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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in multiple myeloma (MM) can be secondary to patient-, disease-, and/or treatment-related factors. The development of VTE may result in significant morbidity with the highest risk during the first year after diagnosis. This clinical review provides an evidence-based summary to guide practicing oncologists in the use of anticoagulation to prevent VTE in multiple myeloma and includes anticoagulation efficacy and adverse effect profile. We highlight the pathophysiology of VTE in MM, the use of various risk prediction tools, and the current recommendations for the use of different anticoagulants in prophylaxis of VTE.

Background Systemic inflammation elicited by a cytokine storm is considered a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to assess the clinical utility of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-Dimer levels for predicting in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the association of CRP and D-Dimer with the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), dialysis, upgrade to an intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality. Independent t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to calculate mean differences and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. Results A total of 176 patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were included. On presentation, the unadjusted odds for the need of IMV (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3–4.8, p = 0.012) and upgrade to ICU (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.5, p = 0.002) were significantly higher for patients with CRP (>101 mg/dl). Similarly, the unadjusted odds of in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in patients with high CRP (>101 mg/dl) and high D-Dimer (>501 ng/ml), compared to corresponding low CRP (501 ng/ml) and high CRP (>101 mg/dl) were associated with increased need for upgrade to the ICU and higher requirement for IMV on day-7 of hospitalization. A multivariate regression model mirrored the overall unadjusted trends except that adjusted odds for IMV were high in the high CRP group on day 7 (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.05–6.0, p = 0.04). Conclusion CRP value greater than 100 mg/dL and D-dimer levels higher than 500 ng/ml during hospitalization might predict higher odds of in-hospital mortality. Higher levels at presentation might indicate impending clinical deterioration and the need for IMV.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Although outpatient ASCT has been shown to be safe and feasible, the procedure is overall rare with most patients in the US undergoing inpatient ASCT. Furthermore, hospitalization rates for patients that undergo outpatient ASCT remain high. Adequate markers that predict hospitalization during outpatient ASCT are lacking, yet would be of great clinical value to select patients that are suited to outpatient ASCT. In this study we aimed to elucidate differences between planned outpatient and inpatient ASCT and further evaluated clinical characteristics that are significantly associated with hospitalization during planned outpatient hospitalization. Factors that were significantly associated with a planned inpatient ASCT included an advanced MM disease stage, worse performance status as well as non-Caucasian race, while low albumin levels and female gender were significantly associated with hospitalization during outpatient ASCT. The results of this analysis provide crucial knowledge of factors that are associated with planned inpatient ASCT and hospitalization during outpatient ASCT and could guide the treating physician in decision-making and further facilitate outpatient transplantation.

Introduction The comparative efficacy and safety of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) and redo-surgical AVR (redo-SAVR) in patients with degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves remain unknown. Method Digital databases were searched to identify relevant articles. Unadjusted odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes were calculated using a random effect model. A total of 11 studies comprising 8326 patients (ViV-TAVR = 4083 and redo-SAVR = 4243) were included. Results The mean age of patients undergoing ViV-TAVR was older, 76 years compared to 73 years for those undergoing SAVR. The baseline characteristics for patients in ViV-TAVR vs. redo-SAVR groups were comparable. At 30-days, the odds of all-cause mortality (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30-0.68, p = .0002), cardiovascular mortality (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.73, p = .001) and major bleeding (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.15-0.54, p = .0001) were significantly lower in patients undergoing ViV-TAVR compared to redo-SAVR. There were no significant differences in the odds of cerebrovascular accidents (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.52-1.58, p = .74), myocardial infarction (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.44-1.92, p = .83) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM) (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.27-1.07, p = .08) between the two groups. During mid to long-term follow up (6-months to 5-years), there were no significant differences between ViV-TAVR and redo-SAVR for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and stroke. ViV-TAVR was, however, associated with higher risk of prosthesis-patient mismatch and greater transvalvular pressure gradient post-implantation. Conclusion ViV-TAVR compared to redo-SAVR appears to be associated with significant improvement in short term mortality and major bleeding. For mid to long-term follow up, the outcomes were similar for both groups.

The role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains unknown. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2002–2017) was queried to identify all cases of CAD and ESRD. The relative merits of PCI vs CABG were determined using a propensity-matched multivariate logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for mortality and other in-hospital complications were calculated. A total of 350,623 [CABG = 112,099 (32%) and PCI = 238,524 (68%)] hospitalizations were included in the analysis. The overall adjusted odds for major bleeding (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.25–1.31, P < 0.0001), post-procedure bleeding (aOR 5.19, 95% CI 4.93–5.47, P < 0.0001), sepsis (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.26–1.33, P < 0.0001), cardiogenic shock (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.20–1.26, P < 0.0001), and in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.61–1.69, P < 0.0001) were significantly higher for patients undergoing CABG compared with PCI. The need for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 2.45–2.59, P < 0.001) was higher in the CABG group, while the adjusted odds of vascular complications were similar between the two groups (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.06, P = 0.82). As expected, patients undergoing CABG had a higher mean length of stay and mean cost of hospitalization. CABG in ESRD may be associated with higher in-hospital complications, increased length of stay, and higher resource utilization.

Falsely elevated potassium levels are common in routine laboratory tests and should be differentiated from true hyperkalemia. If the patient is inappropriately treated for hyperkalemia, the resulting hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman with a past medical history of stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who presented for chest pain and had an elevated potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L, which, upon repeat laboratory testing, was then 6.7 mEq/L. She was initially treated for hyperkalemia. Laboratory test results showed creatine kinase levels at 43 U/L, lactate dehydrogenase levels at 177 U/L, phosphorus levels at 4.5 mg/dL, and uric acid levels at 6.4 mg/dL, indicating no evidence of tumor lysis syndrome. The patient was later diagnosed with reverse pseudohyperkalemia, indicated by falsely elevated plasma potassium levels in the presence of serum potassium levels within normal limits and venous blood gas samples.

