Heparin-induced DRESS syndrome in a paediatric patient and successful anaesthetic management in cardiovascular bypass surgery: case report.

BACKGROUND: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome is a severe adverse drug reaction marked by delayed hypersensitivity reactions causing skin and systemic complications. DRESS diagnosis is challenging due to the variety of clinical presentations and symptom overlap with other conditions. The perioperative period in these patients requires precise pharmacological strategies to prevent complications associated with this syndrome. The treatment of DRESS induced by unfractionated heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery presents some challenges that must be considered when selecting an anticoagulant to avoid side effects. In this case, bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is indicated as an alternative to heparin in patients undergoing CPB. However, in contrast to heparin/protamine, there is no direct reversal agent for bivalirudin. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 11-year-old male diagnosed with native aortic valve endocarditis and thrombosis in his left lower extremity. During valvular replacement surgery, systemic unfractionated heparin was administered. Postoperatively, the patient developed fever, eosinophilia and pruritic rash. Warm shock and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels followed, leading to the diagnosis of DRESS syndrome. Treatment with methylprednisolone resulted in complete resolution of symptoms. Seven years later, the patient was readmitted due to insufficient anticoagulation and a thrombus in the prosthetic aortic valve, presenting a recurrent DRESS episode due to the administration of unfractionated heparin, which was later replaced with low-molecular-weight heparin during hospitalization. Treatment with corticosteroids and antihistamines was initiated, resulting in the resolution of this episode. Ultimately, the patient required the Ross procedure. During this intervention the anticoagulation strategy was modified, unfractionated heparin was replaced with bivalirudin during the procedure and fondaparinux was administered during the postoperative period. This resulted in stable transaminases levels and no eosinophilia. CONCLUSION: The severity of DRESS Syndrome underscores the importance of early recognition, heightened monitoring, and a comprehensive approach tailored to each patient's needs. This particular case highlights the significance of this approach and may have a substantial clinical impact since it provides alternatives to heparin, such as bivalirudin and fondaparinux, in the anticoagulation strategy of CPB for patients who have a hypersensibility reaction to this medication; thus, enhancing clinical outcomes by minimizing risks linked to adverse drug reactions.

ECPR for prolonged Pediatric Cardiac Arrest, an outcome without major neurological compromise.

Pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) has been reported in 1-3% of pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and up to 6% of children admissions to the cardiac ICU. In the last 25 years, the survival to hospital discharge after pediatric IHCA has improved from 9% to 13.7% up to 35%. The improvement in outcomes was attributed in part to the application of ECMO as a rescue strategy when prolonged conventional CPR cannot restore spontaneous circulation. We report a case of a 4-month-old patient with a history of ventricular and septal defects, with left to right shunt and enlargement of left heart chambers that underwent surgery for the closure of the atrial and septal defects, and experienced complications that led to the use of ECMO in response to a prolonged cardiac arrest.

Effect of colchicine on perioperative atrial fibrillation and myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery in patients undergoing major thoracic surgery (COP-AF): an international randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers are associated with an increased risk of perioperative atrial fibrillation and myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS). Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug that might reduce the incidence of these complications. METHODS: COP-AF was a randomised trial conducted at 45 sites in 11 countries. Patients aged 55 years or older and undergoing major non-cardiac thoracic surgery were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral colchicine 0·5 mg twice daily or matching placebo, starting within 4 h before surgery and continuing for 10 days. Randomisation was done with use of a computerised, web-based system, and was stratified by centre. Health-care providers, patients, data collectors, and adjudicators were masked to treatment assignment. The coprimary outcomes were clinically important perioperative atrial fibrillation and MINS during 14 days of follow-up. The main safety outcomes were a composite of sepsis or infection, and non-infectious diarrhoea. The intention-to-treat principle was used for all analyses. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03310125. FINDINGS: Between Feb 14, 2018, and June 27, 2023, we enrolled 3209 patients (mean age 68 years [SD 7], 1656 [51·6%] male). Clinically important atrial fibrillation occurred in 103 (6·4%) of 1608 patients assigned to colchicine, and 120 (7·5%) of 1601 patients assigned to placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0·85, 95% CI 0·65 to 1·10; absolute risk reduction [ARR] 1·1%, 95% CI -0·7 to 2·8; p=0·22). MINS occurred in 295 (18·3%) patients assigned to colchicine and 325 (20·3%) patients assigned to placebo (HR 0·89, 0·76 to 1·05; ARR 2·0%, -0·8 to 4·7; p=0·16). The composite outcome of sepsis or infection occurred in 103 (6·4%) patients in the colchicine group and 83 (5·2%) patients in the placebo group (HR 1·24, 0·93-1·66). Non-infectious diarrhoea was more common in the colchicine group (134 [8·3%] events) than the placebo group (38 [2·4%]; HR 3·64, 2·54-5·22). INTERPRETATION: In patients undergoing major non-cardiac thoracic surgery, administration of colchicine did not significantly reduce the incidence of clinically important atrial fibrillation or MINS but increased the risk of mostly benign non-infectious diarrhoea. FUNDING: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium, Innovation Fund of the Alternative Funding Plan for the Academic Health Sciences Centres of Ontario, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Division of Cardiology at McMaster University, Canada; Hanela Foundation, Switzerland; and General Research Fund, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong.

