Shared decision-making and specific informed consent in patients with aortic aneurysms

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the refusal rate of elective aortic aneurysm surgery in asymptomatic patients after the presentation of a detailed informed consent form followed by a meeting where patient and their families can analyze each item. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who had aneurysms and were offered surgical treatment between June 2017 and February 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: the Rejected Surgery Group, which was composed of patients who refused the proposed surgical treatment, and the Accepted Surgery Group, comprising patients who accepted the proposed surgeries and subsequently underwent them. Results Of the 49 patients, 13 (26.5%) refused surgery after reading the informed consent and attending the comprehensive meeting. We observed that patients who refused surgery had statistically smaller aneurysms than those who accepted surgery (9% versus 26%). These smaller aneurysms were above the indication size, according to the literature. Conclusion One-quarter of patients who were indicated for elective surgical repair of aortic aneurysms rejected surgery after shared decision-making, which involved presenting patients with an informed consent form followed by a clarification meeting for them and their families to analyze each item. The only factor that significantly influenced a rejection of the procedure was the size of the aneurysm; patients who rejected surgery had smaller aneurysms than those who accepted surgery.

Radiological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma that achieved complete response after chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads for liver transplantation planning

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the radiological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions that achieved a complete response following drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) preceding liver transplantation. Methods This single-center case-control study enrolled patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant DEB-TACE therapy, were followed up with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, and were successively evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The HCCs were divided into two groups based on their diameter (Group A: ≤3cm; Group B: 3cm). Viability was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method according to tumor size categories. The relationship between tumor variables was analyzed using bivariate Cox regression. Results Three-hundred and twenty-eight patients with 667 hepatocellular carcinomas who underwent their first DEB-TACE session were enrolled. A total of 105 hepatocellular carcinomas in 59 patients exhibited complete response after the initial DEB-TACE session and were divided into Group A (92 HCCs) and Group B (13 HCCs). The diameter in Group A decreased significantly compared to the pre-procedure size until the second assessment (p<0.001), with no subsequent reduction in diameter, despite maintaining a complete response. In Group B, the reduction in diameter remained significant compared with the initial value until the sixth imaging evaluation (p=0.014). The average reduction was 45.1% for Group B and a maximum of 14.9% in Group A. Conclusion HCCs >3cm exhibited a greater reduction in size and a longer time to recurrence. HCCs ≤3cm had a shorter relapse time. The recurrence rates were similar. These findings may aid in planning for liver transplantation.

A novel balloon-assisted technique to secure visceral catheterization during a chimney endovascular repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in a centenarian patient / Uma nova técnica assistida por balão para assegurar a cateterização visceral durante o reparo endovascular, com a técnica de chaminé, de um aneurisma de aorta roto em um paciente centenário

Abstract A 100-year-old male patient was admitted with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm due to type IA endoleak. Given the proximity of the ruptured site to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and renal arteries, a ChEVAR was indicated. Catheterization of the target visceral vessels was a challenging procedural step because of an intensely tortuous thoracic aorta. This hostile aortic anatomy also inhibited exchange for a super stiff guide-wire and selective cannulation with the diagnostic catheter was repeatedly lost when guidewire exchange was attempted. To overcome this issue, a 5 x 40 mm balloon catheter was placed 3cm into the target arteries. The balloon was then inflated below the nominal pressure limit enabling safe exchange for a super stiff guidewire and placement of three 90-cm long 7Fr guiding sheaths. The procedure was thus safely performed with deployment of an aortic extension and the bridging stents.

Resumo Um paciente de 100 anos foi diagnosticado com um aneurisma de aorta abdominal roto por um endoleak 1A. Pela proximidade do ponto de ruptura com a artéria mesentérica superior (AMS) e as artérias renais, um ChEVAR foi indicado. A cateterização das artérias-alvo foi um passo desafiador pela intensa tortuosidade da aorta torácica. Essa anatomia aórtica hostil também impediu a troca por um fio-guia extra-rígido, e a cateterização seletiva foi repetidamente perdida quando a troca de fio-guia foi tentada. Para superar essa dificuldade, um cateter balão 5mm x 40mm foi posicionado nas artérias-alvo. O balão foi, então, insuflado abaixo da pressão nominal, permitindo uma troca segura do fio-guia por um fio-guia extra-rígido e o posicionamento de três bainhas longas 7Frx 90cm. Assim, o procedimento foi executado de forma segura, com o implante de uma extensão aórtica e dos stents recobertos.

The essential role of thoracic duct embolization in management of traumatic iatrogenic chylothorax / O papel fundamental da embolização do ducto torácico no manejo de quilotórax traumático iatrogênico

Abstract This study aims to describe a case series of patients who underwent thoracic duct embolization (TDE) to treat traumatic iatrogenic chylothorax (TIC). Three patients were included: Case #1, a 49-year-old woman with follicular lymphoma developed a TIC following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to resect a solid right paravertebral mass and was treated with TDE using microcoils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue. Case #2, a 68-year-old man with cardiac amyloidosis developed a TIC following heart transplantation and was treated with TDE using microcoils and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Case#3: A 6-year-old patient with congenital heart disease developed a TIC following a Fontan procedure and was treated with TDE using NBCA glue. All lesions were identified during lymphangiography and TDE was successfully performed in all cases. TDE is a safe and valuable technique that provides minimally invasive treatment for TCI.

