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1.
J Clin Monit Comput ; 30(6): 849-856, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26429134

ABSTRACT

Hemodynamic monitoring plays a crucial role in the supportive treatment of critically ill patients. In this setting, the use of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a standard procedure. In this study we prospectively compare the accuracy and precision of pulmonary thermodilution (PTD) by PAC and transcardiopulmonary thermodilution (TC-PTD) in patients with cardiogenic shock following an acute cardiac event. In this prospective study 77 hemodynamic measurements were taken in 11 patients presenting cardiogenic shock (CS) treated at the medical intensive care unit of our university hospital. Hemodynamic parameters were measured simultaneously by PTD and by TC-PTD. Both techniques assessed showed a strong correlation in the obtained hemodynamic parameters. The mean bias of cardiac index between measured by PTD (CIpa) and by TC-PTD (CIpi) was 0.04 ± 0.35 L/min/m2. During intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in post-resuscitation care, mean bias between CIpa and CIpi was 0.04 ± 0.36 and 0.04 ± 0.34 L/min/m2, respectively. Similarly, patients presenting mitral or tricuspid regurgitation showed interchangeable parameters. Preload parameters obtained by TC-PTD showed significant differences in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35 %, compared to patients with LVEF ≥35 %. In contrast, pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure showed no significant difference. Hemodynamic measurements by PTD and TC-PTD are interchangeable during therapy of CS, including patients IABP, TH, mitral or tricuspid regurgitation. Preload parameters measured by TC-PTD seem to be more accurate in these patients than pressure parameters of PTD to gather the acute hemodynamic situation.


Subject(s)
Shock, Cardiogenic/therapy , Thermodilution/methods , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiac Output , Catheterization , Female , Hemodynamics , Humans , Hypothermia, Induced , Intensive Care Units , Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping , Male , Middle Aged , Mitral Valve Insufficiency , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Artery/pathology , Reproducibility of Results , Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency , Ventricular Function, Left
2.
J Cardiovasc Magn Reson ; 17: 100, 2015 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26590904

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The origin and clinical relevance of exercise-induced premature ventricular beats (PVBs) in patients without coronary heart disease or cardiomyopathies is unknown. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance enables us to non-invasively assess myocardial scarring and oedema. The purpose of our study was to discover any evidence of myocardial anomalies in patients with exercise-induced ventricular premature beats. METHODS: We examined 162 consecutive patients presenting palpitations and documented exercise-induced premature ventricular beats (PVBs) but no history or evidence of structural heart disease. Results were compared with 70 controls matched for gender and age. ECG-triggered, T2-weighted, fast spin echo triple inversion recovery sequences and late gadolinium enhancement were obtained as well as LV function and dimensions. RESULTS: Structural anomalies in the myocardium and/or pericardium were present in 85 % of patients with exercise-induced PVBs. We observed a significant difference between patients with PVBs and controls in late gadolinium enhancement, that is 68 % presented subepicardial or midmyocardial lesions upon enhancement, whereas only 9 % of the controls did so (p < 0.0001). More patients presented pericardial enhancement (35 %) or pericardial thickening (27 %) compared to controls (21 % and 13 %, p < 0.0001). Myocardial oedema was present in 37 % of the patients and in only one control, p < 0.0001. Left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between patients and controls (63.1 ± 7.9 vs. 64.7 ± 7.0, p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with exercise-associated premature ventricular beats present evidence of myocardial disease consistent with acute or previous myocarditis or myopericarditis.


Subject(s)
Edema, Cardiac/etiology , Exercise , Myocarditis/etiology , Ventricular Premature Complexes/etiology , Aged , Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques , Case-Control Studies , Contrast Media , Edema, Cardiac/diagnosis , Edema, Cardiac/physiopathology , Electrocardiography , Female , Gadolinium DTPA , Heart Rate , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Myocarditis/diagnosis , Myocarditis/physiopathology , Myocardium/pathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Prospective Studies , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Function, Left , Ventricular Premature Complexes/diagnosis , Ventricular Premature Complexes/physiopathology
3.
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg ; 48(3): 421-7, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25543177

