Hypoalbuminaemic hyponatraemia: a new syndrome?

Six patients with severe hyponatraemia had neurological features of hyponatraemia and pronounced hypoalbuminaemia. All had biochemical features typical of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone with low serum osmolality and an inappropriately high urinary osmolality. All were given infusions of whole plasma or albumin solution, or both, to restore their plasma albumin concentrations to normal, which led to a dramatic increase in plasma sodium concentrations and serum osmolality, with a concomitant fall in urinary osmolality in all patients. Neurological features were reversed in four patients. It is suggested that severe hypoalbuminaemia is an important cause of appreciable hyponatraemia; infusions of plasma and albumin in such patients may reverse the biochemical and clinical features and should form the basis of management.     

Hyponatraemia and death or permanent brain damage in healthy children.

OBJECTIVE--To determine if hyponatraemia causes permanent brain damage in healthy children and, if so, if the disorder is primarily limited to females, as occurs in adults. DESIGN--Prospective clinical case study of 16 affected children and a review of 24,412 consecutive surgical admissions at one medical centre. PATIENTS--16 children (nine male, seven female; age 7 (SD 5) years) with generally minor illness were electively hospitalised for primary care. Consultation was obtained for the combination of respiratory arrest with symptomatic hyponatraemia (serum sodium concentration less than or equal to 128 mmol/l). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Presence, gender distribution, and classification of permanent brain damage in children with symptomatic hyponatraemia in both prospective and retrospective studies. RESULTS--By retrospective evaluation the incidence of postoperative hyponatraemia among 24,412 patients was 0.34% (83 cases) and mortality of those afflicted was 8.4% (seven deaths). In the prospective population the serum sodium concentration on admission was 138 (SD 2) mmol/l. From three to 120 inpatient hours after hypotonic fluid administration patients developed progressive lethargy, headache, nausea, and emesis with an explosive onset of respiratory arrest. At the time serum sodium concentration was 115 (7) mmol/l and arterial oxygen tension 6 (1.5) kPa. The hyponatraemia was primarily caused by extrarenal loss of electrolytes with replacement by hypotonic fluids. All 16 patients had cerebral oedema detected at either radiological or postmortem examination. All 15 patients not treated for their hyponatraemia in a timely manner either died or were permanently incapacitated by brain damage. The only patient treated in a timely manner was alive but mentally retarded. CONCLUSIONS--Symptomatic hyponatraemia can result in high morbidity in children of both genders, which is due in large part to inadequate brain adaptation and lack of timely treatment.     

Coma Associated with Vincristine Therapy

Three cases of coma after vincristine therapy are described. One patient had hyponatraemia and other features of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The effects were temporary, and full recovery occurred in all three patients.     

Insulin,Glucose, and Potassium in the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

A daily infusion of 500-1,000 ml of 50% glucose containing 100-120 units of soluble insulin and 100-120 mEq of potassium chloride per litre was given to six patients suffering from hyponatraemia and congestive cardiac failure resistant to digoxin and diuretic therapy. In two patients there was no response, but four showed a striking improvement with a sodium and water diuresis, a rise in plasma sodium level, and in two cases a reversion from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. It is suggested that insulin, glucose, and potassium given by the intravenous route in adequate dosage forms a useful adjunct to the management of severe congestive heart failure.     

Role of vagal neuropathy in the hyponatraemia of alcoholic cirrhosis.

The hyponatraemia common in decompensated cirrhosis arises in part from secretion of antidiuretic hormone attributed to a decrease in effective blood volume. Baroreceptors send inhibitory impulses to the midbrain and hypothalamus through the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. Since vagal neuropathy often occurs in chronic alcoholism, this might theoretically contribute to the inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, which might in turn induce hyponatraemia. In a prospective study including 34 patients with cirrhosis a high incidence of vagal neuropathy was found in the alcoholics (64%) and a clear cut increase in the incidence of hyponatraemia in patients with evidence of vagal damage and ascites (seven of eight patients (88%); p = 0.02). Results of a retrospective study of 64 patients with cirrhosis and ascitic decompensation showed hyponatraemia in 17 (50%) of 34 alcoholics but in only four (13%) of 30 patients with non-alcoholic disease (p = 0.006). Vagal neuropathy in alcoholic cirrhosis may contribute to the low serum sodium concentrations commonly found in these patients.     

