Search

Arteriovenous graft (AVG) is an important vascular access route in hemodialysis patients. The optimal waiting time between AVG creation and the first cannulation is still undetermined, therefore the current study investigated the association between ideal timing for cannulation and AVG survival. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, which included 6,493 hemodialysis patients with AVGs between July 1st 2008 and June 30th 2012. The waiting cannulation time was defined as the time from the date of shunt creation to the first successful cannulation. Patients were categorized according to the waiting cannulation time of their AVGs as follows: ≤30 days, between 31 and 90 days, between 91 and 180 days, and >180 days. The primary outcome was functional cumulative survival, measured as the time from the first cannulation to shunt abandonment. The AVGs which were cannulated between 31 and 90 days (reference group) after construction had significantly superior functional cumulative survival compared with those cannulated ≤30 days (adjusted HR = 1.651 with 95% CI 1.482–1.839; p 180 days (adjusted HR = 1.197 with 95% CI 1.012–1.417; p = 0.0363) after construction. An analysis of the hazard ratios in patients with different demographic characteristics, revealed that the functional cumulative survival of AVGs in most groups was better when they received cannulation >30 days after construction. Consequently, in order to achieve the best long-term survival, AVGs should be cannulated at least 1 month after construction, but you should avoid waiting for >3 months.

Purpose: Organ shortage greatly limits treatment of patients with end-stage chronic kidney. Maastricht type 2 donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been shown to have similar results in long term outcomes in kidney transplantation, when compared with brain dead donation. Our main goal was to assess Maastricht type 2 DCD and evaluate factors that impact on early graft function., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in an ECMO Referral Centre. All patients who received a kidney transplant from Maastricht type 2 DCD were included in study. Early graft function and short term outcomes were assessed., Results: From October 2017 to December 2022, 47 renal grafts were collected from 24 uDCD donors. Median warm ischemia time was 106 min (94-115), cannulation time was 10 min (8; 20) and duration of extracorporeal reperfusion (ANOR) was 180 min (126-214). Regarding early graft function, 25% had immediate graft function, 63.6% had delayed graft function and 11.4% had primary non-function (PNF). There was a correlation between cannulation time (p = 0.006) and ANOR with PNF (p = 0.016)., Conclusions: Cannulation time and ANOR were the main factors that correlated with PNF. Better understanding of underlying mechanisms should be sought in future studies to reduce the incidence of PNF., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This article did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Arteriovenous graft (AVG) is an important vascular access route in hemodialysis patients. The optimal waiting time between AVG creation and the first cannulation is still undetermined, therefore the current study investigated the association between ideal timing for cannulation and AVG survival. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, which included 6,493 hemodialysis patients with AVGs between July 1st 2008 and June 30th 2012. The waiting cannulation time was defined as the time from the date of shunt creation to the first successful cannulation. Patients were categorized according to the waiting cannulation time of their AVGs as follows: ≤30 days, between 31 and 90 days, between 91 and 180 days, and >180 days. The primary outcome was functional cumulative survival, measured as the time from the first cannulation to shunt abandonment. The AVGs which were cannulated between 31 and 90 days (reference group) after construction had significantly superior functional cumulative survival compared with those cannulated ≤30 days (adjusted HR = 1.651 with 95% CI 1.482–1.839; p < 0.0001) and >180 days (adjusted HR = 1.197 with 95% CI 1.012–1.417; p = 0.0363) after construction. An analysis of the hazard ratios in patients with different demographic characteristics, revealed that the functional cumulative survival of AVGs in most groups was better when they received cannulation >30 days after construction. Consequently, in order to achieve the best long-term survival, AVGs should be cannulated at least 1 month after construction, but you should avoid waiting for >3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding procedure that requires considerable amount of training to be performed safely. Successful cannulation of the ducts depends on the expertise of the endoscopist. Conventionally, cannulation is facilitated with the help of smooth muscle relaxants like Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide or Drotaverine which impair duodenal contractions and facilitate sphincter of oddi relaxation. Aim: To compare the effect of Fatty meal versus Drotaverine hydrochloride versus Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide on duodenal contraction rate, ease of identification of the papillary orifice, time for cannulation, and adverse effects of agents used on haemodynamic parameters. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai,Tamil Nadu, India, where 60 patients admitted for ERCP with normal appearing ampulla, were taken-up for the study. Patients were subjected randomly into the three groups viz., Hyoscine group, Drotaverine group and Fatty meal group. In Fatty meal group, 200 mL of semi skimmed milk (1.7% fat) was given orally one hour prior to the procedure to allow for gastric emptying. A 20 mg of intravenous Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide and 40 mg of intravenous Drotaverine hydrochloride were administered 15 minutes before procedure in Hyoscine and Drotaverine group, respectively. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 version software. A p-value