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Unexplained bleeding events are a severe complication in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Platelet dysfunction and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) may contribute to bleeding tendencies. Yet, comprehensive data with respect to platelet function and AVWS in LVAD patients in terms of bleeding events are scarce. METHODS: Thirty-nine HeartMate II patients were included in this study. Data of at least two time points were available for each patient. Platelet function was analysed via light transmission aggregometry in 19 patients without LVAD, 28 in early (≤14 days) and 30 in late postimplantation states (≥30 days). Von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, VWF collagen binding capacity and VWF multimeric analyses were performed in 26 patients without LVAD, 39 in early and 33 in late postimplantation states to diagnose AVWS. Bleeding complications were recorded for 39 patients in the early and 33 in the late postoperative period. RESULTS: Platelet dysfunction was detectable in 18 of 19 without LVAD and in all patients following LVAD implantation. Platelet aggregation values did not change over time (without-early, P = 0.27, n = 14; early-late, P = 0.17, n = 21). AVWS was not diagnosed in patients without LVAD, except for one. On LVAD, 33 of 39 patients had AVWS in the early and all in the late period (n = 33). Bleeding events occurred in 44% of patients in the early and in 64% of patients in the late period. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, platelet aggregation is often impaired in LVAD patients even without an implanted LVAD. Additionally, appearance of AVWS seems to be closely linked to LVAD implantation.


Subject(s)
Blood Platelet Disorders/etiology , Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects , von Willebrand Diseases/etiology , Adult , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Platelet Count , Young Adult
4.
Clin Res Cardiol ; 103(12): 968-75, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25027180

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether a high relative ADP induced aggregation (r-ADP-agg) is associated with an increased mortality in patients after coronary stent implantation. BACKGROUND: Several trials were not able to improve clinical outcome by adapting platelet inhibition in patients after coronary stent implantation and high platelet reactivity (HPR). Platelet monitoring is complex and conventional definition of adenosindiphosphate (ADP) induced aggregation alone might not transfer the whole picture of adequate platelet inhibition in vivo. METHODS: In a prospective single-centre observational trial multiple electrode aggregometry was performed in whole blood of patients after stent implantation. r-ADP-agg was defined as the ADP-thrombin receptor activating peptide ratio to reflect an individual degree of P2Y12 dependent platelet inhibition with a cut-off value for HPR of ≥ 50%. The primary end point was mortality. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 176 of 184 patients (96%) with a mean follow-up time of 3.7 years. 35 (20 %) patients revealed an r-ADP-agg ≥ 50%. An r-ADP-agg ≥ 50% was associated with an increased mortality [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 7.006 (2.561-19.17); p = 0.0001]. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis mortality was independently associated with an r-ADP-agg ≥ 50% [HR 3.324 (1.542-7.165); p = 0.0022], ACS-setting [HR 3.249 (1.322-7.989); p = 0.0102] and severely reduced LV function [HR 5.463 (2.098-14.26); p = 0.0005]. CONCLUSION: An r-ADP-agg ≥ 50% is associated with an increased mortality in patients after coronary stent implantation. Furthermore, r-ADP-agg might represent a better tool to predict clinical outcome than the conventional ADP induced platelet aggregation alone.


Subject(s)
Adenosine Diphosphate/blood , Coronary Artery Disease/surgery , Myocardial Revascularization , Peptide Fragments/blood , Platelet Aggregation/physiology , Postoperative Complications/mortality , Stents , Aged , Coronary Artery Disease/blood , Coronary Artery Disease/mortality , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Platelet Function Tests , Prospective Studies , Receptors, Cell Surface , Survival Rate/trends , Ticlopidine/therapeutic use
6.
Br J Psychiatry ; 204: 391-7, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24434073

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facing frequent stigma and discrimination, many people with mental illness have to choose between secrecy and disclosure in different settings. Coming Out Proud (COP), a 3-week peer-led group intervention, offers support in this domain in order to reduce stigma's negative impact. AIMS: To examine COP's efficacy to reduce negative stigma-related outcomes and to promote adaptive coping styles (Current Controlled Trials number: ISRCTN43516734). METHOD: In a pilot randomised controlled trial, 100 participants with mental illness were assigned to COP or a treatment-as-usual control condition. Outcomes included self-stigma, empowerment, stigma stress, secrecy and perceived benefits of disclosure. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses found no effect of COP on self-stigma or empowerment, but positive effects on stigma stress, disclosure-related distress, secrecy and perceived benefits of disclosure. Some effects diminished during the 3-week follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Coming Out Proud has immediate positive effects on disclosure- and stigma stress-related variables and may thus alleviate stigma's negative impact.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Mental Disorders/psychology , Power, Psychological , Social Stigma , Truth Disclosure , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peer Group , Pilot Projects , Prejudice , Self Concept , Stress, Psychological/psychology
7.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis ; 22(8): 1332-9, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23422346

