Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) a Tool to Assess Changes in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Predictive indices like the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) have been developed to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic surgery is the most effective treatment for a rapid improvement of morbid obesity and its comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CVD. A decreased reoccurrence of CVD after metabolic surgery has been reported by several studies. However, studies utilizing predictive indices for CVD risk in CVD-free morbid-obese patients who undertook laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are lacking. Here, we use AIP as a tool to evaluate the improvement in CVD risk post-LSG in morbid-obese people who had no history of CVD. Method. We compared baseline, 6- and 12-month post-LSG score of AIP, vascular age, circulating biochemical markers related to CVD in two groups of BMI and age-matched morbid-obese participants with and without T2D. Results. At baseline, people with T2D had significantly higher AIP both, with morbid obesity (0.23 ± 0.06, p < 0.001) and normal weight (0.022 ± 0.05, p < 0.001) compared to their BMI-matched without T2D group. People with morbid obesity had low AIP (-0.083 ± 0.06). Vascular age was significantly higher in people with morbid obesity and T2D (65.8 ± 3.7year, p < 0.0001) compared to morbid obesity (37.9 ± 2.6 year). After one year, AIP was significantly reduced compared to baseline score in people with morbid obesity with/without T2D, respectively (-0.135 ± 0.07, p = 0.003; and -0.36 ± 0.04, p = 0.0002). Conclusion. Our data illuminates AIP as a reliable predictive index for CVD risk in morbid-obese people who had no history of CVD. Moreover, AIP accurately distinguishes between morbid obesity with T2D and morbid obesity and showed a rapid and significant reduction in CVD risk after LSG in people who had no history of CVD. This is a ClinicalTrials.gov registered trial (Reference NCT03038373).

Biphasic changes in angiopoietin-like 8 level after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and type 2 diabetes remission during a 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8) a hepatic protein, is implicated by several studies with a role in promoting pancreatic ß-cell proliferation and improving glucose tolerance. Although a matter of controversy, a growing number of reports support ANGPTL8's potential, yet unclear, role in type 2 diabetes (T2D). OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in fasting ANGPTL8 level in people with morbid obesity, with or without diabetes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in a 1-year prospective study. SETTING: Dasman Diabetes Institute, government, and private hospitals, Kuwait. METHODS: Fasting serum ANGPTL8 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline in participants with morbid obesity, 17 with diabetes and 23 without diabetes, and in healthy weight participants, 19 with and 15 without diabetes, during 1 year post-LSG in participants with morbid obesity. RESULTS: At baseline, people with T2D had higher ANGPTL8 level, (morbid obese, mean ± standard error of the mean; 1415 ± 196.4 pg/mL, and healthy weight, 2231 ± 328.1 pg/mL), compared with individuals without T2D (morbid obese, 876 ± 155.0 pg/mL, and healthy weight controls 868.9 ± 218.7 pg/mL). In participants with diabetes and morbid obesity, T2D remission occurred 15 days post-LSG, defined by a sustained reduced fasting blood glucose levels <6.9 mmol/L. In this group, the 1-year post-LSG measurement of ANGPTL8 showed unique biphasic changes, first a prominent elevation (day 60, 3336 ± 916.5 pg/mL, P < .01), followed by a gradual decrease to reach almost the baseline level (day 360, 1184 ± 119.3 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Elevated baseline ANGPTL8 in participants with diabetes at baseline reflected a link to T2D. Interestingly, the unique biphasic pattern of change in fasting ANGPTL8 post-LSG, occurred only in people with diabetes, suggesting ANGPTL8's potential role in T2D remission.

Therapeutic effect of low-molecular weight heparin and incidence of lower limb deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to determine the therapeutic effect of low-molecular weight heparin after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed data of 39 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from 1093 consecutive patients who underwent bariatric procedures from May 1999 to May 2012. All patients were given 40 mg enoxaparin subcutaneously once daily preoperatively and continued for 5 days. RESULTS: There were 31 females. Mean age was 32.48 years and mean body mass index was 44.59 kg/m. Only 46.1% of patients reached the defined therapeutic dose on the second day and 41% on the fifth day. One fatal pulmonary embolism was recorded (1/1093, 0.09%) in the entire series. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-Xa surveillance did not correlate strongly with outcome. Further studies are required for proper dose adjustments of low-molecular weight heparin in these obese patients and whether anti-Xa monitoring should be continued.

