Internal Medicine Commons^™

Metastatic Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Rare Cause Of Hypopituitarism, Smriti Nair, Taskeen Ahmed, Jessica Watari

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Pituitary metastases from pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) are exceedingly rare but should be considered in patients presenting with arginine vasopressin deficiency and panhypopituitarism in the context of known or suspected metastatic lung cancer. Early recognition and prompt initiation of hormonal replacement therapy are essential to prevent life-threatening endocrine crises and to improve symptom burden. We describe a case of a 43-year-old male who presented with dyspnea, weight loss, and weakness who was found to have metastatic LCNEC involving the liver. Endocrine evaluation revealed central hypothyroidism, central adrenal insufficiency, and later arginine vasopressin deficiency manifested by polyuria and hypernatremia. …

Targeting Inequities: Addressing Lung Cancer Care Challenges In Africa Through Drug Access, Radiotherapy, And Surgical Innovations, Elvis Obomanu, Chidiebube Ugwu, Muluken Megiso, Tarfa Verinumbe, Colton Jones, Verna Vanderpuye, Nazik Hammad

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in Africa, with survival rates starkly lagging behind global benchmarks because of systemic inequities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment access. Despite representing only 6% of global smokers, the continent faces a disproportionate burden driven by environmental and occupational carcinogens, aggressive tobacco marketing, and fragmented health care infrastructure. Key challenges include prohibitive delays in accessing targeted therapies like epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and immunotherapies, a dire shortage of radiotherapy infrastructure-0.12 megavoltage units per million people versus the International Atomic Energy Agency's recommended five megavoltage units per million, and a …

Infectious Aortitis Secondary To Gastrointestinal Pathogens: A Case Series And Syndromic Review, Natasa Kostic, Ilana Goldberg, Devin Weber

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Aortitis is a rare but serious complication of infection that results in high morbidity and mortality. The most common location is in preexisting aneurysmal disease in a patient with multiple chronic comorbidities. The pathogens often reflect gastrointestinal bacteria, the classic example being Salmonella spp., but also include other enteric flora, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., and more. Herein, we describe 2 cases of aortitis caused by gastrointestinal bacteria and review management of this complex syndrome.

From Stemi To Saddle Pulmonary Embolism: Management Challenges And The Role Of Va-Ecmo, Enad Haddad, Irfan Ahsan, Sudeep Nugooru, Gregary D. Marhefka

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Acute pulmonary embolism and acute myocardial infarction are critical conditions with overlapping presentations, and their coexistence can be catastrophic. We report a 45-year-old man with prior mid LAD stent who presented with chest pain and ventricular fibrillation arrest, diagnosed with inferior/posterior STEMI. Emergent PCI to the mid RCA restored stability. The patient developed persistent hypoxia over the next two days requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Worsening hypoxia and shock prompted urgent transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate for mechanical complications, instead revealing a mobile echo density spanning the right and left main pulmonary arteries, consistent with acute saddle pulmonary embolism, and right …

Rapid Inpatient Methadone Induction In The Fentanyl Era: A Systematic Review Of Safety, Efficacy, And Protocols For Hospitalized Patients With Opioid Use Disorder, Lorik Berisha, Sapan Patel, Charlotte Pirquet, Navina Magesh Kumar, Yousef Soliman, Ahsan Ullah, Daniel M. Matassa

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Purpose of Review: The potency of illicit fentanyl has rendered standard methadone inductions inadequate for many hospitalized adults with opioid use disorder. Standard protocols often fail to achieve therapeutic doses quickly enough to manage withdrawal and cravings in fentanyl-tolerant individuals, contributing to poor retention and higher self-discharge rates. This review examines emerging evidence on dosing strategies, outcomes, and safety of rapid methadone inductions in acute-care hospitals. Recent Findings: Nine studies (five retrospective cohorts, four case series/reports) encompassing 380 patients met inclusion criteria. Median starting doses were 30–40 mg (range 20–90 mg), with daily or symptom-triggered increases achieving 60–100 mg within …

