Intraoperative hypotension and postoperative acute kidney injury: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding safe intraoperative blood pressure thresholds that protect against postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). This review aims to examine the existing literature to delineate safe intraoperative hypotension (IOH) parameters to prevent postoperative AKI. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science were systematically searched for articles published between 2015 and 2022 relating the effects of IOH on postoperative AKI. RESULTS: Our search yielded 19 articles. IOH risk thresholds ranged from <50 to <75 â€‹mmHg for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and from <70 to <100 â€‹mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP). MAP below 65 â€‹mmHg for over 5 â€‹min was the most cited threshold (N â€‹= â€‹13) consistently associated with increased postoperative AKI. Greater magnitude and duration of MAP and SBP below the thresholds were generally associated with a dose-dependent increase in postoperative AKI incidence. CONCLUSIONS: While a consistent definition for IOH remains elusive, the evidence suggests that MAP below 65 â€‹mmHg for over 5 â€‹min is strongly associated with postoperative AKI, with the risk increasing with the magnitude and duration of IOH.

Effect of post-pyloric Dobhoff tube retention during gastrojejunostomy for reduction of fluoroscopic time and radiation dose.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether retention of a post-pyloric Dobhoff tube (DHT) in position to serve as a visual guide through the pylorus during gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube placement results in a reduction in fluoroscopy time, procedure time, and estimated radiation dose. A retrospective study evaluated patients who underwent GJ tube placement or gastric to GJ conversion from January 1, 2017, to April 1, 2021. Demographic and procedural data were collected, and results were evaluated using descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing through an unpaired Student's t-test. Of the 71 GJ tube placements included for analysis, 12 patients underwent placement with a post-pyloric DHT in position, and 59 patients underwent placement without a post-pyloric DHT in position. The mean fluoroscopy time and estimated radiation dose were significantly reduced in patients who underwent GJ tube placement with a post-pyloric DHT in position compared with those without (7.08 min vs. 11.02 min, P = 0.004; 123.12 mGy vs. 255.19 mGy, P = 0.015, respectively). The mean total procedure time was also reduced in patients who underwent GJ tube placement with a post-pyloric DHT in position compared with those who had no post-pyloric DHT, but this finding lacked statistical significance (18.55 min vs. 23.15 min; P = 0.09). Post-pyloric DHT retention can be utilized during GJ tube placement to reduce radiation exposure to both the patient and interventionalist.

Microglia and Post-Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Vasospasm: Review of Emerging Mechanisms and Treatment Modalities.

Vasospasm is a potentially severe complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage. It can be attributed to neuroinflammation and the robust recruitment of microglia. Emerging evidence has linked this sustained inflammation to the development of delayed cerebral ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this focused review, we provide an overview of the historical understanding of vasospasm. We then delve into the role of neuroinflammation and the activation of microglia. These activated microglia releases a host of inflammatory cytokines contributing to an influx of peripheral macrophages. This thereby opens a new and innovative treatment strategy to prevent vasospasm. Pre-clinical work has been promising, and the transition to clinical trials is warranted. Finally, some of the key mechanistic targets are outlined with emphasis on translation. This review will serve as a catalyst for researchers and clinicians alike in the quest to improve treatment options for vasospasm.

Timing surgery and hemorrhagic complications in endocarditis with concomitant cerebral complications.

BACKGROUND: To date, limited studies have been conducted regarding the safe timing of valvular repair for infectious endocarditis (IE) in patients with radiographic findings consistent with embolic stroke or infectious intracranial aneurysm (IIA). METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review of valvular surgeries for IE was performed (2011-2019). Outcomes for patients who underwent cranial image screening and those who did not were subsequently compared. RESULTS: 276 patients underwent valvular repair for IE; 186 (67.4%) were male. The mean age was 51.0 (17.4) years. Mean time from imaging to surgery was 7.5 days. 124 (44.9%) underwent baseline cranial imaging. Of these, 22 (17.7%) had findings concerning for ischemic stroke from embolic origin. 65 patients underwent baseline diagnostic cerebral angiography. 10 (15%) of these patients harbored an IIA. Four out of these 10 (40%) underwent intervention for an IIA. Two of the four who underwent intervention (50.0%) had ruptured IIAs. The remaining six (60%) patients with IIAs received treatment with antibiotics alone. None of the patients with IIAs suffered from symptomatic hemorrhage after valvular surgery. No significant difference in symptomatic hemorrhage after valvular surgery between those with ischemic embolic stroke compared to those without (ischemic stroke-4.5% vs. no ischemic stroke-1.0%; p = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with radiographic evidence of ischemic stroke from septic emboli can safely undergo valvular surgery for IE without increased risk of symptomatic hemorrhage. We advocate for baseline CTA screening to evaluate for IIA in patients who present with a primary diagnosis of IE and propose a management algorithm.

Ticagrelor resistance: a case series and algorithm for management of non-responders.

The placement of cervical and intracranial stents requires the administration of antiplatelet drugs to prevent thromboembolic complications. Ticagrelor has emerged as the most widely used alternative in clopidogrel non-responders owing to its potent antiplatelet effects. Because ticagrelor does not require hepatic activation, many neurointerventionalists choose to forgo laboratory testing of platelet inhibition. In rare instances, patients may not achieve adequate platelet inhibition following ticagrelor administration. In this paper we review the mechanism of action of ticagrelor and its use in cerebrovascular procedures. We present two cases of ticagrelor non-responsiveness from two high-volume cerebrovascular centers, discuss their management, and propose an algorithm for managing ticagrelor non-responsiveness.

Carotid Stent Explant Indications and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting is an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, especially in patients deemed to have significant anatomic or medical risk for the latter. There is scant literature, however, on indications for and outcomes of carotid stent (CAS) explant. We sought to determine indications and outcomes of CAS explant at our institution. METHODS: We queried a prospectively maintained institutional vascular surgery database as well as hospital records to identify patients undergoing carotid stent explant from 2010-2020. Ten patients were identified. Their charts were reviewed to obtain demographic, comorbidity, procedural, and outcomes data. Data of particular interest were preoperative atherosclerotic factors, indications for CAS explant, carotid repair strategy, and 30-day post-procedural complications. Data were analyzed for ranges and means. RESULTS: Ten patients were identified. Comorbidity was common: all patients had at least 1 atherosclerotic risk factor, with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia being the most common. Seven (70.0%) patients had recurrent stenosis as the indication for explant. Seven (70.0%) presented symptomatically. Five (50.0%) cases of restenosis had been refractory to angioplasty. There were 3 (30.0%) instances of CAS explant due to infection. Only 1 (12.5%) index CAS was performed at our institution. There was a mean hospital length of stay of 4.5 days. One patient had vocal cord paralysis requiring no intervention. There was no (0%) 30-day mortality, stroke, or postoperative wound infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our series had 0% 30-day mortality, stroke, and postoperative wound infection suggesting that CAS explant may be performed safely. Our series is small but represents the largest single institution series to date. This procedure may become increasingly common in the coming years with the more frequent use of CAS; additional data is needed to rigorously understand outcomes.