Predictors of 30-Day Pulmonary Complications after Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary complications are the most common adverse event after lung resection, yet few large-scale studies have examined pertinent risk factors after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Veterans, older and less healthy compared with nonveterans, represent a cohort that requires further investigation. Our objective is to determine predictors of pulmonary complications after VATS lobectomy in veterans. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent VATS lobectomy from 2008 to 2018 using the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on development of a pulmonary complication within 30 days. Patient characteristics were compared via multivariable analysis to determine clinical predictors associated with pulmonary complication and reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Patients with preoperative pneumonia, ventilator dependence, and emergent cases were excluded. RESULTS: In 4,216 VATS lobectomy cases, 480 (11.3%) cases had ≥1 pulmonary complication. Preoperative factors independently associated with pulmonary complication included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (aOR = 1.37 [1.12-1.69]; p = 0.003), hyponatremia (aOR = 1.50 [1.06-2.11]; p = 0.021), and dyspnea (aOR = 1.33 [1.06-1.66]; p = 0.013). Unhealthy alcohol consumption was associated with pulmonary complication via univariable analysis (17.1 vs. 13.0%; p = 0.016). Cases with pulmonary complication were associated with increased mortality (12.1 vs. 0.8%; p < 0.001) and longer length of stay (12.0 vs. 6.8 days; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This analysis revealed several preoperative factors associated with development of pulmonary complications. It is imperative to optimize pulmonary-specific comorbidities such as COPD or dyspnea prior to VATS lobectomy. However, unhealthy alcohol consumption and hyponatremia were linked with development of pulmonary complication in our analysis and should be addressed prior to VATS lobectomy. Future studies should explore long-term consequences of pulmonary complications.

Pre-eclampsia complicated by severe hyponatraemia.

A 41-year-old woman was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 35 weeks gestation. She was treated with antihypertensives but, unfortunately, her condition became complicated by severe hyponatraemia. Her sodium levels rapidly dropped to 125 mmol/L. The cause for the hyponatraemia was the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. She was initially managed with fluid restriction, but an emergency caesarean section was necessary in view of fetal distress. Her sodium levels returned to normal within 48 hours of delivery.Pre-eclampsia is rarely associated with hyponatraemia. A low maternal sodium level further increases the mother's risk for seizures during this state. Additionally, the fetal sodium rapidly equilibrates to the mother's and may result in fetal tachycardia, jaundice and polyhdraminios. All these factors may necessitate an emergency fetal delivery.

National trends in hospital readmission following transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesions.

PURPOSE: Several institutions recently published their experiences with unplanned readmissions rates after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesions. Readmission rates on a national level, however, have not been explored in depth. We investigated nationwide trends in this procedure and associated independent predictors, costs, and causes of 30-day readmission. METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried to identify patients 18 and older who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesion resection (2010-2015). National trends and statistical variances were calculated based on weighted, clustered, and stratified sample means. RESULTS: Of the weighted total of 44,759 patients treated over the 6-year period, 4658 (10.4%) were readmitted within 30 days. Readmission rates did not change across the survey period (P = 0.71). Patients readmitted had a higher prevalence of comorbidities than those not readmitted (82.5% vs. 78.4%, respectively, P < 0.001), experienced more postoperative complications (47.2% vs. 31.8%, P < 0.001), and had a longer length of stay (6.59 vs. 4.23 days, P < 0.001) during index admission. The most common causes for readmission were SIADH (17.5%) and other hyponatremia (16.4%). Average total readmission cost was $12,080 with no significant trend across the study period (P = 0.25). Predictors for readmission identified included diabetes mellitus, psychological disorders, renal failure, and experiencing diabetes insipidus during the index admission. CONCLUSION: Unplanned readmission is an important quality metric. While transsphenoidal pituitary surgery is a relatively safe procedure, 30-day readmission rates and costs have not declined. Future studies on institutional protocols targeting these identified predictors to prevent readmission are necessary to decrease readmission rates on a national scale.

