Cysteamine Nanoemulsion Delivery by Inhalation to Attenuate Adverse Effects of Exposure to Cigarette Smoke: A Metabolomics Study in Wistar Rats.

There is a pressing need for novel pharmacological interventions and drug delivery innovations to attenuate the cigarette smoke-associated oxidative stress and lung disease. We report here on the attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and metabolomics of Wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 28 days. The animals were treated for 15 days with plain cysteamine given orally or cysteamine as nanoemulsion given orally or via inhalation. The study design also included two control groups as follows: rats exposed to cigarette smoke but did not receive a treatment (diseased control group) and rats neither exposed to cigarette smoke nor a treatment (normal control group). The targeted metabolomics using Parallel Reaction Monitoring showed that in the diseased control group, ornithine, nicotinamide, xanthine, hypoxanthine, and caprolactam were increased compared with the normal control group. In addition, (±)8(9)-DiHET, which was initially downregulated in the diseased control group, exhibited a reversal of this trend with cysteamine nanoemulsion given via inhalation. The cysteamine nanoemulsion delivered by inhalation highlighted the importance of the route of drug administration for targeting the lungs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to use ATR-FTIR and metabolomics in Wistar rat lung tissues, suggesting how cysteamine nanoemulsion can potentially reduce cigarette smoke-induced oxidative damage. The metabolites reported herein have potential implications for discovery of novel theranostics and, thus, to cultivate diagnostic and therapeutic innovation for early prevention and treatment of cigarette smoke-associated lung diseases.

Molecular Mechanisms and the Interplay of Important Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Biomarkers Reveals Novel Therapeutic Targets.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, age-dependent, and unmet chronic inflammatory disease of the peripheral airways, leading to difficulty in exhalation. Several biomarkers have been tested in general towards the resolution for a long time, but no apparent success was achieved. Ongoing therapies of COPD have only symptomatic relief but no cure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive species which include oxygen radicals and nonradical derivatives, and are the prominent players in COPD. They are produced as natural byproducts of cellular metabolism, but their levels can vary due to exposure to indoor air pollution, occupational pollution, and environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke. In COPD, the lungs are continuously exposed to high levels of ROS thus leading to oxidative stress. ROS can cause damage to cells, proteins, lipids, and DNA which further contributes to the chronic inflammation in COPD and exacerbates the disease condition. Excessive ROS production can overwhelm cellular antioxidant systems and act as signaling molecules that regulate cellular processes, including antioxidant defense mechanisms involving glutathione and sirtuins which further leads to cellular apoptosis, cellular senescence, inflammation, and sarcopenia. In this review paper, we focused on COPD from different perspectives including potential markers and different cellular processes such as apoptosis, cellular senescence, inflammation, sirtuins, and sarcopenia, and tried to connect the dots between them so that novel therapeutic strategies to evaluate and target the possible underlying mechanisms in COPD could be explored.

A large-scale targeted proteomics of serum and tissue shows the utility of classifying high grade and low grade meningioma tumors.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumors. Due to their increasing burden on healthcare, meningiomas have become a pivot of translational research globally. Despite many studies in the field of discovery proteomics, the identification of grade-specific markers for meningioma is still a paradox and requires thorough investigation. The potential of the reported markers in different studies needs further verification in large and independent sample cohorts to identify the best set of markers with a better clinical perspective. METHODS: A total of 53 fresh frozen tumor tissue and 51 serum samples were acquired from meningioma patients respectively along with healthy controls, to validate the prospect of reported differentially expressed proteins and claimed markers of Meningioma mined from numerous manuscripts and knowledgebases. A small subset of Glioma/Glioblastoma samples were also included to investigate inter-tumor segregation. Furthermore, a simple Machine Learning (ML) based analysis was performed to evaluate the classification accuracy of the list of proteins. RESULTS: A list of 15 proteins from tissue and 12 proteins from serum were found to be the best segregator using a feature selection-based machine learning strategy with an accuracy of around 80% in predicting low grade (WHO grade I) and high grade (WHO grade II and WHO grade III) meningiomas. In addition, the discriminant analysis could also unveil the complexity of meningioma grading from a segregation pattern, which leads to the understanding of transition phases between the grades. CONCLUSIONS: The identified list of validated markers could play an instrumental role in the classification of meningioma as well as provide novel clinical perspectives in regard to prognosis and therapeutic targets.

