A Fatal Mediastinitis Due to a Neck Trauma from an Undeclared Assault.

History of neck trauma should be promptly investigated in patients with severe infections of the chest as mediastinitis. We present a forensic case of a death due to a mediastinitis in a patient with an undetected fracture of the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage that was exclusively revealed at autopsy examination. Histological analyses of the neck tissues showed signs of pharyngeal mucosal microperforation caused by the fracture and surrounded by an inflammatory reaction. The fracture was caused by a not declared manual strangulation attempt, happened several days before medical evaluations. We share our experience to emphasize the importance of revealing the etiologies of fatal infections of the mediastinum both for clinical and forensic purposes.

Midterm follow-up dynamic echocardiography evaluation after ascending aorta replacement and reimplantation of the aortic valve (David operation) in a matched control study.

OBJECTIVE: Dynamic performance of the aortic valve (AV) after ascending aorta replacement with reimplantation of the native AV (David) was investigated. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 17 patients who underwent David procedure. Rest/stress echocardiography follow-up was performed and results were compared with those of matched healthy controls. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in terms of age, height, weight, BSA, left ventricular mass, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tele-diastolic volume between the David and control group. At rest echocardiography, patients in the David group had a lower indexed aortic valve area (IAVA) (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 cm(2)/m(2), P < 0.0001), with comparable transvalvular gradients (TVG). At maximal physical stress, although the IAVA in the David group was significantly increased from the rest values (P = 0.001), the difference with the control group persisted (David 1.4 ± 0.3 vs. Control 1.7 ± 0.2 cm(2)/m(2), P < 0.0001) maintaining similar peak TVG (David 13.6 ± 5.3 vs. Control 11.7 ± 4.5 mmHg, P = ns) and mean TVG (David 7.2 ± 3.0 vs. 6.2 ± 2.4 mmHg, P = ns). AV regurgitation in the David group was absent in five (29.4%), grade I in nine (52.9%) and grade II in three (17.6%) patients and remained unchanged during stress. At multiple linear regression, David operation was inversely correlated to rest IAVA (OR = -0.4; P = 0.01; CI: -0.7-0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although IAVA is significantly smaller after David procedure in comparison with matched controls, no pathological increase in TVG is noticed. A significant increase in the IAVA during physical stress documents the preserved pliability/elasticity of the aortic unit after David procedure preventing pathological increase in the TVG even during strenuous effort.

Donor pharmacological hemodynamic support is associated with primary graft failure in human heart transplantation.

The aim of this study was to test the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on the development of primary graft failure (PGF) after heart transplantation (HT) by focusing on the donor's inotropic support. Heart donors and matched recipients data were prospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent predictors for PGF and peri-operative mortality. The donor's high inotrope requirement was defined as sustained need for dopamine exceeding 10 microg/kg/min and/or alpha agonists exceeding 0.06 microg/kg/min. PGF instead was defined as need for immediate post-HT mechanical circulatory support. Since 2006, we have performed 37 HTs. PGF occurred in six patients (16.2%). Although four patients (66.6%) were weaned off circulatory support, two of them (33.3%) died on mechanical assistance. Total in-hospital mortality was 10.8% (4/37). Upon multivariate analysis, pre-harvesting donor high inotrope dosage was the major determinant for PGF (P=0.03, OR=10.8). Given the organ shortage, many centers accepted marginal hearts assuming the donor's pre-harvest hemodynamic managing has a reduced impact on PGF development. As PGF remains the most lethal postoperative complication, the hazards should be carefully considered when using pre-harvesting high inotrope infusion rates.

