Evaluation of systemic immune-inflammation index in acute deep vein thrombosis: A propensity-matched.

OBJECTIVE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) progressing to pulmonary embolism is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. At present, color Doppler ultrasound is the most effective examination method for the diagnosis of DVT. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been introduced as a new indicator of comprehensive systemic immune thrombosis and inflammatory status in the body. We believe that the SII might be more specific and sensitive than the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive potential of the SII, NLR, and PLR in the diagnosis of DVT. METHODS: The data of patients aged >18 years who were diagnosed with acute DVT in our hospital between June 2017 and June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. During the study period, the data of 155 patients with acute DVT and 179 healthy control patients without DVT were included in the study. A propensity score analysis (1:1) was performed to eliminate differences between the two groups, and 63 patients from each group were included in the present study. RESULTS: When the complete blood count parameters were examined between the patients with acute DVT and the control group, the hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocyte count, and platelet distribution width were lower in the DVT group. In contrast, the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, platelet count, NLR, PLR, SII, and mean platelet volume were higher in the DVT group. The changes in hemoglobin (P = .001), hematocrit (P = .001), white blood cell count (P = .001), neutrophil count (P = .001), lymphocyte count (P = .001), platelet count (P = .001), NLR (P=.001), PLR (P = .001), SII (P = .001), and mean platelet volume (P = .031) were significant on statistical analysis. However, the changes in the platelet distribution width were not significant (P = .794). The area under the curve for the NLR and PLR was 0.797 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.747-0.848; P < .001) and 0.788 (95% CI, 0.737-0.840; P = .01), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for an NLR >3.00 was 71.0% and 68.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for a PLR >142.66 was 70.3% and 68.5%, respectively. The area under the curve for SII was 0.861 (95% CI, 0.820-0.902; P < .001), with a sensitivity of 78.1% and specificity of 73.1% for an SII >755.54. CONCLUSIONS: The SII can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic test for patients with venous thrombosis. This parameter is superior to the NLR and PLR with high sensitivity and specificity for patients with venous thrombosis.

Protective effects of safranal on kidney tissue in a rat model of distant ischemia-reperfusion injury with infrarenal aortic occlusion.

Background/aim: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to a part of the body can cause damage to distant organs such as the kidney and heart. This study investigated the protective effects of safranal against IR-induced renal injury. Materials and methods: Used in this study were 24 Wistar Albino male rats, which were divided into 3 equal and randomised groups. The sham group underwent laparotomy only. In the IR group, the infrarenal aorta was clamped for 1 h, and then reperfused for 2 h. In the IR-safranal group, safranal was administered 30 min before the procedure and IR injury was induced in the same way as in the IR group. After the procedure, blood and tissue samples were collected from the rats for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Antioxidant capacity and proinflammatory cytokine analyses were performed on the blood samples. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed to determine the number of cells undergoing apoptosis in the kidney tissue. Results: The estimated glomerular filtration rate, an indicator of renal function, was lower in the IR group (p1 = 0.024 vs. p3 = 0.041, respectively) compared to the other groups, while creatinine levels were higher in the IR group compared to the other groups (p1 = 0.032 vs. p2 = 0.044, respectively). The blood urea nitrogen level was higher in the IR group than in the other groups (p1 = 0.001vs p2 = 0.035, respectively). The total antioxidant and total oxidant status, indicating tissue oxidative stress, did not differ between groups (p = 0.914 vs. p = 0.184, respectively). Among the proinflammatory cytokines, the interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the IR group (p = 0.034 vs. p = 0.001, respectively), but the tumour necrosis factor-α (p = 0.19), and interferon-γ (p = 0.311) levels did not differ between groups. Histopathological examination showed significantly less damage to glomerular and tubular cells in the IR-safranal group (p < 0.001). The number of TUNEL-positive cells was higher in the IR group compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Safranal may have protective effects against kidney damage caused by distant ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Outcomes of Arteriotomy Closure Technique for Carotid Endarterectomy: Bovine Pericardial Patch Closure versus Primary Closure

