Ketamine For Acute Pain After Trauma (KAPT): A Pragmatic, Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Non-narcotic intravenous medications may be a beneficial adjunct to oral multimodal pain regimens (MMPRs) which reduce but do not eliminate opioid exposure and prescribing after trauma. We hypothesized that the addition of a sub-dissociative ketamine infusion (KI) to a standardized oral MMPR reduces inpatient opioid exposure. METHODS: Eligible adult trauma patients admitted to the intermediate or intensive care unit were randomized upon admission to our institutional MMPR per usual care (UC) or UC plus sub-dissociative KI for 24 to 72 hours after arrival. The primary outcome was morphine milligram equivalents per day (MME/d) and secondary outcomes included total MME, discharge with an opioid prescription (OP%), and rates of ketamine side effects. Bayesian posterior probabilities (pp) were calculated using neutral priors. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were included in the final analysis with 144 randomized to KI and 156 to UC. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The injury severity scores for KI were 19 [14, 29] versus UC 22 [14, 29]. The KI group had a lower rate of long-bone fracture (37% versus 49%) and laparotomy (16% versus 24%). Patients receiving KI had an absolute reduction of 7 MME/day, 96 total MME, and 5% in OP%. Additionally, KI had a relative risk (RR) reduction of 19% in MME/day (RR 0.81 [0.69 - 0.95], pp = 99%), 20% in total MME (RR 0.80 [0.64, 0.99], pp = 98%), and 8% in OP% (RR 0.92 [0.76, 1.11], pp = 81%). The KI group had a higher rate of delirium (11% versus 6%); however, rates of other side effects such as arrythmias and unplanned intubations were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Addition of a sub-dissociative ketamine infusion to an oral MMPR resulted in a decrease in opioid exposure in severely injured patients. Sub-dissociative ketamine infusions can be used as a safe adjunct to decrease opioid exposure in monitored settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I; Therapeutic/Care Management.

Verification of Death by Neurologic Criteria: A Survey of 12 Organ Procurement Organizations Across the United States.

BACKGROUND: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) to verify and document that any potential organ donor has been pronounced dead per applicable legal requirements of local, state, and federal laws. However, OPO practices regarding death by neurologic criteria (DNC) verification are not standardized, and little is known about their DNC verification processes. This study aimed to explore OPO practices regarding DNC verification in the United States. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to all 57 OPOs in the United States from June to September 2023 to assess verification of policies and practices versus guidelines, concerns about policies and practices, processes to address concerns about DNC determination, and communication practices. RESULTS: Representatives from 12 OPOs across six US regions completed the entire survey; 8 of 12 reported serving > 50 referral hospitals. Most respondents (11 of 12) reported comparing their referral hospital's DNC policies with the 2010 American Academy of Neurology Practice Parameter and/or other (4 of 12) guidelines. Additionally, most (10 of 12) reported independently reviewing and verifying each DNC determination. Nearly half (5 of 12) reported concerns about guideline-discordant hospital policies, and only 3 of 12 thought all referral hospitals followed the 2010 American Academy of Neurology Practice Parameter in practice. Moreover, 9 of 12 reported concerns about clinician knowledge surrounding DNC determination, and most (10 of 12) reported having received referrals for patients whose DNC declaration was ultimately reversed. All reported experiences in which their OPO requested additional assessments (11 of 12 clinical evaluation, 10 of 12 ancillary testing, 9 of 12 apnea testing) because of concerns about DNC determination validity. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate DNC determination is important to maintain public trust. Nearly all OPO respondents reported a process to verify hospital DNC policies and practices with medical society guidelines. Many reported concerns about clinician knowledge surrounding DNC determination and guideline-discordant policies and practices. Educational and regulatory advocacy efforts are needed to facilitate systematic implementation of guideline-concordant practices across the country.

Recent COVID-19 infection is associated with increased mortality in the ambulatory surgery population.

