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Objective: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) growth remains a process not fully understood. The objective of this study was to analyze risk factors associated with changes in AAA diameter in a Mexican cohort., Methods: An observational study in which we analyzed the entirely of patients in which an AAA was reported in a Computed Tomography (CT) study from 2014 to 2021 who had a follow-up CT. We divided them by groups depending on the diagnosis of type 2 diabetic mellitus and pharmacological history (diabetic vs non-diabetic, metformin vs non-metformin intake and statin vs non-statin intake). We compared pre and post follow-up AAA diameters using paired t-tests. A multivariate analysis was performed in order to identify independent variables associated with an increased growth rate. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 17., Results: During the studied period 72 (39.77%) patients had a follow-up CT. Mean age was 75 years (±9.05) and 52 (72.22%) were men. When comparing infra-renal largest diameter through time based on metformin intake, a significant difference was found only in the metformin non-intake group (42.05 ± 12.54 vs45.34 ± 12.06 [ P = 0.02]), in contrast the metformin intake group measures were non-significantly different (36.13 ± 7.04 vs 37.00 ± 4.51; P = 0.57) through follow-up. In the multivariate analysis AAA largest diameter at diagnosis correlated with significantly increased growth rate (coeff = 0.06, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: AAA diameters appear to change through time in a non-linear pattern influenced by different epidemiological and clinical factors. Metformin intake appears to promote a stability in AAA diameter growth in our studied population., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: Carotid body tumours (CBTs) and baroreceptor failure (BRF) are two distinct but interrelated conditions, affecting the carotid body and its regulatory mechanisms. We aim to describe and quantify BRF after unilateral and bilateral CBT resections., Methods: Prospective cohort study. We included all patients with unilateral or bilateral CBT undergoing resection from April 2021 to January 2023. Demographics and CBTs characteristics were analysed; baroreceptor sensitivity assessment was conducted using the Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS). Statistical analyses were performed using R. Significance level was set at a 2-tailed α = 0.05., Results: A total of 30 patients with CBT underwent surgical resection, twenty-three were included in the study (18 unilateral and 5 bilateral CBTs). All 23 (100 %) were females, median age of 60 years. Regarding patients with unilateral CBT; preoperatively, 13 had BRF, the most common dysfunction subtype was mixed. Postoperatively, the most common dysfunction subtype was sympathetic failure. With regards to bilateral CBTs; 2 patients did not have autonomic dysfunction preoperatively. After bilateral surgical resection one patient remained without autonomic dysfunction; however, all other patients persisted with BRF., Conclusion: BRF was present in 13 patients with unilateral CBT and 3 patients with bilateral tumours preoperatively; most will remain with BRF and will only change the characteristics postoperatively. No associations were found between type, severity of BRF and Shamblin classification or laterality. It is paramount that research in this area continues as many features are yet unknown regarding CBT pathogenesis, hence, BRF may be present yet not affect significantly quality of life., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Bilateral carotid body tumors (CBTs) clinical manifestation is infrequent. We conducted this work to describe our experience in the surgical treatment of bilateral CBT and to analyze our results., Methods: A retrospective, observational study. We analyzed the totality of bilateral CBT resections that had been performed in our institution from January 2008 to September 2023. Data was obtained from medical records and anonymized, ethics approval was obtained from our institution committee. As the number of observations was less than those required by the central limit theorem our sample was considered nonparametric. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 17., Results: We evaluated 16 patients with a total of 32 CBT; surgical resection was performed in 28 cases (87.50%). Median age of the patients was 60 years (interquartile range [IQR] 46-64). Regarding the Shamblin classification, 9 CBTs (32.14%) were classified as Shamblin I, 11 (39.29%) as Shamblin II, and 8 (28.57%) as Shamblin III. The median Distance to the Base of the Skull (DTBOS) was 3.5 cm (IQR 2.7-5.1), and the median tumor volume was 11.25 cc (IQR 3.4-18.7). The median bleeding volume was 300 ml (IQR 200-500), and the median surgical time was 190 min (IQR 145-240). All surgeries were performed using the Retrocarotid Dissection technique. We documented 9 (32.14%) cases of nerve injuries, all of which were transitory. In the median regression a statistically significant association was found between DTBOS, Shamblin classification and tumor volume with intraoperative bleeding and length of stay., Conclusions: Surgical treatment remains safe and should be considered the gold standard for accurate histologic diagnosis. DTBOS and tumor volume, in addition to Shamblin classification, must be considered in preoperative planning to predict bleeding and hospital stay., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms with malignant potential. We aim to follow up on our initial experience published in 2015 and compare the occurrence of complications and postoperative outcomes with the use of retrocarotid dissection (RCD) against the standard caudocranial (SCCD) technique., Methods: This was an observational, case-control study in which we analyzed all of the carotid body tumor resections performed from 1986 to 2022. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used accordingly. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 17., Results: A total of 181 surgical procedures were included, mean age was 56 years (± 13.63), and 168 (93%) were performed in women. The mean medio-lateral diameter was larger in the RCD group (2.85 ± 1.57 cm vs 1.93 ±1.85 cm; p = 0.002) and presurgical embolization was more frequently performed in the SCCD group (27.5% vs 0.7%; p < 0.001). A total of 40 (22.09%) resections were performed using the SCCD technique. In contrast, in 141 (77.91%) procedures the RCD technique was used. The mean surgical time in the RCD group was lower (197.37 ± 70.56 min vs 232 ± 98.34 min; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between SCCD and RCD in terms of vascular lesions ( n = 20 [11.04%], 15% vs 9%, respectively; p = 0.36), transient or permanent nerve injuries (25% vs 33%, respectively; p = 0.31), or mean intraoperative bleeding (SCCD: 689.95 ± 680.05 mL vs RCD: 619.64 ± 837.94 mL; p > 0.05)., Conclusions: RCD appears to be a safe and equivalent alternative to the standard caudocranial approach in terms of intraoperative bleeding or vascular lesions, with a sustained, significant decrease in surgical time., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: In Mexico, there is a paucity of evidence on mortality and hospitalization patterns associated with aortic aneurysms and dissections., Objective: To analyze national databases and describe the epidemiological characteristics of different aortic pathologies., Material and Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study, in which mortality and hospitalization attributed to aortic aneurysms and dissections were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed on Stata 16., Results: A total of 6,049 deaths were documented in the general population, which included 2,367 hospitalizations and 476 (20.1%) in-hospital deaths. In addition, a statistically significant age difference was found between mean age at death in the general population (69.5 years) and the in-hospital death group (64.1 years, p < 0.001). As for hospitalizations secondary to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, 149 cases were identified, with a mean age of 65.6 years, out of whom 53 (35.5%) were under 65 years of age, with a mean age of 47.8 years., Conclusions: Epidemiological reports of aortic pathology in Mexico are scarce; therefore, implementation of screening and detection programs for aortic pathologies is necessary in order to address the disparities identified in this analysis., (Copyright: © 2024 Permanyer.)

Objectives: Retroperitoneal tumor resection commonly disturbs major vessels; therefore, surgical teams can recruit vascular surgeons to prevent injuries and improve the prognosis of oncologic patients. The objective of the present study is to establish long-term survival after retroperitoneal tumor resection surgery with an emphasis on the potential impact of preventing or repairing major vessel injuries when tumors are adjacent to the aorta or vena cava., Methods: Retrospective case series including all cases of surgical removal of retroperitoneal tumors between 2007 and 2020 in a highly specialized hospital in Mexico City. Long-term survival was defined as 5 years after surgical intervention. Descriptive statistics, group-comparison tests, and regression analysis were performed using Stata 16., Results: From a total of 70 cases, vascular injury occurred in 30 (42.8%) and the vascular surgeon intervened in 19 (27.1%) of them, 4 (21%) were performed by a vascular surgeon with planned intervention, and in 9 (47.3%) cases the vascular surgeon was called to join the surgery due to emergency. Intraoperative bleeding was 2-fold greater in the group with an emergent participation of vascular surgery in contrast with the planned intervention group (4, 235 mL vs 2, 035 mL, p = 0.04). The regression model revealed a significant association between the intervention of a vascular surgeon and long-term survival (OR 59.3, p = 0.03) after adjusting for sociodemographic and characteristics of oncologic nature., Conclusions: Planned intervention of vascular surgeons in retroperitoneal tumor resection may have a positive impact not only in trans-operatory period, but also on long-term survival., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Coagulation abnormalities have been reported in COVID-19 patients, which may lead to an increased risk of Pulmonary Embolism (PE). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with PE during their hospital stay. We analyzed patients with PE and COVID-19 in a tertiary center in Mexico City from April to October of 2020. A total of 26 (100%) patients were diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19. We observed that 14 (54%) patients were receiving either prophylactic or full anticoagulation therapy, before PE diagnosis. We found a significant difference in mortality between the group with less than 7 days (83%) and the group with more than 7 days (15%) in Intensive Care Unit ( P = .004); as well as a mean of 8 days for the mortality group compared with 20 days of hospitalization in the survivor group ( P = .003). In conclusion, there is an urgent need to review antithrombotic therapy in these patients in order to improve clinical outcomes and decrease hospital overload.

