Critical Care Commons^™

Lazarus Syndrome After Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Kevyn Niu, Jamie Lee Aldakkour, Charles Huyghues-Despointes, Yizhi Lin

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Lazarus syndrome is defined as the spontaneous return of circulation after cessation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Though there have been multiple cases of Lazarus syndrome documented in the literature, it is a significantly underreported phenomenon with less than 100 cases reported in the literature since the first case in 1982.

Case Presentation

After elective aortic aneurysm repair, an 88-year-old with a do-not-resuscitate directive had cardiac arrest, briefly showing post-mortem respiration and pulse. Despite resuscitation efforts including pharmacological intervention and CPR, he passed away within an hour. This case highlights complexities in end-of-life care and warrants exploration of post-mortem physiological …

Death Due To Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia And Systemic Symptoms (Dress) Syndrome: A Case Report, Samantha P. Sternad, Jane Pangburn, Chad Johnston, David Rowe

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a life-threatening, multi-organ adverse drug reaction with an incidence of 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10 000 highrisk drug exposures.

Case Presentation

An elderly female presented to the hospital with progressive weakness and a diffuse erythematous macular rash covering most of her body that started 3 days prior. Over the next 3 days, the patient quickly deteriorated, developing disorientation with acute onset left-sided weakness, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, liver and kidney failure, and hypoxia. Clinical and histological changes supported the diagnosis of DRESS syndrome caused by intravenous (IV) ampicillin …

Complications Of Cardiopulmonary Bypass From An Anesthesia Perspective: A Clinical Review, Alex Roberts, Elizabeth C. Duncan, Paul Hargrave, David Redding Kingery, Josh Barnes, Derek L. Horstemeyer, Russell F. Stahl

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is frequently used for open heart surgery and other procedures that utilize temporary substitution or support of heart and lung function. While it is widely accepted as the predominant method to carry out these procedures, it is not without possible complications. CPB can be seen as the ultimate “team sport” as it includes and is dependent on contributions from multiple professionals including anesthesiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and perfusion technicians. In this clinical review paper, we examine possible complications of CPB, primarily from the perspective of the anesthesiologist, and how to troubleshoot them if they arise, which often requires …

Acute Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Rare And Life-Threatening Side Effect Of Recent Bnt-162b2 Covid-19 Vaccination, Jay Patel, Muhammad Umair Jahngir, Ahmad Abdulzahir, Ismael Rodriguez

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by uncontrolled and spontaneous clot formation throughout the body. Known secondary causes of TTP include malignancy, bone marrow transplantation, pregnancy, various medications, and HIV infection. TTP in the setting of COVID-19 vaccination is rare and not well reported. Reported cases have been confined primarily to the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines. TTP in the setting of Pfizer BNT-162b2 vaccination has only recently been reported. We present a patient with no obvious risk factors for TTP who presented with acute altered mental status and was found to have …

A Case Report: Utilization Of Topical Amphotericin In Postoperative Mucormycosis, Kenny Wang, Jomel Jacinto, Alex Davis, Andrei Hetman, Alok Kumar

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Mucormycosis is a rare devastating fungal infection with a high mortality rate often associated with diabetic and immunosuppressed individuals. However, infections found in postoperative states and in immunocompetent patients are rare. Systemic liposomal amphotericin is viewed as a first line treatment for mucormycosis in addition to aggressive debridement to prevent the spread of infection. Literature describing the treatment of mucormycosis with both systemic and topical amphotericin B is scarce. We present a case of an immunocompetent male admitted for perforated diverticulitis who received a left hemicolectomy with colostomy creation. During hospitalization, stool from the colostomy bag was reportedly leaking into …

A Rare Presentation Of Bilateral Bochdaleck Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, A Case Study, Manuel Britto, Sean Michael, Sofia I. Cartaya, Bernard Alfredo Cartaya

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Congential diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are a rare process that have a prevalence of 1–4 cases per 10,000 live births, and of these, bilateral Bochdalek congenital diaphragmatic hernias are even rarer entities that occur in about 1% of cases. This finding is rarely documented in literature. This paper offers a detailed methodical timeline documentation of the events that occurred after delivery and includes how to approach the diagnosis and management of such a rare and volatile condition.

Presentation

The neonate was born at 35 weeks and 6 days gestation. Unfortunately, despite intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts, the neonate expired within less …

Methamphetamine Associated Cardiomyopathy In Pregnancy: The Distinctions And The Implications, Ashan Hatharasinghe, Hossein Akhondi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Methamphetamine associated cardiomyopathy (MAC) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are both rare obstetric conditions. Literature regarding methamphetamine associated cardiomyopathy in the obstetric population is limited, and it can be difficult to make the distinction between the two given the similarities in clinical presentation. However similar, there are significant distinctions in the pathophysiology of these two that can help clinicians with the management process.

Clinical Findings and Outcomes

This case involves a 35-year-old Hispanic G6P5005 at 37 weeks gestation presenting with acute respiratory failure secondary to acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and superimposed preeclampsia leading to urgent cesarean …

Covid Intensive Care Unit Through The Eyes Of Ophthalmologists, Laura Drayer Turner, Dharshana Ramanathan, Sneha Melmane, Geeta Menon

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The disproportionate impact of COVID on the mortality and morbidity of people of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds has been recognised and is under investigation. Here we present a different impact: that on the psyche. As three doctors of BAME heritage, we shared an experience of being redeployed from ophthalmology to the COVID Intensive Care Unit. We share our reflections on the experience and lessons learned.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation For Covid-19 Treatment In A Community Hospital, Daniel I. Loube, Kashif Z. Hassan, Sang H. Lee

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may result in severe acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and death. For COVID-19 patients failing mechanical ventilation, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used with varying efficacy in academic medical centers and quaternary referral centers. We report the successful use of veno-venous (VV) ECMO to treat refractory ARDS due to COVID-19 in a community hospital setting with a survival to discharge rate of 71% over a 3 month period. In a community hospital with adequate resources, VV ECMO can be an effective rescue therapy for selected COVID-19 patients who fail all other available treatments.