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aim of our study was to compare the primary closure (PRC) and patch angioplasty closure (PAC) of carotid artery following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods: Data of patients who underwent CEA in the period from January 2005 to June 2020 were reviewed through files. Demographic characteristics, information about the operation, and postoperative follow-up outcomes of the patients were compared. Results: Of the 144 CEA cases included in the study, PRC and PAC were applied to 62 (43.7%) and 82 (56.3%) patients, respectively, for the carotid artery closure. Duration of surgery and carotid artery clamping time were not different between the PRC and PAC groups (106.73±17.13 minutes vs. 110.48±20.67 minutes, P=0.635; 24.25±11.56 minutes vs. 25.19±8.99 minutes, P=0.351, respectively). Postoperative respiratory impairment was more common in the PRC group (P=0.012); however, nerve injuries (P=0.254), surgical wound hematomas (P=0.605), surgical site infections (P=0.679), and mortality (P=0.812) were not significantly different between the groups. During the mean patient follow-up time of 26.13±19.32 months, restenosis was more common in the PRC group than in the PAC group (n=26, 41.9% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.003). Frequencies of stroke (n=4, 2.8% vs. n=2, 2.4%, respectively; P=0.679), transient ischemic attacks (n=2, 1.4% vs. n=0, 0%, respectively; P=0.431), and mortality (n=4, 6.5% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.580) were not significantly different between the PRC and PAC groups. Conclusion: We are of the opinion that the PAC method is effective and safe for carotid artery closure in patients undergoing CEA.

Outcomes of Arteriotomy Closure Technique for Carotid Endarterectomy: Bovine Pericardial Patch Closure versus Primary Closure.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to compare the primary closure (PRC) and patch angioplasty closure (PAC) of carotid artery following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Data of patients who underwent CEA in the period from January 2005 to June 2020 were reviewed through files. Demographic characteristics, information about the operation, and postoperative follow-up outcomes of the patients were compared. RESULTS: Of the 144 CEA cases included in the study, PRC and PAC were applied to 62 (43.7%) and 82 (56.3%) patients, respectively, for the carotid artery closure. Duration of surgery and carotid artery clamping time were not different between the PRC and PAC groups (106.73±17.13 minutes vs. 110.48±20.67 minutes, P=0.635; 24.25±11.56 minutes vs. 25.19±8.99 minutes, P=0.351, respectively). Postoperative respiratory impairment was more common in the PRC group (P=0.012); however, nerve injuries (P=0.254), surgical wound hematomas (P=0.605), surgical site infections (P=0.679), and mortality (P=0.812) were not significantly different between the groups. During the mean patient follow-up time of 26.13±19.32 months, restenosis was more common in the PRC group than in the PAC group (n=26, 41.9% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.003). Frequencies of stroke (n=4, 2.8% vs. n=2, 2.4%, respectively; P=0.679), transient ischemic attacks (n=2, 1.4% vs. n=0, 0%, respectively; P=0.431), and mortality (n=4, 6.5% vs. n=4, 4.9%, respectively; P=0.580) were not significantly different between the PRC and PAC groups. CONCLUSION: We are of the opinion that the PAC method is effective and safe for carotid artery closure in patients undergoing CEA.

Incidence, follow-up and outcomes of incidental abdominal aortic aneurysms in computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of our study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) that were incidentally diagnosed by computed tomography applied for different reasons and to discuss the risk factors that may cause AAA. METHODS: A total of 5396 abdominal computed tomography examinations were performed, and the 103 incidentally detected AAAs were included in the study. Patients with and without AAA were compared in terms of age, gender, thoracic and abdominal aortic diameters and comorbid diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of the AAAs was 1.9%. Old age and male gender were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.001). The reason for applying computed tomography in 52 (50.5%) patients with AAA was associated with malignancy. In the evaluation of all patients in the study, the aortic diameter was determined to be larger in patients with malignancy than in patients without malignancy (18.07 ± 4.1 mm vs 17.7 ± 3.9 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). The thoracic aortic diameter was wider in patients with AAA compared to that in patients without AAA (37.2 ± 3.9 mm vs 33.9 ± 5.2 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). The presence of coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and a history of smoking in patients with AAA was significantly different from that of patients without AAA (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of hyperlipidaemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.52 and P = 0.15, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Screening of older men with diseases such as malignancy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease for AAA is important for the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Analysis of the Efficacy of Iloprost Treatment in Amputations Due to Burn.

The aim of our study was to demonstrate the decrease in amputation rates with iloprost treatment in patients who develop vascular injury due to burns. The data of 366 adult burn patients who were admitted to the emergency department of our hospital between 2016 and 2019 were analyzed. Demographic characteristics, burn factors, vascular examination findings, medical treatments, amputation rates, and levels were recorded. The amputation rates of the patients who were treated with iloprost and who were not treated with iloprost were compared. The mean age of 366 adult patients treated for burns was 37.8 ± 16.4 years, and of these patients, 220 (59.9%) were under 40 years of age. Although heat burns (n = 331.85%) were the most common burn etiology, it was found that the incidence of vascular injury was higher in burns caused by electricity (11.7%) and cold (3.3%) (P < 0.001). Vascular injury was detected in 60 (16.3%) of the patients and 21 (35%) of these patients were treated with iloprost. Amputation was observed in 20 (5.5%) of all burn patients, but only one of the patients treated with iloprost underwent amputation (P < .001). The individual and social impacts of amputations caused by burns are unquestionable. The authors are of the opinion that iloprost treatment is effective in reducing amputations due to burns.

