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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical characteristics of patients admitted to the hospital with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Southern United States and development as well as validation of a mortality risk prediction model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Southern Louisiana was an early hotspot during the pandemic, which provided a large collection of clinical data on inpatients with COVID-19. We designed a risk stratification model to assess the mortality risk for patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. Data from 1673 consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and hospitalized between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020, was used to create an 11-factor mortality risk model based on baseline comorbidity, organ injury, and laboratory results. The risk model was validated using a subsequent cohort of 2067 consecutive hospitalized patients admitted between June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. RESULTS: The resultant model has an area under the curve of 0.783 (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.81), with an optimal sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of 0.69 for predicting mortality. Validation of this model in a subsequent cohort of 2067 consecutively hospitalized patients yielded comparable prognostic performance. CONCLUSION: We have developed an easy-to-use, robust model for systematically evaluating patients presenting to acute care settings with COVID-19 infection.

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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the present comprehensive review, we describe the pathophysiology, indications, and evidence for both renal artery stenting and renal artery denervation. We also discuss the procedural techniques, risks, benefits, and future directions of renal intervention in the management of hypertension (HTN). RECENT FINDINGS: Hemodynamic confirmation of lesion severity in severe renal artery stenosis is a resting or hyperemic translesional systolic gradient >20, resting or hyperemic mean translesional gradient >10 and/or renal fractional flow reserve <0.8 are considered severe. Knowing that correct stent size was used is the best predictor of restenosis, intravascular ultrasound is effective and well tolerated for stent sizing. The main categories of renal denervation: radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound, chemical ablation, and brachytherapy have shown impressive outcomes in treating resistant HTN. SUMMARY: Over the past decade, several studies have shown the safety and benefit of catheter-based renal interventions in managing HTN. Renal artery stenting and renal artery denervation are the leading alternative invasive treatment employed in managing HTN.

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There is an increasing need for alternative access in patients with prohibitive surgical risk who have unsuitable anatomy for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Data on differences in periprocedural outcomes via alternative access sites are scarce. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent Transaxillary (TAX) or Transapical (TAP) TAVR at our center from 2012 to 2019. All data was summarized and displayed as mean ± SD for continuous variables and number of patients in each group. A propensity score was created for each patient in the dataset to determine the probability of axillary vs apical access. We adjusted for propensity score using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 102 patients underwent TAVR via alternative access: 28 patients (27%) via TAX and 74 patients (73%) via transapical (TAP) access. The average time to extubation in the TAX group was 5.3 ± 3.5 hours vs 9.1 ± 8.8 hours in the TAP patients (P = 0.03). None of the TAX patients required reintubation compared to 23% of TAP TAVR (P = 0.003). The average hospital length of stay for TAX was 2.4 ± 2.0 days compared to 6.9 ± 3.3 days (P < 0.0001) for TAP. TAX TAVR patients had significantly lower re-intubation rates, shorter time to extubation and in-hospital length of stay, but higher pacemaker implantation rates. TAX TAVR had improved periprocedural outcomes compared to TAP TAVR and remains the preferred TAVR alternative access.

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Recent trials have shown impressive results in low-risk patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with low procedural complication rates, short hospital length of stay, zero mortality, and zero disabling stroke at 30 days and have led to a Food and Drug Administration indication for TAVR in these patients. The long-term data on subclinical leaflet thrombosis, valve durability, effects of pacemaker implantation, right ventricular pacing, and progressive paravalvular leak is unclear. We describe clinical and procedural considerations for patient selection and introduce future potential procedural challenges. Finally, we discuss the importance of considering life expectancy and durability prior to TAVR in this low risk relatively young cohort and emphasize the importance of a heart team approach.

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Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a common cause of secondary hypertension (HTN) and may lead to resistant (refractory) HTN despite guideline directed medical therapy. Although randomized controlled trials comparing medical therapy to medical therapy and renal artery stenting have shown no benefit with renal artery stenting, according to comparative effectiveness reviews by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the trials did not enroll patients with the most severe RAS who would be more likely to benefit from renal stenting. Because of limitations of conventional angiography, it is important to assess the hemodynamic severity of moderate (50%-70%) RAS lesions with a hemodynamic measurement. We review techniques to optimize patient selection, to minimize procedural complications, and to facilitate durable patency of renal stenting. We also review the current ACC/AHA Guidelines and SCAI Appropriate Use Criteria as they relate to renal stenting.

