Upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a significant cause of hospital admissions. Even though the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis is decreasing, the incidence rates in neoplasm, Dieulafoy’s lesions,...Upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a significant cause of hospital admissions. Even though the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis is decreasing, the incidence rates in neoplasm, Dieulafoy’s lesions, angiodysplasia, and esophagitis are trending up, which necessities physicians to be aware of those pathologies and their specifics. Here, we represent a case of a 62-year-old male on dual antiplatelet therapy who was transferred to our hospital due to severe melena with suspicion of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to hemodynamic instability, the patient was intubated and started on vasopressors. However, several repeated EGDs and CTs of the abdomen with GI bleeding protocol did not reveal the location of active bleeding to stop it. At the same time, clinically, the patient was hemodynamically unstable with continued melena. On the last EGD, a small area of concern resembling gastric varix was clipped for identification purposes, and the patient underwent a selective angiogram with further diagnosis of Dieulafoy’s lesion, which was successfully embolized. Our case demonstrates that Dieulafoy’s lesions can present as severe life-threatening hemorrhage, hard to diagnose with traditional methods such as EGD or CTs, in which case it is recommended to proceed with an angiogram sooner rather than later for further diagnosis and treatment if needed.展开更多
Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular respons...Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Both are Class I recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) for the management of AF with RVR. Multiple studies support the view that diltiazem is more effective than metoprolol, even though data from the AFFIRM trial suggests BBs are more frequently used. CCBs are generally avoided in AF with RVR patients who have concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for concern of triggering decompensation. However, some recent studies indicate this idea may be unfounded. The aim of this article is to compare the efficacy of diltiazem and metoprolol for rate control in AF with RVR and examine the use of diltiazem in patients with both AF with RVR and HFrEF.展开更多
文摘Upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains a significant cause of hospital admissions. Even though the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis is decreasing, the incidence rates in neoplasm, Dieulafoy’s lesions, angiodysplasia, and esophagitis are trending up, which necessities physicians to be aware of those pathologies and their specifics. Here, we represent a case of a 62-year-old male on dual antiplatelet therapy who was transferred to our hospital due to severe melena with suspicion of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to hemodynamic instability, the patient was intubated and started on vasopressors. However, several repeated EGDs and CTs of the abdomen with GI bleeding protocol did not reveal the location of active bleeding to stop it. At the same time, clinically, the patient was hemodynamically unstable with continued melena. On the last EGD, a small area of concern resembling gastric varix was clipped for identification purposes, and the patient underwent a selective angiogram with further diagnosis of Dieulafoy’s lesion, which was successfully embolized. Our case demonstrates that Dieulafoy’s lesions can present as severe life-threatening hemorrhage, hard to diagnose with traditional methods such as EGD or CTs, in which case it is recommended to proceed with an angiogram sooner rather than later for further diagnosis and treatment if needed.
文摘Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Both are Class I recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) for the management of AF with RVR. Multiple studies support the view that diltiazem is more effective than metoprolol, even though data from the AFFIRM trial suggests BBs are more frequently used. CCBs are generally avoided in AF with RVR patients who have concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for concern of triggering decompensation. However, some recent studies indicate this idea may be unfounded. The aim of this article is to compare the efficacy of diltiazem and metoprolol for rate control in AF with RVR and examine the use of diltiazem in patients with both AF with RVR and HFrEF.