Introduction: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding procedure that requires considerable amount of training to be performed safely. Successful cannulation of the ducts depends on the expertise of the endoscopist. Conventionally, cannulation is facilitated with the help of smooth muscle relaxants like Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide or Drotaverine which impair duodenal contractions and facilitate sphincter of oddi relaxation. Aim: To compare the effect of Fatty meal versus Drotaverine hydrochloride versus Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide on duodenal contraction rate, ease of identification of the papillary orifice, time for cannulation, and adverse effects of agents used on haemodynamic parameters. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai,Tamil Nadu, India, where 60 patients admitted for ERCP with normal appearing ampulla, were taken-up for the study. Patients were subjected randomly into the three groups viz., Hyoscine group, Drotaverine group and Fatty meal group. In Fatty meal group, 200 mL of semi skimmed milk (1.7% fat) was given orally one hour prior to the procedure to allow for gastric emptying. A 20 mg of intravenous Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide and 40 mg of intravenous Drotaverine hydrochloride were administered 15 minutes before procedure in Hyoscine and Drotaverine group, respectively. Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 version software. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The difference in duodenal motility, cannulation time and success of the procedure did not show a statistically significant p-value between the three groups. The identification of ampulla was easy with the fatty meal group. The statistical analysis for intraprocedural change in pulse rate and Blood Pressure (BP) variation showed a significant p-value for Hyoscine group compared to the other two groups. The change in pulse rate for Hyoscine vs. Drotaverine vs. Fatty meal group during the procedure was 51.5±12.8 vs. 24.2±8.4 vs. 24.4±8.8 per minute, respectively. The variation in BP during the procedure was 18.3/15.7±7.7/9.0 mmHg vs. 9.0/8.7±5.7/5.6 mmHg vs. 10.4/8.6±4.6/3.3 mmHg for Hyoscine vs. Drotaverine vs. Fatty meal group respectively. Conclusion: Fatty meal is not inferior to the conventionally used Hyoscine-N-butyl bromide or Drotaverine for its anti-motility effect on the duodenum during ERCP. The cannulation time is no different within the groups. Fatty meal, the action of which is physiological may be used as a suitable alternative to antispasmodic pharmacological agents which have potential adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time ultrasound (US) in central venous catheterization is superior to pre-procedure US. However, ensuring real-time US into routine practice is impeded by its perceived expense and difficulty. This expertise requires hand–eye coordination and learning curve. Moreover, availability of multiple US machines and probes for multiple operation theatres may not be possible even at the tertiary level care set-up. Currently, pre-procedure US and landmark methods are most widely used. We investigated both the techniques with application of skin markings in the pre-procedure group to ascertain efficacy and safety with a view to incorporate pre-procedure US in our practice. In this randomized study, we investigated 66 patients. Thirty-three patients in the pre-procedure ultrasound group and 33 patients in the landmark group were included for right internal jugular vein (RIJV) cannulation. We recorded the first needle pass success rate, cannulation time and complications. Pre-procedure US was associated with more successful attempts, shorter cannulation times and less complications. Under pre-procedure US, 75.76% of first attempts were successful with a cannulation time of 50 (25–180) seconds. Under landmark technique, 27.27% of first attempts were successful with a cannulation time of 85 (20–200) seconds. First puncture success rates were higher in pre-procedure US than landmark technique, 66.67% vs 27.27%, respectively. Pre-procedure US for RIJV catheterization is safer, quicker and superior to landmark technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Accurate cannulation is essential for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. • Japanese multicenter data were analyzed with propensity score matching. • Real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation was associated with shorter cannulation time. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), a bridge to treatments for cardiac arrest patients, can be technically challenging and requires expertise. While ultrasound guidance is frequently used for vascular access, its effects on cannulation time in patients treated with ECPR are poorly defined. We hypothesized that real-time ultrasound guidance would contribute to faster and safer cannulation for ECPR. This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study analyzed data from 36 Japanese institutions. Patients who were over age 18 years and underwent ECPR between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018, were included. Patients who underwent open surgical vascular access were excluded. Cannulation time and outcomes of patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation (i.e., ultrasound-guided group) were compared to those cannulated without the use of real-time ultrasound guidance (control group) using propensity score matching analysis. The ultrasound-guided group comprised 510 cases, whereas the control group comprised 941 cases. Of those, 443 propensity score-matched pairs were evaluated. Cannulation time in the ultrasound-guided group was 2.5 minutes shorter than in the control group [difference, −2.5 minutes; 95% Confidence interval (CI), −3.7 to −1.3, p < 0.001]. The incidence of catheter-related complications and the incidence of the poor neurological outcomes (Cerebral Performance Category ≥3) did not differ between groups [Odds ratio (OR), 1.51; 95% CI, 0.64–3.74; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.83–1.59]. Real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation was associated with shorter cannulation time of ECPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To study the effect of cannulation time on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) survival. Methods. Analysis of two prospective databases of access operations and dialysis sessions from 12 January 2002 through 4 January 2015 with follow-up until 4 January 2016. First cannulation time (FCT), defined from operation to first cannulation, was categorized as <2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 4-8 weeks, 8-16 weeks and ≥16 weeks. Early cannulation was defined as FCT within 4 weeks. AVF survival was defined as the date until the AVF was abandoned. Maximum machine blood flow rate (BFR) for the first 29 dialysis sessions on AVF was analysed. Results. Altogether, 1167 AVF with functional dialysis use were analysed: 667 (57%) radial cephalic AVF, 383 (33%) brachiocephalic AVF and 117 (10%) brachiobasilic AVF. The 631 (54%) AVF created in on-dialysis patients were analysed separately from 536 (46%) AVF created in pre-dialysis patients. AVF survival was similar between cannulation categories for both pre-dialysis patients (P = 0.19) and on-dialysis patients (P = 0.83). Early cannulation was associated with similar AVF survival in both pre-dialysis patients (P = 0.82) and on-dialysis patients (P = 0.17). Six consecutive successful cannulations from the start were associated with improved AVF survival (P = 0.0002). A below-median BFR at the start of dialysis was associated with better AVF survival (P < 0.0001). A below-median increase in BFR in the first 2 months was associated with worse AVF survival (P = 0.007). The type of AVF, diabetes, pre-dialysis state at operation and six successful cannulations from the start were independent predictors for AVF survival. Conclusions. FCT is not associated with AVF survival. Failures to achieve six successful cannulations from the start of dialysis and higher machine BFR in the first week of dialysis are associated with decreased AVF survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moderate-to-severe post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis contributes to most of the poor outcomes of patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, it remains unclear which part of the patient is more vulnerable to moderate-to-severe PEP (MS PEP). In this study, we aimed to identify the risk factors independently associated with MS PEP., Methods: Consecutive patients with native papilla who had undergone ERCP were included in this study. The patient-related and procedure-related variables were retrieved from a prospectively maintained ERCP database. The primary outcome was the incidence of PEP. MS PEP was defined as a prolonged hospital stay of ≥4 days (as per the Cotton criteria) or the presence of organ failure (as per the revised Atlanta criteria). A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors., Results: A total of 6,944 patients with native papilla who had undergone elective ERCP from January 2010 to February 2022 were included in this study. Among these 6,944 patients, 362 (5.2%) patients developed PEP. Among these 362 patients, 76 (1.1%) or 17 (0.2%) had MS PEP as per the Cotton criteria and the revised Atlanta criteria, respectively. The logistic analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for overall and mild PEP were similar, and included being female and inadvertent pancreatic duct (PD) cannulation. A total cannulation time >15 min was also found to be an independent risk factor for MS PEP as defined by both the Cotton criteria and the revised Atlanta criteria., Conclusions: This study found that female patients and those who had inadvertent PD cannulation were at risk of mild PEP. A total cannulation time >15 min was also found to be a risk factor for developing MS PEP., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-4697/coif). All authors report that this