Gilda Diaz-Fuentes

Starvation Ketoacidosis: A Cause of Severe Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a diabetogenic state characterized by relative insulin resistance, enhanced lipolysis, elevated free fatty acids and increased ketogenesis. In this setting, short period of starvation can precipitate ketoacidosis. This sequence of events is recognized as “accelerated starvation.” Metabolic acidosis during pregnancy may have adverse impact on fetal neural development including impaired intelligence and fetal demise. Short periods of starvation during pregnancy may present as severe anion gap metabolic acidosis (AGMA). We present a 41-year-old female in her 32nd week of pregnancy, admitted with severe AGMA with pH 7.16, anion gap 31, and bicarbonate of 5 mg/dL with normal lactate levels. She was intubated and accepted to medical intensive care unit. Urine and serum acetone were positive. Evaluation for all causes of AGMA was negative. The diagnosis of starvation ketoacidosis was established in absence of other causes of AGMA. Intravenous fluids, dextrose, thiamine, and folic acid were administered with resolution of acidosis, early extubation, and subsequent normal delivery of a healthy baby at full term. Rapid reversal of acidosis and favorable outcome are achieved with early administration of dextrose containing fluids.

Unsuspected pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report

IntroductionDiffuse lung infiltrates are a common finding in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and causes range from infectious processes to malignancies or interstitial lung diseases. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare pulmonary disorder rarely reported in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is associated with conditions involving functional impairment or reduced numbers of alveolar macrophages. It can be caused by hematologic malignancies, inhalation of toxic dust, fumes or gases, infectious or pharmacologic immunosuppression, or lysinuric protein intolerance.Case presentationA 42-year-old African American man infected with human immunodeficiency virus was admitted with chronic respiratory symptoms and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces, for which he required bilateral chest tubes. Initial laboratory investigations did not reveal any contributory conditions. Histological examination of a lung biopsy taken during video-assisted thoracoscopy showed pulmonary alveolar proteinosis concurrent with cytomegalovirus pneumonitis. After ganciclovir treatment, our patient showed radiologic and clinical improvement.ConclusionThe differential diagnosis for patients with immunosuppression and lung infiltrates requires extensive investigations. As pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is rare, the diagnosis can be easily missed. Our case highlights the importance of invasive investigations and histology in the management of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and pulmonary disease who do not respond to empiric therapy.

Recurrent Febrile Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia in a Chronic Cocaine User: A Case of Levamisole Induced Complications

Cocaine is used by approximately 1.5 million Americans each month and up to 69% of the cocaine seized contains levamisole. The real incidence of cocaine-levamisole induced neutropenia is unclear but probably underestimated. Associated complications include fever, thrombocytopenia, skin-vasculitis disorders, and rarely kidney injury. We present a young male, with chronic active cocaine use presenting with recurrent episodes of febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. He underwent extensive work-up and was treated with many antibiotics and we suspect that his neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were caused by recurrent cocaine-levamisole use.

Ciprofloxacin-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Case of Successful Treatment and Review of the Literature

A 49-year-old African American woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and confusion. She was receiving ciprofloxacin for a urinary-tract infection prior to admission. Laboratory examination revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and serum creatinine. Peripheral smear showed numerous schistocytes, and the patient was diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Ciprofloxacin was identified as the offending agent. The patient received treatment with steroids and plasmapheresis, which led to rapid clinical recovery. This is the first case to our knowledge of successfully treated ciprofloxacin-induced TTP; previously reported cases had fulminant outcomes. Quinolones are an important part of the antibiotic armamentarium, and this case can raise awareness of the association between quinolones and TTP. A high index of suspicion for detection and early and aggressive management are vitally important for a successful outcome.

Role of Flexible-Bronchoscopy in Pulmonary and Critical Care Practice

The introduction of the flexible bronchoscope by Dr. Ikeda in 1968 revolutionized bronchoscopy around the world. Initially, bronchoscopy was performed by surgical specialists with a rigid scope only in highly specialized centers, and the main indication was for therapeutic purposes. In the 1970s, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) was learned by pulmonologists and surgical specialists and proved itself as a safe and useful technique for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The results have been a rapid proliferation of FFB inside and outside of the academic institutions.

