ADAMTS13 activity decreases in the early phase of trauma associated with coagulopathy and systemic inflammation: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective observational study for investigating the changes in the 13th member of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS13) and its association with the coagulofibrinolytic response in adult trauma patients. METHODS: In 39 trauma patients hospitalized for longer than 7 days, time-course changes in biomarkers of coagulofibrinolysis and systemic inflammation along with ADAMTS13 activity were examined. The patients were stratified into three groups based on ADAMTS13 activities on admission (day 0): normal group (≥70%), mildly decreased group (≥50 and < 70%) and moderately decreased group (< 50%). RESULTS: Among 39 patients with a median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 20, 11 patients developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and 16 patients required transfusion. Six of 39 patients (15.4%) showed moderate decreased ADAMTS13 activity to < 50%, and 20 patients (51.3%) showed mild drops (≥50 and < 70%). These changes in ADAMTS13 activity on day 0 were significantly correlated with changes in IL-6 and other coagulofibrinolytic markers such as platelet counts, prothrombin time and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP). Antithrombin activity (AT) and serum albumin (Alb) level showed significantly positive linear correlations with ADAMTS13 activity (AT: r = 0.513, p < 0.001; Alb: r = 0.647, p < 0.001). Simple logistic regression analyses showed that ADAMTS13 activity, if less than 50%, was significantly correlated with the development of DIC (OR 7.499, 95%CI 1.121-49.242, p = 0.038) and the need for transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (OR 9.000, 95%CI 1.327-61.025, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS13 activity decreased even in the early phase of trauma, which was complicated by coagulopathy and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, the decrease in ADAMTS13 activity was correlated with DIC and plasma transfusion.

B lymphocytopenia and Bregs in a not-to-die murine sepsis model.

Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality in intensive care units due to multi-organ failure caused by dysregulated immune reactions. In this study, kinetic changes in the immune system were analyzed for 72 h in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced septic mice while preventing animal death by keeping body temperature. Increase of myeloid cells and decrease of B cells in circulation at 6 h after CLP were markedly observed. At the same time point, interleukin (IL)-10 expressing CD5+ regulatory B cells (Bregs) appeared. IL-10 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) mRNA as well as IL-1ß, IL-6 and interferon γ (IFNγ) mRNA was increased in the spleen at 6 h. A gradual decrease in Bcl-2 and abrupt increase of Bim expression in the spleen at the late phase were also found. These results showed that B lymphocytopenia with the appearance of Bregs is the earliest event, likely leading to immunoparalysis in sepsis.

Radiolucency around highly porous sockets and hydroxyapatite-coated porous sockets in total hip arthroplasty for hip dysplasia.

Studies over the past decade have reported that the use of highly porous sockets in total hip arthroplasty (THA) results in osseointegration and long-term implant stability. However, some reports have raised concerns regarding radiographic evidence of poor osseointegration with features of fibrous tissue ingrowth. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic assessments of highly porous sockets with those of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated porous sockets in THA for hip dysplasia (DDH) at least 1 year after surgery. A total of 127 patients (136 hips) were recruited for the study. Of these, 94 patients (101 hips) received highly porous sockets with clustered screws, while 33 patients (35 hips) received HA-coated porous sockets with clustered screws. There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the two types of sockets. All HA-coated porous sockets were radiographically stable, without radiolucent lines. Fifteen hips had radiolucent lines in two or three DeLee and Charnley zones, accompanied by sclerotic lines along the circumferences of the highly porous sockets. A significant difference in the height of the preoperative osteophyte of the anterior acetabular wall was observed between 86 hips with one or no radiolucent lines and 15 hips with two or three radiolucent lines. In cases of DDH with atrophic bone remodeling pattern, highly porous sockets with multiple screws may be used, while HA-coated porous sockets with clustered screws result in better sealing of the bone-component interface.

