Preparation Regimens to Improve Capsule Endoscopy visualization and diagnostic yield (PrepRICE); a multicentric randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current guidelines recommend bowel preparation before small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). However, the optimal protocol is yet to be defined. To determine the best timing for preparation in SBCE, we compared small-bowel visualization quality (SBVQ), diagnostic yield (DY), and patient-reported outcomes across four purgative regimens. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized (1:1:1:1), multicentric study, patients with suspected small bowel bleeding were randomized into four arms: G1 (1L of polyethylene-glycol + ascorbic acid [Moviprep®] the night before SBCE), G2 (1L in the morning, up to 2 hours before SBCE), G3 (0.5L up to 2 hours before + 0.5L after the capsule reached the duodenum), and G4 (1L after reaching the duodenum). To assess DY, lesions were categorized as having high (P2) or low (P0 or P1) bleeding potential. Small-bowel visualization quality (SBVQ) was assessed using the Brotz score. Transit times (TT) were measured, and patient tolerability was scored from 0 to 5 with higher scores indicating better tolerability. RESULTS: A total of 387 patients were included; 59% female with a median age of 73 years (IQR 23). The exam completion rate was lower in G1 (90%, p<0.001). Small bowel TT was shorter for patients receiving purgative during SBCE (G3 and G4, p=0.001). SBVQ was better in patients receiving purgative after reaching the SB (p<0.001): median of 7 for G1, 8 for G2, and 9 for G3 and G4. The overall DY of patients receiving intra-procedure purgatives (G3 + G4) was superior (42.7 vs 31.3%, p=0.02); significant differences were found in the second and third terciles. Likewise, G3 and G4 had higher angioectasia detection (p=0.04). Patients' satisfaction was significantly superior for G4 (median 4 points, IQR 1). CONCLUSIONS: The group that received the bowel preparation the night before SBCE had poorer outcomes. Intra-procedure purgative regimens reduced SBTT, enhanced visualization, improved DY, and increased angioectasia detection. G4 was the best-tolerated regimen.

Acute Iron Poisoning: A Case of Fulminant Hepatic Failure.

Acute iron poisoning is an exceedingly rare occurrence, mainly when resulting from intentional ingestion in adults. It can lead to multi-organ toxicity and, in severe cases, may evolve into acute liver failure and cardiovascular collapse, which are the main causes of death. The clinical outcome is largely dependent on the amount of elemental iron ingested and the readiness of treatment, which includes support, early intestinal decontamination and deferoxamine. Despite timely intervention, acute liver failure can be life-threatening, with liver transplantation being the only potentially life-saving measure. In this case report, we describe a case of severe acute iron poisoning due to intentional ingestion that led to fulminant liver failure, which was successfully managed with liver transplantation.

Adrenal Crisis During Cesarean Section in a Patient With Primary Adrenal Insufficiency.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a type of primary adrenal insufficiency (AI) that predisposes to adrenal crisis (AC) during stress. We describe a case of a primipara with CAH who was admitted in labor. To prevent AC, glucocorticoid replacement was given according to guidelines. Due to fetal decelerations, an emergency C-section was performed under general anesthesia following which refractory hypotension emerged. The diagnosis of AC was considered, and hydrocortisone was given with sustained hemodynamic improvement. AC is a life-threatening emergency whose diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Despite adequate steroid coverage, additional stressors may precipitate AC, so it is of paramount importance that anesthesiologists consider this emergency.

