Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Whether this risk is less than with traditional central venous catheters (CVCs) is unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature to compare the risk of PICC‐related CLABSI to that of other CVCs. Methods: […]

Case Presentation: 78 year old woman with persistent non valvular atrial fibrillation was admitted with palpitation and dyspnea. She was in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate. Given symptomatic atrial fibrillation after rate control, decision was made for transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and elective direct current cardioversion (DCCV). She was successfully converted to sinus rhythm with […]

Case Presentation: As physicians, we frequently engage patients and families in goals of care discussions in the context of advanced serious illnesses. These discussions can be challenging for numerous reasons. We present an atypical case of a woman, who experienced acute onset of confusion, numbness, pre-syncope, chest pain, and abdominal pain, after initiating a discussion […]

Case Presentation: A 54 year old man with Hepatitis C without cirrhosis, complicated by porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), presented with painful bruising and swelling of his legs and arms. There was no inciting trauma, he took no antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants and had no family history of coagulopathy.  He recently completed a course of pegylated […]