Decreased antithrombin activity in the early phase of trauma is strongly associated with extravascular leakage, but not with antithrombin consumption: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective observational study for investigating coagulofibrinolytic changes and mechanisms of antithrombin (AT) alternations in trauma. METHODS: Trauma patients hospitalized for more than seven days were analyzed for coagulofibrinolytic biomarkers. The patients were stratified into two groups according to AT activity level on admission (day 0), comprising normal AT and low AT patients. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (median Injury Severity Score 20) exhibited initial coagulatory activation and triphasic fibrinolytic changes. AT activity did not show a negative linear correlation with levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), a marker of coagulation activity and AT consumption, but was strongly correlated with levels of albumin (Alb), an index of vascular permeability, on day 0 (r = 0.702, p <  0.001). Furthermore, Alb was one of the independent predictors for AT on day 0. IL-6 on day 0 and thrombomodulin (TM) levels during the study period, reflecting systemic inflammation and endothelial cell injury, respectively, were significantly higher in the lower AT group (n = 10) than in the normal group (n = 29) (IL-6, p = 0.004; TM, p = 0.017). On days 2 and 4, TAT levels in the lower AT group were significantly higher than in the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma caused clear triphasic coagulofibrinolytic changes. Decreased AT in the later phase might lead to a prolonged hypercoagulation. AT reduction in the initial phase of trauma is strongly associated with extravascular leakage as suggested by the association of Alb depletion with IL-6 and TM elevation, but not with AT consumption.

Factors associated with the prevalence of back pain and work absence in shipyard workers.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a questionnaire survey of shipyard workers to identify difficulties experienced due to orthopedic or musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: The subjects were 375 workers (male, 361; female, 14) who worked for a single shipbuilding company. Questionnaire items covered the working environment, including work environment, working posture, and the weight of objects that the subject dealt with, as well as physical and lifestyle characteristics, namely smoking habits, drinking habits, sleeping hours, medications, exercise habits, and any weight gain of 20 kg or more since the age of 20. Subjects were also asked to indicate if they regularly experienced any of 17 listed difficulties in their daily lives, and to use an illustration of the human body to mark any body parts that were painful or hard to move. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.8 years (19-73 years). The lower and/or upper back was the most frequent site of pain (46.5%), followed by the shoulders (11.4%), knees (9.6%), and neck (5.3%). Maintaining a half-sitting posture was the most problematic activity of daily living. Back pain was less frequent in subjects who exercised regularly, and more common in those who worked with heavy loads or in narrow spaces. A multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that absence from work was more common in subjects with back pain who had gained weight since their youth, who smoked, who used fire while welding metal, or who worked in a lying posture. While 35.4% of subjects had experienced absence from work due to musculoskeletal pain, only 5.1% were permitted by their employer to alter their work content or reduce their workload. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a large number of shipyard workers have difficulties in their work and daily life activities due to back pain. To prevent worsening of pain and to reduce work absence, it is important to provide appropriate training to minimize the risk factors for back pain that were identified in this study.

Acetabular reconstruction with the Kerboull-type plate at mid-term follow-up: survivorship analysis and prognostic factors for loosening.

INTRODUCTION: Successful reconstruction during total hip arthroplasty for acetabular bone defects remains challenging. The purpose of our study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results and performed a survivorship analysis for patients with acetabular bone loss undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or revision THA using Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device(KT plate). Additionally, some independent prognostic factors for radiographic failure were identified. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Thirty patients (36 hips) were available for follow-up examination between 1997 and 2012, with a mean follow-up period of 10 years. We evaluated clinical and radiographic results. The mean patient age at the time of the operation was 66 years. RESULTS: Failure occurred in 6 cases, and further revisions were required for 2 hips. With failure for any reason as an endpoint, the cumulative survival at 10 years was 85%. Survival analysis at 10 years with failure as the endpoint revealed that the inclination angle of the KT plate ≤ 45° group showed higher survivorship than the inclination angle > 45° group (95.8 vs. 63.6%, P = 0.0047). CONCLUSIONS: With a mean follow-up of 10 years, the clinical and radiographic outcomes were satisfactory. While this study group was small, the results suggest that prosthesis longevity may be improved by setting the inclination angle of this reinforcement device at ≤ 45°.

Accuracy of screw fixation using the O-arm® and StealthStation® navigation system for unstable pelvic ring fractures.