Management and outcomes of vascular reconstruction in carotid body tumor resection: retrospective analysis of 60 cases.

PURPOSE: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare tumors of the head and neck area. We evaluated outcomes after carotid body tumor resection (CBR) requiring vascular reconstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients, who underwent CBR in our clinic. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for clinical data, operative details, Shamblin's classification, complications. Comparisons were performed between those undergoing CBR alone and CBR requiring vascular reconstruction (CBR-VASC). RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, who underwent CBR, 29 (48.3%) underwent vascular reconstruction after the tumor resection. In patients; who underwent carotid endarterectomy and reconstruction of a kinked carotid artery, the blood flow measurements obtained before and after the vascular reconstruction were significantly different. The blood flow measurement parameters obtained before and after the vascular reconstruction were not significantly different in patients undergoing primary repair surgery, patch graft angioplasty, and the use of reversed saphenous vein graft procedures. The overall complication rate was 25% (n = 60) for at least one perioperative problem (CBR 6.4% vs. CBR-VASC 44.8%, p > 0.05). While most patients with Shamblin's class I and II tumors underwent CBR, CBR-VASC was performed more frequently in patients with Shamblin's class III tumors (p = 0.016). The tumor size ( p = 0.016), the volume of intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.002), and the length of hospital stay (p = 0.006) were significantly different between the two groups. The length of the operation time (p = 0.154) and the volume of the postoperative blood drainage (p = 0.122) were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The decision for surgical reconstruction should be made by evaluating the carotid artery blood flow before and after CBR. The type of the reconstruction method does not cause differences in the duration of the surgery and does not elevate the complication rates.

Carotid Body Tumor Resection: Long-Term Outcome of 67 Cases without Preoperative Embolization.

BACKGROUND: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare tumors in the neck. Surgical resection is the gold standard of treatment. Surgical resection may be complicated by bleeding. Preoperative embolization has recently been introduced for the treatment to reduce the quantity of blood loss; however, the outcomes of this procedure are still under debate. In this article, we have presented the outcomes of patients who underwent surgical resection for CBT without undergoing preoperative embolization in our institution. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 67 tumor resection cases who underwent surgical resection for CBTs without undergoing preoperative embolization. Tumor classification was performed as per the Shamblin classification. The demographic, clinical characteristics, and the operative information about the patients were retrieved from the patient records. The obtained data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The study included 12 male and 55 female patients. The mean age was 51.95 ± 16.59 years. Of the surgically resected tumors; 11 (16.4%) were Shamblin type I, 30 (44.8%) were Shamblin type II, and 26 (38.8%) were Shamblin type III. The mean duration of operation was 109.10 ± 32.36 min. The volume of intraoperative blood loss in the Shamblin type I, type II, and type III groups were 98.64 ± 23.46 cc, 215.33 ± 75.74 cc, and 351.73 ± 62.51 cc, respectively, and they were significantly different among the groups (P < 0.001). The volume of postoperative blood loss in the Shamblin type I, type II, and type III groups were 34.09 ± 10.44 cc, 53.00 ± 20.02 cc, and 62.50 ± 25.11 cc, respectively, and they were significantly different among the groups (P = 0.003). Cranial nerve injury developed in 10 (15.0%) patients. Postoperative stroke developed in 2 (3%) patients. No mortality or persistent nerve injury was observed in association with the injury in the patients during the 1-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: CBTs can be surgically resected safely and effectively without a need for preoperative embolization.

Management of endovascular treatment in spontaneous iliac artery dissections: Applications enabling classical surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of endovascular applications for the treatment of spontaneous iliac artery dissections. METHODS: The medical records of 13 patients (12 males, 1 female; mean age 67.9±5.7 years; range, 58 to 75 years) with spontaneous iliac artery dissection between January 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of spontaneous iliac artery dissection was made based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, physical examination and imaging findings, and hybrid treatments applied during endovascular treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 12.5±1.1 (range, 6 to 16) months. Five patients received hybrid treatment during endovascular treatment. The re-entry site was closed by a patch plasty over the common femoral artery in one of these patients. Embolectomy was performed in the remaining four patients for the treatment of acute ischemia of the extremities. Since no patency could be achieved in two of the patients undergoing embolectomy, a femoropopliteal bypass was performed. The technical success and primary patency rates were 100%. No new false lumen formation, intra-stent occlusion or arterial occlusion was observed during the hospital stay and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endovascular methods can be safely used in the treatment of spontaneous iliac artery dissections; however, hybrid treatments may be also required in selected cases. We believe that it is effective and safe to apply endovascular and hybrid treatments without preventing possible surgical treatments which may be required in the future.