[Comparing the Application of Hema-Obs RSS to 250 Pregnancies from Obstetrics/Hematology Consultation in Centro Hospitalar São João, Portugal with the Application of Galit Sarig RSS to 90 Pregnancies from Rambam Health Care Campus, Israel]. / Comparação da Aplicação da EER Hema-Obs a 250 Gestações da Consulta de Hematologia-Obstetrícia do Centro Hospitalar São João, Portugal Versus EER Galit Sarig a 90 Gestações no Rambam Health Care Campus, Israel.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women with thromboembolic diseases, previous thrombotic episodes or thrombophilia family history were supervised in a multidisciplinary Obstetrics/ Hematology consultation in Centro Hospitalar São João EPE, Porto, Portugal. For the evaluation and medication of these women, a risk stratification scale was used. PURPOSES: The aim of this study was to validate a Risk Stratification Scale and thromboprophylaxis protocol by means of comparing it with a similar scale, developed and published by Sarig. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have compared: The distribution, by risk groups, obtained through the application of the two scales on pregnant women followed at Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal, consultation; the sensibility and specificity for each one of the scales (DeLong scale, applied to Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves; the outcomes in pregnancies followed in Hospital São João, Porto, PortugalResults: According to our Hema-Obs risk stratification scale, 29% were allocated to low-risk, 47% to high-risk and 24% to very-high-risk groups. According to Galit Sarig risk stratification scale, 24% were considered low-risk, 53% moderate, 16% high-risk and 7% as very high-risk group. In our study we observed 9% of spontaneous abortions, in comparison with 18% in the Galit Sarig cohort. From the application of Receiver Operating Characteristic curve to both risk stratification scales, the results of the calculated areas were 58,8% to our Hema-Obs risk stratification scale and 38,7% to Galit Sarig risk stratification scale, with a Delong test significancie of p = 0.0006. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that Hema-Obs risk stratification scale is an effective support for clinical monitoring of therapeutic strategies.

Introdução: Na consulta de Hematologia-Obstetrícia do Centro Hospitalar São João EPE, as grávidas com trombofilias, episódios trombóticos anteriores e/ou história familiar de trombofilia são avaliadas e medicadas, recorrendo a uma escala de estratificação de risco (EER Hema-Obs).Objectivos: Pretende-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a eficácia desta escala de estratificação de risco, comparando-a com uma escala semelhante, desenvolvida e publicada por Sarig (escala de estratificação de risco Sarig).Material e Métodos: Procedeu-se às seguintes comparações: distribuição, por grupos de risco, obtida pela aplicação das duas escalas, em simultâneo, a 250 grávidas seguidas, na consulta do Centro Hospitalar São João EPE; sensibilidade e especificidade para cada uma das escalas (teste DeLong aplicado às curvas Receiver Operating Characteristic); desfechos nas gestações seguidas no Centro Hospitalar São João EPE e pelo grupo de Sarig no Rambam Health Care Campus (Israel).Resultados: A estratificação de risco nas 250 grávidas foi: a) com a escala de estratificação de risco Hema-Obs - Risco Materno (29%), Alto Risco Materno-Fetal (47%), Muito Alto Risco Materno-Fetal (24%); b) com a escala de estratificação de risco Sarig - Baixo (24%), Intermédio (53%), Alto (16%), Muito Alto (7%). Aplicando as curvas Receiver Operating Characteristic a ambas as escalas, resultam áreas calculadas de 58,8% para a escala de estratificação de risco Hema-Obs e de 38,7% para a escala de estratificação de risco de Sarig, correspondendo a uma diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,0006 pelo teste de DeLong). Nas gestações acompanhadas no Centro Hospitalar São João EPE verificaram-se 91% de gestações bem-sucedidas e 9% de abortamentos; nas gestações acompanhadas por Sarig verificaram-se 82% de gestações bem-sucedidas e 18% de abortamentos.Conclusões: Conclui-se que a escala de estratificação de risco Hema-Obs constitui um suporte eficaz para estratégias terapêuticas de acompanhamento clínico.

Effect of mode of delivery on neonatal outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether vaginal delivery increases the risk of adverse neonatal outcome among uneventful monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective controlled cohort study on 112 uneventful monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies at > or = 34 weeks' gestation. The outcomes of 52 monochorionic diamniotic twins delivered vaginally were compared with those of 172 monochorionic diamniotic twins delivered by cesarean section. RESULTS: Five babies (2.9%) in the cesarean section group had a 5-minute Apgar score < 7 and needed orotracheal intubation, whereas in the vaginal delivery group no 5-minute Apgar score < 7 or orotracheal intubation occurred (p = 0.002). Delivery by cesarean section presented higher rates of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (62 out of 172 babies delivered by cesarean section compared to 3 out of 52 babies delivered vaginally, p < 0.001). There were no cases of intrapartum twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome or neonatal death at time of hospital discharge in either group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal delivery appears to be a good management option in uneventful monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies after 34 weeks' gestation.