work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81970557). The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Background Real-time ultrasound (US) in central venous catheterization is superior to pre-procedure US. However, moving real-time US into routine practice is impeded by its perceived expense and difficulty. Currently, pre-procedure US and landmark (LM) methods are most widely used. We investigated these techniques in internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization in respect of operator experience, complications, and risk factors. Methods In an observational non-randomized study, we investigated 606 of ∼1300 procedures, that is, 200 patients were treated under pre-procedure US and 406 under LM [pathfinder (PF) n=202, direct cannulation (DC) n=204]. We recorded first needle pass success rate, success rate after the third attempt, and the cannulation time. Procedures were performed by inexperienced (<100) or experienced (>100 catheterizations) operators. Results Pre-procedure US was associated with more successful attempts and shorter cannulation times. Under pre-procedure US, 88% of first attempts were successful and 100% of third attempts. The median (range) cannulation time was 39 (10–330) s. Under PF, only 56% of first, and 87% of third, attempts were successful with a median (range) cannulation time of 100 (25–3600) s. Under DC, 61% of first and 89% of third attempts were successful; the median (range) cannulation time was 70 (10–3600) s. Remarkably, inexperienced operators using pre-procedure US (n=38) were significantly faster than experienced operators using PF or DC (n=343) (cannulation time: median 60 s, range 12–330, for inexperienced; 60 s, range 10–3600, for experienced). First puncture success rates were higher (pre-procedure US, inexperienced 84%, PF or DC, experienced 57%). Conclusions Pre-procedure US for IJV catheterization is safe, quick, and superior to LM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: We investigated the long-term outcome of pediatric tracheostomy to identify predictive factors of early decannulation. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of 75 patients less than 20 years of age who underwent tracheostomy between 1998 and 2003 during their admission in a tertiary pediatric institution. Complete information was available on 65 patients. Results: There were 41 male patients and 24 female patients (median age, 7 months). The indications for tracheostomy were an obstructed airway in 36 patients, prolonged mechanical ventilation in 15, and tracheobronchial toilet or aspiration risk in 14. Twelve patients died, and 30 of the 53 survivors were decannulated (median cannulation time, 123.5 days). Additional airway procedures were required for decannulation in those with obstructed airways. Patients who had tracheostomy performed for tracheobronchial toilet had a significantly shorter cannulation time than those with the other two indications (log-rank test, χ²(2) = 47.11; p < .00001). Patient diagnosis was also a significant predictor of cannulation time (log-rank test, χ²(2) = 66.05; p < .00001). Tracheobronchial toilet as a tracheostomy indication and both trauma and neurologic conditions as admission diagnoses were statistically significant independent variables that predicted earlier decannulation on multivariate analysis. Analysis of other group variables — age, sex, and tracheostomy insertion technique — did not reveal any significant difference in cannulation times. Conclusions: Tracheostomy indication and patient diagnosis are significant variables that predict early decannulation in pediatric patients in whom tracheostomy is required. Other variables were not shown to be significant independent predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate the efficacy of 2 h post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) serum amylase levels and other factors for predicting post-ERCP pancreatitis., Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent ERCP from January 2010 to December 2013. Serum amylase levels were measured 2 h post-procedure, and patient- and procedure-related pancreatitis (PEP) risk factors were analyzed using a logistic model., Results: A total of 1520 cases (average age 72 ± 12 years, 60% male) were initially enrolled in this study, and 1403 cases (725 patients) were ultimately analyzed after the exclusion of 117 cases. Fifty-five of these cases developed PEP. We established a 2 h serum amylase cutoff level of two times the upper limit of normal for predicting PEP. Multivariate analysis revealed that a cannulation time of more than 13 min [odds ratio (OR) 2.28, 95%CI: 1.132-4.651, P = 0.0210] and 2 h amylase levels greater than the cutoff level (OR = 24.1, 95%CI: 11.56-57.13, P < 0.0001) were significant predictive factors for PEP. Forty-seven of the 55 patients who developed PEP exhibited 2 h amylase levels greater than the cutoff level (85%), and six of the remaining eight patients who developed PEP (75%) required longer cannulation times. Only 2 of the 1403 patients (0.14%) who developed PEP did not exhibit concerning 2 h amylase levels or require longer cannulation times., Conclusion: These findings indicate that the combination of 2 h post-ERCP serum amylase levels and cannulation times represents a valuable marker for identifying patients at high risk for PEP., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.