A Proteomics Investigation of Cigarette Smoke Exposed Wistar Rats Revealed Improved Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Cysteamine Nanoemulsions Delivered via Inhalation.

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of chronic inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is paramount to develop pharmacological interventions and delivery strategies against the cigarette smoke (CS) associated oxidative stress in COPD. This study in Wistar rats examined cysteamine in nanoemulsions to counteract the CS distressed microenvironment. In vivo, 28 days of CS and 15 days of cysteamine nanoemulsions treatment starting on 29th day consisting of oral and inhalation routes were established in Wistar rats. In addition, we conducted inflammatory and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) studies in vitro in human bronchial epithelial cell lines (BEAS2B) using 5% CS extract. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-13, have been quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to evaluate the effects of the cysteamine nanoemulsions in normalizing the diseased condition. Histopathological analysis of the alveoli and the trachea showed the distorted, lung parenchyma and ciliated epithelial barrier, respectively. To obtain mechanistic insights into the CS COPD rat model, "shotgun" proteomics of the lung tissues have been carried out using high-resolution mass spectrometry wherein genes such as ABI1, PPP3CA, PSMA2, FBLN5, ACTG1, CSNK2A1, and ECM1 exhibited significant differences across all the groups. Pathway analysis showed autophagy, signaling by receptor tyrosine kinase, cytokine signaling in immune system, extracellular matrix organization, and hemostasis, as the major contributing pathways across all the studied groups. This work offers new preclinical findings on how cysteamine taken orally or inhaled can combat CS-induced oxidative stress.

Early repolarization syndrome, epilepsy, and atrial fibrillation in a young girl with novel KCND3 mutation managed with quinidine.

A 6-year-old girl presented with a difficult to control epilepsy syndrome. On evaluation, additional presyncope episodes associated with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia were also noted. A diagnosis of early repolarization syndrome (ERS) was made with an early repolarization pattern on electrocardiogram, documented VT episodes, and clinical presyncope (proposed Shanghai score 7). Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was also noted on 24-h Holter recordings. The child was stabilized with isoprenaline infusion and was later discharged with arrhythmia control on quinidine and cilostazol. The genetic evaluation revealed a potassium channel KCND3 gene missense mutation. The case highlights the association of epilepsy syndrome and AF with ERS; the possible association of KCND3 gene mutation with a malignant phenotype; and management issues in a small child.

Effect of Yoga on Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Vasovagal Syncope (LIVE-Yoga).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the impact of yoga as an adjunct to standard therapy versus standard therapy alone on the symptomatic burden in patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope (VVS). BACKGROUND: There is a significant reduction in the quality of life (QoL) of patients with recurrent VVS. Existing management therapies have been largely ineffective. Recent trials have demonstrated the efficacy of yoga in diseases with autonomic imbalance, suggesting its possible utility in VVS. METHODS: Patients with recurrent VVS were randomized to receive either a specialized yoga training program in addition to current guideline-based therapy (intervention arm, group 1) or current guideline-based therapy alone (control arm, group 2). The primary outcome was a composite of the number of episodes of syncope and presyncope at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included QoL assessment by World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Field questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF) scores and Syncope Functional Status Questionnaire scores at 12 months, head up tilt test, and heart rate variability at 6 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients underwent randomization. The mean number of syncopal or presyncopal events at 12 months was 0.7 ± 0.7 in the intervention arm compared to 2.52 ± 1.93 in the control arm (P < 0.01). In the intervention arm, 13 (43.3%) patients remained free of events versus 4 (16.0%) patients in the control arm (P = 0.02). QoL at 12 months showed significant improvement of all Syncope Functional Status Questionnaire scores and 2 domains of WHOQoL-BREF scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga as adjunctive therapy is superior to standard therapy alone in reducing the symptomatic burden and improving QoL in patients with recurrent VVS.

Bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous origin of the right ventricular branch in a patient with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries: A rare association.

We hereby present a case of congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries association of bicuspid aortic valve morphology and anomalous separate origin of the right ventricular branch of the right coronary artery. We aim to highlight the role of computed tomography angiography in identifying these rare associations.

Incidence and predictors of de novo late-onset persistent atrial fibrillation in postoperative rheumatic heart disease patients (LOAF-RHD study).

PURPOSE: Late-onset atrial fibrillation (LOAF) after valve surgery for degenerative mitral valve disease often with underlying mitral valve prolapse is a known phenomenon. However, there is no similar data for postoperative rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients. We sought to assess the incidence and predictors of LOAF during postoperative follow-up in RHD patients. METHODS: This single-center retrospective case-control study included a total of 384 RHD patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR) who underwent rheumatic valve surgery between 1st July 2008 and 30th June 2013. Patients detected with de novo persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) after 2 months of valve surgery were diagnosed as having LOAF. Presurgical demographic and echocardiographic parameters were compared between the LOAF and NSR groups to identify risk factors for LOAF. RESULTS: The incidence of de novo LOAF after rheumatic valve surgery was 9.63% at an average of 2.67 ± 1.32 years follow-up. Age ≥ 32 years [OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-5.1); P = 0.01] and left atrial (LA) size ≥ 51 mm [OR 5.9 (95% CI 2.8-12.4); P < 0.0001] were the most significant and independent predictors of LOAF. Moreover, significant mitral valve disease was associated with a higher risk of LOAF than significant aortic valve disease (P = 0.037). LA size ≥ 51 mm at surgery showed a fair discriminative power [AUC = 0.75; sensitivity = 68%, specificity = 70%] to identify patients at high risk for LOAF. CONCLUSIONS: Late-onset AF develops in almost a tenth of the RHD patients postoperatively following corrective valve surgery. Preoperative LA size can be used to identify patients at high risk for LOAF.

Concomitant Transthyretin Amyloidosis and Severe Aortic Stenosis in Elderly Indian Population: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of both degenerative severe aortic stenosis (AS) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) increases with age. Dual disease (AS+myocardial ATTR-CA) occurs in significant proportion of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ATTR-CA in severe AS in the Indian population, identify noninvasive predictors of its diagnosis, and understand its impact on prognosis. METHODS: Symptomatic severe AS patients aged ≥65 years undergoing SAVR were enrolled. ATTR-CA diagnosis was based on preoperative 99m-technetium pyrophosphate (PYP) scan and intraoperatively obtained basal interventricular septum biopsy for myocardial ATTR-CA, and excised native aortic valve for isolated valvular ATTR-CA. Primary amyloidosis was excluded by serum/urine protein electrophoresis with serum immunofixation. RESULTS: SAVR was performed in 46 AS patients (age 70 ± 5 years, 70% men). PYP scan was performed for 32 patients, with significant PYP uptake in 3 (n = 3 of 32, 9.4%), suggestive of myocardial ATTR-CA. On histopathological examination, none of the interventricular septum biopsy specimens had amyloid deposits, whereas 33 (71.7%) native aortic valves showed amyloid deposits, of which 19 (57.6%) had transthyretin deposition suggestive of isolated valvular amyloidosis. Noninvasive markers of dual disease included low myocardial contraction fraction (median [interquartile range], 28.8% [23.8% to 39.1%] vs 15.3% [9.3% to 16.1%]; P = 0.006), deceleration time (215 [144 to 236] ms vs 88 [60 to 106] ms; P = 0.009) and global longitudinal strain (-18.7% [-21.1% to -16.9%] vs -14.2% [-17.0% to -9.7%]; P = 0.030). At 1-year follow-up, 2 patients died (4.3%); 1 each in myocardial ATTR-CA negative and positive groups (3.4% vs 33.3%; P = 0.477). CONCLUSIONS: Dual disease is not uncommon in India. Isolated valvular amyloidosis in severe AS is much more common.

Clinical significance of diabetes control before metabolic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Even though observational studies have suggested that poor preoperative diabetes control increases risk after major abdominal surgery, it is unclear whether this effect is seen in metabolic surgery patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether poor preoperative diabetes control is associated with worse outcomes in patients with obesity and diabetes undergoing metabolic surgery. SETTING: Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Project (MBSAQIP) database. METHODS: Using the MBSAQIP 2017 and 2018 database and preoperative glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) as a diabetes control surrogate, we examined the association between diabetes control and major outcomes of primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in patients with diabetes and obesity. Multivariate logistic regression modeling examined five 30-day postoperative outcomes: composite serious complications (composite of 10 adverse events), composite infection (composite of 7 infectious complications), length of stay >5 days, reoperation, and readmission. Models were adjusted for multiple covariates. RESULTS: In total, 26,674 patients with HbA1C data available within 30 days before metabolic surgery were included in the primary analysis and 35,884 patients with HbA1C data within 90 days before surgery were included in the sensitivity analysis. The mean body mass index (BMI) and preoperative HbA1C were 45.6 ± 8.2 kg/m2 and 8.2 ± 2.7%, respectively. The incidence of 30-day postoperative infections and serious complications were 1.62% and 1.35%, respectively. Neither primary analysis nor sensitivity analysis demonstrated any association between higher HbA1C and worsening of 5 primary outcomes of interest. The odds ratio of an overall effect for SG was 1.01 (95% CI .98-1.03; P = .58) and for RYGB was .99 (95% CI .96-1.02; P = .41). CONCLUSION: Suboptimal preoperative diabetes control is not associated with increased adverse events and should not delay metabolic surgery, as metabolic surgery is generally a safe procedure and intrinsically improves diabetes control.

Metabolic effects of duodenojejunal bypass surgery in a rat model of type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic surgery has beneficial metabolic effects, including remission of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that duodenojejunal bypass (DJB) surgery can protect against development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by enhancing regulation of cellular and molecular pathways that control glucose homeostasis. METHODS: BBDP/Wor rats, which are prone to develop spontaneous autoimmune T1D, underwent loop DJB (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) surgery at a median age of 41 days, before development of diabetes. At T1D diagnosis, a subcutaneous insulin pellet was implanted, oral glucose tolerance test was performed 21 days later, and tissues were collected 25 days after onset of T1D. Pancreas and liver tissues were assessed by histology and RT-qPCR. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S V4 sequencing. RESULTS: Postoperatively, DJB rats weighed less than sham rats (287.8 vs 329.9 g, P = 0.04). In both groups, 14 of 15 rats developed T1D, at similar age of onset (87 days in DJB vs 81 days in sham, P = 0.17). There was no difference in oral glucose tolerance, fasting and stimulated plasma insulin and c-peptide levels, and immunohistochemical analysis of insulin-positive cells in the pancreas. DJB rats needed 1.3 ± 0.4 insulin implants vs 1.9 ± 0.5 in sham rats (P = 0.002). Fasting and glucose stimulated glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion was elevated after DJB surgery. DJB rats had reduced markers of metabolic stress in liver. After DJB, the fecal microbiome changed significantly, including increases in Akkermansia and Ruminococcus, while the changes were minimal in sham rats. CONCLUSION: DJB does not protect against autoimmune T1D in BBDP/Wor rats, but reduces the need for exogenous insulin and facilitates other metabolic benefits including weight loss, increased GLP-1 secretion, reduced hepatic stress, and altered gut microbiome.

Comparative Effectiveness of Targeted Intrathecal Drug Delivery Using a Combination of Bupivacaine with Either Low-Dose Fentanyl or Hydromorphone in Chronic Back Pain Patients with Lumbar Postlaminectomy Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Targeted intrathecal drug delivery (TIDD) is an effective interventional pain management modality often used in postlaminectomy patients with refractory chronic low back pain. A combination of intrathecal bupivacaine with an opioid is often used. However, intrathecal catheter tip granulomas have occurred with use of morphine or hydromorphone but generally not with fentanyl. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of TIDD using bupivacaine/fentanyl vs bupivacaine/hydromorphone in patients with chronic intractable low back pain postlaminectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative analysis of consecutive patients with lumbar postlaminectomy syndrome who were trialed and later received TIDD with a combination of bupivacaine/hydromorphone or bupivacaine/fentanyl between June 2009 and May 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. RESULTS: We identified a cohort of 58 lumbar postlaminectomy patients receiving a TIDD admixture of either hydromorphone/bupivacaine (30 patients) or low-dose fentanyl/bupivacaine (28 patients) with at least two years of follow-up. The fentanyl group had significantly lower baseline opioid consumption and a lower rate of intrathecal opioid dose escalation. Both groups had similar and significant reductions in pain scores over the two-year follow-up period. No granulomas were observed. CONCLUSION: TIDD using a low-dose fentanyl admixture with bupivacaine in patients with postlaminectomy syndrome and refractory chronic low back pain results in similar pain relief to TIDD with hydromorphone and bupivacaine. Low-dose intrathecal fentanyl leads to a lower rate of opioid escalation and may be safer than hydromorphone.

Isolated cardiovascular involvement in light chain amyloidosis.

A 50-year-old woman presented with complaints of palpitations and breathlessness of 6 months' duration. She was being treated elsewhere as a case of dilated cardiomyopathy. On evaluation she had racoon eyes, poor progression of R wave on ECG and low-voltage complexes in the limb leads. Echocardiography revealed biventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and moderate systolic dysfunction. Cardiac MRI showed features suggestive of amyloidosis. Bone marrow biopsy revealed raised plasma cell count, and endomyocardial biopsy showed amyloid deposits in the myocardium. Free lambda light chain levels were elevated, even though serum and urine electrophoresis did not show any monoclonal band. In this 'text book case of cardiac amyloidosis', apart from cardiovascular system no other organ system was affected, which is uncommon in primary light chain amyloidosis. The patient was started on CyBorD (cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone) regimen.

Late Relapse of Diabetes After Bariatric Surgery: Not Rare, but Not a Failure.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the status of cardiometabolic risk factors after late relapse of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to identify factors predicting relapse after initial diabetes remission following bariatric surgery to construct prediction models for clinical practice. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Outcomes of 736 patients with T2DM who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) at an academic center (2004-2012) and had ≥5 years' glycemic follow-up were assessed. Of 736 patients, 425 (58%) experienced diabetes remission (HbA1c <6.5% [48 mmol/mol] with patients off medications) in the 1st year after surgery. These 425 patients were followed for a median of 8 years (range 5-14) to characterize late relapse of diabetes. RESULTS: In 136 (32%) patients who experienced late relapse, a statistically significant improvement in glycemic control, number of diabetes medications including insulin use, blood pressure, and lipid profile was still observed at long-term. Independent baseline predictors of late relapse were preoperative number of diabetes medications, duration of T2DM before surgery, and SG versus RYGB. Furthermore, patients who relapsed lost less weight during the 1st year after surgery and regained more weight afterward. Prediction models were constructed and externally validated. CONCLUSIONS: While late relapse of T2DM is a real phenomenon (one-third of our cohort), it should not be considered a failure, as the trajectory of the disease and its related cardiometabolic risk factors is changed favorably after bariatric surgery. Earlier surgical intervention, RYGB (compared with SG) and more weight loss (less late weight regain) are associated with less diabetes relapse in the long-term.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Heart Failure Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data in the literature evaluating outcomes of bariatric surgery in severely obese patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to make them acceptable candidates for heart transplantation. This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with previously implanted LVAD at our institution. METHODS: All the patients with end-stage heart failure (ESHF) and implanted LVAD who underwent LSG from2013 to January 2017 were studied. RESULTS: Seven patients with end stage heart failure (ESHF) and implanted LVAD were included. The median age and median preoperative BMI were 39 years (range: 26-62) and 43.6 kg/m2 (range 36.7-56.7), respectively. The median interval between LVAD implantation and LSG was 38 months (range 15-48). The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (rang: 6-23) out of which 4 patients had planned postoperative ICU admission. Thirty-day complications were noted in 5 patients (3 major and 2 minor) without any perioperative mortality. The median duration of follow-up was 24 months (range 2-30). At the last available follow-up, the median BMI, %EWL, and %TWL were 37 kg/m2, 47%, and 16%, respectively. The median LVEF before LSG and at the last follow-up point (before heart transplant) was 19% (range 15-20) and 22% (range, 16-35), respectively. In addition, the median NYHA class improved from 3 to 2 after LSG. Three patients underwent successful heart transplantations. CONCLUSION: Patients with morbid obesity, ESHF, and implanted LVAD constitute a high-risk cohort. Our results with 7 patients and result from other studies (19 patients) suggested that bariatric surgery may be a reasonable option for LVAD patients with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery appears to provide significant weight loss in these patients and may improve candidacy for heart transplantation.

A Nationwide Safety Analysis of Discharge on the First Postoperative Day After Bariatric Surgery in Selected Patients.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery has led to early recovery and shorter hospital stay after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). This study aims to assess feasibility and outcomes of postoperative day (POD) 1 discharge after LRYGB and LSG from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) 2015 dataset. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective LRYGB and LSG and were discharged on POD 1 and 2 were extracted from the MBSAQIP dataset. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed between cases with POD 1 vs POD 2 discharge, and the 30-day outcomes of the cohorts were compared. RESULTS: A total of 80,464 patients met the study criteria: 8862 LRYGB and 31,370 LSG cases, which were discharged on POD 1, and matched 1:1 with those discharged on POD 2. Within the LRYGB cohort, patients discharged on POD 2 had higher all-cause morbidity (7.5% vs 6.1%; p < 0.001) and 30-day re-intervention (2.0% vs 1.5%; p = 0.004) in comparison with patients discharged on POD 1. There were no statistical differences with respect to serious morbidity (0.5% vs 0.4%; p = 0.15), 30-day readmission (4.9% vs 4.5%; p = 0.2), and 30-day reoperation (1.3% vs 1.2%; p = 0.7). Within the LSG cohort, patients discharged on POD 2 had higher all-cause morbidity (4.2% vs 3.4%; p < 0.001), serious morbidity (0.4% vs 0.3%; p < 0.001), 30-day re-intervention (1.0% vs 0.6%; p < 0.001), and 30-day readmission (2.9% vs 2.5%; p = 0.002) in comparison with patients discharged on POD 1. CONCLUSIONS: Early discharge on POD 1 may be safe in a selective group of bariatric patients without significant comorbidities.

Bariatric surgery in patients with interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative pulmonary complications are frequent in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Limited literature exists regarding the safety of bariatric procedures in patients with ILD. This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of patients with ILD who underwent bariatric surgery at our institution. METHODS: After IRB approval, all patients with preoperative diagnosis of ILD who had bariatric surgery at an academic center between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients with ILD underwent bariatric surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 17, 68%), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 7, 28%), and adjustable gastric banding (n = 1, 4%). Twenty-one patients (84%) were females. The median age and preoperative body mass index (BMI) were 53 (IQR 42-58) years and 39 (IQR 37-44) kg/m2, respectively. The median operative time and length of stay was 137 (IQR 110-187) min and 3 (IQR 2-5) days, respectively. The 30-day complications were reported in four patients (16%) but there was no pulmonary complication or unplanned admission to the intensive care unit. At 1-year follow-up (85%), the median BMI and excess weight loss were 30 (IQR 25-36) kg/m2 and 67% (IQR 45-100), respectively. Compared to preoperative values, there was significant improvement in the pulmonary function test (PFT) variables at 1 year with respect to forced vital capacity (62% vs 74%; n = 13, p = 0.003), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (53% vs 66%; n = 10, p = 0.003). Six out of the seven potential lung transplant candidates became eligible for transplantation after weight loss, and one of them had successful lung transplant at 88 months after bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: In our experience, bariatric patients with ILD achieved significant weight loss and improvement in PFT. Bariatric surgery in these higher risk ILD patients appears relatively safe with acceptable perioperative morbidity and improved candidacy for lung transplantation.