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasospasm is one of the leading causes of poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The risk factors for the development of vasospasm have been evaluated in many clinical studies. However, it remains unclear if vasospasm severity can be predicted. The purpose of this study was to determine if different demographic and clinical factors that appear to be predictors of vasospasm can also prognosticate the severity of cerebral vasospasm. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent endovascular vasospasm treatment in a single center. In order to define predictors of vasospasm severity, we studied the demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients. Vasospasm severity was defined by cerebral angiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and therapeutic response on endovascular treatment. Statistical analyses were performed to determine significant predictors. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients with vasospasm were included. Early onset of mean flow velocities>160 cm/second on transcranial Doppler ultrasound correlated with severity of angiographic vasospasm (P=.0469) and resistance against intra-arterial papaverine (P=.0277). Younger age (<51 years of age) was significantly associated with severity of vasospasm regarding extension on angiography (P=.0422), the need for repetitive endovascular treatment (P=.0084), persistence of transcranial Doppler ultrasound vasospasm after endovascular treatment (P=.0004), and resistance against intra-arterial papaverine (P=.0341). CONCLUSIONS: Younger age and early onset of vasospasm on transcranial Doppler ultrasound are important predictors for vasospasm severity. We recommend early and aggressive therapy in this subgroup.


Subject(s)
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Vasospasm, Intracranial/etiology , Vasospasm, Intracranial/physiopathology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Endpoint Determination , Female , Humans , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Hydrocephalus/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/surgery , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography , Vasospasm, Intracranial/diagnostic imaging , Young Adult
8.
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg ; 16(5): 643-8, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23355648

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Sternal wound complications following median sternotomy remain a challenge in cardiac surgery. Changes in both patient profile and type of operations have been observed in recent years. Therefore, we analysed current wound healing complications after median sternotomy at our centre. METHODS: All adult patients undergoing a median sternotomy between January 2009 and April 2011 were included in this retrospective analysis. Transplants and assist devices implantations were omitted. We assessed outcome, prognostic factors and microbiological results of standardized wound swabs. RESULTS: In total, 1297 patients with an average age of 67.0 ± 12.7 years were analysed. Operation types included 598 solitary coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs), 213 solitary valve procedures, 105 CABGs with aortic valve replacement and 116 solitary aortic operations or conduit implantations. Furthermore, 255 of the remaining 265 were combined or otherwise complex procedures. Superficial healing disorders occurred in 43 patients (3.3%), while 33 (2.5%) developed deep wound complications. Six patients with sternal wound complications (7.9%) died in-hospital. In 7 patients, no pathogen was identified and the wound appeared uninfected (21% of all deep complications or 0.05% of all patients). These healing disorders were considered deep dehiscences. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, BMI of >40 kg/m(2) and who underwent reoperation were prone to superficial infections. Risk factors for all deep sternal wound complications were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, COPD and reoperation. Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed 'emergency' as an independent prognostic factor for all sternal wound complications. Microbial swabs of the sternal wound were taken in 82 of the 1297 patients (6.6%). Pathogens of the normal skin flora represented the majority of pathogens in both superficial and deep wound complications. Eight patients with deep, but only 2 patients with superficial complications suffered from polymicrobial infections. All deep polymicrobial infections involved coagulase-negative Staphylococci. CONCLUSIONS: Wound complications following median sternotomy remain a challenge to cardiac surgery. Redo and emergency operations are the most important risk factors in this contemporary series. More efforts seem mandatory to decrease this arduous morbidity and the costs of prolonged treatment.


