Prognostic utility of pre- and postoperative plasma l-lactate measurements in hospitalized cows with acute abdominal emergencies.

The aim of the present analyses was to compare the prognostic value of pre- and postoperative l-lactate measurements in hospitalized cows requiring surgical intervention for an acute abdominal emergency, such as gastrointestinal ileus or peritonitis. For this purpose, we analyzed data from retro- and prospective case series, consisting of 754 and 98 cows, respectively. Plasma l-lactate concentrations (L-LAC) were determined upon admission to the hospital (both study populations), immediately before initiation of surgical intervention (prospective study population), and 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h later (prospective study population). The outcome of cows was evaluated until hospital discharge (both study populations) and 3 mo after discharge by a phone call to the farmer (prospective study population). A negative outcome was defined as death or euthanasia during hospitalization, or if discharged animals had an unsatisfied owner or were culled for medical reasons that were directly related to the initial abdominal emergency. For the retrospective study population, the overall survival rate until hospital discharge was 66%. Cows with a negative outcome (median: 6.81 mmol/L) had significantly higher L-LAC than cows with a positive outcome (3.66 mmol/L) of therapy. At the individual diagnosis level, L-LAC was associated with mortality in cows with a diagnosis of abomasal volvulus, local peritonitis, hemorrhagic bowel syndrome, and jejunal volvulus. Considering the whole study population, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.66. For the prospective study population, the proportion of cows with a positive outcome was 65% until hospital discharge and 61% after the 3-mo observation period. At all sampling times, before and during the first 12 h after surgical intervention, cows with a negative outcome had significantly higher L-LAC than cows with a positive outcome. The largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for L-LAC was observed at 6 h (0.89). A cut-point of 1.77 mmol/L was identified, which had a sensitivity and specificity for predicting a negative outcome until hospital discharge of 88.9 and 73.4%, respectively. The present analyses confirmed previous findings in calves and show that persistent hyper-l-lactatemia during the early postoperative period is a more reliable indicator for a negative outcome than hyper-l-lactatemia before initiation of surgical intervention.

Prognostic value of preoperative plasma l-lactate concentrations in calves with acute abdominal emergencies.

Acute abdominal emergencies in calves due to abomasal disorders, gastrointestinal ileus, or peritonitis are characterized by a rapid disease progression and usually require immediate surgical intervention. Those conditions are associated with a guarded prognosis, and the aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic relevance of preoperatively measured plasma l-lactate concentrations (l-LAC) in a large study population of calves with a broad spectrum of acute abdominal emergencies. For the purpose of this study, the medical records of 587 calves admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital over a 10-yr period were analyzed retrospectively. Plasma l-LAC was measured as part of a routinely performed biochemistry panel before initiation of surgical intervention. Hyper-l-lactatemia (plasma l-LAC >2.2 mmol/L) was evident in 75% of calves, and the overall survival rate until hospital discharge was 31%. Calves with a negative outcome were younger (median: 3.4 vs. 6 wk) and had higher plasma l-LAC (median: 4.96 vs. 3.09 mmol/L) than calves with a positive outcome. At the individual diagnosis level, l-LAC was associated with mortality in calves with a diagnosis of mesenteric torsion, right-sided dilated abomasum, small intestinal volvulus, or paralytic ileus, but not in calves suffering from peritonitis, malformations, abomasal volvulus, bloat, or small intestinal intussusceptions. Considering the whole study population, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for plasma l-LAC was 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61-0.70]. A classification tree analysis indicated that l-LAC >8.84 mmol/L and age categories of <3 wk and <1 wk were independent predictors of mortality. The area under the ROC curve of this model was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and the resulting sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of nonsurvival at the optimal probability cut-point of 0.62 were 67.7 and 76.6%, respectively. In conclusion, hyper-l-lactatemia is common in calves suffering from acute abdominal emergencies. Markedly increased plasma l-LAC is associated with an increased mortality risk, but it is not possible to reliably predict the outcome of affected calves based on a single, preoperative measurement. However, a clinically important finding of this study was that the ability to predict a negative outcome is improved when the age of the calf is considered in addition to plasma l-LAC.

Acid-base imbalances and the association of blood-gas variables, electrolytes, and biochemical analytes with outcome in hospitalized calves undergoing abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical abdominal emergencies in calves are associated with a guarded prognosis and have the potential for complex metabolic derangements including acid-base imbalances. OBJECTIVES: To perform a comprehensive analysis of acid-base status and to assess the prognostic relevance of preoperative clinicopathologic variables in calves undergoing abdominal surgery. ANIMALS: Hospital-based study samples of 535 (dataset 1; DS1) and 83 calves (dataset 2; DS2). METHODS: Retrospective (DS1) and prospective (DS2) case series. RESULTS: In DS1, acidemia (pH <7.33) was present in 49.9%, whereas alkalemia (pH >7.37) was present in 30.7% of calves. Plasma L-lactate, chloride, and serum inorganic phosphorus concentration accounted for 51.9%, 11.6% and 9.4% of the variation of venous blood pH, respectively. Classification tree analysis indicated that a negative outcome (death or euthanasia during hospitalization) was associated with venous pO2 ≤33.6 mm Hg, anion gap >18.3 and >22.9 mEq/L, serum albumin concentration ≤36.5 and ≤29.4 g/L, serum urea concentration >4.4 mmol/L, and plasma ionized calcium concentration ≤1.26 mmol/L. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of this model was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.82-0.89, P < .001) and the resulting sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of nonsurvival at the optimal probability cut-point of 0.5 was 89.8% and 65.7%, respectively. In DS2 the model had a similar sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clinicopathologic imbalances and associated changes of acid-base status are common in calves with surgical abdominal emergencies and have clinical utility for the prediction of a negative postoperative outcome.