Prediction of post-operative delayed hyponatremia after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed symptomatic hyponatremia is a known phenomenon occurring > 3 days after transsphenoidal surgery. This is a significant cause of post-operative emergency room visits and re-admissions. We describe and characterize post-operative hyponatremia in patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, identify predictive factors, and create a clinical tool for predicting high risk patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a series of over 300 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and identified patients with delayed hyponatremia as well as patient, tumor, and surgical characteristics. In addition, we recorded inpatient post-operative sodium and specific gravity values as well as treatment upond discharge. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify predictors of delayed hyponatremia and stratify patients into risk groups. RESULTS: We found that 15% of patients developed delayed hyponatremia and that this occurred most commonly on post-operative day 7. This accounted for more than half of re-admissions after this type of surgery. Female patients and patients needing fluid restriction or fludrocortisone upon discharge were more likely to develop delayed hyponatremia. Patients with post-operative diabetes insipidus were less likely to develop delayed hyponatremia. Using ROC analysis we developed a score which reliably could stratify patients at risk for delayed hyponatremia. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the risk of delayed hyponatremia after transphenoidal surgery and identify factors that are revealed before discharge to identify patients at higher risk of delayed hyponatremia. These data may help identify patients who require treatment upon discharge and short interval follow up to avoid significant costs of re-admission.

Neonatal Hyponatremia in the Setting of Untreated Progressive Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia in the neonatal population is an uncommon occurrence and can be associated with significant increase in morbidity and mortality. In the neonatal population, it is typically associated with an excess of antidiuretic hormone and rarely has been found to be associated with hydrocephalus, short of being caused by the subsequent treatment of hydrocephalus. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case report of a patient with neonatal hydrocephalus, secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage in the setting of prematurity, treated at our institution, in whom sodium levels reached a nadir as head circumference peaked and subsequent treatment of hydrocephalus resolved the associated hyponatremia. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage is a notable complication in the premature neonatal population. Physicians should be aware of its potential association with hyponatremia and consider early neurosurgical intervention when other etiologies of the electrolyte disturbance cannot be identified.

Use of a wrist-mounted device for continuous outpatient physiologic monitoring after transsphenoidal surgery: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Patients who undergo transsphenoidal surgery can experience hormonal, electrolyte, and fluid disturbances in the postoperative period leading to outpatient readmissions for medical management. Our goal was to determine whether use of a wrist-mounted physiologic tracking device is feasible in this setting and whether changes or trends in these parameters after discharge can help predict aberrant physiology in these patients. METHODS: Wrist-mounted physiologic tracking devices that transmit data via Bluetooth to a mobile device were used to monitor patients. Preoperative baseline data and postoperative data were aggregated daily to compare within-patient and between-patient trends. RESULTS: Of 11 patients enrolled in the study, 1 was readmitted for symptomatic hyponatremia. Device data completeness ranged from 78 to 93% with the exception of oxygen saturation (25% completeness). The patient with hyponatremia had a significantly lower baseline level of activity compared with other patients. Nonreadmitted patient activity variables (steps, calories, and distance) decreased by 48-52% after the operation (P < 0.001). The activity variables for the patient with hyponatremia were statistically unchanged after the operation; however, the patient did experience a significant decrease in heart rate compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Deployment of a wrist-based physiologic tracking device is feasible for surgical patients in elective clinical practice. Overall, the device was associated with good patient adherence and high patient satisfaction. Patient activity significantly decreased after surgery. A significant decrease in heart rate was detected in a patient with hyponatremia who required readmission, which reflects the known intravascular volume expansion in this state.

An updated assessment of morbidity and mortality following skull base surgical approaches.