Subject(s)
Cardiac Surgical Procedures/mortality , Sternotomy/adverse effects , Surgical Wound Infection/etiology , Wound Healing , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Mass Index , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Chi-Square Distribution , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications , Emergencies , Female , Germany , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Obesity/complications , Obesity/diagnosis , Odds Ratio , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Reoperation , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sternotomy/mortality , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology , Surgical Wound Infection/microbiology , Surgical Wound Infection/mortality , Surgical Wound Infection/surgery , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
9.
Int J Cardiovasc Imaging ; 29(1): 121-9, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22562417

ABSTRACT

In patients with acute myocarditis, viral genome can be detected in plasma and peripheral leukocytes. Its relationship with active myocardial inflammation, however, is not well understood. Myocardial edema as a feature of inflammation and myocardial necrosis or fibrosis can be frequently observed in patients with acute myocarditis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). We assessed the association of viral genome presence in peripheral blood samples with myocardial edema and irreversible injury. We examined consecutive patients with clinically suspected myocarditis after an episode of viral illness. State-of-the-art methods were used for detecting myocardial edema and irreversible injury using CMR and viral genome applying reverse transcribed, nested polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood samples. The specificity of viral amplification products was confirmed by automatic DNA sequencing. Of a total of 55 patients (53.5 ± 15.6 years), 21 were positive for viral genome in peripheral leukocytes. Interestingly, 18 (86%) of these patients also showed global myocardial edema, as compared to only 7/34 (21%) without PCR evidence for viral genome. The overall agreement between CMR criteria for edema and viral PCR was 84%. In contrast, there was no significant relationship of viral genome presence with myocardial necrosis or scars. In patients with clinically suspected myocarditis, myocardial edema but not irreversible myocardial injury is associated with the presence of viral genome in peripheral blood.


Subject(s)
DNA, Viral/blood , Edema, Cardiac/diagnosis , Genome, Viral , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Myocarditis/diagnosis , Myocardium/pathology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Virus Diseases/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Automation, Laboratory , Chi-Square Distribution , Contrast Media , Edema, Cardiac/blood , Edema, Cardiac/drug therapy , Edema, Cardiac/pathology , Edema, Cardiac/physiopathology , Edema, Cardiac/virology , Female , Fibrosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocarditis/blood , Myocarditis/drug therapy , Myocarditis/pathology , Myocarditis/physiopathology , Myocarditis/virology , Necrosis , Predictive Value of Tests , Prospective Studies , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Function, Left , Virus Diseases/blood , Virus Diseases/drug therapy , Virus Diseases/pathology , Virus Diseases/physiopathology , Virus Diseases/virology
10.
J Gastrointest Surg ; 16(9): 1686-95, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22744638

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this single-center randomized trial was to compare the perioperative outcome of pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatogastrostomy (PG) vs pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). METHODS: Randomization was done intraoperatively. PG was performed via anterior and posterior gastrotomy with pursestring and inverting seromuscular suture; control intervention was PJ with duct-mucosa anastomosis. The primary endpoint was postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). RESULTS: From 2006 to 2011, n = 268 patients were screened and n = 116 were randomized to n = 59 PG and n = 57 PJ. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the primary endpoint (PG vs PJ, 10 % vs 12 %, p = 0.775). The subgroup of high-risk patients with a soft pancreas had a non-significantly lower pancreatic fistula rate with PG (PG vs PJ, 14 vs 24 %, p = 0.352). Analysis of secondary endpoints demonstrated a shorter operation time (404 vs 443 min, p = 0.005) and reduced hospital stay for PG (15 vs 17 days, p = 0.155). Delayed gastric emptying (DGE; PG vs PJ, 27 vs 17 %, p = 0.246) and intraluminal bleeding (PG vs PJ, 7 vs 2 %, p = 0.364) were more frequent with PG. Mortality was low in both groups (<2 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our randomized controlled trial shows no difference between PG and PJ as reconstruction techniques after partial pancreatoduodenectomy. POPF rate, DGE, and bleeding were not statistically different. Operation time was significantly shorter in the PG group.


