Paras Karmacharya

Impact of hospital volume on outcomes of patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia: a matched cohort study

To the editor: In recent years, there has been growing evidence that hospital volume affects survival among patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures and medical treatments.[1][1],[2][2] Whether case volume affects outcomes after chemotherapy among patients with acute myeloid leukemia (

Meta-Analysis on Risk of Bleeding With Apixaban in Patients With Renal Impairment

Apixaban is a novel oral anticoagulant which is approved for the management of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. There have been concerns regarding bleeding risks with apixaban in patients with renal impairment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of bleeding with apixaban in these patients. Relevant studies were identified through electronic literature searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and clinicaltrials.gov (from inception to February 24, 2014). Phase III randomized controlled trials that compared apixaban with conventional agents (vitamin K antagonist and/or warfarin, low molecular weight heparin, aspirin, and placebo) were included. We defined mild renal impairment as creatinine clearance of 50 to 80 ml/min and moderate to severe renal impairment as creatinine clearance <50 ml/min. Study-specific risk ratios were calculated, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) statistics. In 6 trials involving 40,145 patients, the risk of bleeding with apixaban in patients with mild renal impairment was significantly less (risk ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.96, I(2) = 13%) compared with conventional anticoagulants. In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment, the risk of bleeding with was found to be similar (risk ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.49 to 2.10, I(2) = 72%). In conclusion, compared with the conventional agents, bleeding risk with apixaban in patients with mild and moderate to severe renal insufficiency is lower and similar, respectively.

Dual Versus Single Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Although dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin is a widely accepted strategy in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), this approach is not evidence based. We therefore sought to systematically review the current evidence for this practice in terms of 30-day outcome looking at stroke, MI, bleeding, and death. METHODS Relevant studies were identified through electronic literature search. Studies involving single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) and DAPT in patients undergoing TAVR were included. Study specific risk ratios were calculated and combined using random-effects model meta-analysis. RESULTS Analysis of data from 410 patients, stroke occurred in seven (3.16%) of SAPT and six (3.17%) of DAPT RR=1.03 (95% CI, 0.36-2.96, P=0.96). In analysis of 530 patients, MI occurred in three (1.07%) of SAPT and one (0.40%) of DAPT RR=1.97 (95% CI, 0.29-13.29, P=0.49), significant bleeding (major, life threatening and bleeding requiring transfusion) occurred in 20 (7.11%) of SAPT and 43 (17.27%) of DAPT RR=0.41 (95% CI, 0.25-0.69, P=0.0006). Number needed to harm for major or life threatening bleeding was 10. Death occurred in 15 (6.78%) of SAPT and 15 (7.94%) of DAPT (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.46-1.79, P=0.78). CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggests that at 30 days following TAVR there is no difference between post-procedural SAPT versus DAPT for the risk of stroke or MI and DAPT may have a higher bleeding risk. Adequately powered RCTs are warranted to clarify the optimal antiplatelet treatment strategy following TAVR.

A Gut Gone to Pot: A Case of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome due to K2, a Synthetic Cannabinoid

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) was first described in 2004. Due to its novelty, CHS is often unrecognized by clinicians leading to expensive workup of these patients with cyclical symptoms. It may take up to 9 years to diagnose CHS. CHS is characterized by cyclical nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and an unusual compulsion to take hot showers in the presence of chronic use of cannabinoids. Cannabicyclohexanol is a synthetic cannabinoid, popularly known as K2 spice. It is a popular marijuana alternative among teenagers and young adults since it is readily available as herbal incense. Unlike marijuana, many users know that K2 is not detected in conventional urine drug screens, allowing those users to conceal their intake from typical detection methods. Serum or urine gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry is diagnostic, though not widely available. Thus, it is imperative for clinicians to recognize CHS, even with negative UDS, to provide cost-effective care. We present a 38-year-old man with a 10-year history of cannabis, and 1-year history of K2 abuse admitted with 1-week history of episodes of nausea, vomiting of clear fluids, and epigastric discomfort. Symptoms are relieved only by hot showers. Extensive laboratory, radiologic, and endoscopic evaluation was unrevealing. CHS was diagnosed, based on proposed criteria by Simonetti et al.

Rituximab-induced serum sickness: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES To report a case of rituximab-induced serum sickness (RISS) and perform a systematic review and characterize RISS in autoimmune diseases and hematological malignancies. METHODS A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, ACR, and EULAR databases was performed for relevant articles of patients with RISS from inception to September 2014. Statistical analysis of demographic and clinical features was performed using Microsoft EXCEL 2007 and SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS In the 33 patients with RISS, the mean age of presentation was 39.1 ± 17.5yr with a female preponderance (n = 23, 76.67%). The majority of cases were associated with an underlying rheumatologic condition (n = 17, 51.5%), most commonly Sjögrens syndrome (n = 8, 44.4%). The classic triad of serum sickness (fever, rash, and arthralgia) was reported in 16 (48.5%) cases. Time from drug exposure to symptom onset was significantly greater with the first doses of rituximab compared to the second dose (mean time 10.00 vs. 4.05d, P = 0.002), and time to resolution was significantly greater for rheumatologic vs. hematological indications (mean time 2.50 vs. 1.00d, P = 0.035). Corticosteroids were the most commonly used treatment (n = 21), with all cases reporting a complete resolution of symptoms in 2.15 ± 1.34d. CONCLUSION It is important to recognize RISS clinically, as it may mimic exacerbation of various rheumatologic conditions. Although RISS is typically self-limited, further infusions of rituximab should be avoided, as it may provoke more severe symptoms.

