A Unique Case of Chylothorax Occurring Post-Chest Tube Insertion.

Chylothorax is a relatively rare condition characterized by the accumulation of chyle, a milky lymphatic fluid, within the pleural space. It occurs because of disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct or its tributaries, leading to chyle leakage into the pleural cavity. We present an interesting case of chylothorax that occurred as a complication post-chest tube insertion. A 66-year-old patient presented with hypotension and shortness of breath. Initial chest X-ray in the emergency room showed a right-sided hydropneumothorax requiring chest tube placement. Later on, the patient was transferred to the medical intensive care unit for respiratory failure. Chest tube drainage was initially serosanguineous but later changed to milky-white drainage. Pleural fluid analysis showed a triglyceride level of 208, confirming chylothorax. Conservative treatment was initiated with a low-fat diet and octreotide. The plan was to schedule the patient for thoracic duct embolization in view of continuous chylous drainage, but due to family preference, the procedure was deferred. This case report provides an overview of chylothorax, including etiologies and diagnostic options, and shows the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach to finalize management strategies.

Possible Isolated Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis in a Patient With Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report.

Pulmonic valve endocarditis is a rare and clinically elusive identity, commonly associated with congenital heart malformations and intravenous (IV) drug abuse. We describe a case of a 40-year-old male who has established sickle cell disease and presented with pain crisis, febrile episodes, and oxygen desaturation on room air. The clinical presentation and echocardiographic findings of a pulmonic mass were consistent with the diagnosis of pulmonic valve endocarditis. Due to the small size of the pulmonic valve vegetation, the patient was treated with antibiotics and discharged home on antibiotics and home oxygen.

Atrial Fibrillation as a Prognostic Indicator in Patients With Orthostatic Hypotension: Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension and atrial fibrillation have common etiology and a bidirectional relationship with several cardiovascular conditions. Despite both conditions being highly prevalent in hospitalized patients, prior research has primarily evaluated adverse outcomes due to orthostatic hypotension and atrial fibrillation independent of each other. In this study, we aim to assess if the presence of atrial fibrillation exacerbates in-hospital outcomes of patients with orthostatic hypotension. Methods: Adult patients hospitalized in 2019 with a primary diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension with or without pre-existing atrial fibrillation were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code. The primary outcome of interest was in-patient mortality and cardiac arrest. Secondary outcomes of interest were the length of stay and total hospital charges. Adjusted and unadjusted analysis was performed on appropriate variables of interest. Results: Among 10,630 hospitalizations with orthostatic hypotension, 2,987 (median (interquartile range (IQR)) age: 78.5 (68.5 - 88.5) years; 1,197 women (40.1%)) comprised the atrial fibrillation cohort. Mean Charlson comorbidity index was noted to be significantly higher in orthostatic hypotension and atrial fibrillation patients (mean (standard deviation (SD)): 3.1 (2.1) vs. 2.5 (2.1), P < 0.001).Compared to orthostatic hypotension patients without atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of congestive heart failure (1,263 (42.3%) vs. 1,367 (17.9%)), coronary artery disease (1,432 (47.9%) vs. 2,481 (32.5%)), history of percutaneous coronary intervention or graft (443 (14.83%) vs. 860 (11.3%)), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (644 (21.6%) vs. 1,131 (14.8%)) , chronic kidney disease (1,182 (39.6%) vs. 2,216 (29.0%)), and hyperlipidemia (1,828 (61.2%) vs. 4,087 (53.5%); all P < 0.05), were significantly higher in orthostatic hypotension patients with atrial fibrillation. Following multivariable analysis of orthostatic hypotension patients, atrial fibrillation was associated with 5.0 times greater odds for cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4 - 18.2), P = 0.014), without increased risk of in-hospital mortality (aOR = 2.1 (95% CI: 0.9 - 5.0), P = 0.090). Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor for cardiac arrest but not in-hospital mortality in patients with orthostatic hypotension. The short- and long-term prognostic value of atrial fibrillation in orthostatic hypotension patients must be confirmed in future prospective trials to improve patient outcomes.

Rhabdomyolysis Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State Patient With New-Onset Diabetes: A Case Report.

The hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is a serious acute complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus that requires prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Reversible acute kidney injury is common in hyperglycemic states. However, hyperglycemic emergencies can contribute to the development of rhabdomyolysis, which can further aggravate acute kidney injury and can cause high morbidity and mortality. HHS can be the first clinical presentation of diabetes mellitus in some patients. Here, we present a case of HHS-related rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, which was the first presentation of type 2 diabetes mellitus in this patient. Our case highlights the importance of a rare association between rhabdomyolysis and HHS in diabetic patients.

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated With Clostridium Difficile Infection.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), defines as non-Shiga toxin HUS, is thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, consumptive thrombocytopenia, and renal impairment. aHUS is associated with high morbidity and mortality, necessitating the need for an early diagnosis to limit target organ damage. Mutations or autoantibodies against specific complement factors over-activate the complement system forming microthrombi. aHUS has the potential to cause multi-organ system dysfunction, but it predominantly affects the kidneys. aHUS is treated with eculizumab, a terminal blocker of the complement system. Clostridium difficile infection is a rare precipitant of aHUS. We present a case of aHUS associated with Clostridium difficile infection in a 60-year-old female patient that was successfully treated with eculizumab.