Subject(s)
Gastrostomy/adverse effects , Pancreas/surgery , Pancreaticoduodenectomy/methods , Pancreaticojejunostomy/adverse effects , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anastomosis, Surgical , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Young Adult
11.
Circulation ; 125(25): 3117-26, 2012 Jun 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22647975

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Molecular imaging is a fast emerging technology allowing noninvasive detection of vascular pathologies. However, imaging modalities offering high resolution currently do not allow real-time imaging. We hypothesized that contrast-enhanced ultrasound with microbubbles (MBs) selectively targeted to activated platelets would offer high-resolution, real-time molecular imaging of evolving and dissolving arterial thrombi. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lipid-shell based gas-filled MBs were conjugated to either a single-chain antibody specific for activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa via binding to a Ligand-Induced Binding Site (LIBS-MBs) or a nonspecific single-chain antibody (control MBs). Successful conjugation was assessed in flow cytometry and immunofluorescence double staining. LIBS-MBs but not control MBs strongly adhered to both immobilized activated platelets and microthrombi under flow. Thrombi induced in carotid arteries of C57Bl6 mice in vivo by ferric chloride injury were then assessed with ultrasound before and 20 minutes after MB injection through the use of gray-scale area intensity measurement. Gray-scale units converted to decibels demonstrated a significant increase after LIBS-MB but not after control MB injection (9.55±1.7 versus 1.46±1.3 dB; P<0.01). Furthermore, after thrombolysis with urokinase, LIBS-MB ultrasound imaging allows monitoring of the reduction of thrombus size (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-targeted MBs specifically bind to activated platelets in vitro and allow real-time molecular imaging of acute arterial thrombosis and monitoring of the success or failure of pharmacological thrombolysis in vivo.


Subject(s)
Binding Sites, Antibody , Drug Delivery Systems/methods , Microbubbles , Platelet Activation , Single-Chain Antibodies , Thrombolytic Therapy , Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Thrombosis/diagnosis , Animals , Binding Sites, Antibody/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Integrin beta3/immunology , Integrin beta3/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Imaging/methods , Molecular Imaging/trends , Platelet Activation/immunology , Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb/immunology , Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb/metabolism , Single-Chain Antibodies/metabolism , Thrombolytic Therapy/methods , Thrombolytic Therapy/trends , Thrombosis/metabolism , Time Factors , Treatment Failure , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography
12.
Clin Cardiol ; 35(6): 371-6, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22460822

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance allows for the noninvasive assessment of function, morphology, and myocardial edema. Activation of inflammatory pathways may play an important role in the etiology of chronic DCM and may also be involved in the disease progression. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of our study was to assess the incidence of myocardial edema as a marker for myocardial inflammation in patients with nonischemic DCM. METHODS: We examined 31 consecutive patients ( mean age, 57 ± 12 years) with idiopathic DCM. Results were compared with 39 controls matched for gender and age (mean age, 53 ± 13 years). Parameters of left ventricular function and volumes, and electrocardiogram-triggered, T2-weighted, fast spin echo triple inversion recovery sequences were applied in all patients and controls. Variables between patients and controls were compared using t tests for quantitative and χ2 tests for categorical variables. RESULTS: Ejection fraction (EF) was 40.3 ± 7.8% in patients and 62.6 ± 5.0% in controls (P < 0.0001). In T2-weighted images, patients with DCM had a significantly higher normalized global signal intensity ratio compared to controls (2.2 ± 0.6 and 1.8 ± 0.3, respectively, P = 0.0006), consistent with global myocardial edema. There was a significant but moderate negative correlation between signal intensity ratio in T2-weighted images and EF (-0.39, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows that myocardial edema is associated with idiopathic nonischemic DCM. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical and prognostic impact of these findings.


Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/pathology , Edema, Cardiac/pathology , Myocardium/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Chi-Square Distribution , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Humans , Inflammation/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/instrumentation , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Statistics as Topic , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Function, Left
13.
Can J Gastroenterol ; 25(4): 201-6, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21523261

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Most studies exclude patients with severe coagulation disorders or those taking anticoagulants when evaluating the outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). OBJECTIVE: To investigate complications and risk factors of PEG in a large clinical series including patients undergoing antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. METHODS: During a six-year period, 1057 patients referred for PEG placement were prospectively audited for clinical outcome. Exclusion criteria and follow-up care were defined. Complications were defined as minor or severe. Uni- and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate 14 risk factors. No standardized antibiotic prophylaxis was given. RESULTS: A total of 1041 patients (66% male, 34% female) with the following conditions underwent PEG: neurogenic dysphagia (n=450), cancer (n=385) and others (n=206). No anticoagulants were administered to 351 patients, thrombosis prophylaxis was given to 348 while full therapeutic anticoagulation was received by 313. No increased bleeding risk was associated with patients who had above-normal international normalized ratio values (OR 0.79 [95% CI 0.08 to 7.64]; P=1.00). The total infection rate was 20.5% in patients with malignant disease, and 5.5% in those with nonmalignant disease. Severe complications occurred in 19 patients (bleeding 0.5%, peritonitis 1.3%). Cirrhosis (OR 2.91 [95% CI 1.31 to 6.54]; P=0.008), cancer (OR 2.34 [95% CI 1.33 to 4.12]; P=0.003) and radiation therapy (OR 2.34 [95% CI 1.35 to 4.05]; P=0.002) were significant predictors of post-PEG infection. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.8%. There were no procedure-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer, cirrhosis and radiation therapy were predictors of infection. Post-PEG bleeding and other complications were rare events. Collectively, the data suggested that patients taking concurrent anticoagulants had no elevated risk of post-PEG bleeding.