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Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is the leading cause of secondary hypertension and may lead to resistant (refractory) hypertension, progressive decline in renal function, and cardiac destabilization syndromes (pulmonary edema, recurrent heart failure, or acute coronary syndromes) despite guideline-directed medical therapy. Although randomized controlled trials comparing medical therapy with medical therapy and renal artery stenting have failed to show a benefit for renal artery stenting, according to comparative effectiveness reviews by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the trials may not have enrolled patients with the most severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, who would be more likely to benefit from renal stenting. Because of limitations of conventional angiography, it is critical that the hemodynamic severity of moderately severe (50% to 70%) atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis lesions be confirmed on hemodynamic measurement. The authors review techniques to optimize patient selection, to minimize procedural complications, and to facilitate durable patency of renal stenting. The authors also review the current American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions appropriate use criteria as they relate to renal stenting.

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Resumen Introducción. Dada la alta prevalencia de la infección del tracto urinario (ITU) y la significativa resistencia de los patógenos implicados, el mundo se enfrenta a un problema creciente de salud pública. Objetivos. Describir la prevalencia de ITU y uropatógenos y analizar los perfiles de susceptibilidad en los reportes de urocultivos del laboratorio de microbiología de un hospital de referencia. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con una muestra de 396 urocultivos positivos en el que se calculó la prevalencia de ITU, uropatógenos y perfil de resistencia microbiana. Se realizaron pruebas de hipótesis y regresión logística no condicional para conocer si existía diferencia estadística entre el género. Resultados. La prevalencia de ITU fue del 28%, los tres patógenos aislados más frecuentes fueron Escherichia coli, Escherichia. coli con β-lactamasas de espectro extendido y Pseudomonas. aeruginosa. La mayor frecuencia de resistencia a antibióticos para estos patógenos fue ampicilina (66.6%), ceftriaxona (100%) y gentamicina (39.5%), respectivamente. Conclusiones. Por la alta prevalencia, el amplio espectro de uropatógenos aislados y la diversidad de perfiles de resistencia antibiótica, se evidencia la necesidad de desarrollar investigaciones locales que permitan orientar las acciones en salud y vigilancia epidemiológica.

Abstract Introduction: Given the high prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and the significant resistance of the pathogens involved, the world faces a growing public health issue. More studies are needed to analyze microbial susceptibility profiles. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of UTIs and uropathogens and to analyze the susceptibility profiles of urine samples of the microbiology laboratory of a reference hospital. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 396 positive urine cultures, in which the prevalence of UTIs, uropathogens and microbial resistance profile was estimated. Hypothesis tests and non-conditional logistic regression tests were performed to know if there was a statistical difference between genders. Results: The prevalence of UTIs was 28%. The three most frequent isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli with extended-spectrum β-lactamases and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The highest frequency of antibiotics resistance for these pathogens was ampicillin (66.6%), ceftriaxone (100%) and gentamicin (39.5%), respectively. Conclusions: Their high prevalence, the broad spectrum of isolated uropathogens and the diversity of antibiotic resistance profiles make evident the need to develop local research to guide health actions and epidemiological surveillance.

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RESUMEN Las fístulas carótido-cavernosas son comunicaciones anormales entre la arteria carótida interna o externa; o alguna de sus ramas (sistema arterial) y el seno cavernoso (sistema venoso); el espectro de presentación de esta entidad es muy variable, sin embargo existe un gran número de pacientes en los cuales los síntomas neurológicos conllevan a sospecha clínica. Los síntomas pueden variar desde cefalea de intensidad variable, síntomas de origen auditivo, tinitus, hipoacusia y vértigo hasta manifestaciones que son clínicamente evidenciables y signos derivados de congestión orbitaria como proptosis, quemosis, soplos orbitarios y pérdida de la visión, causas que motivan un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno. Se realiza reporte de un caso de un paciente de 60 años de edad que acude al servicio hospitalario de la Fundación Centro Colombiano y Enfermedades Neurológicas FIRE, con cefalea de 2 meses de evolución, consulta por diplopía binocular, dolor ocular bilateral, inyección conjuntival, secreción purulenta, epifora bilateral, vértigo con miositis orbitaria aguda, fístula carótido-cavernosa en ojo derecho y parálisis del sexto par craneal izquierdo. La panangiografía cerebral reporta fístula carótida-cavernosa indirecta tipo B de Barrow por aferencias del tronco meningohipofisiario derecho e izquierdo por lo que es llevado a terapia endovascular con obliteración exitosa de la fístula.