BACKGROUND: The effect of COVID-19 infection on post-operative mortality and the optimal timing to perform ambulatory surgery from diagnosis date remains unclear in this population. Our study was to determine whether a history of COVID-19 diagnosis leads to a higher risk of all-cause mortality following ambulatory surgery. METHODS: This cohort constitutes retrospective data obtained from the Optum dataset containing 44,976 US adults who were tested for COVID-19 up to 6 months before surgery and underwent ambulatory surgery between March 2020 to March 2021. The primary outcome was the risk of all-cause mortality between the COVID-19 positive and negative patients grouped according to the time interval from COVID-19 testing to ambulatory surgery, called the Testing to Surgery Interval Mortality (TSIM) of up to 6 months. Secondary outcome included determining all-cause mortality (TSIM) in time intervals of 0-15 days, 16-30 days, 31-45 days, and 46-180 days in COVID-19 positive and negative patients. RESULTS: 44,934 patients (4297 COVID-19 positive, 40,637 COVID-19 negative) were included in our analysis. COVID-19 positive patients undergoing ambulatory surgery had higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to COVID-19 negative patients (OR = 2.51, p < 0.001). The increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 positive patients remained high amongst patients who had surgery 0-45 days from date of COVID-19 testing. In addition, COVID-19 positive patients who underwent colonoscopy (OR = 0.21, p = 0.01) and plastic and orthopedic surgery (OR = 0.27, p = 0.01) had lower mortality than those underwent other surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: A COVID-19 positive diagnosis is associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality following ambulatory surgery. This mortality risk is greatest in patients that undergo ambulatory surgery within 45 days of testing positive for COVID-19. Postponing elective ambulatory surgeries in patients that test positive for COVID-19 infection within 45 days of surgery date should be considered, although prospective studies are needed to assess this.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Protein-Calorie Malnutrition in Chronic Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Elective Cardiac Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients are often malnourished. Our aim was to determine the effect of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) on in-hospital outcomes in CHF patients following elective cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors for PCM in this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was conducted from 2016 to 2018. In-hospital outcomes in adult patients with CHF undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass-assist or cardiac valve replacement surgeries were analyzed. Propensity-score matching was used to match CHF patients with and without PCM and followed by logistic regression analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors associated with PCM in this population. RESULTS: In total 25,940 CHF patients were identified, of which 6,271 underwent elective CABG and 19,669 underwent valve replacement surgeries. The prevalence of PCM in CHF patients undergoing CABG and valve replacement was 3.9% and 2.9%, respectively. CHF patients with PCM had significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality, post-operative cardiac and gastrointestinal complications compared to CHF patients without PCM. The mean hospital length of stay was twice as high in the PCM group (mean days: 18.6 vs 9.9). Female gender, Black race (vs White race), a high Charlson Comorbidity Index, Medicare/Medicaid insurance status (vs private insurance), and CHF (systolic and combined systolic and diastolic) were independently associated with significantly higher risk of PCM diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CHF patients with PCM who undergo elective CABG or valve replacement surgeries are at a significantly higher risk of mortality, post-operative cardiac and gastrointestinal complications, and increased duration of hospital stay compared to those without PCM. Future prospective studies should assess the CHF patients who are at a higher risk of PCM and whether correcting pre-operative nutrition in this surgical population can improve outcomes following cardiac surgery.

Effect of tracheostomy timing on outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Tracheostomy following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, yet the outcomes associated with tracheostomy timing are unclear. The objective of this study was to assess hospital outcomes of tracheostomy timing in TBI patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample database of adult patients aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of TBI. Indexed hospitalizations of TBI patients who underwent either percutaneous or surgical tracheostomy between 1995 and 2015 in the United States were included. The interventional groups were 1) early tracheostomy (≤7 days) vs standard tracheostomy (8-14 days), vs late tracheostomy (≥15 days), and 2) tracheostomy vs no tracheostomy. Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression models were used to analyze in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital complications among TBI patients in relation to tracheostomy timing. The risk of in-hospital mortality was 35% lower in patients who underwent tracheostomy vs those who did not (odds ratio 0.65; P < 0.001). Patients who underwent early tracheostomy had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared to standard tracheostomy (odds ratio 1.69; P < 0.001) or late tracheostomy (odds ratio 1.80; P < 0.001). An early tracheostomy was associated with a shorter mean hospital length of stay (27 days) compared to standard (36 days) or late tracheostomy (48 days).

