Immunologic profiles in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia undergoing endovascular revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immune dysregulation have been associated with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease. There is limited understanding of the association of different profiles of white blood cell (WBC) subsets and red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). METHODS: Patients with CLTI undergoing endovascular revascularization in our single-center, tertiary care hospital from 2017 to 2019, who had a preceding complete blood count (CBC) with WBC differentials (n =213), were included in the analysis. Patient characteristics, laboratory values, and clinical outcomes were collected. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess for associations between all-cause mortality and leukocyte subset; multivariate analysis was used to account for confounders. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to depict survival censored at 1 year postrevascularization using baseline CBC indices. RESULTS: Adjusting for confounders, elevated RDW was associated with increased mortality (continuous per % increase, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.33, p < 0.001). Baseline lymphopenia was associated with mortality in univariate analysis. Other leukocyte subtypes were not associated with mortality outcomes in our population. Exploratory analysis showed negative deflections in ∆WBC from pre- to postprocedure day 1 were affiliated with increased mortality when adjusted for age, sex, race, chronic kidney disease, and baseline hemoglobin (∆WBC HR 1.16, p = 0.004). Further exploratory analysis showed an association between RDW and all-comers readmission. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of a periprocedural WBC subset differential can be a useful adjunct to risk-stratify patients with CLTI undergoing endovascular revascularization. Further studies are needed to understand potential ways to modulate immune dysregulation so as to improve mortality outcomes.

Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency Presenting as Pancytopenia, Hemolytic Anemia, and Paresthesia: Could Your B12 Be Any Lower?

Although severe vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in the United States, recent increases in the adoption of vegan lifestyles have led to a significant rise in the rates of B12 deficiency, along with its hematologic and neurologic sequelae, the latter of which is often irreversible. We describe a case of a 39-year-old male who presented with a several-month history of progressively worsening word-finding difficulties, shortness of breath, and a four-day history of bilateral hand numbness and tingling. Laboratory data revealed pancytopenia with profound anemia. Markers of hemolysis were positive, including elevated indirect bilirubin, disproportionately elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), low haptoglobin, negative direct anticoagulant test, and hypoproliferative reticulocyte index. Blood smear revealed hypersegmented neutrophils and macrocytosis. Vitamin B12 levels were undetectable, and anti-intrinsic factor and parietal cell antibodies were negative. A thorough history revealed a 20-year history of strict veganism without B12 supplementation. He was transfused with packed red blood cells and started on subcutaneous B12 injections with rapid improvement of his symptoms. Early recognition of B12 deficiency causing the constellation of pancytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and neurologic symptoms is vital in preventing irreversible neurologic sequelae. This case also highlights the importance of accurate history taking to aid in early diagnosis of B12 deficiency, especially in the context of rising rates of veganism in the United States.

The utility of geriatric nutritional risk index to predict outcomes in chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). BACKGROUND: The prevalence of CLTI continues to rise, with major amputation and mortality remaining prominent. Frailty is a vital risk factor for adverse outcomes in cardiovascular care. The GNRI is a nutrition-based surrogate for frailty that has been utilized in Southeast Asia to predict adverse events in CLTI. It has not yet been evaluated in a primarily Western population, nor in the context of wound healing. METHODS: Between 8August 2017 and April 2019, we identified patients undergoing endovascular interventions for CLTI at our institution, categorized into low GNRI (≤ 94, frail) versus normal GNRI (> 94, reference). We analyzed the risks of major adverse limb events (MALE), its individual components [mortality, major amputation, and target vessel revascularization (TVR)], amputation free survival (AFS), and wound healing using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate cox-proportional hazard regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were included in the analysis, with follow up of 14 ± 9.1 months. Lower GNRI was associated with higher cumulative event rates for MALE (71.0% vs. 43.3%, p < 0.001), mortality (34.3% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.001), major amputation (31.2% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.002), and freedom from AFS (56.0% vs. 28.2%, p < 0.001). There was a trend toward lower TVR and higher wound healing with higher GNRI score. CONCLUSIONS: Our single-center, retrospective evaluation of GNRI (as a surrogate for frailty) correlated with increased risks of MALE, mortality, and major amputation. Future directions should focus not only on the recognition of these patients, but risk-factor modification to optimize long-term outcomes.

Effects of adjuvant therapy with 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution on quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis using systemic or nasal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients are often treated with nasal or systemic allergy therapy, forgoing therapy for ocular symptoms. This treatment regimen leaves important aspects of the allergic reaction untreated and affects quality of life (QoL). The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Allergic Conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire quantify separate aspects of QoL. OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit gained in QoL, measured by these questionnaires, when antiallergy eyedrops (olopatadine) were added to patients' preexisting regimens of nasal or systemic allergic rhinitis treatment. METHODS: This was a 4-week prospective, multicenter, open-label, crossover, environmental QoL study. Visit 1 randomized patients to treatment group A or B and included baseline examinations and questionnaires. Group A instilled olopatadine twice daily and concomitantly with previously prescribed nasal or systemic antiallergy medication for 2 weeks. Group B received no ocular therapy and used only previously prescribed antiallergy medication for 2 weeks. Treatment group crossover occurred at visit 2. Patients again completed the questionnaires at visits 2 and 3. RESULTS: Two hundred patients completed the study, 97 in group A and 103 in group B. Groups A and B experienced ocular allergic symptoms for 3.88 and 3.96 days, respectively, during the week before baseline. At visits 2 and 3, questionnaire scores were significantly improved for each group when olopatadine was added compared with the nontreatment periods. By visit 2, olopatadine improved QoL by 49% compared with 5% in the nontreated group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 90.5% of patients with allergic rhinitis treated nasally or systemically also had ocular allergic symptoms. Adding olopatadine to these patients' medication regimens significantly improved ocular allergic symptoms and overall QoL.