PURPOSE: Screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures is generally performed using the C-arm. However, some studies reported erroneous piercing with screws, nerve injuries, and vessel injuries. Recent studies have reported the efficacy of screw fixations using navigation systems. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy of screw fixation using the O-arm® imaging system and StealthStation® navigation system for unstable pelvic ring fractures. METHODS: The participants were 10 patients with unstable pelvic ring fractures, who underwent screw fixations using the O-arm StealthStation navigation system (nine cases with iliosacral screw and one case with lateral compression screw). We investigated operation duration, bleeding during operation, the presence of complications during operation, and the presence of cortical bone perforation by the screws based on postoperative CT scan images. We also measured the difference in screw tip positions between intraoperative navigation screen shot images and postoperative CT scan images. RESULTS: The average operation duration was 71 min, average bleeding was 12 ml, and there were no nerve or vessel injuries during the operation. There was no cortical bone perforation by the screws. The average difference between intraoperative navigation images and postoperative CT images was 2.5 ± 0.9 mm, for all 18 screws used in this study. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the O-arm StealthStation navigation system provides accurate screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures.

Preoperative Planning and Operative Techniques of the Shorter Tapered Stem Compared to the Metaphyseal Fit Stem in Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: In order to prevent postoperative dislocation due to prosthetic impingement as a result of total hip arthroplasty (THA), the combined anteversion (CA) theory, which combines the anteversion of the femoral stem and the acetabular socket, has been revised in recent years. Particularly, it is necessary to keep CA within the target zone. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate whether postoperative CA can be kept within the target zone while using the operative technique which prepares the socket first in cementless THA, by estimating the anteversion of the metaphyseal fit stem or the shorter, tapered wedge stem using preoperative 3-dimensional computerized planning, and by adjusting the anteversion of the socket using a navigation system that considers CA. One hundred fourteen patients (118 hips) were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Postoperative CA in THA using the metaphyseal fit stem was kept within the target zone for 56 of the 60 hips (93.3%). Using the shorter, tapered wedge stem, 49 of the 58 hips (84.4%) were within the target zone. No postoperative dislocations were observed in any hips. CONCLUSION: We found that the metaphyseal fit stem worked better than the shorter, tapered wedge stem in terms of meeting the planned CA. The shorter, tapered wedge stems were flexible in rotation according to the anatomical configuration of the proximal femur. Therefore, the stem could be placed second with the metaphyseal fit stem, but we recommend placing the stem first with the shorter, tapered wedge stem.

Varus-valgus stability at 90° flexion correlates with the stability at midflexion range more widely than that at 0° extension in posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Midflexion stability can potentially improve the outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between varus-valgus stability at 0° of extension and 90° of flexion and that at the midflexion range in posterior-stabilized (PS)-TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three knees that underwent PS-TKA were evaluated. Manual mild passive varus-valgus stress was applied to the knees, and the postoperative maximum varus-valgus stability was measured every 10° throughout range of motion, using a navigation system. Correlations between the stability at 0°, 90° of flexion, and that at each midflexion angle were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The stability of 0° modestly correlated with that of 10°-20°, but it did not significantly correlate with that of 30°-80°. However, the stability of 90° strongly correlated with that of 60°-80°, modestly correlated with that of 40°-50°, weakly correlated with that of 20°-30°, and did not correlate with that of 10°. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed the importance of acquiring stability at 90° flexion to achieve midflexion stability in PS-TKA. However, initial flexion stability did not strongly correlate with the stability at either 0° or 90°. Our findings can provide useful information for understanding varus-valgus stability throughout the range of motion in PS-TKA. Attention to soft tissue balancing is necessary to stabilize a knee at the initial flexion range in PS-TKA.

Preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of total hip arthroplasty that takes combined anteversion.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether postoperative combined anteversion (CA) can be kept within the safe zone while using cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) using the operative technique which prepares the socket first for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), by estimating the anteversion of the metaphyseal fit stem using preoperative three-dimensional (3D) computerized planning and by adjusting the anteversion of the socket using a navigation system that considers CA. Our subjects were 65 patients (65 hips) that had undergone cementless THA for DDH that could be observed for 1 year or more. Clinical assessments were made using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association's (JOA) hip score. For a radiological evaluation, we investigated 3D-planned stem versions, postoperative stem versions, preoperative and postoperative CA, and the relationship between CA and dislocation tendencies with temporary intraoperative reductions. JOA hip scores improved from 52.3 ± 11.4 points to 88.9 ± 8.6 points. CT evaluations revealed that 3D-planned stem versions were strongly correlated with postoperative stem versions (r = 0.80; p < 0.01). Preoperative CA was 50.5° ± 7.2°, and postoperative CA was 41.3° ± 8.6°. Postoperative CA was kept within the safe zone in 61 hips. No intraoperative dislocation tendencies were observed in any hips. By estimating the anteversion of the cementless metaphyseal fit stem using 3D planning preoperatively and adjusting the angle of anteversion of the socket using a navigation system that considers CA intraoperatively, postoperative CA can very frequently be kept within the safe zone, even with cementless THA using the operative technique which prepares the socket first for DDH.