Rationale and design of the colchicine for the prevention of perioperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing major noncardiac thoracic surgery (COP-AF) trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) are common complications after noncardiac surgery. Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both disorders. The COP-AF trial tests the hypothesis that colchicine reduces the incidence of perioperative AF and MINS in patients undergoing major noncardiac thoracic surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 'COlchicine for the Prevention of Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation' (COP-AF) trial is an international, blinded, randomized trial that compares colchicine to placebo in patients aged at least 55 years and undergoing major noncardiac thoracic surgery with general anesthesia. Exclusion criteria include a history of AF and a contraindication to colchicine (eg, severe renal dysfunction). Oral colchicine at a dose of 0.5 mg or matching placebo is given within 4 hours before surgery. Thereafter, patients receive colchicine 0.5 mg or placebo twice daily for a total of 10 days. The 2 independent co-primary outcomes are clinically important perioperative AF (including atrial flutter) and MINS during 14 days of follow-up. The main safety outcomes are sepsis or infection and non-infectious diarrhea. We aim to enroll 3,200 patients from approximately 40 sites across 11 countries to have at least 80% power for the independent evaluation of the 2 co-primary outcomes. The COP-AF main results are expected in 2023. CONCLUSIONS: COP-AF is a large randomized and blinded trial designed to determine whether colchicine reduces the risk of perioperative AF or MINS in patients who have major noncardiac thoracic surgery.

Hedinger Syndrome with Intraoperative Carcinoid Crisis — Understanding the Pathophysiology for a Successful Management

Abstract Carcinoid tumors can be a cause for right heart valve disease, also known as Hedinger syndrome or carcinoid heart disease. Proper understanding of the pathophysiology is of the uttermost importance for adequate treatment of these patients, especially during heart surgery.

Postoperative Liver Failure Secondary to Hypoxic Hepatitis in Double Lung Transplantation: A Case Report.

Hypoxic hepatitis is a diagnosis of exclusion that should be suspected in patients with systemic hypoperfusion risk factors. It has a very high mortality, close to 50%. Although respiratory failure has been described as an etiologic factor for hypoxic hepatitis, cases of liver failure secondary to hypoxic hepatitis after lung transplantation have not been reported. Here we describe the case of a 54-year-old patient who underwent double lung transplantation with intraoperative ECMO and presented postoperative liver failure with a fatal outcome, despite adequate functioning of the lung graft. We describe the clinical presentation, risk factors, intra- and postoperative course, diagnosis, and the importance of pretransplant assessment, along with a review of the literature.

Hedinger Syndrome with Intraoperative Carcinoid Crisis - Understanding the Pathophysiology for a Successful Management.

Carcinoid tumors can be a cause for right heart valve disease, also known as Hedinger syndrome or carcinoid heart disease. Proper understanding of the pathophysiology is of the uttermost importance for adequate treatment of these patients, especially during heart surgery.

Duodenal hemangiolymphangioma presenting as chronic anemia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangiomas are a heterogeneous group of congenital vascular malformations characterized by cystic dilation of lymphatic vessels. They can occur at any age, but they are more common during childhood and in cutaneous localizations. Hemangiomas and vascular malformations of the gastrointestinal tract are very uncommon. Most are asymptomatic and diagnosis is often made as an incidental finding during endoscopy. On rare occasions the initial manifestation can be chronic anemia due to low grade gastrointestinal bleeding. They constitute an unusual manifestation and there is a low incidence of this type of tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 43 year-old latin female, with a 2-year history of chronic anemia requiring blood transfusion. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit count were low, therefore further studies were required to rule out bleeding sources or other causes of anemia. Enteroscopy findings showed a 35 mm lesion taking up 50 % of the circumference in the distal duodenum, with raised whitish edges secondary to confluent lymphangiectasia, a center with a vascular appearance and active bleeding spots. Biopsy samples dyed with India ink confirmed the diagnosis of hemangiolymphangioma. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic difficulties in this case, highlight the need to include hemangiolymphangioma in the differential diagnosis of chronic anemia as well as the need for multiple diagnostic methods to confirm the presence of the condition.

[Benefits of the 2002-2003 National Program of Extramural Surgery of the ministry of health in ophthalmologic care]. / Logros 2002-2003 del Programa Nacional de Cirugía Extramuros en la atención oftalmológica.

In a recent past article, we reported the general considerations of the national program of extramural surgery in Mexico from the national health secretary. The results obtained concerning ophthalmic care during the last 2 years are presented to provide new information about what has been done in our country, in specialized ophthalmologic care to the economically disadvantaged population who do not have access to other types of medical ophthalmic attention, especially for cataracts and strabismus.

Programa Nacional de Cirugía Extramuros de la SSA 1994-2000 / The Mexican Health Secretarit National Extramural Surgery Program 1994-2000

El Programa Nacional de Cirugía Extramuros está diseñado para llevar atención quirúrgica especializada, altruista, con tecnología de punta a la población marginada del país en sus propias comunidades.Con el objetivo de difundir la actividad que desempeñó este programa de la SSA a través de la Dirección General de Extensión de Cobertura, con el apoyo de instituciones privadas como las fundaciones Telmex y Prasad, la Academia Mexicana de Cirugía y Médicos Privados. Se presenta la organización, funcionamiento, actividad desarrollada y resultados obtenidos por el Programa Nacional de Cirugía Extramuros, en los últimos seis años analizando su filosofía, las estrategias aplicadas y las instituciones involucradas.Más de 50,000 pacientes fueron valorados y recibieron los beneficios del programa, llevando a cabo de manera altruista, 42,609 procedimientos quirúrgicos por más de 500 cirujanos y anestesiólogos, a lo largo y ancho del país, destacándose en los años más recientes, dentro del Federalismo, la ascendente tendencia a la descentralización de los servicios acorde a la Reforma del Sector Salud.