SUMMARY Carotid-cavernous fistulas are abnormal communications between the internal or external carotid artery or one of its branches (arterial system) and the cavernous sinus (venous system). The spectrum of presentation of this entity is very variable. However, patients may consult for headache and symptoms derived from orbital congestion such as proptosis, chemosis, orbital murmurs and loss of vision. They require timely diagnosis and treatment. We present the case of a 60 year old patient with a history of acute orbital myositis, carotid-cavernous fistula in the right eye, paralysis of the sixth left cranial nerve and a 2 month old headache who consults for binocular diplopia, bilateral ocular pain, conjunctival injection, purulent secretion outflow, bilateral epiphora, sensation of hallucination of movement with gait and photophobia. Cerebral panangiography reports remnant of Barrow's b-type indirect carotid-cavernous fistula by right and left meningohypophysis trunks. The pacient taken to endovascular therapy with successful fistula obliteration.

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Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is the leading cause of secondary hypertension; it can also cause progressive renal insufficiency and cardiovascular complications such as refractory heart failure and flash pulmonary edema. Medical therapy including risk factor modification, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists, lipid lowering agents, and antiplatelet therapy is the first line of treatment in all patients. Patients with uncontrolled renovascular hypertension despite optimal medical therapy, ischemic nephropathy, and cardiac destabilization syndromes who have severe renal artery stenosis are likely to benefit from renal artery revascularization. Screening for renal artery stenosis can be done with Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. Invasive physiologic measurements are useful to confirm the severity of renal hypoperfusion and therefore improve the selection patients likely to respond to renal artery revascularization. Primary patency exceeds 80% at 5 years and surveillance for in-stent restenosis can be done with periodic clinical, laboratory, and imaging follow-up.

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Resumen La miocardiopatía restrictiva es una presentación infrecuente de la amiloidosis y la forma más rara de las miocardiopatías. Hay depósito del amiloide en las paredes del corazón que limita su llenado y contribuye a largo plazo, a la insuficiencia cardiaca. Se presenta un caso, análisis de la fisiopatología, los métodos diagnósticos y su tratamiento.

Abstract Restrictive cardiomyopathy is an uncommon presentation of amyloidosis and the rarest form of cadiomyopathies. There is amyloid deposition on the heart walls that limit its filling and is a long-term contributing factor to heart failure. A case where pathophysiology analysis, diagnostic and treatments methods are analyzed is presented.

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Resumen Los hallazgos de síndromes dismórficos asociados a cromosomopatía ligada a X y epilepsia son de presentación infrecuente. Presentamos un caso de alteración genética en un paciente masculino, con microduplicación ligada al cromosoma X MECP2 y antecedente familiar de hermano con fenotipo similar, que comparten línea sanguínea materna, de diferentes padres. El síndrome dismórfico ligado a cromosoma X MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein2), causan grave retraso mental, encefalopatía epiléptica e infecciones recurrentes del aparato respiratorio y consecuentemente pueden además tener una epilepsia resistente al manejo farmacológico.

Summary The findings of dysmorphic syndromes associated with X-linked chromosomopathy and epilepsy are infrequent. It is a case of genetic alteration in a male patient, with X-linked microduplication MECP2 and familiar history of a sibling with similar phenotype, which compares the maternal blood line of different parents. X-linked dysmorphic syndrome MECP2 (methyl-CpG2 binding protein), causing severe mental retardation, epileptic encephalopathy and recurrent infections of the respiratory tract and consecutively also have epilepsy resistant to pharmacological management.

