Impact of urgent coronary artery bypass grafting on acute kidney injury : A matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: There is limited knowledge regarding the specific interrelationships between urgent coronary artery bypass graft (U-CABG) surgery and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to (1) analyze the impact of urgent CABG (U-CABG) on the incidence and severity of postoperative AKI, (2) estimate the influence of AKI after U­CABG or elective CABG (E-CABG) on mortality and (3) identify risk factors for AKI depending on the urgency of operation. RESULTS: U­CABG patients showed a higher incidence of AKI (49.8% vs. E­CABG: 39.7%; p = 0.026), especially for higher AKI stages 2 + 3. In-hospital mortality was higher in U­CABG patients (12.6%) compared to E­CABG patients (2.3%; p < 0.001). The impact of AKI on mortality did not differ, but showed a strong coherency between higher AKI stages (2 + 3) and mortality (stage 1: OR 2.409, 95% CI 1.017-5.706; p = 0.046 vs. stage 2 + 3: OR 5.577; 95% CI 2.033-15.3; p = 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease and transfusion of more than two red blood cell concentrates were predictors for postoperative AKI in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: U­CABG is a risk factor for postoperative AKI and even "mild" AKI leads to a significantly higher mortality. Hence, the prevention of modifiable risk factors might reduce the incidence of postoperative AKI and thus improve outcome.

Risk Factors Associated with In-Hospital Mortality for Patients with Acute Abdomen After Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Management of acute abdomen (AA) differs due to the heterogeneity of underlying pathophysiology. Complications of AA and its overall outcome after cardiac surgery are known to be associated with poor results. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate risk factors for AA in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between December 2011 and December 2014, a total of 131 patients with AA after cardiac surgery were identified and retrospectively analyzed using our institutional database. Statistical analysis of risk factors concerning in-hospital mortality of mentioned patient cohort was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 54.2% (71/131). Analyzing in-hospital non-survivors (NS) versus in-hospital survivors (S) peripheral artery disease (28.2% vs. 11.7%; p = 0.03), the need for assist device therapy (33.8% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.03) and the requirement of hemodialysis (67.6% vs. 23.3%; p < 0.01) were significantly higher in NS. Furthermore, lactic acid values at onset of symptoms were shown to be significantly higher in NS (5.7 ± 5.7 mmol/L vs. 2.8 ± 2.9 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Assured diagnosis of mesenterial ischemia was strongly associated with worse outcome (odds ratio 10.800, 95% confidence interval 2.003-58.224; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in critically ill patients after performed cardiac surgery peripheral vascular disease, need for supportive hemodynamic assist device systems and occurrence of renal failure are risk factors associated with worsen outcome. Additionally, rise of lactic acid could potentially be associated with onset of intestinal malperfusion and should be taken into account in therapeutic decisions preventing fatal mesenterial ischemia.

[Baroreceptor activation therapy for therapy-resistant hypertension: indications and patient selection : Recommendations of the BAT consensus group 2017]. / Barorezeptorakivierungstherapie bei therapierefraktärer Hypertonie: Indikation und Patientenselektion : Empfehlungen der BAT-Konsensusgruppe 2017.

Baroreceptor activation therapy (BAT) has been available for several years for treatment of therapy-refractory hypertension (trHTN). This procedure is currently being carried out in a limited number of centers in Germany, also with the aim of offering a high level of expertise through sufficient experience; however, a growing number of patients who are treated with BAT experience problems that treating physicians are confronted with in routine medical practice. In order to address these problems, a consensus conference was held with experts in the field of trHTN in November 2016, which summarizes the current evidence and experience as well as the problem areas in handling BAT patients.

[TAVI in Germany. What have we learned from current studies?]. / TAVI-Implantationen in Deutschland. Was rechtfertigt die aktuelle Studienlage?

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis in inoperable patients and high-risk patients. In Germany the TAVI procedure has now surpassed the annual numbers of isolated surgical aortic valve replacement with a recent trend towards treatment of intermediate-risk patients; however, before TAVI can also be used in patients with lower surgical risk, studies are required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of this method for this patient population.

Preoperative duplex vein mapping (DVM) reduces costs in patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery: results of a prospective randomised study.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical site infections (SSIs) after bypass procedures provoke major costs. The aim of this prospective randomised trial was to assess if preoperative duplex vein mapping (DVM) reduces costs generated by SSI. MATERIALS/METHODS: Patients undergoing primary infrainguinal bypass were randomised to DVM of the ipsilateral greater saphenous vein (group A) or none (group B). Costs were calculated by the hospital's accounting department. RESULTS: From December 2009 to April 2011, 130 patients (65 each group) were enrolled. Both cohorts were equal regarding demographics, risk factors and costs for primary bypass surgery, respectively. SSIs were classified minor (A: n = 13 vs. B: n = 13, P = n.s.) and major (A: n = 1 vs. B: n = 12, P = .0154). Preoperative DVM was the only significant factor to prevent major SSI (P = .011). Theatre costs for SSI: A: 537 € versus B 6553 € (P = .16). Recovery room/intensive care unit (ICU) costs for SSI: A: 0 € versus B: 8016 € (P = .22). Surgical ward costs for SSI: A: 2823 € versus B: 22 386 € (P = .011). Costs for outpatient visits due to SSI: A: 6265 € versus B: 12 831 € (P = .67). Total costs of patients without SSI: 8177 € versus major SSI: 10 963 € (P < .001). CONCLUSION: DVM significantly reduces costs generated by re-admission in patients suffering from major SSI.