Ketamine for acute pain after trauma: the KAPT randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for effective pain management and opioid minimization of intravenous ketamine in elective surgery has been extrapolated to acutely injured patients, despite limited supporting evidence in this population. This trial seeks to determine the effectiveness of the addition of sub-dissociative ketamine to a pill-based, opioid-minimizing multi-modal pain regimen (MMPR) for post traumatic pain. METHODS: This is a single-center, parallel-group, randomized, controlled comparative effectiveness trial comparing a MMPR to a MMPR plus a sub-dissociative ketamine infusion. All trauma patients 16 years and older admitted following a trauma which require intermediate (IMU) or intensive care unit (ICU) level of care are eligible. Prisoners, patients who are pregnant, patients not expected to survive, and those with contraindications to ketamine are excluded from this study. The primary outcome is opioid use, measured by morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per patient per day (MME/patient/day). The secondary outcomes include total MME, pain scores, morbidity, lengths of stay, opioid prescriptions at discharge, and patient centered outcomes at discharge and 6 months. DISCUSSION: This trial will determine the effectiveness of sub-dissociative ketamine infusion as part of a MMPR in reducing in-hospital opioid exposure in adult trauma patients. Furthermore, it will inform decisions regarding acute pain strategies on patient centered outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Ketamine for Acute Pain Management After Trauma (KAPT) with registration # NCT04129086 was registered on October 16, 2019.

Association of pre-admission opioid abuse and/or dependence on major complications in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

SETTING: In the last few decades, an opioid related health crisis has been a challenging problem in many countries around the world, especially the United States. Better understanding of the association of pre-admission opioid abuse and/or dependence (POAD) on specific major complications in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients can aid the medical team in improving patient care management and outcomes. STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our goal is to assess and quantify the risk of POAD on in-hospital mortality and major complications in TBI patients. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study and used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2004 to 2015 to investigate the impact of POAD on in-hospital mortality and major complications in TBI patients. We utilized propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression models, adjusted with injury severity score (ISS) and comorbidities, to obtain the adjusted odds ratios (OR). MAIN RESULTS: POAD TBI patients had lower risks of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.58; p < 0.001) and acute myocardial infarction (OR 0.53; p = 0.045), while a higher risk of respiratory (OR 1.59; p < 0.001) and neurologic complications (OR 2.54; p < 0.001), compared to non-POAD TBI patients. Additionally, POAD patients were significantly more likely to have sepsis (OR 2.16, p < 0.001), malnutrition (OR 1.56, p < 0.001), delirium (OR 2.81, p < 0.001), respiratory failure (OR 1.79, p < 0.001), and acute renal failure (OR 1.83, p < 0.001). POAD TBI patients had shorter length of hospital stay compared to non-POAD TBI patients (mean 8.0 vs 9.2 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: POAD TBI patients have a lower in-hospital mortality, shorter duration of hospitalization and a lower risk of acute myocardial infarction, while they are more likely to have respiratory failure, delirium, sepsis, malnutrition, and acute renal failure compared to TBI patients without POAD. Prospective study is warranted to further confirm these findings.

