Search

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the association between the presence of a microorganism resistant to the antibiotic used in empirical therapy and the development of intra-abdominal abscesses in children with perforated appendicitis., Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients under 18 years of age who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between November 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020, in whom perforated appendicitis was documented intraoperatively. Peritoneal fluid samples were taken for bacteria culture purposes, and clinical and microbiological data were collected from all patients., Results: A total of 232 patients were included in the study. The most isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli (80.14%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.45%). In addition, 5.31% of E. coli isolates were classified as ESBL-producing organisms. No association was found between a germ resistant to empiric antimicrobial therapy and the development of a postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. Multivariate analysis showed that being a high-risk patient on admission (OR 2.89 (p = 0.01)) was associated with the development of intra-abdominal abscesses postoperatively., Conclusion: E. coli was the most commonly isolated microorganism, with a low rate of ESBL-producing isolates. No association between resistance and risk of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess was found. However, it was identified that being a high-risk patient on admission was associated with this complication., Type of Study: Prognosis study., Level of Evidence: Level I., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The effectiveness of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for solid tumours is hindered by difficulties in the selection of an effective target antigen, owing to the heterogeneous expression of tumour antigens and to target antigen expression in healthy tissues. Here we show that T cells with a CAR specific for fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) can be directed against solid tumours via the intratumoural administration of a FITC-conjugated lipid-poly(ethylene)-glycol amphiphile that inserts itself into cell membranes. In syngeneic and human tumour xenografts in mice, 'amphiphile tagging' of tumour cells drove tumour regression via the proliferation and accumulation of FITC-specific CAR T cells in the tumours. In syngeneic tumours, the therapy induced the infiltration of host T cells, elicited endogenous tumour-specific T cell priming and led to activity against distal untreated tumours and to protection against tumour rechallenge. Membrane-inserting ligands for specific CARs may facilitate the development of adoptive cell therapies that work independently of antigen expression and of tissue of origin., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Giant paraesophageal hernias have a surgical indication in case of symptoms. Since twenty years ago robot-assisted repair was incorporated to overcome the limitations of the laparoscopic surgery, and to offer new advantages., Objective: To report the experience on repairing giant paraesophageal hernias assisted by robot in a fourth level hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, Shaio Clinic., Method: Retrospective and descriptive study of five cases of giant paraesophageal hernia type III or IV, taken to robotic correction during August 2016 to June 2018. Evaluation of post-surgery outcomes., Results: Five paraesophageal robot-assisted repair were performed. Mean surgical time was 146 minutes, one conversion to open surgery, the average intraoperative bleeding was 100 mL, hospital stay time of 2.2 days. Morbidity, mortality and recurrence percentages in the short time were equal to 0%., Conclusions: Robot-assisted repair of giant paraesophageal hernias, has shown advantages that overcome the limitations of the laparoscopic approach such as dissections in difficult-to-reach angles, increased accuracy, ergonomics, three-dimensional, and closer view of the workspace. In addition, robot-assisted repair promotes better surgical and postoperative outcomes; these advantages have been demonstrated mainly in the repair of giant paraesophageal hernias., (Copyright: © 2020 Permanyer.)

Introduction: Inadequate stent implantation is associated with stent thrombosis and restenosis. StentBoost can enhance stent visualization and evaluate stent expansion. Currently, there are limited comparison studies between StentBoost and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We aimed to test the correlation and agreement between IVUS and StentBoost measurements., Methods: From December 2010 to December 2011, 38 patients (54 stents) were analyzed using IVUS and StentBoost. Minimal stent diameter and proximal and distal edge stent diameter were compared between imaging techniques using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman scatter plot., Results: There was good correlation between StentBoost and IVUS measurements regarding minimal stent diameter (p < 0.001 in all stent portions) and an optimal agreement between IVUS and StentBoost, while lesser agreement was found between IVUS and quantitative coronary angiography., Conclusion: The assessment of stent implantation using StentBoost showed an adequate correlation and agreement with IVUS. This easily applicable angiographic technique can be used to guide stent implantation.

We report the time to stable ST-segment reperfusion (TSTR) after primary angioplasty and its relationship with the clinical results; 137 patients who underwent primary angioplasty were included as part of the analysis. All patients had 24 hours ST-segment monitoring. Time to stable STR was defined as the beginning of ST-segment reperfusion (STR) lasting >4 hours without ST-segment reelevation. Six-month mortality was associated with slower TSTR (median 166.5 vs 6 minute, P = .001). Time to stable STR cutoff value of 136.5 minutes was identified as the best mortality predictor (area under the curve: 0.86, P = .001). Multivariate analysis identified Killip class > or = 2 (P = .042), TSTR cutoff value (P = .002), and final thrombolysis myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade III (P = .067) as predictors of 6-month mortality. Time to stable STR may be a novel continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) parameter following primary angioplasty, which can identify high-risk patients that need to be considered for additional treatments.

Background: Women have higher risk of contrast-induced nephropathy than men. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative impact of gender on long-term renal function after percutaneous renal interventions (PRI)., Methods and Results: We included all patients undergoing PRI. Men (n = 72) and women (n = 28) had similar age, men had more diabetes, coronary and peripheral artery disease, higher serum creatinine and similar glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage > or =3 when compared with females. At follow-up, men had a significant improvement in GFR and systolic blood pressure, while females did not. The presence of severe CKD and male gender were the only predictors of long-term GFR improvement., Conclusion: Male patients and patients with poor baseline renal function showed an important benefit with PRI, suggesting that it is not too late for renal revascularization if properly indicated.