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Heart failure remains a significant burden to healthcare systems. Even of the advances in medical therapy, heart failure morbidity and mortality have not been significantly reduced. Diabetes mellitus has shown to be a significant risk factor for the development and prognosis of heart failure. Traditionally, these two chronic illnesses have been managed in relative isolation. Clinicians should be more cognizant of the bidirectional impact between heart failure and diabetes.

La insuficiencia cardíaca sigue siendo una carga significativa para los sistemas de salud. A pesar de los avances en la terapia médica, la morbilidad y mortalidad de esta enfermedad no se han reducido significativamente. La diabetes mellitus ha demostrado ser un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo y el pronóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca. Tradicionalmente estas dos enfermedades crónicas se han manejado aisladamente a pesar de su elevada coexistencia. Los clínicos deben ser más conscientes del impacto bidireccional entre la insuficiencia cardiaca y la diabetes mellitus.

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INTRODUCTION: Venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (Pv-aCO2) may reflect the adequacy of blood flow during shock states. We sought to test whether the development of Pv-aCO2 during the very early phases of resuscitation is related to multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes in a population of septic shock patients resuscitated targeting the usual oxygen-derived and hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in a 60-bed mixed ICU in a University affiliated Hospital. 85 patients with a new septic shock episode were included. A Pv-aCO2 value ≥ 6 mmHg was considered to be high. Patients were classified in four predefined groups according to the Pv-aCO2 evolution during the first 6 hours of resuscitation: (1) persistently high Pv-aCO2 (high at T0 and T6); (2) increasing Pv-aCO2 (normal at T0, high at T6); (3) decreasing Pv-aCO2 (high at T0, normal at T6); and (4) persistently normal Pv-aCO2 (normal at T0 and T6). Multiorgan dysfunction at day-3 was compared for predefined groups and a Kaplan Meier curve was constructed to show the survival probabilities at day-28 using a log-rank test to evaluate differences between groups. A Spearman-Rho was used to test the agreement between cardiac output and Pv-aCO2. Finally, we calculated the mortality risk ratios at day-28 among patients attaining normal oxygen parameters but with a concomitantly increased Pv-aCO2. RESULTS: Patients with persistently high and increasing Pv-aCO2 at T6 had significant higher SOFA scores at day-3 (p < 0.001) and higher mortality rates at day-28 (log rank test: 19.21, p < 0.001) compared with patients who evolved with normal Pv-aCO2 at T6. Interestingly, a poor agreement between cardiac output and Pv-aCO2 was observed (r2 = 0.025, p < 0.01) at different points of resuscitation. Patients who reached a central venous saturation (ScvO)2 ≥ 70% or mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) ≥ 65% but with concomitantly high Pv-aCO2 at different developmental points (i.e., T0, T6 and T12) had a significant mortality risk ratio at day-28. CONCLUSION: The persistence of high Pv-aCO2 during the early resuscitation of septic shock was associated with more severe multi-organ dysfunction and worse outcomes at day-28. Although mechanisms conducting to increase Pv-aCO2 during septic shock are insufficiently understood, Pv-aCO2 could identify a high risk of death in apparently resuscitated patients.

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In 2006, the first isolate of KPC-2-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the world was identified in Colombia. Recently, similar strains have been reported in Puerto Rico. We now report KPC-2-producing P. aeruginosa in Trinidad and Tobago. Surveillance for similar strains is warranted, considering their wide geographic spread and known association with mobile genetic elements.

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In 2006, the first isolate of KPC-2-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the world was identified in Colombia. Recently, similar strains have been reported in Puerto Rico. We now report KPC-2-producing P. aeruginosa in Trinidad and Tobago. Surveillance for similar strains is warranted, considering their wide geographic spread and known association with mobile genetic elements.

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Las infecciones por bacterias Gram negativas son muy prevalentes en pacientes hospitalizados, especialmente en las unidades de cuidados intensivos. La multirresistencia representa un reto terapéutico que deja pocas posibilidades para el tratamiento de estas infecciones. Los mecanismos que utilizan las bacterias para defenderse de los antibióticos están en constante evolución. Esta revisión describe los mecanismos de resistencia más frecuentemente utilizados por estas bacterias, haciendo énfasis en los antibióticos Beta-lactámicos.

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