Intraoperative frozen section analysis for breast-conserving therapy in 1016 patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluate the number of surgical two-stage procedures after FSA during breast-conserving therapy (clinical false negative result of FSA) and investigate the influence of microcalcifications, small tumour diameter, neoadjuvant therapy and preoperative biopsy on the clinical false negative rate of FSA. SUBJECTS: We retrospectively examined 1016 patients after intraoperative FSA during breast-conserving therapy for breast cancer operated between 1995 and 2001 at the Medical University Vienna. RESULTS: Only 9% of all patients had to undergo a two-stage operation due to a false negative intraoperative FSA result. The annual local recurrence rate was 1.2% in all patients with no difference between one- and two-stage operated patients. In situ and pT1 lesions were similarly distributed between one-stage and two-stage operated patients. The use of neoadjuvant therapy and stereotactic biopsy (reflecting non-palpable lesions and microcalcifications) were significantly predictive for a false negative FSA result. The use of a preoperative core biopsy, however, reduced the necessity of performing a two-stage operation. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that FSA leads to a low rate of two-stage operations. Small lesions and microcalcifications as well as the occurrence of intraductal cancer cells and neoadjuvant therapy increased while preoperative core biopsy reduced the false negative rate of FSA. Overall local recurrence rates after FSA were acceptable.

Endovascular management versus surgery for proximal subclavian artery lesions.

Current management of subclavian artery (SA) lesions is controversial. Subclavian-to-carotid artery transposition (SCT) may be challenging but exhibits unparalleled long-term results. Stent-supported percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (sPTA) is technically easier but not always feasible. Long-term results and comparisons have not been published. We compared both methods performed by vascular surgeons. Data were collected prospectively with retrospective analysis at a tertiary-care center. sPTA was performed through a retrograde transbrachial access using self-expanding nitinol stents. Open surgery was SCT only. Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery reporting standards were applied. Seventy-four patients underwent treatment from January 1995 to August 2007 (median age 62.6 years, 40 female; left-sided pathology 60 [81.1%]; risk factors: hypertension 45 [60.8%], dyslipidemia 47 [63.5%], diabetes 21 [28.4%], smoking 43 [58.1%], SA occlusion 50 [67.6%]). Forty patients (54.1%) underwent primary sPTA (62.5% occlusions) and 34 SCT (73.5% occlusions). The two groups were comparable with regard to risk factors. In 12 patients occlusions could not be recanalized (30%), and in two stents failed within 1 month (both for stenosis). All but one underwent subsequent uneventful SCT. All SCTs were successful. No risk factor could be identified for treatment failure except sPTA (p = 0.002, Fisher's exact test). Median follow-up was 50.1 months with sPTA and 52.6 months with SCT. No procedure failed during follow-up in either group. sPTA can be performed successfully by surgeons. Primary sPTA failed in 48% of occlusions (30% of all sPTAs). Prediction of failure is not possible. According to our experience, we recommend primary sPTA for SA stenosis and surgery for SA occlusions.

Subclavian to carotid artery transposition: medial versus lateral approach.

INTRODUCTION: Subclavian to carotid transposition (SCT) is gaining importance as an adjunct for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Two different anatomical approaches are described. We reviewed our experience with both approaches to evaluate the occurrence of complications and long-term outcome. MATERIALS/METHODS: We report the outcome of 150 SCTs carried between October 1979 and April 200710/79 at 2 university based tertiary care centers. Independent neurologic evaluation was performed. RESULTS: Lateral and medial approaches were used in 83 (55.4%) and 67 (44.6%) cases, respectively. The internal thoracic artery and the thyrocervical trunk were sacrificed more frequently when the lateral approach was used (1.5% vs 39.8%; p=0.0001 and 1.5% vs 49.4%; p=0.0001, respectively). The medial approach was associated with significantly less complications (8, 11.9%, compared to 24, 28.9%, p=0.012). Thirty day mortality was 0.7%. Median follow-up was 36 months (1-227), and no subclavian artery occlusions were identified. CONCLUSIONS: SCT is a durable procedure for the management of occlusive pathologies of the proximal subclavian artery occlusion. The medial approach is associated with significantly fewer complications.