Silent Bowels From a Silent Bite: A Rare Case of Paralytic Ileus Complicating Plasmodium falciparum Infection.

Malaria is a life-threatening, parasitic disease that continues to infect millions of people, especially in endemic regions. Despite advancements in malaria treatment, treating the disease remains challenging. One major challenge is identifying the disease from its unconventional manifestations. Therefore, recognizing its unusual clinical presentations is imperative in early detection and management with a better prognosis. This case report highlights the unique finding of paralytic ileus from a patient with confirmed malaria. Further investigation on the concurrence between paralytic ileus and malaria may aid in identifying the disease and subsequent improvement in treatment.

Laparoscopic Reduction and Repair of a Mesocolic Hernia Causing Small Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Mesocolic hernias are a rare cause of small bowel obstruction that occurs when a loop of small bowel herniates through a defect in the mesocolon. We present a case of a 35-year-old male with a mesocolic hernia causing small bowel obstruction, who was successfully treated with laparoscopic reduction and repair. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 3. Mesocolic hernias should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, and prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential to prevent complications such as bowel ischemia and perforation. Laparoscopic treatment can be a safe and effective option for the management of mesocolic hernias. This case report highlights the clinical presentation, radiological features, and surgical management of mesocolic hernias, with a focus on the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of this rare condition.

Paralytic Ileus as an Extra-Pulmonary Manifestation of COVID-19.

Extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) are of increasing interest as a consequence of the increase in cases worldwide and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. However, gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely described but are a common occurrence. We report a case of a 62-year-old male with severe pulmonary infection with COVID-19, who presented with abdominal pain, hematemesis, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal distention, which led to the diagnosis of paralytic ileus after diagnostic laparoscopy. Further, we discuss the potential pathophysiological mechanisms behind this manifestation of COVID-19.

Delayed Recurrence of Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction in the Setting of Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure.

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is a rare cause of massive colonic dilation without mechanical obstruction. We report on a 58-year-old gentleman who developed two separate episodes of ACPO following different surgical and medical stressors. The initial episode occurred shortly after lumbar laminectomy and was successfully managed with medical therapy. His second episode occurred several months later in the setting of acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to bacterial pneumonia and was refractory to conservative, medical, and endoscopic therapy. Recurrence and the refractory nature of symptoms are presumably multifactorial in etiology, likely due to his episode of acute hypoxic respiratory failure in the setting of chronic immobility following recent spine surgery. The patient was discharged in stable condition to a subacute rehabilitation facility with the expectation that physical therapy would improve his abdominal symptoms.

Exploring the Association Between Paralytic Ileus and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Complications Using the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Introduction Paralytic ileus (PI) is often seen in critically ill hospitalized patients. Those with pancreaticobiliary diseases will require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for management. Here, we will explore the association between patients with paralytic ileus who underwent ERCP and post-procedural complications, which has not been done before. Methods Patients who underwent ERCP between 2007 and 2017 in the National Inpatient Sample database were selected. Cases were matched 1:1 by age, gender, race, and the Elixhauser comorbidity index for patients with and without pre-procedural paralytic ileus. Primary outcomes were associations between paralytic ileus and length of stay, payor status, and average total charges. Secondary outcomes were associations between paralytic ileus and post-ERCP complications (infection, pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, perforation, hemorrhage), and overall mortality. The Chi-squared analysis was used to compare categorical data, and the independent t-test was used for continuous data. Regression analysis was used to assess primary and secondary outcomes. Results Of 2,008,217 hospitalized patients from 2007 to 2017, 43,643 patients had paralytic ileus and 43,859 patients did not, before undergoing ERCP. There were no differences in age, gender, race, or the Elixhauser comorbidity index. The differences in the length of stay, payor status, and total charges were significant (p<0.001). Patients with paralytic ileus had increased risks of post-ERCP infection, pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, perforation, hemorrhage, and overall mortality (p<0.001). Conclusions Patients hospitalized with paralytic ileus who underwent ERCP had a longer length of stay, higher total charges, and were less compensable. They also had increased risks for post-ERCP infection, pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, perforation, hemorrhage, and overall mortality, which can be from critical illness and the systemic inflammatory response.