Arterial chemoembolization/embolization and early complications after hepatocellular carcinoma treatment: a safe standardized protocol in selected patients with Child class A and B cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety of transarterial treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the statistical correlation of various patient factors with the frequency of complications, in selected patients with cirrhosis when adhering to well-standardized protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred twenty consecutive patients with unresectable HCC were treated with transarterial chemoembolization, oil chemoembolization, and embolization. A total of 712 treatments were performed, with an average of 2.3 treatments for each patient. The epirubicin dose was adjusted according to defined laboratory criteria. An early complication was defined as one that occurred within 4 weeks of treatment. Complications were classified as minor and major and assessed by using clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Of the 712 procedures, 21 complications (2.9%) occurred in 17 of the 320 patients (5.3%). Major complications included acute liver failure (n = 1, 0.1%), variceal bleeding (n = 2, 0.3%), moderate-to-severe ascites (n = 4, 0.6%), sepsis (n = 3, 0.4%), cholecystitis (n = 1, 0.1%), and diverticulitis (n = 1, 0.1%). Minor complications were hepatic artery damage, including spontaneously resolved dissection (n = 3, 0.4%), mild encephalopathy (n = 1, 0.1%), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase levels greater than 500 U/L (n = 5, 0.7%). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.003% (n = 1). Constitutional syndrome (P = .0001), Child-Pugh score (P = .0001), ascites (P = .037), and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (P = .02) were found to have a statistically significant correlation with complications after univariate analysis. Child-Pugh score (P = .012) and constitutional syndrome (P = .003) were found to have a statistically significant correlation with complications after logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial treatments can be considered safe in patients with Child class A and B cirrhosis when an adjusted dose of epirubicin is used according to body surface, severity of liver disease, and white blood cell count. Accurate patient selection and procedure-related factors may reduce the frequency of complications and help preserve liver function.

Intraoperative validation of a new system for invasive continuous cardiac output measurement.

OBJECTIVE: Although bolus thermodilution technique for cardiac output (CO) measurement has widespread acceptance, new systems are currently available. We evaluated a continuous CO system (TruCCOMS, Aortech International Inc.) that operates on the thermal conservation principle and we compared it with the reference standard transit time flow measurement (TTFM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine consecutive cardiac surgery patients were evaluated. After general anesthesia and intubation, a TruCCOMS catheter was percutaneously placed in the pulmonary artery (PA). After median sternotomy and pericardiotomy, a TTFM probe was placed around the main PA. Right ventricular (RV) CO measurements were recorded with both TruCCOMS and TTFM at different times: before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (T0), during weaning from CPB (T1), and prior to sternal closure (T2). Data analysis included paired student t test, Pearson correlation test, and Bland-Altman plotting. RESULTS: TruCCOMS CO values were significantly lower at T0 (TruCCOMS 4.0 +/- 1.0 vs. TTFM 4.5 +/- 1.0 L/min; P < 0.0001) and T1 (TruCCOMS 3.6 +/- 0.5 vs. TTFM 4.2 +/- 0.7 L/min; P < 0.0001), and comparable at T2 (TruCCOMS 4.5 +/- 0.7 vs. TTFM 4.6 +/- 0.8 L/min; P = 0.4). Pearson test showed a significant correlation between TruCCOMS and TTFM CO measurements (RT0 = 0.9, RT1 = 0.8, RT2 = 0.6; P < 0.0001). Bland-Altmann plotting showed a bias of -0.53 +/- 0.43 L (-12%) at T0, -0.64 +/- 0.43 L (-14.5%) at T1, and -0.1 +/- 0.66 L (-0.8%) at T2. CONCLUSION: Although TruCCOMS may significantly underestimate CO, measurement trends correlate with TTFM. For this reason, a negative trend in RV output should trigger more specific diagnostic procedures.

