Skipping the Drip: Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitor Bolus Therapy Leads to Poor Outcomes in High-Risk Bleeding.

Background and Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a change in our institute's protocol from continuous intravenous (IV) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy to bolus IV PPI therapy for the treatment of peptic ulcer-related bleeding on patient outcomes. Current guidelines recommend PPI therapy through high-dose IV bolus followed by continuous infusion for bleeding ulcers. Conflicting data have been reported regarding the practice shift to intermittent IV PPI therapy. Methods A retrospective record review was conducted of patients treated at West Virginia University between 2017 and 2018 for peptic ulcer related bleeding who underwent endoscopy and had high-risk stigmata. Relevant variables were identified. Outcomes were compared between groups based on PPI strategy. The primary endpoint was any poor outcome defined as rebleeding, need for embolization or surgery, or mortality during hospital stay. Results A total of 130 patients were included, with a mean age of 62.18 years. Continuous PPI infusion was used in 39.23%, whereas bolus IV PPI was used 60.76%. Poor outcome was encountered in 11 (21.57%) patients in the continuous and 33 (41.77%) patients in the bolus group (p = 0.028). On multivariable analyses, bolus PPI strategy was independently linked to poor outcome (Wald's odds ratio: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.21-6.84; p = 0.019) and an increased need for embolization/surgery (OR: 4.12, 95% CI: 1.14-19.99; p = 0.046). Conclusions IV bolus therapy showed worse outcomes compared with continuous IV PPI therapy for patients with peptic ulcer bleeding with high-risk features. More robust data are needed before a practice shift to bolus PPI may be appropriate.

Use of the Burden of Diabetes Mellitus Score for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment.

Uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus (DM) using single point hemoglobin A1c levels has been associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. However, methods to quantify the effect of uncontrolled DM over time have been inconsistent. To quantify hyperglycemia over time and assess its cardiovascular effects we developed and tested a DM burden score which accounts for time in years prior to DM diagnosis, diagnostic HbA1c, and aggregate HbA1c levels thereafter. A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients (n = 188) from a single academic center with type II DM and no prior cardiac disease history. Patient scores were calculated from diagnosis until the year 2015 and were grouped into low (<5.3%; n = 55), moderate (5.3% to 5.5%; n = 80), and high (>5.5%; n = 53) DM burden score cohorts. At 48 months, the cohort with high DM burden scores correlated with significantly worse major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 3.07, p = 0.012), myocardial infarction (HR 12.78, p = 0.015), coronary revascularization (HR 4.53, p = 0.019), cardiovascular hospitalizations (HR 4.20, p = 0.005), and all-cause hospitalizations (HR 2.57, p = 0.01). Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality showed significant difference between groups in log-rank testing. Also, a multivariate regression model showed DM burden score (p = 0.045) to be an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR 9.38, p = 0.045). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that DM control over time impacts cardiovascular outcomes.

Beyond the Diagnosis of Group IV Pulmonary Hypertension: Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Mimickers.

We present 3 patients with similar clinical presentation of group IV pulmonary hypertension but with totally different diagnoses. This case series highlights the need to keep a broad differential diagnosis and to utilize more diverse imaging modalities for the diagnosis of group IV pulmonary hypertension. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Meta-Analysis Comparing Complete Versus Infarct-Related Artery Revascularization in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Coronary Disease.

A strategy of complete revascularization (CR) versus infarct-related artery revascularization (IRA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) continues to be a subject of debate. We performed an updated meta-analysis to compare the 2 strategies. Outcomes of interest included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, stroke, repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction, and contrast-induced nephropathy. Ten randomized trials including 7,423 patients (CR = 3,574 and IRA = 3,849), with a follow-up of 2.0 ± 0.8 years were included. There was a significant reduction in MACE with CR versus IRA (10.7% vs 18.6%, relative risk [RR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.81, p = 0.002, I2 = 66%), with higher risk reduction with immediate versus stages revascularization (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.5 vs RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.89, P-interaction = 0.002). Complete revascularization was associated with lower rates of repeat revascularization (4.0% vs 11.7%, RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.70, p <0.0001, I2 = 81%), and a nonsignificant trend toward lower cardiovascular mortality (2.8% vs 3.7%, RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.03, p = 0.08, I2 = 0%). However, there was no difference between the 2 strategies in all-cause mortality (4.6% vs 4.8%, RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.12, p = 0.36, I2 = 0%), myocardial infarction (5.2% vs 6.5%, RR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.08, p = 0.08, I2 = 30%), stroke (1.5% vs 1.2%, RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.29, p = 0.33, I2 = 14%), or contrast-induced nephropathy (1.6% vs 1.2%, RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.15, p = 0.78, I2 = 0%). In conclusion, CR in patients with STEMI is associated with significant reduction in MACE compared with IRA. This reduction is derived mainly by the low rates of repeat revascularization in the CR group.

Recurrent Brachiocephalic Vein Stenosis as a Cause for Persistent Left-sided Transudative Pleural Effusion in a Hemodialysis Patient.

BACKGROUND: Effusion is common in dialysis patients. The most common causes include fluid overload due to renal failure and nonrenal causes like congestive heart failure and infection. We here report a case of left side transudative effusion due to brachiocephalic venous stenosis. METHODS: A 34-year-old female who had chronic kidney disease V during transplant work-up was found to be having left arm swelling and left transudative effusion. Work-up for transudative effusion did not show any cardiac cause or liver problem. Her dialysis duration was optimized from 2 times a week to 3 times a week for 4 hr and her dry weight was adjusted. Despite adequate dialysis for 1 month, effusion on the left side persisted. She had a previous venoplasty for a stenosis in brachiocephalic vein but restenosis occurred again. RESULTS: Brachiocephalic vein stenting was performed which successfully lead to resolution of left arm swelling and left effusion. She was later on successfully transplanted. CONCLUSIONS: Brachiocephalic stenosis can cause ipsilateral transudative effusion. Venoplasty and stenting of the brachiocephalic vein lead to complete resolution of effusion.