Aims: Recent studies have shown that coronary cyclic flow variations (CCFV) is a platelet-related phenomenon that occurred following reperfusion. Although CCFV predicts acute complications following thrombolytic therapy, its impact following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) has not been evaluated yet., Methods and Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) who underwent PCI were included in the analysis. All patients have 24-hour ST-segment monitoring. The development of CCFV was defined as > or = 3 ST-segment transitions (> or =150 microV). We divided the population in two groups according to the presence (n=14, 10.6%) or absence (n=117) of CCFV. The relation between CCFV and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, anterior infarct, Killip class, and final TIMI flow grade. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. Higher 30-day mortality (21.4 vs. 3.8%, p=0.022) and MACE rates (42.9 vs. 10.7%, p=0.005) were seen in the CCFV group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that patients with CCFV were at increased risk of 30-day MACE (adjusted RR 5.09; 95% CI 1.3-19.1; p=0.0016)., Conclusion: The presence of CCFV altered primary PCI may provide an early indication of insufficient myocardial perfusion and impending catastrophic outcome.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of collateral circulation had a beneficial effect following primary angioplasty. In all, 114 patients who underwent primary angioplasty were included. Patients with collateral circulation had lower basal ST-segment deviation (P = .004), white cell count ( P = .001), peak creatine kinase (P = .001), and regional wall motion score values (P = .03) than patients without collateral circulation. After the procedure, the group with collaterals was associated with higher rates of normal myocardial blush, complete ST resolution, and shorter time to stable ST-recovery. Multivariable logistic analysis identified the presence of collateral circulation as independent predictor of normal myocardial blush (adjusted odds ratio = 3.98, 95% confidence interval, 1.12-14.09; P = .033) and rapid reperfusion (time to stable ST-segment recovery <7 minutes, adjusted odds ratio = 4.0, 95% confidence interval, 1.57-10.20; P = .004). The presence of collateral circulation has a protective effect on infarct size, resulting in faster reperfusion.

Objective: Cigarette smokers have an unexplained low mortality following ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our aim was to determine whether the presence of active smoking has a beneficial effect on myocardial reperfusion following primary percutaneous intervention (PCI)., Methods: A total of 140 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI were included in the analysis. All patients have 24-h ST-segment monitoring, each analyzed by an independent, blinded core laboratory. We divided the population according to the smoking status: active (n = 56) and nonactive smokers (n = 84)., Results: Both groups had similar baseline characteristics, except that active smokers were younger than nonsmokers. Postprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and TIMI frame were better in smokers whereas myocardial blush grade was similar between groups. Percentage of complete (> or =70%) ST-segment resolution (STR) at 60 min was higher in active smokers than in nonactive smokers (76.4 versus 50%, P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified active smoking as an independent predictor of complete STR at 60 min (OR 3.47; 95% CI 1.48-8.14; P = 0.004). At 30 days, no significant differences were found either in mortality (P = 0.62) or in major adverse cardiac events rates (death, reinfarction and congestive heart failure; P = 0.82) between the two groups., Conclusion: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, active smoking is associated with better myocardial reperfusion than nonsmoking. This finding may be the mechanism behind the smoker's paradox and its beneficial effect in the short-term clinical outcome. These results await further confirmation in larger primary PCI databases.

Objective: To report the safety and feasibility of a new occluding thermographic catheter in patients with coronary artery disease., Background: Although plaque temperature heterogeneity is shown in atheromatous plaques, significant underestimation is encountered due to the cooling effect of the uninterrupted blood flow., Methods: The catheter was positioned at the stenotic site. Blood flow was interrupted by an expandable braid located at the distal portion of the catheter. Then, thermographic assessment was performed., Results: In one patient, the catheter could not reach the lesion due to tortuosity. Of the 20 lesions evaluated, 5 were excluded due to unsuccessful interruption of blood flow. We identified 5 lesions with a 0.3 degrees Celcius elevations compared to the same site without interruption of blood flow. There were no procedural complications., Conclusion: The new catheter-occluding thermographic device, while avoiding the blood flow cooling effect, appears to be safe and feasible for the assessment of human plaque temperature heterogeneity.

Objects: To show all cardiac evaluations multislice computed tomography (MSCT) can perform., Methods: MSCTs were performed on an MSCT scanner (Mx8000; Philips Medical Systems) with enhanced contrast acquisition. The reconstructed images were sent to a workstation for multiplanar reconstruction, volume rendering, and 3-D reconstruction. A total of 140 patients were studied with MSCT and conventional angiography (CA) to assess coronary artery stenosis. 30 of these patients were also evaluated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for plaque characterization. A group of 20 patients were studied with MSCT, gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and echocardiography for myocardial perfusion test and volumetric analysis., Results: The results of MSCT versus CA showed a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 93.7%, whereas for MSCT versus IVUS the sensitivity was 84.4% and the specificity 91.6%. A total of 156 plaques were detected by both methods. 105 (67%) were soft, 14 (24%) were fibrous and 37 (9%) were calcified. In the evaluation of myocardial perfusion, the cardiac software showed a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 80%. However, general evaluation disclosed a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 96.4%. The volumetric analysis showed a good correlation between MSCT and echocardiography for end-systolic volume (ESV), rS = 0.874, and end-diastolic volume (EDV), rS = 0.828. There was also a good correlation for the evaluation of the left ventricular anatomy: septal wall rS = 0.96, posterior wall rS = 0.81, and diameter of left ventricle rS = 0.69., Conclusion: Nowadays, MSCT allows different cardiologic evaluations with the same acquisition as that for the coronary arteries. These data show a general view of the patient providing information that is obtained by the hand of multiple cardiologic methods such as DA, IVUS, gated SPECT, and echocardiography.