Ischemic mitral valve regurgitation in patients with depressed ventricular function: cardiac geometrical and myocardial perfusion evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate geometrical and functional changes involving the left ventricle (LV) and mitral valve (MV) apparatus in patients with depressed LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and ischemic MV regurgitation (IMVR). METHODS: A series of patients with three vessels coronary artery disease (CAD) and depressed LVEF underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to investigate MV/LV geometry and function, and myocardial perfusion/vitality. Geometrical data were indexed by anterior MV leaflet length. Two groups were identified: CAD without IMVR (group CAD), and with IMVR (group IMV). RESULTS: Eleven patients were enrolled in the CAD group and 13 in the IMV group. IMVR volume was significantly higher in the IMV group (24.0+/-12.0 vs 4.5+/-5.2; p<0.0001). LVEF% was comparable (IMV 34.6+/-13.0 vs CAD 31.5+/-13.0; p=ns). Indexed MV/LV geometrical variables were comparable in the two groups. Perfusion/vitality study showed inferior myocardial necrosis occurred more often in the IMV group (p=0.01). At Pearson test, MV regurgitation occurrence correlated with inferior myocardial necrosis (r=0.5; p=0.006), non-indexed systolic/diastolic annular inter-commissural diameters (r=0.4; p=0.04) and MV annular areas (r=0.4; p=0.04). Papillary muscles distance (PMD) and LV volumes inversely correlated with LVEF% (r=-0.6; p<0.05 and r=-0.8; p<0.001). At multivariable analysis, no independent determinants for IMVR were identified and LV volumes were the sole determinants for LVEF% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with depressed LVEF%, IMV cannot be explained by LV geometrical modifications alone. Although PMD, LV volumes, and LVEF% are correlated, they have no direct impact in the development of IMVR. In contrast, inferior myocardial necrosis and increased inter-commissural MV diameters may lead to deformity of MV complex and subsequent IMV.

Critical use of extended criteria donor liver grafts in adult-to-adult whole liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

This study presents our experience with the use of extended criteria donor (ECD) liver grafts. One hundred fifteen liver transplants were divided into 2 groups: standard (S) and nonstandard (NS). Fifty-eight patients in group S received a liver procured from an ideal donor, whereas 57 patients in group NS received an organ from an ECD. On the basis of the number of risk factors, patients were divided into 3 subgroups: the S group with 58 receiving a standard graft, the NS1 group with 44 receiving a graft with 1 or 2 risk factors, and the NS2 group with 13 receiving a graft with 3 to 4 risk factors. Patient survival was not different at 6, 12, and 24 months (P > 0.05), whereas graft survival was different (P = 0.0079). Both patient survival and graft survival were influenced by the cumulative number of risk factors. The univariate analysis of the donor risk factors detected hemodynamic factors as predictive of graft failure (P = 0.024) and death (P = 0.018). In the multivariate analysis, which was adjusted for recipient age and donor and recipient gender, hemodynamic risk factors and Model for End-Stage Liver. Disease score in the recipient were the only variables independently associated with graft failure (P = 0.006, P = 0.012, negatively). Finally, we observed a reduction of dropout from the list to 9% from 14.1% (P = 0.04) and of mortality on the list to 32.55% from 41.01% (P = 0.11). Critical use of ECD liver grafts allowed recipients in the waiting list to have a greater chance of being transplanted.

Successful treatment of small-for-size syndrome in adult-to-adult living-related liver transplantation: single center series.

The portal hyperperfusion, or small-for-size syndrome (SFSS), is a widely recognized clinical complication that may occur after segmental liver transplantation. Several surgical strategies have been proposed to reduce portal blood inflow and portal pressure after partial liver transplantation. In particular, splenic artery ligation and splenectomy have been used without a firm hemodynamic basis for these procedures. Our group recently demonstrated that, in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, the occlusion of the splenic artery causes a significant reduction in the portal pressure gradient, which is directly related to the spleen volume and indirectly related to the liver volume. This concept is at the center of our strategy for performing early splenic artery embolization (SAE) for the treatment of SFSS after living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). Six patients developed small-for-size syndrome, defined as: onset within the first week after LRLT of progressive hyperbilirubinemia without mechanical cause; marked cholestasis; centrilobular sinusoidal dilatation and hepatocyte atrophy at liver biopsy; and refractory ascites in the absence of vascular complications. All six patients who underwent SAE rapidly improved their clinical condition, with an evident decrease in the value of bilirubin in the serum, in the production of ascites, and improvement in condition of pancytopenia. Coagulopathy expressed by the international normalized ratio value (INR) was not a reliable early marker of SFSS in this series; in fact a slight improvement in the result of this test was already present immediately after LRLT and before SAE. Because splenic flow clearly contributes to portal hyperperfusion, an early SAE can relieve the partial graft from the deleterious effect of this portal overflow.