OBJECTIVES: Updated multi-institutional database studies assessing perioperative risk factors on 30-day morbidity and mortality after skull base surgeries are limited. We aim to identify perioperative risk factors and report the incidence of 30-day morbidity and mortality in adult patients after skull base surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We queried the 2007-2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement program database to identify patients who underwent anterior, middle, or posterior skull base surgery. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality. Postoperative events were compared between propensity score matched cohorts (no morbidity versus 30-day morbidity). RESULTS: The final analysis included 1028 adult (≥18 years old) patients. The incidence of 30-morbidity and mortality was 14.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Postoperative ventilator dependence (52.9%) followed by pneumonia (23.5%) and unplanned intubation (23.5%) had the highest prevalence among those with 30-day mortality. The adjusted odds of 30-day morbidity was significantly higher among patients with functional dependency, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status ≥4, hyponatremia, and anemia (p < 0.05). The adjusted odds of 30-day mortality was significantly increased among patients with sepsis, bleeding disorder, disseminated cancer, and older age (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Clinical perioperative factors are significantly associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality after skull base surgery. The reported rate of 30-day morbidity and mortality was similar to earlier studies and therefore highlights the need for continued quality improvement.

[Hyponatremic-hypertensive syndrome successfully treated by endovascular therapy: A case report]. / Syndrome hyponatrémie hypertension artérielle efficacement traité par angioplastie à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Hyponatremic-hypertensive syndrome (HHS) is characterized by hypertension and hyponatremia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of HHS in a 73-year-old woman, revealed by a hyponatremia leading to status epilepticus, without initial hypertension due to hypovolemia. She was successfully treated by endovascular therapy without any long-term supplementation or anti-hypertensive medication. CONCLUSION: Physiopathology hypothesis of HHS implicate pressure natriuresis, in this case, hypertension is not initially found and we discuss other hyponatremia mechanisms.

Predictors of Shunt Insertion in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrocephalus is a common complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), requiring permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion in up to two thirds of patients. Factors that predict permanent CSF diversion are not well established. METHODS: An exploratory analysis of 149 patients enrolled in the CARAS (Cerebral Aneurysm Renin Angiotensin System) study was performed in an effort to identify factors predictive of permanent CSF diversion after aSAH; only the 135 patients surviving the initial hospitalization were included in the present study. CARAS was a prospective, multicenter study investigating the impact of genetic polymorphisms in patients with aSAH and enrolled patients from September 2012 to January 2015. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients with aSAH were enrolled in CARAS, with 135 (90.6%) patients surviving the initial hospitalization. Sixty-four of these patients (47.4%) required permanent CSF diversion. Multivariable analysis identified the following as independent risk factors: sympathomimetic illicit drug use, external ventricular drain (EVD) insertion, and hyponatremia. A scoring system based on EVD insertion (2 points), Hunt and Hess grade (1 point if grade ≥4) and modified Fisher computed tomography grade (1 point if grade 4) produced an area under the curve of 0.8 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sympathomimetic illicit drug use, EVD insertion, and hyponatremia are the strongest predictors of shunt insertion in patients with aSAH. Moreover, a scoring system based on EVD insertion, Hunt and Hess grade, and modified Fisher computed tomography grade can reliably predict the need for shunt placement in patients with aSAH.

Therapeutic effect of conivaptan bolus dosing in hyponatremic neurosurgical patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the natremic response of a single 20-mg bolus dose of conivaptan, an arginine vasopressin antagonist, in hyponatremic neurosurgical patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Neurosurgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care referral hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-two hyponatremic patients with SIADH who were admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit and received a single 20-mg bolus dose of conivaptan between January and December 2011. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Each patient's natremic response over 48 hours was determined. The primary end point was an increase in serum sodium level of 4 mEq/L or greater over the first 24 hours. The mean ± SD baseline serum sodium level was 129.8 ± 3.4 mEq/L, which increased to 133.1 ± 3.2 mEq/L at 6 hours after administration of the bolus dose of conivaptan. The serum sodium level at 24 hours was 134.2 ± 3.2 mEq/L, indicating a 24-hour natremic response of 4.3 ± 2.6 mEq/L (range 1-13 mEq/L) from baseline (p<0.001). Eighteen patients (56%) met the primary end point. The mean ± SD fluid balance over the first 24 hours was -783 ± 440 ml. The mean ± SD change in serum sodium level from 24 to 48 hours was 0.5 ± 1.3 mEq/L. No adverse effects or injection-site reactions were noted. The patients who failed to reach the primary end point were treated with repeated doses of conivaptan plus other agents. CONCLUSION: We recommend a single 20-mg dose of conivaptan as the preferred initial approach to treating patients with SIADH who are in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. The 24-hour natremic response should then dictate whether additional doses of conivaptan or other therapeutic interventions are required. We believe that such an approach is safe and will result in a controlled and predictable increase in the serum sodium concentration.