New Therapies, New Challenges: Cystic Lung Disease After Cancer Immunotherapy, Ananya Venkatesh, David Camacho, Ross Summer, Michael Dong

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Immunotherapies have reduced reliance on cytotoxic strategies with their associated high toxicity levels, revolutionizing cancer care. However, these targeted therapies have also increased prevalence of previously rare sequelae, impacting patients experiencing longer survival. We describe a case of endometrial adenocarcinoma with lung metastases, in which tumor resolution following immunotherapy created cystic airspaces, leading to a pneumothorax complication. A 49-year-old female with advanced stage endometrial adenocarcinoma and lung metastasis developed cystic lung lesions in areas of previous metastatic lesions after treatment with Pembrolizumab and Bevacizumab. She developed a pneumothorax secondary to the rupture of one of the large lung cysts, leading …

Influences On Emergency Clinician Use Of Health Information Exchange: Interview Study, Brian E. Dixon, Umesh Ghimire, Benjamin Richter, Corinne Bowditch, Saurabh Rahurkar, John T. Finnell, Joshua R. Vest

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Health information exchange (HIE) supports clinical decision-making in emergency medicine settings. Despite evidence and policies that encourage the adoption of HIE, use by clinicians is limited. Moreover, few studies examine HIE use years after adoption by hospitals or clinics.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the perceptions and use of a mature, operational HIE system by emergency department clinicians years after its implementation.

METHODS: We interviewed 21 clinicians in various roles (eg, attending physician and nurse practitioner) across multiple health systems that participate in a statewide HIE network. We asked questions about their use of the HIE system and …

Lung Cancer In Patients Of African Descent: A Transcontinental Review Of Epidemiology, Disparities, Outcomes, And Opportunities For Equity In Africa, North America, South America, And The Caribbean, Elvis Obomanu, Colton Jones, Verna Vanderpuye, Nazik Hammad

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Lung cancer in people of African descent is characterized by transcontinental disparities driven by epidemiologic heterogeneity, systemic inequities, and unequal access to health care. Globally, lung cancer incidence and mortality rates vary; however, underdiagnosis and late-stage presentation in low- and middle-income countries obscure the true prevalence of lung cancer because of limited cancer registries and diagnostic infrastructure. In Africa, most patients with lung cancer present at an advanced stage, primarily because of health illiteracy, misdiagnosis, delayed referrals, and inadequate treatment infrastructure. Although tobacco smoking remains a dominant risk factor worldwide, African populations are disproportionately exposed to environmental and occupational hazards, …

Hiv And Lung Cancer: A Single Cancer Center Experience, Julia Palecki, Matthew Tucker, Andrew Bernstein, Garrett Melby, Tingting Zhan, Ida Micaily

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer death in people living with HIV (PLWH) and disproportionately affects this group regardless of CD4 count. At the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) at Jefferson Health, we treat an underserved PLWH population with LC and aim to study their clinical course, as they are often excluded from LC trials. We retrospectively reviewed 36 PLWH diagnosed with LC at Jefferson Health from 2016 to 2023. We found that 24 patients were male, 20 patients were Black, and that the median age of LC diagnosis is 66 years (range 38-83 years). 27 …

Left Atrial Thrombus In Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: A Case Of Therapeutic International Normalized Ratio Failure, Muhammad Salman Sabri, Carly Weber, Yanis Belkadi, Donald C. Haas, Yasotha Rajeswaran

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation or flutter in rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) increases left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus risk despite therapeutic anticoagulation.

CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old woman on warfarin with moderate MS and atrial flutter presented with dyspnea. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed a large LAA thrombus despite an international normalized ratio >2.5. Cardioversion was deferred, and the international normalized ratio target was raised to a range of 2.5 to 3.5.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: While cardioversion can be considered in patients with uninterrupted anticoagulation without TEE, those with rheumatic MS are at high risk of LAA and LA thrombus and should undergo TEE before …

Management And Optimization Of Chronic Renal Insufficiency In The Setting Of Kidney Cancer A Systematic Review, Jessica K. Cobb, Hiroko Miyagi, Jad Chahoud, Claude Bassil, Philippe E. Spiess

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

PURPOSE: There is a bidirectional relationship between chronic kidney disease and the incidence of renal cell carcinoma. Despite the frequency of patients with both chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma, there are limited systematic reviews detailing the nuanced treatment. This review provides comprehensive insights for clinicians for managing chronic kidney disease, and renal cell carcinoma. Methods and Methods: We reviewed published literature that examined either chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma or an indirect contributor of both.

RESULTS: We compare and contrast renal cell carcinoma treatment with partial and radical nephrectomies, ablative techniques, and radiation and their impact …

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection In A Patient With A Progestin-Releasing Intrauterine Device, Enad Haddad, Sudeep Nugooru, Tyler Lee, Prerana Sevella, Asoka Balaratna

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which predominantly affects women. This case report describes a 55-year-old female with SCAD potentially linked to a progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) placed 1.5 years ago. The patient presented with acute chest pain and diaphoresis, and was eventually found to have ST-elevation myocardial infarction that led to coronary angiography, revealing type 1 SCAD from the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) to the mid-RCA with grade 3 thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow distally. She was managed conservatively with antithrombotics, statins, and blood pressure control, achieving favorable outcomes …

Steroid Responsive Idiopathic Calcitriol Induced Hypercalcemia: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Omar El Fadel, Anshel Kenkare, Jingjing Zhang

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic Calcitriol Induced Hypercalcemia is a rare cause of a common condition of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is most commonly the result of hyperparathyroidism and together with hypercalcemia of malignancy accounts for over 95% of cases. Idiopathic Calcitriol Induced Hypercalcemia can mimic hypercalcemia secondary to granulomatous diseases like sarcoidosis, but with apparent absences of both imaging and physical exam findings consistent with the disease. We report here a 51-year-old man who presented with recurrent nephrolithiasis, hypercalcemia, and acute kidney injury.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old man presented with severe back pain and mild hematuria. He had a history of recurrent nephrolithiasis over …

The “Evolving” Role Of Intravascular Imaging In Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries, D L Fischman, Vaikom S. Mahadevan, Eric R. Bates

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Functional Assessment Data: Current Status Of Federal Initiatives To Support Interoperability Among Post Acute Care Settings, Edgar Chou

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Health information needed along the transitions in care includes functional status such as self-care abilities assessments. Despite current federal efforts to support interoperability of functional status data, gaps still exist. Functional status assessments are included in data collection instruments widely used in four post acute care (PAC) settings, with each type of setting using a different standard instrument. These various instruments lack a shared standard for the content (meaning) of functional assessment items, necessitating mapping to a standard data terminology. Analysis indicates complete LOINC representation and incomplete SNOMED representation among functional status items and instruments. The new U.S. Core Data …

An Unexpected Case Of Non-Uremic Calciphylaxis In A Patient With Multiple Risk Factors, Shannon Nugent, Fred Karaisz, Maisa Elbadawi, Andrew Touati, Neda Nikbakht, Jason B. Lee, Hasan Arif

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

A 58-year-old woman with a history of morbid obesity, asthma, and prior warfarin use presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and a three-month history of painful, ulcerated ulcers with retiform purpura of her bilateral distal extremities. A punch biopsy specimen demonstrated focal necrosis and hyalinization of the adipose tissue with subtle arteriolar calcium deposition, findings consistent with calciphylaxis. We discuss the presentation of non-uremic calciphylaxis and review the risk factors, pathophysiology, and interdisciplinary management approach of this rare disease.

