ABSTRACT
Dobutamine is a weak beta-1 and a potent beta-2 adrenergic agonist commonly used to treat patients in cardiogenic shock. It enhances myocardial contractibility, increasing cardiac output. Myoclonus in patients receiving an infusion of dobutamine is rare and, although not fully understood, seems more common in patients with severe kidney failure. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dobutamine-induced myoclonus in a patient with kidney failure receiving peritoneal dialysis. Only 7% of the 518,749 patients of the United States requiring kidney replacement therapy receive peritoneal dialysis, with only a small unknown number of those with advanced heart failure manage with an infusion of inotropic medication. The low prevalence of combined advanced heart failure and kidney failure could partly explain this condition's rarity. In this study, we report the case of a 64-year-old woman with kidney failure receiving peritoneal dialysis in whom myoclonus developed 3 weeks after starting a dobutamine infusion for advanced refractory heart failure. Infectious and other pharmacologic causes of myoclonus were ruled out. Initially, uremia was suspected; however, despite increasing her peritoneal dialysis dose, it was only after discontinuing the dobutamine infusion that her myoclonus resolved.
ABSTRACT
The primary goal of this research is to identify the factors of intradialytic hypertension in hemodialysis patients and stabilize blood pressure (BP) even without antihypertensive medicines. There are various treatment alternatives for lowering BP in these patients, many of which do not require extra pharmacological therapy (e.g. long, slow hemodialysis; short, daily hemodialysis; nocturnal hemodialysis; or, most effectively, dietary salt and fluid restriction in addition to the reduction of dialysate sodium concentration). These parameters provide good monitoring of BP, even with previously diagnosed hypertension. The adjustment of the extracellular volume with a low incidence of intradialytic hypotensive episodes is the most plausible explanation for this outcome. We did a systematic evaluation of all published articles since 1994 to evaluate antihypertensive drug outcomes in hemodialysis patients. All articles were searched in the English language using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The screening techniques, study selection, data extraction procedures, and risk evaluation of bias were done using specified criteria and overseen by one of the senior writers with the application of quality assessment tools to the final articles. Data were searched using regular and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) keywords. Although substantial developments have emerged in the medical field, there is still a significant knowledge gap in the sector, particularly when it comes to BP guidelines and therapy choices for hypertensive hemodialysis patients. Until additional data are available, we should treat hypertension in hemodialysis with the use of active pursuit of euvolemia using dry weight probing and reduction of salt excess.
ABSTRACT
Acute blood loss anemia occurs due to many variants. The standard of care in managing acute blood loss anemia is challenged in this case. Jehovah's Witnesses's (JW) management of blood loss anemia continues to remain a controversy in medicine since they do not allow the use of blood products. This case highlights the management of acute blood loss anemia, utilizing a multidisciplinary bloodless approach in a JW who underwent an endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR) of an impending rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The severity of anemia with hemoglobin of 2.7 g/dL and survival outcome is unique; however, the minimal hemoglobin level required to sustain life is still unclear.
ABSTRACT
Thrombus in transit (TIT) remains an uncommon diagnosis. However, it is often found in patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). While thrombolytics are mainly used in life-threatening presentations, their role in stable patients with a known history of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is unclear.
