Impact of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on Renal Function in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac catheterizations and coronary angiography are minimally invasive methods for studying the heart and the coronary arteries, using iodinated radiocontrast agents which can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are widely used due to their well-established benefit in coronary artery disease and renal protection in diabetes mellitus. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors can induce AKI in some patients. METHOD: This study analyzed the effect of radiocontrast media used for coronary angiography on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 2-5 who also took ACE inhibitors/ARB medications. Information was collected from the electronic medical records of 116 cases to determine changes in serum creatinine following angiography.  Result: The average age of patients was 65.2 ± 12.3 years. There were 89 men (76.7%) and 27 women (23.3%). Six patients had documented ACE inhibitor discontinuation, and one patient had documented ARB discontinuation prior to their procedures. Based on the criteria of an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) by ≥0.3 mg/dl within 48 hours, 19 cases (16.4%) had AKI. Based on the criteria of increasing in SCr to ≥ 1.5 times baseline, AKI developed in 2 cases (1.7%) on day 1, 4 cases (3.5%) on day 2, and 7 cases (6.0%) on day 3 after coronary angiography. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the continuation of ACE inhibitors/ARB does not appear to have any important effect or association with changes in renal function, within one-month post angiography in patients with CKD stages 2-5.

Docetaxel-induced acute myositis: a case report with review of literature.

Docetaxel is an anti-microtubule agent and a highly effective treatment of locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. There are several adverse effects associated with docetaxel, such as myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, fluid retention, and asthenia. One of the most well-known side-effects of this medication is mild to moderate myalgia. Here, we report a case of a 49-year-old female with stage 3 breast cancers who developed severe acute myositis following docetaxel use. The mechanism of docetaxel-induced myositis remains unclear; however, physicians still need to be aware of the possibility of this complication in patients with cancer and a history of exposure to this medication.

Cardiovascular Toxicities of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been an important therapeutic advance in the field of cancer medicine, resulting in a significant improvement in survival of patients with advanced malignancies. Recent reports provided greater insights into the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) with ICI use. Myocarditis is the most common CVAE associated with ICI. Pericardial diseases, Takotsubo syndrome, arrhythmias, and vasculitis constitute other significant AEs. Physicians should be aware of these infrequent, but potentially fatal toxicities associated with ICIs as their therapeutic use becomes widespread with a myriad of approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Management involves prompt administration of high-dose corticosteroids and discontinuation of ICIs in severe myocarditis. This review summarizes the most updated evidence on epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and management strategies of various CVAEs associated with ICIs. Highlights from recent guidelines published by National Comprehensive Cancer Network on ICI-related CV toxicities have also been incorporated.

Implications of mean platelet volume in health and disease: A large population study on data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size and activity. We conducted a population study with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to understand the relationship of MPV with health and diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NHANES is a cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized adult population, administered every 2 years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants answer a questionnaire, receive a physical examination, and undergo laboratory tests. Values of MPV were collected over 6 years (2011-2016). Logistic regression was used to predict likelihood of being in categories with MPV < 10th percentile or >90th percentile. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata/SE 15.1. RESULTS: In our study with 17,969 individuals, the mean MPV was 8.40 [SD = 0.92] femtoliter. Individuals with male sex, age 45-64 years, and recent hospital-stay were more likely to have MPV < 10th percentile. Obese, Blacks and Mexican Americans had higher odds of having MPV > 90th percentile. Individuals with emphysema had significantly higher adjusted Odds [OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11-3.31, p = 0.021] of MPV < 10th percentile. Individuals with cancer were less likely to have MPV > 90th percentile [OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55-0.99, p = 0.042]. A diagnosis of coronary artery disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease did not have significant associations with MPV. CONCLUSIONS: Obese individuals are more likely to have higher MPV. Individuals with emphysema had higher odds of having MPV < 10th percentile and those with cancer were less likely to have MPV > 90th percentile.

Cold agglutinin-mediated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Cold agglutinin-mediated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia is associated with the development of autoantibodies that can agglutinate red blood cells at cold temperatures. While primary cold agglutinin disease is an idiopathic lymphoproliferative disorder, secondary cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) complicates other diseases such as infections, autoimmune diseases and cancers, mostly low-grade lymphomas. Early recognition, treatment of CAS and treatment of its associated underlying diseases are crucial to a successful outcome. We report a case of CAS in a setting of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, in which the treatment course was complicated by worsened anaemia due to chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. We reviewed previously reported cases and discussed diagnosis and treatment strategies, including novel complement inhibitors, as potential future therapy.

A novel SLC12A1 gene mutation associated with hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and nephrocalcinosis in four patients.

Solute Carrier Family 12 member 1 (SLC12A1) gene encodes the sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter (NKCC2) at the apical membrane of the thick ascending loop of Henle (TAL). Bartter's syndrome (BS) type I is a rare, autosomal recessive, renal tubular disorder associated with mutation of the SLC12A1 gene. Presenting features include: hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. The many allelic variants reported present with a spectrum of phenotypes, biochemical abnormalities and clinical severities. However, to date, only two reports have described hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia in patients with SLC12A1 gene mutations. We describe 4 patients with 4 novel mutation variants in the SLC12A1 gene (c.735C>G, c.1137del, c.2498-2499del, and c.1833delT) presenting with variable degrees of hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The link between calcium and parathyroid hormone abnormalities in patients with SLC12A1 mutations is unclear; the cases described suggest an association between primary hyperparathyroidism and loss of function mutation of SLC12A1, which may result in an aberrant threshold of the calcium sensing receptor at the level of the kidney.