Docetaxel is an antimicrotubule agent with activity in a variety of cancers. Its toxicity profile includes myelosuppression, fluid retention/edema, and peripheral neuropathy. It is also associated with myalgias but the frequency and extent of this toxicity are not well described. Here, we present a case of a 48-year-old female with breast cancer who developed bilateral proximal leg pain and inability to walk two weeks after the third cycle of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide. Initial workup showed elevated creatinine kinase (CK) levels which trended up to 9000 U/L suggesting rhabdomyolysis. She was treated with IV isotonic fluids without renal complications. Her CK was 1800 U/L at discharge and normalized two weeks post-discharge. To our knowledge, this is one of the few reports of docetaxel-induced rhabdomyolysis. The purpose of this report is to alert physicians of this rare but morbid complication.

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is one of the common problems in the world of endocrinology. Identifying the type of thyrotoxicosis is crucial before starting treatment. We present a case of a 37-year-old woman presented with hyperthyroidism and was started on methimazole. Her symptoms persisted and further workup showed T3 thyrotoxicosis. Her symptoms improved after switching her to PTU. She eventually underwent thyroidectomy. Case description: Thirty-seven-year old African American woman presented to her primary care physician(PCP) with symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism for three months. Her past medical history is significant for recent delivery one year ago. Her Physical exam is pertinent for hypertension of 160/80 with a heart rate of 120. Her neck is diffusely enlarged with bilateral bruits. Bilateral lid retraction with lid lag was noted along with left lid proptosis. There were no tremors or leg swelling noted. Her Initial workup showed sinus tachycardia in the electrocardiogram. Her TSH level was Three months later, she presented to the emergency room(ER) with tachycardia of 130 and hypertension of 170/85. Work up showed a TSH level of 30. She was diagnosed with T3 Thyrotoxicosis and was started on propylthiouracil 150mg every 8 hours. Her metoprolol was increased to 50mg every 12 hours. Her symptoms improved and she finally underwent surgery for thyroidectomy. Discussion: Hyperthyroidism is seen in about 1 in 5000 with a strong female predominance. Graves disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism is due to excess production of TSH receptor stimulating antibodies. Hyperthyroid patients with graves disease sometimes have a disproportionate increase in serum T3 levels when compared to serum T4. This is thought to be due to increased T3 production or extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3. It is very crucial to identify the free hormone levels in a new patient with hyperthyroidism because of the difference in management. Antithyroid drugs are traditionally the first-line treatment option along with beta-blockers prior to definitive therapy like radioactive iodine or thyroidectomy. The main drugs used are methimazole and propylthiouracil(PTU). Methimazole is more commonly used than PTU because of its rapid efficacy, longer duration of action and less adverse effects. For patients with T3 thyrotoxicosis, PTU is preferred as it is known to reduce the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Our patient medication was changed from methimazole to PTU, after which she started to notice improvement. She eventually underwent definitive treatment with thyroidectomy.

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma(AITL) is one of the rarest T cell lymphomas. Diagnosing the type of lymphoma is crucial, as the management differs depending on the type. We present a case of a sixty-one-year-old woman who presented with generalized lymphadenopathy and how we unfolded the diagnosis.

535 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a strong association with venous thromboembolism (VTE) but the impact of it on mortality and morbidity is unknown. Inpatient costs contribute significantly to the overall cancer care costs even though there is a modest improvement in survival of pancreatic cancer patients. This study aims to determine the mortality trends and associated health care utilization in PC patients with and without VTE and to analyze its impact on hospitalized patients. Methods: We used National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to extract data for all patients above 18years of age hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer from 2002-2018 using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. Unadjusted odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes were calculated, and independent t test analysis was done for continuous outcomes. Results: The odds of all-cause mortality (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.33-1.37, p

Melanoma is a deadly disease with immunotherapy treatment options that emerged in the last few years and have changed the disease outcome. However, it is associated with immune-related toxic effects despite improving survival. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who had two weeks of diarrhea after she was treated with dual immunotherapy agents for her advanced melanoma. The final workup revealed pancolitis, possibly due to immunotherapy adverse effects. Initial conservative treatment, unfortunately, did not lead to a clinical improvement until a steroid was introduced. We are reporting this case to alert our fellow physicians about the immune-mediated toxicities of the relatively new checkpoint inhibitors.

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) can be caused by ectopic paraneoplastic production of 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D due to the hyperactivity of the 1 alpha-hydroxylase enzyme. We present a case of a 19-year-old female who was admitted with bilateral dysgerminomas and significant hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia was initially managed medically and then resolved with the surgical resection of the tumors. Although most cases are attributed to a high parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and bone metastases

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a hematological disorder that has a high cure rate. It usually presents as asymptomatic lymphadenopathy or a mass on chest radiograph along with constitutional symptoms ("B" symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or unintended weight loss) in less than half the cases. Optic neuritis is a demyelinating condition that is rarely associated with HL. We present a case of HL that presented with optic neuritis as a paraneoplastic syndrome.

Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine analog widely used in oncology. It is mainly used in the treatment of solid tumors. It is also used along with radiotherapy because of its radiosensitizing properties. As with all chemotherapy drugs, 5-FU is associated with adverse effects. Cardiotoxicity is one of them. It can present in a variety of ways and, sometimes, it can be lethal too. The reported case is of a 42-year-old male who presented with atypical chest pain after the first dose of 5-FU and was finally diagnosed with 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity. His cardiac function normalized after the withdrawal of the drug.