The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 50 COVID patients today, 56 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 29 with the active virus today, 35 yesterday
- 4 in ICU, 4 yesterday
- 2 on a ventilator, 1 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Morning Rounds – Updates on Current Headlines
Dr. Peter Downey, thoracic surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- On the sudden death of 49-year-old World Cup reporter Grant Wahl, it was reported his cause of death was “the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium.”
- The heart is a hollow muscle that pumps blood out to the body of this main pipe called the aorta. The aortic aneurysm is an expansion of that main pipe that puts it at risk for tearing which can lead to leaking blood outside the aorta into the heart sac.
- It could have been detected if a screening was done prior. An aneurysm is most commonly picked up on imaging that's done for other reasons -- if the patient has an x-ray or if they get a CAT scan or an ultrasound.
- Unfortunately, there's no clear cut screening tests that can be done for thoracic aortic aneurysms.
- The most common risk factors are high blood pressure and cigarette smoking, and they often run in families.
Featured Content
Dr. Melanie Meister, gynecologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Menopause is defined by 12 months of no menstrual periods and for most women in the United States, the average age of that is 51.
- We consider menopause to be early when it occurs before age 45 and we consider it to be premature if it occurs before age 40.
- Women going through early menopause have a risk of heart complications. There are a lot of changes, physiologic changes that happen with menopause that increase cardiovascular risk and we don't actually understand everything, but we do know with the hormonal changes specifically decreasing estrogen, there are changes in the lipid profile so there's an increase in total cholesterol as well as LDL or sometimes called the bad cholesterol.
- There are also some changes within the blood vessel that increase atherosclerosis and then metabolic syndrome. When women experience menopause early, they seem to be an even increase higher risk.
Amy Franken, treated for early menopause
- Dr. Meister has been managing her menopausal hormone replacement therapy along with her primary care doctor -- really fortunate to have a really great primary care doctor who is following the screening that she needs for her other health issues.
- Important to make sure that patients are up to date and consistent with the screening that needs to happen periodically, particularly after menopause.
- She has grandparents and family members on both sides who have heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure issues, so she’s been sensitive to that since her 20s.
- In addition to the heart disease diagnosis about four years ago, her doctor diagnosed her with type two diabetes.
- Really started monitoring her diet very carefully, cutting back sweets, sugars, carbs. And she stopped drinking alcohol, which was a big issue that needed to be dealt with as far as weight management and for diabetes.
- Complete health care is important. Ask for help when needed, don’t suffer in silence.
COVID/Infectious Disease Updates
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection control and prevention, The University of Kansas Health System
- Based on reports in England of a Strep A outbreak, it is a serious bacterial infection and it is not treated lightly -- antibiotics can be used to treat it.
- There is a Tamiflu shortage in the U.S., but there is a fair supply at the Health System.
- Two or three other antivirals available for flu but are less widely used.
- Antivirals can reduce symptoms and reduce risk of hospitalizations, but they are now being used sparingly.
Friday, December 16 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Irma Starr is a nationally acclaimed artist who created some special pieces to say thank you to the health care team she credits for saving her life. She’ll share her story of being diagnosed with an aneurysm in her heart. Making matters worse, she came down with COVID the day of her surgery! We meet her, her team and the gratitude behind her amazing gift.
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