Subject(s)
Enteral Nutrition/adverse effects , Gastrostomy , Postoperative Hemorrhage , Prosthesis-Related Infections , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antibiotic Prophylaxis , Anticoagulants/adverse effects , Anticoagulants/blood , Deglutition Disorders/epidemiology , Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Enteral Nutrition/mortality , Enteral Nutrition/statistics & numerical data , Female , Gastroscopy/adverse effects , Gastroscopy/methods , Gastroscopy/mortality , Gastrostomy/adverse effects , Gastrostomy/mortality , Gastrostomy/statistics & numerical data , Humans , International Normalized Ratio , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Postoperative Hemorrhage/chemically induced , Postoperative Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Postoperative Hemorrhage/prevention & control , Prosthesis-Related Infections/epidemiology , Prosthesis-Related Infections/etiology , Prosthesis-Related Infections/physiopathology , Risk Factors
15.
J Clin Oncol ; 29(6): 646-50, 2011 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21263094

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the need for palliative care in hospital patients who have cancer. Palliative care is an essential component of comprehensive cancer care and identification of palliative care needs (PCNs) of patients with cancer is a topic that has not been thoroughly studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from inpatients of University Medical Center Freiburg in Freiburg, Germany, with 982 hospital beds included in the study. During the observation period of 17 months, each patient discharged from a hospital ward was screened by surveying the treating physician who was responsible for dismissal about patients' PCNs based on the WHO 1990 definition of palliative care. To complete obligatory electronic discharge management, a modified dismissal form asking to classify the patient as having PCN "yes/no" had to be filled out for each patient discharged. RESULTS: The response rate was 96% with data for 39,849 patients that could be analyzed. A total of 6.9% of all hospital patients and 9.1% of patients older than age 65 years were considered to have PCNs. Of the 2,757 patients with PCNs, 67% (n = 1,836) had cancer. Among the 11,584 patients with cancer, 15.8% were classified as having PCNs. PCNs were particularly high in patients with head and neck cancer (28.3%), malignant melanoma (26.0%), and brain tumors (18.2%). Suffering from cancer increases the probability of developing PCNs by a factor of 3.63 (95% CI, 3.27 to 4.04). For patients with metastatic cancer, the risk of developing PCNs is increased 12-fold (odds ratio, 12.27; 95% CI, 11.07 to 13.60). CONCLUSION: Structures to provide palliative care for patients with cancer are needed.


Subject(s)
Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/therapy , Palliative Care/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Female , Germany , Humans , Inpatients , Male , Middle Aged
16.
J Neurol ; 258(5): 791-4, 2011 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21116824

ABSTRACT

In internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO), a spontaneous increase of cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) may occur over time. Statins are known to increase CVR. We analyzed the influence of statin treatment and other cofactors on CVR improvement in patients with ICAO. Sixty-six patients with ICAO were reexamined after 15 ± 6 months. CVR in both middle cerebral arteries was assessed by transcranial Doppler and inhalation of 7% CO(2). Pre-defined cut-off values were used to define exhausted CVR. Cofactors analyzed were: age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, statin treatment, degree of contralateral stenosis, quality of intracranial collateral flow, duration of ICAO. Mean CVR did not differ between the two studies. Twenty patients had exhausted CVR at baseline, 11 of them improved above the cut-off at follow-up (55%). Factors significantly associated with this improvement were good collateral pattern at baseline (p = 0.0065) and statin treatment (p = 0.0179). Odds ratios for improving CVR were 36.0 [95% CI 2.7-476.3] for good collateral flow and 20.0 [95% CI 1.7-238.6] for statin treatment. In conclusion, exhausted CVR frequently improves during the course of ICAO. Good collateral function and statin treatment are significantly associated with improving CVR.