Investigation and management of moderate to severe inpatient hyponatraemia in an Australian tertiary hospital

Background

Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte disturbance amongst hospitalised patients. Both American and European guidelines recommend fluid restriction as first line treatment for SIADH, however differ on second line recommendations. The objective of this study was to examine investigation and management of hyponatraemia in hospitalised patients in an Australian tertiary hospital.

Methods

A retrospective audit was conducted of electronic medical records and laboratory data of inpatients with serum sodium (Na) ≤125?mmol/L, admitted over a 3?month period to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. The main outcomes measured included: demographic characteristics, investigations, accuracy of diagnosis, management strategy, change in Na and patient outcomes.

Results

The working clinical diagnosis was considered accurate in only 37.5% of cases. Urine Na and osmolality were requested in 72 of 152 patients (47.4%) and in 43 of 70 euvolaemic patients (61.4%). Thyroid function tests (67.1%) and morning cortisol (45.7%) were underutilized in the euvolaemic group. In the SIADH cohort, fluid restriction resulted in a median (IQR) 7.5?mmol/L (4–10.5) increase in Na after 3?days; no treatment resulted in a median 0?mmol/L (??0.5–1.5) change. Oral urea was utilized in 5 SIADH patients where Na failed to increase with fluid restriction alone. This resulted in a median 10.5?mmol/L (3.5–13) increase in Na from baseline to day 3. There were no cases of osmotic demyelination. The median length of stay was 8?days (4–18.5). Mortality was 11.2% (17 patients). There was a weak but significant correlation between nadir serum Na and mortality (R?=?0.18, P?=?0.031).

Conclusion

Inpatient hyponatraemia is often inadequately investigated, causing errors in diagnosis. Treatment is heterogeneous and often incorrect. In cases with hyponatraemia refractory to fluid restriction, oral urea presents an effective alternative treatment.

     

Acute Renal Failure and Open Heart Surgery

A retrospective study of 428 open heart operations showed the incidence of mild and severe renal failure to be 26% and 4·7% respectively. The mortality rate was 38% in the mild cases and 70% in the severe cases. Only half of the patients whose death was associated with renal failure showed macroscopic or microscopic renal lesions at necropsy. The patients who developed renal impairment had significantly higher mean preoperative blood urea (40 mg/100 ml) than the non-renal-failure cases (33 mg/100 ml). Periods of perfusion over 60 minutes, mean perfusion pressures below 80 mm Hg, and multiple valve replacement operations also increased the incidence of renal failure. There was no statistical correlation between the age of individual patients, the degree of cooling, and postoperative blood urea values. There was no evidence to suggest that frusemide or mannitol separately or together influenced the development of renal failure. Peritoneal dialysis was preferred for initial treatment of patients with severe renal failure, and haemodialysis was required only in special cases.     

Duke Treadmill Score in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography: retrospective study of a Croatian regional hospital

Aim of the study was to determine the potential of Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional country clinical setting. We analyzed 114patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease who underwent exercise treadmill testing, and coronary angiography in Slavonski Brod General Hospital. DTS was calculated from treadmill test as: exercise time--(5 x ST deviation in mm)--(4 x exercise angina). Regarding the score, patients were grouped into three groups of risk for coronary artery disease: low risk, medium risk, and high risk patients. All patients underwent coronary angiography, and were grouped in accordance to the severity of the coronary artery disease into three groups: insignificant, significant, or severe coronary artery disease. All patients scored as high risk DTS had significant or severe coronary artery disease. Medium and low risk DTS patients had insignificant coronary artery disease in 50%, and 90% of cases, respectively. Medium risk patients with significant or severe coronary artery disease were significantly older, and had more frequent history of typical chest pain with higher number of episodes per week (P<0.05), whereas there were no differences regarding gender or presence of risk factors. There were no significant differences among medium risk patients regarding the severity of coronary artery disease in exercise time or ST deviation. However, the presence of limiting exercise angina in medium risk patients was significantly more related with significant and severe coronary artery disease (P<0.05). High risk DTS result showed great potential in stratifying patients for immediate coronary angiography. This scoring system may be used in prioritizing patients for coronary angiography in a transitional clinical setting.     