Resumo Este estudo objetiva descrever uma série de casos de pacientes submetidos a embolização do ducto torácico (EDT) para tratamento de quilotórax iatrogênico (QI). Três pacientes foram incluídos. Caso 1: um homem de 49 anos com linfoma folicular apresentou QI após ressecção de uma massa paravertebral por toracoscopia vídeo-assistida e foi submetido a EDT com micromolas e n-butil-cianoacrilato (NBCA). Caso 2: um homem de 68 anos com amiloidose cardíaca apresentou QI após ser submetido a transplante cardíaco e foi submetido a EDT com micromolas e copolímero de etileno e álcool vinílico. Caso 3: um paciente de 6 anos com malformação cardíaca congênita apresentou QI após cirurgia de Fontan e foi submetido a EDT com NBCA. Todas as lesões foram identificadas durante a linfangiografia, e a EDT foi realizada com sucesso. A EDT é uma técnica segura e valiosa, que pode oferecer um tratamento minimamente invasivo em casos de QI.

Incidence, diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes of clinically suspected venous thromboembolic disease in patients with COVID-19 in a quaternary hospital in Brazil / Incidência, diagnóstico, métodos terapêuticos e desfechos de eventos tromboembólicos venosos em pacientes com COVID-19 em um hospital quaternário do Brasil

Abstract Background Prothrombotic states have been associated with viral infections and the novel Sars-COV-2 infection has been associated with elevated D-dimer levels, although no causal relation has been clearly established. Objectives This study presents an epidemiological analysis of manifest VTE episodes in a group of patients hospitalized because of COVID-19. Methods Medical records of patients who presented symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism in concomitance with confirmed COVID-19 were retrospectively studied. Demographic characteristics, prevalence of VTE, site of occurrence, D-dimer variation over time, management, and outcomes were analyzed. Results During the study period, 484 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were admitted, 64 of which displayed VTE symptoms and 13 of which had confirmed symptomatic VTE(2.68% of total sample and 20.31% of symptomatic cases). Most cases (76.92%) occurred in intensive care. On the day attributed to VTE onset, D-dimer levels were over 3,000 ng/mL in 8 (80%) patients, a significant increase from baseline admission levels (p < 0.05). A significant decrease was also observed in D-dimer values at hospital discharge (p < 0.05). All patients received pharmacological thromboprophylaxis and/or anticoagulation as indicated. Two deaths occurred during the study, both patients with severe comorbidities. At the end of our study protocol, nine patients had been discharged and two remained hospitalized, but had no signs of VTE worsening. Conclusions VTE prevalence in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was 2.7%, and higher in intensive care units. Early institution of prophylaxis and immediate full anticoagulation when VTE is diagnosed should be the goals of those who treat this kind of patient.

Resumo Contexto Os estados pró-trombóticos têm sido associados a infecções virais. A nova infecção pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave do coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sabidamente eleva os níveis de D-dímero, embora a relação causal não tenha sido bem estabelecida. Objetivos Este estudo apresenta uma análise epidemiológica de episódios sintomáticos de tromboembolismo em um grupo de pacientes hospitalizados pela doença do novo coronavírus (COVID-19). Métodos Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de pacientes internados por COVID-19 que apresentaram trombose venosa profunda e/ou embolia pulmonar sintomáticas. Foram avaliados os dados demográficos, a prevalência de tromboembolismo, a variação do D-dímero ao longo do tempo, o manejo e os desfechos. Resultados Dos 484 casos confirmados de COVID-19 admitidos entre março e julho de 2020, 64 apresentaram sintomas de tromboembolismo, que foram investigados, e 13 tiveram tromboembolismo confirmado (2,68% do total e 20,31% dos sintomáticos). A maioria dos casos ocorreu em regime de terapia intensiva (76,92%). Houve um aumento significativo no número de pacientes com D-dímero acima de 3.000 ng/mL no dia atribuído ao diagnóstico de tromboembolismo com relação aos níveis do momento da admissão (80%, p < 0,05).Uma queda significativa de pacientes nesse limiar também foi observada no momento da alta (p < 0,05). Todos os pacientes receberam tromboprofilaxia ou anticoagulação conforme indicado. Houve dois óbitos na amostra, ambos pacientes com comorbidades severas. Ao fim do protocolo, nove pacientes receberam alta e dois permaneceram hospitalizados, mas sem sinais de piora. Conclusões A prevalência de tromboembolismo em pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 foi de 2,7%, sendo mais frequente em regime de terapia intensiva. A instituição precoce de profilaxia e anticoagulação imediata ao diagnóstico é primordial nesse grupo de pacientes.