Left Atrial Appendage Aneurysm: A Systematic Review of 82 Cases

Aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is rare. We sought to systematically review the published literature on left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) to address its demographic features, clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcomes.

Meta-analysis of 21- versus 22-G aspiration needle during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

Background:Two different needle gauges (21 and 22 G) are currently used for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Few studies have compared the diagnostic utility of EBUS-TB107NA using 21 versus 22 G needles. We aimed to systematically analyze all existing literature comparing the diagnostic benefit of these 2 needles. Methods:A systematic search for the identification of all relevant studies comparing 21 and 22 G needles in EBUS-TBNA was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS databases up to September 21, 2014. All the extracted data underwent meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3 and Comprehensive Meta-analysis 3.3. Study-specific odds ratios (OR) were calculated and combined using random-effects model. Between study heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results:A total of 5 studies involving 1720 patients were identified. The sample adequacy rate was 89.1% in the 21 G group and 90.0% in the 22 G group and this difference was not statistically significant [OR, 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.59; P=0.82]. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield (73.7% vs. 58.5%; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80-1.35; P=0.80) or the mean number of needle passes (mean difference −0.31; 95% CI, −1.1 to 0.47; P=0.44). There were no major complications reported in any of these studies. Conclusions:There were no differences in the diagnostic yield, sample adequacy, or the mean number of needle passes between the 21 and 22 G groups during EBUS-TBNA. Similarly, the complication rates were low and similar between the 2 groups.

Incidence trend of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of Surveillance Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]. In the USA, an estimated 18,170 new cases of esophageal cancer will be detected in the year 2014 [2]. Although prior studies have shown a decline in the incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the USA and worldwide [3–5], it is unknown if this continues to be true in recent years. We utilized Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 database to determine the trend in the incidence of esophageal SCC in the USA between 2000 and 2011. SEER is a program of the National Cancer Institute that provides cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries covering 28 % of the US population. Eligible patients were identified using SEER histology codes 8050-8089. Age-adjusted rates were plotted by time period using a logarithmic scale for the ordinate. Genderand race-specific trends were also calculated. Data analysis was done using SEER*Stat 8.1.5, and trend analysis was done using Jointpoint regression program 4.1. A total of 344,408 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were identified during the study period. The study population included 57.9 % males, 82.1 % whites, and 12.1 % African-Americans (AA). The age-adjusted incidence rate steadily decreased from 40.2/100,000 in 2000 to 34.0/100,000 in 2011 (annual percentage change [APC] -1.1, p \ 0.05). The decline in incidence was observed in both sexes and all races (Fig. 1); however, the decline was most prominent in AA males (APC -3.2, p \ 0.05) (Fig. 1a). Our study demonstrates a continual decline in the incidence of esophageal SCC between 2000 and 2011. Prior studies by Trivers et al. [5] and Cook et al. [6] have shown a steady reduction in the incidence of esophageal SCC in the USA prior to 2005. This reduction has been attributed largely to a decreased prevalence of smoking [7]. Although the decline in our study was observed in both genders and all races, it was most prominent in AA males. African-Americans, compared to whites, have higher mortality rate from esophageal cancer; hence, a decrease in the incidence of esophageal SCC in AA is encouraging [2]. This is likely the result of a rapid decline in smoking rates in this population, which highlights the importance of efforts toward risk reduction. It is estimated that between the mid-1970s to early 1990s, the drop in smoking rates among AA youths was twice as much as that among whites [8, 9]. This decline has continued in the recent years as well [10]. SEER is a de-identified database; hence, the accuracy of coding cannot be verified. We were not able to compare the prevalence of risk factors for esophageal SCC among different subgroups that may have accounted for the observed racial differences.

Efficacy of NSAIDs for the prevention of acute mountain sickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can occur in anyone going to a high altitude. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been studied for the prevention of AMS with mixed results. In this systematic review, we analyze all existing data on the use of NSAIDs to prevent AMS using the Lake Louise Scoring System (LLSS) in different randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods Electronic literature searches for relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane library up to June 2013. RCTs involving NSAIDs compared to placebo in patients undergoing ascent to a height of at least 3,800 m were included. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated and combined using fixed-effect model meta-analysis if I 2=0%. Differences between groups were calculated using the inverse variance of the standard mean differences. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistics. Results In three clinical trials involving 349 patients, AMS using LLSS occurred in 26.92% of patients on NSAIDs and 43.71% on placebo (OR 0.43; CI [confidence interval] 0.27–0.69, I 2=0%, p=0.0005), NNT=6. Minor outcome of end point Spo2 was not significant in the two groups (IV=0.74; 95% CI −0.20–1.69, I 2=81%, p=0.12). Similarly, a change in Spo2 from baseline was also not significant in the two groups (IV=0.05; 95% CI −0.28–0.37, I 2=44%, p=0.78). Conclusion NSAIDs might be a safe and effective alternative for the prevention of AMS. However, further larger population studies and studies comparing NSAIDs to acetazolamide and dexamethasone in the future may provide further data to its relative efficacy.

Before it crumbles: Fulminant Hepatic Failure secondary to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a relatively rare manifestation of Hodgkins lymphoma. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging of the liver are usually inconclusive, and liver biopsy may be required for confirmation. We present a case of an FHF in a woman 1 week after the diagnosis of Hodgkins lymphoma. Chemotherapy could not be instituted due to hepatic encephalopathy and other complications. Autopsy revealed diffuse infiltration of the liver parenchyma. This case illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and institution of chemotherapy, which may reverse the liver failure.