Introduction: Influenza season is expected between October and February in the northern hemisphere, including Mexico. Previous studies suggested that transmission peak may occur earlier in Yucatan, a state in southeast Mexico., Objectives: (a) Describe the seasonality of 2018 influenza cases seen at O´Horan hospital, statewide, and nationwide; (b) analyze the characteristics, clinical manifestations and outcomes of ambulatory and hospitalized patients; (c) analyze fatal outcomes occurrence among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals., Methods: Retrospective analytic cohort of all confirmed influenza cases assisted at O´Horan hospital during 2018, along with a chronologic graphic description of the statewide epidemic curve from the epidemiological surveillance registries., Results: A total of 264 influenza cases were analyzed; 145 (55%) were female; 26% were vaccinated. Health workers and unvaccinated individuals were more prone to develop severe cases. Dyspnea and tachypnea were strong predictors of hospitalization; headache, myalgias, arthralgias and rhinorrhea correlated inversely. 236 (89.47%) cases occurred in July and 22 of the 23 deaths occurred before October. No fatal outcomes were observed among vaccinated individuals. Influenza AH1N1 represented 83.6% of serotyped cases., Discussion: Onset of influenza season in Yucatan may reflect a need for rethinking timing of vaccination and of preventive campaigns, as most cases occurred before vaccination period., (Copyright © 2019 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare neoplasms located in the carotid bifurcation. The majority of these tumors are unilateral; bilateral CBTs represent approximately 5% of all affected patients, and the recommended treatment is to surgically remove them in staged-planned surgeries. We describe the experience, outcomes, and the surgical management of bilateral CBTs in our institution., Methods: A retrospective review of CBTs patients was completed; patient demographics, comorbidities, lesion location, anatomic characteristics, surgical techniques, complications, reinterventions, and other factors that may influence outcomes were evaluated., Results: A total of 109 patients with CBTs were treated surgically; of these, 8 had bilateral CBTs (7%); the mean age was 56 years, and 7 (87%) were females. Thirteen surgical resections were performed, and in 2 of the cases, the pathology report was malignant (15%). Five were classified as Shamblin I (31%), 5 as Shamblin II (31%), and remaining 6 as Shamblin III (38%). The mean time between the first and second procedure was of 10.7 months. Complications included one case of neck hematoma requiring evacuation and postoperative neurologic complications occurred in three patients (one patient with facial and two with vocal cord palsies). None of the studied individuals had a family history of CBT, and all of them lived in altitude areas higher than 2000 meters above mean sea level (mamsl). The mean tumor size was 3.55 cm and 2.75 cm for right and left CBTs, respectively., Conclusions: A better understanding of the clinical characteristics of patients with bilateral CBTs may lead to a more standardized and optimal management with fewer complications and a better quality of life afterward., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Carotid body tumors (CBT) are rare neoplasms with relatively; due to their malignant potential, the indicated treatment is surgical resection. There have been described some associations of carotid body tumors with other neoplasms, however, the concomitant presentation of CBT with multinodular goiter is rarely encountered., Presentation of Case: We herein present the case of a 43-year old woman with the aforementioned association. As a part of the diagnostic evaluation, an ultrasound was performed, revealing both conditions simultaneously. The surgery took place with the aim of resecting both lesions during the same intervention. The patient was discharged without complications., Discussion: The concomitant presentation of goiter and carotid body tumor is rarely reported but an extended Kocher incision could be enough to an adequate exposure and same surgical procedure resection., Conclusion: This case reinforce the concomitant assessment in two different pathologies. Although there is one case reported before, this case lead to improvement in the treatment of these patients., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)