Impact of empirical treatment with antifungal agents on survival of patients with candidemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of echinocandins and fluconazole) on mortality 7 and 30 days after candidemia onset and overall in-hospital mortality), in patients with candidemia at a Spanish tertiary hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted that enrolled all non-neutropenic adult patients diagnosed with candidemia at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid between 2007 and 2016. A total of 179 patients were evaluated, they were divided into two sub-groups: surviving patients (n = 92) and non-surviving patients (n = 87). RESULTS: The 7-day mortality was 25,1% (45), 30-day mortality was 46,9% (84), and overall in-hospital mortality was 48,6% (87). 40.8% of patients received no antifungal treatment (43.8% of surviving patients and 37.8% of non-surviving patients; p=0.15). A total of 106 (59.2%) patients were treated, of which 90 patients (50.3%) received empiric treatment. 19.6% and 47.8% of surviving patients were treated with echinocandins and fluconazole, respectively. By contrast, of non-surviving patients, 31.0% were treated with echinocandins and 47.1% received fluconazole. Survival for the first 7 days was significantly higher in treated with antifungal agents (log-rank = 0.029), however, there were not significant differences in 30-day survival. Factors linked to a significant increase in overall in-hospital mortality were age (OR 1.040), septic shock (OR 2.694) and need for mechanical ventilation > 48 h (OR 2.812). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received antifungal treatment, regardless of whether they received fluconazole or echinocandins, had a significantly lower mortality rate after 7 days than untreated patients, although no significant differences in 30-day mortality were seen.

Manejo anestésico del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio / Anaesthetic management of median arcuate ligament syndrome

El síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio, o síndrome de compresión del tronco celíaco, es un cuadro clínico poco frecuente. La especificidad de sus síntomas hace difícil su diagnóstico. En el caso descrito la corrección quirúrgica del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio precisó un abordaje multidisciplinar. Inicialmente se realizó una descompresión laparoscópica y, posteriormente, control angiográfico y procedimientos endovasculares. La combinación de diferentes técnicas intervencionistas, asociada al riesgo de lesión de órganos y estructuras vasculares importantes, convirtieron esta enfermedad en un reto para el anestesiólogo. Durante la cirugía de corrección del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio, la anestesia general ha de adaptarse a los diferentes requerimientos hemodinámicos y ventilatorios, y se ha de establecer un estrecho control del dolor, ya que el inicio de la tolerancia oral es un factor clave en la recuperación postoperatoria de estos pacientes

Median arcuate ligament syndrome, also known as celiac artery compression syndrome, is a rare and unusual clinical disorder. Its symptoms are non-specific, which complicates its diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach is required to treat the disorder. The ligament is circumferentially cleared by laparoscopy. Selective angiography and endovascular techniques may be used after laparoscopy. Vital organs and important vascular structures can be injured during the surgery. The combination of different procedures, as well as the high risk of damage, make this process a significant challenge for the anaesthetist. During corrective surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome, general anaesthesia must be adapted to the various haemodynamic and ventilatory requirements, and strict control of pain established, as oral tolerance is a key factor in the post-operative recovery of these patients

Anaesthetic management of median arcuate ligament syndrome. / Manejo anestésico del síndrome del ligamento arcuato medio.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome, also known as celiac artery compression syndrome, is a rare and unusual clinical disorder. Its symptoms are non-specific, which complicates its diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach is required to treat the disorder. The ligament is circumferentially cleared by laparoscopy. Selective angiography and endovascular techniques may be used after laparoscopy. Vital organs and important vascular structures can be injured during the surgery. The combination of different procedures, as well as the high risk of damage, make this process a significant challenge for the anaesthetist. During corrective surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome, general anaesthesia must be adapted to the various haemodynamic and ventilatory requirements, and strict control of pain established, as oral tolerance is a key factor in the post-operative recovery of these patients.