[Case report of segmental neurofibromatosis of the 3rd finger ray]. / Fallbericht uber eine segmentale Neurofibromatose des dritten Fingerstrahls.

We report on a 36-year-old woman suffering from a segmental neurofibromatosis solely confined to the third finger. Microscopically, the tumor showed mesenchymal tissue containing myxoid material with features of the nerve sheath--myxoid neurofibroma. The tumor was characterized by the peculiar tendency to grow in a multifocal pattern involving the distribution of every nerve of one finger, by an extreme proneness to local recurrences as well as by a concomitant bone defect.

Nerve and vessel supplying ligamentous suspension of the mammary gland.

Anatomical findings from 28 breast specimens of female corpses have shown a thin horizontal fibrous septum, originating from the pectoral fascia along the level of the fifth rib, heading toward the nipple. This fibrous septum lies in between a cranial and a caudal vascular network, and being mesentery-like, it is responsible for the supply of the nipple areola complex. The cranial vascular sheet is supplied by the thoracoacromial artery and a branch of the lateral thoracic artery, whereas the caudal sheet is supplied by perforating branches from anastomoses of intercostal arteries. The fibrous septum is also a guiding structure for the main supplying nerve of the nipple. At its borders the septum curves upward into a vertical medial and lateral ligament, which attach the breast to the sternum and the lateral edge of pectoralis minor. These ligaments also contain a regular nerve and vascular supply. In their total, the fibrous septum and its ligaments form a sling of dense connective tissue that acts as a brassiere-like suspensory system. These two structures, the fibrous sling and the vascular and nervous membranes attached to it, are consistent anatomical findings, which have not been described before. Their knowledge could be of value and relevance in clinical application.

Considerations on stimulated anal neosphincter formation: an anatomic investigation in search of alternatives to the gracilis muscle.

Electrically stimulated anal neosphincter formation with transposed gracilis is performed clinically in an increasing number of patients. The use of a stimulated gluteus maximus in this application has been reported also. The question arises whether or not an optimal design for such a procedure has already been ascertained. An anatomic study was performed on 30 human cadavers to evaluate the semitendinosus muscle and its suitability for construction of a stimulated anal neosphincter. Semitendinosus fulfilled requirements for transposition around the anal canal in all cases. The muscle length was found adequate for transposition; nerve and vascular supply provided a suitable arc of rotation. The pattern of innervation might allow selective stimulation of that particular part of the muscle, which is intended to restore sphincter function. For clinical application, a vascular delay procedure is strongly recommended.

Dystrophin deficient mdx muscle is not prone to MH susceptibility: an in vitro study.

The association between malignant hyperthermia (MH) and neuromuscular disorders is controversial. An association between MH and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a common and lethal disorder caused by deficiency of dystrophin, has been reported sporadically but is still not proved. To examine this problem, we performed halothane and caffeine in vitro contracture tests on skeletal muscles from dystrophin deficient mdx mice, an animal model for human Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As neither halothane nor caffeine triggered abnormal responses in mdx muscles, we conclude that dystrophin deficiency per se is not the primary cause of MH-like crises, as reported for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Basic anatomical investigation of semitendinosus and the long head of biceps femoris muscle for their possible use in electrically stimulated neosphincter formation.

Anal neosphincter formation with electrically stimulated gracilis muscle is used increasingly for the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence. An alternative to gracilis might be of interest if this muscle is not available. 30 semitendinosus muscles and 15 long heads of biceps femoris were investigated on human cadavers. In particular, the nerve and vascular supply of these muscles was studied, both representing basic factors for muscle transposition. The long head of biceps femoris m. was found to receive its dominant vascular supply from the first and second perforating artery and its nerve supply from one motor branch out of the sciatic nerve, both as described in literature. The examination of semitendinosus m., however, revealed new anatomical aspects in its vascular supply. In all cases semitendinosus m. was found to receive dominant vascular pedicles from the medial circumflex femoral artery close to the ischial tuberosity and the second perforating artery. The nerve supply consisted of two motor branches out of the sciatic nerve. Both muscles fulfilled several basic criterias for transposition to the anus. However, regarding these requirements, semitendinosus offered distinct advantages in comparison with the long head of biceps femoris. Due to its vascular and nerve topography, semitendinosus seems suitable to serve as an alternative to gracilis.

Infants' vocalizations as a diagnostic tool.

This article reviews the literature concerning infants' vocalizations and their relation to development of language and to diagnosis in studies of pathology. Some researchers believe that pre-speech vocalizations are reflexes, random activities that serve as practice for motor activities. Others believe they are directly related to the development of language. The literature reviewed dealing with the relationship between abnormal cries and pathology suggest a differential diagnosis of certain pathologies. Crying should be included in the collected symptoms to achieve a more accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.