A prospective study of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: presentation, management, and clinical outcome.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the presentation, therapeutic management, and clinical outcome of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). In most of 385 consecutive patients, NFPAs were macroadenomas. The mean follow-up duration was 5.5 ± 1.4 years. Presentation was dominated by headache, visual disturbance, and hypopituitarism. Pituitary apoplexy (clinical and subclinical) was observed in 88 patients. Appropriate steroids replacement was given before surgery. Endoscope-assisted transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) was performed, and was well tolerated by all patients. At discharge, visual disturbances were improved in 215 (87.6%) patients who had complained of visual impairment preoperatively. The shorter the time from presentation of pituitary apoplexy to surgery, the better the outcome in visual function. Seventy-two (18.7%) patients developed transient diabetes insipidus (DI) and 85 (22.1%) patients developed hyponatremia, but all these improved within six weeks. Hypocortisolism was confirmed in 84 (21.8%) patients with an abnormal postoperative day 2 (POD2) 0800 serum cortisol level and in 122 (31.7%) patients with an abnormal POD6 0800 serum cortisol level. Hypothyroidism occurred in 135 (35.1%) patients. Steroids replacement was thus given immediately. Eight (2.1%) patients needed lifetime hormone substitution. No adrenal crisis occurred. Five (1.3%) patients died within six weeks. Residual tumors were confirmed in 79 patients (20.8%) by postoperative four-month enhanced MR imaging. Tumor recurrence or regrowth occurred in 56 patients (14.7%) during the follow-up period. These patients required repeat TSS or radiosurgery. The findings of this study support the use of TSS as a feasible initial treatment for NFPAs. With appropriate perioperative management of abnormal fluid, electrolyte, and endocrinological function, TSS was associated with minimum morbidity and was well tolerated by patients regardless of age. However, close screening of pituitary function and adequate neuroradiological follow-up should be performed after surgery for detection of tumor recurrence or regrowth. The indications for repeat TSS and postoperative radiosurgery in residual or recurrent NFPAs should be better defined.

A fatal case of cerebral oedema with hyponatraemia and massive polyuria after renal transplantation.

We report the case of a child who died from severe cerebral oedema in the context of hyponatraemia and extreme polyuria immediately after renal transplantation. The patient was treated according to a standard post-transplantation protocol, receiving 0.45% saline solution for urine output replacement. The case highlights the dangers of massive fluid therapy in the context of polyuria and, therefore, the need for intensive monitoring.

The hyponatraemic hypertensive syndrome in a 2-year-old child with behavioural symptoms.

UNLABELLED: In this case report we present a 2-year-old girl with the classical signs of the hyponatraemic hypertensive syndrome. She initially presented with a history of behavioural abnormalities and hyponatraemia (126 mmol/l) and her blood pressure was as high as 220/160 mmHg. After admission, somnolence developed. Intravenous anti-hypertensive therapy was started immediately. The hyponatraemia was treated with i.v. sodium supplementation. The cause of this syndrome proved to be fibromuscular dysplasia of the left renal artery. Finally, a left nephrectomy was performed. With this therapy, blood pressure and serum sodium normalised and the girl promptly regained normal consciousness and behaviour. CONCLUSION: Behavioural abnormalities in the history of a child without any other neurological symptoms might be one of the first signs of hypertensive encephalopathy. In combination with hyponatraemia, these symptoms should alert the physician to consider the hyponatraemic hypertensive syndrome.

Preoperative hyponatremia as a clinical characteristic in elderly patients with large pituitary tumor.

