ABSTRACT
Background: Predicting the outcome of blunt chest trauma by scoring systems is of utmost value. We aimed to assess the role of the chest trauma scoring system (CTS) in predicting blunt chest trauma outcomes among Egyptians. Methods: A prospective observational study included 45 patients admitted to the cardiothoracic emergency unit of Al-Azhar University hospitals. We documented their demographic data, history, cause and mode of trauma, vital parameters, and necessary investigations (e.g., chest X-ray and Computed Tomography) when the patient was admitted to the cardiothoracic department. All patients were assessed using the chest trauma scale (CTS) and followed up till death or discharge. Results: The patient's age ranged between 18 to 76 years (mean 42.67 years). Eighty percent were males, and 48% needed mechanical ventilation (MV). The period of MV was ranged from 1 to 5 days (mean 2.81 days). Twenty-two patients had pneumonia. Eight patients died with a chest trauma scale ranging from 2 to 12 with a median of 6. About 87 percent of patients had unilateral lesions, and 5 had criminal causes. Road traffic accidents were the most typical cause of trauma (60%). There was a significant relation between mortality among the studied patients and each MV, length of ICU duration, chest trauma scale, laterality of trauma, and associated injuries. There was a statistically significant relation between the chest trauma scale and the need for MV, the timing of MV, the presence of pneumonia, and mortality. Conclusion: CTS ≥ 6.5 can predict mortality with 100.0% sensitivity, specificity of 62.2%, and accuracy of 68.9%. However, a score of ≥ 5.5 can predict the development of pneumonia with a sensitivity of 81.8%, specificity of 78.3%, and accuracy of 80%.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dilated left ventricle occurs in chronic aortic and mitral regurgitations. We describe the early outcome of mitral and aortic valve replacement for patients with severely dilated left ventricle in different surgical interventions. METHODS: From March 2014 to December 2018, 620 patients with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) of ≥ 70 mm underwent valve replacement procedures in 8 cardiac surgery centers in Egypt. One hundred ninety four cases (31.3%) underwent aortic valve replacement, 173 cases (27.9%) underwent mitral valve replacement, 123 cases (19.9%) underwent double valve replacement, 59 cases (9.5%) underwent double valve replacement with either tricuspid valve repair or replacement, 33 cases (5.3%) underwent mitral valve replacement with either tricuspid valve repair or replacement, 20 cases (3.2%) underwent mitral valve replacement with CABG, 10 cases (1.6%) underwent aortic valve replacement with CABG, while 8 cases (1.3%) underwent aortic valve replacement with ascending aortic aneurysm repair. RESULTS: Four patients (0.6%) developed new postoperative renal failure, which required dialysis. Twenty-nine patients (4.7%) required reoperation for bleeding. One patient (0.2 %) developed sternal dehiscence. Five patients (0.8%) postoperatively developed stroke. Twenty-five patients (4%) died, and the main causes of death were low cardiac output and sepsis with eventual multi-organ failure. CONCLUSION: Valve replacement in patients with hugely dilated left ventricle are safe operations with satisfactory outcomes even if combined with other procedures, especially with proper preoperative preparation, intraoperative preservation of posterior mitral leaflet, and meticulous postoperative follow up in the surgical ICU.