Short-term clinical results of arthroscopic osteochondral fixation for elbow osteochondritis dissecans in teenaged baseball players.

BACKGROUND: Reports regarding arthroscopic fixation of the osteochondral fragments for elbow osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are few. This study assessed the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic fixation of unstable osteochondral fragments by using absorbable pins over a postoperative period of at least 1 year. METHODS: The patients were 13 adolescent baseball players with a mean age of 14 years (range, 12-16 years) who underwent OCD of primary lesions at International Cartilage Repair Society grades III and IV. The patients were evaluated by using validated outcome measures at a mean follow-up period of 24 months (range, 12-50 months). RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) score in the disability/symptom section of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand improved from 12.4 (6.0) before the surgery to 0.5 (1.2) after the surgery, and the sports section improved from 74.5 (25.4) to 1.4 (5.2). The mean (standard deviation) extension improved from -11° (10.8) to -2° (3.9; P < .001). The mean (SD) flexion improved from 129° (11.6) to 137° (5.6; P = .040). All patients were able to resume playing baseball, and 9 (69%) resumed playing at the same position as before their injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results of arthroscopic osteochondral fragment fixation in the teenaged baseball players with elbow OCD, albeit obtained over only a short period, were favorable. This arthroscopic treatment enables repair of lesions and is considered appropriate for unstable OCD during the adolescent growth spurt.

Long term results with the interlocking uncemented long stem in revision hip arthroplasty: a mean 15-year follow-up.

Stem fixation is difficult to achieve in severe proximal bone loss in revision hip surgery. In this study, we sought to present the results of distally-locked stem with screws (HUCKESTEP HIP stem) in 21 revision hips with mean follow-up period of 15 years. The preoperative mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip score had improved from 54 to 75 points. Further revisions were required for 2 stems, in one because of infection and the other because of screws fracture and subsidence. With removal of the stem for any reason as an end-point, the cumulative survival at 15 years was 90.4%. While this study had small number, the use of this interlocking stem for revision hips with extensive proximal bone defects provided satisfactory 15-year clinical and radiographic results.

Mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of porous tantalum modular acetabular components for hip dysplasia.

It is still challenging to perform successful cementless cup fixation during total hip arthroplasty for hip dysplasia. In this multicenter study we evaluated the clinical results of porous tantalum modular acetabular cups (TM cups) in 45 dysplastic hips with a mean follow-up period of 9.8 years. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association hip score improved from 48.2 preoperatively to 92.1 at the most recent follow-up. All of the cups were radiographically stable with no evidence of progressive radiolucencies or osteolysis regardless of bone grafting. Sixteen hips with bone grafts showed the integration of grafted bone without any radiolucencies. There were no revisions of TM cups. The use of TM cups for dysplastic hips provided satisfactory 10-year clinical and radiographic results.

Anterior coverage after eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

BACKGROUND: In periacetabular osteotomy for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip, impairments in ADL due to limitations in hip flexion can occur when anterior displacement is added to lateral displacement in order to obtain sufficient femoral head coverage. This study was conducted to determine, by the range of motion (ROM) simulation based on CT images, the minimum angle of hip flexion and internal rotation at 90° of flexion that is necessary to avoid ADL impairments after eccentric rotational acetabular osteotomy (ERAO) and to estimate the angles of anterior femoral head coverage on plain radiography that enable the above flexion. METHODS: Of 47 hips treated with ERAO at our hospital from December 2007 to May 2012, 27 hips without progressive osteoarthritis which could be CT scanned were examined and included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 40.7 years (SD 1.8). The postoperative follow-up period was 30.2 months (SD 3.6). Two hips were in male patients and 25 hips were in female patients. The disease stage prior to surgery was pre-osteoarthritis in 5 hips, early in 11 hips, and progressive in 11 hips. We checked whether the patients were capable of activities that require deep hip flexion for the evaluation of postoperative ADL. Radiographic examination was performed before and one year after surgery to calculate LCE angle, Sharp angle, AHI, and VCA angle. The angle at which impingement of the displaced fragment of the bone and the femur appeared was measured using 3D CAD software, and the relationship between this angle and the physical findings, ADL impairment, or radiographic findings, were also examined. RESULTS: 22 out of 27 hips that were capable of 116° or more of flexion or 42° or more of internal rotation at 90° of flexion in ROM simulation showed the absence of ADL impairment and a postoperative VCA angle ≤42°, whereas 5 hips with 110° or less of flexion or 40° or less of internal rotation at 90° of flexion in ROM simulation had ADL impairments associated with limitations in hip flexion and a postoperative VCA angle ≥46°. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior and lateral coverage requires a postoperative VCA angle of ≥20° to achieve anterior structural stability and an LCE angle of >25° to obtain adequate superior lateral coverage of the femoral head. A VCA angle ≤42° is required to avoid impingement during deep flexion. A VCA angle ≥46° is a probable risk factor for pincer FAI syndrome after ERAO.