Risk Prevention And Health Promotion For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (Nafld), Adnan Khan, Do, Heather Ross, Natali Salinas, Sarah Chen, Kashyap Chauhan, Makala Wang, Brian Yan, Ba, John Magagna, Jacob Beiriger, Yash Shah, Taha Shahzad, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, Md

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious clinicopathological condition that is recognized as the most frequent chronic liver disease, affecting 14%-30% of the world’s population. The prevalence of NAFLD has rapidly grown and is correlated with the growth in obesity and type 2 diabetes, among other factors. NAFLD often results in long-term complications including cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver fibrosis. This paper provides an updated overview of NAFLD with a focus on epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, screening, complications, and pharmacological therapies to identify effective risk prevention and health promotion.

Interobserver Variability Among Expert Readers Quantifying Plaque Volume And Plaque Characteristics On Coronary Ct Angiography: A Clarify Trial Sub-Study, Rebecca Jonas, Shaneke Weerakoon, Rebecca Fisher, William F Griffin, Vishak Kumar, Habib Rahban, Hugo Marques, Ronald P Karlsberg, Robert S Jennings, Tami R Crabtree, Andrew D Choi, James P Earls

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: The difference between expert level (L3) reader and artificial intelligence (AI) performance for quantifying coronary plaque and plaque components is unknown.

Objective: This study evaluates the interobserver variability among expert readers for quantifying the volume of coronary plaque and plaque components on coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) using an artificial intelligence enabled quantitative CCTA analysis software as a reference (AI-QCT).

Methods: This study uses CCTA imaging obtained from 232 patients enrolled in the CLARIFY (CT EvaLuation by ARtificial Intelligence For Atherosclerosis, Stenosis and Vascular MorphologY) study. Readers quantified overall plaque volume and the % breakdown of noncalcified plaque (NCP) …

Echocardiographic Predictors Of Symptomatic Cardiotoxicity Among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Muhammad Umer Siddiqui, Youssef Yaacoub, Heidi-Anne Hanson, Joey Junarta, Ahmed K Pasha, Mahek Shah

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapeutic agents have been associated with cardiotoxicity; thus, they require close monitoring. Several echocardiographic variables have been investigated as early predictors of symptomatic cardiotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify if global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a better predictor of symptomatic cardiotoxicity compared to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through December 2020. Adults who developed symptomatic cardiotoxicity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] Class III-IV heart failure, cardiac arrest, or cardiac death) after undergoing chemotherapy with pre- and postchemotherapy echocardiographic measures …

Feasible Stenting Of A Large Septal Perforator Providing A Sizeable Coronary Collaterals, Hussam Al Hennawi, Mohammad F. Mathbout,, Abdulrahman Taftafa, Christopher D. Nielsen

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

While coronary artery disease involving the septal perforator branches presents similar to diseases of major coronary arteries, management can present a challenge. Owing to their relatively small size, performing interventional procedures is often impractical in terms of selecting appropriate devices. Although larger septal perforator branches have been managed percutaneously, similar to major vessels, long-term sequelae and clinical effectiveness have been indeterminate. We present our experience in managing a patient with a stenosed septal perforator branch and challenging comorbidities.

The Overestimation Of Concentric Hypertrophy In Patients With Hfpef As Determined By 2d-Echocardiography, Mohammad F. Mathbout, Hussam Al Hennawi, Anwar Khedr, Gaurang N. Vaidya, Marcus Stoddard

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction continues to pose multiple challenges in terms of accurate diagnosis, treatment, and associated morbidity. Accurate left ventricular (LV) mass calculation yields essential prognostic information relating to structural heart disease. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography-based calculations are solely limited to LV geometric assumptions of symmetry, whereas three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography could overcome these limitations. This study aims to compare the performance of 2D and 3D LV mass calculations. Methods: A prospective review of echocardiography findings at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, was conducted and assessed. Normal ejection fraction (EF) was defined as >=52% in males and >=54% …

Smartphone Apps For Diabetes Medication Adherence: Systematic Review, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, Vinaytosh Mishra, Muhammad U Siddiqui, Jeban Chandir Moses, Sasan Adibi, Lemai Nguyen, Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: Diabetes is one of the leading noncommunicable chronic diseases globally. In people with diabetes, blood glucose levels need to be monitored regularly and managed adequately through healthy lifestyles and medications. However, various factors contribute to poor medication adherence. Smartphone apps can improve medication adherence in people with diabetes, but it is not clear which app features are most beneficial.