Subject(s)
Carotid Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Cerebrovascular Circulation/drug effects , Cerebrovascular Circulation/physiology , Collateral Circulation/physiology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Aged , Carotid Artery, Internal/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery, Internal/drug effects , Carotid Artery, Internal/physiopathology , Carotid Stenosis/drug therapy , Carotid Stenosis/physiopathology , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial , Vasoconstriction/drug effects , Vasodilation/drug effects
17.
J Vasc Surg ; 52(6): 1531-6, 2010 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20843628

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the early postoperative evaluation of the success of arterial revascularization, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and other noninvasive tests lack reliability, especially in patients with incompressible arteries or local edema. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of limb muscle perfusion may be an alternative to standard tests if it detects treatment success reliably. METHODS: We compared a simplified CEUS method with clinical staging, pulse volume recording (PVR), and ABI in patients with lifestyle-limiting peripheral arterial disease undergoing revascularization by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or bypass surgery. Patients underwent staging, PVR, ABI, and CEUS before, directly after, and 3 to 5 months after successful PTA (n = 20) or successful bypass grafting (n = 14). For CEUS, contrast agent was injected into an antecubital vein, and the time from beginning to peak intensity of contrast enhancement (TTP) in the calf muscle was measured. RESULTS: Successful revascularization by both PTA and bypass was associated with a significant improvement in staging, PVR, ABI, and TTP directly after intervention and at follow-up. Median ABI increased from 0.60 to 0.85 (P = .001) after PTA and from 0.36 to 0.76 (P = .003) after bypass surgery. Median TTP decreased from 45 seconds to 24 seconds (P = .015) and from 30 seconds to 27 seconds (P = .041), respectively. McNemar analysis revealed unidirectional changes in both ABI and TTP (P = .625 after PTA and P = 1.000 after bypass surgery), and equivalence analysis showed 95% confidence intervals within clinical indifference, indicating that TTP was equivalent to standard tests in detecting successful revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast ultrasound perfusion imaging of calf muscle after arterial revascularization may be a valuable alternative to standard noninvasive tests such as ABI or PVR to determine the success of an arterial revascularization.


Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Leg/blood supply , Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply , Peripheral Arterial Disease/surgery , Phospholipids , Sulfur Hexafluoride , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex , Vascular Surgical Procedures , Aged , Angioplasty , Ankle Brachial Index , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnostic imaging , Pulse
18.
Crit Care ; 14(3): R104, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20525353

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ischemia and reperfusion after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) induce endothelial activation and systemic inflammatory response, resulting in post-resuscitation disease. In this study we analyzed direct markers of endothelial injury, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as a marker of endothelial repair in patients after CPR. METHODS: First we investigated endothelial injury in 40 patients after CPR, 30 controls with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and 9 healthy subjects, who were included to measure CECs and EMPs. In a subsequent study, endothelial repair was assessed by EPC measurement in 15 CPR, 9 CAD, and 5 healthy subjects. Blood samples were drawn immediately and 24 hours after ROSC and analyzed by flow cytometry. For all statistical analyses P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was a massive rise in CEC count in resuscitated patients compared to CAD (4,494.1 +/- 1,246 versus 312.7 +/- 41 cells/mL; P < 0.001) and healthy patients (47.5 +/- 3.7 cells/mL; P < 0.0005). Patients after prolonged CPR (>or=30 min) showed elevated CECs compared to those resuscitated for <30 min (6,216.6 +/- 2,057 versus 2,340.9 +/- 703.5 cells/mL; P = 0.13/ns). There was a significant positive correlation of CEC count with duration of CPR (R2= 0.84; P < 0.01). EMPs were higher immediately after CPR compared to controls (31.2 +/- 5.8 versus 19.7 +/- 2.4 events/microL; P = 0.12 (CAD); versus 15.0 +/- 5.2 events/microL; P = 0.07 (healthy)) but did not reach significance until 24 hours after CPR (69.1 +/- 12.4 versus 22.0 +/- 3.0 events/microL; P < 0.005 (CAD); versus 15.4 +/- 4.4 events/microL; P < 0.001 (healthy)). EPCs were significantly elevated in patients on the second day after CPR compared to CAD (1.16 +/- 0.41 versus 0.02 +/- 0.01% of lymphocytes; P < 0.005) and healthy (0.04 +/- 0.01; P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we provide evidence for a severe endothelial damage after successful CPR. Our results point to an ongoing process of endothelial injury, paralleled by a subsequent endothelial regeneration 24 hours after resuscitation.


Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/adverse effects , Endothelium/injuries , Wound Healing/physiology , Aged , Biomarkers , Cell-Derived Microparticles/metabolism , Coronary Artery Disease/physiopathology , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Endothelium/physiopathology , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Regeneration , Stem Cells/metabolism , Trauma Severity Indices
19.
Stroke ; 41(6): 1145-50, 2010 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20431080

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of retrograde flow from complex plaques (> or =4-mm-thick, ulcerated, or superimposed thrombi) of the descending aorta (DAo) and its potential role in embolic stroke. METHODS: Ninety-four consecutive acute stroke patients with aortic plaques > or =3-mm-thick in transesophageal echocardiography were prospectively included. MRI was performed to localize complex plaques and to measure time-resolved 3-dimensional blood flow within the aorta. Three-dimensional visualization was used to evaluate if diastolic retrograde flow connected plaque location with the outlet of the left subclavian artery, left common carotid artery, or brachiocephalic trunk. Complex DAo plaques were considered an embolic source if retrograde flow reached a supra-aortic vessel that supplied the territory of visible acute and embolic retinal or cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Only decreasing heart rate was correlated (P<0.02) with increasing flow reversal to the aortic arch. Retrograde flow from complex DAo plaques reached the left subclavian artery in 55 (58.5%), the left common carotid artery in 23 (24.5%), and the brachiocephalic trunk in 13 patients (13.8%). Based on routine diagnostics and MRI of the ascending aorta/aortic arch, stroke etiology was determined in 57 and cryptogenic in 37 patients. Potential embolization from DAo plaques was then identified in 19 of 57 patients (33.3%) with determined and in 9 of 37 patients (24.3%) with cryptogenic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde flow from complex DAo plaques was frequent in both determined and cryptogenic stroke and could explain embolism to all brain territories. These findings suggest that complex DAo plaques should be considered a new source of stroke.


Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic , Intracranial Embolism , Stroke , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aorta, Thoracic/pathology , Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology , Atherosclerosis/complications , Atherosclerosis/pathology , Atherosclerosis/physiopathology , Carotid Arteries/pathology , Carotid Arteries/physiopathology , Female , Heart Rate , Humans , Intracranial Embolism/etiology , Intracranial Embolism/pathology , Intracranial Embolism/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/etiology , Stroke/pathology , Stroke/physiopathology
20.
Clin Res Cardiol ; 99(11): 707-14, 2010 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20509030

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of myocarditis continues to be a challenging task in clinical practice. The purpose of our study was to investigate cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic workup of ambulatory patients with the suspicion of early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection. The need for accurate diagnosis of early myocarditis arises from the low diagnostic accuracy of routine clinical tests. METHODS: We examined 67 consecutive patients with symptoms of weakness, palpitations, and fatigue after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection. We compared these patients to 31 controls. ECG-triggered, T2-weighted, fast-spin-echo triple inversion recovery sequences and delayed enhancement imaging were obtained in all patients, as well as functional parameters of left ventricular function and dimensions. In addition, in 25 patients and 10 controls, ECG-triggered, T1-weighted, multi-slice spin-echo images were obtained in axial orientation. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between patients with suspected myocarditis and controls in T2-global myocardial signal intensity. In addition, the ratio of global myocardial signal intensity/muscle signal intensity was 2.3 ± 0.4 in patients and 1.8 ± 0.3 in controls, which was highly significant (p < 0.001). In 23 patients, a pathological late enhancement pattern was seen, but only in one of the controls. There was no significant difference in T1-signal parameters. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique is able to detect early myocardial involvement after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection.


Subject(s)
Early Diagnosis , Gastroenteritis/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/methods , Myocarditis/diagnosis , Respiratory Tract Infections/complications , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gastroenteritis/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Myocarditis/etiology , Prospective Studies , Respiratory Tract Infections/virology
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