[BIS values were useful on the evaluation of consciousness recovery in acute Vegetamin-A poisoning: report of a case].

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with acute phenobarbital poisoning. On arrival, he was in deep coma with respiro-circulatory depressions. The serum concentration of the agent was elevated to 149.04 µg/mL which was consistent with a lethal concentration level. He underwent a gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, urinary alkalinazation and bowel irrigation. Respiro-circulatory status was recovered rapidly, while the serum concentration of phenobarbital did not decrease smoothly. Although the concentration of the agent decreased to 77.07 µg/mL that should be a comatose level, BIS values were gradually elevated, and then eventually the patient regained his consciousness. Because he was a chronic user of Vegetamin-A containing phenobarbital, the serum level might not have been correlated with symptoms. BIS values were highly reflective of the consciousness level, so it could be a useful indicator for predicting the consciousness levels of patients in deep coma with acute poisoning from hypnotic agents.

Dysphagia in patients with severe COVID-19: a retrospective study.

To investigate dysphagia after extubation in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We retrospectively examined patients with severe COVID-19 treated in our hospital between August 2021 and March 2022. Feeding outcomes were categorized into two groups-(1) total oral intake, and (2) difficulty in oral intake. To assess the feeding outcome, we used modified water-swallowing test (MWST) for all patients. However, in cases where aspiration or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was suspected, we conducted the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing after MWST. Patient data were collected from medical records. Forty-six patients with severe COVID-19 were included. Among the 46 patients, 14 (30.4%) experienced difficulties with oral intake. Older age, longer length of hospitalization, duration of mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, diabetes, and higher serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) at the time of intubation were associated with difficulty in oral intake. The rate of difficulty with oral intake in patients with severe COVID-19 was 30.4%, which is not as high as reported in previous studies. Older age, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, diabetes, and higher levels of CRP and PCT were associated with the prevalence of oral intake difficulty, suggesting that early attention should be paid to high-risk patients who have preexisting deterioration of swallowing function due to aging and comorbidities, or who have prolonged intubation or tracheostomy to prevent aspiration pneumonia.

A dopamine D1-like receptor-specific agonist improves the survival of septic mice.

In this study, a murine sepsis model was developed using the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) technique. The expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the brain increased 6 h after CLP but decreased 24 h later when elevated endogenous dopamine levels in the brain were sustained. Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride reduced dopamine levels in the striatum and increased mortality in septic mice. Dopamine D1-like receptors were significantly expressed in the brain, but not in the lungs. Intraperitoneally administered SKF-81297 (SKF), a blood-brain barrier-permeable D1-like receptor agonist, prevented CLP-induced death of septic mice with ameliorated acute lung injury and cognitive dysfunction and suppressed TNF-α and IL-1ß expression. The D1-like receptor antagonist SCH-23390 abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of SKF. These data suggest that D1-like receptor-mediated signals in the brain prevent CLP-induced inflammation in both the brain and the periphery.

Dynamic coagulofibrinolytic responses under long-term VV-ECMO management without anticoagulation in a COVID-19-ARDS patient: A case report.