Objective: This study aims to systematically review and evaluate high-quality apps for diabetes medication adherence, which are freely available to the public in Android and Apple app stores and present the technical features of the apps.

Methods: We systematically searched …

Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement For Aortic Stenosis Among Patients With Malignancy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Muhammad U Siddiqui, Omar Yacob, Joey Junarta, Ahmed K Pasha, Farouk Mookadam, Mamas A Mamas, D L Fischman

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Background: With advancements in cancer treatment, the life expectancy of oncology patients has improved. Thus, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be considered as a feasible option for oncology patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). We aim to evaluate the difference in short- and long-term all-cause mortality in cancer and non-cancer patients treated with TAVR for severe AS.

Methods: Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant studies. Patients with cancer who underwent treatment with TAVR for severe AS were included and compared to an identical population without cancer. The primary endpoints were short- …

Hyperdynamic Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is Associated With Higher Mortality In Covid-19 Patients, Annas Rahman, Max Ruge, Md, Alex Hlepas, Batha Nair, Joanne Gomez, Jeanne Du Fey De Lavallaz, Setri Fugar, Nusrat Jahan, Annabelle Santos Volgman, Kim A. Williams, Anupama Rao, Karolina Marinescu, Tisha Suboc

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Study objective: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with a hyperdynamic LVEF (HDLVEF) to those with a normal or reduced LVEF.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Rush University Medical Center.

Participants: Of the 1682 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 419 had a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) during admission and met study inclusion criteria. Interventions: Participants were divided into reduced (LVEF < 50%), normal (≥50% and <70%), and hyper- dynamic (≥70%) LVEF groups.

Main outcome measures: LVEF was assessed as a predictor of 60-day mortality. Logistic regression was used to adjust for age and BMI.

Results: There was no difference in 60-day mortality between patients in the reduced LVEF and normal LVEF …

The Effect Of Scan And Patient Parameters On The Diagnostic Performance Of Ai For Detecting Coronary Stenosis On Coronary Ct Angiography, Rebecca Jonas, Emil Barkovich, Andrew D Choi, William F Griffin, Joanna Riess, Hugo Marques, Hyuk-Jae Chang, Jung Hyun Choi, Joon-Hyung Doh, Ae-Young Her, Bon-Kwon Koo, Chang-Wook Nam, Hyung-Bok Park, Sang-Hoon Shin, Jason Cole, Alessia Gimelli, Muhammad Akram Khan, Bin Lu, Yang Gao, Faisal Nabi, Ryo Nakazato, U Joseph Schoepf, Roel S Driessen, Michiel J Bom, Randall C Thompson, James J Jang, Michael Ridner, Chris Rowan, Erick Avelar, Philippe Généreux, Paul Knaapen, Guus A De Waard, Gianluca Pontone, Daniele Andreini, Marco Guglielmo, Mouaz H Al-Mallah, Robert S Jennings, Tami R Crabtree, James P Earls

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Objectives: To determine whether coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scanning, scan preparation, contrast, and patient based parameters influence the diagnostic performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) based analysis software for identifying coronary lesions with ≥50% stenosis.

Background: CCTA is a noninvasive imaging modality that provides diagnostic and prognostic benefit to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The use of AI enabled quantitative CCTA (AI-QCT) analysis software enhances our diagnostic and prognostic ability, however, it is currently unclear whether software performance is influenced by CCTA scanning parameters.