Significance of NT-pro-BNP in acute exacerbation of COPD patients without underlying left ventricular dysfunction

Background B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal fragment of pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) are established biomarkers of heart failure. Increased levels of natriuretic peptide (NP) have been associated with poor outcomes in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD); however, most studies did not address the conditions that can also increase NT-pro-BNP levels. We aimed to determine if NT-pro-BNP levels correlate with outcomes of AECOPD in patients without heart failure and other conditions that can affect NT-pro-BNP levels. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in patients hospitalized for AECOPD with available NT-pro-BNP levels and normal left ventricular ejection fraction. We compared patients with normal and elevated NT-pro-BNP levels and analyzed the clinical and outcome data. Results A total of 167 of 1,420 (11.7%) patients met the study criteria. A total of 77% of male patients and 53% of female patients had elevated NT-pro-BNP levels (P=0.0031). NT-pro-BNP levels were not associated with COPD severity and comorbid illnesses. Log-transformed NT-pro-BNP levels were positively associated with echocardiographically estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (r=0.3658; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2060–0.5067; P<0.0001). Patients with elevated NT-pro-BNP levels were more likely to require intensive care (63% vs 43%; P=0.0207) and had a longer hospital length of stay (P=0.0052). There were no differences in the need for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (P=0.1245) or mechanical ventilation (P=0.9824) or in regard to in-hospital mortality (P=0.5273). Conclusion Patients with AECOPD and elevated NT-pro-BNP levels had increased hospital length of stay and need for intensive care. Based on our study, serum NT-pro-BNP levels cannot be used as a biomarker for increased mortality or requirement for invasive or noninvasive ventilation in this group of patients.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis presenting as a hypermetabolic lung nodule.

Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis is a rare, benign entity consisting of fibrotic thickening of the pleura and subpleural parenchyma due to elastic fiber proliferation. We present an elderly, male smoker with chronic obstructive airway disease and bilateral apical pleuropulmonary fibrotic changes. The computed tomogram of the chest showed a spiculated nodule in the left upper lobe and chronic fibrotic nodular changes in the right lung. A positron emission tomographic (PET) scan with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET showed a hypermetabolic nodule in the left upper lobe and uptake by the left axillary lymph nodes. Surgical resection of the nodule for presumptive malignancy showed fibroelastosis with reactive lymph node hyperplasia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of nodular parenchymal fibroelastosis, with increased uptake as shown on a PET scan.

Spontaneous Regression of Endobronchial Carcinoid Tumor.

Spontaneous regression (SR) of cancer refers to partial or complete disappearance of a malignant tumor in the absence of treatment or in the presence of therapy, which is considered inadequate to exert a significant influence on the growth of neoplastic disease. SR is a very rare phenomenon in primary lung cancers. Follow-up of these patients is generally either by imaging or bronchoscopy. We present a patient with SR of an endobronchial carcinoid, followed by serial bronchoscopies and biopsy over a 24-month period.

Role of Adult Asthma Education in Improving Asthma Control and Reducing Emergency Room Utilization and Hospital Admissions in an Inner City Hospital

Objective. Asthma education programs have been shown to decrease healthcare utilization and improve disease control and management. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of an outpatient adult asthma education program in an inner city hospital caring for patients with low socioeconomic and educational status. Methods. An asthma education program was implemented in September 2014. Patients who received education from September 2014 to July 2015 were evaluated. Outcomes were compared for the same group of patients before and after education. Primary outcomes were emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions. Secondary outcomes were change in Asthma Control Test (ACT) score and number of pulmonary clinic visits. Results. Asthma education significantly decreased number of patients requiring ER visits and hospital admissions (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0015, resp.). Asthma control as per ACT score ≥ 20 improved with education (p = 0.0001) with an increase in clinic visits (p = 0.0185). Conclusions. Our study suggests that implementation of a structured asthma education program in an inner city community hospital has a positive impact on reduction of ER visits and hospital admissions with improvement in asthma control. Institutional Review Board Clinical Study registration number is 01081507.

Clinical Brain Death with False Positive Radionuclide Cerebral Perfusion Scans

Practice guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology for the determination of brain death in adults define brain death as “the irreversible loss of function of the brain, including the brainstem.” Neurological determination of brain death is primarily based on clinical examination; if clinical criteria are met, a definitive confirmatory test is indicated. The apnea test remains the gold standard for confirmation. In patients with factors that confound the clinical determination or when apnea tests cannot safely be performed, an ancillary test is required to confirm brain death. Confirmatory ancillary tests for brain death include (a) tests of electrical activity (electroencephalography (EEG) and somatosensory evoked potentials) and (b) radiologic examinations of blood flow (contrast angiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD), and radionuclide methods). Of these, however, radionuclide studies are used most commonly. Here we present data from two patients with a false positive Radionuclide Cerebral Perfusion Scan (RCPS).