The effect of HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent method on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage levels in sepsis: a retrospective single center study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed at evaluating the impact of HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent application on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage markers in patients with sepsis/septic shock. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with sepsis/septic shock and treated with HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent in addition to the standard treatment were included in this retrospective study conducted at Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center between January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in the study. The mean±SD age of the patients was 51.9±17.7 years. 102 patients (68%) were in septic shock. Mean±SD APACHE II scores were 15.3±4.8. The need for mechanical ventilation was noted in 64 patients (42.7%). WBC, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, platelet count, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, CRP and procalcitonin levels were measured before and after the procedure. Overall, 104 patients (69.3%) died median (min-max) 2.5 (1-114) days after the cytokine adsorption, while 46 patients (30.7%) recovered from sepsis and were discharged. The increase in BUN levels and decrease in platelet count after the procedure were statistically significant (p≤0.001, 0.041, respectively) in the overall study population. The laboratory findings in 46 survivors indicated significantly decreased AST and ALT levels after cytokine adsorption compared to baseline pre-treatment levels. WBC, neutrophil count, CRP, procalcitonin, BUN and creatinine values were also decreased after cytokine adsorption in survivors, whereas the change was not statistically significant. There was also a non-significant tendency for an increase in platelet count and hemoglobin levels after cytokine adsorption compared to pre-treatment values in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although no effect of HA330 hemoperfusion application on inflammatory markers and end-organ damage markers was demonstrated in our study, we used the HA330 hemoperfusion adsorbent method as a last resort in terminal patients with a mortality rate of approximately 90% and for whom antibiotic treatment did not benefit. Therefore, multicenter, prospective studies are needed to clarify the effect of early HA330 hemoperfusion use in the treatment of sepsis.

The association of carotid cavernous fistula with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is one of the frequent manifestations of the disorder which is an inflammatory process due to fibroblast infiltration, fibroblast proliferation and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Eye irritation, dryness, excessive tearing, visual blurring, diplopia, pain, visual loss, retroorbital discomfort are the symptoms and they can mimic carotid cavernous fistulas. Carotid cavernous fistulas are abnormal communications between the carotid arterial system and the cavernous sinus. The clinical manifestations of GO can mimic the signs of carotid cavernous fistulas. Carotid cavernous fistulas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the GO patients especially who are not responding to the standard treatment and when there is a unilateral or asymmetric eye involvement. Here we report the second case report with concurrent occurrence of GO and carotid cavernous fistula in the literature.

The association between serum homocysteine levels and retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between serum total homocysteine levels and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: This prospective case-control study involved premature infants diagnosed with ROP 4 weeks after birth (cases); controls were premature infants not developing ROP during follow-up. Fasting serum total homocysteine concentrations were determined in all participants 4 weeks after birth, using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: A total of 45 and 35 infants were included in the case and control groups, respectively. The mean ± SD (range) serum total homocysteine levels were 10.36 ± 1.72 µmol/l (7.45-14.84) in infants with ROP and 8.41 ± 2.12 µmol/l (5.56-13.90) in controls. This difference was statistically significant. Mean ± SD total homocysteine levels were higher in infants with more severe ROP (11.45 ± 1.76 µmol/l) compared with mild ROP (9.92 ± 1.56 µmol/l). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum total homocysteine levels are associated with the development of ROP in premature infants. Further studies with larger patient populations are required, to improve understanding of the relationship between homocysteine and ROP development.

Long-term results of combined viscotrabeculotomy-trabeculectomy in refractory developmental glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcomes of combined viscotrabeculotomy-trabeculectomy in patients with refractory developmental glaucoma and to compare the success and complication rates with classical trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were selected for this study had cloudy corneas with a diameter of 13 mm or greater and with an initial intraocular pressure (IOP) of 27 mmHg or more, and they were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 40 eyes of 24 patients who had undergone combined viscotrabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with a mean follow-up time of 55.6+/-18.4 months, and group 2 consisted of 35 eyes of 20 patients who had undergone classical trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with a mean follow-up time of 57.2+/-19.0 months. Pre- and postoperative IOPs, mean antiglaucoma medication, mean corneal diameter, success rates, intra- and postoperative complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Mean IOP reduced from a preoperative level of 33.2+/-5.3 and 32.8 mmHg to 14.2+/-3.1 and 15.3+/-3.3 in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P<0.001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications used after surgery was significantly lower in group 1 (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the success probability at the last visits was 90 and 71.4% in group 1 and group 2, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.01). The most common early postoperative complication was transient IOP elevation in group 1 and hyphema in group 2 (for each, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of viscoelastic materials during trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy may increase the success rate of the procedure by prevention of postoperative hemorrhage, anterior chamber shallowing, adhesion of the incision lips or fibroblastic proliferation.