Evaluation of Hemogram Parameters in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: Immature Granulocytes and Other New Tips.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important cause of sudden death and is difficult to diagnose. Therefore unnecessary radiological investigations are often resorted to. Although some inflammatory parameters in the hemogram have been found to play a role in the diagnosis of PE, many parameters have not been adequately investigated. We aimed to evaluate potential inflammatory parameters in hemogram in the diagnosis of PE and to determine the parameters with the highest diagnostic value. This single-center, retrospective study was performed by evaluating 114 cases with suspected PE admitted to the emergency department between January 2017 and June 2022. Among 114 cases, 62 cases with a definitive diagnosis of PE by pulmonary computed tomography angiography served as the PE group and 52 cases without PE served as the control group. Admission hemogram parameters of both groups were recorded. Potential chronic diseases and acute conditions affecting hemogram were excluded from the study. In the multivariate model; immature granulocyte (IG), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte % and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR) were found to be significantly and independently effective in differentiating cases with and without PE (P˂.05). Our findings suggest that high IG, high NLR, high monocyte %, and low P-LCR values have diagnostic value in cases with suspected PE. However the usability of IGs in the diagnosis of PE is a new finding. Hemogram is cheap, easily accessible, and potential inflammatory biomarkers in hemograms may increase physicians' awareness in the diagnosis of PE.

Preoperative risk factors of airway complications in adult lung transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to identify recipient-related preoperative risk factors for airway complications following lung transplantation in adults. Methods: Articles published between November 1995 and February 2023 were searched by a thorough exploration of databases. Studies that addressed recipient-related risk factors for airway complications following adult lung transplantation, such as cohorts, case-control, or cross-sectional studies, were included. Fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Twenty-one studies including a total of 38,321 recipients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Based on the pooled analyses, taller height (MD=5.98, 95% CI: 5.69-6.27, I2=57.32%), intraoperative mechanical ventilation (OR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.41-2.38, I2=0%), male sex (OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.33-1.74, I2 =15.91%), preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.1-2.26, I2=41.47%), and preoperative steroid use (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.04-1.41, I2=0%) elevated the risk of airway complications following lung transplantation. Conclusion: Taller height, intraoperative mechanical ventilation, male sex, preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and preoperative steroid use can increase the risk of airway complications after lung transplantation. Identifying high-risk recipients or riskless situations can support the advancement of selective treatments or prevent the unnecessary avoidance of certain interventions.

Frequency of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Usage in Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism Treatment in Turkey (TUPEDO).

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been used in acute pulmonary thromboembolism as an alternative to warfarin due to drug interactions, narrow therapeutic range, and necessary close International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitoring. Phase 3 study results have reported that these drugs are at least as effective as warfarin and beneficial in terms of bleeding; however, studies that present up-to-date life data are necessary. Aims: To evaluate the frequency of using DOACs, which are prescribed with a limited number of indications in our country, and real-life data results. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This cross-sectional survey collected the clinical data (history, current treatment, treatment duration, etc.) of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism and who applied to the physician for follow-up between October 15, 2019, and March 15, 2020. The researchers kept the patient records sequentially. Results: Data from 836 patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism from 25 centers were collected, and DOAC was used in 320 (38.5%) of them. The most preferred DOAC was rivaroxaban (n = 294, 91.9%). DOAC was mostly preferred because it could not provide an effective INR level with warfarin (n=133, 41.6%). Bleeding was observed in 13 (4%) patients. Conclusion: The use of direct oral anticoagulants is becoming almost as widespread as conventional therapy. Real-life data results are important for their contribution to clinical practice.

Does ischemia-modified albumin level predict severity of obstructive sleep apnea?

OBJECTIVE AND AIM: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a newly recognized marker of chronic inflammation used to evaluate oxidative stress status in patients with various diseases. We explored the possible relationship between IMA levels and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 169 of 216 sequential patients being evaluated for suspicion of OSAS met inclusion criteria. Polysomnography confirmed OSA in 86 patients (51%) while 81 patients (49%) without OSA were categorized as control subjects. All study participants were tested for blood IMA level, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). RESULTS: The serum IMA level was significantly higher in patients with OSAS than controls (p = 0.008). The serum IMA level increased significantly as OSAS severity increased (r = 0.50, p < 0.001) and was positively correlated with the AHI (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), CRP level (r = 0.31, p = 0.004), body mass index (r = 0.24, p = 0.022), RDW (r = 0.31, p = 0.03), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (r = 0.22, p = 0.02), and negatively correlated with the hemoglobin concentration (r = - 0.28, p = 0.04) and minimum hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) (r = - 0.25, p = 0.02). Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis showed that the optimal serum IMA, CRP, RDW, and NLR values were not different for predicting OSAS diagnosis (areas under the curves (AUC) = 0.62, 0.59, 0.60, and 0.43, respectively). However, the serum IMA level was superior in reflecting OSAS severity (AUC = 0.78) compared to CRP, RDW, and NLR values (AUC = 0.61, 0.53, and 0.51, respectively) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Like other markers of inflammation, blood IMA levels were significantly elevated in patients with OSA. However, blood IMA level was a better predictor of disease severity than the other markers.

Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination Rates and Factors Affecting Vaccination among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to decrease associated risks at all stages. Although the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in our country, as previously reported, vaccination rates are low. AIMS: To assess the vaccination rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and factors that may affect these. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-centre cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients admitted to the chest diseases clinics of six different centres between 1 February 2013 and 1 January 2014 with a pre-diagnosis of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to the Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria, who were in a stable condition were included in the study. The survey, which included demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, severity of disease and vaccination information, was first tested on a small patient population before the study. The survey was completed by the investigators after obtaining written informed consent. RESULTS: The average age of the 296 included patients was 66.3±9.3 years and 91.9% were male. Of these, 36.5% had the influenza vaccination and 14.1% had the pneumococcal vaccination. The most common reason for not being vaccinated was 'no recommendation by doctors': 57.2% in the case of influenza vaccinations, and 46.8% in the case of pneumococcal vaccinations. Both vaccination rates were significantly higher in those patients with comorbidities (influenza vaccination p<0.001; pneumococcal vaccination p=0.06). There was no significant correlation with age, gender, smoking and severity of disease (p>0.05). Vaccination rates were significantly higher in those with a white-collar occupation and higher education level, and who presented to a university hospital (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Medical professionals do not request vaccinations as often as the International Guidelines suggest for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Awareness of the importance of these vaccinations among both doctors and patients needs to be addressed.

A novel biochemical marker for community-acquired pneumonia: Ischemia-modified albumin.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a frequent cause of hospitalization and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential to reduce pneumonia-related morbidity and mortality. CRP is a well-established biomarker in many clinical settings, but has been traditionally considered not specific enough to be a useful guide in the diagnostic process of pneumonia. There is still a need for more specific and practical markers in CAP for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in the diagnosis of CAP in the Emergency Department. METHODS: The study included 81 patients admitted with CAP and 81 control patients. Initial hour levels of IMA and CRP were measured. The IMA mean levels were compared between the study and control group. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate the association of serum IMA levels with CRP. RESULTS: Mean levels of IMA were 0.532±0.117IU/ml in the study group and 0.345±0.082IU/ml in the control group. IMA levels were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. The IMA level of 0.442IU/ml had sensitivity of 75.3% and specificity of 91.3% and was positively correlated with CRP levels (r=0.506; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Blood IMA levels significantly increase in adult patients presenting with CAP. IMA may be considered as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of CAP.

[Diode laser therapy for endobronchial malignant melanoma metastasis leading bilateral main bronchus obstruction]. / Bilateral ana brons obstrüksiyonuna yol açan endobronsiyal malign melanom metastazi tedavisinde Diyot lazer.

Bronchoscopically detected endobronchial metastases of tracheal or bronchial wall were very rare and prevalence of these lesions were about 2%. Breast, renal and colon carcinomas were the most common cancers causing endobronchial metastasis. Also some other tumors can also make endobronchial metastasis. These tumors can be listed as thyroid, ovary, parotis, maxillary, bone, nasopharynx, prostate, bladder, uterus, plasmocytoma, melanoma, testicular and sarcoma. Malignant melanomas develop by the malign transformation of the melanocytes and constitutes 4% of the skin cancers. Malignant melanoma mainly metastasis to regional lymph nodes, bones and central nervous system. On the other hand, lungs are also one of the metastasis areas of these tumors. Lung metastases usually occur by tumor emboli arriving to the pulmonary arteries. Bronchoscopically detected endobronchial metastases of malign melanoma cases are very rare. Endobronchial treatment with diode laser and rigid bronchoscopy was applied to our case which presented with left total atelectasis and endobronchial metastase in the entrance of right main bronchus. As known, Nd YAG and Nd-YAP lasers have been in use for a long time and their efficiency have been approved in endobronchial treatment. On the other hand, although diode laser has been safely used in urology, dermatology and endovasculer surgery, its role in the therapeutic bronchoscopy is new and limited. Our case is presented as an example of a rarely seen endobronchial metastasis and as an example of its management with a new device.