胎盘早剥86 例的临床表征与病因分析

目的:分析胎盘早剥漏诊、误诊原因,提高早期确诊率,降低母儿并发症。方法:回顾性分析我院10年内胎盘早剥患者的临床资料,分析比较胎盘早剥漏诊与误诊原因。结果:过去十年内我院共检测出胎盘早剥86例,发生率为0.46%,该类孕妇临床表现主要为腰腹胀或腹痛、阴道流血、血性羊水。其中,急诊入院患者占(61.6%),有明确诱因39例,占45.3%,且以妊娠期高血压疾病、胎膜早破、外伤性因素为主。B超检出率62.8%。轻型胎盘早剥45例(52.3%),重型胎盘早剥41例(47.7%),出现症状到就诊及处理时间重型胎盘早剥均长于轻型胎盘组P<0.01。剖宫产分娩60例(69.8%),阴道分娩26例(30.2%)。结论:临床发病到临床处理时间是影响胎盘早剥轻重程度的重要因素;胎盘早剥临床表现易与早产、先兆临产或胎儿窘迫等混淆;后壁胎盘发生胎盘早剥时,超声容易漏诊。     

重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者的救治和预后研究

目的:探讨重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者的临床救治要点和预后。方法:对2006年1月至2015年12月陕西省森工医院收治的重型颅脑损伤及重型颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者的临床资料进行回顾性研究,并随访观察其预后情况。结果:我院10年间收治单纯重症颅脑损伤患者137例及重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者86例,单纯重症颅脑损伤患者死亡率为9.5(13/137),主要死亡原因为:脑内出血(36/26.3%)、脑挫裂伤(31/22.6%)、呼吸衰竭(27/19.7%)等;重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者死亡率为17.4(15/86),主要死亡原因为:呼吸衰竭(18/20.9%)、脑挫裂伤(18/20.9%)、脑内出血(15/17.4%)等。单纯重症颅脑损伤患者手术时间为187.6±11.3分钟、术后住院时间为10.9±1.8天、肢体运动障碍12例(8.8%)、植物生存2例(1.5%);重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤患者手术时间为265.4±18.9分钟、术后住院时间为14.3±2.1天、肢体运动障碍10例(11.6%)、植物生存3例(3.5%)。其中,两组间在手术时间、术后住院时间及肢体运动障碍方面有统计学差异。结论:重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤较单纯重症颅脑损伤的致死率更高,手术时间长,术后并发症发生率更高,术后住院天数较长。对于重症颅脑损伤合并胸外伤的患者,应尽量保全肢体功能,提高患者存活率和术后生活质量。     

无精和严重少精症患者的遗传缺陷分析——-附2例世界首报染色体异常核型

对217例无精和严重少精症患者外周血淋巴细胞染色体核型进行分析,并采用聚合酶链反应对7例Y染色体结构异常患者的AZFc区进行检测。发现187例无精症患者中检出异常核型77例（41.18%）（其中46,XY,t(6;14)(p21;p13),46,XY,t(8;12)(p21;q24)为世界首报核型）,主要涉及染色体异常（数目异常和结构异常）;染色体异态（Y染色体异态和9号染色体臂间倒位）及46,XX性反转;30例严重少精症患者中检出异常核型4例（13.33%）（结构异常和46,XX性反转）。由此可见,性染色体数目和结构异常是精子发生障碍的主要原因,其次常染色体的某些断裂点也可能影响精子发生。AZFc区的缺失与否与精子发生也有直接关系。     

