Uncommon Pathogen in an Unexpected Host: A Case of Rothia Mucilaginosa Endocarditis in an Immunocompetent Patient without Underlying Valvular Disease | Author : Ramy Abdelmaseih | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Rothia mucilaginosa, formally known as Stomatococcus mucilaginosus, is a gram-positive coccus that is found as a commensal in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. It is an infrequent opportunistic pathogen with very rare infection rates, mostly affecting immunocompromised patients such as patients with severe neutropenia, HIV infection, malignancy, diabetes mellitus, and liver cirrhosis. Infections in immunocompetent individuals are extremely rare, and usually related to pre-existing valvular heart disease, prosthetic valves and indwelling vascular catheters. Other risk factors for Rothia bacteremia include: intravenous drug use (IVDU). |
| Single Center Experience in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Walking on the Icy Road | Author : Görkem Yigit | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: Along with other areas of specialization, the cardiovascular surgery clinic is a department that has a significant contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic process with both the management of vascular emergencies and the rapid and effective use of interventional methods. This study aims to present endovascular and open vascular surgical procedures performed in single center between March 2020 and December 2020 during the ongoing pandemic.
Materials and methods: A total of 230 patients underwent open surgery 60 patients and endovascular / interventional treatment 170 patients by the Cardiovascular Surgery clinic were included in the study. It was aimed to determine the procedural details of the patients, follow-up results, complications and mortality rates. The compatibility of the variables to normal distribution was examined using visual and analytical methods. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normal distribution of continuous variables.
Results: In the open vascular surgery group, the mean age was 51.4±23.2 years (range 12–90 years). Sixteen (26.7%) patients were female and 44 (73.3%) male. The median follow-up from the time of the open vascular procedure was 4.3±1.2 months. There were ten (16.7%) minor complications. There were five deaths after procedures. In the endovascular / interventional group, the mean age was 58.5±18.6 years (range 18–94 years). Ninety one (53.5%) patients were female and 79 (46.5%) male. The median follow-up from the time of the drug-eluting balloon angioplasty and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy patients were 4.0±1.1 months. There were thirty four (20%) minor complications and two deaths after procedures.
Conclusion: Our experience and successful results shows how surgical and interventional procedures participated in the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Decreased Mortality of COVID-19 with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with High Risk of Thromboembolism a Meta-Analysis | Author : Qiao Deng | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation of patients with COVID-19 varied considerably, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia that may lead to coagulation abnormality and pulmonary thromboembolism. Targeted antithrombotic therapy may be beneficial to reduce the incidence of thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19.
METHODS: We will conduct a systematic review based on searches of major databases (PUBMED, Web of Science and EMBASE) and clinical trial registries from inception to present. The search strategy included clinical date published until Aug 12, 2020. All published randomized retrospective, control and quasi-randomized trials, and observational studies related to antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy for COVID-19 patients with high risk of thromboembolism will be included. The primary outcome was death events, secondary outcome was disease severity of COVID-19. We used Review Manager 5.3 software to calculate the odds ratio and corresponding 95% CI. The ?2 test (assessing the P) and the I2 statistic were performed to estimate the heterogeneity.
RESULTS:
Compared with non-antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy, antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy was not associated with disease severity (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.41–1.21], P=0.20, I2=52%) but was related to lower mortality of COVID-19 in patients with high risk of embolism (odds ratio, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.24–0.47], P<0.001, I2=8%).
CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggested that antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy should be continued in COVID-19 patients with high risk of thromboembolism. the majority of patients with severe COVID-19 should have received similar supportive treatment after admission. |
| A Comprehensive Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Coronary Syndrome | Author : Velina Georgieva Stoyanova | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic progressive disease with social significance, result of obstructive or non- obstructive atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the epicardial arteries. CAD is one of the leading causes for deterioration in quality of life and cardiovascular mortality. CAD has dynamic character and its major clinical presentations are: acute coronary syndromes / STEMI, NSTEMI, UA/ and chronic coronary syndromes. In this case report we present the treatment algorithm in patient with chronic coronary syndrome: from optimal medical therapy, through objective methods of examination leading to the decision for interventional treatment and the importance of regular follow-up. |
| The Lived Experience of Nurses Working in Cardiology Services with Online Continuing Professional Programs in Advancing their Specialized Clinical Practice: Phenomenology Study Analysis | Author : Issa Al Salmi | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction: Cardiology nursing is one of the most challenging nursing specialties. Online continuing professional development (CPD) programs may allow nurses to fulfil the demand for specialty competency.
Methods and materials: This manuscript described the process of data analysis and discusses the philosophical and theoretical frameworks that shape this study. the study was conducted in one of the largest accredited teaching hospitals in South Australia.
Results: Volunteer participants were interviewed where each participant was given a pseudonym to protect confidentiality. First, interviews were transcribed manually. Transcription is considered an interpretive act and a perfect way to immerse oneself within the data because it helps create initial meanings. Second, the researcher listened to each interview while checking compatibility with the transcript. Third, the researcher read and re-read transcripts and highlighted essential ideas before the coding process. Repeated transcript reading helped develop main ideas, recognise shared thoughts, meanings, and patterns, and identify potential themes. Furthermore, it was evident during this stage that some of the researcher’s pre-assumptions regarding the phenomena were revealed in certain aspects of nurses’ lived experiences. In addition, audio recordings and a reflective diary were utilised to reveal non-verbal clues of participants, adding depth and transparency to data analysis. The final step involved writing a summary for each transcript containing the main ideas.
Conclusions: It is apparent that six main themes were embedded in the lived experiences of the RNs working in cardiac services and using the online CPD course to advance themselves knowledge and skills. |
|
|