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Objectives: Comparison of outcomes, device deployment time (DT), and total time (TT) using a single tapered Coons dilator versus sequential serial dilation for implantation of the Micra leadless pacemaker. Background: Micra leadless pacemaker placement requires a 23 French Micra introducer sheath (MIS) for percutaneous delivery. We sought to evaluate outcomes with use of a single tapered Coons dilator (CD) versus sequential serial dilatation (SD) method to facilitate insertion of the Micra introducer sheath. Methods: 35 patients were included in the SD arm and 49 in the CD arm. DT and TT were recorded in minutes and cost in dollars. Analysis was performed using independent t-test between two groups and one-way ANOVA to evaluate inter-operator variability in the CD arm. Results: Both DT and TT were significantly lower for the CD arm (15.1 ± 5.1 vs 23.5 ± 9.3, p

Background Russell body gastroesophagitis is a rare entity characterized by the accumulation of immunoglobulins within the cytoplasm of plasma cells. Case report Here, we present the case of a 41-year-old male with history of gastroesophageal reflux disease who presented with nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status. Candida esophagitis was noted on upper endoscopy. After treatment, a surveillance endoscopy revealed salmon colored mucosa in the distal esophagus and mild gastric erythema. The biopsy confirmed Barrett's esophagus that was negative for dysplasia and mild chronic inactive gastritis. Interestingly, diffusely infiltrating Russell body-containing plasma cells (Mott cells) were present in the distal esophagus and extending into the gastric cardia. The Mott cells were highlighted on CD138 immunostaining and Periodic acid-Schiff stain. Immunostaining for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was negative. There was no evidence of Helicobacter pylori organisms on the gastric mucosa. Conclusion This is the first report on Russell body-containing plasma cells diffusely involving both esophagus and gastric cardia with concurrent Barrett's esophagus.

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare variant of non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we report on the case of a 67-year-old male with a diagnosis of biopsy-proven moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the left lower lobe of the lung. The tumor cells on biopsy had epithelioid morphology with strong immunoreactivity for CK7 and p40. The mass was surgically removed one year later due to its poor response to stereotactic radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The lobectomy specimen revealed pleomorphic mitotically active spindle cell neoplasm with scattered foci of epithelial component. The tumor cells showed diffuse immunopositivity for vimentin, as well as focal immunoreactivity for CK7, p40 and S100 in the epithelial component. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of histopathologic sarcomatoid transformation of lung squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy. The clinical course, diagnosis and a review of literature are presented.

Introduction: Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation is the most common valvular pathology after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). The number of transplants being performed is increasing with patients living longer after heart transplant. Data on TV surgery in OHT recipients is limited. Methods: We sought to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing TV surgery from a large diverse, multicentric, nationwide cohort using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Results:A total of 42,766 TV repair or replacement (bioprosthetic and mechanical) involving adult patients (age ≥18 years) between 2007 and September 2015 were identified. Of these, 366 were performed in patients with OHT. TV repair was the most common surgery performed in both groups (OHT group and native heart group). Compared to the native group, patients with OHT had a significantly higher incidence of cardiogenic shock (20 vs. 11%, p = 0.024), acute kidney injury (AKI) (59 vs. 30%, p < 0.001), and AKI requiring hemodialysis (13 vs. 4%, p < 0.001). Also, the mean length of stay for the index admission was significantly longer in the OHT group (27 vs. 17 days, p = 0.008). The mortality rate was similar between the two groups (7 vs. 8%, p = 0.753). The number of TV surgeries performed in OHT patients from 2007 to 2014 have remained stable (p = 0.803) compared to those in native heart patients which showed a significantly increasing trend (p = 0.019) during the same time period. Conclusions: TV surgery remains an important treatment modality among the OHT population and carries a similar mortality during index hospitalization as that in native heart patients undergoing TV surgery.

Background Functional gallbladder disorder (FGD) is characterized by recurrent biliary colic with a decreased gallbladder ejection fraction on cholescintigraphy but absence of visible gallbladder abnormalities on ultrasonography. FGD is generally regarded as a primary gallbladder motility disturbance, however, the underlying pathophysiology remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the potential role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of FGD by examining mast cell density and activation in the gallbladder wall. Design Twenty adult patients with FGD undergoing cholecystectomy were included in the study. Seven patients with no gallbladder disease were served as controls who were subject to incidental cholecystectomy during abdominal surgery such as partial hepatectomy. The density of mast cells in the gallbladder wall was assessed by immunohistochemistry and by toluidine blue special stain. Mast cell activation was evaluated by calculating the percentage of degranulated mast cells on toluidine blue stain. Results Compared to the controls, patients with FGD showed a significant increase in mast cell infiltration in the gallbladder walls. Peak mast cell accumulation was predominantly located in the inner muscular layer of the gallbladder wall. Mast cell activation was also markedly increased in the FGD group as evidenced by significantly enhanced mast cell degranulation. Conclusions Mast cell infiltration and activation were significantly increased in the muscular wall of gallbladders from FGD patients, suggesting potential involvement of mast cells in the compromised gallbladder motility in adult patients with FGD.

Introduction Obesity paradox has been described in heart failure but data on in-hospital outcomes and readmission rates in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) in relation to body mass index (BMI) is limited. Hypothesis We hypothesized that mortality and readmissions would be lower in an obese population. Methods National Readmission Database 2016 was queried for adult patients with principal discharge diagnosis of HFpEF (I50.30-I50.33) and also had ICD 10 codes for BMI listed. Patients who died during index hospitalization were excluded from readmission analysis. Results 87041 patients met inclusion criteria and were divided in 3 groups: Non-Obese (BMI Conclusions HFpEF related readmissions were significantly higher in the morbidly obese group and obesity paradox was not observed for readmission rate in this cohort. In-hospital mortality was significantly high in non-obese group but length of stay (LOS) and total hospitalization charges were similar in non-obese and morbidly obese groups. In-hospital complications of AKI and readmissions due to AKI were significantly high in the obese and morbidly obese groups and needs further investigation.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) complicated by Cardiogenic Shock (CS) is associated with high mortality. There is paucity of data from large national studies on the trends and outcomes of ECMO use in patients with CS due to Acute Myocardial Infarction. Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was

To evaluate outcomes in patients with myocarditis who undergo endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) from a large national multicentric database. We analyzed data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from years 2007-2014 to identify patients with primary discharge diagnosis of myocarditis and analyzed