Comparison and Temporal Trends of Three Groups with Cryptococcosis: HIV-Infected, Solid Organ Transplant, and HIV-Negative/Non-Transplant

Background

The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) 2010 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of cryptococcosis outlined three key populations at risk of disease: (1) HIV-infected, (2) transplant recipient, and (3) HIV-negative/non-transplant. However, direct comparisons of management, severity and outcomes of these groups have not been conducted.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Annual changes in frequency of cryptococcosis diagnoses, cryptococcosis-attributable mortality and mortality were captured. Differences examined between severe and non-severe disease within the context of the three groups included: demographics, symptoms, microbiology, clinical management and treatment. An average of nearly 15 patients per year presented at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) with cryptococcosis. Out of 207 study patients, 86 (42%) were HIV-positive, 42 (20%) were transplant recipients, and 79 (38%) were HIV-negative/non-transplant. HIV-infected individuals had profound CD4 lymphocytopenia and a majority had elevated intracranial pressure. Transplant recipients commonly (38%) had renal dysfunction. Nearly one-quarter (24%) had their immunosuppressive regimens stopped or changed. The HIV-negative/non-transplant population reported longer duration of symptoms than HIV-positive or transplant recipients and 28% (22/79) had liver insufficiency or underlying hematological malignancies. HIV-positive and HIV-negative/non-transplant patients accounted for 89% of severe disease cryptococcosis-attributable deaths and 86% of all-cause mortality.

Conclusions/Significance

In this single-center study, the frequency of cryptococcosis did not change in the last two decades, although the underlying case mix shifted (fewer HIV-positive cases, stable transplant cases, more cases with neither). Cryptococcosis had a relatively uniform and informed treatment strategy, but disease-attributable mortality was still common.     

Viridans group streptococci bloodstream infections in neutropenic adult patients with hematologic malignancy: Single center experience

Viridans group streptococci bloodstream infections (VGS BSI) remain a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with severe neutropenia. The goal of our study was to evaluate clinical course and microbiological susceptibility of VGS BSI at our center. Retrospective analysis of all microbiologically documented bloodstream infections caused by VGS during the 9-year time period (from January 2006 until December 2014) was carried out. Only patients with severe neutropenia (< 500/μL) were included in the study. Clinical outcome and microbiological susceptibility pattern of isolates were recorded. Fifty-one individual patients with episode of VGS BSI were identified. The most frequent agent was Streptococcus mitis (23/51 cases, 45.1%). 88.2% (45/51) of patients were on recommended ciprofloxacin prophylaxis. 20/51 (39.2%) of patients suffered from mucositis at the time of diagnosis (10 patients had oral mucositis, 2 patients had bowel mucositis, and 8 patients both). Twenty-six patients (51.0%) had clinically relevant lung damage caused by VGS BSI (i.e., acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome). Twenty-four (47.0%) patients presented with bilateral lung infiltrated upon chest imaging, and two (4.0%) patients had unilateral lung infiltrates. Three patients (5.9%) died due to VGS BSI until day 28 of observation. No difference in signs of shock syndrome was observed in the patients during transplantation procedures compared to patients without transplantation as well as in a group received previous high-dose chemotherapy with cytosinarabinoside or in patients with mucositis. Only 3/51 of isolates (5.9%) were resistant to penicillin. All isolates were susceptible to empirical treatment. While the penicillin resistance of VGS remains low in middle Europe, initial antibiotic therapy of febrile neutropenia are still effective in most cases. The mortality and complication rates of VGS BSI were comparable to other studies, and no specific risk factor of shock presence could be identified.     