This study investigated the pathophysiology of preoperative hyponatremia in elderly patients with a large pituitary tumor. The tumor size, initial symptoms, and preoperative pituitary hormonal function were analyzed in 96 patients, consisting of 82 younger than 70 years old (mean age 49.7 years) and 14 older than 70 years old (mean age 72.0 years). There was no difference in tumor size between the two age groups. The initial symptom of all younger patients was visual disturbance. Preoperative hormonal evaluations revealed subclinical panhypopituitarism in four patients (4.9%). Five of the 14 older patients had severe hyponatremia (107-117 mEq/l) based on panhypopituitarism, and four of these five patients showed consciousness disturbance as the initial symptom, initiated by physical and/or psychological stress, or occurrence of intratumoral hemorrhage. Preoperative subclinical panhypopituitarism was found in another patient. The overall occurrence rate of preoperative panhypopituitarism in the older patients was 42.9%. The difference in the frequency of preoperative panhypopituitarism was statistically significant between the two groups. Preoperative severe hyponatremia associated with a large pituitary tumor is characteristic of elderly patients. The number of receptors for adrenocorticotropic hormone in the adrenal cortex decreases during the aging process. Additional physical and/or psychological stress prompts pituitary dysfunction in such patients, causing the manifestation of acute symptoms of adrenal insufficiency based on panhypopituitarism. Primary care using high dose hydrocortisone and electrolyte fluid is critical.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone associated with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

A 79-year-old woman suffering from urinary incontinence and unsteady gait was diagnosed as having idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) with hyponatremia due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The concentration of antidiuretic hormone was high while the plasma osmolality was low in the presence of concentrated urine during the episodes of hyponatremia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head showed enlargement of the third and lateral ventricles. After ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery, the symptoms of NPH and hyponatremia improved. It may be possibly explained that mechanical pressure on the hypothalamus from the third ventricle is responsible for hyponatremia.

Reduction of hyponatremia in a schizophrenic with polydipsia-hyponatremia syndrome by surgical intervention.

In a chronic schizophrenic with polydipsia-hyponatremia syndrome, we observed physiological data consecutively before and after a successful LAPIDES vesicostomy for his bladder retention. Although his polydipsia was unchanged, frequency of hyponatremia was significantly reduced after the operation. We found that bladder retention might be one of the factors relevant to the prediction of hyponatremia from diurnal weight gain.

Validation study of a central venous pressure-based protocol for the management of neurosurgical patients with hyponatremia and natriuresis.

OBJECTIVE: We had previously suggested a protocol for the management of neurosurgical patients with hyponatremia and natriuresis that was based on their volume status as determined by actual blood volume measurements. All patients in that study were found to be hypovolemic or normovolemic and responded, within 72 hours, to salt and fluid replacement. In the present study, the validity of that protocol was tested using central venous pressure as the sole measure of volume status of patients with hyponatremia and natriuresis. METHOD: Twenty-five consecutive patients (26 cases) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria typically used to diagnose the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone were included in the study. Central venous pressure was used to classify patients as hypovolemic (< 5 cm of water), normovolemic (6-10 cm of water), or hypervolemic (> 11 cm of water). Hypovolemic patients were given fluids (50 ml/kg/d) and salt (12 g/d). Normovolemic patients were given normal fluid with 12 g of salt per day. In addition, patients with anemia (hematocrit, < 27%) were administered whole blood. The end point was a serum sodium of more than or equal to 130 mEq/L measured in two consecutive samples 12 hours apart or 72 hours after entry into the study. If the serum sodium was less than 130 mEq/L at the end of 72 hours, the clinical condition of the patient determined further management. RESULTS: Nineteen of 25 patients (26 cases) were hypovolemic, the rest were normovolemic. No patient was hypervolemic. Nineteen of 25 patients (26 cases) attained normal serum sodium values within 72 hours, and an additional 3 responded within the next 36 hours (108 h after entry into the study). One patient who was discharged on request had normalized her serum sodium a week later. Among the three nonresponders, who were severely hypovolemic, as revealed by blood volume measurement, and responded to increased fluid and salt administration. One was normovolemic and responded to increased salt administration. There were no complications related to the therapy. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia with natriuresis in the neurosurgical setting responds to salt and fluid replacement guided by the patients' volume status as determined by the central venous pressure. This study also offers further indirect evidence to suggest that the syndrome of hyponatremia with natriuresis is most often caused by "cerebral salt wasting" rather than by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone.