Outcomes of endoscopic management of primary and refractory postcholecystectomy biliary leaks in a multicentre review of 178 patients.

BACKGROUND: Biliary leaks have been treated with endoscopic management using different techniques with conflicting results. Furthermore the appropriate rescue therapy for refractory leaks has not been established. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of initial endotherapy for postcholecystectomy biliary leaks using an homogenous approach (sphincterotomy + placement of a 10-French plastic stent) in a large series of patients as well as the optimal and efficacy of rescue endotherapy for refractory biliary leaks. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study of 178 patients who underwent endoscopic management of postcholecystectomy biliary leaks with a combination of biliary sphincterotomy and the placement of a large-bore (10-French) plastic stent. Data were collected to analyze the clinical outcomes and technical success, efficacy of the rescue endotherapy and the need for surgery, adverse events and prognostic factors for clinical success of endotherapy. RESULTS: Following endotherapy, closure of the leak was accomplished in 162/178 patients (91.0%). The multivariate logistic model showed that the type of leak, namely a high-grade biliary leak, was the only independent prognostic factor associated with treatment failure (OR = 26.78; 95% CI = 6.59-108.83; P < 0.01). The remaining 16 patients were treated with multiple plastic stents (MPSs) with a success rate of 62.5% (10 patients). The use of fewer than 3 plastic stents (P = 0.023) and a high-grade biliary leak (P = 0.034) were shown to be significant predictors of treatment failure with MPSs in refractory bile leaks. The 6 patients in whom the placement of MPSs failed were retreated with a fully cover self-expandable metallic stent (FCSEMS), resulting in closure of the leak in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Endotherapy of biliary leaks with a combination of biliary sphincterotomy and the placement of a large-bore plastic stent is associated with a high rate of success (90%). However in our series there were several failures using MPSs as a strategy for rescue endotherapy suggesting that refractory biliary leaks should be treated with FCSEMS especially in patients with high-grade leaks.

Endoscopic bilio-duodenal bypass: outcomes of primary and revision efficacy of combined metallic stents in malignant duodenal and biliary obstructions.

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) can be used for palliation of combined malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions. However, the results of the concomitant stent placement for the duration of the patients' lives, as well as the need for and efficacy of endoscopic revision, are unclear. AIM: This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of SEMS placement for combined biliary and duodenal obstructions throughout the patients' lives and the need for endoscopic revision. METHODS: This study is a retrospective multicenter study of 50 consecutive patients who underwent simultaneous or sequential SEMS placement for malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions. The data were collected to analyze the sustained relief of obstructive symptoms until the patients' death and the efficacy of endoscopic revision, as well as stent patency, adverse events, survival and prognostic factors for stent patency. RESULTS: Technical and immediate clinical success was achieved in all of the patients. Duodenal stricture occurred before the papilla in 35 patients (70 %), involved the papilla in 11 patients (22 %) and was observed distal to the papilla in four patients (8 %). Initial biliary stenting was performed endoscopically in 42 patients (84 %) and percutaneously in eight patients. After combined stenting, 30 patients (60 %) required no additional intervention until the time of their death. The remaining 20 patients were successfully treated using endoscopic stent reinsertion: nine patients needed biliary revision, three patients needed duodenal restenting and eight patients needed both biliary and duodenal reinsertion. The median duodenal stent patency and median biliary stent patency were 34 and 27 weeks, respectively. The median survival after combined stent placement was 18 weeks. A Cox multivariate analysis showed that duodenal stent obstruction after combined stenting was a risk factor for biliary stent obstruction (hazard ratio 6.85; 95 % confidence interval 1.43-198.98; P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic bilio-duodenal bypass is clinically effective, and the majority of the patients need no additional intervention until their death. Endoscopic revision is feasible and has a high success rate.

Relationship between Intraoperative Bile Culture Outcomes and Subsequent Postoperative Infectious Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The presence of positive bile culture during intraoperative procedures has been associated with elevated morbidity and mortality rates in hepatobiliopancreatic surgeries, contributing to increased healthcare expenditures. However, the precise impact of bactobilia on the development of postoperative complications remains uncertain due to existing disparities in the published literature. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed 137 patients who underwent major hepatobiliopancreatic surgery to examine the relationship between intraoperative bile culture outcomes and subsequent postoperative infectious complications. Among patients with bactobilia, a significant 35.1% exhibited systemic or local infectious complications, whereas only 11.1% of those with negative culture results experienced any infectious complications (p = 0.002). Similarly, a notable difference was observed in the incidence of surgical site infections, with 24.3% in the bactobilia group compared to 7.9% in the negative culture group (p = 0.01). A total of 74 monomicrobial cultures with microbiological growth were isolated, predominantly featuring Gram-negative microorganisms, primarily Enterobacteriaceae in 49 cultures. Escherichia coli was identified in 37.8% of positive cultures, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was evident in 21.6%. Gram-positive microorganisms were present in 10 cultures, with Enterococcus emerging as the prevailing species. The logistic regression model identified a positive bile culture as an independent factor significantly associated with infection development (OR: 2.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.23-11; p = 0.02). Considering the limitations of the study, these findings underscore the critical importance of conducting bile cultures during the intraoperative phase to enable vigilant monitoring and prompt management of infectious complications.

[Prevalence of hypertension in Portuguese adolescents in Lisbon, Portugal]. / Prevalência de hipertensão arterial em adolescentes portugueses da cidade de Lisboa.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of pre-hypertension (pre-HTN) and hypertension (HTN) in Portuguese adolescents in Lisbon and to ascertain the relationship between blood pressure (BP) levels and the risk factors of gender, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise and family history of HTN. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in a non-randomized sample of 234 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 16 and 19 years. Information on habits and family history of HTN was obtained through a self-completed structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The study included 234 adolescents, mean age 16.4±0.9 years, 57% male. The prevalence of HTN was 34%, higher in males (44% vs. 21%, p=0.001) and 12% of pre-HTN, higher in females (13% vs. 10%, p=0.001). Higher body mass index was associated with significantly higher prevalence of pre-HTN (normal weight 9.40%, overweight 16.10%, and obesity 22.70%) and HTN (normal weight 30.4%, overweight 45.2%, and obesity 45.5%). With a family history of HTN, the prevalence of HTN and pre-HTN was approximately double (41% vs. 28% and 18% vs. 9%, respectively). Regular exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with BP values. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN in the sample studied was high. Of the risk factors evaluated, only gender, obesity and family history of HTN were significantly associated with BP values.

A 500-year tale of co-evolution, adaptation, and virulence: Helicobacter pylori in the Americas.

Helicobacter pylori is a common component of the human stomach microbiota, possibly dating back to the speciation of Homo sapiens. A history of pathogen evolution in allopatry has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations, associated with different human populations, and more recent admixture among H. pylori subpopulations can provide information about human migrations. However, little is known about the degree to which some H. pylori genes are conserved in the face of admixture, potentially indicating host adaptation, or how virulence genes spread among different populations. We analyzed H. pylori genomes from 14 countries in the Americas, strains from the Iberian Peninsula, and public genomes from Europe, Africa, and Asia, to investigate how admixture varies across different regions and gene families. Whole-genome analyses of 723 H. pylori strains from around the world showed evidence of frequent admixture in the American strains with a complex mosaic of contributions from H. pylori populations originating in the Americas as well as other continents. Despite the complex admixture, distinctive genomic fingerprints were identified for each region, revealing novel American H. pylori subpopulations. A pan-genome Fst analysis showed that variation in virulence genes had the strongest fixation in America, compared with non-American populations, and that much of the variation constituted non-synonymous substitutions in functional domains. Network analyses suggest that these virulence genes have followed unique evolutionary paths in the American populations, spreading into different genetic backgrounds, potentially contributing to the high risk of gastric cancer in the region.

Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia in a Women with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia (BVT) is a rare arrhythmia characterized by QRS complexes with an axis in the frontal plane alternating polarity in the precordial leads and right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous report in dilated cardiomyopathy or in the context of a probable peripartum cardiomyopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old, 9-month female patient, with no significant past medical history (the patient denies medication intake, herbs like aconite, trouble during delivery, any heart issues or family history of sudden death or cardiomyopathies) who presents to the emergency room due to 11 days of dyspnea, exacerbated by daily activities, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. She presented with ventricular bigeminy and systolic dysfunction with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <20%. The patient later developed a stable ventricular tachycardia (VT) treated with amiodarone, which resulted in hemodynamic instability and BVT rhythm with VT paroxysms. Without the possibility of ablation, the use of high dose beta blockers and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator resulted in the same rhythm with a lower heart rate, better NYHA functional class, and less episodes of VTs. CONCLUSION: BVT is a rare type of tachycardia that can be present in dilated cardiomyopathy. In the absence of ablation capabilities, decreasing the heart rate with beta-blockers may reduce the rate of paroxysmal VTs.

Cardiovascular risk assessment in the resource limited setting of Western Honduras: An epidemiological perspective.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) epidemiology varies significantly among Low and Middle-Income Countries. Honduras is the Central American country with the highest Ischemic Heart Disease and CVD mortality rates. The aim of this study was to assess the individual CVD risk factors and calculate Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Scores (CVRAS) from the population. Methods: A cross-sectional study in western Honduras. Estimation of CV risk was performed using Framingham, MESA, ACC/AHA-PCEs and ESC SCORE calculators. Results: 38% were male. For men and women respectively; 49% and 48% had self-reported hypertension (HTN), on measured blood pressure only 18% and 30% had normal readings. Diabetes Mellitus was reported in 19% and 22%. Tobacco use was 14% and 3%. Self-reported regular exercise was 39.9% and 25%. Obesity was diagnosed in 24% and 24%. Lipid profile; total cholesterol was ≥200 mg/dl in 63% of subjects. LDL-C was elevated (>100 mg/dl) in 74% of participants, 9% had LDL-C levels higher than 190 mg/dl. Triglycerides were high (>160 mg/dl) in 60%, of these subjects 22% were taking lipid-lowering medications. 52% reported family-history of CVD. The risk calculation for men and women respectively for each CVRAS were; AHA/ACC-PCEs high risk (score ≥ 7.5%) in 62% and 30%, FRS high risk (score ≥ 20%) 46% and 15%, MESA high risk (Score ≥ 7.5%) in 70.6% and 17.7%, ESC SCORE high risk (score ≥ 5% in 32.4% and 11.8%). Conclusions: CV risk calculations revealed higher than rates than expected with consequently reflected on higher than estimated CVRAS. This represents the first report of its kind in Honduras.

[Survival of Gastric Cancer in Western Honduras Pilot study: 2002-2012]. / SUPERVIVENCIA DE CÁNCER GÁSTRICO EN EL OCCIDENTE DE HONDURAS ESTUDIO PILOTO: 2002­2012.

Background: Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death globally. In Honduras the incidence in the last decade was 39 and 21 per 100,000 inhabitants for men and women, respectively. In 2008 IARC (GLOBOCAN) placed Honduras as the country with the highest incidence of gastric cancer in Latin America. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer at the Hospital de Occidente between 2002-2012 was designed. A sample of 144 patients was selected from a total of 490 to obtain a confidence level of 95%. The data collection was obtained by verbal autopsy. Prognostic factors of survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards ratio models (CI: 95%). Outcomes: The male/female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age was 63.29 years. Overall five-year survival was 9.39%. Among patients receiving dual therapy (surgery and chemotherapy), a statistically significant increase in survival was found (10.42%, p=0.048). Between the proximal (28.95%) and distal (56.58%) locations also a statistically significant difference was observed (p=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in the macroscopic (Borrmann) and microscopic findings (Lauren). Disscusion: This study represents the first effort to estimate survival of gastric cancer in Honduras. Survival may be linked to the location of the primary lesion and the type of treatment. It is expected to develop studies with greater coverage, to answer these questions.

C-reactive protein may influence decisively the prescription of prophylactic antibiotics in acute pancreatitis: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Prescription of prophylactic antibiotics in acute pancreatitis (AP) is controversial. We aimed to identify the patients' characteristics that may prompt clinicians to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics in AP. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 299 consecutive patients with AP from a Portuguese hospital in 2009 to 2010. Logistic regression was used to study the association of patients' characteristics with prescription of prophylactic antibiotics in AP. RESULTS: Persistent organ failure developed in 7% of patients (9/136). The median C-reactive protein at 48 hours after hospital admission was 154 mg/L (interquartile range, 55-271 mg/L). Bedside Index for Severity in AP score greater than or equal to 3 occurred in 14% of patients (42/299). Pancreatic necrosis was diagnosed in 21% of the patients (35/169). Computerized Tomography Severity Index score greater than 3 occurred in 23% of patients (38/169). In-hospital mortality rate was 4% (10/299). Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed to 14% of patients (42/299). After adjusting for persistent organ failure and Computerized Tomography Severity Index score greater than 3, C-reactive protein at 48 hours after hospital admission greater than or equal to 150 mg/L was significantly associated with higher likelihood of receiving prophylactic antibiotics (odds ratio, 12.2). Prophylactic antibiotics did not improve in-hospital mortality rate (P = 0.637). CONCLUSIONS: C-reactive protein was the most influential in prescribing prophylactic antibiotics in AP. Clinicians may need better tools to support the decision to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics in AP.

C-Reactive Protein at 24 Hours after Hospital Admission may have Relevant Prognostic Accuracy in Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: C-reactive protein (CRP) and Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) have been used in early risk assessment of patients with AP. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated prognostic accuracy of CRP at 24 hours after hospital admission (CRP24) for in-hospital mortality (IM) in AP individually and with BISAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 134 patients with AP from a Portuguese hospital in 2009-2010. Prognostic accuracy assessment used area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). RESULTS: Thirteen percent of patients had severe AP, 26% developed pancreatic necrosis, and 7% died during index hospital stay. AUCs for CRP24 and BISAP individually were 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-0.95) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.59-0.95), respectively. No patients with CRP24 <60 mg/l died (P = 0.027; negative predictive value 100% (95% CI 92.3-100%)). AUC for BISAP plus CRP24 was 0.81 (95% CI 0.65-0.97). Change in NRInonevents (42.4%; 95% CI, 24.9-59.9%) resulted in positive overall NRI (31.3%; 95% CI, -36.4% to 98.9%), but IDInonevents was negligible (0.004; 95% CI, -0.007 to 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: CRP24 revealed good prognostic accuracy for IM in AP; its main role may be the selection of lowest risk patients.

INTRODUÇÃO: A proteína-C reativa (CRP) e o Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) têm sido usados na avaliação de risco precoce de doentes com pancreatite aguda (AP). OBJECTIVOS: Nós avaliámos o valor prognóstico da CRP às 24 horas após a admissão hospitalar (CRP24) na mortalidade intrahospitalar (IM) na AP, individualmente e com o BISAP. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este estudo coorte retrospetivo incluiu 134 doentes com AP de um hospital português em 2009­2010. A acuidade prognóstica foi avaliada usando a área debaixo da receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), o continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI), e o integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). RESULTADOS: Treze por cento dos doentes tiveram AP grave, 26% desenvolveram necrose pancreática, e 7% morreram durante a hospitalização índice. As AUCs da CRP24 e do BISAP individualmente foram 0,80 (intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%, 0,65­0,95) e 0,77 (IC 95%, 0,59­0,95), respectivamente. Nenhum doente com CRP24 <60 mg/l morreu (P = 0,027; valor predictivo negativo 100% (IC 95%, 92,3­100%)). A AUC para o BISAP mais a CRP24 foi 0,81 (IC 95%, 0,65­0,97). A mudança no NRI-não-eventos (42,4%; IC 95%, 24,9­59,9%) resultou num NRI-total positivo (31,3%; IC 95%, −36,4 a 98,9%), mas num IDI-não-eventos negligenciável (0,004; IC 95%, −0,007 a 0,014). CONCLUSÕES: A CRP24 revelou um valor prognóstico bom para a mortalidade intrahospitalar na AP; o seu papel principal poderá ser a selecção dos doentes de menor risco.

Pancreatic panniculitis - a cutaneous manifestation of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare complication of pancreatic disease occurring in 2% to 3% of all patients, most commonly those with acute or chronic pancreatitis. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: We report the case of a pancreatic panniculitis associated with acute pancreatitis in a 63-year-old man. He presented with a 2-day history of multiple tender subcutaneous nodules, followed by nausea, vomiting, severe epigastric pain and loss of appetite, hours before admission. Laboratory and radiologic findings revealed acute pancreatitis. Histopathological examination from a skin biopsy specimen taken from a nodule showed a mostly lobular panniculitis with "ghost cells", without vasculitis. Nodules disappeared with the resolution of acute pancreatic inflammation, as amylase and lipase levels returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Panniculitis may be the first manifestation of pancreatic disease. Therefore clinicians must have a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of pancreatic panniculitis.

C-reactive protein prognostic accuracy in acute pancreatitis: timing of measurement and cutoff points.

OBJECTIVES: C-reactive protein (CRP) has been used widely in the early risk assessment of patients with acute pancreatitis. This study evaluated the prognostic accuracy of CRP for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), pancreatic necrosis (PNec), and in-hospital mortality (IM) in terms of the best timing for CRP measurement and the optimal CRP cutoff points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study including 379 patients consecutively admitted with acute pancreatitis. CRP determinations at hospital admission, 24, 48, and 72 h after hospital admission were collected. Discriminative and predictive abilities of CRP for SAP, PNec, and IM were assessed by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, respectively. To determine the optimal CRP cutoff points for SAP, PNec, and IM, the minimum P-value approach was used. RESULTS: In total, 11% of patients had SAP, 20% developed PNec, and 4.2% died. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves of CRP at 48 h after hospital admission for SAP, PNec, and IM were 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.90], 0.77 (95% CI 0.68-0.87), and 0.79 (95% CI 0.67-0.91), respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test P-values of CRP at 48 h after hospital admission for SAP, PNec, and IM were 0.82, 0.47, and 0.24, respectively. The optimal CRP at 48 h after hospital admission cutoff points for SAP, PNec, and IM derived were 190, 190, and 170 mg/l, respectively. CONCLUSION: CRP at 48 h after hospital admission showed a good prognostic accuracy for SAP, PNec, and IM, better than CRP measured at any other timing. The optimal CRP at 48 h after hospital admission cutoff points for SAP, PNec, and IM varied from 170 to 190 mg/l.

Supervivencia de cáncer gástrico en el occidente de Honduras, estudio piloto: 2002-2012 / Survival of Gastric Cancer in Western Honduras Pilot study: 2002-2012

Antecedentes: El cáncer gástrico es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer globalmente. En Honduras la incidencia en la década pasada fue de 39 y 21 por 100,000 habitantes para hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. En 2008 IARC (GLOBOCAN) colocó a Honduras como el país con más alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico en Latinoamérica. Objetivo: Determinar la supervivencia en pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer gástrico en el occidente de Honduras entre los años 2002-2012. Métodos: Se diseñó un es- tudio de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer gástrico en el Hospital de Occidente (2002-2012). Una muestra de 144 pacientes fue seleccionada de un total de 490 para obtener un nivel de confianza de 95%. La recolección de datos se obtuvo mediante autopsia verbal. Se analizaron los factores pronósticos de supervivencia mediante modelos de razón de riesgos proporcio - nales de Cox (CI:95%) Resultados: La relación hombre/mujer fue 2.8:1. La media de edad fue 63.29 años. La supervivencia global a cinco años fue 9.39%. Entre los pacientes que recibieron terapia dual (cirugía y quimioterapia), se encontró un aumento estadísti- camente significativo de la supervivencia (10.42%,p=0.048). Entre la localizaci ón proximal (28.95%) y distal (56.58%) se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0.03). No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre hallazgos macroscópicos (Borrmann) y microscópicos (Lauren). Discusión: Este estudio representa el primer esfuerzo para estimar la supervivencia de cáncer gástrico en Honduras. La supervivencia podría estar ligada a la localización de la lesión primaria y al tipo de tratamiento. Se espera desarrollar estudios con mayor cobertura, para responder a estas preguntas...(AU)