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of COVID-19 patients with stroke in China: A multicenter retrospective study

ObjectivePrevious studies mainly reported the clinical characteristics of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infections, but the research on clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients with stroke is still rare.MethodsA multi-center retrospective study was conducted at 11 hospitals in 4 provinces of China, and COVID-19 patients with stroke were enrolled from February 24 to May 4, 2020. We analyzed epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of cases as well as the laboratory test results, treatment regimens and outcomes, and the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes were compared between severe and nonsevere patients, and by age group, respectively.ResultsA total of 27 patients [mean age: 66.41 (SD 12.1) years] were enrolled. Among them, 9 (33.3%) were severe patients and 18 (66.7%) were nonsevere patients; 17 (63.0%) were female; 19 (70.4%) were aged 60 years and above. The most common symptoms were fever [19 (70.4%)], fatigue [12 (44.4%)] and cough [11 (40.7%)], respectively. Abnormal laboratory findings of COVID-19 patients with stroke included high levels of C-reactive protein [19 (73.1%)], D-dimer [14 (58.3%)], blood glucose [14 (53.8%)], fibrinogen [13 (50.0%)], and decreased lymphocytes [12 (44.4%)]. Comparing to nonsevere cases with stroke, severe patients with stroke were likely to be older, susceptible to receiving oxygen inhalation, and had more complications (p < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in lymphocytes, neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, creatine kinase between the severe cases and nonsevere cases (p < 0.05). The older patients had a decreased platelet count and elevated fibrinogen, compared with the younger (p < 0.05). All patients (100%) received antiviral treatment, 12 (44.4%) received antibiotics treatment, 26 (96.3%) received Traditional Chinese Medicine (Lung cleansing & detoxifying decoction), and oxygen inhalation was in 18 (66.7%). The median duration of hospitalization was 16 days. By May 4, 2020, a total of 26 (96.3%) patients were cured and discharged, and 1 (3.7%) patients died.ConclusionCOVID-19 patients with stroke had poor indicators of coagulation system, and severe and older patients might have a higher risk of complications and unfavorable coagulation system. However, the overall treatment outcome is favorable.     

Acute Kidney Injury in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock in Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus: A Multicenter Study

IntroductionWhether diabetes mellitus increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) during sepsis is controversial.ResultsFirst, we compared 451 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and diabetes to 3,277 controls with severe sepsis or septic shock and without diabetes. Then, we compared 318 cases (with diabetes) to 746 matched controls (without diabetes). Diabetic patients did not have a higher frequency of AKI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; P = 0.05]) or RRT (HR, 1.09; P = 0.6). However, at discharge, diabetic patients with severe sepsis or septic shock who experienced acute kidney injury during the ICU stay and were discharged alive more often required RRT (9.5% vs. 4.8%; P = 0.02), had higher serum creatinine values (134 vs. 103 µmoL/L; P<0.001) and had less often recovered a creatinine level less than 1.25 fold the basal creatinine (41.1% vs. 60.5%; P<0.001).ConclusionsIn patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, diabetes is not associated with occurrence of AKI or need for RRT but is an independent risk factor for persistent renal dysfunction in patients who experience AKI during their ICU stay.     

On the clinical significance of acquired antithrombin deficiency

The concentration of antithrombin III (AT) was determined with a chromogenic method in plasma samples from 1,302 patients referred for evaluation of the haemostatic system. A clearly subnormal AT level (below 60%) was found in 129 patients. In ten cases, this was explained by known (8 cases) or suspected (2 newborns) hereditary deficiency. Only in 5% of the 600 cases referred with definite or suspected thrombosis, AT was below 60%. These cases had a lethality of about 20%. In about 30% of the cases with liver disease, AT was below 60%. In a group of 72 patients with either severe infection, cardiac insufficiency, malignancy or suspected DIC for other reasons, AT was below 60%. Also in this group lethality was about 50% despite lack of a clear DIC blood profile in 67 of the 72 patients. The results indicate that an AT value below 60% of normal, unexplained by hereditary deficiency, carries a grave prognosis.     

Volunteer and clinical studies with carfecillin: a new orally administered ester of carbenicillin.