Methods: CCTA and quantitative coronary CT (QCT) data from 303 stable patients (64 ± …

A Comprehensive Review On The Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome And Cardiovascular Disease After Liver Transplantation, Kashyap Chauhan, Adnan Khan, Salil Chowdhury, Heather Ross, Natali Salinas, Dina Halegoua-De Marzio

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Survival rates after liver transplantation have increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Cardiovascular disease is the most common extra-hepatic cause of mortality in the long-term post liver transplant. This is intimately linked with both the higher pre-existing rates of metabolic syndrome in these patients as well as increased propensity to develop de novo metabolic syndrome post-transplant. This unfavorable metabolic profile that contributes to cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and largely preventable. This review explores metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease and their contributory factors post liver transplantation to highlight areas for potential intervention and thus reduce the significant morbidity and mortality …

Prognostic Value Of H2fpef Score In Covid-19, Priya Patel, Max Ruge, Joanne Michelle D. Gomez, Jeanne Du Fay De Lavallaz, Anupama Rao, Kim A. Williams, Annabelle Santos Volgman, Maria Rosa R. Costanzo, Tisha Suboc, Karolina Marinescu

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Study objective: This study sought to assess the predictive value of H2FPEF score in patients with COVID-19.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Rush University Medical Center.

Participants: A total of 1682 patients had an echocardiogram in the year preceding their COVID-19 admission with a preserved ejection fraction (≥50%). A total of 156 patients met inclusion criteria. Interventions: Patients were divided into H2FPEF into low (0–2), intermediate (3–5), and high (6–9) score H2FPEF groups and outcomes were compared.

Main outcome measures: Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the association between H2FPEF score group and a composite outcome for severe COVID-19 infection consisting …

Acute Left Atrial Compression After Ventricular Assist Device Placement, Max Rug Ruge, Tal Zivan, Ron Leong, Eric Feduska, Mahek Shah, J. Eduardo Rame, Howard Massey, René J Alvarez, Yevgeniy Brailvosky, Indranee Rajapreyar

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Highlights:

• Pump thrombosis commonly presents with hemolysis and device parameter fluctuations.
• Left atrial compression presents similarly to pump thrombosis but with no device fluctuations.
• Reference standard imaging test for ventricular device thrombus is contrast-enhanced CT.

Successful Treatment With Daptomycin Of Mrsa Empyema Complicated By Right-Sided Loculated Pleural Effusion Refractory To Vancomycin, Ava Torjani, Dylan Selbst, Joshua Hamsher, Sahaj Mujumdar, Andie Belkoff, Luis Taboada

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Empyema is a serious complication of pneumonia and has been reported to have a mortality rate of 8.7%. For methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) empyema, treatment includes drainage and specific antibiotics such as vancomycin and linezolid. Strikingly, there are increasing incidences of empyema refractory to vancomycin and linezolid. Despite being inactivated in the lung parenchyma by pulmonary surfactant, daptomycin can penetrate the pleural space and may be better at treating MRSA empyema than vancomycin and linezolid. Some case reports have shown that daptomycin has been used to successfully treat MRSA empyema refractory to linezolid and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) empyema. Here, we …

Clinical Factors Implicated In Antibiotic Resistance In Helicobacter Pylori Patients, Brian White, Maria Winte, Joshua Desipio, Sangita Phadtare

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

Helicobacter pylori is a common gastric pathogen associated with multiple clinical syndromes, including cancer. Eradication rates of H. pylori remain suboptimal despite the progress made in the past few decades in improving treatment strategies. The low eradication rates are mainly driven by antibiotic resistance of H. pylori. Non-invasive molecular testing to identify patients with antibiotic-resistant H. py-lori represents a promising therapeutic avenue, however this technology currently remains limited by availability, costs, and lack of robust validation. Moreover, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that resistance-testing-based treatment approaches are superior to appropriately designed empiric strat-egies. Consensus guidelines recommend use of proven …