases (16.31%). Radiographic joint erosions were found in 5.5%. Most patients responded to medium-dose glucocorticoids (16.12±9.5 mg/day). Patients with concurrent malignancy requiring non-significantly higher doses of prednisone (18.12 vs. 15.76 mg, p 0.304) and higher likelihood of recurrence of disease (OR 4.04, 95% CI 1.10-14.88, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms and unique findings that make up RS(3)PE appear to represent a steroid-responsive disease that may be a harbinger of an underlying malignancy. More study is needed to understand the molecular origins of RS(3)PE in order to determine whether it is a separate disease process. Patients with concurrent cancer tend to have more severe presentations and higher rates of recurrence.

Meta-analysis of 21- versus 22-G aspiration needle during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND: Two different needle gauges (21 and 22 G) are currently used for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Few studies have compared the diagnostic utility of EBUS-TB107NA using 21 versus 22 G needles. We aimed to systematically analyze all existing literature comparing the diagnostic benefit of these 2 needles. METHODS: A systematic search for the identification of all relevant studies comparing 21 and 22 G needles in EBUS-TBNA was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS databases up to September 21, 2014. All the extracted data underwent meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3 and Comprehensive Meta-analysis 3.3. Study-specific odds ratios (OR) were calculated and combined using random-effects model. Between study heterogeneity was assessed using the I statistic. RESULTS: A total of 5 studies involving 1720 patients were identified. The sample adequacy rate was 89.1% in the 21 G group and 90.0% in the 22 G group and this difference was not statistically significant [OR, 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.59; P=0.82]. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield (73.7% vs. 58.5%; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80-1.35; P=0.80) or the mean number of needle passes (mean difference -0.31; 95% CI, -1.1 to 0.47; P=0.44). There were no major complications reported in any of these studies. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the diagnostic yield, sample adequacy, or the mean number of needle passes between the 21 and 22 G groups during EBUS-TBNA. Similarly, the complication rates were low and similar between the 2 groups.

A retrospective analysis of reported errata in five leading medical journals in 2012.

BACKGROUND: Although medical publications are frequently used as the source of information, the prevalence of errata remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine peer-review and publication processes of medical journals as well as to determine the occurrence of reported errata in medical journals and timeliness in identifying and correcting errata. METHODS: Five medical journals, New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, Journal of American Medical Association, and Lancet, were evaluated. The characteristics of these journals were obtained from editors' survey. All these journals report errata noted in their prior publications. We retrospectively analyzed all errata reported from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012. The mean number of reported errata per issue, the most common errata, and the mean time to report errata were calculated. RESULTS: The journals had high impact factors (14-51), received 3,200 to more than 15,000 submissions in 2012, and utilized two or more external reviewers and usually two or more editors for any accepted articles. All the journals edited the accepted articles, including references, figures, and tables for style. A mean of 1.3 articles with ≥1 errata was reported per issue (a total of 306 articles with errata in 226 issues). Errata in author's information, numeric errata, and errata in the figures and tables were the most common errata. The mean time to report the errata was 122 days. CONCLUSION: The high-impact journals, with extensive pre-publication review, reported relatively few errata per issue. The delay in reporting errata needs further exploration.

Before it crumbles: Fulminant Hepatic Failure secondary to Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a relatively rare manifestation of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging of the liver are usually inconclusive, and liver biopsy may be required for confirmation. We present a case of an FHF in a woman 1 week after the diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Chemotherapy could not be instituted due to hepatic encephalopathy and other complications. Autopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of the liver parenchyma. This case illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and institution of chemotherapy, which may reverse the liver failure.

Efficacy of NSAIDs for the prevention of acute mountain sickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can occur in anyone going to a high altitude. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been studied for the prevention of AMS with mixed results. In this systematic review, we analyze all existing data on the use of NSAIDs to prevent AMS using the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS) in different randomized clinical trials (RCTs). METHODS: Electronic literature searches for relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library up to June 2013. RCTs involving NSAIDs compared to placebo in patients undergoing ascent to a height of at least 3,800 m were included. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated and combined using fixed-effect model meta-analysis if I (2)=0%. Differences between groups were calculated using the inverse variance of the standard mean differences. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I (2) statistics. RESULTS: In three clinical trials involving 349 patients, AMS using LLSS occurred in 26.92% of patients on NSAIDs and 43.71% on placebo (OR 0.43; CI [confidence interval] 0.27-0.69, I (2)=0%, p=0.0005), NNT=6. Minor outcome of end point Spo2 was not significant in the two groups (IV=0.74; 95% CI -0.20-1.69, I (2)=81%, p=0.12). Similarly, a change in Spo2 from baseline was also not significant in the two groups (IV=0.05; 95% CI -0.28-0.37, I (2)=44%, p=0.78). CONCLUSION: NSAIDs might be a safe and effective alternative for the prevention of AMS. However, further larger population studies and studies comparing NSAIDs to acetazolamide and dexamethasone in the future may provide further data to its relative efficacy.

Fondaparinux-associated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

OBJECTIVES: Large licensing trials did not find any association between the use of fondaparinux and the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Fondaparinux is in fact recommended as an option for the management of HIT. Since the first report of fondaparinux-associated HIT in 2007, additional reports have been published. However, the rarity of these cases, differences in case definition, and lack of larger case series have prevented better understanding of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical manifestations of fondaparinux-associated HIT, the predictive value of pretest probability (4Ts) scoring system, and the outcomes associated with current management. METHODS: Using several search terms, we reviewed all cases of fondaparinux-associated HIT reported and indexed in PubMed till May 2013. All references were also checked for additional reports. We categorized the cases of fondaparinux-associated HIT as confirmed, probable, and possible based on our case definition. RESULTS: A total of eight cases of fondaparinux-associated HIT were identified. Fondaparinux-associated HIT occurred in the setting of pro-inflammatory state, prior HIT, or exposure to heparin products. Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage or infarct, reflecting hypercoagulability or disseminated intravascular coagulation, was seen in 25% of patients. The pretest probability (4Ts) scoring system used for HIT appears to correctly risk stratify all the cases. Although functional assays can be used for the diagnosis, in the presence of recent exposure to heparin products, only the demonstration of fondaparinux-dependent platelet activation should be considered confirmatory. Non-heparin anticoagulants are effective therapy; however, one-third of the patients had poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: The risk of fondaparinux-associated HIT, although low is real, which along with documented cases of fondaparinux failure mandate its cautious use in the management of HIT.

Postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after aortofemoral bypass.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is uncommon in the postoperative setting, even more so after vascular surgery. We present a case of thrombocytopenia after aortofemoral bypass, which highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for postoperative TTP to avoid life-threatening consequences.