Blood and urine levels of carbenicillin were measured in 10 healthy volunteers and four patients with renal failure after single and multiple oral dose of carfecillin. Urinary levels after 1000-mg doses in healthy subjects were considered sufficient for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa urinary infections, but the serum levels were too low for chemotherapy of systemic infections with this organism even in severe renal failure. Urinary infections were treated in 35 inpatients with a seven-day course of carfecillin. The infection was eradicated in 21 cases (60%). In 12 cases the pathogen was Ps. aeruginosa, which was eradicated from eight patients (67%). Many patients had severe urinary tract disease. Side effects were virtually absent.     

Hospital Mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction

All 757 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to the three public hospitals in Auckland during one year were studied. About 7% died from cardiac arrhythmia four days or more after the onset of infarction. These patients had severe infarcts with circulatory failure on or shortly after admission to hospital. Late death from arrhythmia in patients recovering from circulatory failure may in many cases be preventable with anti-arrhythmic drugs.     

阿片类药物滴定法治疗癌痛的疗效及不良反应分析

目的:探讨阿片类药物滴定法治疗癌痛的疗效及不良反应分析,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:采用回顾性分析选择2012年1月~2015年12月我院收治的肿瘤患者共110例,采用数字评定量表(NRS)和面部表情疼痛分级量表(FRS)进行疼痛评价,采用滴定法从小剂量开始给药,并记录患者的疼痛状况和不良反应发生状况。结果:患者总用药时间为28~170 d,平均用药时间(45.7±19.4)d,中位时间为48d。阿片类药物使用剂量(换算成吗啡剂量计算)40~500 mg,中位剂量74 mg。110例患者中有101例(91.82%)达到中度以上缓解。发生不良反应63(57.27%)例,消化道副反应为最常见的不良反应,主要有便秘48例(43.64%)例和恶心呕吐25例(22.73%)、其次依次为嗜睡15例(13.64%)、头晕9例(8.18%)、排尿困难5例(4.55%)、皮肤瘙痒3例(2.73%)和呼吸抑制2例(1.82%)。结论:阿片类药物能够有效缓解癌症患者的中重度癌痛,其主要不良反应是便秘和恶心呕吐。应合理、安全的使用阿片类药物,从小剂量开始,规范剂量滴定。     

Clinical characteristics of 24 asymptomatic infections with COVID-19 screened among close contacts in Nanjing,China

Previous studies have showed clinical characteristics of patients with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19) and the evidence of person-to-person transmission. Limited data are available for asymptomatic infections. This study aims to present the clinical characteristics of 24 cases with asymptomatic infection screened from close contacts and to show the transmission potential of asymptomatic COVID-19 virus carriers. Epidemiological investigations were conducted among all close contacts of COVID-19 patients(or suspected patients) in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China, from Jan 28 to Feb 9, 2020, both in clinic and in community. Asymptomatic carriers were laboratory-confirmed positive for the COVID-19 virus by testing the nucleic acid of the pharyngeal swab samples. Their clinical records, laboratory assessments, and chest CT scans were reviewed. As a result, none of the 24 asymptomatic cases presented any obvious symptoms while nucleic acid screening. Five cases(20.8%) developed symptoms(fever, cough, fatigue, etc.) during hospitalization. Twelve(50.0%) cases showed typical CT images of ground-glass chest and 5(20.8%) presented stripe shadowing in the lungs. The remaining 7(29.2%) cases showed normal CT image and had no symptoms during hospitalization. These 7 cases were younger(median age: 14.0 years;P=0.012) than the rest. None of the 24 cases developed severe COVID-19 pneumonia or died. The median communicable period, defined as the interval from the first day of positive nucleic acid tests to the first day of continuous negative tests, was 9.5 days(up to 21 days among the 24 asymptomatic cases). Through epidemiological investigation, we observed a typical asymptomatic transmission to the cohabiting family members, which even caused severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Overall, the asymptomatic carriers identified from close contacts were prone to be mildly ill during hospitalization. However, the communicable period could be up to three weeks and the communicated patients could develop severe illness. These results highlighted the importance of close contact tracing and longitudinally surveillance via virus nucleic acid tests. Further isolation recommendation and continuous nucleic acid tests may also be recommended to the patients discharged.