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common in the general population and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to assess hospital outcomes of patients with TBI with and without a pre-existing OSA diagnosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of adult patients aged ≥ 18 years with a primary diagnosis of TBI. In-hospital outcomes were assessed among patients with TBI with and without pre-existing OSA hospitalized between 2005 to 2015 in the United States. Propensity score matching and conditional logistic regression models were used to analyze in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital complications among patients with TBI with and without a pretrauma OSA diagnosis. RESULTS: In our TBI cohort, the overall prevalence of diagnosed OSA was 0.90%. Patients with OSA were mostly obese or morbidly obese older men with high comorbidity burden and sustained more severe head injuries yet were less likely to undergo craniotomy or craniectomy. Following propensity score matching, the odds risk (OR) of in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the OSA group with TBI (OR 0.58; p < 0.001). Compared with the non-OSA group, patients with OSA had significantly higher risk of respiratory complications (OR 1.23) and acute heart failure (OR 1.25) and lower risk of acute myocardial infarction (OR 0.73), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.34), and packed red blood cell transfusions (OR 0.79). Patients with OSA spent on average 0.3 days less (7.4 vs. 7.7 days) hospitalized compared with the non-OSA group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TBI with underlying OSA diagnosis were older and had higher comorbidity burden; however, hospital mortality was lower. Pre-existing OSA may result in protective physiologic changes such as hypoxic-ischemic preconditioning especially to cardiac and neural tissues, which can provide protection following neurological trauma, which may lead to a reduction in mortality.

Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVES: To determine in-hospital outcomes and assess high-risk groups among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from January 2012 to September 2015 was performed. SETTING: Hospitals across the United States that offer TAVRs or SAVRs. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with a diagnosis of CHF and AS. INTERVENTIONS: The patients underwent either TAVR or SAVR. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Totals of 5,871 and 4,008 CHF patients underwent TAVR and SAVR, respectively. TAVR patients were significantly older, more were female, and had a higher comorbidity burden. No significant differences in in-hospital mortality were noted between TAVR and SAVR. However, mean length of stay was significantly longer by 3.5 days in the SAVR group, as was the mean total cost. With the exception of complete heart block, permanent pacemaker implantation, and vascular complications, the majority of postoperative events were higher among the SAVR group. Multivariate regression analysis identified postoperative cardiac, respiratory and renal complications as significant predictors of in-hospital mortality for both groups. Additionally, age ≥75 years and vascular complications were significant predictors of mortality for patients undergoing TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: Among CHF patients with symptomatic AS, TAVR had similar in-hospital mortality rate compared with SAVR despite higher comorbidity burden. TAVR patients are at a lower risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal complications and might lead to reduced length of hospital stay and cost. Hence, TAVR may be a safer option in this population.

Early Versus Late Tracheostomy in Patients With Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often result in impairments in respiration that may lead to a sequelae of pulmonary dysfunction, increased risk of infection, and death. The optimal timing for tracheostomy in patients with acute SCI is currently unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the optimal timing of tracheostomy in SCI patients and evaluate the potential benefits of early versus late tracheostomy. METHODS: We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and PsycINFO for published studies. We included studies on adults with SCI who underwent early or late tracheostomy and compared outcomes. In addition, studies that reported a concomitant traumatic brain injury were excluded. Data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers and copied into R software for analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD). RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 1220 patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean age and gender between early and late tracheostomy groups were similar. The majority of the studies performed an early tracheostomy within 7 days from either time of injury or tracheal intubation. Patients with a cervical SCI were twice as likely to undergo an early tracheostomy (OR = 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-3.64; P = .006) compared to patients with a thoracic SCI. Early tracheostomy reduced the mean intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay by 13 days (95% CI, -19.18 to -7.00; P = .001) and the mean duration of mechanical ventilation by 18.30 days (95% CI, -24.33 to -12.28; P = .001). Although the pooled risk of in-hospital mortality was lower with early tracheostomy compared to late tracheostomy, the results were not significant (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-1.01; P = .054). In the subgroup analysis, mortality was significantly lower in the early tracheostomy group (OR = 0.27; P = .006). Finally, no differences in pneumonia between early and late tracheostomy groups were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available data, patients with early tracheostomy within the first 7 days of injury or tracheal intubation had higher cervical SCI, shorter ICU length of stay, and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation compared to late tracheostomy. The risk of in-hospital mortality may be lower following an early tracheostomy. However, due to the quality of studies and insufficient clinical data available, it is challenging to make conclusive interpretations. Future prospective trials with a larger patient population are needed to fully assess short- and long-term outcomes of tracheostomy timing following acute SCI.

