Background: The treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and comorbid acute kidney injury (AKI) can be quite challenging. Many times the etiology of AKI in this setting is multifactorial and may involve cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Arterial underfilling, sympathetic nervous system upregulation, and systemic venous congestion contribute to impaired glomerular filtration rate in ADHF patients. [...]

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a recognized risk factor for incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and no such documented association with pneumonia. However, the influence of hyperlipidemia on long-term mortality after AMI, HF, or pneumonia has not yet been fully understood. The objectives are to estimate the effect of hyperlipidemia and [...]

Background: Heart failure is a deadly epidemic with over 37 million people affected worldwide with a multitude of physical, psychological and financial implications on patients and the healthcare system. The progression of heart failure can be prevented by appropriate and persistent medication therapy however previous research has estimated forty to sixty percent of patients with [...]

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is emerging as a useful diagnostic tool for several lung pathologies. Some studies have found its accuracy in diagnosing pulmonary edema surpasses that of chest x-ray (CXR) but the available evidence is conflicting. CXR currently receives a Class I recommendation by the AHA in the evaluation of decompensated heart failure. Given [...]

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major public health concern that affects over 5 million adults in the US. HF is among the most common reasons for hospital admissions and presents a considerable cost burden to the medical system. Patients are stabilized and carefully monitored at the hospital but often go home without adequate follow-up [...]

Case Presentation: H.C. was admitted to the hospital at 7 weeks of age for failure to thrive. Patient is an ex 37 6/7 weeker, BW was 1.84 kg (0.02%, Z=-3.57), and was induced due to IUGR and oligohydramnios. H.C had an uneventful newborn nursery stay and normal newborn screen. On admission, weight was 2870 g, [...]

Case Presentation: A 23 month old female with minimal primary care visits presented to the ED after a syncopal episode. She was found to be tachycardic, tachypneic, and hypoxic. Physical exam revealed an irritable, pale child with a 3/6 systolic murmur and hepatomegaly. CBC was significant for a Hgb of 1.5. CXR revealed cardiomegaly. Due [...]

Case Presentation: A 95 year old woman with a remote history of treated breast cancer and endometrial cancer presented to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and somnolence. One month prior, the patient was living independently in her usual state of health. She developed dysuria and malaise and visited an outside hospital. Routine laboratory testing [...]

Case Presentation: The prevalence of cocaine use is growing worldwide. Damaging effects of cocaine on the cardiovascular, neurologic, and pulmonary systems are well-established. In recent years, evidence has emerged for cocaine-induced damage to other organs, such as the liver and kidney. This is a case of end-organ damage from regular cocaine use. A 65-year-old man [...]

Case Presentation: A 49-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea presented after suffering a cardiac arrest at a local airport. He was reportedly healthy appearing until suddenly slumping over in his chair at the terminal. A bystander determined the patient was pulseless and initiated CPR. He received 3 shocks [...]