Paroxysmal Orthostatic Ventricular Tachycardia in a Patient With Supine Hypertension and Orthostatic Hypotension.

Supine orthostatic hypertension with orthostatic hypotension is an autonomic dysfunction where the patients present with hypertension when supine and with decrease in blood pressure while bearing an upright posture. We report on a 74-year-old male who was admitted with dizziness and was found to have profound orthostatic hypotension with supine hypertension. The patient also developed orthostatic paroxysmal premature ventricular beats as well as nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. In this report, we attempt to present the possible mechanism of orthostatic ventricular tachycardia in our patient and the overview of the treatment strategies used in management of patients with supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Absent Right Superior Vena Cava with Left Subclavian Vein Stenosis: Technical Challenges with Pacemaker Implantation.

We present a challenging case of a 75-year-old female with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and symptomatic sick sinus syndrome (SSS) who presented for a dual chamber pacemaker implantation and was found to have persistent left superior vena cava and absent right superior vena cava with stenosis of the left subclavian vein. In this report, we discuss the implant technique in this group of patients.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery plaque.

Carotid atherosclerotic plaques represent both stable and unstable atheromatous lesions. Atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to rupture owing to their intrinsic composition such as a large lipid core, thin fibrous cap and intraplaque hemorrhage are associated with subsequent thromboembolic ischemic events. At least 15-20% of all ischemic strokes are attributable to carotid artery atherosclerosis. Characterization of plaques may enhance the understanding of natural history and ultimately the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. MRI of carotid plaque and embolic signals during transcranial Doppler have identified features beyond luminal stenosis that are predictive of future transient ischemic attacks and stroke. The value of specific therapies to prevent stroke in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis are the subject of current research and analysis of recently published clinical trials that are discussed in this article.

High dose-rate endobronchial radiotherapy for proximal airway obstruction due to lung cancer: 8-year experience of a referral center.

The efficacy of high dose-rate endobronchial radiotherapy (HDERT) against proximal airway obstruction that results from lung cancer has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study retrospectively reviewed tumor/obstruction characteristics prior to therapy, interventions applied, symptoms before and after intervention, complications, and survival of all patients with proximal airway obstruction resulting from lung cancer who received HDERT between 1995 and 2003 in a tertiary teaching center. Thirty-four (34) patients received HDERT, while 28 had additional treatment (external radiotherapy = 23, neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser ablation = 9, stenting = 7, electrosurgery = 5, cryosurgery = 3, and photodynamic therapy = 1). Sixteen (16) patients developed complications, the most frequent being respiratory failure and bronchial-wall necrosis, while 19 experienced symptomatic relief. The median (95% confidence interval) survival of these 34 patients was 7.8 (5.9-9.8) months, significantly longer (p = 0.004) than a historic control of 3.9 (3.7-7.1) months from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, in Cleveland, OH, and comparable to other previous reports. No single factor predicted complications or symptomatic relief. However, female gender, presence of only one symptom, absence of fatigue/weight loss, >1 HDERT sessions, and postprocedure symptom relief were associated with improved survival. Contemporary HDERT with or without additional treatment modalities is effective against central airway compromise resulting from lung cancer.

A 48-year-old man with a solitary pulmonary nodule.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old man with a 75-pack-year history of tobacco use was referred to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of an abnormal chest roentgenograph. He had been followed by his primary physician for bronchitis and nonproductive cough over the past year and was recently treated with a course of antibiotics with no change in symptoms. He had no other medical history, was currently smoking two packs of cigarettes per day, and reported working on the docks in a shipyard for five years. On physical examination, he was afebrile with stable vital signs and 97% oxygen saturation on room air. He was well-developed in no apparent distress. On cardiovascular examination, he was in sinus rhythm without murmurs. Chest examination was clear to auscultation. There was no lymphadenopathy. The abdomen was soft and benign. The extremities were without clubbing, cyanosis, or edema. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. LABORATORY DATA: Laboratory data demonstrated a white blood cell count of 7,200/ul with a normal differential. Hemoglobin, platelet count, serum electrolytes, liver associated enzymes and coagulation studies were normal. IMAGING STUDIES: The patient had a chest computed tomography (CT) available for review (Fig. 2). What diagnostic study should be performed next?

Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure: mechanisms and treatment.

Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP) is a common problem in patients receiving full or partial ventilatory support, as well as in those ready to be weaned from the ventilator. Physicians should be alert for it and take measures to reduce it, as it can have serious consequences.

Short-term deployment of self-expanding metallic stents facilitates healing of bronchial dehiscence.

Bronchial dehiscence after lung transplantation is difficult to treat and associated with high mortality. We describe our experience using self-expanding metallic stents to treat post-lung transplant bronchial dehiscence. From January 1995 to June 2004, 189 single and 118 double lung transplants were performed in our institution, totaling 425 at-risk bronchial anastomoses. Seven (1.6%) incidents of life-threatening bronchial dehiscence were treated with self-expanding metallic stents. The interval between transplant and diagnosis of dehiscence was 29.1 +/- 18.5 days. All patients presented with respiratory distress, and three required mechanical ventilation. Self-expanding metallic stent placement resulted in complete bronchial healing. All three patients with respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation were successfully weaned after stent placement. In two later cases, the stents were electively removed after adequate healing of the dehiscence. Complications included stent migration (one patient) and in-stent stenosis (three patients). Two of these patients required repeat stent insertion after removal, due to bronchomalacia. In patients with life-threatening bronchial dehiscence, self-expanding metallic stents offer prospects for a successful outcome. Self-expanding metallic stents are known to be associated with significant granulation tissue formation, and this property provides a platform for healing of dehiscence and, in time, peribronchial soft tissue grows in to cover the defect, allowing stent removal.

Reprocessing the bronchoscope: the challenges.

Spread of infection through the flexible bronchoscope is underrecognized and underreported. Prevention of bronchoscopy-induced infection requires increased vigilance by the physician, assiduous implementation of reprocessing protocols, and closer collaboration between bronchoscopy personnel, infection control practitioners, and instrument manufacturers. Patient safety depends on adequate disinfection of bronchoscopes and accessories used, as well as proper training of bronchoscopists, nurses, and ancillary staff. It is important to recognize that microbial transmission may occur via any part of instruments or anything in contact with the instruments including cleaning solutions, automated washers, and rinsing water. Numerous surveys have suggested poor adherence to published preventive guidelines. To address the challenges of reprocessing bronchoscopes, all users must comply with guidelines for cleaning and disinfection and each procedure should be performed with a clean, disinfected bronchoscope.

Implementing a shared-care approach to improve the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may present to internists, rheumatologists, cardiologists, or pulmonologists. This breadth of clinicians who encounter PAH patients, together with the complicated nature of PAH as a disease entity, argues for a shared-care approach to the management of these patients. This review describes the contributions of several key specialties to PAH management and outlines the collaborative PAH management model in place at our institution.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy as a cause of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a largely untreatable disease often not diagnosed until autopsy. Severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy can cause lobar cerebral hemorrhage, transient neurological symptoms, and dementia with leukoencephalopathy. Several outcome studies have suggested lower mortality and better functional recovery in lobar compared with deep hemorrhage. Recurrence of lobar hemorrhage however is relatively common. We describe a case of recurrent spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in a 72-year-old woman requiring surgical evacuations. A review of the literature summarizing the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is presented.