Quadratus Lumborum 2 Block as the Sole Anesthetic Technique for Open Hernia Repair in Multimorbid Patients.

Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum (QL, QL1-3) blocks have been used extensively for perioperative pain control for patients undergoing abdominal procedures. These blocks provide a more widespread and longer-lasting analgesic effect compared to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. While QL blocks have been used as an adjunct in multimodal postoperative pain control, they are rarely used as the sole anesthetic technique for abdominal surgeries. We report the cases of two high-risk multimorbid patients requiring urgent open umbilical hernia repairs secondary to incarceration or obstruction. Bilateral QL2 blocks were utilized as the sole anesthetic technique to reduce anesthetic risk, with positive outcomes.  Utilization of the QL2 block technique for our patients enabled avoidance of general anesthesia in these high-risk patients because of the extensive area of anesthesia they provide when compared with the TAP and QL1 block techniques. The advantages of the QL2 block for high-risk patients include immediate perioperative pain control, reduced use of muscle relaxants, reduced opioid analgesic requirement for postoperative pain management, and enhanced postoperative recovery. Disadvantages include potential for local anesthetic toxicity, neural injury, or failure of the block. While regional anesthetic techniques may be beneficial options for those patients who are not candidates for general anesthesia, more studies in which these techniques are used need to be performed to determine the widespread efficacy and adequacy of this method.

Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond the University of California San Francisco Criteria: A Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant liver tumor. Currently, liver transplantation may be the optimal treatment for HCC in cirrhotic patients. Patient selection is currently based on tumor size. We developed a program to offer liver transplantation to selected patients with HCC outside of traditional criteria. METHODS: Retrospective review for patients transplanted with HCC between April 2008 and June 2017. Patients were grouped by tumor size according to Milan, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and outside UCSF criteria. Patient demographics, laboratory values, and outcomes were compared. Patients radiographically outside Milan criteria were selected based on tumor control with locoregional therapy (LRT) and 9 months of stability from LRT. α-fetoprotein values were not exclusionary. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty HCC patients were transplanted, 138 inside Milan, 23 inside UCSF, and 59 beyond UCSF criteria. Patient survival was equivalent at 1, 3, or 5 years despite pathologic tumor size. Waiting time to transplantation was not significantly different at an average of 344 days. In patients outside UCSF, tumor recurrence was equivalent to Milan and UCSF criteria recipients who waited >9 months from LRT. Although tumor recurrence was more likely in outside of UCSF patients (3% versus 9% versus 15%; P = 0.02), recurrence-free survival only trended toward significance among the groups (P = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: Selective patients outside of traditional size criteria can be effectively transplanted with equivalent survival to patients with smaller tumors, even when pathologic tumor burden is considered. Tumor stability over time can be used to help select patients for transplantation.

Liver transplantation for primary hepatic malignancies of childhood: The UNOS experience.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with patient and graft survival following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in children and adolescents with primary hepatic malignancies. METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried for all patients <18years old who received an OLT with a primary malignant liver tumor between 1987 and 2012 (n=544). Five-year patient and graft survival were determined using Kaplan-Meier methodology, and independent predictors of survival were determined using multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The majority of patients were diagnosed with hepatoblastoma (HB) (n=376, 70%) with 84 (15%) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 84 (15%) other. HCC patients were older, more often hospitalized at the time of transplant, and more likely to receive a cadaveric organ compared to HB patients. Five-year patient and graft survival for the entire cohort was 73% and 74%, respectively, with the majority of deaths owing to malignancy. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of 5-year patient and graft survival included diagnosis, transplant era, and medical condition at transplant. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, there has been significant improvement in posttransplant patient and graft survival for children and adolescents with primary hepatic malignancies. However, patients with HCC continue to have worse outcomes than those with other cancer types. TYPE OF STUDY: Case series with no comparison group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: a review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In the United States, HCC is the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths. Despite advances in prevention techniques, screening, and new technologies in both diagnosis and treatment, incidence and mortality continue to rise. Cirrhosis remains the most important risk factor for the development of HCC regardless of etiology. Hepatitis B and C are independent risk factors for the development of cirrhosis. Alcohol consumption remains an important additional risk factor in the United States as alcohol abuse is five times higher than hepatitis C. Diagnosis is confirmed without pathologic confirmation. Screening includes both radiologic tests, such as ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and serological markers such as α-fetoprotein at 6-month intervals. Multiple treatment modalities exist; however, only orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) or surgical resection is curative. OLT is available for patients who meet or are downstaged into the Milan or University of San Francisco criteria. Additional treatment modalities include transarterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, cryoablation, radiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and molecularly targeted therapies. Selection of a treatment modality is based on tumor size, location, extrahepatic spread, and underlying liver function. HCC is an aggressive cancer that occurs in the setting of cirrhosis and commonly presents in advanced stages. HCC can be prevented if there are appropriate measures taken, including hepatitis B virus vaccination, universal screening of blood products, use of safe injection practices, treatment and education of alcoholics and intravenous drug users, and initiation of antiviral therapy. Continued improvement in both surgical and nonsurgical approaches has demonstrated significant benefits in overall survival. While OLT remains the only curative surgical procedure, the shortage of available organs precludes this therapy for many patients with HCC.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of voriconazole prophylaxis for prevention of invasive aspergillosis in high-risk liver transplant recipients.

Aspergillus infection remains a significant and deadly complication after liver transplantation (LT). We sought to determine whether the antifungal prophylactic use of voriconazole reduces the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in high-risk LT recipients without prohibitively increasing cost. During the study era (April 2008 to April 2014), 339 deceased donor LTs were performed. Of those patients, 174 high-risk recipients were administered antifungal prophylaxis with voriconazole. The median biological Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score at the time of LT was 33 (range, 18-49) with 56% requiring continuous renal replacement therapy and 50% requiring ventilatory support immediately before transplantation. Diagnosis of IA was stratified as proven, probable, or possible according to previously published definitions. No IA was documented in patients receiving voriconazole prophylaxis. At 90 days after LT, the institutional cost of prophylaxis was $5324 or 5.6% of the predicted cost associated with post-LT aspergillosis. There was no documentation of resistant strains isolated from any recipient who received voriconazole. In conclusion, these data suggest that voriconazole prophylaxis is safe, clinically effective, and cost-effective in high-risk LT recipients.

Clinical management of patients presenting with non-adjustable gastric band (NAGB) complications.

BACKGROUND: A number of bariatric surgical procedures have been developed to manage morbid obesity and related co-morbidities. The non-adjustable gastric band (NAGB) was one such procedure that created restriction to food intake by gastric segmentation. Benefits of the procedure included a low risk of perioperative complications and substantial early weight loss. Unfortunately, the long term results of NAGB include a high incidence of complications and failure to maintain weight loss. The purpose of this study was to examine the presentation, workup, and treatment of patients presenting with complications following NAGB placement. METHODS: A retrospective review of the diagnosis and management of 11 patients who presented with complications related to NAGB placement. RESULTS: All patients presented with some degree of proximal gastric outlet obstruction. The majority of patients (8/11) presented with vomiting as the main complaint. Other complaints included intolerance to solids, liquids, and reflux. Only 2/11 patients presented with weight loss since undergoing NAGB placement, while the remainder had weight regain to their pre-NAGB level and above. Depending on clinical presentation, desire for additional weight loss and co-morbid conditions, patients underwent a variety of treatments. This included NAGB removal (endoscopic, laparo-endoscopic, and laparoscopic) as well as conversion to another bariatric procedure (sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). CONCLUSION: Patients with NAGB complications present with symptoms related to a proximal gastric outlet obstruction, related to constriction imposed by the band. This may result in severe food and liquid intolerance and subsequent weight loss, but more likely results in maladaptive eating and subsequent weight gain. Optimal therapy involves removal of the NAGB. Laparoscopic conversion to another bariatric procedure, optimally a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is warranted to treat morbid obesity and associated co-morbidities.