Revision of failed bariatric procedures to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Bariatric surgery for morbid obesity has been established as an effective treatment method and has been shown to be associated with resolution of co-morbidities. Despite its success, some patients may require revision because of weight regain or mechanical complications. From September 2005 to December 2009, 42 patients underwent revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). All procedures were performed by one surgeon. Demographics, indications for revision, complications, and weight loss were reviewed. Thirty-seven patients were treated with laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 1) RYGB after failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Four patient were treated with laparoscopic (n = 3) or open (n-1) RYGB after failed vertical banded gastroplasty, and one patient underwent open redo RYGB due to large gastric pouch. Conversion rate from laparoscopy to open surgery was 2.5% (one patient). Mean operative time was 145.83 ± 35.19 min, and hospital stay was 3.36 ± 1.20 days. There was no mortality. Early and late complications occurred in six patients (14.2%). The mean follow-up was 15.83 ± 13.43 months. Mean preoperative body mass index was 45.15 ± 7.95 that decreased to 35.23 ± 6.7, and mean percentage excess weight loss was 41.19 ± 20.22 after RYGB within our follow-up period. RYGB as a revisional bariatric procedure is effective to treat complications of restrictive procedures and to further reduce weight in morbidly obese patients.

Diagnostic performance of gastric imprint smear for determination of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of several methods (invasive and noninvasive) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, no test is considered to be the 'gold standard'. Endoscopy-based tests are regarded as the reference method in most studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of imprint cytology smears of antral biopsies compared with Gram-stained smears, the rapid urease test and culture methods, separately and in combination. METHODS: Antral biopsies were obtained from consecutive patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single centre. The biopsies were examined for the presence of H pylori by Gram-stained smear, the rapid urease test, culture methods and imprint cytology smear.  RESULTS: A total of 273 biopsies were studied. All tests were positive in 36% of the patients. Of 252 biopsies tested, 73% were positive using the imprint cytology technique. Using Gram-stained smear, the rapid urease test and culture methods individually, the sensitivity and specificity of imprint cytology smears for the detection of H pylori were found to be 92.7% and 50%; 92.7% and 49%; and 92.4% and 38.5%, respectively. Combining the three microbiological methods resulted in a sensitivity of 92.1%, a specificity of 51.0% and an efficiency of 71.7% for imprint cytology smears. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic examination provides useful clinical information. Imprint gastric cytology can be used as a rapid test to establish the diagnosis of H pylori infection at the time endoscopy is performed, enabling the endoscopist to start treatment with immediate effect.

Penetrating cardiac injury.

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of penetrating cardiac injury with patient's survival. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 23-year-old man stabbed with a knife to the epigastric area just below the right costal margin was brought to the Emergency Room, Al-Adan Hospital, Kuwait, in a state of shock. Aggressive resuscitation was performed, chest X-ray showed no evidence of hemo- or pneumothorax. Exploratory laparotomy was performed revealing a severely congested liver, with no intraperitoneal hemorrhage to explain his being in a state of shock. Left thoracotomy revealed pericardial tamponade with perforation in the right ventricle and hemorrhage. A mattress suture was used to control bleeding from the right ventricle. Postoperative echography revealed a tear in the interventricular septum and papillary muscle. Open-heart surgery was performed to repair the injured tissues. The patient made an uneventful recovery. CONCLUSION: This report shows that patients with penetrating cardiac injuries and detectable vital signs on arrival at the hospital can be salvaged by prompt surgical intervention.

Rupture of splenic artery aneurysm during labor: a case report of maternal and fetal survival.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of splenic artery aneurysm that ruptured during labor with both maternal and fetal survival. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 33-year-old primigravida at 42 weeks of gestation was admitted to Adan Hospital for induction of labor. Three days after induction, the patient suddenly collapsed and was found to be hypotensive. Abruptio placentae was mistakenly diagnosed, despite the absence of vaginal bleeding, and the patient was immediately taken to the operating room for emergency cesarean section. A female infant was delivered without any evidence of abruptio placentae but with 2,000 ml blood noted in the abdominal cavity. A vertical midline incision was performed and a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm was found. Proximal ligation of the splenic artery was performed followed by splenectomy. Both mother and newborn did well and were discharged on the 7th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the need to consider ruptured splenic artery aneurysm as part of differential diagnosis of hemoperitoneum in pregnant women. Immediate surgical intervention is needed to ensure survival of both mother and fetus.