Ascariasis Ascariasis is an infection caused by a soil-transmitted intestinal parasitic nematode An initial pulmonary migration phase (that may cause an asthmalike episode associated with Löffler pneumonia) is followed by intestinal infection, which may be asymptomatic or may be complicated by intestinal obstruction, biliary tract disease, pancreatic disease, malnutrition, and (in children) restricted growth and cognitive …
7 Interesting Facts of Aspiration Pneumonia Aspiration pneumonia is pulmonary parenchymal infection caused by aspiration of oropharyngeal or upper gastrointestinal (via reflux or regurgitation) contents, along with microorganisms from the oral cavity or nasopharynx Typically presents with cough, purulent sputum, dyspnea, and fever; however, symptoms may be minimal in elderly patients Consider diagnosis in patients …
Asthma COPD Overlap Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is a recently recognized clinical entity of important significance. It identifies a subgroup of smokers with COPD that share some pathogenic and inflammatory characteristics with asthma and that tend to have a more severe disease phenotype than just COPD alone. It has been …
Atherosclerotic Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which atherosclerosis of the extremities (most commonly the legs) reduces tissue perfusion to varying degrees resulting in manifestations that range from a clinically silent state to critical, limb-threatening ischemia The classically described presenting symptom is intermittent claudication, lower extremity muscle pain with walking that …
Atrial Myxoma Atrial myxoma is a benign neoplasm of mesenchymal origin and is the most common primary tumor of the heart. Synonym Cardiac myxoma Epidemiology & Demographics •Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare, with an autopsy frequency of 0.001% to 0.3%. The most frequent cardiac tumors are metastases, occurring 30 times more frequently than primary …
Atrioventricular Dissociation Atrioventricular (AV) dissociation is defined as a lack of association between the atria and the ventricles or independent function of the atria and ventricles. This simple definition will serve as a reminder that AV dissociation should be considered an umbrella rather than a diagnosis. AV dissociation may occur in the setting of bradycardic …
8 Interesting Facts of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry Tachycardia Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia is the most common type of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia; it is due to a reentry circuit in or around the atrioventricular node Common symptoms include palpitations (often felt as neck pounding), chest pain, anxiety, dizziness, shortness of breath, polyuria, and lightheadedness Diagnosis is …