RATIONALE: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is recommended for the treatment of critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, ECMO management can cause both bleeding and thrombotic complications. There are insufficient coagulofibrinolytic data for appropriate ECMO management in patients with COVID-19. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 48-year-old man with severe COVID-19-acute respiratory distress syndrome underwent long-term venovenous ECMO management for 48 days. Refractory oronasal bleeding developed on day 13, so the administration of unfractionated heparin was ceased for 29 days. DIAGNOSIS: The patient showed dynamic coagulofibrinolytic responses associated with ECMO management, as shown by fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, soluble fibrin, thrombin-antithrombin complex, and plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex elevations, suggesting the development of ECMO-induced coagulopathy. INTERVENTIONS: We assessed coagulofibrinolytic markers to decide the appropriate timing for controlling excessive activation of coagulation by exchanging ECMO circuits. Moreover, viscoelastic hemostatic assays were used for adequate transfusion of blood products. OUTCOMES: Safe long-term ECMO management was completed, which was withdrawn on day 48. The patient was weaned off mechanical ventilation on day 57 and was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation. LESSONS: Monitoring the coagulofibrinolytic status using markers and viscoelastic hemostatic assays may be effective for safe long-term ECMO management even without anticoagulant therapy.

Circulating Syndecan-1 Levels Are Associated with Chronological Coagulofibrinolytic Responses and the Development of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) after Trauma: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between endotheliopathy represented by high levels of circulating syndecan-1 (SDC-1) and coagulofibrinolytic responses due to trauma, which can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 48 eligible trauma patients immediately admitted to our hospital and assessed SDC-1 and coagulofibrinolytic parameters for 7 days after admission. We compared the longitudinal changes of coagulofibrinolytic parameters and SDC-1 levels between two groups (high and low SDC-1) according to median SDC-1 value on admission. RESULTS: The median circulating SDC-1 level was 99.6 (61.1-214.3) ng/mL on admission, and levels remained high until 7 days after admission. Coagulofibrinolytic responses assessed by biomarkers immediately after trauma were correlated with SDC-1 elevation (thrombin-antithrombin complex, TAT: r = 0.352, p = 0.001; antithrombin, AT: r = -0.301, p < 0.001; plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex, PIC: r = 0.503, p = 0.035; tissue plasminogen activator, tPA: r = 0.630, p < 0.001). Sustained SDC-1 elevation was associated with intense and prolonged coagulation activation, impairment of anticoagulation, and fibrinolytic activation followed by inhibition of fibrinolysis, which are the primary responses associated with development of DIC in the acute phase of trauma. Elevation of circulating SDC-1 level was also associated with consumption coagulopathy and the need for transfusion, which revealed a significant association between high SDC-1 levels and the development of DIC after trauma (area under the curve, AUC = 0.845, cut-off value = 130.38 ng/mL, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High circulating levels of syndecan-1 were associated with intense and prolonged coagulation activation, impairment of anticoagulation, fibrinolytic activation, and consumption coagulopathy after trauma. Endotheliopathy represented by SDC-1 elevation was associated with trauma induced coagulopathy, which can lead to the development of DIC.

Cricotracheostomy for patients with severe COVID-19: A case control study.

Background: Tracheostomy is an important procedure for the treatment of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Older age and obesity have been reported to be associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 and prolonged intubation, and anticoagulants are often administered in patients with severe COVID-19; these factors are also related to a higher risk of tracheostomy. Cricotracheostomy, a modified procedure for opening the airway through intentional partial cricoid cartilage resection, was recently reported to be useful in cases with low-lying larynx, obesity, stiff neck, and bleeding tendency. Here, we investigated the usefulness and safety of cricotracheostomy for severe COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with severe COVID-19 who underwent cricotracheostomy between January 2021 and April 2022 with a follow-up period of ≥ 14 days were included in this study. Forty patients with respiratory failure not related to COVID-19 who underwent traditional tracheostomy between January 2015 and April 2022 comprised the control group. Data were collected from medical records and comprised age, sex, body mass index, interval from intubation to tracheostomy, use of anticoagulants, complications of tracheostomy, and decannulation. Results: Age, sex, and days from intubation to tracheostomy were not significantly different between the COVID-19/cricotracheostomy and control/traditional tracheostomy groups. Body mass index was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than that in the control group (P = 0.02). The rate of use of anticoagulants was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Peri-operative bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, and stomal infection rates were not different between the groups, while stomal granulation was significantly less in the COVID-19 group (P = 0.04). Conclusions: These results suggest that cricotracheostomy is a safe procedure in patients with severe COVID-19.